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

[mjalvarez]

...yet ANOTHER way awesome shot by Gdad:

....thanks a bunch Gdad!!

Love this picture. Here's hoping we don't get moved either!

 

[Donald is #1]

Hi all AKL fans. I was just over on allearsnet and they have the start of a posting (or is it a blog ) from the first DVC member to check into AKV this morning! If you are interested, here is the link AKV opening day part 1

 

[Tig-girl]

What a mess! I have 1/2 the group wanting me to call and change the reservations to WL, 1.2 the group saying wait and see what happens, and me in the middle! I cannot believe that this is happening 2 months before the trip!

 

[John's Mom]

Hi all AKL fans. I was just over on allearsnet and they have the start of a posting (or is it a blog ) from the first DVC member to check into AKV this morning! If you are interested, here is the link AKV opening day part 1

Thanks for the link! I can't wait for the rest of the report.

 

[wvdislover]

Pretty cool link!

 

[marlower]

We are booked to stay at AKL from 8/14-8/18 and was reading a lot about people being moved from this resort. I decided to call today and was first told by a wonderful CM at AKL that my room (pool view) will not be affected so no worries but then she said she would transfer me to a customer service rep. As soon as I told her my dates she said oh, yes you will need to move and they can change me to SSR for $107 per night. I then asked her if the whole resort is being closed due to the construction and she said no that there will be a few rooms open so I then asked why then do I have to move, can't I be one of the few and she said of course, just know that there will be construction noise from 9am-5pm. I asked if the pool view rooms would be under construction and she said no. I also confirmed with her that the pool, restaurants, etc would be running as normal and she said yes. So with all that said, I decided to stay. I need honest advice, have a done the right thing? What would you do? I'm thinking the resort will be less crowded and more enjoyable at Maras, the pool etc. There is only one day that we will be affected by daytime construction noise and that would be just for a few hours for a much needed rest and shower.

 

[Flossbolna]

On Allearsnet there is a report of the first AKV studios being opened today and the room number of the studio Linda is staying in is 5419 (the tow parts of the review are accessible from here: http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/index.htm ). According to my map of the AKL this would be in the first building on Zebra trail, so along the same trail as the pool view rooms. I also think that I have read somewhere that they are actually closing down all of Kudu trail. This would make sense as so far people who stayed on Kudu trail say that they have not seen any signs of constructions. I think it looks like they are mainly done with Zebra trail and move to the other side now. I think you have good chances to be away from the construction. If I were you I would stay at AKL, but that is because I love AKL and SSR had no appeal whatsoever to me...

 

[marlower]

Thanks Flossbolna,

I am staying put for now. I have my heart set on AKL and I just have to think that the resort will be way less crowded! So I will think positive and take my chances.

Off topic, but we got back from our Bavarian trip June 1st. Love your city! We stayed 2 nights in Nuremberg with 2 side trips, one to Regensburg (unbelievable town) and Rothenburg(my favorite) I actually met a couple on our disney cruise back in March that are also from Nuremberg so we met up with them one night for dinner, you may have heard of her, she is a DJ on the Gong radio station. Wish we could have stayed longer, but could only visit for 7 days, I will make it back there someday for sure!

Thanks again

 

[wvdislover]

Marlower, the info you found out on your phone call is good news for me, too. We are booked for a pool view coming in on Sept 7. Keeping our fingers crossed for you and me!

 

[marlower]

I will keep you all posted when I get back. Keeping my fingers crossed

 

[mirlow]

I never thought that our family of five would be able to stay at the AKL Club Level again unless we did it through DVC. For fun I thought I would see what was available for our dates and I couldn't believe there was a Deluxe Club Level room open! We have always enjoyed ending our WDW trips at the AKL. I'm hoping it will all work out ok.
I am excited, but I'm wondering where the heck the room will be located? Have they converted all of the rooms on the Zebra Trail? What is the trail they are closing down that is causing all of the guests to relocate?
Is there anyone else that is going in Sept. that has a Deluxe room booked?

 

[pooksma]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any idea what date they are up to in the calls to move? I undertsand they are being made in chronological order.

 

[raterfly]

Subscribing as I am booked to go to AKL Savanna room from 12th-26th Aug. I called yesterday and they said my reservation did not have a note on it to be moved but that is not to say that it wouldn't... so I figured this is the best thread to get up to date information. ;-)

 

[TheLastPrincess]

They are moving those who are staying prior to Sept 1st. I read somewhere that they are calling up to 2 weeks ahead of your arrival date.

For anyone staying after Sept 1st, I called Guest Services and she said that at that time, there is no guarrantee that one will or will not be effected by the construction, so they are not moving anyone after that date at this time. I expressed concern over this (as we are checking in 9/14 for our honeymoon) and asked to be moved, but she said we would have to make up the difference in price if we moved since our arrival date did not fall before 9/1.

