AKL Construction noise... compensation??

[bluenosemickey]

I don't know if this is unreasonable or not. I booked my 2Bdr savannah villa in June for this trip in Dec. I requested any savannah but Sunset...guess where we were put. We were here at 11am for check in and asked to be moved. They responded that the room requests are linked to the date you originally made your ressie. Since mine was only 6 mos. I was not given my request.

Now I realize that I do not own here at AKV and that the priority should be with the owners at this villa that book 11mos out. But the construction noise is really bad! I can't leave my doors open it's so distracting. The beeping starts at 7 am and doesn't stop until 6 pm.

With the saws, trucks, and hammers, it's ruining my experience!

Is there some compensation I should/could ask for? Maybe some points refunded or some disney $$.

I really feel something should be done, but I don't know what??

 

[CarolA]

I don't think so... it's well known that there is construction going on there.

 

[disneynutz]

My understanding is that a construction notice has been issued by MS. It may have been discussed verbally and noted on your records or it may be on your confirmation. I don't think that you have much of a leg to stand on.

 

[dallastxcpa]

Even though you may have know ahead of time that construction was going on. If it affects your vacation so adversely that you can't even enjoy your room then I would go to the front desk and request to speak to a manager.

Now you probably used points to book the vacation which may lead you to just be quiet and put up with it, but what would you do if you had paid cash for that room? If I was dishing out $300 or $400 a night there is no way I would settle for a room where I couldn't even enjoy sitting on the patio and sipping a cup of coffee or other beverage.

 

[JasonDVC]

Just ask management to pick up the entire building and move it away from the construction site. Or ask the workers to turn off all the safety beeping noises. Or ask them to do the construction at night while everyone is sleeping.

They are working to to build a new facility for DVC members to enhance the membership and you want to be compensated for it??? Are you joking???

It's like Arnold Schwarzenegger said in Kindergaten Cop..."STOP WHINING!!!"

 

[bobbiwoz]

Perhaps your room can be changed tomorrow..have you asked if that could be?

I was at WL last week, and looked at the sunset savannah from the common viewing room. There didn't seem to be lots construction noise when we stood outside, but there were lots of animals. I hope things improve for your vacation.

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

I thought most of the construction was on the interior now. When we were there and they were still doing heavy outdoor construction, it didn't bother us much at all. And yes, the animals are very plentiful on Sunset Savanna. I also thought they had limited hours of construction noise as well. We got a notice in our confirmation packet advising us of the construction and we were also told about it at the time we booked. We were also told that there COULD be a time when no animals will be on Sunset savanna also.

 

[hakepb]

Just ask management to pick up the entire building and move it away from the construction site. Or ask the workers to turn off all the safety beeping noises. Or ask them to do the construction at night while everyone is sleeping.

They are working to to build a new facility for DVC members to enhance the membership and you want to be compensated for it??? Are you joking???

It's like Arnold Schwarzenegger said in Kindergaten Cop..."STOP WHINING!!!"

I will say, there are times that the beeping gets to be a bit much, even with doors closed. (I was there in Oct) One time, I looked out after extended beeping, and watched a bulldozer (which had the loudest siren) driving backwards past 3 building sections. The 'dozer did not even have his blade down (to be back dragging) It was aparantly just circling Kidani backwards as to sound like a lot of work was being done. Treaded dozers can turn on a dime. Could they not of turned around anywhere else? For a conciencious as they are about the animals, there might be a little more they could do for noise. But really, the site manager is under a deadline to finish for the May opening, so I'm sure it is all work, work, work...

I do understand most of the construction noise. and fully understand no compensation. We are owners. When we buy our own house, we understand that there will be future maint/remodelling that will prevent us from using 100% of the house 100% of the time, just a fact of ownership. Overall we'll more than get our value. Same thing applies to DVC.

 

[Muushka]

I understand what you mean. And while you know that construction will be going on, sometimes there is no way to prepare for what you have to listen to.

We rented a TS in TN last year. The buildings in front of us were under heavy construction from 7A to 7P. And to make matters worse, there was a strip mining pit behind us with heavy trucks and explosions. AAAKKKKKK!

 

[disneynutz]

As a rule we stay clear of new resorts until well after they are completed. Why take a chance that the construction activities might affect your vacation. We also stay away from resorts being renovated for the same reason.

When I read posts where Members are timing their vacations to be the first to stay at a new resort, I have to ask myself why? Why be the first to inhale the plasticisers and volatile organic compounds given off by new carpet, paint, and other newly installed items?

 

[bluenosemickey]

Thanks for the replies, even the snarky ones. I know I would not have put up with the noise if I was paying cash rates for this room. And I would have expected to be compensated for it aswell.

I guess I will just act as an owner and look on the bright side, there will be a lovely facility someday and I was here to see and hear it built!

