A little disappointed !

[maciemouse]

Okay ya'll, I am feeling the need just to whine a little. My father is going on his second Disney trip ever. He has not been since 1976. He has never stayed on property. I booked us rooms at the POLY so he can be right in the middle of the magic. He is going to accompany his two little grandchildren to the PP party. We chose to go the first week of September because of the low crowd level. My husband and I took the kids last year during this time and it was dead. Anyway, with AKL shutting down and giving everyone the boot (even into Sept) I am afraid our resort is going to be packed. You can call me selfish- but that is why we waited to go in September. Even more bugging, is people are getting lagoon views for less than we are paying for garden views. I know we will still have a great time. I guess I should just look forward to having a packed resort. Sorry to complain!

 

[dvc7680]

I am not sure what type of response you are looking for?

I hope you have a great stay, even though a lot of people will be there having a great time also.

 

[slmcn66]

You have my sympathy's. Once you let go of the resort$ envy sit back and have a great time! Try and remeber that the displaced AKLer's are probably just as disappointed as you. Even thought your resort may be a bit busier than you anticipated it doesn't mean the park crowd level will be incraesed.

Hope you have fun - I keep trying to get my parents to join us. Dad's on board, but mom is not willing.

 

[debster812]

I'm sure the folks who planned their 'trip of a lifetime' at AKL and are being displaced are just as disappointed.

I really don't think you'll notice the resort being packed, because it is still a relatively quiet time of year, and I don't think WDW is going to overcrowd, when they have many other deluxes to spread people out to.

As for the $$$ envy, that could happen any time. You could hear someone bragging at the monorail station about how much they paid for their room, on some other deal.

Vent away, take a deep breath, enjoy your stay, and especially enjoy seeing your father see WDW with your children.

 

[storzo]

I understand what you're saying. I felt kind of the same. We were looking at AKL but didn't becuase of the construction, we looked into the Poly but I just couldn't justify the price so we went with a mod that we have stayed at before. Now with the closing and the switching, I wish we would've booked AKL and maybe got an upgrade; however I'm also happy we didn't go with Poly because I also feel it might now be booked full.

Nothing to do about it now. I'm just going to stay positive and have the BEST DISNEY VACATION EVER!!

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

Okay ya'll, I am feeling the need just to whine a little. My father is going on his second Disney trip ever. He has not been since 1976. He has never stayed on property. I booked us rooms at the POLY so he can be right in the middle of the magic. He is going to accompany his two little grandchildren to the PP party. We chose to go the first week of September because of the low crowd level. My husband and I took the kids last year during this time and it was dead. Anyway, with AKL shutting down and giving everyone the boot (even into Sept) I am afraid our resort is going to be packed. You can call me selfish- but that is why we waited to go in September. Even more bugging, is people are getting lagoon views for less than we are paying for garden views. I know we will still have a great time. I guess I should just look forward to having a packed resort. Sorry to complain!

My understanding from these boards is that the Poly is always quite packed. I don't know that you will be able to tell the difference.

As for the AKL moves, I don't feel too guilty about an "upgrade" because I was paying full price to begin with, and my move just gives me approximately the same discount as all the people who managed to use the 40%-off code. Also, AKL was apparently the only resort not doing the late summer discount codes -- I would have saved about $600 with the most recent code, but the CRO person said it wouldn't work at AKL (the computer told him the discount, I was put on hold, then he came back and yes, the code is good, but not for AKL, would I like to move?). Basically, with all the free dining (bounceback and UK people getting free dining in August) and all the pin codes and package codes flying around I felt like I was the only one in Disney World paying rack rate until this happened. So I know where you're coming from. I just wouldn't blame the AKL folks -- Disney seems to have every guest paying a different price!

However, it looks like you are traveling during free dining -- that's a huge discount that most of us won't get. So the good news is that you're still getting a bargain! Hopefully the bitterness will wear off when you experience the Disney magic with your dad.

 

[kikiq]

Thank you for saying what I've been feeling lately but then thought of my trip instead. Go ahead and whine a little...I'm with you for a little bit<G> Yeah, it is a bummer that akl folks have to move and for the most part I don't begrudge them their upgrade rooms, just stop talking about how you are paying half of what I"m paying AND getting a LV room<G>

 

[ADP]

Just taking a shot here, but I think the disappointment the OP is displaying is that a packed resort = a crowded resort and a crowded resort might equal a less than magical stay. I stress the word might.

