ALK - What's going on?????

[Tink10]

I don't think we'll see any new suite options at any of the resorts any time soon. (Unless the CR's new building becomes something other than DVC) Guests with larger families already have quite a few options.....

1) Booking adjoining rooms

2) Existing suites

3) DVC villas

4) All Star family rooms (I have a tough time calling them suites)

For each family-style unit, they would have to take 2 or 3 regular rooms out of service. To recoup the lost income from those rooms, as well as the rehab costs, and that would probably put the per night rate close to the existing suites, my guess would be at the very minimum $800 - $900 a night for a 2 BR non-DVC deluxe without club level access (no kitchen facilities either).


The reason why DVC units are more affordable is because they are not the same as Other Disney resorts and don't have the same operating expenses that the deluxe resorts have. Member dues pays for quite a bit, so they don't offer things like turn-down service. It would be an added expense to members. I know I don't want my dues paying for it.....If they made it available to guests for purchase, then I'd be ok with it....I think most DVC members would agree.

 

[MissMet]

DVC members who own at AKL can start staying there in July. Everyone else can start staying in Sept. They do have 2-bedrooms on the 5th & 6th floor. I've talked to someone who has a reservation for the fall in a 2-bedroom. What that person probably meant was there are no dedicated 2-bedrooms. They probably only have a 1-bedroom with a connecting studio to make it a 2-bedroom.

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

DVC members who own at AKL can start staying there in July. Everyone else can start staying in Sept. They do have 2-bedrooms on the 5th & 6th floor. I've talked to someone who has a reservation for the fall in a 2-bedroom. What that person probably meant was there are no dedicated 2-bedrooms. They probably only have a 1-bedroom with a connecting studio to make it a 2-bedroom.

I am glad to hear they do have 2 bed. lock offs, I have spoke to 3 people with Disney (1 with DVC) this moring that have all said that the 1 beds and studios are not connected and that the only 2 beds will be in the new building. They did say they had a 3 bed. grand villa in the main building, but I didn't get a price on it. I like the idea of being in the main building. Maybe our next trip we will be able to try a 2 bed. at AKL, since all they have available are studios for this trip. We need a 1 bed. and a studio that connect.

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

The reason why DVC units are more affordable is because they are not the same as Other Disney resorts and don't have the same operating expenses that the deluxe resorts have. Member dues pays for quite a bit, so they don't offer things like turn-down service. It would be an added expense to members. I know I don't want my dues paying for it.....If they made it available to guests for purchase, then I'd be ok with it....I think most DVC members would agree.[/QUOTE]

For cash customers, DVC is not more affordable our 2-bed. lock off at BWV was close to $600/night last year. I am not suggesting that members be charged more dues, I am simply saying that cash customers should be entitled to the same benefits and amenities as a regular resort guests.

 

[MissMet]

...I have spoke to 3 people with Disney (1 with DVC) this moring that have all said that the 1 beds and studios are not connected and that the only 2 beds will be in the new building...

Well, that's odd. Then maybe she has a grand villa resi for the fall. Now I'm confused. I've heard that there is 2-bedrooms available. I'm gonna have to check with her again.

 

[Sammie]

The DVC villas in the exisiting building will have 2 bedrooms but they will be made from combining a studio and a one bedroom, which is a lock off. You will have two outside hallway doors. You will have one king bed and in the second bedroom, a queen and sofa bed.

The new building will have dedicated 2 bedroom units which only have one outside hallway door and do not have the kitchenette. The second bedroom will have 2 queen beds.

Unless you are DVC owner there due to very few rooms opening soon, it will be some time before anyone else will be able to book one.

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

The DVC villas in the exisiting building will have 2 bedrooms but they will be made from combining a studio and a one bedroom, which is a lock off. You will have two outside hallway doors. You will have one king bed and in the second bedroom, a queen and sofa bed.

That is so great to know, CRO said there was not a connecting door between the 2 rooms. I tought that was odd they wouldn't put up a door to make the 2 bed. lock off. Thanks for the info.

 

[carol/houston]

Okay, so my in-laws are staying at ASMu, hoping they will switch to ALK I have been keeping track with availability. Yesterday all room catagories were open, today, no availability for any catagory. BTW, our dates are Sept. 8-13 with free dining. So, I thought, well maybe the free dining offer is sold out, but when I check without any promos. there is still no availability. Is a matter of fact, there is not availability at any time (May, June, July, etc.). I called CRO and they told me as much as I already knew. So, WHAT IS UP???

Hey Everyone, Just wanted to post that I checked the WDW online reservation site and AKL is now showing availibity for all room catagories during our stay (Sept. 8-13). Don't know what happened to the site for the last 2 days!

 

[jarestel]

But the 2 bed. is even better, however, we felt that mousekeeping was definately not the same as in the regular resort. Now, before I get flamed, we booked through CRO, we did not rent points. We also requested turn down service but were told DVC did not get that service. My question, why? I am not DVC, I paid alot per night to stay there, you would think that cash customers would get the same services as others staying at the regular resorts. Maybe, last trip was just a fluke and service is typically great, I hope that is the case.

