Fearing the Worst at AKL

[goofy for goofy]

We'll be at AKL July 27-Aug 4. We love the resort but are now afraid of what the construction may do to the atmosphere. We've been told by our travel agent that they are currently moving many guests with savannah views to other resorts which would significantly reduce the number of guests at AKL. So far we haven't been contacted by Disney, maybe b/c we have a pool view. Did you hear any news about how the DVC construction would be affecting the resort the rest of the month? I just wonder if I should request a move to another resort or wait until I get there and check it out. I just don't want anything spoiling that "Disney feeling" and I'm afraid that jack hammers and the reduced number of guests would ruin it for us. I don't want it to be just us and the lifeguard at the pool! If anyone can advise, please feel free to do so.

 

[kutchyone]

They moved us 08/15 to 08/19 and we were a standard view.

 

[goofy for goofy]

Your trip is from Aug 15-19? Where did you get moved to and did they give you any additional info that might help me in my decision? Thanks.

 

[TheLastPrincess]

I wish I knew what was going on. I've called twice already but they cannot do anything because our check-in date isn't until Sept 14. But if there is construction until 2009 , what does that mean for us? We also have a standard room booked. But my DH suffers from migraines and allergies and I'm afraid the construction might aggravate that. Besides, this is our HONEYMOON! Can anyone help me?

 

[Trekker]

We were booked at AKL in Oct. I feared the construction would cause us to not enjoy the resort as planned. I did not want to wait and see if Disney was going to move us because the closer to travel time the less options available.

I simply called and asked to speak with Guest Services - I told them my situation and asked to move to WL, Poly, YC/BC they checked and WL had availability. I think the others did also but not with the discount code I was using.

If you do not want to take the chance - be pro-active and change the reservation.

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

They moved us 08/15 to 08/19 and we were a standard view.

Interesting. My reservation begins 8/20 and we haven't been called. Perhaps because we have a pool view reserved? The thing is, even though we booked a pool view, we still chose AKL so we could see animals... I'm glad to hear a standard view guest was moved, but am puzzled that we haven't been contacted yet.

 

[marlower]

We'll be at AKL July 27-Aug 4. We love the resort but are now afraid of what the construction may do to the atmosphere. We've been told by our travel agent that they are currently moving many guests with savannah views to other resorts which would significantly reduce the number of guests at AKL. So far we haven't been contacted by Disney, maybe b/c we have a pool view. Did you hear any news about how the DVC construction would be affecting the resort the rest of the month? I just wonder if I should request a move to another resort or wait until I get there and check it out. I just don't want anything spoiling that "Disney feeling" and I'm afraid that jack hammers and the reduced number of guests would ruin it for us. I don't want it to be just us and the lifeguard at the pool! If anyone can advise, please feel free to do so.

If you would like to move, they are moving any guest staying now through Sept 1st. Some are being called, others are not. I have not received a call and I am planning on staying for my Aug 14th arrival. I did however call them and they were willing to move me to SSR or BC, I decided to stay. They gave me a direct phone number to call in case I changed my mind. That number is
407-939-7919. As far as being the only one at the pool--that is a big HOORAY for me You can also check out allears.net, they have a blog of a current visitor at AKL and pictures of construction. I don't think you will have anything to worry about but if your are interested in changing resorts, I'm sure Disney will do their best to accomodate you. Good luck!!!

 

[kutchyone]

I'm not exactly sure which rooms are being moved. When I called they told me all but that's not what others are finding. I was put through to the Outbound team which is handling these moves. I told them when we were staying and that we were standard view, (what I fondly refer to as NO VIEW AT ALL). She asked for my reservation number. When she pulled it up she said that I would have to move. They of course offered to move me to the default resorts SSR 1 bedroom (great deal by the way but we are staying a the BCV's the second half of this trip) or WL. I explained why I did not want to stay at SSR and told her that I really did not care for the WL, the lobby is great but I hate the rooms. She then offered YC which I turned down too because we are staying at BC and wanted to try something a little different. Same with BWI, we have stayed at BWV's already. She then asked where I hadn't stayed and I said the CR (my 18 year old daughters first choice if we had to move) or the Poly. She only had two day available at the CR so that was out but she did have garden view at the Poly so I jumped on it. We could have had the GF too but I really don't care for that resort either. We already had a great deal at the AKL, 3 adults $168.34 a night, tax included. We are not being charged any extra for the Poly. The Disney Gods have looked kindly upon me and mine this trip.

I was proactive and told the lady at Outbound that I was being proactive. I think they were calling in date order by room level. I didn't want to be left with little to select from. I did ask to stay at AKL if we could be moved to another area not effected my the construction but was told that would not be possible.

