Animal Kingdom Lodge SHUTDOWN!

[Cricketmint]

I've seen it confirmed many times and I spoke to the concierge people at AKL a couple days ago, and the hotel will continue to have guests. Only some are being moved.

As far as the disappointment I agree with you completely. It's very frustrating. How long before your stay were you notified? Happy they found a nice resort for you though.

I was called by a CM today, I was booked at AKL from August 17-25th. She gave me a bunch of resort options to choose from. SSR, BCR,YC, BWI. I asked if we could just stay at AKL, we wouldn't mind the construction. (we've been at BWI when they were building the villas there a few years ago, the construction didn't bother us at all.)

She said unfortunately everyone staying at the lodge from July 20th until Sept 1 will be moved to other various location. They aren't letting anyone stay at AKL now. I was really upset when she told me this because I have read other PP that have opted to stay and they've let them. But she said those guest will be called back and given the options as well. She went on to tell me that we would be receiving a partial refund,and disount on the new room to help makeup for any losses. and a few other "perks" upon checking in for the inconvenience of switch resorts. ( I m wonder what the perks are???? )

She was very apologetic, and very accommodating to our needs. She assured me that WDC was concerned for guest satisfaction and they wanted everyone taken care of. She also Mentioned that they were doing this also because of the animals, she told us a good amount of them were going to be moved either off site to a different location, or to the park.

( she was wonderful help and even gave me the extention of the office to reach back at for this particular situation for AKL guest relations If anyone booked at AKL would like it, PM for the # and ext #)

Im just hoping for a magical vacation, at this point I dont care where we stay as long as we have a good time, and I know that WDC will take good care of us. As far as im concerned they met, even exceeded my expectations in meeting any "demands" we were making. They really want to make up for this I think. They didnt really anticipate all this to happen and are trying to make it better before t gets worse.

 

[Phu Phu]

Nope, it's not being shut down. Many rooms/area's are closed off due to construction, but lots are still open. It sounds like the construction is moving a bit quicker, hense, the "quicker" closing of some rooms. They are offering many people a relocation. I am staying mid-August and have not been offered a move. I think since I'm staying Concierge, we're the last ones they would move. (Because of the special Safari's and the fewer # of comprable Concierge rooms available at other resorts.)

If you really want AKL, you can say "no thanks". I haven't heard of anyone being forced to move.

Well, from finding this out I guess I could say "no thanks", but is it worth it if the animals are not that prevalent (sp?) and not around much being kept in the barn, if that's even true. We payed for an upper level room and requested Uzima. If the animals are still in the other sections, I'd be willing to change but they might not tell me so.

 

[amelia1]

manager that only part of the resort would be closed and that the animals are behaving normally and they would not be moved. That was a rumor going around as well, that the animals would be moved off property. It's hard to know what is true and what is rumor. Seems like so many people are told different things. That's the frustrating part. Why don't all CM's have the same info!!

Well if that's the case, they're telling my travel agent something different to make it sound drastic so I'll move. We have 12 days before we leave, but 15 days before we stay there.

 

[mika911]

manager that only part of the resort would be closed and that the animals are behaving normally and they would not be moved. That was a rumor going around as well, that the animals would be moved off property. It's hard to know what is true and what is rumor. Seems like so many people are told different things. That's the frustrating part. Why don't all CM's have the same info!!

I emailed the concierge at AKL again today. He said AKL will "not" close all rooms. Only some rooms are being closed off, and that the resort will be completely open (besides some rooms) throughout this supposedly "closed," period. I'm sure an employee right at the AKL like that would know, if the rooms were going to be all gone for a month.

If I changed my reservation cause they claimed the entire resort was closing and I found out it wasn't, I sure would be annoyed.

 

[KellyErinWDW]

AKL is NOT shutdown!

Its true that a good percentage of the rooms are down for construction, but that is because 2 of the construction phases were elected to start at the same time, instead of staggering them like originally planned. During the first phase they lost so much revenue due to construction inconvenience that they decided it would be comparable to just closing out more rooms and starting more construction.

AKL is currently NOT taking any more reservations for the summer, but that does not mean everyone with current reservations will be moved.