I could ask to be relocated, but we are only staying 4 nights before moving on to SSR and the move would be a pain. If I was here longer I would have been more persistent.

There were more animals today and that makes up for the noise.

 

[wdw1972]

You're not supposed to be leaving the door open!! You'll mess up the air conditioning, and let bugs in.

As for the noise - the others are right. It was clearly communicated there might be noise. I've had a few stays on sunset savannah since construction started (last one was thanksgiving weekend) and never heard any noise at all. I had my door closed, but even when I was outside I didn't hear any construction noise.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I'm sorry you are having a less than magical stay at AKV. I would be bummed if it were me as well.

I think the CM was full of hot air when (s)he told you that honored requests were linked to date of booking though. I think views and honored requests are just luck of the draw and depend on many variables - like what room is clean, who is checking in and out, how long you are staying, what day you check in, etc. I own at VWL, book 11 months in advance and have NEVER been given a room on the "woods/lake view" side of the building despite requesting such. Yet, I know from reading other reports that people who had their VWL waitlist come through just a few weeks before the trip were granted requests for specific views.

 

[jblrn2b]

I am sorry that your days at AKV are less than perfect. What a fresh CM - they must be cranky with the construction too. At least you are moving in a few days. Eat at Jiko for me!!!!

 

[tjkraz]

I think the CM was full of hot air when (s)he told you that honored requests were linked to date of booking though. I think views and honored requests are just luck of the draw and depend on many variables - like what room is clean, who is checking in and out, how long you are staying, what day you check in, etc.

Normally that's true. However, Disney previously made an announcement that after the first of the year there will be no animals on the Sunset Savanna for several months due to construction. During that period, they said that guests will be assigned based upon the timing of the reservation. Those who booked last will get the non-animal Sunset Savanna rooms.

So while CM hot air certainly is a possibility, it's also possible that they started those room assignment processes a bit earlier to ease this transition. Or it could just be that the CM misunderstood when that form of room assignment is set to begin.

To OP, it sounds like you've come to terms with things as they are and that's good. If your disappointment re-emerges, I think you need to at least meet them half way. You said that you don't want to switch rooms, yet want compensation for the lackluster room. I'm not sure that's a fair stance to take. The construction noise was well-publicized, so really they don't owe us anything. But if it becomes too much of distraction to bear, request the move before demanding financial compensation.

 

[fishermouse]

Thanks for the replies, even the snarky ones. I know I would not have put up with the noise if I was paying cash rates for this room. And I would have expected to be compensated for it aswell..

Do they provide ear plugs to cash customers?

 

[CarolA]

I stay at hotels a LOT where construction is going on. Right now at OKW I am in a room where they are POWER WASHING. (Kind of sounds like the building is under attack) Generally you don't get compenstation if the work is done during the day.... And Disney does a better job then most of notifying you!

If it interferes with sleep then you have a case, but if they stop at 6 or 7 pm... not really.

 

[aurorafan]

Thanks for the replies, even the snarky ones. I know I would not have put up with the noise if I was paying cash rates for this room. And I would have expected to be compensated for it aswell.

I don't quite understand this statement? There are lots of regular hotel rooms on that side with cash paying customers who are getting the same noise you are, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are people who paid cash for a villa on that side also hearing that same noise...

I'm glad there were more animals on the savannah for you the other day. I have a value studio reservation the last week of Jan. and am hoping not to get the sunset savannah, esp. since there won't be any animals there by that point. But we get what we get right? I'll just be happy to be at home again so soon!

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks for the replies, even the snarky ones.

I think whenever you post an "entitlement" thread, you should probably expect a little snark here and there. Although, to be honest, I haven't seen any on this thread. I think folks have actually been remarkably gentle.

As many have posted, if you travel much, you are going to deal with construction. Disruption happens. Noise happens. We've all been there. And we've all gotten over it.

If you are not advised - you're blindsided by an unscrupulous hotelier - then, yes, you may have a case for compensation. Of course, an unscrupulous hotelier won't give you any compensation!

OTOH, if you are advised up front that construction, disruption, noise, etc are happening...and you choose to stay there anyway? Nah. You gotta be kidding!

 

[permavac]

I could ask to be relocated...

In all fairness, I would think that this is the only reasonable accommodation that needs to be made if the construction noise is affecting your good time. It's all well and good that they have alerted you that there is construction going on (so of course you go prepared to hear something) but if it is truly ruining your vacation, it is reasonable to ask to be moved to another room. If it is offered and you refuse, then you are agreeing to accept the conditions. If they are unable to move you (completely booked/no additional rooms available), then some point reduction for the room wouldn't be remiss or you should be able to leave on the day of check-in to find other lodging and get the points back for your stay. I know everyone has different opinions on this - I am just using my personal "fairness meter".

Terri