AKL Update 7/12

[Cricketmint]

I was called by a CM today, I was booked at AKL from August 17-25th. She gave me a bunch of resort options to choose from. SSR, BCR,YC, BWI. I asked if we could just stay at AKL, we wouldn't mind the construction. (we've been at BWI when they were building the villas there a few years ago, the construction didn't bother us at all.)

She said unfortunately everyone staying at the lodge from July 20th until Sept 1 will be moved to other various location. They aren't letting anyone stay at AKL now. I was really upset when she told me this because I have read other PP that have opted to stay and they've let them. But she said those guest will be called back and given the options as well. She went on to tell me that we would be receiving a partial refund,and disount on the new room to help makeup for any losses. and a few other "perks" upon checking in for the inconvenience of switch resorts. ( I m wonder what the perks are???? )

She was very apologetic, and very accommodating to our needs. She assured me that WDC was concerned for guest satisfaction and they wanted everyone taken care of. She also Mentioned that they were doing this also because of the animals, she told us a good amount of them were going to be moved either off site to a different location, or to the park.

( she was wonderful help and even gave me the extention of the office to reach back at for this particular situation for AKL guest relations If anyone booked at AKL would like it, PM for the # and ext #)

Im just hoping for a magical vacation, at this point I dont care where we stay as long as we have a good time, and I know that WDC will take good care of us. As far as im concerned they met, even exceeded my expectations in meeting any "demands" we were making. They really want to make up for this I think. They didnt really anticipate all this to happen and are trying to make it better before t gets worse.

 

[cocowum]

I'm sorry to hear you got the call.
Which resort did you end up choosing?

 

[IMDORY]

Rats. I'm going at the end of August and booked WL...if I had only booked AKL I could have been upgraded to Poly or GF, get a much more expensive hotel room on the monorail and get some "perks" too. If only I had psychic powers....

Seriously though-I'm sure many people don't care at all about being upgraded for free and all the perks b/c they really wanted to see animals from their balcony and not Cinderella's Castle. It is rotten that WDW didn't plan out ahead on this one and not disappoint so many people-I mean to have your reservation and heart set on AKL and then being told at the last minute you can't stay there really kind of stinks.

 

[conandrob240]

I agree that Disney is handling this well. My TA handled the conversation for me last week and they very happily upgraded me to GF, no additional charges and allowed me to retain my free dining packages. I am sad that we won't be coming "home" to AKL this year as we do every year but it is always nice to try new things also Now, I am quite excited that they may also have some little tokens for the AKL re-assignees too!

 

[mika911]

Cricket-

I'm also curious to hear what resort you chose. Glad you got some money back too. I guess I'll have to call tomorrow. If there isn't something great though, I might just have to wait until next summer.

I say that because when I check availability of the resorts online very few are available.

 

[Ilovestitch]

You know what's weird- I work at AAA and I have two different sets of clients departing mid August to stay at the AKL, I already have their documents and everything- I called Disney and they said they aren't moving them. None of the TA's I work with have gotten any phone calls- it's really odd

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

crap crap crap (am I allowed to use that word on the DIS???)

I had really, really hoped that we would not be asked to move from AKL. Our whole honeymoon is built around our reservation there. Despite all the posts about people moving, everyone before this has said that they were given the option of staying at AKL, and we had made the decision to do so.

I really feel like crying now. You try to plan things perfectly by reserving a year in advance and pay in full and they can still take away your room?

 

[Kimberle]

I am leaving just a couple of days after you and I haven't gotten a phone call. I am staying Concerige, which would be harder to rebook. (fewer Conceirge rooms.)

 

[spayne]

I am leaving just a couple of days after you and I haven't gotten a phone call. I am staying Concerige, which would be harder to rebook. (fewer Conceirge rooms.)

I'm staying Aug. 1-4 Conceirge and I haven't heard anything either. I don't want to move as we have several things planned at the Lodge- Sunrise Safari and Wine dinner at Jiko. I wouldn't want to travel to AKL to do these things. Also, I booked Conceirge and that's what I want- Wah! Good luck to all AKL refugees- Sue

 

[grannyminnie]

I've read that they're not moving the concierge guests. I believe the official statement picked up from the Mousesavers website states that.

 

[Allison]

Here is the information mousesavers had as of July 3:

http://www.mousesavers.com/aklclosure.html

 

[Minniemom97]

Call if you're worried - we did and we were told we would have to move (we're going the 3rd week of August and had a standard view room booked). Also, they were supposed to start making a large amount of calls this past Monday. We were moved to BC but were offered SSR or a downgrade. We also inquired about other deluxes and she happily checked all monorail resorts for us, but we needed more than 1 room and there weren't enough available.

