I'm Sad....

[roozlilone]

Will the AKL lodge be the same? Construction seems to be taking over the place, there is no availability, they are upgrading people away from the lodge, once they are done with construction, how much of the hotel will be left??? AKL is my absolute fav resort No offense to the villas, but I want the hotel not the villas. I'm leaving for Disney tomorrow and am staying at the AKL, but I just don't know what to expect? Why did they have to mess with something that was already perfect?

 

[cara loves the poly]

FYI - from what I read they are putting people in SSR, that is not an upgrade in my opinion! If you are asked to move be FIRM! One other poster would not settle for SSR and ended up getting the Poly! Best wishes!

 

[cocowum]

call them now!!!!!!!!! I was told this morning that florrs 4, 5 and 6 are closed as of yesterday!!!

Lori

This was copied from the other thread. Did you call Disney yet?

 

[simonkodousek]

I was planning on going to AKL this summer, but once I heard about the construction of the villas, I booked Poly. Not only does the construction mean limited room availability at the AKL, but also at the other resorts due to people getting moved, etc.

Personally I would rather stay at an AKL without the villas because that was the original idea. In my opinion the villas take away from the whole idea by making it more residential, and less unique as a resort... sorry if this sounds confusing...

~Simon

 

[mprewitt]

The AKL is not going away; it's just that rooms on the 5th and 6th floor are being converted into Animal Kingdom Villas for DVC. A new set of DVC buildings (Kidani Village) will be build next to AKL, opening in 2009, with an expansion of the savannah and the addition of some new and different animals.

This is similar to the DVC expansions at WL/VWL, BC/BCV and BWI/BWV.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

The AKL is not going away; it's just that rooms on the 5th and 6th floor are being converted into Animal Kingdom Villas for DVC. A new set of DVC buildings (Kidani Village) will be build next to AKL, opening in 2009, with an expansion of the savannah and the addition of some new and different animals.
This is similar to the DVC expansions at WL/VWL, BC/BCV and BWI/BWV.

This is true. From what I understand the lodge itself won't have that many rooms dedicated to DVC. They will have their own building and savannah. And as for being moved to SSR. It would indeed be an upgrade. It is our home resort and it is gorgeous there.

 

[mprewitt]

The following map shows the construction phases of AKL, as well as the new Kidani Village for DVC.

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc/languagespecific/eng/resorts/animalKingdomVillas/DAKVMap.pdf

 

[princessgirl2238]

i'd demand a room at a deluxe hotel! sure ssr is a nice place, but i'd not want to be moved over to a vacation club place when i wanted a deluxe place- no offence to dvc members, but i've stayed at ssr and okw a few times, but felt out of place cause i wasn't dvc.

 

[Sammie]

The AKL is not going away; it's just that rooms on the 5th and 6th floor are being converted into Animal Kingdom Villas for DVC. A new set of DVC buildings (Kidani Village) will be build next to AKL, opening in 2009, with an expansion of the savannah and the addition of some new and different animals.

This is similar to the DVC expansions at WL/VWL, BC/BCV and BWI/BWV.

They did not expand at BWI and BWV, they were built at the same time and planned from the beginning as a combo DVC/non DVC resort.


To the OP,

Will the AKL lodge be the same?

No, it won't. To some it will be better, to others it won't. Many felt that BCV and VWL enchanced the experience for the resort, I personally disagree, but am probably in the minority.

You will have to wait and make your own judgement about AKL/AKV

 

[global_mom]

Why would the Villas take away from the experience at WL or BC or AKL, etc.

Just curious.

 

[Sammie]

Why would the Villas take away from the experience at WL or BC or AKL, etc.

Just curious.

My personal opinion. We were frequent guests at the WL and BC prior to the addition of the villas. What we liked about both is that they never felt over crowded even when they were full. They were quiet and peaceful.

When they added the villas to WL and BC, they did not expand any of the services. Now the restaurants, the pools, the lobby, the front desk, all have to handle 100s of additional guests. It was just too much for the resort to absorb.

Now AKL at least when the new building opens it will have its own check in area, restaurants and theme pool. So hopefully they learned from the previous mistakes.

I am sure guests who were not frequent guests to WL or BC prior to the villas did not notice the differences but guests who were frequent before the addition of the villas did notice the difference.

 

[DiznEeyore]

My personal opinion. We were frequent guests at the WL and BC prior to the addition of the villas. What we liked about both is that they never felt over crowded even when they were full. They were quiet and peaceful.

When they added the villas to WL and BC, they did not expand any of the services. Now the restaurants, the pools, the lobby, the front desk, all have to handle 100s of additional guests. It was just too much for the resort to absorb.

Now AKL at least with the new building will have its own check in area, restaurants and theme pool. So hopefully they learned from the previous mistakes.

I am sure guests who were not frequent guests to WL or BC prior to the villas did not notice the differences but guests who were frequent before the addition of the villas did notice the difference.

I absolutely agree. Right now, I have no desire to stay at AKL anymore. I think it's going to be way too crowded.

 

[pilferk]

Personally I would rather stay at an AKL without the villas because that was the original idea. In my opinion the villas take away from the whole idea by making it more residential, and less unique as a resort... sorry if this sounds confusing...

~Simon

Just want to point out one thing:

AKL was actually built with the villas in mind...much of the groundwork/utility work/etc for DVC expansion was done when the lodge was built.

I understand people don't like change...but give it a chance. Once all the work is complete, I doubt anyone but those used to staying in the deluxe rooms on 5 and 6 is going to notice much of a difference.

 

[pilferk]

I absolutely agree. Right now, I have no desire to stay at AKL anymore. I think it's going to be way too crowded.

