What to book at AKL to see animals?

[padams]

We are getting ready to book a trip to AKL. We want to see as many animals from our room as possible. I know we need to book a savannah view room. I recall seeing posts that the concierge rooms don't have as good of a view of the animals because they are on the highest floor. Is that correct?

Also, what is the difference between a savannah room and a deluxe savannah room?

I have also read that certain areas of the hotels are best for viewing. Do people still fax room requests 5 days prior to arrival as we did at the CR on our last trip a couple of years ago? Will CRO take area requests when we book?

Thanks!

 

[Harambe]

We were on the third floor and could see lots of animals (end of Kudu Trail - far, far from Mara and pool), but I think next time, I'd even ask for a second floor room.

However, I don't think there is one savannah that has all the different kinds of animals. You can always go to the viewing spots throughout the resort as well. We didn't even find the spot past the pool (near the hot tub) until the day we were leaving.

 

[justhat]

We have stayed on all 3 savannahs and saw animals each time. Our first stay was definitely the best, however, in room 2507. We might be splitting our April stay at AKL and if so we'll definitely be requesting the 2nd floor again, probably Zebra trail. We were practically eye level with the animals, it was incredible. That same stay my mom was in room 2508, across the hall from us (Zebra trail) and on the Uzima savannah (we were on the Arusha). We requested this so that we could see both savannahs and it worked out perfectly. Both rooms always had animals in view, though my mom's was closer to a people pen and was at the beginning of the savannah so I'd say our view was better. These rooms were also very convenient to the pool and the restaurants.

The next trip we both had rooms on the 5th floor on the Sunset savannah (Ostrich trail). We saw animals, though mostly late at night and during the night (fine for me since I was pregnant and making trips to the potty all night, but my husband rarely saw animals). Our view was partially obstructed by treetops and though it was still great to see the animals, I didn't get that feel that I was 'on the savannah' that I had on the 2nd floor. Also, this trail only really sees a small part of the savannah, as you have the Kudu trail right in front of you and the savannah extends to the end of that trail.

Our 3rd trip was concierge to do the Sunrise Safari (which was nice to do once, but not nearly what I expected it to be). We were on the 5th floor again, but Arusha savannah this time (Kudu trail) and it was again too far removed from the animals for my taste. We spent some time at the pool that trip and while searching for chairs in the shade and quiet so our then 3 month old could nap we found a great animal viewing area. It was past one of the hot tubs, and you were on the Uzima savannah, plus there was a pond with baby ducks over there too. They also have these great umbrellas that mist you as you're looking at the animals. So even if you don't have the best view from your room (though of course that is the ideal) there are lots of places to see the animals around the resort.

Have a great trip!!

Oh, I forgot to add, the deluxe room is slightly larger than the regular rooms. We stayed in both and I honestly didn't notice any difference, so I wouldn't suggest paying extra for it.

 

[okiegirl]

We just got back, and stayed for seven days at AKL. We had room 3515 which is on the zebra trail and right by the elevator. A little walk from the lobby but close to food and pools. We loved the viewing areas had a watering hole right in front of us. Saw lots of giraffes, cattle, zebras and wildebeast at all times of the day. Have a lot of fun, we sure did and can't wait to go back.

Stacie

 

[Mary Ellen]

I recall seeing posts that the concierge rooms don't have as good of a view of the animals because they are on the highest floor. Is that correct?

Also, what is the difference between a savannah room and a deluxe savannah room?

Second question first: The Deluxe rooms are larger and they are on the fifth floor. That floor protrudes out about the depth of the balcony. Deluxe rooms are the same ones used for concierge. The (12?) rooms on the 6th floor are only concierge, as that is a keyed access foor. While they are VERY handy to the concierge lounge, I wouldn't care for the view from them. Half overlook the pool area and the others are on Sunset savannah (and IMHO a particularly unattractive part of it).

Both of our stays have been on the 5th floor. Our first room was half was way down the trail, right in front of a giraffe feeding station and a small pond was very near. We had tons of animals to view. We did go look at the public viewing stations and preferred our view. At the public areas (2nd floor) we did have very nice views of any animals that happened to be right in front of us, but they were the only ones we could see. From our room on Arusha we could see not only the animals near our room, but those on other parts - even the far side. Now we go in late November/early December and the trees may not have as many leaves on then as other times of the year. This may have helped our views to the far side.

Our room on the second stay was closer in towards the lobby (and handier to the concierge lounge for us), but we preferred the first room.

Enjoy!

 

[InstImpres]

Our 3rd trip was concierge to do the Sunrise Safari (which was nice to do once, but not nearly what I expected it to be).

Can you give me a little more detail...I was going to stay concierge to have this experience?

TIA
Sandy

 

[Tiffany]

Can you give me a little more detail...I was going to stay concierge to have this experience?

TIA
Sandy

Hi,

My husband and I have done the Sunrise Safari twice. It is tour only open to guests staying concierge at the AKL. You meet in the Sunset Lounge and then take a bus backstage at the AK where you enter the Safari ride that is in the AK through the backstrage area before the park opens to the general. It will be one or two trucks of people depending on how large your group is and they spend about 45mins as you do not get the regular canned voice recordings. There are keepers that talk about and point out the animinals live and the trucks stop so you can take pictures and the guides give you some great details about the animals. The safari ends right about the time the park is opening for the general public. You then head to a private dinning room in Tusker House where a great breakfast buffet is served. You get to eat with the guides and they will tell you all about the animals and how they are cared for. It was $50 per adult when we did this tour in Feb of 03 and Jan 04. We thought it was well worth the money.

