Our next trip scheduled for 8/15/07 to 08/24/07, has been crazy to plan so far to say the least. We rented DVC points for a studio at the Beach Club Villas for the second half of our trip, 8/19 to 8/24 (5 nights). So far, and Ill be keeping my fingers crossed as I write this until we check in, that portion of the trip has been uneventful. Well not totally uneventful. The cost of renting made it very affordable and possible for us to stay there. The five nights in the studio for 3 adults was $682.50, $136.50 per night total, YEAH! What a great deal, pretty happy with the savings and would have been pretty happy with just that but hoped to get
free dining for Part 1 of the trip 8/15 to 8/19. I originally booked CSR on 1/21/07, this is one of our favorite moderate resorts, for 3 adults (additional $10.00 or $15.00 per day for the extra adult), 7 Day MYW Waterpark and More tickets and the MYW dining plan for $1999.71. I was a little down when I found out that this year free dining started later in August.
On 5/8/07, a friend on TGM contacted me via a PM & e-mail to tell me that someone on the DIS had provided a code for a decent discount. I called that morning to see if it could be applied to our CSR reservation but I couldnt do that. I could use it at POFQ, our other favorite moderate resort, savings us around $300.00. I could also upgrade to the BWI for a decent price but of course more money then my original reservation. I knew my daughter Eryn would just rather stay at CSR this trip so I decided against moving to POFQ even though I would have saved the money. The next morning I was still thinking about that discount code and decided that if it was only about $200.00 more total for the Poly or CR with the discount I would go for it. Nothing was available with that code at those two resorts. Just for the heck of it I asked about AKL. The discount could be used and I would save $27.00 from my original reservation at CSR for the 3 of us. I didnt bother to check in with my daughter, I took the deal!
A few days ago I was contacted again by my TGM Fairy Godmother Guardian Angel telling me that AKL was moving their guests to other resorts due to the construction. I called and was transferred directly to AKL. The CM said our reservation was OK an dif we had not received a call already we wouldnt have to move. YEAH again! Still I kept reading others accounts about being required to change resorts. I called back a second time on another day and was told there was no note on my reservation so no move was necessary. Still reading about the moves I called again last night and spoke to a CM who said the notes she had concerning AKL said that everyone was being moved and contacted in order of their check in date and room category. I explained that I was being proactive and she put me through to a special number at Guest Services knows as Outbound that was handling all the AKL moves. I left a message and was promptly called back. Another great CM pulled up my reservation and confirmed that we would have to be moved and also when asked confirmed that everyone was being moved. Now Im not sure if this is just for the same period of time that I had reservations or until September 1. The CM offered SSR (1 bedroom) at 120.00 per night which probably would have given me back a little refund making it a GREAT deal but one that we are not interested in having stayed at a DVC and knowing we were heading to a DVC for Part 2 of this trip. WL was the next offer and I said no that that one too. I know many love the WL, I love the lobby but really dislike the look of the rooms. She asked where we had never stayed and I said the CR and the Poly. She checked CR, Eryns first choice and said she could get us in for two nights then we would have to move. I dont mind moving once but twice in such a short trip would be a bit much. She then checked the Poly and said they had availability and we could make the change at no cost to us. I wanted to modify my reservation last night but for some crazy reason even though I made my own reservation as a TA the owner of the agency got listed as the TA on my reservation. Because of that I couldnt make the change. I spoke to the owner of my agency last night and she had an early appointment this morning so she told me to call back as her to me the modification myself. I called this morning, left a message again and a couple of hours later received a call back. We now are staying at the Poly, garden view for $27.00 less then what we originally booked at CSR back in January! I backed out the dining plan and the tickets from the package and we are paying $168.53 per night with tax for 3 adults at the Poly.
Even though we wanted to really, really, really stay at the AKL I am happy to be staying at the Poly, especially at that price. I feel like we have hit the DW lottery with this deal. What a trip, planning this trip has been.
If you are staying at AKL for the time period mentioned in this thread and you have not received the call you should call them and keep calling until you speak to the Outbound staff. If you want a 1 bedroom villa at $120.00 per night, they will probably offer that first at SSR. Its a really great deal and you will have so much room with the full kitchen and stackable laundry right in your room! I was told that they have taken over most of the 1 bedrooms there just for this purpose. I was also offered YC at no additional cost, another great deal, but since we are staying at the BCVs we wanted something a little different. Remember you can negotiate, just ask. I am almost positive that I could have gotten the GF if rooms were available in the category that I was eligible for, I just am not interested in staying there. Be persistent and you should get a
AKL is temporarily experiencing a set back, they are not turning the entire resort into a time share and you certainly don't have to become a DVC member to enjoy the magic.
Our car was stolen a week later.
How can one live north of Detroit and never even know someone who had their car stolen and then have it stolen in Iowa??
Sorry, I just thought was neat!! 
