disravenlaur
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2015
We have 2 rooms booked standard view. We have never stayed at AKL before. Do they have connecting rooms? What are the best rooms to request with a standard view?
That was just a bad luck day, we were in room 3417 or something like that and i was mad we had a rock in the way, but we saw a giraffe running and playing, it was so amazing , then it had a little squabble with something that looked like a little hedge hog, it was very entertainingHi all - back from AKL and wanted to share my thoughts. Goal was to enjoy the balcony overlooking the savanna in the mornings with my coffee, use the pool, and head to parks in the late afternoon/evening. Disclaimer – this is meant to share my specific experience in the hopes it might help others so I understand that YMMV ! I really did have a great trip, and I tried to go into it with low expectations because nothing is guaranteed, but it’s tough when you’re paying that much for a room to see animals and you don’t really see any. Also, I’m longwinded so settle in
The category I booked was “Queen + Bunk Beds – Savanna View” as it was the only savanna view available with the Passholder discount. Used Touring Plans Room Request Fax Service to request room: Jambo; Flr 3; NW-facing room. Example 3507, 3505, 3509, 3503, 3511 - was assigned room 3505 overlooking Arusha Savanna! It was such a hard decision deciding which Savanna to choose, but wanted to see zebras so ultimately went with Arusha as I had read that was the only savanna with them. I was very excited!
Room was a decent size, was clean upon arrival and kept that way by housekeeping. I had Privacy sign on door in the mornings when most rooms around me were being cleaned so before I left room for the parks in the afternoon I made a quick call to housekeeping to let them know I was leaving and asking them to service the room and it was always taken care of. Bed was totally uncomfortable and made a loud creaking noise whenever I got up. Bring a nightlight because I ran into that darn bunk bed all the time in the middle of the night. Room had a coffee maker with the Cuisinart pods but I got coffee from the Mara as it was a short elevator ride away – so convenient! Loved the location of the room as it was close to pool and also on same level as the lobby.
While the location and decor was excellent, I did not have good luck viewing animals on the savanna at all. I was typically on my balcony from 7am – 10am every morning and there were never any animals outside my room. There sometimes were 2 giraffes, 2 zebra and 2 other deer type animals on the savanna but WAY on the other side closer to the Kudu Trail rooms so I really couldn’t see them due to distance and being blocked by trees. I could see kinda giraffe legs, but not heads One morning they seemed to be huddled over at the end of the Zebra Trail rooms so I decided to go investigate what was over there. From the outside stairwell at the end of the hall I found all the animals! All pacing by the fence seemingly waiting for a keeper to come. Up rolled a golf cart, opened a fence and away went the animals. I understand that you aren’t guaranteed to see animals, and that they have to be fed and looked over and taken care of, but if I’m being honest it was disappointing. Maybe they are out at different times of day? Or again, just my bad luck, but AKL likely won’t get me to pay for a savanna view again, unless I want to watch the pond being drained, cleaned and refilled every morning *newsflash – not worth the money .
Bus transportation was also not great (more bad luck?). Never waited LESS than 15 minutes for a bus from AKL (to AK, Disney Springs, Epcot, MK) and the wait back on Saturday night from AK to AKL was at least 45 minutes – which I understand can happen, but it is very frustrating when you see 2 buses each come and go for Pop Century, Fort Wilderness and Coronado Springs and none for AKL. I had the Uber app pulled up and the next AKL bus showed up.
All was not lost though! AKL has an amazing pool, pool bar and Victoria Falls Lounge that I enjoyed quite a bit. Plus the quick service breakfast at Sanaa was delicious (still no animals out over there either). The breakfast was not listed anywhere on any of the Jambo house materials so I walked the 10 minutes over to Kidani to check it out and there is a sign at the top of the stairs in the lobby headed down to Sanaa. I think I sat right next to @ariane37 but didn’t want to interrupt her breakfast, especially not being sure . Another note, the lifeguards closed the pool at 10pm every night (I thought I had read they were open 24 hours?).
A major highlight was seeing Joe Rohde in the Victoria Falls lounge late on Saturday night (I needed a drink after the bus fiasco from AK). I thought about walking up and telling him how great Pandora was (I had been there that night), but he was with a big group and I’m not the type to interrupt. A pretty cool memory to have even seen him on that day though.
