Just Back - 10 Days at AKV - Probably Won't Return

[ADP]

I don't see that it's much of an excuse for those who are working indoors.

But for those who live their and must experience it day-after-day it can wear on you. Cast Members are only indoors during their shift. Its the same reason you won't find many locals in the parks during June, July and August.

 

[snowbunny]

bell services does not handle packages. Resorts have a separate office/runners who handle shipped items.

Totally fine, but when I went to the front desk with the information, more than once, that the package had been delivered at 3:20 and I would like to have it sent up to my room, the CMs should have told the truth, not "bell services is bringing it right up" - for 8 hours.

As far as the construction view goes, I just don't see that that should be anyone's gripe at this point in the game (and I just got back from one myself, with all the orange "cherry pickers" lined up against Jambo House) Everyone who makes a reservation is clearly cautioned

We were cautioned that we would see and hear some construction. We were not cautioned that the savanna would consist of 40% savanna a hundred yards away fronted by 60% parking lot for construction cranes.

Since I was in a value to start with, I'm not worried about it, but if I'd paid savanna points, yes, I'd like some back.

Had I booked a value, I would not have minded at all. But for savanna view points, when cash guests were not being charged for savanna view for the exact same room, it was not acceptable. However, given the delicate feelings of CMs, I declined to blame them for it and instead as I said, took it up with MS.

"you" (general) aren't the King/Queen. A little patience and relaxation goes a LOOOONGGG way.

Quite. And having worked in customer service for more than two decades, I am well aware that eye rolling and condescending tones do not constitute being nice. I was genuinely nice. But sorry, it's perfectly justifiable to say that AKV/AKL is having some serious growing pains as a DVC resort. Valet parking excluded! those guys were great.

 

[GAN]

The negitives.
My fault. We had a party of six (all adult) and seemed very tight with space this time. I guess, my fault, I didn't look carefully enough at the floor plan but we had 2 in the studio rm and in the 1bdrm there were 2 on the pull out couch in the living rm and my DH and I in the master bedroom. For the amount of points we were using I just assumed (my fault) that there would be a privacy door to the bathroom from the master bedrm. Nope. Very awkward for my DH & I. Again.. my fault and I should have looked more carefully (or packed a robe).

We'll be staying in a 2-bedroom L/O next month and am starting to become a little concerned(or confused) in regards to the lack of a "private" bath off the master bedroom. When I look at the layout for a 2-bed L/O in the most recent planner for Jambo House, it clearly shows a separate(private?) bath -although it doesn't show a door, it seems to be perhaps a sliding door(it's a little hard to interpret). We will be staying with our kids and 2 of their teenage friends(girls) -the situation you were faced with could be a problem for us as well. Can anyone confirm that this would be the case for all the 2-bed L/O's or if there are just a few rooms designed this way?

 

[LisaS]

We'll be staying in a 2-bedroom L/O next month and am starting to become a little concerned(or confused) in regards to the lack of a "private" bath off the master bedroom. When I look at the layout for a 2-bed L/O in the most recent planner for Jambo House, it clearly shows a separate(private?) bath -although it doesn't show a door, it seems to be perhaps a sliding door(it's a little hard to interpret). We will be staying with our kids and 2 of their teenage friends(girls) -the situation you were faced with could be a problem for us as well. Can anyone confirm that this would be the case for all the 2-bed L/O's or if there are just a few rooms designed this way?

Here is a floor plan for a typical 2BR L/O. The bedroom has a door and the bathroom has a door but to get from the bedroom to the bathroom you have to cross a small hallway. There is no door at the living area end of the little hallway so there is no way to move between the bathroom and bedroom without being seen by people in the kitchen and living area.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We'll be staying in a 2-bedroom L/O next month and am starting to become a little concerned(or confused) in regards to the lack of a "private" bath off the master bedroom. When I look at the layout for a 2-bed L/O in the most recent planner for Jambo House, it clearly shows a separate(private?) bath -although it doesn't show a door, it seems to be perhaps a sliding door(it's a little hard to interpret). We will be staying with our kids and 2 of their teenage friends(girls) -the situation you were faced with could be a problem for us as well. Can anyone confirm that this would be the case for all the 2-bed L/O's or if there are just a few rooms designed this way?

I went and looked at that layout too, and you're right it does look like there should be a sliding door, or a curtain according to the drawing. It's not there in the drawing above but it is in the DVC book.

