Upgrade? Animal Kingdom Standard View? Help...

firsttinkerbell · 03-10-2004

I just tried using the new discount code BBY to modify my reservations at the CBR 4/18-4/23 and save money. They told me they did not have any rooms during that time at the CBR for the discount. They did have them at POFQ so I reluctantly took that, nothing againt POFQ I have stayed there and loved it but we have never stayed at CBR before and wanted to try it. On a whim I asked about AKL and they did have the BBY discount there for a standard room, she let me hold it for the day while I ponder.

Should DD and I stay there, in a standard room? It is not going to be cheap and I am worried that I will pine for the View room. I guess my question is do you all think a standard AKL room is worth the $$ difference for the 2 of us (she is a teen) over the POFQ room?

Thanks!

mmbrown386 · 03-10-2004

I made a reservation last week for the AKL with discount codes. We were originally going to stay at POFQ, but I fell in love with AKL from the first moment I saw pictures. I haven't been to any of the resorts yet. I too would love to stay in a savannah room, but can't warrant the cost even with the discount. Besides I'd rather spend it on other things. I will try asking for an upgrade when we get there, but if not, well there are plenty of areas to view animals and we'll be spending most of our time in parks anyway. We'll probably be too tired to check out the animals from our room in the evening.

mmbrown386 · 03-10-2004

I made a reservation last week for the AKL with discount codes. We were originally going to stay at POFQ, but I fell in love with AKL from the first moment I saw pictures. I haven't been to any of the resorts yet. I too would love to stay in a savannah room, but can't warrant the cost even with the discount. Besides I'd rather spend it on other things. I will try asking for an upgrade when we get there, but if not, well there are plenty of areas to view animals and we'll be spending most of our time in parks anyway. We'll probably be too tired to check out the animals from our room in the evening.

mmbrown386 · 03-10-2004

Oops! Sorry about that. I don't know how I duplicated that response.

mickaholic4077 · 03-10-2004

I would make the reservations at AKL and 5 days before my trip is to start,fax them(407-938-4799)with a very nice,polite request for a complimentary room upgrade. I did this for my 2/1/03 overnight stay and got upgraded from standard to pool room view. I would also ask politely when I check in if there were any available complimentary room upgrades,or even an upgrade for a reduced price.

MickeyMac · 03-10-2004

I figured out once that less than 10% off the rooms have a view - be it savannah or a pool view. The few that don't are on the very front of the resort overlooking the parking lot (hidden behind foliage) but compensate by being ridiculously close in comparison to the lobby (games, activities, hustle and bustle - a good thing!), the gift shop (an amazing attraction in itself :D ), and most importantly, the bus stop! Yes, those folks in the back with the savannah views will be still walking to the ends of the earth at the end of a looooonnnggg day while you've already got your feet up and cool drink in hand. Trust me, the resot is huge.

But, back to my first point. Very few rooms have a parking-lot view, and one of the best perks AKL has to offer lucky Standard view guests is the "Congratulations, you've been upgraded!" speech. :D

When are you going?

BTW, we booked standard three times last year - twice we were upgraded to Savannah, third time to Pool view and eventually moved over to Savannah (we had a minor problem with the room and they opted to switch us when correcting the problem - that was a full house week, too)

firsttinkerbell · 03-10-2004

I have never tired requesting a room upgrade before, do you think it might work for a 5 night stay?

LAURENGOLD · 03-10-2004

Something to remember about AKL is that a there are fewer "standard view rooms" than "savannah view". Quote from passporter..."The horseshoe shape lodge, inspired by African Kraal (corral) villages, gives all but 100 of the 1293 rooms a view of the private wildlife reserve."

So, if you take your chances.....they are in your favor (I believe) for a complimentary upgrade...I know that this happend to our own Dana...without her even asking for an upgrade. (she forgot)

So good luck in whatever you decide to do!!

mickaholic4077 · 03-10-2004

Hey,you never know. All you can do is ask,and the worst thing you will hear in return is sorry,we are unable to do this.

firsttinkerbell · 03-10-2004

WOW MickeyMac you really gave me food for thought. So there would be a chance of an upgrade based on your numbers. We are going 4/18 - 4/23. We usually stay at POFQ and ASM but I know this would be such a thrill for DD.

I would LOVE to get the Congratulations speech!!!

Amneris · 03-10-2004

Take AKL! You and your daughter will love it, and don't worry about missing out on the Savannah view! The parking lot view is a driveway view, and it's landscaped with tall trees and weedy-looking-things, so you won't be looking at pavement and cars and harsh flourescent lights. The proximity to the entrance and everything was NOT exaggerated!! The gift shop, restaurants, lobby, entrance to the viewing area, even pool are all off of the center of the resort where you'd be. As for viewing animals, the best place is to take the trail thing in the viewing area at the "back" of the lobby. There are also areas by the pool. And each of the hallways have big windows for viewing too, as well as exhibits of African art etc. The hotel is very luxerous and I just can't say enough good things about it! Definiately the coolest place for you and your daughter to go!!!

