JAMBO! The UN-official AKL Thread ~ UPDATED(short film/pg 8 & slideshow/pg 12) Part 3

[mika911]

Wonder how this will affect me in a standard view ??? ha-ha!!!

I wonder if the restaurants will be less busy? One could only hope. And quiet buses please.

 

[stepdisney]

Not sure which Savannah views are effected, don't cancel just yet. I think they will be contacting the vacationers who are booked where the problem is. . Also, it depends on when you are going. I have been trying to book for a trip that includes Labor Day, your week may be slower.

 

[carol/houston]

Stepdisney, I know you really want to stay at AKL but I'm sure you will love WL. We loved staying at WL and since we have never stayed at AKL, it has been hard not to change back to WL but we are determined to try something different. confused3 PrejeanPrincess and I keep telling each other it is the right thing to stay put at AKL. ) And remember there is always next year to plan for AKL when the construction will not be a factor.

 

[tinkerbell728]

Hi everyone! I 've been lurking for weeks. DH, DS 8 and I will be going to WDW in Sept. We stayed at ASM last Sept. We had dinner at Jiko's and it was love at first sight. That smell, the animals and oh the food. I thought I died and went to Africa This time we will be stayng there. It's a surprise. I have a ton of questions. WE will be celebrating our 10th anniv. What's the best bottle of wine to order at Boma? I am ordering a cake, how will they know when to deliver it.( I want it for day 1)? When shipping things ahead of time, is there a speial address I should use? Is Victoria Falls an adult only place? Any other bit of advice, I'd love to hear it.
DH wants to know what the gym is like. He's so romantic

 

[mika911]

You'll tell them the day and time you want the cake, and they will probably call you, to see if you're ready, when they are about to bring it up.

The victoria falls pretty much has only alcohol drinks and coffee drinks I think.

 

[tiggrbaby]

I spoke to a CM from CRO again this evening. The system was down for several hours for "updating". I was hopeful that perhaps this would mean more rooms opening up. The CM informed me that it is true, people who have booked Savannah view rooms are being offered "upgrades" of 2 bedroom villa's at SSR. She did not come out and tell me until I asked her why there were no rooms. She then said that the views people booked were going to be "obstructed" because of construction. This information was given only after I asked if there would be upgrades for any other resorts. She said the only reason the upgrades were being given to AKL guests was because of the views being obstructed. She said that any rooms that came back into inventory would be used to adjust the guests who did not want to switch. Until everyone who is already booked has been taken care of to their satisfaction, there will be no rooms offered to other guests. .. this means me . It is only fair to take care of the guests who have already booked first. I think if I had been booked and I was asked to switch, I'd be a little unhappy. At least we know now why the rooms are not available and not because it is overcrowded. Maybe next time. Yes I will still continue to lurk and keep my ears and eyes open to any other news.

We had always gotten our AKL "fix" by eating at Boma and budgeting enough time to walk around the grounds to look at all the viewing areas, including walking to the ends of the halls and standing on the stairways! That is something you can do, and then you will have the best of both worlds as the WL is a magnificent place, too!

 

[pilferk]

Not sure which Savannah views are effected, don't cancel just yet. I think they will be contacting the vacationers who are booked where the problem is. . Also, it depends on when you are going. I have been trying to book for a trip that includes Labor Day, your week may be slower.

I wouldn't panic just yet.

Since we all know that the interior conversion really hasn't (and shouldn't) effect Savannah views, there's only 2 other options here, I think:

1) The CM was incorrect, and it's not obstructed views they're really worried about, but construction noise. As we all know....CM's are not (unfortunately) always the most reliable when it comes to specifics.

OR

2) They're starting on Kidani village construction, which means those people with sunset savannah views might be effected. Now, the new building itself is somewhat removed from the existing lodge, so it may just be that the animals have to be temporarily relocated during the initial phase of construction (or, they need to be acclimated, so won't be as visible or out as much near the equipment during the first phase).

