Walt Disney World Trip Planning
Topic: Decisions, Decisions.... AKL??

#	Author	Message
1	ABBY Fri 9/8/2006 12:24p	Haven't been to WDW since 1996 and we are starting to think about a trip to WDW for January 2008 (such a looooonnnng time to wait !) and are having a hard time deciding if we should spend the extra money and stay at AKL with a savannah view. We are huge wildlife lovers but are wondering if you really do see the animals from your room - and is it worth the extra $$$. When we go to WDW or DL we aren't really in our room that often anyways. Just looking for some advice from people who have stayed there.
2	bloona Fri 9/8/2006 12:45p	We stayed there in 2004 and requested a savannah view room,which we luckily got without paying the extra bit.( My husband worked as a travel agent at the time, I dont know if that helped there!) It was brilliant. Looking out from the (small) balcony at the giraffes and Ankole cattle, which were ALWAYS in view. It was also lovely to look from other areas around the hotel. they have several areas with cute wooden rocking chairs ,where you can sit and watch the animals. Plus there's Arusha Rock,where guides tell you about the animals in view.They do night vision goggles here most evenings at 9PM, which are well worth a look. It just all has such a brilliant feel to it. A brilliant hotel. Boma there has the nicest food I have eaten at Disney too. The only draw back, IMHO, is that it isnt as centralised as some of the other hotels onsite. We stayed at the Carribean Beach Resort this year, and I woul find it hard to choose between the two really, as its location was SO much better. After a long day at the parks it is nice to get back. I also liked that you could park close to your room at the CBR, where as the AKL has a seperate car park for all guests in one place. It was a 20 minute walk for us from there to our room, which was at the futhest point from the lobby.With two sleepy children and 3 bags with us everyday. This wasnt ideal. Id choose the AKL for a jaw droppingly beautiful hotel, and move it closer to EPCOT. lol
3	Spirit of 74 Fri 9/8/2006 3:12p	You can see animals from virtually anywhere from the Lodge, so if money is a concern, I'd stay in a standard view. They used to upgrade you for free anyway if they had savannah rooms open, but then a Disney weasel that reads sites like this heard that guests were booking the least-expensive rooms and expecting upgrades and now they'll make you pay the full upgrade fee when you arrive even if the better view is going to sit empty. Magical.
4	Labuda Sat 9/9/2006 9:34a	I've stayed at the AKL once before, and I'll stay there again someday. As bloona mentioned, yes, it is a bit more outlying than other resorts, BUT I think that's easily outweighed by the great dining (Boma & Jiko), and the animals. Just an incredible place to stay!
5	ABBY Sat 9/9/2006 5:48p	Yes, I am very excited and don't know how I'm going to wait 1 year and 3 months. Last time (honeymoon) we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge (AKL not yet built) and enjoyed it very much. Bloona it is funny you mention the Carribean beach resort because that is another that I think I'd like to stay at. But being such huge animal lovers we just have to stay at AKL this time. <<so if money is a concern, I'd stay in a standard view>> Money is not really a concern but I probably tend to be too frugal and don't want to spend the extra money unless there is a benefit. But I think I'll go ahead and go for it. It might be another 12 years before we get to go back again - Don't fret for me though - we're in CA so get to frequent DL : ) Thanks for all the advice so far. Any more advice, hints or tips for AKL are very much welcomed!!
6	Spirit of 74 Sun 9/10/2006 12:11a	<<Bloona it is funny you mention the Carribean beach resort because that is another that I think I'd like to stay at. But being such huge animal lovers we just have to stay at AKL this time.>> You won't be disappointed by the DAK Lodge, it is great. It is tied with the WL for my fave WDW resorts to stay at. But I wouldn't stay at CBR after only staying at the two lodges because, while not a bad place, it is a HUGE step down from the others and you'll wind up disappointed. <<Thanks for all the advice so far. Any more advice, hints or tips for AKL are very much welcomed!!>> Well, you MUST dine at Jiko and Boma. They are two of the best resort restaurants at WDW. The pool doesn't get much mention on these boards, but is huge and relaxing and you can float and look up and there's a giraffe in the distance. I'd also spend a lot of time at the resort as it's a destination in its own right. Sitting by the firepit at night is terrific with a glass of wine. They also have a nice gift shop that actually has nice African items and animal type merchandise art and such ... not just the Mickey stuff (although that's there too).
7	davewasbaloo Sun 9/10/2006 12:35a	Spirit, I am so glad to hear your positive review. We are staying for 11 days in November/December and opted for it over all the others. With two little ones (I am used to all adult tours of WDW), we wanted an oasis that was relaxing, and that if the kids need a nap, I would still be content to sit and watch the animals roll by. We love Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Californian is my favorite hotel in the World. I can't wait.
8	Spirit of 74 Sun 9/10/2006 2:43p	^^Dave, I love the place. I can't think of anything that's ever been an issue in my stays there (think I've stayed there now about 7-8 times). Peter Dominick is an amazing architect and if you love the WL and GC ( as do I) you will feel likewise about the AKL.
9	davewasbaloo Sun 9/10/2006 3:11p	Great news indeed, I can't wait!
10	deephil Thu 9/14/2006 2:12p	We stayed there for our Honeymoon in a savannah suite we paid for it and it was well worth the extra money we wanted to make sure that we got a good view. We were on the 3rd floor which I think was the best, when the keepers were feeding they were chatting to guests I think any higher you would not have heard what they were saying. Lower we would not have liked as the pelicans can be noisy in the morning lol. The hotel was fantastic as was the food be prepared for lots of walking all over hotel though. Lots of corridors but nice to do to see all different points of view. Take some mozzie repellant with you also I was eaten alive there.

All times are Pacific Time (US)

Note: Information on the discussion boards is sometimes based on rumors or incorrect information and should not be assumed true. Messages do not necessarily reflect the opinion of LaughingPlace.com or its editors.

More messages:

1-10

11-20

21-27

< Previous Topic

Next Topic >

You must be a registered user to post messages.
Click here to register.
After registration you will automatically be brought back to this topic

Laughing Place Podcast
A Happy New Year from the LPP. This week it's Lion King in Vegas, new Johnny Depp movies, Adventurer's Club last night, recent dining experiences, our favorites at Hollywood Studios, reader mail, the Captain's Challenge and more.

What's on
The Latest
A Frightfully Good Time Awaits Disney Cruise Line Guests this Halloween
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Welcomes Fourth Baby Giraffe This Year
El Capitan Theatre presents The Nightmare Before Christmas Oct 17-23 and Oct 30-Nov 1
The NAMM Foundation and Disney Channel Announce Sequel to 'Disney's High School Musical: The Music in You' Grant Program
“Entertainment Facility Project” To Be Discontinued
Disney & More One Day Sale October 18th
High School Musical 3 European Premiere photos
Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail For Russia, Northern Europe and Mediterranean in 2010
LP Guide to Sleeping Beauty 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition update
Tokyo Disneyland Resort record attendance

Click here for The Latest