BuzzLightyear · 03-10-2004

We stayed in a savanna view room, but would go there again even in a standard.
Just being there is well worth it. There are viewing areas all over the place so don't be bummed if you don't get the upgrade.
Good Luck & Have Fun!!

cindy1970 · 03-10-2004

Yes for sure do AKL even for the standard room. I like the resort in general and that it is not spread out all over like I think POFQ is? I am sorry I am not familiar with that property. We had a savannah room and we didn't really go out there that much. There are tons of other areas you can go to look at the animals.

firsttinkerbell · 03-10-2004

Well I think I am going to go for it. It is an extra $250.00:dazed but DD is 14 and this is a specail trip with out the boys/men folk and I am about to turn 50

so I might as well live life now! All agree, please :D

MickeyMac · 03-10-2004

Agree. You will never regret it.

Do bring plenty of quarters - my son loved the arcade room. :dazed

Also, make sure you participate in the cultural activities. He might be particularly interested in the animal tracking - it uses tylemetry(sp) and a really cool gun looking thing to find them.

Also, pick a day to celebrate your birthday at Disney, and add it to your reservations. Get a birthday button in the parks. Go wild, have fun. :D

03-10-2004	#1 (permalink)
firsttinkerbell Junior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mass. Posts: 15	Upgrade? Animal Kingdom Standard View? Help... I just tried using the new discount code BBY to modify my reservations at the CBR 4/18-4/23 and save money. They told me they did not have any rooms during that time at the CBR for the discount. They did have them at POFQ so I reluctantly took that, nothing againt POFQ I have stayed there and loved it but we have never stayed at CBR before and wanted to try it. On a whim I asked about AKL and they did have the BBY discount there for a standard room, she let me hold it for the day while I ponder. Should DD and I stay there, in a standard room? It is not going to be cheap and I am worried that I will pine for the View room. I guess my question is do you all think a standard AKL room is worth the $$ difference for the 2 of us (she is a teen) over the POFQ room? Thanks!

03-10-2004	#6 (permalink)
MickeyMac Cherubic Chocoholic Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 2,233	I figured out once that less than 10% off the rooms have a view - be it savannah or a pool view. The few that don't are on the very front of the resort overlooking the parking lot (hidden behind foliage) but compensate by being ridiculously close in comparison to the lobby (games, activities, hustle and bustle - a good thing!), the gift shop (an amazing attraction in itself :D ), and most importantly, the bus stop! Yes, those folks in the back with the savannah views will be still walking to the ends of the earth at the end of a looooonnnggg day while you've already got your feet up and cool drink in hand. Trust me, the resot is huge. But, back to my first point. Very few rooms have a parking-lot view, and one of the best perks AKL has to offer lucky Standard view guests is the "Congratulations, you've been upgraded!" speech. :D When are you going? BTW, we booked standard three times last year - twice we were upgraded to Savannah, third time to Pool view and eventually moved over to Savannah (we had a minor problem with the room and they opted to switch us when correcting the problem - that was a full house week, too) __________________ ... back in the frozen tundra!

03-10-2004	#7 (permalink)
firsttinkerbell Junior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mass. Posts: 15	request for a complimentary room upgrade. I have never tired requesting a room upgrade before, do you think it might work for a 5 night stay?

03-10-2004	#8 (permalink)
LAURENGOLD Mouse Meister Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,076	Something to remember about AKL is that a there are fewer "standard view rooms" than "savannah view". Quote from passporter..."The horseshoe shape lodge, inspired by African Kraal (corral) villages, gives all but 100 of the 1293 rooms a view of the private wildlife reserve." So, if you take your chances.....they are in your favor (I believe) for a complimentary upgrade...I know that this happend to our own Dana...without her even asking for an upgrade. (she forgot) So good luck in whatever you decide to do!! __________________ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Heading to the Beach Club!!! Loving the memories!!!

03-10-2004	#11 (permalink)
Amneris Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 418	Take AKL! You and your daughter will love it, and don't worry about missing out on the Savannah view! The parking lot view is a driveway view, and it's landscaped with tall trees and weedy-looking-things, so you won't be looking at pavement and cars and harsh flourescent lights. The proximity to the entrance and everything was NOT exaggerated!! The gift shop, restaurants, lobby, entrance to the viewing area, even pool are all off of the center of the resort where you'd be. As for viewing animals, the best place is to take the trail thing in the viewing area at the "back" of the lobby. There are also areas by the pool. And each of the hallways have big windows for viewing too, as well as exhibits of African art etc. The hotel is very luxerous and I just can't say enough good things about it! Definiately the coolest place for you and your daughter to go!!! __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1985 - off-site 2000 - Coronado Springs 2001 - Contemporary 2002 - DAKL 2002 - Contemporary 2003 - Western Carribean Cruise 2003 - Contemporary 2004 - DAKL 2004 - DISNEYLAND Grand Californian 2004 - Land / Sea 4-Night Cruise 2005 - SOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Upgrade? Animal Kingdom Standard View? Help...

