AKL on a budget!

[RmeDad]

Every post I have read regarding likes and dislikes of AKL were from people that have stayed in Savannah view, Arusha view or Club Level rooms. To inform those of us with a much smaller budget, what are your opinions of the resort for those of you that have stayed there in Standard rooms? We will be there in early May and would like to know what to expect (not that we can change it now). Thanks.

 

[JasonDeyoung]

I stayed last May in a standard room level 5 in the giraffe trail section. View wise I had views of the sunset every night which were awesome. Out on the balcony it was just trees with a distant view of small parking lot section and a walkway to the bus stop. I honestly didn't mind it all and would book the standard again. If you want to view animals just go outside and view them. I'm personally not in my room enough to justify spending that extra for a view of animals. They are great views but just not for me. You could also upgrade to pool view which I think is around $20 or so a night more, not sure. As for the standard room I had, it was perfect location. I was about halfway down the hall, not far which had an elevator mid hallway you take to the pool/quick service or just walk back to the main elevator which came out by the restaurants. It was a very short trip from
the room I had to everything like food, pool, buses etc

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

what are your opinions of the resort for those of you that have stayed there in Standard rooms?

We were at AKL for 5 nights in 2008 when we had a Savanna view room. We return this August for 14 nights but we're in a standard room.
We sleep in our room. The view will affect us only when we get up and dress before we head for breakfast and the parks. We're returning to AKL because of the atmosphere. Its wonderful. To sit and relax in the huge lobby area with a drink before bed is very relaxing.
You'll enjoy AKL no matter what room type you have

 

[bethymouse]

I believe some of the "standard" rooms have partial views of the Savanna. Just ask your CM when you check in. Personally I wouldn't pay for a Savanna view.

 

[RmeDad]

Thanks for the responses. We are looking forward to our stay. We spend so little time in the room that I could not justify spending the extra money.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Thanks for the responses. We are looking forward to our stay. We spend so little time in the room that I could not justify spending the extra money.

I just got back and had a standard view room. When you do your online check-in, you may see room request options for "Kudu Trail view" or something along those lines. If you see something like that, select it. We had a view overlooking an animal pen (on stage) that we were told is used occasionally if animals need to be separated for a brief time. Just beyond that was the sunset savanna. We had multiple giraffe out there every night and some hoofstock that came and went. Honestly, if I had paid for a savanna room and gotten this one I would have been absolutely fine with it, but they don't sell it as a savanna view because of that quarantine area. Don't request rooms close to the lobby, food, or transportation, since that decreases the odds of an "accidental" savanna view.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Most people who stay at AKL get several savannas as room request options when doing online check in- even if they aren't booked in a savanna view room. We were booked in a pool view on our last stay at AKL and were given 3 savanna options when doing 60 day checkin...and we wound up with a lovely savanna view. I know several have posted that similar options were given to them at 60 day online check in when booked in a standard view as well.

 

[reptar77]

We love the AKL. I stopped booking the Savannah because very few animal were out whenever we wanted to spend time on the balcony. We usually spend time looking at the animals at the viewing area off the lobby, plus there is a fire pit and rocking chairs out there. I really don't care for pool view rooms because of the noise. The standard rooms are fine, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Stellajack]

There are SO many animal observation areas it will not matter if you aren't booked in a savannah view. You are going to love this resort. Also out at Arusha rock there are guides who give you information on the animals and answer your questions. This resort is a vacation in itself.

 

[CheshireCat12]

Stayed in a standard view room, we were on the 4th floor just off the lobby, a roof view above which you could just barely see the pool. Not a great view but we enjoyed the resort anyway. I requested near elevator which we were fairly close; next time I might choose a better view. I would not pay for Savanna view.

 

[BigRedDad]

This is my $0.02 and you may not like it. I would never pay a premium to stay at AKL without a view of one of the good savannah views. We had a "savannah" view where they tied an ankole cattle there so an animal was in view. Other than that, a random ostrich would come by when you would hardly be at the room. Because we had a view of the Sunset room, the rangers paraded the giraffes over at 5PM.

My advice on a budget? Stay at a different resort to save money. Plan trips to the resort and view what so many others have to do that have a "savannah" view. They have to walk to the lookout stations to see the animals. This is free for anyone visiting the resort.

The resort is great. You can save money getting the least expensive room. Take advantage of the activities they do around the resort. Sit by the fireplace and firepit listening to the people from their native countries telling stories.

 

[Jon81uk]

My advice on a budget? Stay at a different resort to save money. Plan trips to the resort and view what so many others have to do that have a "savannah" view. They have to walk to the lookout stations to see the animals. This is free for anyone visiting the resort.

The resort is great. You can save money getting the least expensive room. Take advantage of the activities they do around the resort. Sit by the fireplace and firepit listening to the people from their native countries telling stories.

