Anyone uneasy about going to AKV since

[Simba's Mom]

the whole unpleasant situation involving moving DVC members from concierge at the last minute? I was on the waitlist there for my trip in October, and this morning I called and cancelled my waitlist (I'm at VWL already). I just don't feel altogether comfortable about going to AKV in October. I did notice when I was there in May that several guests and a couple CMs made comments that I got an unfriendly vibe about regarding DVC. One guest was downright negative aobut "those DVC people" (not knowing she was talking to one). At the time, it didn't concern me, but since I think the AKL management is partially responsible for the concierge situration with DVC, I just feel better not going there in October. Besides, I'll be at VWL-no great loss!

 

[missy2217]

What happened at AKV, I must have missed something?

 

[CraftyMouse]

Nope. I'd still stay there with no hesitation. I think the recent "unpleasantness" was an isolated incident.

 

[tjkraz]

I doubt front-line management at AKL/AKV had any role in the Concierge issue. It had to do with exterior painting on the building and, AFAIK, those tasks are centrally managed for all of WDW.

There have been other threads about lackluster service at the resort (ambivalent, confused CMs, etc.) Some may find that a little more troubling. But I suspect a fair poll would reveal many more satisfied guests than dissatisfied.

If staying at VWL makes you more comfortable, go with it.

 

[toocherie]

One guest was downright negative aobut "those DVC people" (not knowing she was talking to one). At the time, it didn't concern me, but since I think the AKL management is partially responsible for the concierge situration with DVC, I just feel better not going there in October. Besides, I'll be at VWL-no great loss!

Just curious--what was the guest upset about?

 

[disneynutz]

I still don't see the urgency in staying at AKV. We go on vacation to enjoy Disney, not to be inconvenienced with construction and empty animal viewing areas.

I say wait a year or so, time passes quickly. Stay at another favorite resort in the mean time. After the dust settles and the rush is over, stay at AKV's. There should be plenty of rooms to pick from.

 

[Sammie]

Disney does a huge dis-service to its CMs and its DVC members and other guests by putting DVC into existing hotels.

They don't prepare the staff for the differences, nor do they adjust the infrastructure of the resort to handle this new type of guest.

It is one thing to have them coexist from the beginning as they did with BW Inn and BW Villas.

As to the management at AKL having anything to do with or being able to prevent the concierge situation is completely wrong.

All renovations, construction and such is handle by a department completely seperate from the hotel management. Many times they find about this no sooner than the hotel guest. And believe me anyone working there, if it could be avoided; they would be the first to want to do it, as they have to deal with the fall out.

It is understandably upsetting, but please do not blame someone that had no control over it.

 

[DebbieB]

I stayed at AKV Concierge at the end of June. I didn't get any negative DVC vibes. The conceirge desk went out of their way to make my friend's birthday stay special.

I really don't understand why they renovated some rooms in Jambo when they were building a huge separate building. Especially because the 1 bedroom layout in Jambo really isn't up to DVC standards. The bathroom layout is like a regular hotel - no separate jacuzzi tub, no glass walk-in shower (it was actually hard to get into the shower with the jacuzzi tub). The bedroom closet was a small standing closet, not the large closets like other DVC. Kidani looks like it will be beautiful, it really should be more points than Jambo.

 

[DVC Mike]

I've stayed at AKV twice so far and both times were great. The CM's provided fantastic service.

We are holding off on going back for our 3rd visit until Kidani Village is completed. We're looking at either Oct or Dec 2009.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

As someone who was directly affected by the recent events....

I would not hesitate to stay at AKV again. DH and I stayed in an AKV CL studio in July for our anniversary. The hotel staff, the concierge staff, everyone...was EXTREMELY pleasant and helpful.

The closure and move was not the problem for me as far as October. It was the handling of it by DVC. Which has no relation to AKV or its staff.

We will be booking there again, most likely for next fall.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just curious--what was the guest upset about?

The guest I was talking with was saying how hard it had gotten to make hotel ressies in the last year or so, how hard to reserve at Jiko and Boma, and how crowded everything was. She chose to blame it all on "those DVCers". The CMs were the ones on the sunset safari and the ones stationed by savannahs to answer questions, who were uneasy about the big DVC building being built nearby and the impact of an increased number of people.

2Prince2Princesses,I'm so glad to hear your feelings. I hope all works out well for you at AKV next fall.

