Animal Kingdom Lodge Partial closer till Sept. 1

[MUDisneyCouple]

We just got back from the AKL. Our stay was 6/26 to 7/3. I was concerned about the construction before we departed for the trip and we actually called disney and tried to switch resorts. They weren't offering us a switch, so we stayed with AKL.

I'm so glad we did. Yes, our balcony had full view of the villas construction in the backround of the savannah. In the early AM, there was tractor noise and beeping heard when sitting on the balcony. But aside from that, it was hardly noticed. They didn't work on the weekends, and they packed up at 4:30 or 5 pm on weekdays.

I was concerned that the animals would be scared off by the noise, but we saw loads of animals from our room.

My advice is if Disney says that you will be OK (like they told us), then you will have an AWESOME time at the AKL. I think it was a lot less crowded too.

I'm glad everything worked out for your vacation! Thanks for the updates about the views and such!

 

[BCV23]

Mary Lou, that is great to hear.

What trail were you on and which savanna did you face? Thanks.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Okay, I have an update, but I'm not too happy about it. After about the 7th phone call to my TA, she finally got through to our tour operator and they had spoken to Disney. Disney confirmed that there will be construction in the lodge up until Jan 09 So because of this my Tour Operator is willing ot move me once the paperwork comes through from Disney (should be next week)
However they have only offered me WL. Now I know I only booked a Standard View, but as it was our wedding I was hoping either we get some extra pixie dust and got an upgrade to Savannah, or I was going to pay for the upgrade as a surprise to my DF as he loved the idea of seeing animals from our balcony. I was going to do this when we got there so he wouldn't know in advance. Plus animals are all around at AKL, we would have just had to walk outside and we would see them. So I don't feel WL is an even trade, there are no animals there and one thing DF doesn't like are the restaurants at WL. He would never set foot in Whispering Canyon Cafe and doesn't much like the look of Artist Point. At AKL, we planned on going to Boma (twice) Jiko (twice) and The Mara (5 breakfasts) I don't think it's fair that I don't get a choice in my accommodation. After all we chose AKL for a reason, if I wanted WL I would have chose that.
It doesn't help that when I called Disney they were willing, for no extra charge to move me to any resort I wanted, providing they had availability, yet my tour operator is refusing to do this. Do the tour operators lose money doing this? I would have thought it was only Disney losing money? Also hearing all about people getting upgraded to The Poly/GF when they have also booked standard rooms, makes me feel unequal.
I have paid so much money for this disney wedding and honeymoon and over $9000 to my TA for flights, accommodations, disney dining and tickets alone, surely they can do better than this?
Don't get me wrong staying anywhere in Disney is great, but this is my wedding and I wanted it to be extra special for my DF and I.

 

[Dis Ohana]

Summer-Caitlin: I feel so bad for you. I've been following this thread, and I really was hoping that you and the other honeymooner would get some extra special pixie dust. Your honeymoon is a once in a lifetime thing, and I know you want everything to be perfect. I would be a lunatic if I were you.

I wonder if you should try to cancel the rooms with your TA if they are unwilling to help you and rebook with Disney. If the rooms are available I don't get why they wouldn't allow you to move. Maybe in this situation the people that booked through Disney actually might have a little more leverage than those going through a TA .

I reallly hope you can work this out and try to get something at the Poly or GF. If not, I hope you enjoy the WL - the pictures sure do look nice. I'm like you, none of the restaurants there appeal to me, but you can always book a few ADR's at the Poly and GF. From what I understand it's a pretty easy trip over and back.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Summer-Caitlin: I feel so bad for you. I've been following this thread, and I really was hoping that you and the other honeymooner would get some extra special pixie dust. Your honeymoon is a once in a lifetime thing, and I know you want everything to be perfect. I would be a lunatic if I were you.

I wonder if you should try to cancel the rooms with your TA if they are unwilling to help you and rebook with Disney. If the rooms are available I don't get why they wouldn't allow you to move. Maybe in this situation the people that booked through Disney actually might have a little more leverage than those going through a TA .

I reallly hope you can work this out and try to get something at the Poly or GF. If not, I hope you enjoy the WL - the pictures sure do look nice. I'm like you, none of the restaurants there appeal to me, but you can always book a few ADR's at the Poly and GF. From what I understand it's a pretty easy trip over and back.

