Anyone stay at AKL without savannah view? About This Page:

[mousestruck]

I'm wondering if anyone has stayed in a standard view room at AKL. Last year, one of the reasons we chose WL over AKL was because the savannah view room exceeded our budget... and we thought that it would be essential to the AKL experience. Anyone agree or disagree, from personal experience?

We stayed in a room overlooking the rooftop at WL, but it didn't seem to matter. We had a fabulous time there anyway! It seems like the view would be more important at AKL.

[joyjoy]

Hi there.
We stayed at AKL last Sept, and though we booked a standard room we were upgraded to a deluxe savannah view. It was a very slow time, however, I certainly wouldn't count on that. That said.... STAY THERE ANYWAY!! You will love, love, love it. There are so many savannah viewing areas - all the hallways, Arusha rock, from the lobby area - it's just fantastic. You'll be able to do as much animal watching as you want to. It was cool to have the savannah view, but I would stay there again in a second even if we didn't have it. It's a fantastic resort and so much to do. Have fun!!

[goofy4goofy]

I've stayed at AKL twice. Once we got a savannah view room overlooking the Arusha Savannah. Absolutely breathtaking and loved every minute of it. The second time we booked a standard room and got upgraded to a pool view. I still loved the resort just as much. Just being in AKL is magical for me. There are so many viewing areas that it didn't matter if our balcony overlooked a savannah or not. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat if the budget allowed it, even if we could only stay standard.

Kelly

[Pooh1219]

We stayed in a pool view room in October this past year, and would never worry again about a non-savannah room. Our view of the pool was just so-so, partially blocked by some trees, but we still enjoyed every minute. The lodge is so special that we felt it didn't really matter. There are so many different viewing areas to see the animals, and we especially loved the night vision goggles between 9 and 11 each night at Arusha Rock. I wouldn't hesitate staying in a non-savannah room - we LOVED just being at AKL.

[Teddysmom]

Hi mousestuck

I stayed in a courtyard room at WL right over the pool in Feb 02 and it was awesome. In Dec. we stayed at AKL and although our fantstic CM Kenny tried to hook us up with a great savannah view my fiance is a smoker and we opted for the only smoking room left-a standard. We got the last room on the left on the Giraffe trail, just over the bus stop. On our trip down I had actually read a trip report (from another site)that called our room "the worst room on Disney property". It was the MOST beautiful room with not one bit of walk by traffic. Peaceful, quiet and soooo relaxing. Our balcony was built up a bit and you could hear but not see the people walking by if you were sitting out there. It never bothered us one bit. There were tons of viewing areas all over the hotel inside and out. For me, any place you can wake in the middle of the night and throw on your sweats and see animals in under 2mins is amazing. I would not hesitate to book standard again and if we were upgraded great but if not, no big deal. This place is not to be missed from any room!

[eliza]

I agree with Teddysmom.
Go for it! The resort is NOT TO BE MISSED!
Especially if you don't spend a lot of waking time in your room Check out the resort and the savannas when you arrive "home" from the parks, on your way TO the parks, and during breaks. You will not regreat it!

[Mr.Grumpy]

There are so many good viewing locations at the AKL that I would rather not pay the extra. Of course, ask if there are any upgrades available when you arrive. We have stayed in a pool view room and loved it. This resort is one of the most unique in my opinion. You'll love it!!

[Cheeser]

I've heard that the room isn't that vitally important. You can see the savanah from a lot of the hallway windows and you can always go outside and wander around!

[Suzie&Jay]

I don't want to be the only stick in the mud...but when we stayed there it was WAY overbooked and although we paid for a Savanah we got a parking lot view the farthest point from the bus stops possible. Other than that, the resort is wonderful. I would definitely suggest requesting a room nearer to the action (pool, busses, etc) if you're going standard. That walk to your room can be exhausting after a long day! I really think you'll like the resort though

[HiddenMickey]

We have stayed there twice with a standard view reservation. The first time the resort was not full and we were upgraded to savannah. The second time it was full and we were given a standard view room near the bus area (4th floor almost end of hall). We did miss seeing the animals from our room a bit, but it wasn't really that important, as you can go all over the resort to see them. The rooms are otherwise the exact same rooms. The wing we were on was very close to the pool and food areas and we liked it very much. -HiddenMickey

[penguinjim]

I agree with most posts, GO FOR IT!! Everyone has already mentioned all the other places you can see the animals from, But also, don't forget to take some time to just walk around the lobby and the hallways to see all the African art there. It's really quite interesting to see it all knowing that you'll probably not get another chance to see the things they have there.

Jim

[Luv2plan]

We stayed in a savanna view room, but I would not hesitate to book a standard view room on staying there again. As everyone has said, there are so many great viewing areas - some being simply the windows you walk by as you go to your room! - that I'd say 90% of our time spent viewing the animals was from outside our room. It was nice to sit on our own balcony, but I would get antsy and want to see different views. Have a great time!!

[Marv]

I have stayed at AKL in a savannah view during value season. With codes, it was a great deal. This trip we are staying in a standard view. We're going in peak season, so didn't want to pay any more than we already are. I think we'll be just fine. As others have said, there are so many opportunties to see the animals. We found we weren't in the room much anyway, even when we had the savannah view. To me, it just wasn't worth the extra $. I can think of many other ways to spend it.