 

[sjw4870]

Another thing to consider - there are certain animals that are unquie to a particular savannah. For example, Giraffe's are on all three, but I believe Zebra's are only on Arusha, Ostriches (sp?) are only on Sunset and Bongo's are only on Uzima. My dilema is that I really like Arusha savannah, but I love Kudu, Tommies and Bongo's which are only on Uzima. The great thing about AKL is that there are so many public viewing places.

 

[justhat]

InstImpres, Tiffany's description of her Sunrise Safaris was pretty close to mine, but a little different.

We got a letter under our door the morning of the safari telling us what time to meet (yes, that morning, luckily we had called the day before to find out) and saying we could stop in the concierge lounge if we wanted to eat before going. Having heard so much about the Tusker House buffet, we decided to wait and eat then. So we headed straight to the Sunset Overlook (meeting point designated on letter) and they told us we had to go to the lounge, so back up we went. A bit annoying with our 3 month old and all her gear, but whatever. We did inform them that it only says to go there if you want food, and that they should consider rewording it. We then got on 2 Disney buses marked 'special' and headed through the backlots of AK to park near the safari ride and load up. Our bus broke down somewhere in AK and took about 10 minutes to restart. Our guide was about to have us get out and walk, but then it started.

So we get to the safari trucks and were seated in the 2nd row, which was nice cause it's a lot less bumpy there than in the back and with our baby it was a good seat. Yes, it took about 45 minutes to do the safari, which did include stopping time for photos and some description of the animals. In our case though, the first few animals on the savannah were not yet out for the day (Okapi and I forget the names of the other 2). So we just sped on past those areas (obviously since there was nothing to see). We went through the same cheesy line of the rickety bridge and Little Red(which I had heard you don't get on the SS, but ours did) so that was a bit disappointing.

Also, the only animals we were stopped to take photos of were some gazelles, a giraffe way in the distance, an ostrich, and the elusive lions. That didn't bother me at all since I have rolls and rolls of film on those animals from the regular safari ride, and my husband has essentially banned any more photos from that ride so I was really there just to enjoy it. The cheetah was out so we took his photo, but they couldn't stop for that one (not sure why) so it's like we took it from the regular ride.

We didn't hear much info on the animals, maybe we had a bad guide, not sure, but definitely not much more than theregular ride, in fact I think giraffes and sebras were the only animals she talked about. Someone asked a question about the gazelles which she answered, but not much other info was offered.

When the ride ended hoardes of people were flooding into the line so it was shortly after 9. We headed to Tusker House for the buffet, which was good, but IMO not much better than the regular buffets. I mean the food was different which made it nice to try, but similar ideas, like fruit rolled pancakes instead of plain, a different type of French toast instead of plain, etc. The juices were very tasty (as was all the food), but when we looked at it like we paid for the breakfast (cause there wasn't much to pay for with the SS because it was basically the same as the regular ride) then it was a very expensive buffet. We then got a FP for the ride if we wanted to go again. Oh, we also sat with our guide, who was very nice, but again didn't mention any animals, just talked about where she lived, etc. (which was great for us as she was from Phoenix and we're interested in moving there).

Please don't think I hated it, I certainly didn't, like I said, it was nice for us to do once, but we won't be headed back. It was a nice experience to take a more leisurely safari ride, but it wasn't 'different' enough for us to justify the price. If you haven't done it, I would think about going as it was fun, but just know our experience (which I know may not be the norm) because yours could be the same. I would like to try the Sunset Safari on AKL's grounds, as that would be a completely ew, different experience. Unfortunately, we probably won't be able to go for awhile since we have a 10 month old and you have to be 16 (though I think I heard that was changed, but on our JUne trip that was the rule).

 

[SuperDuperBounce]

We did the Sunrise Safari in October 2003. Our guide did an excellent job of narration, so much so that our ride lasted a whole hour and fifteen minutes. We got lots of info on the animals and special insights into how the savannah is actually cordoned off into separate pens and where the secret entrances back to the barns are located. We also got to see a trainer working with some birds to stand near the road over by the hippos. We found the breakfast quite the treat - you don't leave there hungry. It was well worth it.

If you do go concierge, request a fifth floor room. I also think I've seen someone post that they requested and got a lower floor room while staying concierge. Second or third floor on the Arushu savannah would be ideal. For the money you pay, they should give you any room you want in the place (except the suites of course). We would do this next time if it weren't for the fact there are five of us and thus are limited to a deluxe room.

I've never understood the notion that the higher you are in a building the more prestigious the digs, be it a hotel or an office building. I can't see anything special about waiting for elevators or climbing stairs. In case of a fire, guess who gets out last! The location of the concierge rooms is one of the worst (if not the) in the whole resort.

 

[ahoff]

We did the Sunrise in November, and thought it was worth it. Saw just about every animal listed on the placards in the 'jeep' and our guide was very informative. Actually we had two guides, the one giving the tour (his first time) and what would be perhaps his superviser. The breakfast was very nice as well, quite a variety. We had the invitation the night before, but as it is only offered on two days, not much of a surprise when it would be.