Unforunately I can't really cancel the rooms with my TA. I got free Disney dining when I booked plus as we are only 6 weeks out I would have to pay $600 to cancel them. Rebooking with Disney now would cost us so much more I have all my reservations booked and I have several at Kona, one at V&A, Citricos, 'Ohanas. So they would be perfect resorts if I got them. I have decided if I am only going to get WL, then I will not move. I have been researching it and frankly it just doesn't appeal that much, with the restaurants and many people complaining of transport issues. It's a beautiful hotel, but it's not AKL, my DF and I are animal fanatics, visit zoos everywhere, this was the whole appeal of AKL. I'd rather stay than move to WL but I won't be as happy as I should have been.

 

[ToyStory]

Unforunately I can't really cancel the rooms with my TA. I got free Disney dining when I booked plus as we are only 6 weeks out I would have to pay $600 to cancel them. Rebooking with Disney now would cost us so much more I have all my reservations booked and I have several at Kona, one at V&A, Citricos, 'Ohanas. So they would be perfect resorts if I got them. I have decided if I am only going to get WL, then I will not move. I have been researching it and frankly it just doesn't appeal that much, with the restaurants and many people complaining of transport issues. It's a beautiful hotel, but it's not AKL, my DF and I are animal fanatics, visit zoos everywhere, this was the whole appeal of AKL. I'd rather stay than move to WL but I won't be as happy as I should have been.

I have another suggestion. Since you are staying at other resorts prior to your stay at AKL why don't you check the resort out early in your stay. If you see there is going to be a problem, I would go to the front desk and explain to them that you are there on your honeymoom and if it is possible to change resorts. You might get an upgrade. I would have a list of resorts that you were able to see online that were available.

I would stay at AKL instead of going to a resort that you won't be happy staying there. AKL might work out for you.

Good luck.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Yeah I may just have to do that. If my TA doesn't want to budge then I am jsut going to stay put, there is no point starting off my honeymoon on a bad foot, and that's exactly what I would be doing by accepting their switch. I feel terrible saying I don't want to go to The WL, as I know it has die hard fans, but it's not what I wanted so I'm already down on it. I will be able to check out AKL before we go as we have Jiko booked 5 nights in. I guess I can wait and see.

 

[SharonLowe]

Yeah I may just have to do that. If my TA doesn't want to budge then I am jsut going to stay put, there is no point starting off my honeymoon on a bad foot, and that's exactly what I would be doing by accepting their switch. I feel terrible saying I don't want to go to The WL, as I know it has die hard fans, but it's not what I wanted so I'm already down on it. I will be able to check out AKL before we go as we have Jiko booked 5 nights in. I guess I can wait and see.

I would wait and see rather than switch to WL - we didn't like WL at all (although Artist Pointe was very good). If you are unhappy when you arrive, WDW will take care of you.

 

[kutchyone]

Don't swith to WL, it sounds like that move would not make you happy as it wouldn't me either. Your TA will not lose any money if you are upgraded. From what I have heard they were offering reduced rates at SSR and they were giving refunds, the TA would lose money on that. We had standard view AKL and were given the choice of most of the DVC 1 bedroom villas plus WL, YC, GF and Poly. We decided on the Poly because we are doing a split stay and staying at the BCV's. Your TA should be working very hard on your behalf to get the location that would be to your liking. It would help if you could give her your first, second and third choice. Oh, we could have had CR but only for two days so it wouldn't have worked out very well.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

I have just called my TA and told them I am not happy to switch to WL. I have given them The GF and The Poly as my choices and these are really the only 2 I am interested in swapping to. I can't decide which one I like better but I would happily settle for any
He told me he will call my tour operator and explain that I was offered both when I called Disney myself, and that WL is not acceptable. I can only wait again!

 

[dclfun]

Summer-Caitlin- I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon. I had mine at the Contemporary in the late 70's when the whole "world" was just MK, the Contemporary, Poly, and Ft. Wilderness. I still remember every detail of that experience including each dinner we went to and what attractions were our favorites. Since then we had four children ( now grown) and I'm awaiting a first grandchild. I can honestly say our honeymoon was our most magical trip despite many other WDW vacations taken afterwards and thus was the most important to me. Since your memories will live forever, I know how important it is for you to have things right. I too would stick with the AKL. The part of the resort that's still open would still provide you with the experience you were looking for, at least according to reports from those who have recently returned. If not, I hope your tour operator can work some magic, or at the resort itself if you aren't satisfied, that you can be moved. Meanwhile it's a shame to have to be so stressed during a time that's already stressful.---Kathy

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Thank you so much for your kind words, I wish my TA was as understanding. I am an obsessive planner, and I had planned this to perfection. Now while I know not everything goes to plan, this can as I have 6 weeks left so it can be changed, they are just being awkward. I have dreamed of staying on Disney property for years and I poured over info on all the resorts. My top 3 were Poly, AKL and GF, in that order, but I couldn't afford the Poly so went with AKL. So if I am to move it would be to The Poly or GF. As you said I will remember this forever and I don't want to look back with regrets.

