Standard or Savannah View?

[PawleyPlatoon]

Hello Intercot Friends!

I am booking a week long vacation for my husband and myself next March. We have chosen AKL Kidani Village for our accommodations. I just can't decide whether or not to spend extra $$$$ on the savannah view. I've read lots of blogs about the matter and seems that half of the posts say you can see the savannahs at lots of different areas in the resort and don't spend the money on the savannah view, while the other half says definitely spend the extra $$$$.

I simply don't know if it's worth the extra price. The purpose of the trip is to watching spring training for the Braves and see the flower festival at EPCOT. Also for us to have some "down" time.

HELP!

[MCeee]

We've stayed at both Kidani and Jambo House. We've also never requested or paid for Savannah View, but out of three times staying there, twice we've gotten it anyway. The other time was our stay at Jambo House, and we still had a wonderful view of the pool and the edge of one of the savannahs. In fact, If you get a chance, take look at a Kidani resort map. You'll notice that there are simply not that many rooms that have no Savannah view. There are a few, but not many. Even most of the ones that face toward the parking area (which is also towards the pool), there is a smaller savannah right there, and its beautiful.
That said, I would not request or pay the extra. If it so happened I didn't get it... then I would enjoy the savannahs from the other public viewing areas.

[ginny57]

I had a standard view - it was what I could afford. I ended up right over the resort entrance so could not see anything for sure! That said, I took a short walk to the overlook and saw the animals. Not a big deal for me.

If you are planning on spending time on your balcony with some wine to chill for a while and can afford it....why not - but don't feel like you HAVE to.

[MCeee]

@ginny57... when I was there and also when I look at the map, it appears that mainly those villas near the resort entrance are the "no savannah" views.

But to add to my earlier post... be advised that you also may have a very long walk to your villa. We actually counted our steps once and did the math (approximate of course) and it was more than a 1/4 mile from the lobby to our room!
Coming in from park touring with some tired "dogs" I would have been happy with the closer non-view room.

[mom2morgan]

We got upgraded to Savannah view (I hear that is fairly common) and it was a really nice little perk - definitely a great memory of the trip. That said, I would not personally pay the extra - while I really enjoyed it, I didn't really spend THAT much time hanging out there, and the rest of the resort and the viewing areas are gorgeous.

[TexansInNY]

My 1.5 cents worth - we paid extra for it and it was great but honestly would not again. The kids spent a while out there the first day but could have spent the same out there in the public viewing area..by fourth night it was back to "wish we were at WL so I could see who is at the pool" Go with what you want and enjoy!

[RedSoxFan]

We have never paid for a savannah view. So many spots to view the animals. We do, however, splurge for a pool view so not to look at a parking lot. Great resort!!

[Dulcee]

If I can afford it I'd pay for for the view... and I never pay for any other view at wdw. To be fair I'm up by 530-6 every morning and DH would rather sleep. There is nothing quite like watching the animals wander out in the morning while I sit and watch with coffee in hand. DH feels the same when we get back late and I crash and he sits and watches.

As others have said it's all what you value. If your a can't pull your eyes away kind of person at the zoo I'd spring for the view.

[buzznwoodysmom]

If we can afford it we would always go with a Savannah view when staying at AKL. As a matter of fact when considering resorts if we would ever be interested in AKL, but couldn't afford Savannah view we would probably opt for WL instead. We have become spoiled by that view and can't imagine staying there without the view.

[Reedy Creek Buccaneer]

We stayed at Kidani Villas in June. We thoroughly enjoyed waking up to see the animals from our room, and I would suggest to anyone to spend the extra if they can afford it. I think we spent more time enjoying the wildlife, than we did watching TV all week.

[mdhiggin]

We've stayed a few times at Kidani but only once did we book savannah view. Our savannah view was as far from the lobby as you can get and still be in Kidani. It was also on the far end of Kidani, so we were incredibly far from Jambo house. The savannah view was interesting at first but as the trip went on, I realized I had the same few animals all the time. Tommies, ankole cattle (cows), a lone okapi, a few birds, and some animal I can't remember. No giraffes or zebras! It was a hike to go to the lobby and refill drinks. We found out at the end of the trip it was closer to go down and over to the pool to get drinks. Anyway, I much prefer a standard view close to community hall. You pay less for the room, but you're close to the lobby, store, community hall, and major animal viewing.

[kakn7294]

My family has never stayed at AKL but when we have considered it, we felt this way - we're not going to spend enough time in our room to justify paying for the view so we likely would not book a Savannah view room.

[MNNHFLTX]

Since I've visited Disney World numerous times, I like to spend time at the resort as much as I do the parks. On that note, my family and I have stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge three times, all in savannah-view rooms. I love to wake up in the morning and sit out on the balcony, watching the animals feed; same in the evenings. I've even been known to peek outside in the middle of the night, just to see what's happening. Now I can't imagine staying there without a savannah-view room!

Whatever room you do decide on, I agree that it's wise to put in a request for one close to the lobby. If you have a room at the end of one of wings, those halls seem to go on forever, even with the pleasant viewing spots to enjoy along the way.

[PawleyPlatoon]

Thanks so much for the input from everyone! It was definitely helpful.

I decided on getting a standard view (requesting close to Kidani lobby) at Kidani Village. However, I HAVE seen the total for this and it is, let's say, exciting! I'm going to keep this ressie for a while and see how our budget looks over the next few months. I may change to Saratoga Springs if we need to save money. But, so far so good!

Have a great day everyone!

[Chickojewells]

We never stayed there but took a visit one time from a park to have a look around and it was felt like a whole new mini park. I work as a zoo keeper in Australia so this is something I just HAD to check out when I got there.... I said that I would pay the extra for the animal view next time if we stayed there but that's because personal interest. My husband however was said he wouldn't because of the short walk. To the area and mentioned it they could be seen from the eatery. So thought I would tell u my family is split based on personal interest!

[#1donaldfan]

If I can afford it I'd pay for for the view... and I never pay for any other view at wdw. To be fair I'm up by 530-6 every morning and DH would rather sleep. There is nothing quite like watching the animals wander out in the morning while I sit and watch with coffee in hand. DH feels the same when we get back late and I crash and he sits and watches.

As others have said it's all what you value. If your a can't pull your eyes away kind of person at the zoo I'd spring for the view.

That is me !! I am out, coffee in hand watching the animals, and most mornings CM's cleaning, feeding and puttering around in the savanah !! What a GRAND way to wake up each morning and I do not have to get ready to see them, I just simply slide the door open and it's mine for a week or so !!!