Animal Kingdom Lodge Partial closer till Sept. 1

[Goofyzgurl]

Well, we got the call earlier this week. After a couple of days of phone tag we got moved. Since I got the heads up that we might have to move, dh and I discussed what hotel we would want if they called and got our first choice. I can't wait to stay at AKL when it is done though.

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

I totally agree! I like you have called twice and have been told on both occasions we won't be affected. He said that AKL will not be closing and people aren't getting moved. I'm really concerned as I don't want to be bothered by construction on my honeymoon but I can't seem to get a straight answer.

Caitlin,

I think we are in a very similar boat (my wedding is August 19th and I'm SUPPOSED to honeymoon at AKL the 20th through 28th.) Weddings and honeymoons are once in a lifetime events that we will always remember. It's really freaking me out to read that some people were told by CRO that everyone will have to move, while others like you were told the opposite. Wedding planning stress is bad enough without THIS!!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Wedding planning stress is bad enough without THIS!!!

I feel bad for you both. Maybe there's a silver lining here though, perhaps the reason you haven't been called, is that you were magically upgraded to the club level. It does sound like there's been confirmation that none of those guests have been affected. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that it all works for out for everyone.

 

[G8r4evr]

WDW has closed resorts and portions of resorts before. Port Orleans French Quarter was closed completely after 9/11. Guests booked there were accomodated elsewhere. During a number of trips to Port-Orleans Riverside, I've observed Magnolia Bend effectively closed or entire areas within Alligator Bayou effectively closed. By effectively, I mean that the entire area was empty, with all guests being checked into other areas.

I believe CBR has been closed for an extended period as well.

 

[Fuddrules]

Like so many others, I'm a nervous wrecked and had to call. The CM thought I was a little crazy, but assured me I wouldn't be affected AT ALL (he screamed at me) by the AKL construction.

But I'm not sure, do you think I'll be bothered by the construction when I (was) staying at WL in December? They're kinda close, relatively speaking of course.

Since I couldn't get upgraded (by jerk CM), I cancelled and now I'm staying at a Holiday Inn Express. WooHoo!

 

[G8r4evr]

Yes, I know WL is a deluxe. We weren't interested in that one. Especially at the same price as AKL. I asked if we could have applied the BUL code and gotten it for $140 per night and then we would have taken it. However, it was a no go so we went with SSR. Financially, it's a much better deal.
Plus, we like the zero entry pool ~ a definite plus for our family and the CM couldn't confirm if WL had one or not.

For the inconvenience, it seems like they could have applied that code to WL for you...

 

[CanadianGuy]

Like so many others, I'm a nervous wrecked and had to call. The CM thought I was a little crazy, but assured me I wouldn't be affected AT ALL (he screamed at me) by the AKL construction.

But I'm not sure, do you think I'll be bothered by the construction when I (was) staying at WL in December? They're kinda close, relatively speaking of course.

AKL to WL is like 3 miles or more... if you hear the construction from there.. you got some pretty good ears.

Knox

 

[dismom3]

I want to be moved to the GF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cslittle999]

AKL to WL is like 3 miles or more... if you hear the construction from there.. you got some pretty good ears.

Knox

And even with great hearing it would likely be the the construction work being done around the Contemporary that would be heard.

 

[mickeysaver]

While our stay isn't until the end of October, I really was thrilled that AKL was an option because it's my dream resort. With all of the initial rumblings about construction, I got cold feet and decided that we could wait and keep the dream resort a dream for a bit longer. I would hate to have my stay ruined by construction noise or spooked animals. Also, this is my birthday trip, so I wanted it to be special.

We ended up proactively switching over to the Poly and shaved a day off of our stay and took another night at the Hilton Garden Inn (FREE thanks to Gabby's reward points from work!) before we arrive at WDW. I have become excited about staying at the Poly, my second dream resort of choice, but I was seriously bummed in the beginning though.

I am looking forward to a relaxing vacation with no worries. I am hoping that everyone that is being asked to switch can quickly make peace with the change and embrace the challenge of staying somewhere new. Maggie

 

[seamour]

Cat-

I hope you understand that in our case, we've never stayed there before and it has always been our "dream resort". While I too applaud Disney's being proactive, it would be disappointing when you've been hoping to surprise your child with this. Not trying to be rude, just expressing MHO.

Pooksma,
we are in the same boat, we booked this last year and have been looking fwd to it, we were not even planning much park time, just waterparks and taking full advantage of the resort. I am going to be so disappointed if we have to move.

 

[septbaby]

Like so many others, I'm a nervous wrecked and had to call. The CM thought I was a little crazy, but assured me I wouldn't be affected AT ALL (he screamed at me) by the AKL construction.

Since I couldn't get upgraded (by jerk CM), I cancelled and now I'm staying at a Holiday Inn Express. WooHoo!

I'm sorry you felt the need to cancel. Keep in mind that these boards and others like it are what people think about Disney or what we think Disney would or should do. If Disney said it would not be an issue, I'd take that over anything I read here.

From AKL to a Holiday Inn Express are such different vacations. I hope you are happy with your decision. Remember your vacation is about you don't let a rough encounter with a CM turn your plans completely upside down. If you want a deluxe vacation at WDW have one. I know for sure a HIE won't give you that, not by a long shot. I value my time off too much to let someone else dictate how I will spend it, but that's just me.

Now that you have a moment to cool off did the CM scream at you or did he speak really firmly and clearly after repeating the same explanation to you a number of times?(I don't need a reply). You said yourself you were a nervous wreck and you also had it in your mind about an "upgrade" (AKL is an upgrade to me). I don't condone rude behavior by a service provided like a CM, but if he wasn't going to change your room is there anything else he could have done that would have left you thinking he wasn't a jerk CM?

