AKL Concierge

[pilferk]

It's not really whining about the inconvenience..it is inconvenient! You could be walking miles to get from your room to the lounge at AKL! When you stay concierge it's usually a key card access to your floor. Meaning no-one who isn't concierge can access your floor and when you're on it, you can walk from your room to the lounge w/o having to deal with the general public. I wouldn't , by the way, walk to the lounge in my robe! Also, anyone who is on your floor is also a concierge guest paying what you are paying. They way they are setting up AKL concierge cheapens the meaning of concierge service! Your concierge cast members are NOT down the hall from you, but up 2 floors, the lounge is up 2 floors, the rooms are smaller. It's not the same experience as the other deluxe hotels concierge service. I feel they are taking away from the concierge guest the true feeling of a concierge service stay! " down from soapbox now"

By way of info, more than 1/2 the concierge rooms were on the 5th floor....and the 6th floor rooms views were the least in demand, by all reports, because of the view issues. It's not much different to walk from your 5th floor room to the elevator than it is to walk from your 4th floor room to the elevator. In addition, now ALL AKL concierge rooms will be savannah view, it looks like. That was not the case before....and you got what you got. You also are on the floor that, arguably, has the "best" savannah views: Close enough to get a more intimate view of the animals, but high enough up to get a broad expansive view of the savannah. Add to that list that you are now PAYING less for your room....there are some perks.

 

[pilferk]

I dont feel bad about saying this..... the whole plan sucks!!! I stay at AKL about 3 times per year and have been having a hard time booking lately for upcoming trips. This explains alot. My favorite rooms are on the 6th floor, specifically the end unit 1 and 2 br suites with thatch roofs. Now I have to buy DVC to get those rooms??? I dont think so. The frustrating part is that many of us dont want to have to commit to DVC, and I certainly dont want to have to walk up 2 floors to get to the concierge lounge. I am not happy about this whole plan. And then they get a whole other building that is larger than the original too???? What the heck? Disney must be killing it with DVC sales............

I believe in the annual report it showed that DVC was the fastest growing business unit within the Disney corporation.

As for having to buy into DVC to get those rooms (the circular suites are, I think, being converted into Grand Villas), yes...that or rent points.

You don't have to "walk up 2 floors" to get to the lounge. You just need to walk to an elevator, much like those concierge guests who were staying on the 5th floor (and paying the same rate as those on the 6th floor) have had to do since the lodge's inception.

 

[SharonLowe]

It's not really whining about the inconvenience..it is inconvenient! You could be walking miles to get from your room to the lounge at AKL! When you stay concierge it's usually a key card access to your floor. Meaning no-one who isn't concierge can access your floor and when you're on it, you can walk from your room to the lounge w/o having to deal with the general public. I wouldn't , by the way, walk to the lounge in my robe! Also, anyone who is on your floor is also a concierge guest paying what you are paying. They way they are setting up AKL concierge cheapens the meaning of concierge service! Your concierge cast members are NOT down the hall from you, but up 2 floors, the lounge is up 2 floors, the rooms are smaller. It's not the same experience as the other deluxe hotels concierge service. I feel they are taking away from the concierge guest the true feeling of a concierge service stay! " down from soapbox now"

As I said in my reply, if you don't like not being on the same floor as the concierge lounge than the AKL has never been the resort for you. Most CL rooms at AKL have been on the 5th floor and always required an elevator trip up to the lounge. Even most of the 2 bedroom suites as well as the VP and Presidential suites are not on the 6th floor. I for one prefer it that way - I don't have to listen to the noise in the lounge and I get a better view. If you don't like it that way, stay someplace else. AKL has the best IPO and CL staff in all of WDW - they are what make it worth paying extra for the services. I sure am not paying the extra money for food and drinks in the lounge - I can get those a lot cheaper. My only concern with the conversion is that they not replace the IPO and CL staff. I'm happy to stay on the 4th floor as long as I get a savannah view room.

 

[pilferk]

My only concern with the conversion is that they not replace the IPO and CL staff. I'm happy to stay on the 4th floor as long as I get a savannah view room.

I asked that exact same question....and was told that staff will remain, if they want to, but will be transferred to a new employer (in other words, same people, different division of the company).

 

[Cass]

I stayed concierge in December on the 5th floor, I was told that eventually the Concierge Lounge would be the DVC lounge, and a new lounge would be built on the 4th floor somewhere (convert a few rooms?) for the concierge guests who would also stay on that floor. (standard rooms only)

AKL is my favourite hotel and I always stayed concierge (4 stays) 10 nights, 4 nights, 3 nights and 6 nights. We were always on the 5th floor with the Arusha view - I hate the DVC changes, it really has ruined things for me. I can't see myself going back now that DVC is taking over.

