Has Anyone Called AKL Directly?

[TheLastPrincess]

Specifically about the construction? I was going to call about our September reservations, but I wanted to know if anyone else has first...I hate to bug those CMs, especially when they're probably being flooded with calls already. Just wondering if AKL direct is feeding people the same info as CRO, or if it's possible to get more info.

 

[Minderbinder5]

I called the AKL directly a week ago, and the CM reassured me that the construction would not have much effect on guests that are allowed to stay. She checked my reservation (Sept. 5-14, standard room) and said that I was in an "unaffected block of rooms", for whatever that's worth. She said that the animals were doing just fine and would not be moved, and all of the hotel amenities (including pool, gym, spa, restaurants, gift shop, and animal viewing) would not be affected by the construction. She also said that any rumors that the hotel is closing are false. There are some rooms that are under construction, and people with reservations booked for those room blocks will be required to move.

Now, all of this may change with Sept. 1 because the current policies only extend until then. For those of us staying after Sept. 1, we will just have to wait and see... Let's hope for some Disney Magic!

 

[space ranger 1]

We are just trying to hang in there for a while. With all the upset people on the boards and phones I figure that they don't need anyone else calling them since they appear to not have the power to do anything about September yet anyway.

I figure in two or three weeks we will know if they are going to be doing anything for (or to) those of us in the first part of September. Just keep our eyes and ears peeled to see what the updates are. I am sure we will be getting some good info by then.

I know it's tough, but lets all hang in there a little longer and see what happens. Maybe we will get to stay at our resort of choice or maybe we can shoot for an upgrade, who knows??

Good luck to all of us! And have a great day. Sending you pixie dust for a great disneymoon.

 

[raven69david]

I called last week and a CM transferred me over to Guest Relations. They said that there is a specialized department put together to contact those affected by the construction. The GR person told me that the affected dates run through 9/30/07, which is contradictory to what others have posted (9/1/07). Not sure which is right/wrong, but as it stands now, people booked there after 10/1/07 should not be affected or get "the call." Only time will tell. The only way i'll move is if they offer Poly or GF, otherwise we'll be staying.

 

[TheLastPrincess]

The GR person told me that the affected dates run through 9/30/07, which is contradictory what others have posted (9/1/07). Not sure which is right/wrong, but as it stands now, people booked there after 10/1/07 should not be affected or get "the call."

That's a new one!!! I just talked to GR today and they said no one after 9/1 is being moved!

 

[livie1205]

did you mean sept 30th? see this is out of control....does anyone have the number of the dept. handling the akl move?

 

[raven69david]

did you mean sept 30th? see this is out of control....does anyone have the number of the dept. handling the akl move?

Call reservations, ask to be transferred to Guest Relations and have them connect you to the specialized department. I'm not sure they have a direct number as it seems they are all internal and i believe based out of the AKL lodge itself.

It's awful to hear/see conflicting dates, but for me it's not too much of a big deal as my dates are way beyond this deadline. I'm just worried about my DD2 who will need afternoon naps. I don't want her bothered by hammering or construction noise that may otherwise interrupt her sleep. If she gets less than a 2 hour nap, she wakes up grouchy.

 

[TheLastPrincess]

Call reservations, ask to be transferred to Guest Relations and have them connect you to the specialized department.

I did this, and they refused to transfer me to said "specialized dept."

I also called AKL directly and guess what they did? They sent me back to CRO!

 

[raven69david]

I did this, and they refused to transfer me to said "specialized dept."

I also called AKL directly and guess what they did? They sent me back to CRO!

Yikes! It looks like we'll just have to wait it out to see what happens. There are too many rumors flying around and when CRO, GR or the resort all give different answers, there's not much anyone of us can do except wait.

 

[milkshake]

Hi All, We'll I caved in and moved my reservation. I hope that leaves alittle room for any of you with your hearts set on AKL. I also was looking forward to it but couldn't stand the stress of rushing home and reading all the post and wondering if we'll get moved last minute. Dining reservations to be made (since we're on dining plan) ect...We are only there for three nights for our first time visit so we don't know what to expect or anything. Since we were booked club level, Disney was gracious enough to let us switch to like reservations at any of the deluxe properties. Very generous accomodations I thought. Every cast member I spoke to during the few times I have called inquiring about this were more than pleasant and I never felt pressured or pushed into this. Since the GF was the top of the list and as Princess stated, I would never be able to afford staying there otherwise, I decided to give it a try. I don't really care for the looks of the rooms but since we are there on a limited time frame, the resort being on the monorail was also a big decision maker. Hopefully we can return to the AKL in the future and enjoy the resort. It looks and sounds awesome! Good luck to the others holding on to their ressies and Thanks alot of getting me hooked on this VEry addictive "Disney Soap Opera" website. I don't think I've had a good night sleep in days!

 

[raven69david]

Welcome to the DIS milkshake. Sometimes planning and talking about the upcoming trip is almost as exciting as the trip itself. Hope you have a great first trip to WDW. You're gonna love it and get addicted to the point you'll be back on here planning your next trip as soon as you get back. We all do that as we're all addicted to WDW.


Best Wishes!

