AKL Pool closed for refurb? What!?

[CanadianGuy]

Not sure where you heard Feb 15 or 17 but all reports I had seen said it is to reopen by the end of January.
I now see someone posted something from stitchkingdom.com
How reliable is that site? It's not one I use.

Typically that site is very reliable. I trust Brad pretty deeply on the refurb issues.

Brad runs that site.

 

[hsmamato2]

we visited Ak a little over a week agoe for dinner...walked around,the pool area is AWFUL with a capital A..... huge green ugly fence around the whole thing, I honestly thought at the time that there was NO WAY I would pay the premium room prices to look out my window at that. Not even just the not swimming thing,but it's ugly. shame on them, the rooms should be $50 a night with that view.

 

[MerryFlora]

Questions for those of you that were just there....my DD LOVES flamingos and it was part of the draw to stay here (in a pool view room no less) She was looking forward the the Flamingo Feedings in the mornings!

Have they been moved? I cant imagine the birds dealing with construction noise and dust very well.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Questions for those of you that were just there....my DD LOVES flamingos and it was part of the draw to stay here (in a pool view room no less) She was looking forward the the Flamingo Feedings in the mornings!

Have they been moved? I cant imagine the birds dealing with construction noise and dust very well.

The flamingos and flamingo feedings are still going on. There was actually not a lot of noise going on. Perhaps because they were down in it and the sound didn't carry just rose? One day we even sat on the chairs just to soak in some sun as we waited for the rest of our party to come down to Mara. They have only the pool blocked off with the green fence, you can still walk all the way around it, the jacuzzis and playground are open as well.

 

[MerryFlora]

Oh great to hear that the other pool areas are still open! Thanks mom . That makes me feel alot better. I was getting so worried about our choice, with this news plus the latest bus service thread about AKL.

 

[closetmickey]

Spoke to WDW this am about our upcoming visit to AKL and the new date she gave me was Feb. 10th. Of course, that cannot be guaranteed.

 

[JennSaint]

Spoke to WDW this am about our upcoming visit to AKL and the new date she gave me was Feb. 10th. Of course, that cannot be guaranteed.

That would be great if February 10th was the reopening date!! That is the day we arrive! Since our flight lands at 10:30am our plan was to hang at the pool for the afternoon (weather permitting). Didn't really want to make the trek over to Kidani on our first day. But we will if the Lodge's pools isn't open yet.

 

[mcgraws]

Since I booked and paid for a pool view/bunk bed room what do you think will happen, will I just get what I paid for and have a construction site to look at or do you think they will upgrade me?

I have to say I am really disappointed that the pool won't be open. We were really planning a couple of pool afternoons and hot tub evenings and by the sounds of things we can only go to Kidani afternoons.

 

[JennSaint]

Since I booked and paid for a pool view/bunk bed room what do you think will happen, will I just get what I paid for and have a construction site to look at or do you think they will upgrade me?

I have to say I am really disappointed that the pool won't be open. We were really planning a couple of pool afternoons and hot tub evenings and by the sounds of things we can only go to Kidani afternoons.

My cousin stayed there last week and she was upgraded at check-in to a Savannah view bunkbed room. I think they are doing their best to upgrade if rooms are available.
The hot tubs are open so you are all set there.

 

[mcgraws]

Hot tubs ARE open?!?! Awesome, that makes me feel alot better!

Thanks for the info.

 

[eeyoreland]

Since I booked and paid for a pool view/bunk bed room what do you think will happen, will I just get what I paid for and have a construction site to look at or do you think they will upgrade me?

I have to say I am really disappointed that the pool won't be open. We were really planning a couple of pool afternoons and hot tub evenings and by the sounds of things we can only go to Kidani afternoons.

I thought long and hard about replying to this thread because I don't want to be a "downer", but I decided I would reply and do it as gently as possible. We will be at Disney 2/8 - 2/14. I called regarding our reserved pool view room. While I was told they would upgrade me to a savannah view if they could, unfortunately they can't because there aren't any available. I also politely asked if we would be refunded any money because we technically aren't getting a pool view room and she told me that no, Disney is not offering any monetary compensation. That said, I'm holding out hope that the pool will be completed either before or early in our visit, or that at check in a savannah view is available. At any rate, there isn't anything I can do about it and have to learn not to obsess about every little thing I read on this message board. One person's experience, or even a number of people's experiences, doesn't mean I'll have the same experience - good or bad.