 

[Joan1]

Thank you so much for your kind words, I wish my TA was as understanding. I am an obsessive planner, and I had planned this to perfection. Now while I know not everything goes to plan, this can as I have 6 weeks left so it can be changed, they are just being awkward. I have dreamed of staying on Disney property for years and I poured over info on all the resorts. My top 3 were Poly, AKL and GF, in that order, but I couldn't afford the Poly so went with AKL. So if I am to move it would be to The Poly or GF. As you said I will remember this forever and I don't want to look back with regrets.

From what you have written it doesn't seem like it is your TA's fault. The vacation was booked through a tour operator and your Ta's hands are tied as they can't call Disney directly to make any changes all changes have to go through the tour operator. Your TA should be making those calls based on your comments / wants / needs and it looks like that is being done but again it all has to go through the tour operator.

Next time when using a TA make sure the reservation is booked directly through Disney so that you won't have these issues

 

[jhryb]

Hello Summer-Caitlin- I have been waiting to hear the outcome of your situation. I can't understand why they have been giving you a hard time. I believe that the AKL is relocating all guests in standard view rooms. Worst case (I would think?) is that they will have to upgrade you at the Animal Kingdom into an area where they are taking guests. I would hang tight because even if your tour operator will not get you moved to the Poly or the GF now, eventually they will be contacted by Disney and they will be told that you must move. Obviously at that point they can not expect to move you somewhere that you do not want to go (unless they give you a huge financial return)
Good Luck and keep us posted!

 

[grannyminnie]

I'm following this thread too, in hopes you'll be rewarded for all this stress before your "big day"! Maybe you'll be upgraded to the Poly!
We're all pulling for you. Continue to keep us posted.
P.S...the WL is great, but if it's not what you like, then you should not stay there and ruin your special time!

 

[jhryb]

Summer-Caitlin- I have one other suggestion - Anticipate that you may get the move that you are looking for (i.e. to the Poly of the GF) and start making additional Dining reservations that better suit these areas (i.e. you do not want to be going to Boma and Jiko twice). They will allow you to have more than one reservation on the same night. Once you know where you are staying, you can call and cancel the other reservations.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

I know that when it comes down to it, it is not my TA's fault in regards to switching me. However they have not been returning my calls, nor putting in my requests. If it were me, as the TA, I would not give this type of customer service. I would have researched what my client said so as to not seem so incompetent when calling the tour operator, i.e the tour operator said there was no constrcution at AKL at all, this is obviously not the case, and my TA took their word on it. My TA seems oblivious to how much stress this is causing me.
jhryb - I am already looking at my ADR's to see about doing just that.

 

[kutchyone]

If the GF is on your wish list you may want to consider YC too! Great location and the pool is the best on property, the resort isn't to shabby either. I would also recommend BWI, very romantic in the evening, I could see many happy couples enjoying their honeymoons at the BWI. The lights at night reflecting off the water as you stroll along the boardwalk. Great dining options at the resorts in walking distance too. Flying Fish, Spoodles, Yachtsman and well all the others. Go peak at the two I mentioned and if they look like something you would be interested in call the TA back and add them to your short list too.

 

[cocowum]

I'm following this thread too, I hope you get this resolved.


My original ressie was 8/21-8/26 std@AKL. I was moved to BC water view.


I agree with you your TA should be giving you better service!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. I hope you get upgraded to the Poly or GF.

 

[cocowum]

If the GF is on your wish list you may want to consider YC too! Great location and the pool is the best on property, the resort isn't to shabby either. I would also recommend BWI, very romantic in the evening, I could see many happy couples enjoying their honeymoons at the BWI. The lights at night reflecting off the water as you stroll along the boardwalk. Great dining options at the resorts in walking distance too. Flying Fish, Spoodles, Yachtsman and well all the others. Go peak at the two I mentioned and if they look like something you would be interested in call the TA back and add them to your short list too.

I think Summer-Caitlin's dates are the same as mine. When making my changes the GS CM that was helping me said the YC was pretty full due to a convention??? The YC was my first choice.