03-10-2004	#2 (permalink)
mmbrown386 Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 34	I made a reservation last week for the AKL with discount codes. We were originally going to stay at POFQ, but I fell in love with AKL from the first moment I saw pictures. I haven't been to any of the resorts yet. I too would love to stay in a savannah room, but can't warrant the cost even with the discount. Besides I'd rather spend it on other things. I will try asking for an upgrade when we get there, but if not, well there are plenty of areas to view animals and we'll be spending most of our time in parks anyway. We'll probably be too tired to check out the animals from our room in the evening.

03-10-2004	#3 (permalink)
mmbrown386 Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 34	I made a reservation last week for the AKL with discount codes. We were originally going to stay at POFQ, but I fell in love with AKL from the first moment I saw pictures. I haven't been to any of the resorts yet. I too would love to stay in a savannah room, but can't warrant the cost even with the discount. Besides I'd rather spend it on other things. I will try asking for an upgrade when we get there, but if not, well there are plenty of areas to view animals and we'll be spending most of our time in parks anyway. We'll probably be too tired to check out the animals from our room in the evening.

03-10-2004	#4 (permalink)
mmbrown386 Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 34	Oops! Sorry about that. I don't know how I duplicated that response.

03-10-2004	#5 (permalink)
mickaholic4077 Currently in Timeout! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 90 miles from The Mick!!!!! Posts: 6,181	I would make the reservations at AKL and 5 days before my trip is to start,fax them(407-938-4799)with a very nice,polite request for a complimentary room upgrade. I did this for my 2/1/03 overnight stay and got upgraded from standard to pool room view. I would also ask politely when I check in if there were any available complimentary room upgrades,or even an upgrade for a reduced price.

03-10-2004	#9 (permalink)
mickaholic4077 Currently in Timeout! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 90 miles from The Mick!!!!! Posts: 6,181	Hey,you never know. All you can do is ask,and the worst thing you will hear in return is sorry,we are unable to do this.

03-10-2004	#10 (permalink)
firsttinkerbell Junior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mass. Posts: 15	WOW MickeyMac you really gave me food for thought. So there would be a chance of an upgrade based on your numbers. We are going 4/18 - 4/23. We usually stay at POFQ and ASM but I know this would be such a thrill for DD. I would LOVE to get the Congratulations speech!!!

03-10-2004	#12 (permalink)
BuzzLightyear MB Cast Member ® Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Space Mountain Posts: 3,917	We stayed in a savanna view room, but would go there again even in a standard. Just being there is well worth it. There are viewing areas all over the place so don't be bummed if you don't get the upgrade. Good Luck & Have Fun!! __________________ 86,92,96 Offsite * 2002 AKL * 2003 BCV * 2004 Contemporary * 2005 WL * 2006 BWV* 2008 CSR * My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 108 days 6 hours 15 minutes

03-10-2004	#13 (permalink)
cindy1970 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CT Posts: 212	Yes for sure do AKL even for the standard room. I like the resort in general and that it is not spread out all over like I think POFQ is? I am sorry I am not familiar with that property. We had a savannah room and we didn't really go out there that much. There are tons of other areas you can go to look at the animals. __________________ cindy 1998 Residence Inn LBV 1999 Delta resorts 2000 Portofino Bay Universal 2001 Animal Kingdom 2002 Wilderness Lodge 2003 Wilderness Lodge 2004 Wilderness Lodge 2006 Old Key West

03-10-2004	#14 (permalink)
firsttinkerbell Junior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mass. Posts: 15	Well I think I am going to go for it. It is an extra $250.00:dazed but DD is 14 and this is a specail trip with out the boys/men folk and I am about to turn 50 so I might as well live life now! All agree, please :D

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03-10-2004	#15 (permalink)
MickeyMac Cherubic Chocoholic Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 2,233	Agree. You will never regret it. Do bring plenty of quarters - my son loved the arcade room. :dazed Also, make sure you participate in the cultural activities. He might be particularly interested in the animal tracking - it uses tylemetry(sp) and a really cool gun looking thing to find them. Also, pick a day to celebrate your birthday at Disney, and add it to your reservations. Get a birthday button in the parks. Go wild, have fun. :D __________________ ... back in the frozen tundra!