Why would you stay at AKL, standard view?

[Dana_Buckley]

Currently I have ressie at PO-FQ for Jan 11-14, at $150/nt. Waitng patiently for codes to come out, I guess in November. But, I noticed on mousesavers that some current codes during value season until 12/25, are getting AKL for $119 standard & $159 savannah. IF... I can get these rates, I may switch from FQ to AKL, but is standard view worth switching, or should I just go for it & get savannah? It will be me, DS almost 3 yrs old & MIL, who hasn't been there in over 20yrs. We stayed at Poly in June, that is the only resort I've stayed at. My airfare is free, so I have a little liberty with hotel budget, but planned on less than $150/nt.
I think I would really like AKL though, so would you stay there if you could only get standard view?

 

[dandave]

Hi! You and your family will really appreciate the Savannah view, IMHO. There is absolutely nothing "wrong" with standard, but I bet your heart will swell when your little boy sees those animals off of "his" balcony!

 

[susy]

Hi! I will be at AKL in a week at the $119 rate for standard.

My reasons for booking standard:

I can afford it more easily than savannah (obviously).

We plan on spending a lot of time at the resort. However, I would like to see all of the resort and not have to "try to get my money's worth" out of my own balcony. We only have from Fri-Mon.

If my son decided that he really liked seeing the animals from our balcony, we would have a very hard time getting to do anything else.

I recently decided not to go back to work. We have been a one income family for six years, so this is the route I have to take if I want to go more frequently.

If I really like AKL and can afford more in the future, I would go for it and even stay concierge.

If you can afford more for the room, go for it! You only live once!
That's how we are looking at this trip (even though it's a standard view). We could have just as easliy booked the AS and saved money.

 

[jennymouse]

I'm with susy. I booked a standard view to save money. We're doing tons of extras this trip......MNSSHP, expensive restaurants, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, Discovery Cove, etc.....I felt I had to put the breaks on somewhere. We do plan on spending a couple evenings, two morning/afternoons and almost daily afternoon nap/pool breaks at the resort, but we want to enjoy the entire resort...not just the room. We will be participating in the activities offered by the resort, the restaurants, enjoying the pool and public lookout points. Would I turn an upgrade down if offered, no...but I'm not counting on getting one either.

 

[kdibattista]

Book the standard view and 4 days prior to your trip, fax a request asking (very nicely) if there is anyway to be upgraded to a savannah view - tell them you are celebrating a special occassion. Not at AKL, but at several other resorts, we have always had our upgrade requests honored. Just remember to be polite. I know right now that the reservations are way down - that's why they are offering these rates so I would bet the farm that you would have no problem upgrading at n/c.


P.S. We also stayed at the French Quarter and LOVED IT!!!!!

Good Luck

 

[Disneylvr]

Because we can stay at a Deluxe Resort, enjoy the extra amenities and yet not break the bank. We are a couple on a strict budget so yes paying $30-$40 more per night for a savannah view would mean cutting back somewhere else. We can watch the animals at the other viewing areas throughout the resort.

 

[Mom of 5]

We stayed at AKL in savannah view rooms (we have to have 2 rooms to accomadate our family of 7). We felt that if we were going to stay at AKL, we simply MUST get the savannah view. We had rooms on the Zebra Trail, facing the Arusha Savannah, and saw tons of animals. We thought the whole resort was just fabulous.

That being said, if we were to have the chance to stay there again, we would probably opt for the standard view. You still get the same beautiful room, just not a veiw of animals. The resort is arranged so that you can explore and see animals from many areas. We spent our entire first afternoon there just taking in the resort.

Have a great stay at AKL!!

 

[Bob NC]

Why would you stay at AKL, standard view?

Because this is a deluxe resort which currently has some excellent deals.

Let's face it, there are some 'not so good' views at EVERY deluxe, the difference in views is just more glaring here, in that you either see animals or you don't.

It's funny the other deluxes don't seem to get the same bad rap for their views. Of course when staying at the Poly, I'm sure everyone would rather have a view of the castle...But every room can't have the best view.

At GF, I'm sure the folks looking at the parking lot would rather be looking elsewhere.

AKL is an excellent resort with wonderful deluxe amenities. Standard view rooms at AKL are being offered at some great rates now, I say get them while you can.

 

[Beanie]

Hi!
We stayed at AKL in a Savannah View on the Kudu Trail facing Arusha Rock and loved it...but if we had to have a Standard room it wouldn't have been any big deal because there are places throughout the resort that have viewing areas! They are great too, many animals to see!! Enjoy the resort and the great rates that are out now!! You will love it!!

 

[MScott1851]

We booked a standard room for our honeymoon because we never use our hotel balconies ANYWHERE until late at night, we usually "wind down" after an evening out with drinks on the patio, and what is there to see at night? Also, standard rooms for $129 can't be beat! We will look at the animals (when we have time) from the public observation areas and take the extra cash we saved and blow it on "fun stuff" or food....

P.S. Plus, you know way, way, deep, deep down where no one else can see, I am secretly hoping for a (GASP!) upgrade, but know better than to expect one!

 

[d-r]

Since the number of standard view rooms are limited one plus is that you would probably be closer to the lobby area and transportation area.

Melissa

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I know to each his own and we all have different things that are important to us but we LOVED the savannah room - here are a few reasons why are:

well take a look http://stoneofark.com/dianne/page1.htm

I, like you, have young children. I don't think I could relax in the common areas, kick back and enjoy the animals there as I'd be tending to my kids. Being able to sit on the balcony whether they were with me, asleep, watching tv, or playing was just awesome. Didn't have to worry about them and could relax and enjoy myself. My DH and I got into a routine of getting desserts from Mara, or a glass of wine out of our frig, some kind of treat - then sitting out on the balcony watching the animals after the kids were in bed. If it were adults only or a family with teens this would be less of an issue.

There are some standard rooms that I would hate to have - the ones that are adjacent to the bus stop or over the valets/drive.

That view was truly "magical", I sat up very late at night (1-2 am and you can still see animals ) by myself a few times just watching the zebra, giraffe and cattle. Incredibly peaceful.

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip. Once thing I do have to say is that the balconies were not quiet really during the day as many people are out on theirs too viewing the animals. We didn't have noise with the door shut though

 

[MrsPotatoHead]

Dana, in your post you asked if we would stay at AKL if we could only get the standard view? I'd say definitely yes!!!! We've stayed at the AKL twice, both times in a savannah view room. We loved the view of the animals! However, we just couldn't beat that great rate of $119 per night for standard view for our upcoming trip in September! We're prepared to be SOMEWHAT disappointed in our "parking lot view" after having savannah views in the past, but there are lots of other places we can watch the animals! We're just happy to stay at a deluxe resort as this is supposed to be a "budget" trip. The AKL has such a special, calming feel to it. We love relaxing in the huge lobby, attending the storytelling by the fire, grabbing a quick bite to eat at Mara, having a fabulous dinner at Boma's... And we love the pool! It's HUGE and the pool area has a very relaxed feeling to it. And the CM's around the resort are exceptional! We were originally booked at POR for $79 per night but switched to AKL when the $119 code was released. We're so happy that we switched! We just love the AKL!