AKV check-in surprise

[penguins_fan]

We added on AKV points last year and made ressies for 2 nights, 2BR checking in Dec 27. We made the ressies at 9am on the first morning when they became available for AKV. We arrived about 1pm on the 27th to check-in. After a lengthy pause by the desk clerk, she disappeared to the back office for a long time before emerging with a manager. The manager intorduced herself, shook our hands and excitedly told us that she had an "opportunity" for us. With all the dream wishes being granted, we thought it might be something special.

Turns out the "opportunity" was to try to shift us over to the Boardwalk and pay some amount of cash to us as we were informed that they were "oversold" for 2BRS at AKV. We told them that we bought in to AKV to stay at AKV, that it was our first visit there and was part of a Christmas surprise for out children and had no interest in their "opportunity". After another lengthy pause, we got our reserved room. We never asked about the amount of money they would offer.

All told we spent about 1 hour checking in. After we declined the "opportunity", seemed like the manager was a lot less excited and friendly. We of course were disappointed to go thru all this on our first check-in there. I'm surprised given the points system and ressie process that they could be over booked, curious if anyone else has had this experience.

We thoroughly enjoyed the rest of our AKV stay and then some time at BCVs. After the AKV stay with the flat panels, better bedding and general 'newness', BCV seemed a little tired at first. Its still a great resort but I think anyone buying into AKV will be very happy with their choice.

 

[SamSam]

I'm very curious as to what would lead to overbooking. Like you, I would not want arrive at our resort and be asked (however nicely) to switch resorts. I'm glad the rest of your trip went well and that you enjoyed your stay.
DH and I are BCV and AKV owners we we have also found that BCV seems a little tired after the newness of AKV. It's still a beautiful resort and we love staying there; walking to Epcot and MGM can't be beat.

 

[LisaS]

This isn't the first report of inventory problems at AKV. Perhaps they aren't quite making that accelerated construction schedule, resulting in fewer rooms ready for occupancy than they anticipated. Just a guess...

 

[Luv2trav]

I am sorry this disrupted your vacation. I would be disappointed with their lack of friendliness after you declined. However, I wouldn't be bothered by the offer at all. Now I would be upset if my room wasn't available at all but to be given a choice or opportunity as they call it wouldn't phase me a bit. Actually I would have asked how much money..

 

[erin.w]

The amount of money would have been my first question, haha. After being booked at the AKL last July, we got a call, stating they were offering a move for us, with some money back. Needless to say, we moved from a standard view at the AKL, to a one bedroom villa at SSR and somewhere around a $1300 credit, which paid for our meals for the trip. We paid less for that trip than we did the previous year at POP. This was not with the DVC, just us booking regularly.

I understand why you chose not to though, surprising the kids and all.

 

[DVC Mike]

Wow, another report of trying to get a DVC member to move to another resort. I wonder what is going on that is causing this issue? Definitely not a good thing. Even though you rejected their "offer", perhaps there was someone later on that wasn't able to check-in to their 2-BR and had to move. That would be terrible! I can't imagine the disappointment!

 

[AKV707]

I agree with that. I too, would be very disappointed as an AKV owner, but I would have to consider the opportunity. I would have likely asked for a point adjustment. Of course, the OP made the reservation the first day. I wonder how they decide who gets the room and who gets the "opportunity."

I am glad it worked out for the OP and it is great to hear that their AKV experience (post check-in) was a great one. And thanks to the OP for making me feel good about my home resort.

 

[Ali]

We checked in on the 26th - rented points for a standard view room. Check in was a horrible 1.5 hour experience because they had us in the system as we discovered by the parking permit at the guard shack but didn't block out a room for us. So, the CM spent a lot of time in the back room trying to get us a room, came out with a fabulous room - value loking at the parking lot. I politely said I reserved a Standard view, which is supposed to be pool view, and the CM said standard equals value. I showed her the print out that Lisa S has posted and she dissappeared again to the back room. Came back after a long time with a free upgrade to a savannah view.


So, AKV has reservation issues - just print out the map showing the areas that are value, standard, etc, and have it with you!

So, perhaps giving us this room made the 2 bedroom unavailable for the OP? Sorry if it forced anyone to move.

 

[RachelTori]

So, AKV has reservation issues - just print out the map showing the areas that are value, standard, etc, and have it with you!

That's great advice! Thank goodness for LisaS's wonderful map!! I recently printed it out and put it with the paperwork for my upcoming trip. I did it for my own benefit, never thinking I might have to show the CM where my Standard Studio should be!!

 

[snowbunny]

The amount of money would have been my first question, haha.

Yup, me too!

 

[keishashadow]

The amount of money would have been my first question, haha. After being booked at the AKL last July, we got a call, stating they were offering a move for us, with some money back. Needless to say, we moved from a standard view at the AKL, to a one bedroom villa at SSR and somewhere around a $1300 credit, which paid for our meals for the trip. We paid less for that trip than we did the previous year at POP. This was not with the DVC, just us booking regularly.

