Animal Kingdom News

[themilesfamily]

I just spoke to Carly at the AKL front desk (well, she SAID she was at the front desk). If the Sunset Savanna is CURRENTLY closed and devoid of animals, it's news to them.

Oh goodness, that gave me a chuckle.

 

[pilferk]

Edit: I missed the word "concierge". I'm NOT sure if all concierge hotel rooms are Arusha view. The few times I have stayed as concierge hotel guest, I have gotten Arusha. But as I recall, they didn't guarantee savanna view, either. Could have been concierge pool view.

Here's the history:

Originally, Hotel Concierge was the 6th, and part of the 5th, floor inventory.

When DVC took over, they were moved to the 4th floor. MOST of the rooms were savanna view (I'm pretty sure all Arusha), a few were smoking rooms and overlooked the pool.

When the new smoking policy was put into effect, the pool view concierge rooms, formerly smoking, were put back into "regular" inventory, and a like number of savannah view rooms were given over to concierge inventory. Thus, after the move, and after the change in smoking policy, ALL hotel concierge rooms are savanna view.

I'm 80% to 90% sure that they are ALL Arusha Savanna rooms, close to the lobby, on the 4th floor. But I'm not 100% sure.

 

[pilferk]

I already had edited before you posted this.

I brought up the quote function, so I must have hit the button JUST before you posted the edit....else the edit would have shown up in the quote.

In any event, I responded to your edit...which I noticed AFTER I posted.

 

[pilferk]

I have been on the Phone with DVC all morning they are working on this I am merly reporting what I am getting told so bear with me.

Yup, I know. But I figured it might make sense to talk to those "on the ground", too.

While I know the DVC folks have the skinny, from their email this AM, this effects the WHOLE resort, not just DVC.

 

[wildernessDad]

Actually, I believe that the animals on the sunset savanna belong to a different union than the animals on the other savannas. I have heard that the sunset savanna animals have gone on strike over extreme 'working conditions.' They are asking for ear protection from the noise emanating from the Kidani area construction.

 

[Inkmahm]

I emailed AKV concierge this morning as soon as I saw the other thread. Just got a response from Steve:

"I bring you good news! We have been getting a lot of e-mails and phone
calls about that particular piece of DVC news and I am here to assure
you that I have spoken with our Animal Programs Cast Members and they
have confirmed for me that the animals on the Sunset Savanna are not
going anywhere for the time being. We are thinking that what DVC is
talking about is the NEW savanna that will be visible from the Kidani
Village. Hopefully, we can find out who we need to contact to get the
right information on the DVC website soon."

Quoting myself as this got lost inbetween the posts about which savanna the concierge rooms face.

 

[DBorges]

Lisa do you have the pic map of animal kingdom???

Dave

 

[pilferk]

Lisa do you have the pic map of animal kingdom???

Dave

I'm not lisa, but I have a reasonable fascimile thereof:

 

[thepops]

This is an outrage! Everyone should immediately cancel their reservations for December 7th to 12th in a studio or 1 bedroom in protest!

Those in conceriage from Oct 31st -Nov 4th as well.

 

[pilferk]

Quoting myself as this got lost inbetween the posts about which savanna the concierge rooms face.

I think EVERYONE is confused on this one.

IMHO, the email that went out to MS and the guides is the "correct" data, with the Jan 15th 2009 - April 15th, 2009 dates.

DVC members are getting the heads up first because WE can book into 2009, as we're in the 11 month window.

The hotel staff, maybe, and CRO hasn't been giving "current data" because CRO can't book 2009 rooms yet as they don't have room rates out for those dates. While they might be able to "placeholder" book, if I remember right, the final booking can't be done until those rates come out. So they have some time to play with final resort availabililty. Not so with DVC members.

But we'll see....

This is like watching a good TV drama.

 

[DBorges]

I'm not lisa, but I have a reasonable fascimile thereof:

What savvanna is sunset??

Dave

 

[pilferk]

What savvanna is sunset??

Dave

The one between the two buildings...on the left side of the existing lodge.

 

[jdg345]

My wife just talked to Member Services and Marty, the MS rep my wife talked to, said the email THEY received this morning said the savanna would ONLY be closed from Jan 15th, 2009 through April 15th of 2009, NOT immediately. The closing was to be in preparation for the opening of Kidani.

I'm not sure that info is accurate or not, but it's what Marty insisted the email she got today said. She actually ASKED my wife to have me post this on the boards, so I'm obliging.

