Would you? (AKL on points...)

[Lesley]

After seeing JudithM's response about her standard view (non-points) stay at AKL, I wil pose this question. Would you spend 22 points for a weeknight at AKL without a guaranteed savannah view?

I ask because I really, really, really want to stay at AKL.....but I don't know if I'd be happy with a room without a view of the animals at any time. I've got a toddler...which could make animal viewing while not in the room (she'll be contained...lol) difficult...or not but with this age you just don't know. Plus...well, its a lot of points.

My other options (or the ones we're considering) are the Poly and a 1br at VWL....

I asked a very similar question on the resorts board not long ago...

 

[Clifford@BWV&VWL]

Hi Lesley!

We've booked AKL on points for 3 nights in November. Although the Savannah view is not guaranteed (but requested on the booking through MS) we're hopeful due to the time of year. However, even if we don't get that view I know that there won't be a bad view at AKL and that the public viewing areas look fantastic. I know this isn't quite the same as sitting on your balcony looking out on to the savannah but it should still be an excellent trip. I definitely wouldn't book a Fri/Sat without guarantees on the view, that's why we're going mid-week.

The ambience of the place should be just as magical...

This is why we're going, hope it helps in some way. Happy holidays

Regards Dave.

 

[KCritter]

We just came back from AKL (paid cash). There are some good cash discounts to be had if you don't want to use points. The resort discussion board has a link to the discount page.

As far as the view goes, we had a savannah view room in the Kudu trail, not too far from Arusha rock. Sometimes we would look out our window and see nothing but the pink-backed pelicans lounging in their pond and the faintest glimpse of a zebra butt far, far away. Other times, we saw 5 giraffes, 4 kudu, a 3 zebras, 2 ankole cattle and a partridge in a pear tree.... right outside our balcony. You just never knew when they would show up. My point is, even with a savannah view room, sometimes you won't see the animals and sometimes the best viewing is from the public areas. Plus, there is always a CM on hand in the public areas to explain things.

It's a really beautiful lodge, with great restaurants and a really nice pool, tons of stuff to look at in the lobby, too. The room seemed kind of small to me, but then we just came from 5 nights at VB in a one bedroom.

 

[KathyK]

We stayed on a visit that was part points and part cash. Because our cash nights were in a deluxe savannah view room, when I called to ask about converting some nights to points (actually, I was calling to see if we could spend some nights at BWV, OKW, or VWL on points - but nothing was available), the MS CM was able to guarantee us a certian room type so that we wouldn't have to move.

--Kathy

 

[RweTHEREyet]

If you have a lot of points to spare, why not and save the cash. If you are like me and try to stretch every little one of the 150 points I have, then no way would I spend 22 points for AKL. I have toured AKL, and it is very nice, however, I would take 2 11-point nights at OKW rather than 1 22-point night at AKL. Then I would make a Priority Seating reservation for Boma and go for dinner and check it out. Then you could make a decision for a future visit.

 

[DVCKaren]

I agree with rWEthereyet.....if you have the points to spare, go for it! If not and you are trying to save your points (like we are), then I say it isn't worth it.

 

[Lesley]

Well then, I'll tell you the whole situation....we have 200 points total. We can add 2 days to our trip in Jan...at the beginning. That's all the time we have. The points I'm looking to use are my new VWL add on...38 points (weird # I know) but I was going to borrow 6 points from our next uy for the 2 nights. I don't think we'll often use points for the non-DVC resorts....I just thought since we have these 2 days and our add on points available we'd try it. Of course, like I said we could use these points at their home VWL and get a 1br (or go back to the Poly...a place we love too). I could also possibly try to just add the 2 nights onto our BWV reservation at 7 months....but I think we want to try someplace different.

So its not like I have tons and tons of points. I do have to decide whether we're going to use these points or not before our banking deadline (march uy....I think the deadline is August).

 

[mickey7861]

I would not spend the points on it. The AKL is giving an AP rate of $179 for savannah view. This wouldn't be a good use of your 22 points.

 

[JudithM]

Lesley, first I had to go back & find the post you read & cited here . This is a tough decision! Since you want/need to use your add on points rather than use them, then try the AKL or go back to the Poly or whatever you have to do so you don't lose the points. The AKL is definitely "some place different" if you haven't seen it yet. You have to decide what you might want in terms of resorts. I agree with the person who said the rooms at the AKL seemed small. We weren't in our room much other than get ready in the a.m., change to go to the pool, sleep, etc. Of course, we are used OKW studios &/or one bedroom units. Good luck with your decision! Enjoy wherever you stay!

 

[DisneyMim]

Just for info I want to add to the above post about the room rates. We booked AKL Savannah view for five nights added on to our August stay at $179/night. This was a good rate and much better than using points. IMHO.

 

[Lesley]

At what point could I get those rates for January? Or I should ask, is it likely I could get those rates in January? Guess I just have to call CRO. I could save my points for a May trip next year... but I'd have to decide before my banking deadline......

 

[DisneyMim]

Lesley, I'm not sure about the rates for January, but what I can tell you is we booked for August in March and were able to get the $179 rate. Wouldn't hurt to call and ask. Also I want to add this was not an AP rate, just a reduced rate. I have heard that AP rates are out now. Good Luck!!