Which savannah at AK?

[freshstart19]

I've been reading posts on the savannahs and am totally confused! I'm thinking of taking advantage of a Free Dining Plan by getting a savannah room view. I do know that the animals aren't out in the morning. Any recommendations which savannah to get a room by? Thinking of mid-June.

 

[akl-fan]

There are plenty of animals out and about in the morning although many are held in pens overnight. I love the sunset savannah but many people prefer the arusha. Wherever you stay you should see animals. I always think it is best to ask to be close to the lobby or you will have a major walk every day.

 

[Ducky0615]

When we were there in June last year we were on the Arusha, didn't pay for it but ended up on it! We loved it, although I assume all of them are amazing. As far as when animals are out, it seemed they had them in for the early morning to clean and check on them. At night I was up till almost midnight and all the animals were still out, laying around and sleeping. It looked incredible with the artificial moonlight!

Enjoy AKL its amazing

 

[carrie1626]

I wouldn't fret over this too much. Either savannah is going to have animals in action. The question remains: will you be around to see it.
Alot of the great viewing moments I've seen were by pure luck because they happened for a very short time period. One or two minutes:wizard.

Be willing to spend the time and not be in a hurry. And visit the other savanahs, not just what's outside your patio door.

 

[jujube]

Our view was the Sunset savanna and we saw animals throughout the day. Gorgeous view

 

[sndral]

Since you mention a room, I imagine you are looking at staying in AKL Jambo (the main lodge) and not Kidani (the nearby DVC timeshare sister facility.) From the gorgeous open Jambo lobby 4 hallways of rooms radiate - 2 towards the front (called Ostrich and Giraffe trails) and 2 longer hallways pointing towards the back (called Kudu and Zebra trails.) Arusha is the middle savannah between Zebra and Kudu trails and half of the rooms on each trail face Arusha savannah. Half of the rooms on Kudu trail face the opposite way and overlook Sunset savannah. Likewise, some of the rooms on Zebra trail face Uzima savannah (others face the swimming pool.) Finally, 1/2 of the rooms on Ostrich trail also face Sunset savannah. Here's a map -
http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/animal-kingdom-villas/maps-a-photos

Arusha view rooms cost a little more these days, but to me any of the savannahs are worth being on. Arusha and Uzima are each 11 acres and Sunset is 16 acres. Arusha and Uzima share a barn, Sunset has it's own barn. Animals are brought in to the barn each day for a short while.
Personally, where on the savannah your room is (near a waterhole = prime viewing,) as well as which floor (want to be eye level with a Giraffe - 3rd floor (for example)) is more important view wise than which savannah, IMO.

 

[xceebeex]

I actually have the same question. I will be staying in a 2 bedroom villa at Kidani (rented points from a member) and I was wondering if I should make any special requests for the best views overall (both animals and other scenery).

 

[sndral]

I actually have the same question. I will be staying in a 2 bedroom villa at Kidani (rented points from a member) and I was wondering if I should make any special requests for the best views overall (both animals and other scenery).

I have not stayed @ Kidani, but I personally would prefer being on Sunset savannah v. Pembe savannah. Pembe is a very small savannah (4 or 6 acres,) on the far side of Kidani (and it can't be seen from Jambo) and has it's own barn - which is not tall enough to house Giraffes, hence, no Giraffes on Pembe. When I had lunch at Sanaa last Dec. Sunset had a herd of 7 or 8 zebras - so cool.

 

[rpcvpanama]

At Kidani there is only one savanah. The villas form a semi-circle around the open areas. The best thing at Kidani is to ask for a room on either the second (lobby level) or third floor. Any higher and you will be in the trees and won't have as good a view of the animals. Also, being a semi-circle, many of the rooms are a bit of a distance from the lobby. If you are driving this really isn't an issue as parking for the rooms is essentially right below your room. If you plan on using Disney buses then I would suggest asking for a room close to the lobby.

 

[sndral]

At Kidani there is only one savanah. The villas form a semi-circle around the open areas. The best thing at Kidani is to ask for a room on either the second (lobby level) or third floor. Any higher and you will be in the trees and won't have as good a view of the animals. Also, being a semi-circle, many of the rooms are a bit of a distance from the lobby. If you are driving this really isn't an issue as parking for the rooms is essentially right below your room. If you plan on using Disney buses then I would suggest asking for a room close to the lobby.

I don't as a rule disagree w/ other posters, but this is not correct - see attached map of Kidani, look on the left where it says "Pembe Savanna," additionally we drove by this Savanna, learned about it's barn, etc. on our Wanyama tour in 12/10 - so unless this Savannah has since been shut down, there are two Savannahs which Kidani villas may view (as well as non Savanna view rooms.)
http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/Kindani_Village_Map.jpg

And here are links to posts from dissers who were assigned a Pembe Savanna view villa at Kidani
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2459241&highlight=pembe
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2596226&highlight=pembe

 

[rpcvpanama]

My understanding is that if you pay for and/or book a Savanna view room on points at AKV Kidani you get the Sunset savanna, not Pembe. All the rooms rooms on the inner portion of the buildings face the Sunset Savanna. There are a large variety of animals and they are out pretty early in the morning.

I have never been assigned a Pembe room when booking a Savanna view room.