AKV Concierge: Booked Sunrise/Sunset Safaris at 11-month Point!

[wildernessDad]

Hey, all! I just got off the phone with AKL concierge and I booked the Sunrise and Sunset Safaris at the 11-month point! Not 180 days, 11 months!!!

This just in. It wasn't booked, it was held. They will book it at the 180 day point.

 

[kend58]

Hey, all! I just got off the phone with AKL concierge and I booked the Sunrise and Sunset Safaris at the 11-month point! Not 180 days, 11 months!!!

AKL Conciege has always said not before 180 days ... just checking your saying they booked next May now?

 

[wildernessDad]

AKL Conciege has always said not before 180 days ... just checking your saying they booked next May now?

Sorry! The CM that "booked" did not really book! She just held the request. She's learning and I'm learning.

I was told to call 190 days out for Dining reservations. Gee, I hope THAT info is right!

 

[wildernessDad]

Bump to point out the correction.

 

[Connor' Dad]

You can book the Sunrise at anytime, but Sunset is at 180. Before 180 they will take your name and request it. The requests are dated, so for the most part it is "booked" but not officially until the 180 day mark.

 

[LisaS]

Thanks for posting this! I called and booked the Sunrise Safari but was told to call back for the Sunset at 180 days out. It sounds like for some of you, they took your name now for the Sunset Safari and will book it for you at the 180 day mark, is that correct?

 

[wildernessDad]

Thanks for posting this! I called and booked the Sunrise Safari but was told to call back for the Sunset at 180 days out. It sounds like for some of you, they took your name now for the Sunset Safari and will book it for you at the 180 day mark, is that correct?

That's what they did, yes. The CM who did the original 'booking' was new. I called back to make sure that everything was on the up and up and got the real info. I hope that others didn't waste their time because of this. My apologies if that was the case.

 

[BCV23]

If it works the same as it does for regular club level gusts, you can also email AKL concierge and put your requests in for dining and Sunrise Safari as soon as you have a reservation. The concierge Itinerary Planning Office ( IPO) will then note your requests and book at the correct window.

Of course, it could be different for DVC club level guests but I would hope not...that's the point of club level.

 

[LisaS]

That's what they did, yes. The CM who did the original 'booking' was new. I called back to make sure that everything was on the up and up and got the real info. I hope that others didn't waste their time because of this. My apologies if that was the case.

No need to apologize!! I have my Sunrise Safari booked!! Thank you wildernessDad!!

 

[CarolA]

AKL Conciege has always said not before 180 days ... just checking your saying they booked next May now?

The concerige service at AKL called me today and booked my Sunrise Safari for the weekend of January 18th. I am sitting her debating on adding the Sunset, but I have to do them back to back.... Not sure I want to do that even as much as I LOVE AKL. Plus it turns out the boyfriend can't go the weekend I have in January (he has a race already penciled in......) so I have to the Sunset by myself. Not sure about that one.

 

[wildernessDad]

Was just told by the CM that I am 'unofficially officially booked.'

I called day-by-day to get the concierge studio reservation and was on pins and needles, nervous each day that I dialed in.

I agree with someone that now is the time for owners of AKV to get a concierge ressie. It may be next to impossible to get it when DVC increases AKV membership may times over after Kidani comes to fruition.

 

[Inkmahm]

If it works the same as it does for regular club level gusts, you can also email AKL concierge and put your requests in for dining and Sunrise Safari as soon as you have a reservation. The concierge Itinerary Planning Office ( IPO) will then note your requests and book at the correct window.

Of course, it could be different for DVC club level guests but I would hope not...that's the point of club level.

Exactly. Both for the sunrise and sunset safaris- neither are confirmed until the 180 day mark.

 

[kend58]

FWIW I am a cash customer and I made my reservation for AKL on KCL on April 4th for Jan 2, 2008 they still are uncertain as to my price but that is another story (08 rates likely come out in Aug).

I was allowed to place my request today for both safaris 190 days out - I will be notified at 180 days via email whether or not my request is being filled.

The AKL concierge office says there is some confusion regarding DVC concierge level and request vs reservation which was noted earlier in this thread. The point is no one has a reservation before the 180 day mark but the earlier the room is reserved the better your chance in getting the safaris so IMHO AKV owners making their ressie at 11 months will always have an advantage in getting these slots unless the process is revamped.

I think all this will settle down once the kinks on the shared Conciege service get ironed out perhaps a dedicated set of slots for DVC and a set for cash until the 179 day mark so each type of guest has a shot getting to participate

Any way I am glad I saw this thread today as it propmted me to call and check on the status of my requests instead of waiting for the email to arrive overnight tonight as my reminder. Best wishes for everyone getting the safaris ressie(s) they want.

 

[CarolA]

Exactly. Both for the sunrise and sunset safaris- neither are confirmed until the 180 day mark.

My 180 day is July 22nd...... I have a confirmation number for my sunrise. I think I am pretty much confirmed prior to 180 days! I am not going to worry about it again. (If I didn't have the number then I would worry, but.....)

 

[kend58]

My 180 day is July 22nd...... I have a confirmation number for my sunrise. I think I am pretty much confirmed prior to 180 days! I am not going to worry about it again. (If I didn't have the number then I would worry, but.....)

The AKL Concierge/Itinerary Planning Office gave you a reservation number then I would say you have nothing to worry about they are the ones who book the safari's. I was not offered that today when I spoke with them they did take my CC and ny request and said I would be notified at my 180 day mark. Not sure why yours was handled differently than mine my 180 day point is still 11 days away 6/27 I was not offered the opportunity to book either today only to place a request.

The sunrise Safari has 40 slots and requires getting up much earlier than most guests want to. The concierge basically promised it to me when I first talked to them in April - they have often ended up opening this one up to other AKL non-concierge guests in the past.

The sunset safari only has 8 or 14 spaces and is often over-subscribed by the concierge guests causing people who request it late not to always get it. I haven't heard of anyone not at AKL or now AKV and staying at the KCL level getting to do this one. I think the AKL concierge staff is trying to adapt to the new AKV interest level and that has caused some of the issues and confusion.

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