I understand why you chose not to though, surprising the kids and all.

(i thought the same thing lol) congrats on having a positive attitude & scoring the $

 

[gamomof2]

just catching up. we're at AKV in April. Where can I find the map by LisaS?

Thanks

 

[LisaS]

just catching up. we're at AKV in April. Where can I find the map by LisaS?

Thanks

I think they are referring to this map. I took the AKV construction schedule map and marked the location of the Value villas in lime green, the Standard View villas in yellow, the Concierge villas in pink and the Grand Villas with orange "blobs".

 

[gamomof2]

thanks we have a 2 BR L/O Std View Jambo. this way with the map i seem to know that we will be somewhere around the pool. if i remember right it should be on the 5th or 6th floor. correct?

 

[LisaS]

thanks we have a 2 BR L/O Std View Jambo. this way with the map i seem to know that we will be somewhere around the pool. if i remember right it should be on the 5th or 6th floor. correct?

You will be on the 5th floor and as you said somewhere around the pool area. There are only five villas on the 6th floor and they are all Concierge (where the pink lines are on the map).

I hope your check-in goes very smoothly!

 

[ITGirl50]

I'm sorry that happened. I hope things get worked out soon. I'm so excited about staying AKV and it's almost a year away (Christmas 2008). I too probably would have asked about the cash. I'm sure it wouldn't have been much.

 

[explorer1977]

You would probably be surprised in what they would offer. We received a call on December 26 from a DVC manager concerning our savanah view 1 bdr reservation from January 21 to 26. We also had a value 1 bdr booked for the 20th. The nice DVC rep first asked if we would like to switch to SSR with difference in points being returned, and extra compensation of the dining plan but I quickly replied no thank you. She then "upped" the offer of swithching to a 1 bdr standard view at AKV (for the whole trip no changing rooms) with difference in points being returned, and extra compensation of the dining plan and length of stay MYM park hopper passes. My wife and I talked for about a minute and aggreed as it just lowered the cash cost of our trip to getting there and we even edded up getting the deluxe dining plan for the difference in price as we already had that booked. So we do not get the savanah view this time but we already have it booked again for another trip. The DVC rep was so thankful and told us to expect a call from her on our check in day. When I asked how this problem was created she just stated that is was a computer error in double booking 1 bdr units as a 1 bdr unit and a two bdr unit.

 

[snowbunny]

She then "upped" the offer of swithching to a 1 bdr standard view at AKV (for the whole trip no changing rooms) with difference in points being returned, and extra compensation of the dining plan and length of stay MYM park hopper passes.

Wow...now I can go from the old "hoping for an unexpected upgrade" to "hoping they try to bump me from my DVC villa" Although these issues will probably be sorted out by the time of our June 08 stay in a 1BR savannah view at AKV.

 

[MLK-RI]

Wow, sorry to hear about this with the OP.
We just returned from a 3 nights stay in a Standard View studio (Jan 1- 4) and had no trouble. Check in smooth, room ready about 3:30p. Great view of the pool, lovely room and we found the staff to be very helpful and friendly.

We did have some "discount" issues with Boma but the front desk worked those out for us and said all people were notified so it shouldn't happen to others. (The DVC meal discount of 10% is over as of Jan 31, 2008.)

 

[Simba's Mom]

We added on AKV points last year and made ressies for 2 nights, 2BR checking in Dec 27. We made the ressies at 9am on the first morning when they became available for AKV. We arrived about 1pm on the 27th to check-in. After a lengthy pause by the desk clerk, she disappeared to the back office for a long time before emerging with a manager. The manager intorduced herself, shook our hands and excitedly told us that she had an "opportunity" for us. With all the dream wishes being granted, we thought it might be something special.

Turns out the "opportunity" was to try to shift us over to the Boardwalk and pay some amount of cash to us as we were informed that they were "oversold" for 2BRS at AKV. We told them that we bought in to AKV to stay at AKV, that it was our first visit there and was part of a Christmas surprise for out children and had no interest in their "opportunity". After another lengthy pause, we got our reserved room. We never asked about the amount of money they would offer.

All told we spent about 1 hour checking in. After we declined the "opportunity", seemed like the manager was a lot less excited and friendly. We of course were disappointed to go thru all this on our first check-in there. I'm surprised given the points system and ressie process that they could be over booked, curious if anyone else has had this experience.

We thoroughly enjoyed the rest of our AKV stay and then some time at BCVs. After the AKV stay with the flat panels, better bedding and general 'newness', BCV seemed a little tired at first. Its still a great resort but I think anyone buying into AKV will be very happy with their choice.

I'm just shaking my head here-I feel so sad about what happened to you, and it seems to be another case of "the new member problems". On our first stay, we had a horrible time and really rethought having joined. Others have reported big screw ups on their first stay. The only thing I do want to say, from experience, is please don't give up on DVC. We almost did after our first stay but we're so glad we didn't. Hang in there and here's hoping for better times to come.