Animal Kingdom Lodge Partial closer till Sept. 1

[dcr]

Don't count on short lines for Boma and Jiko. We had ADR's and still had a huge line to check in! There are tons of people who come there from other hotels, as well. Have fun, though. It's a great place and the only thing you will probably see is the blackout screening around the 5th floor lobby walkways.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Does anyone have a number I can call about this? We are staying for our honeymoon in August and I really don't want to be bothered by all this construction.

 

[dcr]

Call and ask. If they tell you that you won't be bothered, you can believe that you won't be bothered. I almost got scared off because of the postings, but I was told by WDWT not to worry. They were right, the posters were wrong! We had a WONDERFUL time and only heard some faint sounds of work, during the day, and only for a minute or two.

 

[mcgypsy]

I made my 3rd call just a few minutes ago to Don in the Kilamanjaro Club Concierge. As the earlier poster said, club level rooms are not affected by the moves. He said that the main problem was standard rooms and bunk bed rooms, and that a lot of them were ones that had reserved by cast members at a discount and that they would definitely have to move.

He also said that some animals were being moved, but only because they needed to build new barns, so they were doing it while the other construction was going on so they wouldn't have to affect areas again later by doing it some other time.

New DVC members are scheduled to start arriving at AKL on Monday, and according to Don, there was never any discussion about closing the entire resort.

He told me to relax and pack, and that's exactly what I'm going to do!

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

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!!!

 

[mprewitt]

The site that originally posted the information has made a revision. They now add:

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World will be mostly closed to guests from July 9 until Sept 1, 2007.

It appears a few rooms will remain in use, but not many. I have been told that the following room types probably will NOT be affected: Pool View Bunkbeds, Suites (except Vice Presidential and Presidential) and Kilimanjaro Club rooms with Standard View. Guests staying in those room types may request a move, but the decision to move them will be handled on a case by case basis.

 

[SB in KY]

Just a minor correction to the above posting....they are not standard VIEW Kilimanjaro rooms...(no such thing exists)...they are the standard Kiliminjaro rooms (the room sleeps 4 not 5 people like the deluxe rooms...but the deluxe kilimijaro rooms have not been available to book for months). They all have a savannah view right now.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

I'm very confused. I have just called twice now and I only have a Standard room booked, will I be disturbed by the construction, AKL thinks I won't be but that quote seems to think I will be. I don't know what to do

 

[Kim1964]

I called Disney Dining today to specifically ask about whether Boma would be closed in mid- August, and the CM checked all the restaurant notes and checked with a supervisor and the answer he got is that Boma would remain open. I'm really looking forward to trying it, so I hope this stays true!

 

[wdw4pwe]

Boma is one reason we stay there. The unique cooking aromas are great when you pass through the lobby !!!!

 

[amycishere]

We are staying there in October..I'll be emailing Don. We are standard room club level so maybe if it still is closed we won't be affected. I REALLY want to stay there because I just love animals.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

WL doesn't look out at the MK and the castle. not sure where you got that idea from. While you can see some of the fireworks from some of the rooms, there are no rooms with a castle view.

Anne

I had a castle view room their last yr but it was concierge
there arent many of them their

 

[dismom3]

This is insane. I've called twice in a row to ask if our trip will be effected at all about construction. I said I didn't even know there was construction going on. Both times, they told me we will not be effected at all. They said everything is open and that I will not hear or see construction. Our dates are in August. I don't get it!! How can CRO tell me that when I'm reading all these posts about people getting moved. This is ridiculous. The one agent told me they were moved because the hotel was overbooked. I wish someone would post the phone number to call someone else directly about this!! Oh man, I hope I don't sound obnoxious. I don't mean to sound that way.

 

[TammiMcMan]

The one agent told me they were moved because the hotel was overbooked. I wish someone would post the phone number to call someone else directly about this!! Oh man, I hope I don't sound obnoxious. I don't mean to sound that way.

It's okay, everyone puts a lot of time into planning a Disney vacation and this seems like a major issue for those at the AKL. Unfortunately, the representatives with Disney travel vary greatly. Sounds like you reached someone who had very little knowledge and didn't bother to look up the resort on the computer. In that CM's defense, there have been a bunch of moves lately from the Pop to SSR due to overbooking. They probably just assumed the same for AKL.

As most posters have been transferred to this "special number", I'm guessing no one physically has it to pass along. I would suggest calling back and asking the CM to look up the information for you and transfer your call. I hope you have better luck.

 

[dismom3]

Thanks Tammi!!

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

This is insane. I've called twice in a row to ask if our trip will be effected at all about construction. I said I didn't even know there was construction going on. Both times, they told me we will not be effected at all. They said everything is open and that I will not hear or see construction. Our dates are in August. I don't get it!! How can CRO tell me that when I'm reading all these posts about people getting moved. This is ridiculous. The one agent told me they were moved because the hotel was overbooked. I wish someone would post the phone number to call someone else directly about this!! Oh man, I hope I don't sound obnoxious. I don't mean to sound that way.

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.

 

[kimszath]

For the record, though I agree that AKL is wonderful, I've also stayed at SSR many times now (have stayed at all except HHI and WL), and I do think that the rooms at SSR are much nicer (partly due to newness and size of rooms). Anybody who originally booked at AKL did so for the animals in my opinion, and possibly for the restaurants if your tastes run in that direction. But as resorts go, zoo animals aside, the rooms and other amenities at SSR are at least as nice as those at AKL. In my opinion, they're better. But yes, it's the AKL experience you're looking for. For anyone taking the SSR accommodations, you will NOT be disappointed. It's a lovely resort, and the steaks at the Turf Club are outstanding--be sure to eat at least one meal there. The kids will adore the ferry back and forth to Downtown Disney, and yes, the pool is really nice! SSR is also the resort where I get the most authentic "Welcome Homes." Nice caring staff. (Did I say "in my opinion" in there a couple of times? Why YES, I did! I think SSR is wonderful.) Enjoy your trip, wherever you end up!!!

 

[nasmith]

I just spoke to Don at AKL Concierge - and he told me that the rumors on the internet are just that (rumors!) - AKL will remain approx. 2/3 full.....They are moving some guests (and closing those rooms) who would otherwise be affected by construction...They really WANT you to have a great vacation and not worry about construction....

 

[DisneyBee]

I'm leaving in the morning for AKL, and spoke with the IPO today and was assured that my reservation would be fine. We're staying club level, and from what I gather they're not moving the club level guests. Good luck to everyone with reseverations - I hope it works out well for everyone!

 

[stalkingmickey]

I just spoke with my TA. She has already had to rebook some of her clients. I already sent her what I would be willing to change to.