nervous about AKL

[pigletforever]

We stayed at AKL last October. We stayed CL and I wanted to do the same this time but couldn't get a room. So we went with a Savannah room with 2 queen beds. I love to get up in the morning and walk on to the balcony and wtch the animals while everyone else sleeps. Ds loves finding the animals with the guide when we get back in the afternoon. With all the construction talk I am really getting nervous about staying there. Last time was so magical and we want this trip to be since we are taking MIL who has never been to WDW. I am arguing with myself wondering if I should change hotels or let it ride and hope for the best. Any suggestions?

ETA: I can't get a strait answer from anyone at AKL or CRO as to what construction is like or what is next on the list in terms of construction.

 

[Cass]

H there, as much as I love AKL, and I truly do... I would not stay there until all the DVC stuff is completed... next time I am going to try something new, maybe BW or GF.

 

[mickeysaver]

AKL is my absolute dream resort. I have wanted to stay there for years. I have the budget to stay there this time. I had booked us a room there, but the construction talk spooked me too. I really hate the thought of having the experience tainted by construction noise or worse a view of the construction instead of the savannahs. I decided that I could wait a few more years until the dust settles and then we could give AKL a try. Maybe by then, I can talk Gabby into buying DVC.

I ended up rebooking our stay at a villa over at OKW instead. I am quite sure that we will enjoy the villa's perks, like the large space and the jacuzzi tub. Since our vacation is going to be quite busy, I think that the larger room is probably the better option anyway. It will help us relax a bit more and will be a good choice of a place to stay and hang out if we choose to not go to the parks one day. Maggie

 

[pooksma]

This is excatly how I feel! My DH says "We're staying there no matter what" We added on 2 nights at AKL as a special treat for our DS. He has seen so many pictures that he really wanted to stay there the whole time but our budget didn't allow for it.

Now, the thought that my 'Dream surprise" might be marred by noise and lack of animal viewing totally bums me out

What to do, what to do, what to do????? I thought about changing that reservation for those nights (we have the code) but DH says NO WAY! HELP!!!!

 

[RachelTori]

We stayed at AKL last October. We stayed CL and I wanted to do the same this time but couldn't get a room. So we went with a Savannah room with 2 queen beds. I love to get up in the morning and walk on to the balcony and wtch the animals while everyone else sleeps. Ds loves finding the animals with the guide when we get back in the afternoon. With all the construction talk I am really getting nervous about staying there. Last time was so magical and we want this trip to be since we are taking MIL who has never been to WDW. I am arguing with myself wondering if I should change hotels or let it ride and hope for the best. Any suggestions?

ETA: I can't get a strait answer from anyone at AKL or CRO as to what construction is like or what is next on the list in terms of construction.

I think the stay CAN still be magical, but I know we're all in for some inconvenience. I, too, have been trying to get an answer from IPO and so far they're not getting back to me. We're only staying 2 nights CL in late May so I figure we can put up with most anything for 2 nights - but at this point, I wouldn't plan a long stay there.

When are you going? If the existing building is finished by then, it probably won't be too bad. I plan to post on the Jambo thread when we get home June 5th; I'm sure others will post their experiences in the meantime.

 

[Disney Fans]

We also are booked right now at AKL and where told that the work would only be between 8-5 and on the upper floors? So I am thinking we will keep it for now but maybe will change later. I think we will be gone most of the day when the work is going on, so we are booked but still thinking what is best to do?

It would be nice to here from those who have been there, so they could tell us how it is?

 

[MissionMouse]

We stayed at AKL last October. We stayed CL and I wanted to do the same this time but couldn't get a room... I am arguing with myself wondering if I should change hotels or let it ride and hope for the best...I can't get a strait answer from anyone at AKL or CRO as to what construction is like or what is next on the list in terms of construction.

Well we like to know we are getting what we want out of our vacation, especially when it comes to one of the fundemental items of your stay...your resort. You should expect straight and definite answers from Disney when you are paying premium prices. You do have other options and it sounds like you want to know precisely the conditions of your lodging arrangments. Go with another Deluxe because when it comes down to it...a construction zone is a construction zone and I do not hear of any concessions being made by Disney to offset the impact. I think most people have to realize the majority of the Disney Magic is in YOU, not Disney. If the magic is in doubt, then select a resort you believe has the MAGIC this time around.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

WOW, I could have written this post. I love AKL and sayed CL last year. We wanted the same this year but CL is sold out. We would have to book a standard savannah view room and add that to the construction and complaints of peole saying they herd and saw the construction and it did go past 5pm. It was loud enough to disrupt naps, which I believe becasue we stayed at BC while the villas were being built and it was NOISY. I just changed resorts to the WL and now I am getting very excited about it. At first I was very dissappointed but now I am actually looking forward to the change. As much money as our trips cost I really dont want to put up with all those obstacles in the middle of our trip. Good Luck in your decesion. Just my two cents worth.

 

[DznyLvr2005]

When does this construction end???
I'm worried because I"m staying at AKL for the first time at the end of September!

 

[MissMet]

I feel the fact that Disney won't give a straight answer says it all. They can't promise construction will only go on during the hours they say. If they fall behind in the schedule, they have to make it up somehow, so they'll start earlier & end later.

There's a lot riding on it. I've changed from staying in a 1 bedroom villa at AKL in Nov. to my favorite resort BW. I'm not chancing it. Even if it's not as bad as we think, I know myself, I'll go there SO worried about it, I'll notice EVERY sound & sight out of place. I'll wait 'till late '08 or '09 when the exterior construction is done.

 

[MissMet]

When does this construction end???
I'm worried because I"m staying at AKL for the first time at the end of September!

The new villas building is planned to open in '09, so I would say you could expect exterior construction thru 2008.

 

[badblackpug]

When does this construction end???
I'm worried because I"m staying at AKL for the first time at the end of September!

Anyone? I am considering AKL in Nov.

 

[WDWVillain]

I am thinking about this also, I am set to stay there in Dec with the 40% for 10 nights, and I now cannot change resort(due to nothing left with that discount) and I am not hitting the parks much, I am using this time to relax....so I had thought that the AKL was perfect till I found out about the construction!!
oh well.......