 

[stepdisney]

Stepdisney, I know you really want to stay at AKL but I'm sure you will love WL. We loved staying at WL and since we have never stayed at AKL, it has been hard not to change back to WL but we are determined to try something different. confused3 PrejeanPrincess and I keep telling each other it is the right thing to stay put at AKL. ) And remember there is always next year to plan for AKL when the construction will not be a factor.

Carol/Houson, you have been there with me during my quest for AKL. Thank you for posting this. I am encouraged. I do love some things about WL and it's nice to hear that those who have stayed find it difficult to stay anywhere else. I know you will enjoy AKL, remember that the views at AKL cannot be duplicated anywhere else. I don't know anyone who can say they wake up each morning to a view of giraffe.

We had always gotten our AKL "fix" by eating at Boma and budgeting enough time to walk around the grounds to look at all the viewing areas, including walking to the ends of the halls and standing on the stairways! That is something you can do, and then you will have the best of both worlds as the WL is a magnificent place, too!

tiggerbaby,

Thanks for the suggestion. We have ADR's for BOMA and we plan to enjoy the lodge then. I want to also take a trip there one morning to do some shopping (I love the shopping there). It seems that those who love AKL also love WL and this helps me a lot. Thanks .

 

[stepdisney]

I wouldn't panic just yet.

Since we all know that the interior conversion really hasn't (and shouldn't) effect Savannah views, there's only 2 other options here, I think:

1) The CM was incorrect, and it's not obstructed views they're really worried about, but construction noise. As we all know....CM's are not (unfortunately) always the most reliable when it comes to specifics.

OR

2) They're starting on Kidani village construction, which means those people with sunset savannah views might be effected. Now, the new building itself is somewhat removed from the existing lodge, so it may just be that the animals have to be temporarily relocated during the initial phase of construction (or, they need to be acclimated, so won't be as visible or out as much near the equipment during the first phase).

Thanks. I do still keep a glimmer of hope and I am looking for a standard view but am more relaxed since I know there is some validity to the sudden disappearance of AKL rooms. I think that the inner rooms may be used to house those who need to be moved because of the construction noise or the animals being relocated making it not much of a view. I read a post recently where someone said there were many empty rooms. I think they are booking lightly to make everyone's stay enjoyable which is a good thing.

As time gets closer, they may just open a few rooms after they map out the rooms for those already booked. I have learned to be content, after all..we have 10 days at Disney .

 

[Tiggerrn2]

When shipping things ahead of time, is there a speial address I should use?

When you get (or if you already have) your confirmation papers in the mail, the address to your hotel will be in the paperwork. UG lists it as: AKL, WDW,
2901 Osceola Parkway, Bay Lake, FL 32830. Send your stuff about 7-10 days ahead and be sure to write on it "Save for Guest (your name) along with your arrival date. When we did this, I sent cereal, bowls, spoons, PB & J, and snacks. We had a limo pick us up at the airport (before Magic Express) and it stopped for us at the grocery store where I grabbed milk, bread, juice boxes, fruit, pop and a styrofoam cooler (which I left behind for another visitor). We were able to have breakfast and lunch daily in our hotel. Kids were so picky then and we knew we'd be returning mid-day every day for a rest and swim. We saved a ton of money on food.
If you can, plan a resort day. There are so many things for kids to do at the resort. The lifegaurds had games by the pool each afternoon, there are tours of the hotel, at night out by Arusha Rock, there is night viewing of the animals, there is a storyteller about 7PM by the firepit. We could have easily just enjoyed a couple of days at the hotel.
Have a great trip.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Wow, I am so disappointed!!

I am trying to book one night at AKL on Saturday 9/29. We are staying at POFQ starting 9/22 and wanted to move to AKL for our last day and night.

Would even pay rack rate if we had to but there is no availability! Didn't think I'd have a problem 3mos away and at a slower time of year, and thought I'd be far enough away from free dining to get just one night.

