AKL “lost rooms” and making us move!!

[Brett Wyman]

Yikes! Perhaps my bias has always made me think Saratoga is not the same. They are not comparable, I’m sorry.

That said I had a two bedroom at AKL and it was down due to some similar issue (this was late 2019) and they moved us to the ludicrous suite Neil Patrick Harris stayed at - and it we didn’t have to ask for it. It was offered.

I’m starting to rethink a late July trip to WDW - I don’t want to be randomly nickel and dimed.

Post remodel SSR resort rooms are aaaalllootttt nicer than AKV rooms. But of course, no animals.

 

[tcrandal]

Shocked that people would think this is okay. I understand the Disney magic, but this is subpar customer service if someone thinks an SSR 2BR compares to a 1BR Animal Kingdom Lodge. I would definitely raise a fuss at the rate they charge per night.

 

[Nabas]

Shocked that people would think this is okay. I understand the Disney magic, but this is subpar customer service if someone thinks an SSR 2BR compares to a 1BR Animal Kingdom Lodge. I would definitely raise a fuss at the rate they charge per night.

I've stayed at AKV (Kidani & Jambo) and SSR several times.

From a DVC points perspective, a 2-bedroom villa at SSR is an upgrade over a 1-bedroom at AKV.

If this were my only chance to stay at AKV, I would be hugely disappointed.

But I also understand that, from Disney's perspective, they are trying to do what they can with what's available.

 

[focusondisney]

Shocked that people would think this is okay. I understand the Disney magic, but this is subpar customer service if someone thinks an SSR 2BR compares to a 1BR Animal Kingdom Lodge. I would definitely raise a fuss at the rate they charge per night.

Especially when they have commercials on that entice you with a giraffe coming right to your window. Plan the trip, get your kids all excited to see animals from the room & have it changed to SSR at the last minute? I’m pretty sure kids wouldn’t think it’s the same. Also, not everyone wants to spend time at Disney Springs. We find dealing with the crowds there unpleasant. Being able to walk there isn’t a benefit in any way for us.

 

[Kerr84]

I would ask for some other options. Could they do 2 studios somewhere? Or Bay Lake Tower has a similar set up to Kidani with the 2 bathrooms?

 

[Grumpy Mouse]

I'm sorry, I'd have an absolute cow over this. It does not matter that a 2br is an 'upgrade' over a 1br - SSR is a COMPLETELY different experience than AKV; it's like booking a trip to a mountain resort but at the last minute the company says 'we can't accommodate you at the mountains - but we do have a nice room at the lake' - and you say, hey 'we had our heart set on the mountains' - and they say 'what's the difference, the lake's nice too'!

No where else in the world would this be acceptable; only in the smug ignorance of the Disney bubble would this be even attempted.

If you're a DVC member, e-mail (immediately): Terri.A.Schultz@disney.com

If you're non-DVC, push hard for the maximum upgrade possible; I'm pretty sure they keep some VIP suites at AKV available even with a portion of the resort closed. Personally, if you end up settling (because cancelling at this point we be very tough), I'd be tempted to write my credit card company and dispute the resort charges after the fact. If your credit card company is (for example) American Express and you're a long standing member, you have a lot more juice than you think you have.

The crap that Disney thinks it can get away with right now just stuns me.

 

[Belle83]

I agree that a 2BR at SSR isn't really an upgrade. Maybe on paper. It's not nearly the same in terms of theming and atmosphere, even with the restaurants mostly closed. Plus, all the rooms at SSR open to outside walkways which is not very deluxe to me.

I would definitely push for a different option that you are actually excited about.

We've never been bumped but we've been upgraded. On our honeymoon they upgraded us from a standard to a savannah-view room at AKL, but there were people staying there who were upgraded from Pop Century (which was overbooked). I'm sorry you are dealing with this

 

[indyannamom]

So sorry that this happened on such short notice. I agree SSR isn’t an upgrade! Let us know what the final result is!

 

[Heather07438]

Both SSR and AKV are Deluxe.

But (don't hate on me for saying it) SSR feels more like a Moderate Resort.

Staying at AKV (Jambo or Kidani) is a treat.

