Can't get into AKL for month of August!!!

[bryantslovedisney]

Good Morning "DIS"ers!
I am planning a trip to Mickey in August for my family of 5.
We haved been several times, so we really are into the "resorts"
as much as we are into the "parks". We love AKL (stayed in a
Savannah View Deluxe Room, Concierge level) and loved it! The problem is that I've been told by one CM that they were remodeled into Villas and told by another CM that they still ahve them. Also AKL is booked, as far as I can tell, and I can't get anyone to help me figure out how to get in. I could go anytime in August, but I've been told by CM that the only way to find the openings is to go on-line and start with Aug 1, then put in 4 nites, then go to Aug 2 and put in 4 nites, and so on,
and so on. Does this sound a bit archaic? Is there not an easier wy to find the openings? I'm trying to do this before the "AP: rates come out. But, I can't seem to get anyone that will help me. Is it better to try to do this before or after the AP rates come out? Please help??? I know I'm not the only one out here with this problem!
Jill

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

We tried to get a room in august back in february! We needed a deluxe room because we will have 5 people. There was 1 concierge room and we booked it and later decided to save a little money and cancel it. I also played around with the dates online and had the CM on the phone do it too. I was told that availability was lower because of construction. We could have gotten 2 regular view rooms but I said nope!

Our compromise is to stay at CBR and spend an afternoon hanging out at AKL and eating at Boma.

I really wish they were just building a new wing and not disrupting the current # of rooms. KWIM?

 

[grannyminnie]

I tell ya what...between the AKL construction and the "on again, off again" Disney website, it's a wonder anybody is able to get a room anywhere!!
We're booked at the AKL for three days at the end of Nov. and there's no way I'm letting go of that room!!

 

[mprewitt]

The 5th and 6th floors of the AKL are being converted into DVC villas for the new Animal Kingdom Villas DVC resort. They will also be building the new Kidani Village expansion for AKV, which is opening in 2009.

 

[bryantslovedisney]

Well, I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one struggling with this! I went ahead and booked some days at the Poly and the Beach
Club(near Epcot), but I'm hoping to get AP rates later. We really loved AKL, Does anyone know when the Villas are going to be ready? Are they still booking the Deluxe Savannah Views?...Or am I wasting my time to continue to look for them? How is the Beach Club? We've never been there and we're worried it won't compare to AKL. It's so hard when you 5 in your family! I ran into this problem years ago, when I tried to get into the resorts...I really don't want to do 2 rooms, because of the expense and they can't guarantee adjoining rooms. Where would you guys go if you were me? We've been to the Poly, AKL, Riverside, Fort Wilderness...Any Ideas??
Jill

 

[ImagineerM]

Ugh...I've been having the same problem. We just wanted one standard view room for this july...been trying since feb and still no luck...what I'd give for that room....

Cheers,
Josh

 

[mika911]

The AKL had quite of bit of August availability until a few days ago. Something happened. Maybe they are pulling rooms until they know more about how the construction progress will be going?

 

[nbodyhome]

Either that, or there could be a large group that wanted rooms at the Contemporary and ended up at the AKL? Anything is possible.

 

[pilferk]

First off, let me start with this: The Deluxe Rooms are going away at AKL. They were all on the 5th and 6th floors (some concierge, some not), and are in the space currently under construction for conversion to DVC villas. The stock offerings for a family of 5 seems to be gone (and I feel your pain on Disney having limited offerings...we're a family of 5, too....it's one of the reasons we bought AKV because stated occupancy on a 1BR at AKV will be 5).

So, because of that, what few deluxe rooms are left have limited availablility as their number dwindles as the conversion progresses.

In addition to that, it sounds like the construction schedule has gone through some changes recently, as rooms that were previously scheduled to be completed in May have recently been announced to be ready in December. Now, whether that means construction is WAY ahead of scheudule or they've just shufled priorities nobody is quite sure. But no matter which is occuring, it wouldn't surprise me to find out Disney is holding back that excess inventory until everything is ironed out and set in stone.

AKL has also, typically, been an overflow resort for large Contemp conferencens. I'm not sure if there is one going on in August or not, but if there is...that would be one of the reasons availability dried up very quickly.

 

[bryantslovedisney]

Thanks for the input! I know other people are having the same problem
and it always helps to sort all of this out! How do people book their vacations without the help of this DIS board? I'm amazed that you would plan an expensive vacation like this without researching it? Oh well, Maybe i'm just too much of a control freak!Ha! Well, I've decided to try to get AP rates(when they come out) for the BC. I've never been there, but I'm going to wait and let "the dust settle"(literally) before i try AKL again. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have the family of 5 issue to contend with, but I would change that "family of 5 issue" for anything! Love my DH and 3 boys!
Thanks again for helping make my decision....Now I'm waiting for AP rates!!
Have a great Day!
Jill