I already made our flights for Sunday 9/30 (uh oh!).

Do you think it is a combination of free dining and the construction going on?

Was not really interested in staying at another resort other than AKL for that last night. Suppose I better see if I can add a night at POFQ so that I am not homeless for 24 hours until I can get on our flight !!!

 

[mika911]

I have a couple standard room stays booked. I'm hoping they upgrade me to a better view, since so few people will be staying there evidently. I know it's an illogical hope, but it's at the tiny corner of my mind.

 

[amycishere]

Ok, everyone, just talked with Don. People are being upgraded who have rooms overlooking the Sunset Savannah. There other Savannah's will not be affected. He said therefore the regular savannah rooms and deluxe rooms overlooking that area had been asked to upgrade as the construction obstructed the view. He also said they are almost done with the inside construction so they may be going back to the regular lounge very soon. I told him I was said because I heard that the presidential suite had an amazing view of the animals. He agreed. lol. I asked if he had a construction plan he could email me but he says the pace might change so on and so forth and it may become invalid. I told him he has a very high regard on the internet and the FIRST thing he asked about was the DIS boards. He says the only reason he does not post here is because he works at Disney. He asked I knew a girl specifically sorry I don't know remember her name but he said she asked him about 25 questions and he went around and made sure to answer every single one of them completely.

I may update with more information because half the convo was split by my half sister (who is staying with me) who is now in the pool.

Update: He also told her that rooms not on the club level that they booked might not be available now due to the complaints about the construction. He says SOME people staying n these over levels, standard, Savannah and such are being asked if they want to upgrade. If you are staying in one of these types of rooms I would call either now or closer to your stay. I am sorry for this news, I guess members staying at the club level are getting priority and I understand it in one respect because we are paying $425 a night and in another I am very sorry for everyone. Please understand I am not rich in any means this is my birthday/Christmas present to myself.

I would still call close to your check in date to make sure that the other savannahs aren't going to be affected.

 

[cocowum]

Ok, everyone, just talked with Don. People are being upgraded who have rooms overlooking the Sunset Savannah. There other Savannah's will not be affected. He said therefore the regular savannah rooms and deluxe rooms overlooking that area had been asked to upgrade as the construction obstructed the view. He also said they are almost done with the inside construction so they may be going back to the regular lounge very soon. I told him I was said because I heard that the presidential suite had an amazing view of the animals. He agreed. lol. I asked if he had a construction plan he could email me but he says the pace might change so on and so forth and it may become invalid. I told him he has a very high regard on the internet and the FIRST thing he asked about was the DIS boards. He says the only reason he does not post here is because he works at Disney. He asked I knew a girl specifically sorry I don't know remember her name but he said she asked him about 25 questions and he went around and made sure to answer every single one of them completely.

I may update with more information because half the convo was split by my half sister (who is staying with me) who is now in the pool.

I would still call close to your check in date to make sure that the other savannahs aren't going to be affected.

Thanks so much for the updates!!!!

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

Thank you for the update!

 

[tinkerbell728]

Thanks for the good advice. Enjoy Disneyland!

 

[Tig-girl]

Thanks so much for the info amycishere! I hope you will update us whenever you get new info. I am not booked for a Savannah View because we were lucky enough to get pool view with the free DDP, so I will not complain, even though I will truly miss seeing those animals from my balcony everyday....

 

[Debbie6221]

Did I post this here yet?

 

[momtoPrincessA]

I'm booked with a pool view for August....I'm desperately trying to upgrade to Savanna but the whole resort is booked! Yikes!

 

[RachelTori]

I'm booked with a pool view for August....I'm desperately trying to upgrade to Savanna but the whole resort is booked! Yikes!

I don't think the whole resort is booked as much as they're holding back rooms due to the ever-changing construction schedule. As you get closer to your date, they may open up some Savannah views, but if not -- you're still going to WDW and you're still staying at one of the best resorts EVER!!!