I still love AKL and might even stay there again (in one of those rooms near the stairwell at the end of the Zebra Trail maybe!). It’s a beautiful resort and was a nice respite after the craziness of the parks.
We love the studios at Jambo House and always see giraffes from our room. I usually request a room on Kudu Trail. The farther down the hallway you are the better the view IMHO.Love this thread and all the information provided, but I'm in need of a little help. I've never stayed at AKL, and I'm clueless about where to request. We are staying in a DVC Studio with Savannah view. My kids favorite animals are giraffes, and I'd like to have a room with a good view of them. Can anyone suggest an area of the resort to request? We are staying in the main building.
It would depend on my goal - if I just wanted a pretty view of the savanna I'd keep the same room location as it was shady in the mornings and it was a nice view. if I wanted to see lots of animals I'd either try a similar location on the Kudu Trail or the rooms at the end of the zebra trail (x591 - x596) as that is where they were all huddled and they were very close. I'll try to figure out how to post a photo. There is just no way to know!I have a question about the location of your room. I have requested almost the exact room on the 5th floor. If you were going to do savanna again, would you request the same location? Or what would you do different? I know you said you wouldnt pay for this view again so hypothetically speaking.
Just curious
I have seen many posts over the years about the lack of animal sightings in the mornings. Just an FYI, we are regulars at AKL and have been told many times the animals go in every day for check ups from 7-10 am. Our best times for animal viewing from the balcony have always been in the late afternoon, particularly if it is raining. The rain seems to energize the animals and they often run around chasing each other during passing thunderstorms. Our favorite time was when we watched the wildebeest chasing a zebra all over the savannah. He finally jumped on top of a big mound of dirt suddenly and the wildebeest all bumped into each other and started chasing one another. We absolutely love AKL!!!
We are staying in a 1bdrm villa Jambo House. Any room location suggestions? And thanks for the advice on animal viewing! We are planning alot of evening resort time so hopefully we will see alot then!I have seen many posts over the years about the lack of animal sightings in the mornings. Just an FYI, we are regulars at AKL and have been told many times the animals go in every day for check ups from 7-10 am. Our best times for animal viewing from the balcony have always been in the late afternoon, particularly if it is raining. The rain seems to energize the animals and they often run around chasing each other during passing thunderstorms. Our favorite time was when we watched the wildebeest chasing a zebra all over the savannah. He finally jumped on top of a big mound of dirt suddenly and the wildebeest all bumped into each other and started chasing one another. We absolutely love AKL!!!
We have 2 rooms booked standard view. We have never stayed at AKL before. Do they have connecting rooms? What are the best rooms to request with a standard view?
I asked this in the CL thread but figured it can't hurt to ask here too, in case someone knows
Does anyone know how many Bunk Bed rooms there are for CL at AKL?
I really want CL again but DGD really wants a Bunk Bed room.
I currently have a Pool View room booked but am so tempted to call and switch us. I wondered if we had any chance at all of getting a bunk bed room? Touring Plans shows 1 but I know their room parameters are often off
If it is right then no, I won't do it. The odds of us getting the 1 Bunk bed room for our 1 night are slim to none. We'll just stay put, maybe book the Night Safari instead. It won't replace what I'll miss from the CL but it would keep her happy
I never got an answer but we did book a CL room and requested bunk bed room and we did get oneI have this same question. Asked over in the CL thread, no info yet.
Booked a savannah view room. We have 2 kiddos, they would love the bunk beds.
We are contemplating a stay at AKL next October (as in 2018...we just got back from a trip and I'm itching to plan another one!!).
My question is, does the Mara get crowded around dinner time? We have a young son who will be just shy of 3 when we go. We stayed at WL on this trip and most nights we returned to the resort for dinner, a little resort exploration, and bed. We stayed CL and ate dinner in the club, but another CL stay just isn't in the budget next year for various reasons. So, I think we will need a QS dinner at least a couple of nights and was wondering if we will be dealing with a huge crowd.
I never got an answer but we did book a CL room and requested bunk bed room and we did get one
Thanks for the report!
With CL do you request like normal (thru disney or touringplans room request) or via your concierge contact?
I had to call to change my reservation. I made my request with her when I made the change. It was my only request. Interestingly enough the room was also ready really, got the text at 8:30 am. Didn't even indicate i wanted it earlyThanks for the report!
With CL do you request like normal (thru disney or touringplans room request) or via your concierge contact?