Are you thinking about booking an Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View room for your next Disney World vacation? But the question you should answer before booking is, “Is it worth it?”.
If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to the stunning sight of the African savanna, it may be worth it – but there are a number of deciding factors to weigh up.
From the unfortunate increased expense to the incredible experience, there are plenty of advantages and disadvantages to staying in a Savanna View room, studio or villa.
This post is all about helping you to decide if Animal Kingdom Savanna View rooms/villas are worth the price.
Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View
The Main Pros and Cons of staying in Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View Rooms
What is the Savanna View at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Savanna View allow you to see African wildlife right outside your room.
You can see more than 30 species of animals (including giraffes and zebras) from your own balcony.
Pros of Staying in Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View Rooms
1) Breathtaking Wildlife Encounters
One of the most remarkable features of Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View rooms is, of course, the views of the African savanna.
Each day, you can enjoy front-row seats to a real-life wildlife documentary. Zebras 🦓, giraffes 🦒, and a plethora of other exotic animals can roam close to your balcony.
The opportunity to observe the animals in the savanna is pretty unforgettable!
2) Unique Disney World Resort Experience
Although Disney World resort has unique theming, nothing is as extraordinary as seeing real-life animals from your balcony.
Rooms at plenty of Disney World resorts offer pool views, lake views – and yes, even parking lot views!
But none of them offers savanna view rooms – one of the best view types at any Disney World hotel!
3) Relaxing Atmosphere
A Savanna View room provides a peaceful retreat that feels like a world away, providing a welcome respite after a day of adventures in the parks.
Want the chaos to stay at the Disney World Parks, so you can enjoy the peace at your resort?
Opting for a Savanna View room almost guarantees a tranquil environment!
4) Sunset and Sunrise Views
Savanna View rooms provide breathtaking sunrise 🌅 and sunset 🌅 views right from your room.
I mean, can you imagine watching this?!
This kind of Disney World experience is far from chaotic.
5) Wildlife Educational Opportunities
Want to learn more about animals?
You can find out about many species of animals by spotting them from your balcony.
Here is a guide for spotting animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Cons of Staying in Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View Rooms
1) Much Higher Price Tag Compared to Standard Rooms
Perhaps the most significant drawback of staying in an Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View room is the cost.
These rooms are often considerably more expensive than standard rooms at other Disney resorts.
For example, if you were staying in an Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort View room for one night (December 13th, 2024, to December 14th, 2024), it would cost $862.
Alternatively, for the same night in a Savanna View room, it would cost $1,140.
Of course, these are the rack rates through Disney World, and you probably would be able to find a discount on these rooms. But you would still be paying a premium to stay in a Savanna View room.
If you’re on a tight budget, the added expense may not be justifiable.
That being said, you could save a lot by renting DVC points instead.
For the same night (December 13th-14th, 2024), these are the prices of Studios (when booking through David’s Vacation Rentals):
Studio (Standard View): $345
Studio (Savanna View): $414
If you’re happy to stay in a DVC Studio (which, admittedly, isn’t quite as luxurious as Animal Kingdom Lodge rooms on the hotel side), it may be worth it for those SIGNIFICANT savings.
RELATED POST: Unlocking Deluxe Disney Resorts on a Budget: Your Complete Guide to Renting Disney Vacation Club Points
2) If you’re not spending much time at the resort, it’s a waste of money
If you’re spending the majority of your time at the parks, and aren’t scheduling any resort time, paying for an Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View room is a waste of money.
If you don’t have time to enjoy the view, you might as well save some money and opt for a Resort View.
After all, you can view the animals from the Sanaa, the lobby and by just taking a walk outside!
3) You pay a lot for your room (and the view) but don’t get many benefits for it
It’s important to remember that Animal Kingdom Lodge is quite far away from every theme park – except Animal Kingdom Park.
If proximity to the parks is more important than a Savanna view to you, it probably isn’t worth the high price tag.