The pool could be more crowded, restaurants, etc. The Poly staff could get stretched if the resort is packed, but that is pure speculation on my part. I'm sure those are some of the concerns going through the Ops head.

I don't think you can go into your vacation fearing the worst or you are already setting yourself up for a negative experience. Just go and have a great time and let the chips fall where they may. Remember, you are at Disney World, what could be better than that!

 

[BensMom]

I hate to say this, but is there any slow time at DIS anymore? September is the Wine and Food Festival, but the kids, even up North, are finally back in school. The Poly has been busy, but I think you'll be fine in September. We have dined at O'Hana and Kona and not even had ADR's, just walk-up, and they have always accommodated, and this is their peak season.

By the way, I had no idea AKL is actually shutting down? Did I understand that right? I am shocked! Wow, how come? For how long? Does anyone know? Feelin' a bit out of the loop here!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Okay ya'll, I am feeling the need just to whine a little. My father is going on his second Disney trip ever. He has not been since 1976. He has never stayed on property. I booked us rooms at the POLY so he can be right in the middle of the magic. He is going to accompany his two little grandchildren to the PP party. We chose to go the first week of September because of the low crowd level. My husband and I took the kids last year during this time and it was dead. Anyway, with AKL shutting down and giving everyone the boot (even into Sept) I am afraid our resort is going to be packed. You can call me selfish- but that is why we waited to go in September. Even more bugging, is people are getting lagoon views for less than we are paying for garden views. I know we will still have a great time. I guess I should just look forward to having a packed resort. Sorry to complain!

Nobody wants to stay in a packed hotel. I've been trying to figure out where the AKL people won't be, myself - so that I can go there.

If it makes you feel any better, some of the people getting the lagoon views are still losing out. They didn't want to be at the Poly, they wanted to be at the AKL. Stop being jealous of people who have something you don't and think about all the people who can't go to WDW at all. Feel better?

I've been at the Poly when it is packed and when it isn't. Isn't is the better way to go, but it's still fine even when it's packed.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I hate to say this, but is there any slow time at DIS anymore? September is the Wine and Food Festival, but the kids, even up North, are finally back in school. The Poly has been busy, but I think you'll be fine in September. We have dined at O'Hana and Kona and not even had ADR's, just walk-up, and they have always accommodated, and this is their peak season.

By the way, I had no idea AKL is actually shutting down? Did I understand that right? I am shocked! Wow, how come? For how long? Does anyone know? Feelin' a bit out of the loop here!

Construction - Disney is building time-shares at the the AKL (they call their time-shares DVC - Disney Vacation Club), not sure when it will end. People who were walked are getting perks like lagoon views.

There are about 1000 threads on this if you want to look through the posts.

 

[1daisy]

I know how you feel, when I get something unexpected, I sometimes think the worst. I have stayed at the Poly the last three times I've been though. Before that, the AKL once. I'm definitely hooked on the Poly. I can't bring myself to book another resort. Every time I've been there they said it was completely full, so that's just normal to me. I never have a problem with anything, though. For some reason it just doesn't feel packed. It's still the most relaxing experience, just the whole atmosphere. Believe me, we liked the AKL too, it's beautiful and having the animals to look at were nice, but like I said, once I stayed at the Poly, that was it for us!! Going back in October, can't wait

 

[BensMom]

Construction - Disney is building time-shares at the the AKL (they call their time-shares DVC - Disney Vacation Club), not sure when it will end. People who were walked are getting perks like lagoon views.

There are about 1000 threads on this if you want to look through the posts.

I have been slack on viewing the AKL blogs. We have 900 DVC points. I inferred that they were planning on shutting down the entire resort, not that people were feeling merely inconvenienced. I am well aware of the construction with the plastic sheeting over the top floor rooms, but it sounded like the resort would be closing entirely. I guess not.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I don't think EVERYONE is picking the Poly.. and it's worth remembering.. that the Poly has about 870 rooms...

It may get somewhat busy.. but do remember you're travelling during FREE DINING time.. it may very well be busier there last year anyway.

Positive Mental Attitude.. and everything will be fine!

Knox

 

[CanadianGuy]

I posted this in another thread.. but I'm going cross post it here.. The poster I'm replying to was talking about the Contemporary .. but same info goes for the Poly.

--
I really don't think this will be NEARLY the issue in the real world that people seem to think it will be here on the boards.

There are over 4800 deluxe level rooms available at Disney deluxe resorts not counting AKL.

