Did I just imagine this?

[MScott1851]

Did I just dream that the animals are going to be moved from the AKL very shortly in order for the savannah to be refurbished? I can't win! I booked CBR for my honeymoon, and guess what? We moved to AKL, and now there are going to be NO animals? What do you think the chances are of me getting an offer of a switch from the WDTC? (at or near the same price we booked AKL)

HELP! It's only 13 days away and I am dying!

 

[epcotfan]

From what I understand not all Savannahs will be closed. They are doing some construction on the dirt roads in the savannahs.

 

[kdibattista]

I called AKL directly because we are going there in 32 days (not that I'm counting - HA HA). Anyway, they said that they are doing work on "one savannah at a time". If you booked savannah, you will get savannah. As of yesterday, they were working on the Arusha savannah so she said that they would not place anybody who reserved "savannah view" in that area of the hotel. Hope this helps!! Have a great time!!!!!

 

[adisneynut]

Does anyone know how long the work will take?

 

[jdwright13]

AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Please tell me this is quick work and it will be done by next week! Also, the Arusha Savanahh is 70% of the hotel, they can't close that down for long without losing half of their business.

 

[jdwright13]

BTW -- How much time does it take to fix a dirt road??? I can't imagine that would take anytime whatsoever.

 

[Disneylvr]

I am very upset about this. I do not have a savannah view room BUT had planned on watching animals from the public viewing areas as much as possible. If the Arusha Savannah is 70% of the hotel's savannahs there won't be many animals to watch! I will be at AKL in 16 days and I sure hope the construction is completed by then.

 

[ukcatfan]

Just going on what was posted, it sounds like the rooms that face the closed savannah will not actually be closed. It sounds like someone with a standard view will be put in those rooms. I am sure they planned ahead for this and offered that many more standard rooms during the work. If you have a standard room and get one of those rooms, it would be kinda like getting a free upgrade. Sure there are no animals, but it not a parking lot either.

 

[Jackie H.]

NO! We just returned from a 6 night stay at AKL (last night 9/7). They are refurbishing each savannah one at a time. In the meanwhile, they put everyone facing a savannah that is open like regular. (I guess, of course, they couldn't do that if they place was full, but it isn't.) So while we were there everyone was staying on the Sunset savannah. AND! While they are doing this the animals are in the barns more than normal so they are alternating them on the open savannahs. In other words, over the course of the we saw most of the animals in our savannah which is not normally what happens.

They are paving roads to use to feed the animals. They have been doing it on dirt paths but the trucks were destroying the land so they are paving them. They did not finish before we left, but I thought the roads were going to look like the roads in the Safari ride in AK.

But I was told by 3 or 4 CMs that they would not start on another savannah until the previous one was finished.

How long will it take? I was told 5 days each savannah and they were on the 5th day of the first savannah (Arusha) when we left.

Relax, you can still see plenty of animals and "everything is gonna be OK!" I was personally there during the work and it is as much unobtrusive as possible. THere were a couple of temp orange fences ( which should be gone by now) so that the Pelicans and flamingos could stay in their water but not get run over by work machines.

BTW, now is a wonderful time to go! There are so many CMs from Africa and so many wonderful programs and so few people that we got a lot of attention from them all. I think this special part of this resort is overlooked: the wonderful interaction with the young people from Kenya, Zimbabwee, South Africa and other countries of Africa!

 

[Disneylvr]

Jackie H., thank you so much!!! I feel so much better now.

 

[jdwright13]

Instead of bringing in other animals, they should put Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Simba and a few others roam the land also. Kids would love it.

 

[eeyore0062]

Sorry about the disappointment, however, when a theme park, or themed resort is open 365 days a year, you can expect that there will have to be work done, and it may just be when you are there. They usually try to do it when attendence is down. Now I know that many like to go during these times, but from the resort/parks standpoint, it is inconveniencing fewer people to do it then. I would certainly rather the work be done than to have accomodations that are shoddy. I am sure that they will do everything they can to live up to your expectations. Also, when you check in, make sure that everything is to your specifications before unpacking and settling in, and if not, let them know then, so they can remedy the situation, instead of waiting until you get home, when nothing can easily be done.

 

[jdwright13]

Are they actually taking they animals out or are they just being moved out of the section being worked on? Without the animals, paying the extra for a savannah is a waste of money.

 

[MScott1851]

Well...will the animals be visible from the public viewing areas? We booked a standard, and are relying on these areas to see the animals...I am tempted to call and try to change our hotel!
($50 penalty or not)

 

[MinnieGi]

Does anyone know when the work will be totally completed?

 

[Jackie H.]

If you will read my post earlier in this thread, I think it will answer your questions.

We just returned from a 6 night stay.

Also, here is a link to one I posted just to help those of you who are worried about this.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=262099

If you change your ressie, you will only be short changing yourself for no reason whatsoever.