View at AKL for Deluxe Savannah Rooms

[letterdavidman]

DW and I will be at AKL 8/21-8/29, and we've booked a deluxe savannah room. Now, I do know that the main difference between deluxe and just plain savannah is the deluxe rooms have more room. My question is this: Are we going to be higher up above the savannahs in our deluxe room than we would have been had we booked just a regular savannah room? Could the regular savannah rooms be, gasp!, better, in terms of the view, than the deluxe rooms (e.g., closer to the animals)?

Also, I ask this question at the request of DW. Since we will celebrate DW's birthday while we are there, if we were to call the Lodge in advance and mention that fact, or mention it upon check in, how good would are chances be to get bumped up from deluxe savannah view to concierge? Wifey thinks it just might happen, but I think it would be well-nigh impossible, since being upgraded from standard to savannah is one thing, but being upgraded (for free) to concierge level is just a whole other ball game.

What do you knowledgeable and friendly experts here at the DIS have to say?

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I could be wrong but I thought the only difference was the size of the room. Deluxe Savannah view rooms have the capacity to sleep 5 because they have a sleeper sofa while the savannah view does not have the sofa bed. I'm not sure about the view but I think some of the deluxe rooms are on the 4th floor.

I haven't ever heard of someone being upgraded to concierge. The rack rate of concierge rooms is about $400 more than a deluxe savannah view.

Anyone else know for sure?

 

[grumpyandbashful]

I'm pretty sure the deluxe rooms are all on the 5th floor. The balcony is bigger, the room is a little bigger, and has a daybed. If you have a key to the concierge elevator and are staying on 5th floor, then you are paying concierge rate! All 6th floor rooms are concierge.
From our experience (and we have stayed at AKL several times, twice concierge 5th floor, and others levels 2 and 3), animal viewing is better the lower you are - up close and personal. It is still awesome to look out on the savannah from the 5th floor, though . So you just have to decide if you want the bigger room.
As far as upgrades go, I would think it very unlikely to get a free upgrade to concierge at AKL. I have faxed requests and included polite hints about anniversaries, birthdays, etc. to WDW on seveeral occasions, and never gotten any upgrades!
We have asked at the desk at check in about an upgrade, and been offered concierge for $100 more a day over savannah view, but never a complimentary upgrade.

 

[letterdavidman]

Thank you very much poohkinandpiglet and grumpyandbashful!! I figured as much, regarding a free upgrade to concierge. And, frankly, I don't think it would be something that I'd be interested in paying for. I'm just hoping that the views of the animals are impressive... and that, if not, I'll be able to switch to a room with a better view.

Again, thanks so much, guys!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Not sure if you could work your budget this way, but what if you booked a standard savannah view and then booked concierge for one or two nights during your stay. You could always try to get it to coincide with the sunrise safari that is offered exclusively to AKL concierge guests. I believe the current cost is $49 per person and that includes a 45 minute guided tour of the Kilimanjaro safari, complete with stopping numerous times for pictures. After the safari, you have a buffet breakfast at Tuskers, then you're free to roam the AK on your own (a park pass is required for this tour).

That would give you a lower floor, which I've heard is the best for animal viewing, plus access to concierge pre-planning assistance. They have a team there that will get you all your priority seatings, entertainment tickets, book tours, firework cruises, make special arrangements for a birthday celebration, etc. On-site, you'll have the concierge lounge with deluxe continental breakfast served in the mornings, afternoon snacks, evening wine/beer and appetizers, late night yummy desserts from Boma and cordials. You can also ask that you be kept in your current room and not have to change them mid-vacation. What you'll need to do is simply bring all your room key cards to the front desk and they'll reissue new ones with the concierge floor access granted.

Might be worth checking the numbers and see if it works for you. It would be an incredible birthday surprise.

Tammi

 

[flyball]

Just wanted to let you know that there are deluxe rooms on the 4th floor as well (stayed in one last August). It was great having a little extra room. We've also stayed in a standard savannah view room on the 3rd floor. Animal viewing is slightly better on the lower floors, but you have a more panoramic view from the higher floors, so it's a trade off. As for being upgraded to concierge, we booked concierge for a few nights at the beginning of our stay last year. We did inquire about upgrading for the remainder of our stay after the first few nights and we were offered a rate that was $60 per night higher than the rate we were paying for the deluxe room (which was an excellent package rate). We took the offer and loved using the lounge for respite during our vacation. I don't think complimentary upgrades to concierge are that common. Regardless, though, you'll have a great time; it's a beautiful resort!

 

[LisaS]

Deluxe savannah view rooms are about 4 feet longer overall (room + balcony) than the non-deluxe rooms. I have stayed in both and didn't think the extra length was worth the extra cost. Our deluxe room was on the fifth floor. We stayed in a regular savannah view room twice since, both times on the third floor. I preferred the view from the third floor. Felt I was much closer to the animals -- eye to eye with the giraffes rather than looking down at them from above. Yes, you do get a more expansive view from the higher floors, but I preferred being "up close and personal".

On our second visit to AKL I was celebrating a major birthday. My DH got in touch with them to let them know, but nothing came of it, which is OK. Lots and lots and lots of people staying at WDW are celebrating special occasions, so if there were free upgrades to concierge level being handed out, I would have been there three times myself already! However, do make sure you pick up a birthday button from whichever park you visit on her birthday. You may not get upgraded to CL, but other (smaller) surprises may come her way as a result of wearing the button.