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

I'm not exactly sure which rooms are being moved. When I called they told me all but that's not what others are finding. I was put through to the Outbound team which is handling these moves. I told them when we were staying and that we were standard view, (what I fondly refer to as NO VIEW AT ALL). She asked for my reservation number. When she pulled it up she said that I would have to move. They of course offered to move me to the default resorts SSR 1 bedroom (great deal by the way but we are staying a the BCV's the second half of this trip) or WL. I explained why I did not want to stay at SSR and told her that I really did not care for the WL, the lobby is great but I hate the rooms. She then offered YC which I turned down too because we are staying at BC and wanted to try something a little different. Same with BWI, we have stayed at BWV's already. She then asked where I hadn't stayed and I said the CR (my 18 year old daughters first choice if we had to move) or the Poly. She only had two day available at the CR so that was out but she did have garden view at the Poly so I jumped on it. We could have had the GF too but I really don't care for that resort either. We already had a great deal at the AKL, 3 adults $168.34 a night, tax included. We are not being charged any extra for the Poly. The Disney Gods have looked kindly upon me and mine this trip.

I was proactive and told the lady at Outbound that I was being proactive. I think they were calling in date order by room level. I didn't want to be left with little to select from. I did ask to stay at AKL if we could be moved to another area not effected my the construction but was told that would not be possible.

kutchyone (or other AKL refugees), were you offered any DVC 1 bedroom unit other than SSR? I'm wondering if we could get BCV, as we would enjoy the Beach Club but there are only 13 rooms with King beds (according to allears) and it's our honeymoon. SSR isn't very themed and is awfully far from the parks.
Thanks!

 

[racinjunkie]

I'm in the same boat as a bunch of you, we are scheduled to check in at AKL on 8/4 staying until 8/11, we booked a savannah view room with bunk beds. From everything I've read I'm definitely in a room that is being relocated. I'm also hearing that one of the savannahs has been or will be shut down. I booked with a TA and haven't been contacted and having been able to reach my TA. I really don't want to move unless we have to, I'm not afraid of the construction noise but I am afraid of the construction affecting our animal sightings.

I'm not sure what to do, the reasons we booked at AKL can't really be met at another resort, we'd be "settling" and I don't really want to "settle."

 

[kutchyone]

kutchyone (or other AKL refugees), were you offered any DVC 1 bedroom unit other than SSR? I'm wondering if we could get BCV, as we would enjoy the Beach Club but there are only 13 rooms with King beds (according to allears) and it's our honeymoon. SSR isn't very themed and is awfully far from the parks.
Thanks!

Yes, OKW, BCV, BWI or WLV if we had wanted. I sort of felt the same way about SSR too but it really is a great deal and most people who were moved were getting money back on the deal to boot. I would call and explain that it is a honeymoon, If you don't really need the DVC I would ask for GF if that is your cup of tea. Be persisitent and don't hold back about your concerns.

I really wanted to stay at AKL but they had no room in the Inn for us. I hope to one day get another GREAT deal like I had so we can try to stay there again. For now Boma's and maybe a short stay to view some of the animals will have to do for our August trip.

 

[TheLastPrincess]

UGH!!! I spent 10 minutes on the phone with Guest Services and argued with them. They said we would HAVE to pay the price difference in order to keep our Free Dining, which would be another $400 at WL. "At this time, we are not moving anyone after Sept 1." They said there is a special team assigned to this issue. I asked to speak with a representative. He said NO! Then he proceeded to tell me that even if they decide to move us, we would have to pay the upcharge anyway! I said, "That is not MY understanding." And he admitted he did not know the procedure, that he was not assigned to the AKL issue. I again asked to speak to someone who was, and he said NO. I am pulling my hair out dealing with this issue. I keep meeting with dead ends!!!

 

[SB in KY]

About half of the resort will be closed from today through 9/1. The rooms that remain open are not really affected by the construction. Animals are still there and not particularly affected since they are on the opposite side of the resort from the outside construction. If you have an August reservation and do not want to move and have not been contacted then sit tight....you should be fine.
The advantages of staying include a resort at 50% occupancy with all of the restaurants and pool, etc in regular mode (so available lounges by the pool, seats on the bus, etc, etc). The disadvantage is that in the lobby and public spaces there can be noise from 8 to 4:30. Rooms are not affected by daytime noise. The advantage to moving is a potential upgrade to a resort you may have preferred to stay at in the first place at no additional charge. The disadvantage to moving is if you really WANTED to stay at the AKL in the first place you won't be there. No one solution for everyone, but you can always call the number posted above and make a decision based on your options.

If you have a stay booked after 9/1 all of the interior construction is slated to be complete (at least the noisy part) and if all goes as planned people will not need to be relocated after that date, so free upgrades are unlikely.

 

[TheLastPrincess]

They gave me a direct phone number to call in case I changed my mind. That number is
407-939-7919.

Is that number a direct line to Guest Services? Because Guest Services would not give me a number to call directly.

 

[racinjunkie]

If you have an August reservation and do not want to move and have not been contacted then sit tight....you should be fine.

This is exactly what we were just told by our TA, I am sitting tight and hoping for a 50% vacant resort

 

[marlower]

Is that number a direct line to Guest Services? Because Guest Services would not give me a number to call directly.

Yes, from what I understand it is a direct number.

 

[kutchyone]

I was looking forward to "owning" the resort too. Maybe next time! I'm glad we were able to be switched to the Poly for the price we paid which was $27.00 cheaper then what my origianl reservation at CSR was for, but I'm still a little disappointed about not being at AKL. Well there is always next time!