However, the unfortunate truth is that there will be times this summer when they have to move people (though not everybody!). Since reservations were booked up until about a month and a half ago, and the decision to move along with the construction is fairly recent, reservations were booked under the assumptions that construction would go along as planned. What that means is that now the construction is moving along and more rooms are off the market, they do not have rooms for everyone who is booked.

Some reservations (due to things such as the category booked, party size and length of stay) will be contacted prior to arrival and given the opportunity to move. However this doesn't eliminate the problem and some guests will be given the opportunity to move again (or for the first time) at check in. However, CMs at DAKL are trying to make it appealing as possible to move to another resort.

If you ARE asked to move, definitely consider that while no other hotel has animals, no other hotel is under the same amount of construction. Construction is exterior and interior which means if you don't here it, you'll probably see it (and vice versa).

Good luck everyone with reservations at DAKL this summer!

 

[kutchyone]

My suggestion to those who don't mind leaving their AKL reservations behind and who are really interested in a great upgrade to a higher end deluxe resort is to be proactive. Don't wait for them to contact you, contact them! Glad I did.

 

[mika911]

My suggestion to those who don't mind leaving their AKL reservations behind and who are really interested in a great upgrade to a higher end deluxe resort is to be proactive. Don't wait for them to contact you, contact them! Glad I did.

I'd encourage that too, if only because I have waited hoping they never contact me, and now Boardwalk is the only deluxe resort available, so if they ever do call me, I won't have much choice, and I'll probably be at SSR, which after researching I'm not so much against.

It's just that nothing will be like the AKL for me.

 

[raterfly]

AKL is NOT shutdown!

Its true that a good percentage of the rooms are down for construction, but that is because 2 of the construction phases were elected to start at the same time, instead of staggering them like originally planned. During the first phase they lost so much revenue due to construction inconvenience that they decided it would be comparable to just closing out more rooms and starting more construction.

AKL is currently NOT taking any more reservations for the summer, but that does not mean everyone with current reservations will be moved.

However, the unfortunate truth is that there will be times this summer when they have to move people (though not everybody!). Since reservations were booked up until about a month and a half ago, and the decision to move along with the construction is fairly recent, reservations were booked under the assumptions that construction would go along as planned. What that means is that now the construction is moving along and more rooms are off the market, they do not have rooms for everyone who is booked.

Some reservations (due to things such as the category booked, party size and length of stay) will be contacted prior to arrival and given the opportunity to move. However this doesn't eliminate the problem and some guests will be given the opportunity to move again (or for the first time) at check in. However, CMs at DAKL are trying to make it appealing as possible to move to another resort.

If you ARE asked to move, definitely consider that while no other hotel has animals, no other hotel is under the same amount of construction. Construction is exterior and interior which means if you don't here it, you'll probably see it (and vice versa).

Good luck everyone with reservations at DAKL this summer!

KellyErinWDW, I have sen you have posted what looks like reliable info on this and another thread. Can you tell me where you get your information from please? Not that I don't belive you it would just be nice to get the difinative answer on this from somone who knows the facts.

 

[mika911]

I called again today to try to discuss my reservation, and the guy simply said I'm still booked, so it should not be a problem.

I have backup reservations now, so I'm going to try not to worry too much anymore cause it's ruining my summer.

 

[kutchyone]

I'd encourage that too, if only because I have waited hoping they never contact me, and now Boardwalk is the only deluxe resort available, so if they ever do call me, I won't have much choice, and I'll probably be at SSR, which after researching I'm not so much against.

It's just that nothing will be like the AKL for me.

Sorry to hear that but teh BWI is very nice and the location is great too. I opted not to go with that one or the YC because we are staying at the BC also and I wanted something a little different.

AKL looks so pretty, lobby and pool area, the rooms are OK looking too. One day I hope to get the opportunity to stay there but for now I'm getting really excited about staying at the Poly and not having to break the bank to do so which makes is so much nicer.

 

[Fast Pass]

I called today and inquired once more about September reservations.

Currently 50% of the rooms are vacant due to construction on the right hand of the lodge. In August and into September the left side will be worked on-requiring a continued 50% of the lodge being shut down.
People in September will start being contacted on August 15th.

When I heard this, I was like Wow! When I called before they said that September people would not be moved. I am starting to stress out about all this stuff!

