AKL - Splitting trip btwn concierge and savannah view

[Ashitaka]

My gf and I had such a great time celebrating her birthday in Dec at AKL that we are now planning a trip for my birthday in Oct.

We had a great savannah view room this last time: #3221, third floor just off the lobby with an Arusha view (this was after the front desk tried to give us a Sunset savannah room that I could tell from research would have a bad view - they honored our original requests after we asked nicely). So I'm a little concerned our next room won't quite live up to our first.

We would also love to do the Sunrise Safari, which you need to be staying in concierge to do. So I'm considering spurging for the higher priced room just for that reason. But I've heard not all concierge rooms have savannah views and you won't know which view you'll get until you check in. That seems a big risk as one of the main draws for staying at AKL for us is being able to watch the animals off of our balcony. I don't want to spend even more money to end up with a room that looks out at the pool.

So, I'm wondering if splitting the trip between rooms would work - Getting a concierge room for the first two nights, so we could do the Sunset Safari the second day we are there, and then switching to a regular savannah view room for the remaining three nights, saving a little money and guaranteeing a view of animals.

Has anyone tried this? Or have any thoughts if this is a good idea or not?

 

[Cubs Brian]

It's a good idea, we are doing the same in June sort of . We have a studio onthe concierge level for 1` night,and our other 5 nights in a 1 bdrm on the same level. One thing you need to remember is that most of the concierge level has been taken over by the Vacation club. Not sure how many rooms are availble, We tried booking the week after Christmas ats already sold out. Hope this helps. also make sure you request the view you want.

 

[disneydudette]

I think its a great idea and I know several travelers that do spilt stays with CLs. My one suggestion would be to consider "switching" the set up (3 nights savanah first, followed by 2 nights CL) to really take full advantage of the CL and wind down from your 3 days at the parks. I'm not sure I could "stomach" being placed in an amazing savanah view CL room and then having to switch!

Make sure your CL reservation states a savanah view request, but with the addition of villas on the 5th and 6th floor, I'm not sure how many of these CL offer views of the Arusha savanah anymore. The views can be of sunset (which I know you mentioned you were leary of), arusha, or pool. I'm not sure whether the lounge is still in the presidential suite or not, but I know the original lounge did not offer a savanah viewing area, but the presidential lounge did due to the balcony. Having a savanah view off the lounge was an added benefit when you didn't get the ideal view you were looking for.

Keep in mind that the sunrise safari only runs on Sunday and Thursdays and is $55.00 a person. The sunset safari runs Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays and is $150.00 a person. Not sure if that affects your dates/layout or not.

Overall it sounds like a great idea but make sure it's something your comfortable with! Having to risk the view is just not something I enjoy doing; anxiety and worrying takes over. I've read numerous accounts though in which people did recieve their desired view based on request, so I'm sure the resort and IPO do there best to accomidate everyone!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I also agree that you do the regular room first and then go up to Concierge. You never want to start with the better thing because then when you move it will never be as good. When I went to DL, I stayed at the Grand Californian first and then we moved to one of the good neighbor hotels. It just wasn't the same, and I wished that I had reversed it (now I would just stay at a Disney hotel the whole time).

Also...if you plan the higher end room second they may see that and just offer it to you for the whole stay. It's a long shot...but you never know.

 

[Ashitaka]

Yeah, I think you all are right that I should do the savannah view first and the CL second. That does sound better than what I was first thinking.

And I had forgotten that the Sunrise Safari only takes place twice a week. So I'll definitely have to take that into consideration when making the plans.

Thanks!

 

[palmage]

If you can swing it, the sunset safari is fantastic!!!
After the safari you basically get a sampler of the entire Jiko menu, plus chef selected wine pairings.

We love the 6th floor pool view rooms because the access to concierge.

 

[Ashitaka]

After doing some more research, I found out that that my main concern no longer is an issue.

Since DVC took over much of the AKL's higher floors, ALL the remaining Standard concierge rooms now have savannah views.

And checking prices for Oct, staying in concierge the entire 5 nights only will cost around $250 more in total than spending all 5 nights in a savannah view room. Given the access to the concierge lounge (continental breakfasts, afternoon snacks and tea, evening wine and desserts) as well as the ability to sign up for the Sunrise Safari and a discount on the Sunset Safari, the $250 seems well worth it.

So I guess I won't split our trip after all. I'll splurge for concierge for the entire trip.

Guess I better get saving now though. (And here I am still paying off the credit card for the last trip.)

 

[Pioneer Hall]

After doing some more research, I found out that that my main concern no longer is an issue.

Since DVC took over much of the AKL's higher floors, ALL the remaining Standard concierge rooms now have savannah views.

And checking prices for Oct, staying in concierge the entire 5 nights only will cost around $250 more in total than spending all 5 nights in a savannah view room. Given the access to the concierge lounge (continental breakfasts, afternoon snacks and tea, evening wine and desserts) as well as the ability to sign up for the Sunrise Safari and a discount on the Sunset Safari, the $250 seems well worth it.

So I guess I won't split our trip after all. I'll splurge for concierge for the entire trip.

Guess I better get saving now though. (And here I am still paying off the credit card for the last trip.)

Sounds great! Enjoy the trip...it should be amazing.