I feel the same. For most people (including me) SSR and OKW do not really compare with the park resorts, the uniqueness of AKL or the newness of Riviera.

It doesn’t seem too much to expect something that is at least equally exciting as what you booked.

 

[maxiesmom]

I've been downgraded at check in. It could be worse OP.

I'm sure it isn't something they do if they have any other options. And yeah,other hotels "walk" guests. It is common enough that is the term for it.

 

[C&Jx2]

I want to know how this worked out in the end. Please report back OP!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I'm sorry, I'd have an absolute cow over this. It does not matter that a 2br is an 'upgrade' over a 1br - SSR is a COMPLETELY different experience than AKV; it's like booking a trip to a mountain resort but at the last minute the company says 'we can't accommodate you at the mountains - but we do have a nice room at the lake' - and you say, hey 'we had our heart set on the mountains' - and they say 'what's the difference, the lake's nice too'!

No where else in the world would this be acceptable; only in the smug ignorance of the Disney bubble would this be even attempted.

If you're a DVC member, e-mail (immediately): Terri.A.Schultz@disney.com

If you're non-DVC, push hard for the maximum upgrade possible; I'm pretty sure they keep some VIP suites at AKV available even with a portion of the resort closed. Personally, if you end up settling (because cancelling at this point we be very tough), I'd be tempted to write my credit card company and dispute the resort charges after the fact. If your credit card company is (for example) American Express and you're a long standing member, you have a lot more juice than you think you have.

The crap that Disney thinks it can get away with right now just stuns me.

not saying this is reason but how would your stay be if say the air was not working? would you still want that room just to stay at that resort? or maybe there was plumbing problems so water had to be turned off? these are some of reasons

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

not saying this is reason but how would your stay be if say the air was not working? would you still want that room just to stay at that resort? or maybe there was plumbing problems so water had to be turned off? these are some of reasons

I would assume the OP would not want the room if it's not in working order. But that doesn't mean Disney shouldn't find her a room she is happy with, especially the day before check in.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I would assume the OP would not want the room if it's not in working order. But that doesn't mean Disney shouldn't find her a room she is happy with, especially the day before check in.

so they should move another family just to make her happy? I would assume all rooms like hers are already booked. was not Disney but we once ended up across town from where we were staying because that was where they could find us a room even with a confirmed ressie on a busy weekend there.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I feel the same. For most people (including me) SSR and OKW do not really compare with the park resorts, the uniqueness of AKL or the newness of Riviera.

It doesn’t seem too much to expect something that is at least equally exciting as what you booked.

if there is an opening. so you would move someone else just so she could have what she wants?

 

[Heather07438]

if there is an opening. so you would move someone else just so she could have what she wants?

Is she not getting moved so someone else could get the room she wants?

And that she has a reservation?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Is she not getting moved so someone else could get the room she wants?

And that she has a reservation?

I am guessing it is more likely a problem with her room this close to check in or a overbooked. if overbooked most likely earliest booking date gets room. not at Disney but have had this happen many times to us with over bookings and one time ended up across town on a busy weekend as that was all there was. and this was at check in no warning ahead

 

[Nabas]

if there is an opening. so you would move someone else just so she could have what she wants?

Someone else might really like a SSR 2-bedroom over a AKV 1-bedroom.

Because I have stayed at both several times, and am sure I’ll stay at both again, I’d go with the 2BR SSR. I would prefer the extra space.

(I would feel differently if it were a difficult-to-book room. In this case, I would have no idea when I would have the next chance.)

So Disney could call others to see if anyone else is interested in the switch.

 

[LiveLifeLoud]

I’m interested to see how this turned out.

If it were me I would take any resort other than SSR or OKW. Neither place appeals to me.

OP I hope it all worked out !

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

so they should move another family just to make her happy? I would assume all rooms like hers are already booked. was not Disney but we once ended up across town from where we were staying because that was where they could find us a room even with a confirmed ressie on a busy weekend there.

Ummm, I didn't say that. I highly doubt that every single room "like hers" is already booked. At the very least, if they move her to a room that is not to her satisfaction she should be offered some sort of compensation in return.