I was under the impression that cash customers received the same services as they would if staying in the "hotel" portion. Maybe you spoke to someone who assumed you were a DVC member and didn't understand you were paying cash.

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

I was under the impression that cash customers received the same services as they would if staying in the "hotel" portion. Maybe you spoke to someone who assumed you were a DVC member and didn't understand you were paying cash.

We did receive daily mousekeeping. We requested turn down service and were told that even though we had paid cash that it was not available with the DVC resorts. I just didn't understand why . Not that big of deal for turn down service, but we did feel the mousekeeping was much better when we have stayed in regular rooms at WL. Maybe it was just the resort, I didn't think any of the CMs were really that friendly either.

 

[Tink10]

The reason why DVC units are more affordable is because they are not the same as Other Disney resorts and don't have the same operating expenses that the deluxe resorts have. Member dues pays for quite a bit, so they don't offer things like turn-down service. It would be an added expense to members. I know I don't want my dues paying for it.....If they made it available to guests for purchase, then I'd be ok with it....I think most DVC members would agree.

For cash customers, DVC is not more affordable our 2-bed. lock off at BWV was close to $600/night last year. I am not suggesting that members be charged more dues, I am simply saying that cash customers should be entitled to the same benefits and amenities as a regular resort guests.[/QUOTE]

It is more affordable than a 2 bedroom suite at a deluxe resort........Here are rates for BWI

2-Bedroom Suite $1,190 $1,320 $1,475 $1,665
Vice Presidential 2-Bedroom Suite $1,610 $1,825 $2,005 $2,220
Presidential 2-Bedroom Suite $1,915 $2,095 $2,295 $2,540

2 BR Villa at BWV:

2-Bedroom Villa $595 $770 $975 $1,105

That's quite a difference.....

As far as amenities, below are from Disneyworld.com and show the differences between the 2 resorts: (The differences are marked with **)

Boardwalk Villas

Services and Amenities:

Room Service
Concierge desk
Health club
Babysitting services (In-room only)
Pak-n-Play Crib available
Convenient self-parking
Valet parking available for a nominal fee
Rooms and facilities for Guests with disabilities
Laundry facilities/services
Meeting and banquet facilities
Business Center
High Speed Internet Access


Room amenities:

Nonsmoking rooms available
Pak-n-Play cribs, irons, ironing boards, coffee makers, hairdryers, vacuum cleaners and make-up mirrors in each room
Whirlpool tub (except Studios)**
In-room safes
Disney Channel and ESPN
DVD player (except Studios)**
High Speed Internet Access
Full-size washer and dryer (except Studios)**

Boardwalk Inn

Services and Amenities:

Room Service
Concierge desk
Health club
Babysitting services
Pak-n-Play Crib available
Convenient self-parking
Valet parking available for a nominal fee
Rooms and facilities for Guests with disabilities
Laundry facilities/services
Meeting and banquet facilities
Business Center
Wireless (Wi-Fi) Internet Access**
High Speed Internet Access


Room Features:

King-size beds (available with daybed) or two queen-size beds (available with daybeds) may be requested, but are subject to availability**
Disabled accessible rooms available**
Turndown service available**
Nonsmoking rooms available
Irons, ironing boards, hairdryers and make-up mirrors in each room**
In-room coffee makers and refrigerators available at no charge**
Pak-n-Play cribs available upon request
In-room safes
Disney Channel and ESPN
Newspaper delivery**
Laundry facilities/services

The differences are slight, but you'll see that turn-down service isn't even offered at the Villas (or any other DVC resort), So in essence, you were treated as a regular BWV resort guest.

(BTW, please don't think I was flaming, I just wanted to describe the differences between the 2 resorts)

 

[carol/houston]

This is starting to turn into a DVC debate!

 

[MissMet]

We did receive daily mousekeeping. We requested turn down service and were told that even though we had paid cash that it was not available with the DVC resorts. I just didn't understand why . Not that big of deal for turn down service, but we did feel the mousekeeping was much better when we have stayed in regular rooms at WL. Maybe it was just the resort, I didn't think any of the CMs were really that friendly either.

This is probably because at DVC resorts there are less Mousekeepers on duty. They are not cleaning every room in the resort every day. There is no one in Mousekeeping on duty late enough for the few paying guest to receive turn-down service. I think there hours are something like 8am - 4pm. So they literally have no one there to do turn-down service.

 

[JCTurner]

Okay, so my in-laws are staying at ASMu, hoping they will switch to ALK I have been keeping track with availability. Yesterday all room catagories were open, today, no availability for any catagory. BTW, our dates are Sept. 8-13 with free dining. So, I thought, well maybe the free dining offer is sold out, but when I check without any promos. there is still no availability. Is a matter of fact, there is not availability at any time (May, June, July, etc.). I called CRO and they told me as much as I already knew. So, WHAT IS UP???

I called today and managed to get three nights with a choice of room (excluding Concierge) for December 5th through 8th. I really wanted concierge as it is our wedding anniversary but there was no availability. The CM could only suggest that I call back over the coming months and see if any openings arise. In the meantime I have booked savannah view.

Heyho.

JC