The lady also asked if I would consider moving and to start thinking about where I want to stay!

I am slow to get upset but the more I read on the boards and the more I talk to Disney the more irritated I become!

 

[kelscross]

Will your 5 year old like the Poly?? Hmm...when we were deciding where to stay this trip I wanted to try somewhere different and my 5 year old announced that if she didn't get to stay at Lilo's house then she wasn't going! So...there you go from one 5 year old to another...she loves the Poly!

 

[mika911]

I called today and inquired once more about September reservations.

Currently 50% of the rooms are vacant due to construction on the right hand of the lodge. In August and into September the left side will be worked on-requiring a continued 50% of the lodge being shut down.
People in September will start being contacted on August 15th.

When I heard this, I was like Wow! When I called before they said that September people would not be moved. I am starting to stress out about all this stuff!

The lady also asked if I would consider moving and to start thinking about where I want to stay!

I am slow to get upset but the more I read on the boards and the more I talk to Disney the more irritated I become!

Did you call the regular number or ask for an extension? I called the regular number today without asking for extension cause I thought they might be out on weekends, and they guy didn't want to do anything just said I'm all booked, and nothing has changed. August stay.

 

[Fast Pass]

I called the regular number. I hesitate to use the extension number because I feel like they have enough headache with the July/August people and I didn't want to add to their stress.

I feel like a pain in the butt everytime I call Disney. I would stop if I could even get two CM's to agree on anything.
I want to stay at AKL but I don't need construction stuff all around me and a beautiful view of dirt just doesn't appeal to me.

I know I am being persnickerty but this is the last time I will go to Disney for a very long time and I want my final time to be close to perfect as possible.

Does anyone out there have a lie detector that I could use to tell if a CM is full of Mickey poop or not?

 

[LWcalif]

bump

 

[simonkodousek]

I would pick the Poly. As much as we liked the WL, the rooms were too small and dark, and the transportation was a joke.

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

I was one of the people with mid-August AKL reservations. I called proactively last Friday and asked whether I would be moved. The CM wasn't clear on whether every single person HAD to be moved or whether they were just advising us to move to avoid the construction.

I'm still very disappointed that we won't be at AKL, because I was really looking forward to the themeing, but I figure that it wouldn't be the same staying there if the savannahs are all messed up by the construction. The lady was very nice and offered a "downsell" (SSR for 107.50 per night) or a move to an equivalent or higher-priced resort for the same money I was already paying (rack rate of $230).

 

[mika911]

I was one of the people with mid-August AKL reservations. I called proactively last Friday and asked whether I would be moved. The CM wasn't clear on whether every single person HAD to be moved or whether they were just advising us to move to avoid the construction.

I'm still very disappointed that we won't be at AKL, because I was really looking forward to the themeing, but I figure that it wouldn't be the same staying there if the savannahs are all messed up by the construction. The lady was very nice and offered a "downsell" (SSR for 107.50 per night) or a move to an equivalent or higher-priced resort for the same money I was already paying (rack rate of $230).

Try not to be too disappointed. Was the $107 at the SSR for 1 bedroom?

I called today for my mid August and they did nothing. I think I got a bad rep. I don't know. Did they transfer you to another department?

You'll have a magical vacation still I'm sure.

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

Try not to be too disappointed. Was the $107 at the SSR for 1 bedroom?

I called today for my mid August and they did nothing. I think I got a bad rep. I don't know. Did they transfer you to another department?

You'll have a magical vacation still I'm sure.

Yes, the $107 was for a 1-bedroom villa (not a studio). I know it was a fantastic deal, but this is our honeymoon and we are not looking to save money at the expense of magic. I just thought it wasn't close enough to the parks and didn't have much theming. (Clearly I'm still trying to justify to myself that we didn't take the SSR deal )

Anyway, when I called CRO they did seem pretty clueless, but I asked for extension 258 per another DISer. I think it was for Guest Relations. Anyway, nobody was answering so I left my name and number and they called me back later in the day to give me the scoop.

Thanks for the well-wishes! Best of luck to you as well

 

[lucas]

We are staying at another resort August 17 but wanted to go to Boma for breakfast, check out the lobby, gift shop and animals. Is this a bad idea?? This is the 1st I am hearing of the construction issues.