RELATED POST: 9 Easy Ways to Secure the Best Animal Kingdom Lodge Prices for Your Disney World Trip
You could save money by staying at Wilderness Lodge in a Standard View Room. This resort was designed by the same architect, so has some similarities. And even better, Wilderness Lodge is in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area.
However, Wilderness Lodge does not have a savanna … so that’s pretty hard to compete with.
Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View Rooms & Villas
Can you see animals with Savanna View at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
At this point in the blog post, I can safely say ‘YES’.
Whilst the number of animals you see cannot be guaranteed, it is almost certain that you’ll see animals at some point during your stay.
Can you see animals all day?
You may be able to, but you have the best chances of seeing animals early in the morning and later in the evening.
Can you see the animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge at night?
A lot of the time, yes. This may even be the best time to see animals from your Savanna View room!
How many savannas are in Animal Kingdom Lodge?
There are three 11-acre savannas at Animal Kingdom Lodge, including:
- Arusha Savanna
- Sunset Savanna
- Uzima Savanna
The Pember Savanna is the smallest and exclusive to guests staying in DVC studio and villa accommodations at Kidani Village.
This post breaks this down into more detail.
Do animals come close at the Savanna View rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
It depends.
I know, I wish there was a simple ‘yes’ answer to this question.
Firstly, the savannas are home to real animals. So, you can hardly know for sure where the animals will be at any time – and if they’ll be close to your room.
Secondly, there is a hidden fence between your room and the savanna to protect animals and guests! So, there is a limit to how close the animals can get to your room.
Thirdly, it can depend on where your room is situated. This post goes into detail about which rooms offer the best viewing areas of the savanna!
Are there any specific room requests I should make at Animal Kindgom Lodge?
If you book a Savanna View room, you probably want the best view possible.
I recommend researching thoroughly before making a room request – if you have a preference.
Higher floors will generally have better overall savanna views, but you will probably feel further away from the animals, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Do all rooms have balconies?
Yes. Your Savanna View room will definitely have a balcony to watch the animals from!
What kind of animals can I expect to see?
As I mentioned earlier, there are over 30 species of animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Each savanna is home to different animals, as mentioned in this helpful post.
How does weather affect animal visibility?
Rain might make animals less visible as they seek shelter, but otherwise, weather conditions generally don’t impact viewing significantly.
Are Savanna View rooms worth it at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
If you’re going to virtually all your Disney World trip at the parks, no.
If you’re going to spend a lot of time at your resort – and on your balcony – yes, if you can justify the extra $200+ per night for a Savanna View room (over a Standard Room).
Is the Savanna View worth the extra cost?
I wish there was a simple answer to this question.
If you’ve always dreamt staying in a Savanna View room and it’s in your budget, it may be worth it to you.
But, if you can’t justify the extra hundreds – or thousands – of dollars a Savanna View room will cost during your stay, that’s totally fine. Staying in a Standard Room at Animal Kingdom Lodge will still allow you to see the Savannas from other areas of your hotel – as mentioned earlier.
Ta Ta For Now
In conclusion, the question of whether Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View rooms/villas are overpriced or worth the cost is a nuanced one.
These rooms offer a distinctive and mesmerizing experience, allowing you to wake up to the sight of exotic animals right outside your window. For many, this experience is worth every penny.
If you’re a devoted animal lover and are looking for an extraordinary Disney experience, this might be your dream accommodation.
On the other hand, if you’re seeking a more budget-friendly or central Disney resort experience, there are other excellent options available – especially in the Value and Moderate Resort categories (or by renting points for more inexpensive rooms).
Ultimately, the value of an Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna View room depends on your preferences and what you seek in a Disney vacation. So, whether or not you opt for a Savanna View room, you will surely have a magical vacation.
This post was all about helping you to decide if Animal Kingdom Savanna View rooms/villas are worth the price.
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I hope you enjoyed it! Thank you for your kind words. It really means a lot! Of course, and there will content on Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas in the future! 🙂