AKV check-in surprise

[AKV707]

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.

I feel lucky. I have not stayed at AKV yet, my home resort, but I will be there for the first time in July. I hope they have these bugs worked out.

My first DVC stay last year was great. We were at OKW, check in was perfect, got our "welcome home" greetings, the room was perfect and the whole experience made us so glad we joined.

 

[dianeschlicht]

These issues are very disconcerting...especially when it happens with a booking that took place the first possible time to reserve. Our first stay at AKV is coming up March 1, but I'm not too worried about being bumped, since we have a concierge 1 bedroom booked.

 

[dgaston]

Just back from a 3 night stay in Savanna View 2 br. We were in 5469 and 5471 on the Zebra trail. Check-in took about 35 minutes, due to AKV thinking there were 7 people on our DDP, rather than the 5 I booked with MS. Room was ready at 2:30 and I loved it! We were there during the recent cold weather -- those FL stations were all camped out at the beach to photograph snow flurries! I'll have to wait for our July Concierge stay to use the pool and hot tub.
Oh! they said the free internet wasn't starting until spring, but credited me two days charges.

 

[starbox]

Well, as much as I love AKV - I'd totally take the cash and get bumped to any DVC at WDW. Now, if they tried to mess with my VB reservation I think I'd break down and cry.

 

[penguins_fan]

Explorer1977 - Wow, that's quite a package - now I'm even happier we didn't ask, that offer would've been hard to decline but since it was our first AKV trip, we were really excited about staying there and are glad we did as we really loved it and can't wait to go back,

One other coment on view/room categories. We had SV but there are so many easy animal viewing opportunities as you move around the resort - you'll see lots of animals no matter what view you book. Every hall ends with an open staircase for viewing and there are lots of other porches and viewing spots even just walking down the hall. The SV was nice but if points or SV availability are an issue, I wouldn't worry about the other categories. Booking a GV also means you may not get savannah view but I wouldn't pause on it for the views if thats the category you want.

Thanks for the map LisaS.

 

[AKV707]

Explorer1977 - Wow, that's quite a package - now I'm even happier we didn't ask, that offer would've been hard to decline but since it was our first AKV trip, we were really excited about staying there and are glad we did as we really loved it and can't wait to go back,

One other coment on view/room categories. We had SV but there are so many easy animal viewing opportunities as you move around the resort - you'll see lots of animals no matter what view you book. Every hall ends with an open staircase for viewing and there are lots of other porches and viewing spots even just walking down the hall. The SV was nice but if points or SV availability are an issue, I wouldn't worry about the other categories. Booking a GV also means you may not get savannah view but I wouldn't pause on it for the views if thats the category you want.

Thanks for the map LisaS.

Glad that you ultimately had a great AKV experience. And i think that you are right. There are so many chances to see the savannas. I thought that all of the GVS had savanna view.

 

[Jaaron2]

Maybe its just me but..... I'll take the deal

I love AKV (which is why we bought there)but if I am just getting switched to another great resort with a ton of perks I am all over it!

 

[doconeill]

I would have taken the deal as well. As you said, you own at AKV - which means you should be able to stay there whenever you want in the future.

You were offered a chance to move to a location that is arguable one of the harder ones to get during one of the busiest times, in walking distance of two parks, and money back... I wish I was offered this last month...

 

[Off-The-Deep-End]

These issues are very disconcerting...especially when it happens with a booking that took place the first possible time to reserve. Our first stay at AKV is coming up March 1, but I'm not too worried about being bumped, since we have a concierge 1 bedroom booked.

FWIW: When I was there in December, I got very chatty with the experienced CMs at check-in (The few who actually know how the DVC works!), and they reported Concierge was overbooked by one unit as well (I tried day-by-day to get one night at concierge). Also the CMs freely admitted that AKV DVC units had been overbooked as well, and I got to witness that at the check-in counter several times.

Seems to be both a software issue, and UNtrained front desk CMs.

Hope your ressie is safe!