Construction at AKL?

[Miffy]

Just got an email from WDW saying that there would be construction at AKL during our stay there next week. Does anyone know anything about this? This is precisely the reason we're staying at AKL instead of at WL--to avoid construction!

BTW, we are not rope drop park commandos. We are stay at the resort and relax vacationers.

ETA: Are there ANY deluxe resorts at WDW that aren't undergoing some kind of construction, refurb, etc.?

 

[Karlius]

I too just got that email. Any idea of what the construction entails? If it's room renovations I'm not too bothered but if it's major work I may need to switch.

 

[Miffy]

I'm pretty horrified by this, especially since I booked through Orbitz, so I can't even call WDW to talk to someone directly about possibly moving resorts.

 

[taythecray]

This forum has been discussing it for a while if you want to check it out. It sounds like DVC rooms and the club lounge are being refurbished.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-animal-kingdom-lodge-information-questions.3332021/page-123

Quote post: Jambo Villas and Club level are being refurbished. I was told that it's all "soft goods"

 

[Babsy]

The construction, as far as I can determine, is inside DVC rooms and CL - at least initially. We are staying in AKL next week as well so I was freaking out originally as we are also staying there in hopes of avoiding construction! LOL! That seems an impossible challenge these days! We are going to keep the AKL booking in the hopes that interior soft goods work will not be too disruptive. If it is we will have to try to change then. I really don't see any options that I will be happy with otherwise.

Good luck!

 

[Karlius]

I'm pretty horrified by this, especially since I booked through Orbitz, so I can't even call WDW to talk to someone directly about possibly moving resorts.

Oh dear. They put a number to call on my email but I'm in uk would call now but everyone else is sleeping as its 23:15 here. May be a standard number I have no idea. 407-939-7696.

Before I make a decision I'll need to run it past the GF.

 

[Miffy]

I just read a lot of the AKL thread about the construction, and other people's descriptions of what it's like to stay at a resort where a "soft goods" refurb is going on. I spend too much time at the resort to want to be somewhere on vacation where there's going to be a lot of noise. I mean, we visited the Poly last year and couldn't bear even hanging around--we weren't staying there!--the noise was so obnoxious.

Now I'm not sure what to do. Actually thinking of cancelling the entire trip.

 

[fairygagamother]

When I called the number listed in the letter I got, they didn't know what I was talking about! When I commented on how strange that was , they put me on hold & then came back & basically read a script that offered no information. Then they must have found a postscript because they did add that they were "doing away" with the Arusha view rooms. I don't know if that's accurate or not but I ended up switching hotels, not so much because of this, but just because I could!

 

[VAfamily1998]

I came here to ask about the same email. I have reservations for a savanna view room the weekend if February 20. I'm really worried. I specifically booked AKL to avoid construction at WL.

 

[Miffy]

I just went through (a) calling Disney, who told me that because my reservation is through Orbitz, that I have to call them, then (b) calling Orbitz, who, after supposedly calling Disney told me that the only thing they could offer me was to cancel my reservation and give me a refund. I'm very upset. I don't want to stay at AKL with construction going on, and I'm not happy about booking with Orbitz, because I feel WDW would directly give me far more options than "we'd be happy to cancel your reservation for you"--which is what I may end up doing anyway.

ETA: I never in a zillion years would've booked a resort that had construction scheduled. And it's unbelievably rude of them to tell me 12 days before check-in.

 

[Babsy]

I haven't received the email. Would someone that has please post what it says here?

Thank you!

 

[Jetta8300]

I was following this on the AKL forums. Basically January through June they are soft goods refurbishing the top 2 floors of the main building, floor 5 and 6 of the Jambo house. These are the club level rooms only. And closing the club level lounge and moving it to the presidential suite temporarily. Soft goods can mean the wallpaper, curtains, bedding, and even carpet. Some people are more concerned than others. People have recommended asking for a room that is not directly below the 5th floor, so the 3rd and below. Some have said even a soft goods refurb can be quite noisy and there will be construction workers roaming about. Again, some people are not concerned but it seems like many people who were staying on those floors are switching. We have also decided to switch, with this being one of a few factors.

 

[Jetta8300]

I just wanted to add (because I didn't know this until I called to change resorts) that if you booked through Disney you can actually now switch hotels on the Disney website. This seems to be a somewhat new feature. If you login to your account at the top you can choose to change your reservation!

 

[Miffy]

I haven't received the email. Would someone that has please post what it says here?

Thank you!

Here you go:

Jambo!

We are thrilled you've chosen the Walt Disney World® Resort and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge as your vacation destination!

In an effort to continually enhance the Guest experience, we often refresh our offerings and atmosphere. In preparation of your upcoming stay, we wanted to make you aware of a Resort refurbishment that will be taking place during your visit. While we are working our magic, it is possible that you may see and hear construction taking place. However, to minimize any possible disruptions to your stay, we will attempt to limit any work most likely to cause a noise impact to the hours of 9:00am-5:00pm.

