AKL Update 7/12

[pooksma]

Actually our TA did. She e-mailed us to say that we had to be relocated. We had booked a savannah view for 2 nights (the "surprise" referred to in my siggy)
When DH and I discussed the possibility of having to move after reading some postings on here, we decided that we would request Poly. I know its not a straight up deal but we figured what the hey. Afterall we didn't WANT to move but if we were told we HAD to then...

Low and behold Liz at Dream Come True came through once again.She was apologetic that we had to move but said that she pushed and got us the POLY for those nights! This will be our first stay at a deluxe and a monorail resort. Guess there may be an upside to everything!

Oh and we are paying the same rate we would have had at AKL. Our dates BTW were August 21 and 22.

 

[cas]

We'll be at the AKL Aug 1st-7th, I just spoke with my AAA TA and she told me that it is on a day by day basis, and as of now we're not being moved. We actually have 2 different rooms booked - we're staying in savannah view and DS and family will be in pool view-bunk. I'm hoping we're not asked to move. I guess it's a wait and see situation.

 

[SB in KY]

We are booked in a standard concierge room 8/2-8/5...just got an email from the concierge office about something else... they are obviously planning on us being there for that stay.

My take on why CM's are telling some people the resort will be closed and other CM's are telling people (correctly I think) that only certain areas will be closed...is that it is easier to get people to relocate when they think there is no option to stay.... No point in refusing to move if AKL is closed, so just figure out where you want to go. I suspect the calls they are making now are for mandatory relocation...all open rooms re filled and so people being contacted now really do not have an option to stay, but since no one wants to argue about why you have to move and someone else gets to stay...they just tell you the lodge is closed so you will get on about the business of moving!!

 

[jmom]

We're (hopefully, probably, may be...) staying at AKL in 2 weeks, haven't heard a dickie bird from WDW. Do you think they'd call peeps over the pond? Is it possible that they'd relocate us on arrival? (We've booked a savannah view room).. Ideas appreciated, a confused Brit!

 

[Cricketmint]

To me this is getting really nerve racking!! I cant believe all the mixed info being told to everyone! Its making me wonder what is true and what isnt?
I think they need to come out with an official statement stating whats going on with the resort! How are guest supposed to be at ease if were all getting mixed messages from CM? The Animals are moving one day and there not the next, the resort is shut down completely/ then its not!!

This is starting to give me a headache! I'm glad we made the move to SSR, but at the same time we were really looking forward the this vacation and Resort! We too are still going to head over there one of our days and check out whats really going down! But right now I say im a little disappointed, and Disney really needs to get there act together when it comes to this type of stuff! All though they are making the best of it, its kinda confusing as to whats really happening, is it me? Or is this getting a little nutty?? I would have loved to stay but would have been really if when I arrived, they asked me to move! I hope everyone still staying @ AKL has a great vacation worry free!! (cause thats what it should be!) I don't expect anything less than what we pay for!

Good luck with Ressie everyone, I wish everyone a Happy & Magical Disney Vacation!!!!

 

[clownfish1452]

I go to AKL on 8-4 to 8-12 and I just talked to my TA and said the area of the resort I am staying is not being changed. I dont really know, but it I get there and they want to move me oh well I guess I have to go.

Sarah

 

[MUDisneyCouple]

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

I think the only CMs that really know what is going on are those who are on the "special" team devoted to the AKL moves. When we talked to the CMs at the AKL and on the ressie line, they didn't have great info and it was conflicting with each other. However, the manager at AKL referred us to the moves team and they confirmed that we did need to move. We went from AKL to Poly. We were really sad, but now are getting excited about Poly. Good luck to everyone!

 

[raterfly]

This is just so confusing. I am from UK and my tour operator told me they are not moving anyone. Disney has not contacted them at all. I call disney myself and they said my ressie did not have a note on it to be called to move. But some posters here say everyone is being moved. Has anyone come back recently who got moved when they arrived or stayed at AKL?

 

[marlower]

This was posted on allears.net. Hope it helps alleviate some anxieties! I contacted AKL and was directed to the "dedicated line" about a week ago and the CM stated that yes, I would need to move. I ask if the whole resort is shutting down and she said no, there will some rooms available, so I asked if I could stay and she said "of course" Rather confusing but I am staying put! Good luck to those in jeopardy of moving!

Important: From March 2007 - April 2009 Construction will be taking place at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in preparation for the Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas. The early phases include construction in the main building.
In June 2007, some guests have been called and offered to move to Saratoga Springs due to noise concerns. DVC members who have reservered the villas in the main building have been told to expect construction noise during the day.

Here is the official statement from Disney Vacation Club:

Diane Hancock, at the Disney Vacation Club -- July 3, 2007

"Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas opened to Disney Vacation Club Members yesterday. We are pleased that our Members are happy with the new accommodations. There is construction occurring at the resort to complete the conversion of the fifth and sixth floors to Vacation Homes.