 

[pilferk]

I stayed concierge in December on the 5th floor, I was told that eventually the Concierge Lounge would be the DVC lounge, and a new lounge would be built on the 4th floor somewhere (convert a few rooms?) for the concierge guests who would also stay on that floor. (standard rooms only)

AKL is my favourite hotel and I always stayed concierge (4 stays) 10 nights, 4 nights, 3 nights and 6 nights. We were always on the 5th floor with the Arusha view - I hate the DVC changes, it really has ruined things for me. I can't see myself going back now that DVC is taking over.

According to the documents filed with the state and county...that's not the case. It's clearly outlined in the legal filings that the Concierge lounge, on the 6th floor, will remain the AKL concierge lounge, but will be run by DVC. The lounge WILL NOT become, according the the declaration, a general "DVC lounge". It will strictly be used for AKL concierge and DVC concierge guests.

I'm sorry to hear you don't like the DVC changes. I would like to offer that there is a LOT of confusion and misinformation running rampant out there...so I'd say wait until you see what is actually implemented, or til you find out what all the plans really are, before you write off another stay at AKL. The only difference you should see is a smaller room, on the 4th floor, for less money.

 

[d-hlaw]

I stayed concierge in December on the 5th floor, I was told that eventually the Concierge Lounge would be the DVC lounge, and a new lounge would be built on the 4th floor somewhere (convert a few rooms?) for the concierge guests who would also stay on that floor. (standard rooms only)

AKL is my favourite hotel and I always stayed concierge (4 stays) 10 nights, 4 nights, 3 nights and 6 nights. We were always on the 5th floor with the Arusha view - I hate the DVC changes, it really has ruined things for me. I can't see myself going back now that DVC is taking over.

I totally agree.... If they want a DVC resort then build a seperate building but dont take the best of this resort and hand it over. I shouldnt be punished because I choose not to commit to the disney timeshare. I actually spend more as a resort guest but prefer the freedom to choose when, where and how long or not at all. Looks like not at all may be more common......

 

[pilferk]

I totally agree.... If they want a DVC resort then build a seperate building but dont take the best of this resort and hand it over. I shouldnt be punished because I choose not to commit to the disney timeshare. I actually spend more as a resort guest but prefer the freedom to choose when, where and how long or not at all. Looks like not at all may be more common......

Just to point out: "the best part of the resort", as you call it, was also the part most frequently unoccupied. That was one of the biggest factors, from what we've heard and can tell from the rumor and conjecture, that went into the decision. AKL's occupancy rates have not been as high as those at other Disney properties from the reports we've all heard...and in looking at the occupancy rates,it's rumored the deluxe rooms, and large number of suites, were the rooms with the lowest occupancy rates. Add to that the fact that Disney had just about sold out SSR, about a year sooner than projected, which means DVC needed something to sell relatively quickly, and you can see why they made the decision they did. Yes, it was driven, at least in part, by the bottom line.

I understand transition can be tough. But I think, in the end, this won't turn out to be nearly as "bad" as some people think it is. Change is hard, I'll grant you, especially to someplace you view as something of a "home". But I hope people will give the new AKL offerings a shot after the DVC conversion is done before passing judgement.

 

[RachelTori]

I understand transition can be tough. But I think, in the end, this won't turn out to be nearly as "bad" as some people think it is. Change is hard, I'll grant you, especially to someplace you view as something of a "home". But I hope people will give the new AKL offerings a shot after the DVC conversion is done before passing judgement.

Well said -- ITA! I believe when all the construction is done, AKL & AKV will be AWESOME for DVCers and non-DVCers!

 

[DisOrBust]

It will aways be bad for me since I have a family of 5. AKL is slaughtered for DVC and they in return can KMA we will go elsewhere to vacation.

 

[drewmisha]

The statement, "The lounge WILL NOT become, according the the declaration, a general "DVC lounge". It will strictly be used for AKL concierge and DVC concierge guests."

How will they manage who gets into the Concierge lounge? Do you insert your room key to get into the lounge other than the elevator to 6th floor? How do the CM's ID the concierge guests vs. the DVC guests vs the DVC concierge guests? The reason I'm asking is if I pay a certain amount of money for the concierge exclusivity, I expect it. Thanks.

 

[pilferk]

The statement, "The lounge WILL NOT become, according the the declaration, a general "DVC lounge". It will strictly be used for AKL concierge and DVC concierge guests."

How will they manage who gets into the Concierge lounge? Do you insert your room key to get into the lounge other than the elevator to 6th floor? How do the CM's ID the concierge guests vs. the DVC guests vs the DVC concierge guests? The reason I'm asking is if I pay a certain amount of money for the concierge exclusivity, I expect it. Thanks.

The same way they do it now...only concierge guests will have access to the 6th floor on the elevator.

All the 6th floor DVC rooms will be the "concierge" booking category for AKV...so if they're staying up there, thats what they've booked (much like all 6th floor AKL guests are staying concierge).

Those staying on the 4th floor AKL Concierge rooms will have access via the elevator...which will only go to the 6th floor if you swipe your room key (which is exactly the same setup you have now). That's the way it's always worked for 5th floor AKL concierge guests.

