AKL in Jan 08...construction issues?

[QueenGoblin]

Looking for thoughts from those of you who are on top of the construction going on at AKL. Right now we have room only ressies there in January for the Sat night and Sunday night during marathon weekend. DH is running the half and the full marathons, so we decided to spend those two nights in a resort with more amenities so we could keep DDs entertained without spending all day in the parks. My older DD picked AKL

I looked at the construction phase map someone posted on another thread, and it looks like they plan to be rennovating the central part of the lodge at that point. I am now wondering if I should change to another resort or just sit back and wait to see if CRO calls me in a couple of months? Do any of you know how extensive the rennovation process will be during that period? Since we are there on a weekend I wouldn't think noise would be an issue, unless they work on weekends? But I am worried about the resort not being in good shape....

 

[CanadianGuy]

If you are even slightly worried about this MOVE NOW.

As the weekend books up and resort availability becomes less and less.. you'll have less opportunity to make a change. So.. I'd change now and save AKL for another time.



Knox

 

[Flyerfan]

I, too, was worried about this as we plan to be there for a week starting marathon weekend. My AAA agent is "holding" us a room, but the more I think about it, the more I think about switching. I don't mind a little noise, but this will be our first deluxe and if the resort will not be fully functional, I think we'll be going elsewhere. Do you actually have reservations because they told me nothing could be reserved until 2008 prices come out in July/August?

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you could arrange it, I'd move to the CR. Then your husband could take the monorail to the start of the race and you could go to MK or Epcot on either of those two days with very little trouble. He's going to have a hard time getting to and from the race from AKL. They hire lots of buses with drivers who have never driven at Disney before for shuttles to and from the race (regular motor coaches and not Disney buses). Some of the drivers have gotten lost and don't know where they are going.

 

[QueenGoblin]

It was my understanding that the races start kind of out by POR and POFQ resorts...could he really take the monorail to the start? Is the monorail even running that early? That would certainly make CR more appealing...

ETA: We paid first night at 2007 rates to reserve our 2008 rooms. Our AAA agent called it a reservation, but said the rate would be adjusted when the 2008 rates are published. You can't book a package yet, but it is my understanding that you can reserve a room.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It was my understanding that the races start kind of out by POR and POFQ resorts...could he really take the monorail to the start? Is the monorail even running that early? That would certainly make CR more appealing...

ETA: We paid first night at 2007 rates to reserve our 2008 rooms. Our AAA agent called it a reservation, but said the rate would be adjusted when the 2008 rates are published. You can't book a package yet, but it is my understanding that you can reserve a room.

The buses drop everyone off at the parking lot at Epcot. Then all runners have to walk over to the start of the race which is on the roadway not too far from OKW (but not Bonnet Creek Drive, the other one that parallels it - it goes into Epcot). They start the monorail up for the runners that early in the AM. Then after the race starts family members can take the monorail over to MK to watch their runner go through MK.