Interesting...

While I can certainly see Sammie's point, I'm not sure it translates well to AKV. Mostly because they're not really increasing the "guests per sq ft" ratio at AKL/AKV's Jambo house. If anything, they're decreasing it (2 deluxe bays, formerly able to sleep 10 guests, will now be the 1BR 1/2 of a 2 BR lockoff...which can only sleep 5). The services aren't really going to be inundated with any more capacity than the hotel had previously. Now, AKV might increase occupancy rates....I'll give you that...but the service were built to handle a "full" resort, so should be able to handle a "full" resort with lower capacity.

As Sammie mentioned, Kidani will have it's own new services to take care of it's "share" of AKV guests.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

This question might have been asked already but...
why are they remodeling existing rooms to become DVC when they are going to build an entire other wing to be DVC only? Looking at that map it seems like the whole resort will at sometime this year be under construction. Aren't they losing money right now by turning people away and giving upgrades? Why not just build the other wing and leave everything in the main building as is?

It doesn't make any sense to me. BTW I love AKL and we were going to stay there again this year but they couldn't accomodate our needs.

 

[pilferk]

This question might have been asked already but...
why are they remodeling existing rooms to become DVC when they are going to build an entire other wing to be DVC only? Looking at that map it seems like the whole resort will at sometime this year be under construction. Aren't they losing money right now by turning people away and giving upgrades? Why not just build the other wing and leave everything in the main building as is?

It doesn't make any sense to me. BTW I love AKL and we were going to stay there again this year but they couldn't accomodate our needs.

Keep in mind, I'm speculating, but speculating based on good info we've gotten on the dis boards and elsewhere:

1) AKL's occupancy rates were the lowest in the Deluxe category, especially since the Contemp refurb, and possibly the lowest on Disney property (I've heard one or two of the mods might be lower...not sure).

2) AKL's deluxe rooms were the lowest occupancy rooms at the resort

3) SSR has been selling VERY well, better (from reports) than expected. It is quickly approaching sell out.

4) The Contemp DVC (this part is HEAVY rumor and speculation) was on the fast track unti it's occupancy rates came up after refurb AND construction issues were found (asbestos in the North Garden Wing and special circumstances to put down footers for a new building, etc).

DVC needed something to sell, relatively quickly. AKL was always slated for DVC, and the "foundation" for DVC was put in place during construction. They also had an occupancy problem. So, after careful consideration, the suits decided to solve 2 problems at once: Remodel existing rooms with lower occupancy rates in order to have something to sell quickly AND build out the previously planned AKV stand alone building.

Edit: I know the map makes it LOOK like the whole resort is under construction, but it's really only the 5th (a full floor) and 6th (a "mini-floor" which houses about 15 to 20 rooms and the concierge lounge) floors in the sections they outline.

 

[Trekker]

why are they remodeling existing rooms to become DVC when they are going to build an entire other wing to be DVC only?

Because they can sell DVC sooner at AKL - it is all about $$$$ for Disney -

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Will there be food service of any type in the new DVC building?
Restaurant?
Food Court?
Carry out items?
How bout a gift shop?

Or, will everyone have to come to the AKL for these things on property?

Just wondering...
-mary

 

[pilferk]

Will there be food service of any type in the new DVC building?
Restaurant?
Food Court?
Carry out items?
How bout a gift shop?

Or, will everyone have to come to the AKL for these things on property?

Just wondering...
-mary

Restaurant: Yes. Saana (I'm probably butchering the spelling...Swahili for artwork) will be a family sit down place with a HUGE picture window overlooking the savannah.

Food Court: We don't know. It's not listed in any of the literature we've gotten, but....then again...the 1BR and 2BR have kitchens, so maybe the food court gets less use.

Carry out items: The "pool bar" is listed as serving food (not sure what) but that's probably where you'll be able to get carry out stuff.

Gift Shop: Yes, and a DVC style one (like SSR or OKW) that will also carry some basic staples like milk, bread, fruit and other kitchen/food items.

It will also have it's own pool complex and water play area. It will have it's own laundry, valet services, bell services, and gym, too.

I'm SURE there will be some AKV Kidani guests who will use the lodge services (like Boma's and Jiko's) just as there are other WDW resort guests who do the same (we eat at Boma's no matter where we stay, at least once). But some of the AKV guests at Jambo will likely use some of Kidani's services, too, so.....

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Keep in mind, I'm speculating, but speculating based on good info we've gotten on the dis boards and elsewhere:

1) AKL's occupancy rates were the lowest in the Deluxe category, especially since the Contemp refurb, and possibly the lowest on Disney property (I've heard one or two of the mods might be lower...not sure).

2) AKL's deluxe rooms were the lowest occupancy rooms at the resort



DVC needed something to sell, relatively quickly. AKL was always slated for DVC, and the "foundation" for DVC was put in place during construction. They also had an occupancy problem. So, after careful consideration, the suits decided to solve 2 problems at once: Remodel existing rooms with lower occupancy rates in order to have something to sell quickly AND build out the previously planned AKV stand alone building.

Edit: I know the map makes it LOOK like the whole resort is under construction, but it's really only the 5th (a full floor) and 6th (a "mini-floor" which houses about 15 to 20 rooms and the concierge lounge) floors in the sections they outline.

Okay, I guess it makes some sense when it comes down to quick money. We were trying to get a deluxe room for us plus my MIL but could only get concierge and then it wasn't guaranteed savannah so we didn't do it.

So they are only remodeling the 5th and 6th floors and doing away with the deluxe rooms altogther? What's a family of 5 to do at AKL unless they buy into or rent DVC?