 

[BCV23]

Entry to the sixth floor is by elevator with your key. I imagine that will not change when DVC takes over the lounge. There are not many rooms on the 6th floor at all...I think I've seen the number 13?

It should be only DVC and AKL concierge guests in the lounge. Those staying in other rooms whether DVC or not will not have access. The CMs are right in the lounge and get to know the guests quickly at least by sight I think.

 

[pilferk]

I think I've seen the number 13?

The number I've seen is 15 rooms. 9 on the Sunset Savannah side of the lobby and 6 on the pool side of the lobby. Those will be converted into 5 2BR lockoffs (ie: a 1 BR and a studio DVC accomodation), 3 on the Sunset Savannah side and 2 on the pool side. I'm not sure if that's all correct or not...but it's the numbers being thrown around on the DVC sections.

In essence, you'd have a maximum of about 45 AKV guests using the concierge lounge at any one time (max occupancy on a 2 BR lockoff is 9), assuming they don't take a page out of the AKL book and designate a certain number of 5th floor accomodations as concierge, too.

 

[BCV23]

I'm sure you're right on the number floating around, pilferk.

And for what it's worth, I don't think most DVCers put 8 in the 2 BR. We usually have three if we have a one bedroom and four in a 2BR. So as pilferk said, 45 would be the max.

I'm sure it will all be wonderful.

And for those who have a family of five, there are still the other deluxe resorts. Now AKL will be like WL. There have also been posts that AKL was designed with the intent of creating DVC rooms on the 5th and 6th from the beginning.

 

[pilferk]

And for what it's worth, I don't think most DVCers put 8 in the 2 BR. We usually have three if we have a one bedroom and four in a 2BR. So as pilferk said, 45 would be the max.

And for those who have a family of five, there are still the other deluxe resorts. Now AKL will be like WL. There have also been posts that AKL was designed with the intent of creating DVC rooms on the 5th and 6th from the beginning.

Yeah, in about 3 or 4 years, we'll start booking 2 BR's too, just so the two girls will have their "own" room and bathroom. There will be 5 of us....I think that's a pretty common config, though it IS nice that there is an "approved" occupancy of 5 in a 1 BR at AKV.

And heck, for those with families of 5 and who have no interest in DVC, you can always rent points from a DVC member to stay in an AKL 1 BR Savannah view. At $12 per point, it works out roughly to what you would pay, right now, for a deluxe svannah view room...and you get a LOT more room, + a full kitchen. Not too shabby an option, IMHO. (And again, no, I don't rent my points)

 

[Cass]

Do those DVC rooms on 6 have stoves and laundry facilities in them? It would be awful to smell 'spring time Bounce and food cooking ' instead of the spicy aroma from the lobby. Hopefully they won't.

As for the lounge on 4, I can only reiterate that was what I was told in December by Jack when I asked about the standard concierge rooms on 4. That they would have some kind of lounge set up down there in the future.

Perhaps it won't be a full scale lounge but a quick place for coffee or soft drinks without the food. Time will tell.

 

[BCV23]

The one BR side of the 2 BR lockoffs will have washer/dryers as well as stoves in them. However, laundry smells are nonexistent in the halls at BCV anyway so I wouldn't worry about that. And it's not as if people are constantly doing laundry.

As for cooking smells, I really don't think most people cook much if at all. I have occasionally smelled something as someone opens the doors to their villa but it is a momentary thing. I can't imagine it impacting your experience. It's not as if there are vents to the hallway.

Plus if you are coming from the 4th floor, you won't even pass the rooms after exiting the elevator on the 6th floor. No worries....be happy.

As for Jack's info, time will tell. I don't think DVCers would mind at all if more DVC rooms were opened to DVC concierge guests and there was a seperate lounge for other AKL guests. As it is now, getting a concierge DVC unit will be very hard to do.

 

[Cass]

I'm sorry, I'm still miffed (as if you couldn't tell!) at my beloved AKL Concierge changing.

I've tried BC Concierge & WL Concierge but my heart belongs to AKL, I don't want to see people walking up with groceries and smell fish sticks cooking LOL this will just kill the exotic atmosphere there. IMO

You are right about the dryer vents, they would probably vent out onto the balconies not the interior halls., the giraffes will enjoy Spring fresh Fleecy.

 

[BCV23]

No, they don't vent to the balconies either I don't think. I would notice that smell.

You will not smell fish sticks unless you stand outside someone's door and wait for a door to open. Furthermore, I very much doubt many people cook fish sticks when all the great WDW restaurants are beckoning. Yuck!

As far as groceries, we bring in wine, beer, water, juice and soda pop.....the same exact things we bring when staying in a concierge or regular deluxe room at the resorts. Crackers and cheese if staying regular deluxe or DVC, skip that (usually) if staying concierge. I have seen many people bringing similar things to regular resorts.

Most DVCers are no different than regular WDW guests. We just tend to go more often, spend more and have committed to going until we sell or the end of the contract. Of course we could also trade out to places around the world but speaking for my family, we love WDW too much to do that.

And Cass, don't worry.....it's not contagious.