 

[milkshake]

Wow!! Thank you for the warm welcome!
I know.... I love Disneyland here in California and my husband think's I'm crazy for it and spending so much time in the planning. I think trip planning is a very important part of the vacation and your right... it is all apart of the big excitement! I'm sure we will love it and will just work around the heat...
Thanks again

 

[SleepingBet]

Hi All, We'll I caved in and moved my reservation. I hope that leaves alittle room for any of you with your hearts set on AKL. I also was looking forward to it but couldn't stand the stress of rushing home and reading all the post and wondering if we'll get moved last minute. Dining reservations to be made (since we're on dining plan) ect...We are only there for three nights for our first time visit so we don't know what to expect or anything. Since we were booked club level, Disney was gracious enough to let us switch to like reservations at any of the deluxe properties. Very generous accomodations I thought. Every cast member I spoke to during the few times I have called inquiring about this were more than pleasant and I never felt pressured or pushed into this. Since the GF was the top of the list and as Princess stated, I would never be able to afford staying there otherwise, I decided to give it a try. I don't really care for the looks of the rooms but since we are there on a limited time frame, the resort being on the monorail was also a big decision maker. Hopefully we can return to the AKL in the future and enjoy the resort. It looks and sounds awesome! Good luck to the others holding on to their ressies and Thanks alot of getting me hooked on this VEry addictive "Disney Soap Opera" website. I don't think I've had a good night sleep in days!

Could I get more detail from you? We're supposed to be staying at AKL concierge level on Aug. 17 - 24. I haven't gotten a call yet. Did you call yourself? Did they say you could stay at AKL CL if you wanted to or that you had to move? I'ts been my understanding that AKL CL wasn't being moved, but, as we all know, that could change.

 

[Disney Von Drake]

The telephone number for the AKL is actually a WDW boiler room which is not located anywhere even close to AKL.

The CM's at AKL are busy with onsite guests.

 

[milkshake]

HI Sleeping , No they did not contact me, I contacted them. Because they could not guarantee that I would not be moved last minute, I choose to move on my own to solidify my plans. I was also worried about availability at the other resorts if I waited too long or if they didn't get to my reservations until last minute. We were due to stay right in the middle of your week that you are staying. If you want to, you can call yourself and have them check on your options to move and then decide later. I called one day and made the decision the next. You should be able to move "like to like" or "concierge to concierge" evenly on what's available if you are interested. You can always wait and see if you are able to stay. Best wishes on what you decide and lets all hope we have great weather and no crowds on our week there together

 

[Dznefreek]

The telephone number for the AKL is actually a WDW boiler room which is not located anywhere even close to AKL.

The CM's at AKL are busy with onsite guests.

Actually it is the central phone company which handles all calls to any hotel on WDW property. How do I know; I worked there for 5 years and all resort calls go there and then we transfer you to the property.

 

[GiGi30]

Just got off the phone with Disney. The 1st lady told me that construction would close the rooms until Oct 1 and they had obviously not called me yet, but would soon. Then she transferred me to the Grand Gathering dept. and that lady said that only thru 9/1 would people be moved.

Needless to say I am just as confused as when I called! The 2nd lady assured me she was right, that the end date was 9/1. I am actually ready to just move and be done with it! I have a 3 month old and a 2 year old. Don't want to get there and have to move with them and a ton of luggage!

 

[Disney Von Drake]

Actually it is the central phone company which handles all calls to any hotel on WDW property. How do I know; I worked there for 5 years and all resort calls go there and then we transfer you to the property.

Then you also know that if 100 calls come in simultaneously for the AKL concerning construction and closure, they won't be routed to AKL.

P.S. Did you work for Smart City or the old Vista United?

 

[maciemouse]

At first I was really concerned about how crowded the Grand Floridian and Poly were getting because of everyone being forced to move from Animal Kingdom Lodge. Now that I am reading all these threads I really feel bad for all of these people. Most of us save a long time to go to Disney World. I couldn't imagine getting a phone call (or waiting to possibly get a phone call) for a trip I had already paid for. If I had two little ones , which I do, I would go ahead and call so I would be prepared. It does have to be such a disappointment to be moved from where you want to stay. I would make sure that I was being moved to some where I really liked. It just may be more crowded with everyone else moving there too.

 

[TicBat]

to confirm my standard room reservations for 7/15-7/19. I didn't want any surprises when we arrived and wanted to make sure they had our request for bunkbeds. At that time, I also requested Zebra or Giraffe Trails. I had called the lodge directly (800-321-2121) and was told my reservations were all set. I then asked about the construction and was told I could contact guest relations for more information. The direct number for AKL GR (handling all the AKL construction relocations) is 407-939-6244 Ext. 258. When I spoke with them, they painted a grim picture (construction noise & dust, animals staying away from lodge, entire left side of resort closed, etc.) then put me on hold to check my ressies. After 5 minutes, the GR CM came back and said our ressies were not affected by the construction because we booked through a "wholesale" TA (American Airlines Travel)! Now I was worried!

We set off for AKL on 7/15, not knowing what to expect. We returned from our trip yesterday and couldn't have been more pleased with our accommodations at AKL! There is construction in the lodge during weekdays, but it did not effect our stay at all. The t.v. and flamingos were louder than the construction noise! There were lots of animals on the savannas and service was excellent in all areas. Now I am glad they did not move us. Hang in there with your ressies, and try not to worry too much! If you get to stay at AKL you will not be disappointed!