I do think they are trying to make the best of a tough situation.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[mommeoftwin]

Ok I just got off the phone with a CM at AKL and she said that they were not shutting the resort down. They are only moving some of the guest to other resorts that were staying on the 5th and 6th floors. They will be turning these floors into DCV. They will still have concierge but they will be located on different floors. As for the animals, She said they would not be moving the animals they actually would have more animals around the lodge. They will be moving animals from the area of the new villas they are building to closer to the lodge. I hope this is true, but this is what I was told.

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

Thanks for the words of encouragement -- I'm thinking of calling the special AKL moving team number today, but I'm so scared that I'll find out nothing honeymoony is available for our dates that I'm delaying making the call.

Ok I just got off the phone with a CM at AKL and she said that they were not shutting the resort down. They are only moving some of the guest to other resorts that were staying on the 5th and 6th floors. They will be turning these floors into DCV. They will still have concierge but they will be located on different floors. As for the animals, She said they would not be moving the animals they actually would have more animals around the lodge. They will be moving animals from the area of the new villas they are building to closer to the lodge. I hope this is true, but this is what I was told.

That information is completely different from what others were told How are guests supposed to decide which cast members have the correct information?

 

[Minniemom97]

They are only moving some of the guest to other resorts that were staying on the 5th and 6th floors.

mommeoftwin - not debating what you were told, but we had standard view rooms (not on 5th or 6th floor) and we were told yep, you need to be moved. From all the posts here, few people have been told the same thing. We really wanted to stay but when we were told we had to go....plus we are traveling with an infant so better safe than sorry. I may have to take a side trip to AKL to see how many people are still there.

 

[eliza61]

Thanks for the words of encouragement -- I'm thinking of calling the special AKL moving team number today, but I'm so scared that I'll find out nothing honeymoony is available for our dates that I'm delaying making the call.




That information is completely different from what others were told How are guests supposed to decide which cast members have the correct information?

Kristen, Call! Call! You want as many options as possible and the longer you wait, the less options you have. GF and YC are some of the most romantic spots at the world IMO. I know it is disappointing when you try and plan so far out but look at it this way, EVERY thing is perfect, you're marry the man of your dreams!

God bless, congratulations and many, many years of pixie dust.

P.S. Dh & I got stuck on a caribbean cruise in the middle of a hurricane. and I've had 25 years and counting with my Disney hunk! You'll have a great honeymoon.

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

Kristen, Call! Call! You want as many options as possible and the longer you wait, the less options you have. GF and YC are some of the most romantic spots at the world IMO. I know it is disappointing when you try and plan so far out but look at it this way, EVERY thing is perfect, you're marry the man of your dreams!

God bless, congratulations and many, many years of pixie dust.

P.S. Dh & I got stuck on a caribbean cruise in the middle of a hurricane. and I've had 25 years and counting with my Disney hunk! You'll have a great honeymoon.

Thanks for the encouragement -- I tried calling a few minutes ago, but the 258 extension continued to be busy so the CM eventually said to leave them my name and number and wait for a call back.

I like the look of YC, but am worried because allears says they only have "murphy beds" in the king size, and I don't know if they will be comfy.

 

[Minniemom97]

Good luck Kristen! The moving team members are great. They tried to get us in a monorail resort but we needed multiple rooms. I'm sure you'll be taken care of, especially since it's your honeymoon.

Let us know!

 

[eliza61]

Thanks for the encouragement -- I tried calling a few minutes ago, but the 258 extension continued to be busy so the CM eventually said to leave them my name and number and wait for a call back.

I like the look of YC, but am worried because allears says they only have "murphy beds" in the king size, and I don't know if they will be comfy.

I pretty sure some of them have standard Kings (I was there 6 years ago so my brain may be a little fuzzy) when you get through double check with the cm. Also the walk from Epcot's world show case at night (especally when the park is closing) is absolutely romantic. Low lights, lots of trees and plants on your right and the canal on your left. I mean come on you go past France on your way out, nothing says canoodling better than ole Paree

P.S.
Some one just posted her Trip report on the YC. I think its title "the good, the bad and the ugly" why don't you post and ask her about the king size bed issue

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

My brother has a 10 day reservation at AKL arriving August 6th and his TA called to check on their reservation. She was told that the wing he is staying in is not being relocated. He is picking up his docs today.

Debbie