Resort Thread Jambo! Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

[Cee5372]

Got the email this AM at work for our mid/late SEPT trip. Was booked in a Club Level Savannah View but after looking at the map Kidani pool did not seem very convenient and SEPT in Orlando without a convenient pool was a no go. I had to move the trip up a week but just changed to Club Level at WL. Actually brought the cost down about $120 total. For those on the fence of what to do if you have a SEPT or OCT trip I might look for a different resort with a convenient pool since the weather here that time of year is still hot and humid. Those with bookings say Mid-NOV into early DEC you are going to be hit or miss on how many pool weather days you will have over a week trip. That time of year it’s not uncommon to have highs in the mid 80’s for part of your trip and the highs in the upper 60’s for the other part so the pool may not be as big of a deal later in the year.

 

[Heather Felker]

Planning a trip to stay at a Kidani studio through a DVC rental. Would love to hear any tips or recommendations!

 

[LoveSplashMountain]

Hmm. We are booked in the middle of everyone else’s stay, in October, and have not received the email

Just woke up to our email today.

 

[nikkyluvsmickey]

Got the email this AM at work for our mid/late SEPT trip. Was booked in a Club Level Savannah View but after looking at the map Kidani pool did not seem very convenient and SEPT in Orlando without a convenient pool was a no go. I had to move the trip up a week but just changed to Club Level at WL. Actually brought the cost down about $120 total. For those on the fence of what to do if you have a SEPT or OCT trip I might look for a different resort with a convenient pool since the weather here that time of year is still hot and humid. Those with bookings say Mid-NOV into early DEC you are going to be hit or miss on how many pool weather days you will have over a week trip. That time of year it’s not uncommon to have highs in the mid 80’s for part of your trip and the highs in the upper 60’s for the other part so the pool may not be as big of a deal later in the year.

I think disney has a lot of nerve charging the outrageous price of 589 a night in the fall but then decides to do the pool and childrens center refurbs for 3 months and gives no price reduction..im pissed.

 

[maryr1oz]

This is the first i'd read about the pool closure - we are renting points so we didn't get any direct comms from Disney. This is our first trip and I really chose AKL in a bid to win over my 'resort' loving DH. I was planning on leaving him by the pool and relaxing while i did other things. I won't lie, i feel like a brat but i can't help feeling quite a bit of disappointment

 

[nikkyluvsmickey]

This is the first i'd read about the pool closure - we are renting points so we didn't get any direct comms from Disney. This is our first trip and I really chose AKL in a bid to win over my 'resort' loving DH. I was planning on leaving him by the pool and relaxing while i did other things. I won't lie, i feel like a brat but i can't help feeling quite a bit of disappointment

I realize that the fall is when they do rehabs but in the past there has always been a price reduction for that apparently not this time. The mouse is getting to greedy for me sadly this might be our last trip.

 

[MommaBerd]

I don’t blame those of you who are angry/disappointed about the pool closing. I especially feel badly for those who rented DVC points because there really is nothing you can do. It never hurts to send an e-mail to Guest Services and the resort General Manager and express your feelings and frustrations. I’ve only been watching this thread for the past few days, so I can’t provide the info on how to contact the General Manager, but hopefully someone else can help out with that information.

Also, if you are thinking of making a resort switch, I’d recommend doing it sooner rather than later. My guess is that as this email reaches more and more guests, more people may be looking to move, too.

 

[pollypineapple8]

We are booked to arrive on 18 September and got the email. I couldn't sleep last night with worry. Do we keep our reservation and hope for the best and hope we don't get a terrible view, and hope that the noise is minimal. It seems that every option sucks. Stay put and deal with noise and one less pool. OR move hotel - which either means downgrading, or paying more for a similar deluxe. I am not one bit happy! My daughter (7) is looking forward to this hotel.

 

[LoveSplashMountain]

Fortunately my daughters are more interested in the parks for our September stay, but it is a huge disappointment. I don’t understand why pool refurb wouldn’t be done in the cooler months? September is still very hot!

 

[Miss Frankie J]

I think disney has a lot of nerve charging the outrageous price of 589 a night in the fall but then decides to do the pool and childrens center refurbs for 3 months and gives no price reduction..im pissed.

That’s my exact feeling, when I spoke to the cast member about the closure it wasn’t anything he could do about the rate, and even so why not have it displayed on the website like CBR and CSR that construction will be going on???