 

[marlower]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any idea what date they are up to in the calls to move? I undertsand they are being made in chronological order.

I have seen some posts that those with August 16th arrivals have already been called. We have an August 14th arrival but have not received a call so I called myself and was told that the construction will not affect us, however I was transferred to customer service and immediately I was told that I will have to move, after pressing a bit more, I found that the resort will not be closed completely but that only a small percentage of the rooms would remain open as well as all the other amenities. So I chose to stay for now. I am hearing that some folks are getting GF, I was only offered SSR or BC.

Would love to hear from someone that has recently been to AKL to get the lowdown on the construction. I'm not a big fan on GF so not sure if I would want that. I think I would actually prefer WL.

 

[Tig-girl]

They are moving those who are staying prior to Sept 1st. I read somewhere that they are calling up to 2 weeks ahead of your arrival date.

For anyone staying after Sept 1st, I called Guest Services and she said that at that time, there is no guarrantee that one will or will not be effected by the construction, so they are not moving anyone after that date at this time. I expressed concern over this (as we are checking in 9/14 for our honeymoon) and asked to be moved, but she said we would have to make up the difference in price if we moved since our arrival date did not fall before 9/1.

I was told basically the same thing last night (see post on AKL closing thread). http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1501498&page=9
I don't know what to do at this point except to wait!

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks Flossbolna,

I am staying put for now. I have my heart set on AKL and I just have to think that the resort will be way less crowded! So I will think positive and take my chances.

Off topic, but we got back from our Bavarian trip June 1st. Love your city! We stayed 2 nights in Nuremberg with 2 side trips, one to Regensburg (unbelievable town) and Rothenburg(my favorite) I actually met a couple on our disney cruise back in March that are also from Nuremberg so we met up with them one night for dinner, you may have heard of her, she is a DJ on the Gong radio station. Wish we could have stayed longer, but could only visit for 7 days, I will make it back there someday for sure!

Thanks again

I hope you have a fantastic stay at AKL with lots of space at the pool and a guaranteed seat on the busses! I am sure if staying at AKL during that time would be really horrible they would move all guests. My guess would be that when people call them they are happy to move you in order to free up a room that can then be given to those people who don't want to move. It makes it much easier for them if they do not have to try to get in touch with people.

I am amazed that there are actually Germans on Disney cruises, Disney even seems to try to keep WDW a secret here in Germany! Glad that you liked your stay here, I am always enjoying having visitors to show them around the sights as I still think they are great!

 

[marlower]

I hope you have a fantastic stay at AKL with lots of space at the pool and a guaranteed seat on the busses! I am sure if staying at AKL during that time would be really horrible they would move all guests. My guess would be that when people call them they are happy to move you in order to free up a room that can then be given to those people who don't want to move. It makes it much easier for them if they do not have to try to get in touch with people.

I am amazed that there are actually Germans on Disney cruises, Disney even seems to try to keep WDW a secret here in Germany! Glad that you liked your stay here, I am always enjoying having visitors to show them around the sights as I still think they are great!

I agree that they are happy to move those that call and that it and that it makes it easier for the cm's on phone calls, which makes me wonder if they would have ever called me to begin with. I am looking forward to our AKL trip and will post back after my stay. I am hoping others will post after their stay as well so I will be better informed. I hear others are getting moved to GF at this point, but that resort does nothing for me, to each their own I guess!

Loved Germany, drove through my moms stomping grounds, around Stuttgart as well. My German friends just booked another Disney cruise in Sept 08, I think they really enjoy America, as we really enjoy Europe and especially Germany!

Thanks Flossbolna for all the encouragement on my decision to stay at AKL!

 

[Flossbolna]

I have finished my dining review. It includes meals at Boma, Jiko and breakfast at Mara. If anyone is interested, it is this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1464967

Boma is on page 8, post 111, Jiko on page 9 post 123 and Mara on page 9 post 129. Unfortunately those are the meals that I did not take any pictures of Hope you still enjoy them!

 

[momtoPrincessA]

I'm concerned about what mousesavers posted! We have a standard room one night, and a pool view for 5 nights. I really do not want to move!!! I'm glad to hear that they are shutting down portions of the resort, as opposed to it being full! I keep trying to change to a savanna room and they won't let me! Now I know why! At least it won't be crowded while we are there (8/20-8/26). I think if we are forced to move, the only thing we would be open to is staying at WL for the entire 10 nights. We've done CR (not thrilled with it), GF(great for me and DD, but DH and DS wouldn't really like it), the Poly has no appeal to us for whatever reason! Anyway, let's keep our fingers crossed that those of us who want to tough it out at AKL will be allowed to stay!