 

[Halle]

OP what you are describing is how the guests were at OKW until it was sold out, big change once it was. We always said "must be renters". Hope that's the case at AK.

 

[AKV707]

I went and looked at that layout too, and you're right it does look like there should be a sliding door, or a curtain according to the drawing. It's not there in the drawing above but it is in the DVC book.

I don't have the planner with me here in WDW, We are in a 1 br at AKV now. It is a value, but matches the floor plan posted by Lisa S. There is that little hallway and there is no door or curtain at the end. It is just DW and I so there is no problem with this.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I don't have the planner with me here in WDW, We are in a 1 br at AKV now. It is a value, but matches the floor plan posted by Lisa S. There is that little hallway and there is no door or curtain at the end. It is just DW and I so there is no problem with this.

Well I'm a little jealous!

 

[DonnaL]

My DH and I stayed at AKLV for two nights in May before heading to VB for three nights. We had two cases of water delivered from Staples. We called Bell Services to bring the water after we had checked in early evening (6:30 p.m.). They did tell us it would be a little while since they were short staffed. We left for the evening about 8:00 p.m. and left a note with a tip. When we returned about 12:30 a.m. our water was there along with the note and tip and a note BACK from Bell Services stating while the tip was appreciated it wasn't necessary. So, I guess it really depends on who is on shift when you check in.......our experience at AKLV was very good and will definitely stay there again......but, we will wait until Kidani Village is operational.....we did try for AKLV for our visit this Sept. with our six year old grandson, but, everything was booked so we decided on BWV since the slide is a GOOD one and we will NOT need to visit a water park!!!!!!

 

[RCDisneyFan]

We've been to WDW in general several times - always in "off seasons" - and have found it to be a mixed bag. I found cleanliness and helpfulness to be very good at Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs and Animal Kingdom Villas. When we stayed at Port Orleans, mousekeeping was thoughtful enough to put a child's sock they found on top of the bed where we'd be sure to see it. Thing is, we don't have any children.

By far, the absolute worst experience I had with cast member competency was our stay at the Contemporary. This visit was during September - one of the slowest times of the year - and THE most expensive trip we'd ever taken to WDW. I actually wrote guest relations a very long email enumerating 5 different instances where cast members had performed poorly / incompetently / extraordinarily rudely. As a result, I received a phone call from Disney thanking me for my feedback and they immediately re-sent me some items I'd had shipped that arrived damaged.

So, all I'm saying is: The time of year or accommodation type doesn't always have anything to do with it. We're all human and everyone has a bad day once in awhile and / or slacks off at work sometimes. It just happens to be more apparent in a service industry.

I'm sorry anyone had a bad experience at AKV, but I know how you feel... I probably wouldn't return to the Contemporary again for free!

 

[HomerHog]

Sorry you had such a bad experience. We stayed in a 2BR plus a studio for 9 days in June. We had a great stay at the resort. Check-in, mousekeeping, and everything went smoothly and the CMs were friendly.

We really only had two issues. One was baggage at airline check-in on our departure day, which was eventually resolved.

The primary issue we had was bus service, 30-45 minute waits were very common at the resort and the parks. We complained by phone and at the front desk. The bus drivers knew it was so bad that they were telling guests to complain to guest services when they arrived at the parks.

We also had a transportation CM who was charting arrival times one morning that called a WDW Transportation van for us to make it to EPCOT for the Princess Breakfast. So I only feel it is fair to mention the positive with the negative.

p.s. Regarding the diagrams above. In our Value 2BR, there was a regular swinging door that opened inward to the bathroom. The drawing suggests a sliding door.

 

[Tiger926]

We've stayed almost everywhere, just a few more Disney hotels to stay at (both DVC and non-DVC) and we find that the general tone at AKL to be not as well mannered either. I hate to even generalize in that respect, but each time we've stayed, we've experienced rudeness from guests and shortness from CMs as well. Not sure if it's size of resort, but we've also stayed at other large resorts and not experienced that. As well, we notice issues with CMs, front desk and housekeeping too and Boma is probably the worst customer service restaurant on property - very disorganized, pagers never work, messed up ADRs, horrible wait service, etc. We have pretty much cancelled it off of our list and we've eaten at pretty much every restaurant (signatures included) so have lots to compare to.

