LadyShiva,
We too decided to stay at AKL and for some reason it was a complete zoo (yes, pun intended). We checked in early on Thursday around 10:00am and that is when the trouble started. We noticed that our room seemed very small (queen + bunk). Later in the day I went down to the desk and asked if we were in fact in the right room. I had originally booked Concierge, Savanna view Deluxe (didn't want concierge, but that was all that was available when I booked, so I took it). What we got was a standard room and buried deep in their computer was a note saying that were were "downgraded". We were never told when we checked in, and the rate was not changed either!!! Well, they did some quick fumbling around and lowered our rate and apolojized, but that wasn't going to work for us. We are a family of 6 so trying to make it in such a small room would have really ended badly.
Up to the 6th floor concierge desk and 15 minutes with the lady sitting at the desk was getting me nowhere. I asked to be heard by the next in line which was the manager. 15 more minutes and we were offered joining rooms overlooking the pool. Again, no good for us, as I would have been putting 2 kids in a seperate room (yes joined by a door), but the kids are 6 and 8. And I didn't go to AKL to look at the pool. Another 15 minutes and I asked to speak with the next in charge. Then came the duty manager. Another 15 minutes and we finally got upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite overlooking one of the savanna's. 2 bedrooms, kitchen, family room 2 1/2 baths. Yup, that was the perfect way to end the vacation!!! I looked it up on-line and that room goes for 1,500.00 per night. They simply didn't have any other rooms, or even a one bedroom suite so they had to concede.
I hate (repeat hate) having to make a stink about these types of things, but in 5 years of going to disney, and this year doing the cruise we spent a lot of money with WDC and I wasn't going to let them downgrade us in any way. It was also a good lesson for my 8 yo daughter in what I called "playing hardball". We played hardball on the beach in Nassau when they wanted 30 dollars for 2 chairs and an umbrella. We settled at 20, but not after a brief "no thanks" and walking away. Life lessions on vacation.
I have so much to say about our cruise, I'll try and compose a post sometime this week with pictures of the Walt Suite which was, well, yup, everything I hoped it to be...
Regards,
Roveer