This makes more sense and goes more along with what spiceycat mentioned where the introduction of new animals might cause a bit of territorialness ...

 

[Inkmahm]

I think EVERYONE is confused on this one.

IMHO, the email that went out to MS and the guides is the "correct" data, with the Jan 15th 2009 - April 15th, 2009 dates.

DVC members are getting the heads up first because WE can book into 2009, as we're in the 11 month window.

The hotel staff, maybe, and CRO hasn't been giving "current data" because CRO can't book 2009 rooms yet as they don't have room rates out for those dates. While they might be able to "placeholder" book, if I remember right, the final booking can't be done until those rates come out. So they have some time to play with final resort availabililty. Not so with DVC members.

But we'll see....

This is like watching a good TV drama.

Except the blurb on the news section of dvcmember.com last night didn't give the January 15, 2009 date, only the April 15th, 2009 date. That made it sound like the animals were gone NOW.

It is typical DVC poor communication.

 

[DBorges]

I think EVERYONE is confused on this one.

IMHO, the email that went out to MS and the guides is the "correct" data, with the Jan 15th 2009 - April 15th, 2009 dates.

DVC members are getting the heads up first because WE can book into 2009, as we're in the 11 month window.

The hotel staff, maybe, and CRO hasn't been giving "current data" because CRO can't book 2009 rooms yet as they don't have room rates out for those dates. While they might be able to "placeholder" book, if I remember right, the final booking can't be done until those rates come out. So they have some time to play with final resort availabililty. Not so with DVC members.

But we'll see....

This is like watching a good TV drama.

The data that was on dvc site did not say that nor did dvc at first till they read there in house emails and then the web site..

I have been dealing with this all morning I will get the answers that is for sure.

I do have confimation that they have been using the new barn ..

 

[DVC Jen]

My wife just talked to Member Services and Marty, the MS rep my wife talked to, said the email THEY received this morning said the savanna would ONLY be closed from Jan 15th, 2009 through April 15th of 2009, NOT immediately. The closing was to be in preparation for the opening of Kidani.

I'm not sure that info is accurate or not, but it's what Marty insisted the email she got today said. She actually ASKED my wife to have me post this on the boards, so I'm obliging.

I just called member services as well prepared to move to our home resort VWL. Knowing that I had booked at the 7th month window and the rooms would be rightfully going to AKV owners - and NOT wanting to stare at an empty savannah - I was prepared to move. Disappointed yes - angry - no life is too short.

MS confirmed what you said (wish I had seen it before I called ) and the animals won't be moved until Jan. of 2009.

So for those of us with ressies between now and then - WHEW - for those of you this affects - that stinks - sorry. At least you have a big heads up and can make other arrangements.

 

[KevGuy]

Wow, I guess they have to do what is best for the animals, but communication should have been better to DVC members and perhaps sooner I'm sure they could see this coming. Maybe they will give you folks with savannah view reservations back a few points or something.

 

[jdg345]

The post on DVC member site says closed untill April 15 2009 effective now till then

I am waiting for a return call from a dvc suprviser to confirm the time frames and dates.

Here is the link http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/member...bersLanding?id=DVCNewsArticle_SavannaViewPage

Under member news, the article link is gone ... I can't seem to click on it. If I use your link, it takes me to what is essentially an 'Article not found' message. Perhaps they realized the error and are updating it?

 

[jdg345]

Just checked the DVCmember site and the link to this news story has been removed. The text ("Animal Acclimation Affects New Sunset") is still there but the hyperlink has been removed. I assume they are updating the story.

From viewing the source for that page, they attempted to comment out the text as well but they put the comment characters in the wrong place.

Yup, which is likely why we see the -->

 

[Inkmahm]

Under member news, the article link is gone ... I can't seem to click on it. If I use your link, it takes me to what is essentially an 'Article not found' message. Perhaps they realized the error and are updating it?

Yes! As Concierge said, they are trying to fix the incorrect info that was posted at DVC website.

One more time, we HAVE the answer from AKV:

"I bring you good news! We have been getting a lot of e-mails and phone
calls about that particular piece of DVC news and I am here to assure
you that I have spoken with our Animal Programs Cast Members and they
have confirmed for me that the animals on the Sunset Savanna are not
going anywhere for the time being. We are thinking that what DVC is
talking about is the NEW savanna that will be visible from the Kidani
Village. Hopefully, we can find out who we need to contact to get the
right information on the DVC website soon."