That being said, we love the theming of AKV (although rooms are too dark, especially bathrooms), pool area and playground. We hope that once Kidani opens up, they have worked out their kinks because as a home resort, it makes us sad that there always seems to be issues at this resort as well and we are very easy-going members - clean our rooms, make beds, etc.

I was not surprised to read of this trip report as we have experienced similar things as well, which tells me it is a common problem at AKV. I did speak to MS upon our return home in May and she admitted to me that there were ongoing problems that they were addressing with AKL and so she said they need our feedback each time there are issues at AKL as they meet regularly and address these things. Not sure what this says about DVC or AKL fixing issues since meeting regularly still hasn't seemed to fix the problem - hopefully, someone is going to implement the procedures they discuss at these meetings.

Tiger

 

[LisaS]

...and Boma is probably the worst customer service restaurant on property - very disorganized, pagers never work, messed up ADRs, horrible wait service, etc. We have pretty much cancelled it off of our list and we've eaten at pretty much every restaurant (signatures included) so have lots to compare to.

I'm sorry to hear you've had such bad experiences at Boma. It is one of our favorites and we've eaten there so many times (both breakfast and dinner) I've lost count. Fortunately, we have never experienced any of the problems you have and I hope it stays that way because I can't imagine a trip to WDW without eating at Boma!

 

[auntsue]

I just added three nights at the AKV in a 1BR, Savannah View to the beginning of our February trip to the BWV. We have never stayed there before and my husband had expressed an interest, so I was thrilled when I got it with no problem. However, after reading all five pages of this thread, I hope he won't be disappointed. Since I am in a perpetual state of 'borrowdom,' I am just going to keep the ressie and hope for the best. I do have one question though, - is the large tub a jacuzzi? It's hard to tell from the drawing.

 

[LisaS]

I do have one question though, - is the large tub a jacuzzi? It's hard to tell from the drawing.

The tub in the master bath of the 1BR is listed as a whirlpool tub. Actually, the 1BRs in Jambo House have a combined whirlpool tub and shower rather than a tub and a separate shower stall. The tub is deep so people have reported it's a bit challenging getting in and out. The master bath in the 1BRs in Kidani will have a separate shower stall.

 

[TyRy]

Here is a floor plan for a typical 2BR L/O. The bedroom has a door and the bathroom has a door but to get from the bedroom to the bathroom you have to cross a small hallway. There is no door at the living area end of the little hallway so there is no way to move between the bathroom and bedroom without being seen by people in the kitchen and living area.

Thanks so much for posting that! I was trying to figure out what the little hallway was people were describing. We'll be with my DIL's this year and then my parents next year in a two bedroom. Looks like we'll be locking that door at times between the studio and 1 bedroom!

 

[Tiger926]

I'm sorry to hear you've had such bad experiences at Boma. It is one of our favorites and we've eaten there so many times (both breakfast and dinner) I've lost count. Fortunately, we have never experienced any of the problems you have and I hope it stays that way because I can't imagine a trip to WDW without eating at Boma!

You are lucky - we have given it 3 chances over the past several years, and it's the same problems each time, whether it be breakfast or dinner: very slow check-ins, issues with ADRs, horrible customer service, pagers are always broken, etc. We like the food, but the other issues are consistently a problem

Tiger

 

[AKV707]

We had breakfast at Boma yesterday. Our server was outstanding. The food was tremendous. We will definitely return.

 

[tjkraz]

Are Bell Services being outsourced to a 3rd party company?

Unless there has been additional outsourcing very recently, only the baggage handlers at the Value resorts are non-Disney employees. When DME began, Disney contracted with an outside firm to move the bags from the airport to WDW. Then about a year ago they extended their contract with the firm to get the bags actually into the rooms at the Values. Since there were no Bell Services staff at the Values, it eliminated the middle-man (so to speak) in handling the bags.

At other resorts, the Bell Services employees are still Disney CMs.

Ironically, the valet parking attendants were outsourced a couple years ago, and they seem to get high marks from most guests who bother to report.

 

[BCV513]

If I remember correctly, Beach Club CM's went through a period of adjustment when the villa's were added on. Hopefully with time, CM's at AKV will come around too.

I was going to post the exact same thing! I'm so sorry you had a less than perfect stay at AKV. I know things have gotten better every year at the Beach Club. It has to be a huge adjustment for the staff at the AKL.

I agree with you about the people though. One of my favorite things about DVC is saying hi to people in the hallways