It is the cheapest of the deluxe resorts though and although I am yet to stay there it isn't a huge increase in price from a moderate resort and you gain some deluxe benefits such as balconies etc.

 

[ToTBellHop]

It is the cheapest of the deluxe resorts though and although I am yet to stay there it isn't a huge increase in price from a moderate resort and you gain some deluxe benefits such as balconies etc.

Wilderness Lodge is usually the same price and if you aren't going to have a view of the animals anyway, in my mind, you might as well stay at the resort that arguably has the nicer pool along with the convenience of the boat to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Jon81uk]

Wilderness Lodge is usually the same price and if you aren't going to have a view of the animals anyway, in my mind, you might as well stay at the resort that arguably has the nicer pool along with the convenience of the boat to the Magic Kingdom.

I am trying to make this decision myself, Wilderness lodge (woods view) is £24 per night more than Animal Kingdom lodge (standard view) on the UK pricing. I think Wilderness Lodge looks nicer and of course you have the boat. But Animal Kingdom Lodge has animals!!

 

[Donald Razorduck]

We stayed at both WL and AKL in Feb but in a DVC studio. We loved both. AK is great for those less hurried. If parks are the end all, be all WL would be best. We love AK the park as well. It just needs two to three more significant rides, hope Avatar helps that.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Wilderness Lodge is usually the same price and if you aren't going to have a view of the animals anyway, in my mind, you might as well stay at the resort that arguably has the nicer pool along with the convenience of the boat to the Magic Kingdom.

But as others have said, you have a pretty good chance of paying for a standard view and still getting views of the animals anyways. I also disagree that the boat to the Magic Kingdom is any kind of great convenience. IMO, it's offset by the inconvenience of long bus rides to the other three parks.

I am trying to make this decision myself, Wilderness lodge (woods view) is £24 per night more than Animal Kingdom lodge (standard view) on the UK pricing. I think Wilderness Lodge looks nicer and of course you have the boat. But Animal Kingdom Lodge has animals!!

Wilderness Lodge also has a standard view that would be the same price as DAKL standard view, but it might not be available so you'd be paying a premium for that woods view. I disagree that WL "looks nicer". They're my two favorite resorts and I really do love them both, but Animal Kingdom Lodge has everything Wilderness Lodge offers and is equally nice. You're gaining animals and better food and giving up location and a boat.

 

[RmeDad]

While I appreciate all the comments about WL, we have stayed there previously in a standard view room and had a great time in a great resort. This vacation is booked at AKL (because of my wife's love of giraffes) and I was primarily interested in points of view regarding standard rooms at that location. Again, thanks for all the feedback so far. We are leaving in 12 days.

 

[mouse_luv]

While I appreciate all the comments about WL, we have stayed there previously in a standard view room and had a great time in a great resort. This vacation is booked at AKL (because of my wife's love of giraffes) and I was primarily interested in points of view regarding standard rooms at that location. Again, thanks for all the feedback so far. We are leaving in 12 days.

I believe you made the right choice. While the WL is nice, DBF and I preferred the AKL/Villas. I like the pool there better and like you said, there's animals. Staying there standard for you may get you a view of the animals from your room (if not theres the lobby). And there's better dining choices there as well. The WL while gorgeous, you are basically looking at trees or a parking lot or service areas or a roof with standard there. And I agree with a PP that the boat isn't that much of a plus.

I love the giraffes as your wife does! Enjoy!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I believe you made the right choice. While the WL is nice, DBF and I preferred the AKL/Villas. I like the pool there better and like you said, there's animals. Staying there standard for you may get you a view of the animals from your room (if not theres the lobby). And there's better dining choices there as well. The WL while gorgeous, you are basically looking at trees or a parking lot or service areas or a roof with standard there. And I agree with a PP that the boat isn't that much of a plus.

I love the giraffes as your wife does! Enjoy!

Agree completely. We switch between AKL and WL just for variety's sake, but we wouldn't be too upset if we had to pick just one and that one was AKL.

 

[ToTBellHop]

But as others have said, you have a pretty good chance of paying for a standard view and still getting views of the animals anyways. I also disagree that the boat to the Magic Kingdom is any kind of great convenience. IMO, it's offset by the inconvenience of long bus rides to the other three parks.

I find the boat to be wonderfully-relaxing before or after a hectic day in the parks. And as I spend much more time in MK than DAK, I prefer to be closer to MK. If you are the type that prefers DAK, stay at AKL.

I also find it infuriating that the buses from the parks go to Kidani first, then Jambo house, making the already slow bus service at AKL even worse if you are staying in Jambo as buses often fill up at Kidani at prime times. WL is always picked up first on its bus loops (with a 2nd stop at either GF or FW). I find WL's transportation to be far superior to AKL. Plus you can take a boat to FW or Contemporary if you are eating there.