Animal Kingdom Lodge Security

[mickeyc]

We were advised today by Animal Kingdom Lodge representatives that security will be very tight. It was pointed out that no one will be permitted in the facility unless they have a reservation number and the same applies to those making ressie for the restaurant. If this is the policy, does anyone know if they will allow DVC members to pool hop?

Also, the point allotment for one night is 71pts, which seems very high. I have not seen any charts yet related to use of points at the Animal Kingdom. If anyone has any other information it would be appreciated. Enjoy! ;)

[KNWVIKING]

So what Disney is saying is we can't go and check out AKL but guest at AKL are free to check out our resorts ?!?!? Sometimes I really wonder why I enjoy Disney.

[PamOKW]

AKL being restricted to guests has been the word all along. I think the concern is people substituting seeing the animals there for going to the AK. Another reason floated is they want to keep a certain standard that might give them a Mobil 5-star rating. I doubt we'll be allowed to pool hop here.

[MN_DizNut]

This is by far the priciest of their resorts I've ever seen. A 1BR goes for $795 a night with no passes!

Jon

WDW '85 offsite
DL '85
DL '87
WDW '89 offsite
WL '97
WL '97 (again!)
WH '99
WL '99
AStSp '99 (YUCKY!!!)
DCL/Poly Jun/July '02

[Uncleromulus]

Already questioned Member services-no pool hopping allowed at this resort.

[spiceycat]

here is the point chart - look under disney resort

http://disney.go.com/DisneyVacationClub/Members/disney_col.html

[mjr0483]

I love a good rant, but - WOW, how some things can get blown out of proportion. Here is what I have seen.

Points, it seems in line with YC & BC points range. I was quoted 48pts for 1 room/weekday during Easter Week.

Cash: Taken for the Disney Page
Value Regular Peak Holiday
Standard $199 $230 $275 $305
Water/Pool $250 $280 $325 $365
Savannah $265 $295 $340 $385
Deluxe, Water/Pool $320 $360 $420 $475
Deluxe, Savannah $335 $375 $435 $490
Concierge $380 $435 $510 $565

Bargain hunters can find good discounts.
I know how crazy things have been on the resorts board, so don't take this the wrong way. And these rates may not be still available.

AP discounts I was quoted for the first week of May, all including tax.
Standard View: $176
Savannah View: $209
Concierge: $331

As far as the pool hopping, I have heard conflicting reports. Disney is the worst at supplying detailed information, should this be news to anyone??? The security issue, who knows.
This resort hasn't even open yet. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I hope I didn't peeve anyone.

Regards,

Joe

[jennybobenny]

Just a few notes about the 'exclusiveness' of AKL -- called a few weeks ago to make a PS at Boma (one of the restaurants at AKL) and was told we need to speak with Guest Services at our resort if we intend to take Disney transportation to the new resort.

Apparently Disney isn't going to allow just anyone to board the AKL bus from the parks - guests who are staying at AKL will obviously have access and those with a PS will be given a 'pass' from Guest Services at their resort. Not sure what would happen if we were driving - could the guard at the gate really be expected to check every single car for resort guests and/or Priority Seating numbers?

You've also probably already heard that the PS at Boma and Jiko require a credit card number and there's a $10pp 'no show' penalty. Disney is certainly trying to keep the 'sightseers' away from AKL. It'll be interesting to see if they can pull it off.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/castle_moonlight.jpg
<font face="Class Garmnd BT"><font color="ff69b4"><big>Jennybºoº benny</big></font>
<font color="9400d3">~~DVC Member~~
Onsite: Poly '76, Contemp '98, BWV '99, CBR '00, BWV '00, CBR '01
Offsite: '74 '80 '82 '88
Next trip: BWV~June '01, ASM/BWV~Nov '01</font>
<a href="http://people.ne.mediaone.net/jsmith12/jillian&kylecharacterpage.html">Jillian & Kyle's Disney Character Website</a></font>

[Firefighter Mickey]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>could the guard at the gate really be expected to check every single car for resort guests and/or Priority Seating numbers?[/quote]

Yes. I've seen this happen at the Poly and Contemp during special activities. It can really cause a traffic tie up, but they were turning people away if their name wasn't on the list.

