Will we regret Standard view at AKV?

[wilma-bride]

We currently have ressies for a 2-bed and a studio at SSR for 10 nights next October. I am going to try and switch at the 7-month mark to AKV but only have enough points available for Standard (or Value). If we are lucky and manage to get the rooms we need for that time, will I regret being in a Standard view room? Our other option is that we have enough points for the 2-bed to be Savannah view and the studio standard (friends of ours will be in the studio) but I would feel like it is really unfair if they end up staring at a parking lot while we are looking at the animals.

Personally, I feel I would be happy with standard view as we are there for 10 nights so plenty of time to see the animals from the various viewing locations.

What to do, what to do

 

[bobbiwoz]

In Jambo, standard view looks at the pool area, so you can consider booking at Jambo.

I never thought I wouldn't book savannah view, but I've saved some points by booking standard, or value and haven't regretted either sort of villa. It's true that there are many good animal viewing places.

For May '09 my immediate family has a savannah view 2 bedroom and our two sets of friends have standard view studios in Kidani. It was what I could get.

Bobbi

 

[kristenrice]

Standard view at Jambo house has several "perks".

First, it is a guaranteed view of the pool....no parking lot or dumpsters .

Second, the standard views are near the front of the resort so no super-long hallways to navigate to get to your room.

Third, being near the front of the resort puts them in close proximity to the pool, restaurants and bus stops.

I had planned a savanna view 2BR to introduce my parents to our new home. After I stayed in a savanna view studio, I realized that I would have much preferred the ease and location of the standard view rooms. Now, I am torn. I am definitely going to book a standard, but I cannot decide if I want to gamble at Kidani. I do NOT want a view of the parking lot, driveway or dumpster! I can guarantee that I won't have those if I book at Jambo, but the larger accommodations and extra bathroom at Kidani are really tempting. The other advantage to Jambo is the proximity of the restaurants, especially Boma and Mara, my kids' favorites. Oh, the decisions we have to make!

In your situation, I would not hesitate one bit to book standard at Jambo. If you have your heart set on Kidani village, then you have the 50-50 chance of a pool or "other" view.

Hopefully, once Kidani opens, we can get an actual breakdown of how many standard rooms are pool view and how many are "other".

 

[MikeyNS]

I plan on staying in the standard rooms at AKV both to save the points and because I know you can see the animals from many other vantage points around the property. We've been in Savanna view rooms enough to have enjoyed them and I'm sure we'll stay there again, but for the points the standards can't be beat!

 

[aurorafan]

We just got back from a value 1 bdrm with a pool view. It was funny--my youngest went on the balcony with me and I said "look, we have a pool view." He said "no we don't--you can't see the pool from here!" I explained to him that as long as we could see it from the balcony, no matter how far we had to crane our necks to catch a glimpse of it through the trees, it was considered a pool view . Mainly our view was of the Boma roof and the area they'd closed off while doing the exterior maintenance work. But you know what? As long as you weren't looking directly down, but rather out at the scene, it was very pleasant . The architecture, palm trees, "thatched" roofs etc. gave you a feeling of being in a lovely exotic setting on vacation .

So if standard villas at Jambo are guaranteed pool views I say go for it!

On a side note, I had thought that standard villas (as well as value) had the chance of being parking lot views also?

 

[PrincessV]

I am definitely going to book a standard, but I cannot decide if I want to gamble at Kidani. I do NOT want a view of the parking lot, driveway or dumpster! I can guarantee that I won't have those if I book at Jambo, but the larger accommodations and extra bathroom at Kidani are really tempting. The other advantage to Jambo is the proximity of the restaurants, especially Boma and Mara, my kids' favorites. Oh, the decisions we have to make!

I'm going through the same dilemma myself, getting ready to book for Aug. 2009! I really can't seem to decide.

OP - I've stayed at AKL quite a few times and a new AKV studio last week - never once with a Savanna view. And I've never regretted it! Even on short trips, like this past weekend, I found plenty of time to look out a hallway window or take a stroll outside to view the animals. I've never found the standard views - even the "parking lot" ones - to be bad at all.

 

[bobbiwoz]

...On a side note, I had thought that standard villas (as well as value) had the chance of being parking lot views also?

In Jambo, the Standard view have only pool views...in Kidani, they will have a chance of being parking lot.

Bobbi

 

[wilma-bride]

Thank you for all the responses - I think I have been looking at this all wrong. Five years ago I never would have thought I would be lucky enough to even get to go to Disney World and I have always wanted to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge but never thought I could afford it. Now, with DVC, we have the opportunity and I will be so chuffed just to stay there that I'm sure it won't matter at all about the view.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thank you for all the responses - I think I have been looking at this all wrong. Five years ago I never would have thought I would be lucky enough to even get to go to Disney World and I have always wanted to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge but never thought I could afford it. Now, with DVC, we have the opportunity and I will be so chuffed just to stay there that I'm sure it won't matter at all about the view.

That's true, and with that being stated, I feel you should go for the savanna view for teh 2 bedroom and put your guests in the standard view studio. They will be spending time in your unit occationally anyway, and the non-savanna view rooms have excellent savanna viewing opportunities from the hallways, so that's how I'd do it. They are YOUR points after all.

 

[spiceycat]

Kidani building is surpose to have the parking underneath.so your view could be the drive way or garden with Kidani

with Jambo it is pool for standard. had standard view once and loved it!!!!

had value twice and it was also pool.

there is plenty of places to see the animals. Remember lots and lots of window space at AKL/V.

so don't worry about not seeing the animals - if you go looking for them you will find them. if you try to find them you will.

several people have complainted about using the extra points for a savannah view and not seeing the animals.

 

[dvcdisney]

A year ago, we stayed at a 1 bedroom standard view. The view was fine, it was of the pool. But the only thing I didn't like about our room was that our door opened to the main lobby. Although we were 5 floors up, it was still loud in the evening. From the bedroom, we didn't hear any noise from the lobby. But if you are sleeping on the sofabed, you can hear quite clearly the lobby noise. And it some of the noise would start early the next morning. I guess it wasn't for us since we slept in most of the time.

But in terms of the view, it was very nice. There were no animals, but the pool was a nice view.

(By the way, before becoming DVC members, we stayed at AKL at the savannah view. We saw a few animals the first few mornings. By the 4th morning, we didn't even go out on the balcony to see them, we just looked through the sliding doors. And by the 8th morning, we didn't even bother looking. It just felt like a normal room. So I guess, for us, I think we could have saved the money and added more days and just walked over to the viewing areas.)

 

[Anal Annie]

I wouldn't waste my points on it unless I was just rolling around in extra points, but then I think cheap. I am a points miser. On our first trip to WDW (way back when) we booked a "deluxe savannah view" room at AKL and paid who knows how much extra for it and we ended up with only 1 lonely animal all week long. Very boring. Just 'cuz you pay extra for the chance to see more animals more often doesn't mean you actually WILL see them. Because of our previous experience I think the savannah view is a bit of a gamble.