 

[Miss Frankie J]

I don’t blame those of you who are angry/disappointed about the pool closing. I especially feel badly for those who rented DVC points because there really is nothing you can do. It never hurts to send an e-mail to Guest Services and the resort General Manager and express your feelings and frustrations. I’ve only been watching this thread for the past few days, so I can’t provide the info on how to contact the General Manager, but hopefully someone else can help out with that information.

Also, if you are thinking of making a resort switch, I’d recommend doing it sooner rather than later. My guess is that as this email reaches more and more guests, more people may be looking to move, too.

I agree, the other deluxes have very limited availability (during my trip time and standard rooms I’m talking about) and we are currently looking at beach club. It’s more money but I don’t think I should pay over 260 a night to have limited access to a pool!

 

[Miss Frankie J]

We are booked to arrive on 18 September and got the email. I couldn't sleep last night with worry. Do we keep our reservation and hope for the best and hope we don't get a terrible view, and hope that the noise is minimal. It seems that every option sucks. Stay put and deal with noise and one less pool. OR move hotel - which either means downgrading, or paying more for a similar deluxe. I am not one bit happy! My daughter (7) is looking forward to this hotel.

what room type did you book?

Fortunately my daughters are more interested in the parks for our September stay, but it is a huge disappointment. I don’t understand why pool refurb wouldn’t be done in the cooler months? September is still very hot!

It seems strange since food and wine, Halloween parties and the heat are all factors in September. ALSO the resort is almost booked up.

 

[Abbey1]

Also, if you are thinking of making a resort switch, I’d recommend doing it sooner rather than later. My guess is that as this email reaches more and more guests, more people may be looking to move, too.

I ended up booking a new room last night, because like you, I think that more people will be changing resorts due to this refurb. The pickings were already pretty slim for my dates. I was feeling really upset about not staying at AKL last night, but I’m feeling better about it today. We were able to pay about the same while adding one extra night to our trip and doing a split stay between POFQ and BC.

We’ll definitely be staying at AKL next time we come to WDW, but that probably won’t be for several years. Disneyland is our home park.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Has anyone heard when the pool refurb will be finished?

 

[Shelleyfs]

I read December, but I don't believe there is a firm date.

 

[Miss Frankie J]

I ended up booking a new room last night, because like you, I think that more people will be changing resorts due to this refurb. The pickings were already pretty slim for my dates. I was feeling really upset about not staying at AKL last night, but I’m feeling better about it today. We were able to pay about the same while adding one extra night to our trip and doing a split stay between POFQ and BC.

We’ll definitely be staying at AKL next time we come to WDW, but that probably won’t be for several years. Disneyland is our home park.

I decided as well to switch to Beach Club, It was more money but we don't want to deal with only one pool, construction and overall stress about it. Beach club's Location fits our park needs better anyway.

 

[Carlymouse]

We are booked to arrive on 18 September and got the email. I couldn't sleep last night with worry. Do we keep our reservation and hope for the best and hope we don't get a terrible view, and hope that the noise is minimal. It seems that every option sucks. Stay put and deal with noise and one less pool. OR move hotel - which either means downgrading, or paying more for a similar deluxe. I am not one bit happy! My daughter (7) is looking forward to this hotel.

If you're daughter's really looking forward to it I'd stay... There'll still be lots of daily activities for kids and families right? And the hotel itself is great and still will have lots of cool animal viewing spots. It's just the pool situation that's a bummer. I am not yet affected by this, and I'd be super bummed, too, but if I were doing it for my daughter for the animals I think I'd stay- but I suppose it does depend on how much pool time you were planning for this vacation. Best of luck!

 

[Sailormoon2]

@Abbey1 I would also like to respond to your post re: AoA, staying at a value. Although I agree with most of what @gillep said, I actually had a very pleasant stay at POP. I had only ever stayed Deluxe previously, and was really apprehensive about staying Value and I LOVED it. Now, I only ever ate breakfast at the resort and I did not use the pool, but I know their are tons of rave reviews about AoA's food court. The room was lovely, the bed was super comfortable.So as far as the room was concerned I did not miss my Deluxe.

 

[GXIncognto]

I'm staying in a Jambo House DVC Villa in October...I'm not a pool person so the pool closure won't affect me too much, but the pool BAR closure will. I wonder what the chances are of them opening Victoria Falls Lounge closer to noon so I can enjoy some midday vacation drinking without having to trek down to Kidani. Also if I wanted to enjoy some midday drinks on the room balcony, I don't even know if they'd let me take open drinks on the shuttle back from Kidani?

 

[Sailormoon2]

@GXIncognto I can not speak for Victoria Falls but other resort bars have opened earlier on our stays to accommodate a closed pool bar/area.