 

[heidig]

We just got back. There was a fence around the pool but it was not bad. It was wayy too cold to swim anyway...we had our coats on almost everyday;( But a cold day in Disney is better than a cold day in PA anyway! Honestly, we stayed in POFQ in Sept and liked it better than AKL and we had a savannah view room...but I'll save that for another thread.

 

[ironz]

I thought long and hard about replying to this thread because I don't want to be a "downer", but I decided I would reply and do it as gently as possible. We will be at Disney 2/8 - 2/14. I called regarding our reserved pool view room. While I was told they would upgrade me to a savannah view if they could, unfortunately they can't because there aren't any available. I also politely asked if we would be refunded any money because we technically aren't getting a pool view room and she told me that no, Disney is not offering any monetary compensation. That said, I'm holding out hope that the pool will be completed either before or early in our visit, or that at check in a savannah view is available. At any rate, there isn't anything I can do about it and have to learn not to obsess about every little thing I read on this message board. One person's experience, or even a number of people's experiences, doesn't mean I'll have the same experience - good or bad.

Well put. I'm in the exact same boat, except a little earlier than you (2/4-8). An upgrade would be nice to make up for no pool/no view, but I'm just going to go in with an open mind and it will be what it will be. I got a really good deal with an AP discount, so I'm not going to fuss about the $. The pool wasn't the deal -maker or -breaker of this trip anyway (and rarely is for me). If I can get over to AKV to swim, then fine. Or if the pool gets done early, that's good. If not...will make the best of it!

 

[Burnt Toast]

I'm really surprised that it will not be open before President's weekend though. That is a very busy week!

I'm sure the hotel managers would LOVE to have the pool reopen by the next busy weekend, but sometimes it cannot be helped. It's not like they sit in the back office and rub their hands with glee or something.

Sometimes it can't be helped... the cold snap probably didn't help at all.

 

[Burnt Toast]

Hot tubs ARE open?!?! Awesome, that makes me feel alot better!

Thanks for the info.

Yup, the two hot tubs and the little heated kiddie pool are open during the refurb.

 

[Burnt Toast]

I thought long and hard about replying to this thread because I don't want to be a "downer", but I decided I would reply and do it as gently as possible. We will be at Disney 2/8 - 2/14. I called regarding our reserved pool view room. While I was told they would upgrade me to a savannah view if they could, unfortunately they can't because there aren't any available. I also politely asked if we would be refunded any money because we technically aren't getting a pool view room and she told me that no, Disney is not offering any monetary compensation. That said, I'm holding out hope that the pool will be completed either before or early in our visit, or that at check in a savannah view is available. At any rate, there isn't anything I can do about it and have to learn not to obsess about every little thing I read on this message board. One person's experience, or even a number of people's experiences, doesn't mean I'll have the same experience - good or bad.

That's because there is currently no set date for the pool to reopen right now, it's currently set for "mid-February". That's why there is no compensation right now because it could be open by the time you arrive.

Let's not jump the gun here, folks. I'm sure the hotel staff is working very hard to make it worth your while (again, not guaranteed) if the pool is still down during your stay.

 

[eeyoreland]

Let's not jump the gun here, folks. I'm sure the hotel staff is working very hard to make it worth your while (again, not guaranteed) if the pool is still down during your stay.

Do you suggest saying something again at check-in if the pool isn't open, or looks like it won't open during our stay? It's not that I expect something for nothing, really I don't, but on the other hand if saying something does get me something, what can it hurt?

 

[MerryFlora]

So much for "off season" I called to switch out of my pool view room and there is nothing available. Fully booked. They offered me a villa for $4oo more , parking lot view no less. I have no desire for a kitchen on my vacay, plus 1/2 my family will then be sleeping on a pull ot sofa, no thanks!

She said the only resort with availability is WL. Coming from NW Oregon this has no appeal to me. I guess we will stay put and hope the view isn't too terrible, just wish we had known earlier. We originally could have had BC for $400 more but now they are full too.

AKL is still our 1st choice with the animals and we can shuttle to the pool. Kidani pool looks fun! If we could get a view of the flamingos my DD will be tickled. We are still excited just to be there

 

[Jack Swagger]

So it sounds like if I'm at AKL starting on the 15th of February, the pool will be good to go?

 

[JennSaint]

So it sounds like if I'm at AKL starting on the 15th of February, the pool will be good to go?

There are conflicting reports!! One person called the resort and was told February 16 and another was told February 10th. So who knows??? Of course I am hoping February 10 is the right date since that's when we check in!