Before the work started there were 1200 or so rooms at AKL. Obviously way too many... hence the DVC conversion.

Presuming AKL resort was completely sold out -- which I can completely assure you it has not been sold at the 1200 room level, because 3 floors of rooms were taken out of inventory for the DVC conversion - but let's assume it was actually all 1200 rooms sold out...

That would only fill each of the remaining deluxe resorts to 25% capacity .. presuming even distribution. And that doesn't take into account the people who chose to stay at DVC resorts instead of the actual hotels.

Trust me.. this will be a NON issue for your stay.. don't worry -- be happy!

Knox

 

[disnut8]

To the OP - I believe your post was to vent. You have the most perfect visit in your mind for your father and his two grandchildren. At the Polynesian which you thought would be what? Half occupancy? A quarter occupancy? See, that's the danger of daydreaming about THE perfect Disney vacation that lives up to your expectations. I'm sorry but it's not going to happen. NOt the way it's in your mind. Everyone does it.

To calm yourself down, remember all the reason why you picked the Polynesian in the first place and what is important to you. Your first two sentences were that you booked the Polynesian because you wanted your father to be in the middle of everything. That's not going to change. Your second sentence was that your father will be at the Pirates and Princess Party with his two grandchildren. That's not going to change.

And so what if people are getting lagoon views for a cheaper prices than you are paying for your garden view? I'll bet you there's someone that paid less money to buy the same car you are driving around in. I'll bet there are people on your flight that paid less money for the airline ticket than you did. I'll bet there are people on the road that paid less money for a gallon of gas than you did.

I'm going to sound so chipper here and I'm not you. But focus on the positive things. Your father will be at Disney World with you. And his grandchildren. And besides, even if the Polynesian is at full capacity, not everyone is going to be doing the same thing at the same moment every single day. Relax and enjoy your visit. I don't think you are selfish at all. Your main concerns are for your father's happiness. So focus on that and let all the things you can't control just float away. Jeez, I sound like a Hallmark card!

 

[LBelle]

This will cheer the Op up, I hope:

We have to stay at All Star Music!!!!!!

The Poly in my dreams!!!!!!

There. Hope that helped!!!!!

lol!!! At least we'll all be in Disney!!! That's all that matters to me in the end!!!!

 

[OHJulie]

Just a thought, there may not be as many people switching from AKL to other deluxes as it seems. We were called by our TA to move from AKL and the only offer that Disney gave her was to go to SSR and get money back. If I had not been on the DIS I would not have know to even ask for anything else. My guess would be that the majority of people who are called (and are not on the DIS) are going to SSR. Which is not a bad deal with the money back!!

I think that it just seems like everyone is going to another deluxe because we are reading these threads.

Also, we were moved from a Savannah view at AKL and I asked for either the Poly or YC. I was offered Garden view at the Poly or standard view at YC; this was based on availability. Neither of these is a huge upgrade from what we were already paying. We went with the YC for the pool and location and had a great time!

I understand your concerns though that your vacation may not be exactly as you planned. I had to change ADR's and other plans at the last moment due to the resort switch. Not a big deal, but the vacation I had planned for AKL is different than a vacation at YC.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This will cheer the Op up, I hope:

We have to stay at All Star Music!!!!!!

The Poly in my dreams!!!!!!

There. Hope that helped!!!!!

lol!!! At least we'll all be in Disney!!! That's all that matters to me in the end!!!!

Let me throw in some help here, too (thanks for starting this, LBelle )
I'm staying at Pop Century. Again. It will be packed. It was last year at the same time. In fact, it was FULL the weekend I checked in.
Now, I realize it's no Polynesian - but it was still a great trip. With a Deluxe resort, even booked to capacity (and Disney's occupancy rate is higher than the industry norm, but averages around 90% to 92%, over the course of a year), it should still be a wonderful and memorable vacation!

 

[HM]

I stayed at AKL in early Dec 2001 (when Walt's b-day celebration was going on). The resort was at 100% capacity per several CMs we talked to (big-wigs were staying there). The reason I tell you this, is that, we never felt the resort was all that crowded and we were able to use the pool and jacuzzis and eat in Mara, and use the buses without feeling packed in by any means.
So, I'd think even if the Poly were at 100% capacity, you'd still be able to have a good time and not feel it's affects like you think you will. (Well, the pools are always crowded there....so that's one place you'll notice....but thats nothing new from any other time of year).

Don't worry. Have a great trip!!