[Disnydad]

I also have experience with PS at the Poly. We were staying there and had PS's at Ohanna's. We invited relatives who live in the area to dine with us. We asked at the desk about them getting in and they said they would notify the gate. When my Aunt & Uncle got to the gate, the guard did check a clip board and told them, "you're on the list, go right on in." That's what they will most likely do at the AKL.

Don, DVC/VWL 2000

No frogs were riveted during the construction of this post.

OS/90, BC/95, WL/97, Contemp/98&99, Poly/99, DxL/00, CBR/00

[Pooh]

Points at the Animal Kingdom Lodge are the same as for the Polynesian, Yacht & Beach Club, and the Contemporary Tower.

Adventure Season = 22 points a weeknight & 40 on weekend nights.

Choice Season = 25 points a weeknight & 46 on weekend nights.

Dream Season = 30 points a weeknight & 55 on weekend nights.

Have other season info at home.

This info is for any other non-members (I'm a NYer waiting to buy at VWL through the mail) who can't access the link that spiceycat posted. ;)

http://www.micres.com/disney/pictures/Pooh/Btn_PigPooh01.gif

[Peter Johnson]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>You've also probably already heard that the PS at Boma and Jiko require a credit card number and there's a $10pp 'no show' penalty.[/quote]

Guess we won't be trying out any AKL restaurants. No way I'm going to pay $10 if I can't see the menu in advance to know if I really want to eat there. :( And of course, nobody ever changes their plans at the last moment, or gets stuck somewhere else, or just forgets about their PS.

Peter and Syl
DVC (OKW) '92, VB '95
Going to OKW May 19-30 and Dec 8-19 :)

[Beachangel]

I think the extra security measures are a good thing. Let's face it, people who are not guests naturally will be flocking to see this place much more than any other resort I believe. I just read on another thread that a child was molested in her room at the Dolphin. I personally don't think Disney is limiting access because people will "visit" AKL and not AK. I think this resort is going to draw alot of visitors whether guests, PS, etc. Limiting access is a a matter of protection to secure guests, etc.

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the THINKS you can think up, if only you try." Dr. Seuss

[kamgen]

we were driving into WL and stopped by a guard. They asked us if we were guests or had PS.
We were there to tour the new VWL. e told them that, and they let us drive through.
They had a list of PS res. #'s and room Ressies.
I was surprised we were stopped at all.
I think it is great if Disney wants to bump up security. It only will help those of us who are supposed to be there enjoying our resorts!
As for AKL, I think it sounds a bit overboard, but I will wait and see on my next visit. No need getting heated up about it when it still isn't even open!
As for the PS money needed, great! So many times people cannot get the times they want with PS because they are taken and then no one shows up! This will help everyone in the long run! :)
Just my two cents :)

Off site '94
AllStar-Movies '99
DxL '00 Honeymoon
DVC Member 4/00
BWV 9/00
VB 9/00
DCL-Wonder 1/01
OKW 1/01
Upcoming:
BWV 12/01
DCL-Magic 12/29/01

My new Disney website!
http://gennaroworld.topcities.com

http://gennaroworld.topcities.com/cuddle.gif

[spiceycat]

sorry about the link - that will teach me to turn off my internet connection before thinking something would work.

[Pooh]

spiceycat,

Nothing to be sorry about. I'm not a DVC member yet so I don't have the password to access the DVC site and assume that other potential buyes like myself may be in the same situation. I don't believe there was anything wrong with the link.

[DebbieB]

I called member services this afternoon to get a PS for breakfast at Boma at AKL on May 14. It's a breakfast buffet, so I figured you can't go wrong. The CM put me on hold for about 5 minutes and then came back with a confirmation #. No request for a credit card #. Wonder if DVC members making PS through member services are excluded from the requirement? It would be a nice gesture for members.

[baileybrad]

when the restaurants at this resort are not doing much business will see if some of the hoop jumping is stopped. I enjoyed WDW before there was an AKL and I am sure I won't be missing a thing.

[tiggersnj]

Know someone who is heading to WDW in May. He was booking some of his dining ressies and AK was one of them. He was told that the reason for all the restrictions was because of the animals. They did not want 1000 people at one time looking to see the animals and lodgings causing a problem for the guests that are staying there. He was not told anything abount a $10 charge for not making the dinner ressie. They said after awhile when everything calms down, they expected the tight security would be lifted.