 

[seamour]

Thanks! I also have a 7 year old and a 4 year old. I just showed them pics of the pool area and they were pretty excited. They just want to go to Disney! I don't know too much about SSR yet but everything I've read about has seemed pretty good. We definately can't beat the deal they gave us. We didn't get our dream resort but at least the new price tag made us smile

As for the resort being fully closed...when I talked to the CM yesterday, she stated that we had NO CHOICE but to move and that the "majority of the rooms would be shut down at AKL" during our time frame.

Glad your kids are excited, we have stayed at SSR and it is a gorgeous resort and has alot of extra activities available as well.

 

[amycishere]

While our stay isn't until the end of October, I really was thrilled that AKL was an option because it's my dream resort. With all of the initial rumblings about construction, I got cold feet and decided that we could wait and keep the dream resort a dream for a bit longer. I would hate to have my stay ruined by construction noise or spooked animals. Also, this is my birthday trip, so I wanted it to be special.

We ended up proactively switching over to OKW and shaved a day off of our stay and took another night at the Hilton Garden Inn (FREE thanks to Gabby's reward points from work!) before we arrive at WDW. I have become excited about staying at a DVC resort in a one bedroom suite, but I was seriously bummed in the beginning though.

I am looking forward to a relaxing vacation with no worries. I am hoping that everyone that is being asked to switch can quickly make peace with the change and embrace the challenge of staying somewhere new. Maggie

When is your birthday? Mine is October 26th and I am staying at the AKL. I am keeping it in hopes they won't call. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[dsnylover]

HI everyone just wanted to post and let the ones know that are frustrated with AKL that we were suppose to stay there on July 13th thru 21st. We were concerned about the construction also and called many times inquiring about the noise. The resort frontdesk said there would be noise and maybe we should change but they couldnt do anything to help. We then called guest services and talked to them as it is for our 10yr anniversary and didnt want problems. After discussions with them we were transferred again and got the right area,they immediately said we would be moved to a different resort. We told them our favorites but would be willing to take several deluxes, she called back and got us Grand Floridian garden view which was perfect for us and she was very nice and helpful. So please keep trying if your worried. Hope you all have a great trip.

 

[seamour]

I just called too and I was advised that by August the main part of the construction will be done and we will not be bothered by it at all. I'm getting really annoyed by all this different information I'm receiving. I am trying to organise my dream wedding/honeymoon and I'm worrying over things that aren't even happening!!!

I am so sorry you are having to even worry about this, as if you don't have enough stress with an upcoming wedding. Sending boatloads of pixie dust your way.

 

[seamour]

Caitlin,

I think we are in a very similar boat (my wedding is August 19th and I'm SUPPOSED to honeymoon at AKL the 20th through 28th.) Weddings and honeymoons are once in a lifetime events that we will always remember. It's really freaking me out to read that some people were told by CRO that everyone will have to move, while others like you were told the opposite. Wedding planning stress is bad enough without THIS!!!

Kristin, sending boatloads of pixie dust to you as well.

 

[julie.uk]

l have been reading this thread with interest, we are due to go to the AKL on 3rd October, we were unaware of the construction when we booked with a ta last year. I have been worried as we are planning to spend a lot of time in the resort this holiday as I will be having major knee surgery immediately after the holiday so cannot walk far and was looking forward to lying by the pool & just enjoying the resort.

My daughter returned home from her disney holiday last weekend, she had spent a couple of hours walking around the AKL in her last few days in Orlando and had taken photos of the construction both inside & out.
She has also taken movie footage to show the noise levels & they were incredibly loud, banging and a loud drilling noise which she filmed walking down one of the corridors on the 4th floor towards reception where it was loudest, she also went down to Boma and said she could hear it clearly in there too.
This was around the middle of the day so I guess if you are out at the parks all day you might be ok if not it could be unpleasant.

 

[die2yourways]

hello everyone, i'm new to this board. i, like everyone else, got worried when the report was posted on mousesavers. yesterday i called 3 times about this. the first 2 times i was told the same thing most all of you have been told, that is that everything will ok and you won't be bothered. i then called a third time later in the early evening explaining the rumor that i had been hearing. the disney rep gave me the same spill that he didn't know about the move of any guests but he was assuring me that the construction wouldn't be a problem. i then asked if he would be willing to put me through to someone who did know about the moves or a supervisor who may be able to point me in the direction. i also let him know i wasn't interested in paying the money i was paying to be worried about construction and whether it would be an issue. i told him i wanted my vacation to be worry free and with the amount of $ i've spent on it i think i deserve it. he put me on hold for a few minutes and a person from guest services got on the phone and immediately offered saratoga to me for $120/night. i couldn't pass that up because of the money i was saving.

in closing, they WILL change you if you will be affected by construction or as in my case, you let them know that you shouldn't have to spend the amount of $ you've spent on worrying whether your vacation will be peaceful or not. i was never rude with them but i asked to speak with someone who knew what was going on, and they took care of it. i think the real problem here is that disney has not made it clear to the people in wdw travel that parts of akl will be closed and parts won't.

sorry for the huge post

jt

 

[colonels cruisers]

I called WDW friday to see what was going on. Our check in date is Sept 15. They are not taking any more reservations during our time frame, but the very nice CM said that some on the DCV rooms could actually be open and some lucky people might get to stay in them.

I do take that with a grain of salt but for those of you (like us) wiating, wondering, planning...maybe we could get extra lucky.