Please know that we are making every effort to ensure your comfort and enjoyment of all we have to offer. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding. If you need assistance with your reservation, please contact your original booking agent listed on your confirmation letter. If you booked through the Walt Disney World Resort or have additional questions, please call407-939-7696 and one of our Cast Members will be happy to assist you.

We eagerly await your arrival and wish you a truly magical stay!

Asante sana,

 

[Aurora0427]

Just got an email from WDW saying that there would be construction at AKL during our stay there next week. Does anyone know anything about this? This is precisely the reason we're staying at AKL instead of at WL--to avoid construction!

BTW, we are not rope drop park commandos. We are stay at the resort and relax vacationers.

ETA: Are there ANY deluxe resorts at WDW that aren't undergoing some kind of construction, refurb, etc.?

Grand Floridian & Beach Club should be construction free. GF was refurbished in 2014 and BC was just done in 2015. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this and it's so unfortunate Disney can't switch you bc you booked through Orbitz. Makes me think twice about ever booking through them!

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We aren't happy about it, but there isn't much we could do since we are on rented points. I am going to deal with it when I get there and insist they move us if it is disruptive. We have been through a soft goods refurb at a Disney resort before, and frankly it is noisy and disruptive if you are in the area they are working in, but not as big a deal if you aren't. There is still some disruption from workers, equipment, and supplies. My other concern with AKL is the fact that everything will have to go through the front of the building because the savannahs are in the back. I image a lot of construction stuff with be traveling through the lobby. I am most irritated by the fact that they sent this out via regular mail to those of us actually staying in these areas just a few weeks before starting and are apparently just now emailing everyone else. That is unacceptable IMO. They knew this was coming and there should have been some kind of advanced warning. Most of us staying DVC have NO options even if people we are renting from are willing to work with us because there isn't any DVC availability this close other than the outlying older properties.

 

[VAfamily1998]

I was following this on the AKL forums. Basically January through June they are soft goods refurbishing the top 2 floors of the main building, floor 5 and 6 of the Jambo house. These are the club level rooms only. And closing the club level lounge and moving it to the presidential suite temporarily. Soft goods can mean the wallpaper, curtains, bedding, and even carpet. Some people are more concerned than others. People have recommended asking for a room that is not directly below the 5th floor, so the 3rd and below. Some have said even a soft goods refurb can be quite noisy and there will be construction workers roaming about. Again, some people are not concerned but it seems like many people who were staying on those floors are switching. We have also decided to switch, with this being one of a few factors.

I will be there next month (Princess half marathon weekend) and did the online check in, requesting a higher floor
I have a savanna view room booked, and was thinking the view would be nicer from a higher floor? I'm thinking if lots of people are requesting lower floors now, I'm pretty likely to get my "higher floor" request? Not sure that is what I want now.

Are the Savanna views on the ground floor still nice? I'm so bummed. I've never been in AKL before--not even just to look around and was really looking forward to this special trip!

 

[Miffy]

VAfamily: I actually prefer the savannah views on the lower floors--you're right there with the animals, not looking down on them.

Update: I just spoke with someone in customer relations at WDW. They assured me that the construction was taking place in an "isolated area" and that other than the Club Level, no one else would be affected.

Can anyone verify that the Club Level area is relatively isolated from the rest of the lodge? Seeing people walk in and out with equipment doesn't bother--it's the noise I'm concerned about.

Thank you!

 

[Babsy]

Miffy,

That is exactly how I feel! The noise is what will bother us the most. Although the lovely atmosphere of the deluxe resorts is part of what you pay for as well.

Anyway, I just received the letter late last night (we are checking in on the 18th!!) so I called. They indicated that it could be noisy in our pool view room area (NOT CL) but that they would try to confine noisy work from 9-5 during the day. That did it for me, we switched to the GF. I am heartbroken, but I don't have to worry about construction at least. We have unintentionally become GF regulars! LOL!

I was really looking forward to the AKL! I have to say that all this construction is a PITA. It is everywhere that we want to go, or so it seems! Options are very limited.

 

[Miffy]

Miffy,

That is exactly how I feel! The noise is what will bother us the most. Although the lovely atmosphere of the deluxe resorts is part of what you pay for as well.

Anyway, I just received the letter late last night (we are checking in on the 18th!!) so I called. They indicated that it could be noisy in our pool view room area (NOT CL) but that they would try to confine noisy work from 9-5 during the day. That did it for me, we switched to the GF. I am heartbroken, but I don't have to worry about construction at least. We have unintentionally become GF regulars! LOL!

I was really looking forward to the AKL! I have to say that all this construction is a PITA. It is everywhere that we want to go, or so it seems! Options are very limited.

Oh no. They told me that we wouldn't be affected at all and we are staying in a pool view room. Now I'm back to being horrified.

Did they switch you to the GF? And are you paying the difference? Because the GF is not in our budget right now or I'd just switch. Immediately.

Thanks, Babsy. And thanks for posting this.