[DLVisitor]

Where did the 71 pts come from? Do they have 1 bedrooms to rent and not just "hotel" rooms? Is that the point difference.

[WebmasterDoc]

Point requirements at AKL are the same as B&Y, Poly and Contemp Tower. The 71 points per night is for a room, (NOT a 1BR) at any of these resorts, on a Fri/Sat nite during Dream Season. (Mar, Apr, May, etc.)

As pointed out numerous times, it is far more costly to stay in a non-DVC resort room than a 1BR (and even 2BR) villa at a DVC resort. AKL is no different.
Thus far, all we have is speculation about the effect of AKL on pool hopping, as DVC has certainly NOT released any statement about any change in policy. Stay Tuned!

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

[msdis]

If it makes anyone feel better I was quoted the other day a rate of 176.50 per night inc. tax for the ap rate at AK from april 22 thru aug. 25th. I thought this was a steal.

[Beachangel]

I have reservations 8/20 - 9/1 with a savannah view and its like $299 per night. You did get a steal!

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the THINKS you can think up, if only you try." Dr. Seuss

[lrodk]

I made a PS at Bomas 2 weeks ago as a Disney Club member(I called the DC member's dining number)and did not have to leave a credit card to hold the seating. So it seems that DVC and Disney Club members are both excluded from the cc requirement.

Co-Moderator Rumors Board
lrodk@home.com


http://www.picturelist.com/Images/lrodk/steamboatwillie.gif


http://www.picturelist.com/Images/lrodk/aniwoody.gif

[crusoemom]

I'm actually staying at AKL for part of this trip, and I'm a DVC member, and I still had to put the ressies at Boma on a credit card. Of course, the CM who spoke to me said this was her first time making ressies at Boma, and I didn't want to make a fuss, so I didn't argue with her.

Go figure...

Off-site before 1989
CBR 1990
PO/Contemp 2000
AKL/BWV April 2001!

[DebbieB]

Did you make your PS through Member Services? I did mine through MS and did not have to give a credit card #.

[MN_DizNut]

Yes, they do have 1 BR units there (I think they may have 2BR units as well...). During high season the 1BR's go for nearly $800 a night.

Jon

WDW '85 offsite
DL '85
DL '87
WDW '89 offsite
WL '97
WL '97 (again!)
WH '99
WL '99
AStSp '99 (YUCKY!!!)
DCL/Poly Jun/July '02

[mickeyc]

I want to thank everyone for the information and contribution to this post. All the responses were very helpful. I think it is clear at this point pool hopping will not be permitted. I am thinking of staying at least one night at AKL--no points. Enjoy! ;)

[mickey7861]

We're staying 2 nights for $424 inc. tax in a savannah view room this July before moving on to OKW and BWV. This was an AP discount.

[J.P.]

I find it hard to belive that you can't ask to see they menu for the new dinning area at ak. I can understand the tighting of security at the new resort, there has been alot of hype about the new resort, so naturally people are going to be curious about seeing what the resort looks like and disney number 1 piority is making their guests happy. JP <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">

[Donna]

I had the opportunity to talk to two AKL CM's who are on the opening team and i asked them this very question about limited access and they told me it was because of the animals and the views available from the lodge; they felt that some people would just try to see them from the lodge and not visit the REAL savannah (they're two different savannahs and animal groups) and it would hurt AK's attendance. Maybe the restriction will be lifted when the novelty wears off. donna

Donna
DVC, CM

[DebbieB]

Once they open, I'm sure someone will get menus and they will be posted on Deb Will's site. I think she plans to be there for the opening. She already has some preliminary information on her menu site.

I think once they open they will relax the restrictions some, especially for WDW resort guests. They already seem to be relaxing the credit card requirement. I could see people disputing the charges on their cards and they willn't have a signature to back it up.

[Mojomanny]

I know some CM's who were around when AK opened. That was also under tight security. Disney was concerned about animal rights activists creating a problem. Perhaps the policy for AKL is related to this?

PETA can do some outlandish things....I personally beleive in PETH (People for the Ethical Treatment of Humans)

Mojomanny

[PamOKW]

I never thought of the PETA aspect. It is a consideration.