Just back AKLV...thoughts on Savannah view 2BR.....

[trampslady]

As always, our trip to BCV was outstanding. We really enjoyed our time there, and we always look forward to a visit to our original "home" at Animal Kingdom Lodge (was our first Disney experience in 2002). This was our second stay at the villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge, but I was a tad disappointed this trip. We had a savannah view, and they really should not be charging for savannah view points right now if you end up with a room facing the construction. We were in a 2BR on the Kudu Trail. Our room was 5372--beautiful room, but the view left a lot to be desired and the sound was horrible. No sound if you were inside with the doors to the balcony shut. However, work is going on 24-7 as they front desk told us, and even at 11pm I could hear jackhammers, generators and loud hammering if I opened the door in the slightest.

I know Kidani will be outstanding, but I was surprised to see so many animals in the close vicinity of the construction--seems it would be unsettling. And, I really don't think they should be charging for savannah view points for those rooms facing the construction right now. My two cents.......

 

[itsreally4mommy]

Oh man, I'm sorry. I had wondered how construction would impact things like that. I agree, they should give you a value rate IMO but certainly not charge for a savannah view.

 

[jjohnson]

We just had the sunset savannah too & I completely agree that the villas should no longer qualify as savannah view. The only animals brave enough to wander over to us were the cattle.

 

[AKV707]

I agree that a point reduction to standard level would be appropriate. I have a value 1 br booked in July with a savanna request. If we get it, I guess I can't complain for the points I am spending. Well, I guess i could get some great photos of Kidani construction!

 

[ExDinks]

We were in 5572/4 (lockoff) on the Zebra Trail away from the construction. It was fantastic! Beautiful sunrises every morning and just about all the variety of animals outside our balcony. We had heard about the construction and were a bit worried. I don't know if it was because we arrived early that we got that side or just lucky. I would think that the AKLV mgmt would do something for you to make up for the construction noise and impact on the savanah.

 

[DVC Mike]

I guess it's the luck of the draw. I would not be particularly happy if I got a savana view room overlooking the Sunset savanna right now.

My first two stays at AKV were views of the Uzima and Arusha savannas. With the construction of Kidani Village going full bore, we're not headed back until the 4th quarter of 2009, when we should be able to book a nice stay at the new Kidani Village.

 

[alldiz]

My line of complaint would be....why are DVC members not treated the same as CRO guests. CRO guests are NOT charged extra for those Savanah views.
Why should we
Kerri

 

[marvali]

Sorry you didn't get the full pleasure of your Savanna view room. We are supposed to be in a two bedroom SV when we go in January. Hopefully things will have slowed down by then with outside construction and the related noise since it will be our first trip "home."

 

[tigertamm]

I am at the AKL right now! We are in a 2BR LO and have a standard view. We are loving it. Zebra trail with a view of the pool with some animals in the distance. Couldn't ask for more. Rm #5412/5414 The rooms are gorgeous and roomy.

 

[Starr W.]

With the construction of Kidani Village going full bore, we're not headed back until the 4th quarter of 2009, when we should be able to book a nice stay at the new Kidani Village.

I'm with you Mike.
I told the kids who want to try AKV, we're not even going to consider staying there until all the construction is done.

 

[jjohnson]

I knew when we booked that their was a chance of getting sunset and as luck would have it we did. I'm going to try and book AKV again in a couple of weeks but I'm not using extra points for Savannah view.

 

[trampslady]

We actually checked in at 11am--no reason for such a bad view (the sound was actually worse than the view in my opinion). We inquired at the front desk, but we were told that there were no rooms to switch to. I just send an e-mail to member services to share my concern. We'll see what they say.

 

[disneylaurie]

When is construction due to be complete? We're going in Sept 2009 and are hoping to book at AKL with our new DVC points...

 

[dis-happy]

We stayed at AKV, savannah view last February. We overlooked the main savannah, while friends in concierge faced the construction. I was happy with my view, the only thing I wanted to point out is this: when I booked my room MS was very clear that construction would be going on, and I agreed that I was booking knowing that the view and noise could impact our trip. Hasn't MS made this clear to everyone booking? If not, I'd be upset, but if so I'd have to say that we as members were fore-warned and therefore shouldn't have anything to complain about. I'd still take a construction room at AKV over a room at SSR (one of our other choices), really enjoyed the Lodge, the pool, the animal sighting areas, and Boma.

 

[nicolepdonnelly]

I was wondering about the time line for construction too. We plan on our first DVC trip to be end of June 2009. I was wondering if we would be in Kadani Village or the villas there now. Also, we wanted to do that safari that is only available to the concierge level anyway and I don't know if they will open that up to Kadani Village.

 

[Alexander]

.....I was happy with my view, the only thing I wanted to point out is this: when I booked my room MS was very clear that construction would be going on, and I agreed that I was booking knowing that the view and noise could impact our trip. Hasn't MS made this clear to everyone booking?.....

Yes, they absolutely do. I have called MS three different times to book stays at AKV and everytime they read off a script about the noise and construction. Everyone is forwarned, and therefore really there are no grounds for complaint. I do agree that there should be some modification of points for those rooms, but if we've been forwarned, we are likely SOL.

 

[disneydisneydoo]

We just returned from 5 nights on the Sunset Savannah - room 5210. I was not told by MS when I made my reservation in 10/07 about the noise and/or construction. So, I don't believe that everyone is being told or was being told. Anyway, we had a great time - the noise did not bother me in the least. I didn't notice it. The view left a little to be desired - but it seems like it may always from that room location in my opinion. We were basically facing another wing and the 1st and 2nd floors were all just large solid wood doors??? The one thing that was irritating was that they were power washing the roof (the part with shingles) on AKL. There were men on bucket trucks right outside the balcony on certain days and the bucket trucks were being stored along the perimeter of the savannah. I would imagine this is not just limited to the Sunset Savannah. They will probably be doing the other areas as well.

Anyway, we saw cattle, a giraffe and an ostrich everyday. They showed up between 4:00 and 5:00.

 

[iluveeyore]

We're in 5429 - Arusha savannah view in a studio - I requested this view, and was amazed when it was ready yesterday when we checked in at noon. Great view, and enjoying the savannah view for the extra points. I agree with the OP that I would be upset if I got the construction view and paid extra points, as we can see the cranes over the building off to our left if you hang over the balcony. Can't hear any noise over here though, very peaceful.

 

[Simba's Mom]

And, I really don't think they should be charging for savannah view points for those rooms facing the construction right now. My two cents.......

What really upsets me about this is that a CM at AKV a few weeks ago told a group of us that the sunset savannah rooms that are AKL, not AKV, are being reserved as standard rooms, not savannah view room because of the construction. I was the only one in the group who was DVC, and it's a good thing no one knew, because there was some negative talk about how DVC was damaging "their" AKL. But my point is why are those rooms being reserved as standard view for the hotel, yet for DVC members. they're considered savannah view?

 

[dugski]

Just returned from 1 week at AKV. Had a 2bedroom l/o. When we arrived they gave us a room on the sunset savannah-my grandson opened the drapes and there were no animals and a big construction crane was our view. My daughter immediately called DVC and we were moved into 5582 Arusha. The room was great, the animals were many and my grandchildren had a wonderful time. This was our first visit home and turned out to be great after a rough start.