We had a great STANDARD room at the AKL!

[cunwdw]

Hello to all,

Just a quick note to let everyone know how much we enjoyed our standard room at the AKL. Last year we stayed in a savannah view room and although we liked the resort very much, we really weren't that impressed with the savannah view. This year we booked the standard for $139 plus tax and we were hoping to be upgraded to a pool view. At check in, after we were given our room, I asked about the availability of a pool room. The CM explained that the resort was full and she didn't have any other rooms available.

The room she gave us was # 1458, I don't remember what trail we were on, but we absolutley loved the room. It was located across the hall from Simba's Clubhouse. I was worried that this might be noisey, but we never heard a thing in the 6 days that we were there! Mara was right out the door and around the corner, about a 15 second walk from our room, VERY CONVIENIENT!

We were very pleased with this arrangement, this area suited our needs perfectly.

Tom

 

[jennymouse]

This is encouraging news. I'm hoping for a code rate for October so we can stay at AKL standard view (or upgrade)!

 

[mapletree]

Tom,

Was this room on the Zebra trail? What was the view from your balcony or patio & did sit out on it much? Did you have bunk beds? Thanks for any info you can share!

 

[hallie]

I know that Simba's clubhouse is on Kudu Trail. I also read about someone staying in the exact same room and they said the view was tree and stuff. Hope this helps you.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by cunwdw
Hello to all,

Just a quick note to let everyone know how much we enjoyed our standard room at the AKL. Last year we stayed in a savannah view room and although we liked the resort very much, we really weren't that impressed with the savannah view. This year we booked the standard for $139 plus tax and we were hoping to be upgraded to a pool view. At check in, after we were given our room, I asked about the availability of a pool room. The CM explained that the resort was full and she didn't have any other rooms available.

The room she gave us was # 1458, I don't remember what trail we were on, but we absolutley loved the room. It was located across the hall from Simba's Clubhouse. I was worried that this might be noisey, but we never heard a thing in the 6 days that we were there! Mara was right out the door and around the corner, about a 15 second walk from our room, VERY CONVIENIENT!

We were very pleased with this arrangement, this area suited our needs perfectly.

Tom

Hi Tom,

Simaba's Clubhouse is located on the Zebra Trail. You were given a pool view room. When you looked out your balcony could you see the pool area?

The real standard view rooms are on the Ostrich and Giraffe Trails and when you look out of your balcony you will see the parking lot area.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by hallie
I know that Simba's clubhouse is on Kudu Trail. I also read about someone staying in the exact same room and they said the view was tree and stuff. Hope this helps you.

Hi hallie,

Simba's clubhouse is on the Zebra trial. When you open the doors from the pool area into the common area on the Zebra trail first floor Simba's clubhouse is right in front of you. You take a left to get the elevator up to the other floors. We were on the 2nd floor of the Zebra trail on our last trip and walked by Simba's clubhouse everyday.

I think Tom lucked out and got and upgrade to a pool view room as the real standard view rooms overlook the parking lot and the only trails that do that are the Ostrich and Giraffe Trails.

 

[cunwdw]

mapletree

Oops, I forgot about the bunk beds.. No this room does not have bunk beds. We requested them, but did not get them. We have had bunk bed rooms in the past and our ten year old prefers them, but it worked out fine without them.

Our balcony was perfectly serviceable. I would call it a view of a pathway to the pool, actually pretty private with lots of landscaping. It was my understanding from talking to the CM at check-in that this was a "standard" room, it did face the pool area, but no actual view of the pool. If this is a "pool view" room, I would be very disapointed in this view if I was paying "pool view" rates. I paid a discounted standard rate and we were very happy with this room and location.

Tom

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Wow, that's great! I'm thinking about staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, standard view, in January 2004. This gives me some hope that I can get a good room! Would you happen to remember if there was a connecting door to the room next door? Thanks!!!

 

[cunwdw]

CaliforniaDreaming

I can't remember if it was a connecting room or not, but I called my wife & son... they both said that it was not a connecting room.

Good luck.... Tom

 

[TDC Nala]

My standard room (2nd weekend in June 2002) was on the Giraffe Trail and had one of those parking lot views, but there were so many trees the parking lot was not visible. This was room 5015. There was an elevator right outside the room which, if taken to the first floor, discharged you right at a door leading out to the pool. If you stood on the balcony and looked to the right you could see the main lobby entrance and cars & buses driving up to the lobby. With the doors shut we couldn't hear anything. The only noise I remember was when the Character Caravan bus pulled into the resort in the mornings. That sucker's loud!