In an effort to accelerate the construction timeline and potentially complete this effort earlier than planned, portions of the resort will be temporarily closing. As a result of the accelerated timeline, we are working with Guests who have existing Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge reservations to assist them in selecting alternate accommodations for their upcoming visit. This does not affect all Guests staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

The care and safety of the animals at the resort is at the forefront of planning the construction. No animals have been adversely affected by the construction and we are proactively managing their care."

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

I am also trying to make sense of the totally conflicting information being presented by various CMs. I still haven't been called back by guest relations (or whoever was at the extension they transferred me to this morning) so I haven't been able to clear anything up regarding my ressie.

One of the posters above suggested that the AKL-guest-moving team is saying that everyone has to move out of AKL for the sake of expediency -- it prevents guests from arguing and makes it easier for everyone involved. However, I can't imagine that this is true because it would be so easy for those guests to find out that they were given incorrect information. Lots of us have ADRs for Boma and Jiko that we might not change. Can you imagine going to dinner at Jiko after being told you HAD to move to another resort because it was totally closed and the animals were moved and finding out that the resort was still half-occupied?

 

[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 to make the call. It paid off! I spoke with a wonderfully helpful CM who gave me lots of options. Staying at AKL was not one of the options.

I ended up with GF! It will make this a totally different holiday than I had expected -- we had an animal theme going, with 2 trips to AK planned, Dolphins in Depth tour booked, day at Sea World, etc. I'll have to change our Boma and Jiko reservations because it would just be too depressing to see what we missed out on. I don't really like the decor at GF but it is well-connected to dining by monorail and the room will be larger, which will be nice. Also, I'm a bargain-hunter and am happy to be getting a great deal. I won't get any money back, but I'll be paying the AKL price (rack rate, as that's all I could get) for a GF room.

Unfortunately, the AKL was a huge selling point for my sweetie and I dread talking to him about the change to a more "grandmothery" looking room. As long as he enjoys our stay, though, we will be able to go to AKL at a later date when construction is complete.

Thanks for all the pixie dust everyone!

 

[Lewanc]

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.

Hi Kristen -- First of all, congratulations on your marriage. Checked my Disney archives, we have stayed in a YC room with a normal King Bed, not Murphy. The Murphy King was offered in a Murphy Room type accommodation, which is slightly smaller than regular rooms, and would suit 2 adults. The other offerings were 2 Queens/Day Bed, and 2 Queens. The King Room we stayed in also had a Day Bed. If you can't get a King before your trip, ask for it when you arrive.

As for your fears regarding a possible move from the AKL -- In my opinion, your honeymoon visit will be the most important visit to be experienced at WDW. If the back and forth information regarding construction moves at the AKL is frustrating, for this visit, why not select another resort to eleviate all the uncertainty of a possible move, and you will be assured of your reservation. To do so, you would free up time for other vacation planning. To my knowledge, only reservations scheduled for the 5th and 6th floors of the AKL will be involved with a possible move, and of course this could change. If you do decide to change reservations, do so as soon as possible. If you call and state your concerns (honeymoon), to the CM you may even be offered an upgrade, at another resort.

If I were you, I would definitely make the change for sanity's sake. Then, if you decide you really want the AKL, check again near your departure date to see if anything is available. If you are able to switch back to the AKL at this time, your reservation would be more secure, as Disney would have a better idea as to room availability at that time in regard to the construction schedule.

Hope you have a great trip!!!

 

[mika911]

IT seems if you call the AKL team they tell you you have to move. It's like they say "this person knows about it so might as well move them and not upset someone else."

 

[raterfly]

I am not sure that is the case. I was told that I my reservation did not have a note on it to be moved. so I am staying put.

 

[mika911]

I am not sure that is the case. I was told that I my reservation did not have a note on it to be moved. so I am staying put.

Was that in the past couple days though? That is when they have seemed to be more aggressive.

 

[klineyqueen]

We have ressies at Boma for Aug. 11. Will they cancel our ressies??? Will the restaurants still be open?

 

[mika911]

We have ressies at Boma for Aug. 11. Will they cancel our ressies??? Will the restaurants still be open?

The reassurance are the one thing we've heard consistent information on. They will be open.

 

[conandrob240]

Has everyone who hads been "reassured" been reassured within the past 2 days? The closing is a new development which was decided 2 days ago. Before 2 days ago, I think closing was a consideration but it was not definite. Now I think it is a definitive happening. If you haven't checked on your ressie in the past 2 days, do so agan nw and see if you are still told you can stay.

 

[jenwimett]

Has everyone who hads been "reassured" been reassured within the past 2 days? The closing is a new development which was decided 2 days ago. Before 2 days ago, I think closing was a consideration but it was not definite. Now I think it is a definitive happening. If you haven't checked on your ressie in the past 2 days, do so agan nw and see if you are still told you can stay.

Where is this info coming from? I mean where did you find this out and are they only closing it down to Sept 1 or are they extending the close through to September?

 

[EEyorelover22]

KristenHoneymooner
I'm glad that this worked out for you. I was following your story and then got busy and lost track of you!! I do hope you get back to AKL. Our family loves it there I hope you have a wonderful time at the GF.