Just got booted from AKL

[dce123]

My daughter and I have to move from AKL, savannah view.
We will be in Disney 7/16-7/23.
She is disappointed since she loves animals, so I am trying to make the right decision on where we should move.
Our first choice was polynesian, but nothing is available.
We have been offered a room in the contemporary garden wing, I think with a garden view.
Any input on this area is appreciated. We've never stayed at the contemporary, so I don't know a lot about the hotel.
Have all the rooms been renovated?
Do you feel this is an acceptable offer considering we've had reservations for almost a year?
Any comments on the garden wing are appreciated.

How do you feel about the contemporary verses a resort like the Yacht or Beach Club? Assuming they would have an opening.


Thanks.

 

[simonkodousek]

My daughter and I have to move from AKL, savannah view.
We will be in Disney 7/16-7/23.
She is disappointed since she loves animals, so I am trying to make the right decision on where we should move.
Our first choice was polynesian, but nothing is available.
We have been offered a room in the contemporary garden wing, I think with a garden view.
Any input on this area is appreciated. We've never stayed at the contemporary, so I don't know a lot about the hotel.
Have all the rooms been renovated?
Do you feel this is an acceptable offer considering we've had reservations for almost a year?
Any comments on the garden wing are appreciated.

How do you feel about the contemporary verses a resort like the Yacht or Beach Club? Assuming they would have an opening.


Thanks.

I would call back and demand the Poly, GF, or WL.

 

[ducklite]

IMHO Contemporary Garden wing is a HUGE step down from AKL savannah view.

I'd try for any of the Epcot resorts first. I wouldn't accept CR garden wing. If they want to up the ante to Tower, I'd consider it.

Anne

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

We stayed in the garden wing of the Contemporary long long ago and it wasn't all that special. Now with the construction there, I would not really want to go there. I would prefer Yacht club, Beach club or Boardwalk. Wilderness Lodge is also quite nice.

Now, if they could put you in the Tower rooms at the Contemporary, those are quite fun, IMHO. Again, the construction may be an issue, though.

 

[ccigliano]

I'd shoot for WL or WLV as I think that is the closest you'll get to the AKL theming and for me it's all about the theming. After that I think I would go for the Yacht & Beach and Beach Club Villas as they have a great location to EPCOT. Or if the monorail is a factor for you, I'd go for the POLY or the GF. The Contemporary with its concrete facade just never appealed to me but there are several on these boards that love it. Maybe they can weigh in to help you out. Good Luck.

 

[stacy6552]

I'd stay at the Y or BC over the contemp.

 

[deej696]

Another vote for not taking the garden wing at CR. If they put you in the tower, thats a different story, but I agree that the wing is a step down. I would opt for any of the monorail resorts, or YandB Club...

 

[poppysgirl]

The contemporary garden wing would be my last choice and def. not comparable to a savanaha view at AKL.

 

[LilGMom]

I'd ask for something else. We stayed in the North Garden Wing once (the one that is now demolished) and we hated it and even cut our stay there short because we disliked it so much. The CR Tower rooms might be different and from what I have heard they are but I'd avoid the garden wing rooms.

I'd ask if they have any WL or WLV rooms available. We LOVE the WL and it is just a very short boat ride from the WL to the MK.

 

[TJA]

Considering you had a savanah booked at AKL, I'd go with tower room at CR, not the wing. If not the CR, then definitely any of the Epcot resorts, preferably BC.

 

[ToyStory]

I have stayed at the Contemporary and it was okay. We had a tower room facing Magic Kingdom prior to the rehab. The monorail was great. I agree a wing room would be a step down. With the construction going on there, I wouldn't stay there now.

Leaving AKL because of construction and being moved to another hotel the is experience construction is not right. I would check online to see what is available prior to calling back.

 

[minijeanie]

no way would I take wing room.

ask for tower

or WL

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

Well the Contemorary does not appeal to me at all so I would not accept it. If they couldn't get you into the Poly, I would choose the Beach Club.

 

[marlower]

Did they say you had to move or that they had an option for you because of the construction. Why not try a pool view at AKL? From what I understand,those rooms are not affected at all by the construction.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I would not take the CR garden wing room. I would shoot for WL with comparable view or Poly garden room. The other room that is the same cost would be a 1 bedroom villa at either BC or BW. Any of those would be great depending upon the number of beds you need. Dont settle for something that is not going to make you happy. Keep us posted on what happens.

 

[flyinglizard]

I don't think a move from AKL Savannah to Contemp wing is an equal trade unless they throw in a big bag of money. Tower, maybe...

However, I have heard some unhappy stories about guests at AKL and the noise and dust from the construction, so perhaps right now, AK is not a place you would want to be anyway. I've been to the lodge a couple times since they started, but only in the evenings. But it it does seem to me with all those rooms, and all the relocations that have been going on, they should have some rooms still available.

Beach and Yacht are very nice but would appeal more to older kids, who enjoy EPCOT and MGM. Great pool though! The Contemp Tower would offer easy access to MK if that would be a perk.

Sorry this had to happen and that I can't be of more help...

 

[dce123]

Did they say you had to move or that they had an option for you because of the construction. Why not try a pool view at AKL? From what I understand,those rooms are not affected at all by the construction.

My main reason for choosing AKL was so that my daughter could have a savannah view room. She's a big animal lover, and was really looking forward to that part of the trip.
My understanding is that there will be few, if any, animals around the AKL during this time. So a pool view there is not especially appealing.

I've contacted my travel agent about getting a different location, but with only 2 weeks time, I don't have much hope of getting another resort.

My first request after I found out about this was the Polynesian. But they said nothing was available.
Not sure about the GF yet.
I'm going to ask my travel agent to check on Beach or Yacht club.

My daughter (Savannah) is 9, and has been to DisneyWorld before, but this is/was our first attempt at staying at AKL. We've only been to the All-Star resorts in the past, so I have no past experience with the Deluxe resorts.

Thanks for all the responses.
And any further suggestions are appreciated.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In defence of the South Garden Wing their renovated rooms are amaizing. I understand that going from the AKL Savannah room to the South Garden Wing is not everyones 1st choice. However others who were booted from the Animal Kingdom Lodge had to take rooms at Sarartoga Springs and others thought that was not a fair trade off. At least with the Contemporary you're still staying at a Deluxe Resort and you're at the closest Resort possible to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[ImagineerM]

echoing many others..if I am you I don't accept the CR wing, I would take a tower room...problem with the wing is you could be a LONG way from the main building and with no view whatsoever...that is a HUGE step down from the AKL.

I'd request elsewhere. PM me if you have any specific questions.

Cheers,
Josh

 

[MiaSRN62]

Some of those CR wing rooms have a view of the parking lot. IF, and that's a big "IF", I took a Garden Wing room, I'd insist on a water view (Bay Lake). Going from a savanah view to a parking lot view is not right.
Good luck with your decision.....I'd ask about the Tower though (MK side).