 

[kimberh]

The guest I was talking with was saying how hard it had gotten to make hotel ressies in the last year or so, how hard to reserve at Jiko and Boma, and how crowded everything was. She chose to blame it all on "those DVCers". The CMs were the ones on the sunset safari and the ones stationed by savannahs to answer questions, who were uneasy about the big DVC building being built nearby and the impact of an increased number of people.

2Prince2Princesses,I'm so glad to hear your feelings. I hope all works out well for you at AKV next fall.

I believe we were there the same week in May. It was busy, but we had a wonderful trip. We did both Safari's, We happened to have the same CM for a tour guide for both Safari's, he was great. Our room was in Concierge, the staff treated us wonderfully. I have another stay in May 09. The AKL was always my favorite resort, even as a cash stay. If, there were times where it was not busy, then AKL needs to thank DVCers. I do remember a time (in 2005, I think) where we went in Sept with a unbelieveable AP rate for Savanna view. I am sure that AKL could not have made money on that rate. I was not happy how the booted Concierge guests were treated, but I do think now that they have been treated a little better than at the end of last week. I am still guarded, I will keep my eyes wide open as to how Customer Service is for the rest of the DVC Family.

 

[jfinke]

The guest I was talking with was saying how hard it had gotten to make hotel ressies in the last year or so, how hard to reserve at Jiko and Boma, and how crowded everything was.

We now consider Jiko our favorite restaurant on site replacing the increasingly disappointing California Grill. We make it a point to eat there once a trip. It is one of the few restaurants that actually seems to be of the same quality that Disney wants you to believe it is. We have never stayed at Animal Kingdom. Maybe the word is getting out that an "African" restaurant is not bugs, snakes, and other super exotic food.

Or, we could just blame the DDP.

 

[wildernessDad]

We've had good times at AKV the two times we've been there. I thought that the concierge staff did an excellent job and was always very courteous.

 

[spiceycat]

The guest I was talking with was saying how hard it had gotten to make hotel ressies in the last year or so, how hard to reserve at Jiko and Boma, and how crowded everything was. She chose to blame it all on "those DVCers". The CMs were the ones on the sunset safari and the ones stationed by savannahs to answer questions, who were uneasy about the big DVC building being built nearby and the impact of an increased number of people.

2Prince2Princesses,I'm so glad to hear your feelings. I hope all works out well for you at AKV next fall.

hey the hotel should appreciate being harder to get - that say the AKL no longer gives out all the free upgrades that they use to give out.

that is another reason for both groups to dislike DVC - no CM being able to make a guest stay wonderful by an upgrade - no guest getting the upgrade.

if you stayed there alot before and got used to the upgraded - it would be hard to adjust to the room you paid for....

don't think Kidani will affect Jambo (akl) that much. It is not going to have all the DVC member trying to eat over there. (at least I don't think so)

it will have it own check in and out area.

so cm's might not like it.

 

[Laneychris]

I think it is absurd to worry about what happened to a few people at AKV. Yes they could have handled it better, and yes they probably realize it now. Every business has bumps that is has to cross, and if this is just one incident why worry. Start to worry when you see it happening over and over again.

 

[atpatt]

I'm one of the ousted concierge guests, and believe me, I am not thrilled with the way it was and is still being handled. That said, things happen, and Sunday we booked Kidani for June. I hope to try for concierge again next fall.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I had an uneasy feeling prior to the whole mess and that is why I switched the bulk of my ressie to BCV and cancelled our concierge reservation, except the first night. Good thing I did, because I would have been booted.

Even though it was concierge, I was not that thrilled to be staying AKV again (based on our first experience) and knew we would enjoy BCV, because we always do.

We will return to AKV, either concierge or Kidani. Kidani may have more of a welcome home feeling, I hope. I have concierge booked for next June, and will wait for the construction to finish prior to staying at Kidani.

We have some great places to stay in SSR and BCV, so no sense in souring myself even more on AKV because of all the construction uncertainty.

 

[huey578]

I'm a little uneasy about going to AKV since we have a 2 bdr concierge room booked. I was told by ms that my reservation was not on the list to be moved. I do expect some construction but not worried about it too much. This will be our first trip home so we are excited!

 

[roxmic]

I would stay there anytime! I actually have res for Concierge room july 4 week 2009. I hope they get the rennovations done by then!