I recommend AKL standard rooms if you're trying to save money. There are many areas all around the resort to see the animals.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by cunwdw
mapletree
If this is a "pool view" room, I would be very disapointed in this view if I was paying "pool view" rates. I paid a discounted standard rate and we were very happy with this room and location.

Tom

I think the view categorgies at the AKL have what I refer to as a boarderline views. People post saying they booked pool view but were upgraded to savanna but if they were paying savanna prices they would have been upset. Same thing here.

I would call this a boarderline poolview room. It is not standard view because it did not overlook the parking lot but as you noted if you were paying for a poolview you would have been disapointed. I think they use these boarderline rooms to give upgrades and then put people who are paying for the actual view the better views.

Anyway I am glad you got an "upgrade" and I am glad you had a good trip.

 

[Janet2k]

Cunwdw, what an excellent attitude you have. No wonder you had a great stay at the resort. Do you happen to have any photos posted anywhere, as I would love to see them?

 

[mirlow]

What was your balcony like if you were on the first level? I was hoping that there were patios to sit on so that you could walk out to the pool? I saw that there was another section by the spa that had level one rooms would they be the same over there?

 

[cunwdw]

Tiffany

You might be right regarding the "borderline" views. Years ago we had a "couryard" view at the WL. This room was located on the ground floor in the inside corner if the couryard. We didn't have a view of anything. This room had a stone patio that kind of reminded me of a cave.. but it was supposedly an upgrade from a woods view. Same kind of situation there, if I was paying for a "courtyard" view.. I would have complained.


Janet2k

Sorry, no photo's. So far, I haven't found the time or the ambition to experiment with any of the online albums.

mirlow

If my memory serves me correct, it was actually a "balcony" at ground level. I think that it had a railing, so you couldn't walk out to the pool. Personally, I have never liked the idea of walking out from the patio door to the pool at any resort due to the fact that you are unable to lock the patio doors from the outside.

Good Luck to all.... Tom

 

[mirlow]

If my memory serves me correct, it was actually a "balcony" at ground level. I think that it had a railing, so you couldn't walk out to the pool. Personally, I have never liked the idea of walking out from the patio door to the pool at any resort due to the fact that you are unable to lock the patio doors from the outside

I see your point. I'm interested in a ground floor so that when my youngest is taking a nap I can sit on the patio and watch the other 2 play outside, rather than having them sit in the room for 2-3 hours. Plus it's quieter coming through the sliding door Now I'm not sure what I would do? I'm not even guaranteed to get what I request anyway

 

[cunwdw]

mirlow

The only resort that I can think of that might suit your needs would be a ground floor wing room in the north wing of the Contemporary. Many of these rooms look out towards the playground. It might be a little tough to get one of those rooms now due to the fact that Shades of Green has most of the rooms in the north wing tied up.

Someone else might be able to recomend a different resort.

Good Luck... Tom

 

[Beanie]

cunwdw...that is great about your view!! It is nice to hear encouraging things like this as there are a few people who have been asking about Standard AKL views!! Thanks for posting about it, sounds like you had a wonderful time!!

 

[BevS97]

we stayed at AKL 2 weeks, and also booked a standard view room, on a code for a great rate. I was a little worried about a poor view, but when we opened the curtains there was a giraffe standing outside the window,

we had a view over a small side savannah - on the kudo trail, but on a side corridor, not on the main corridor.
On the map it looks like there are no animals there, but we saw 3 giraffes, some Kudo, and ostrich and loads of unusual birds. It was a really great view.

We really enjoyed the Animal Kingdom Lodge - I wish we had stayed longer (we just did 3 nights at the end of our trip), as the atmosphere was superb. It was our first stay at a deluxe hotel and I think it has given us the taste for more
Bev

 

[beccab]

Just a note we were upgraded to a pool view & we received pool view. It turned out great for us. Since we had a 15yr old, we were able to sit on the balcony & kind of keep an eye on him in the pool. It was really just perfect.

Even if I could only get or afford a standard view I would go back in a heart beat.

 

[Disneylvr]

This is all great news! This week I received that postcard with the great rates for AKL, WL etc... I just couldn't pass that rate up and we reserved a standard room at AKL for $132 a night (tax included) for September 27-Oct. 2. I am so excited!!!!! I love animals, the Animal Kingdom Theme Park and the Lion King movie. I think this is the perfect resort for me.