Just got booted from AKL

[heatherlynn444]

If my company screws up, you know what we do, we go out of our way to make things better. We stap up to the plate, offer something better then what they had and money back.

Everyone has different opinions of what "better" is, and we could go round and round (like we have already about SSR v. other Deluxes) and what I would think is comparable. In short though, if one has made deliberate plans to stay somewhere, there is a reason why they did. So when a company makes an error in their planning and it affects your plans, they need to do right.

So in this case, I agree with those demanding CR, Poly or even GF. But again, everyone has different opinions on what is a fair compromise and what they are willing to sacrafice/except.

other than a couple of exceptions, I think staying at any other deluxe resort would be a step up to AKL, except for if you just flat out do not like the theming of a certain resort. no need to get your panties in a twist. i was congratulating the OP on having a good attitude, unlike so many other ppl on here. i told my husband if we were to get booted from AKL that just means we have to plan another disney vacation JUST so we can go back and stay at AKL. so i actually see it as a plus! i would love to get offered SSR, have a HUGE room with a kitchen and washer/dryer. then i would come home, use the 1K they are giving you back as well, and use it to plan my next vacation at the AKL. sunny side to everything. if you can get GF great! it is my favorite resort. but for someone to DEMAND something to me looks like a 4 year old stomping their feet crying saying "i want a cookie, give me a cookie NOW!" just my opinion.

 

[dce123]

How many days are you going for? It might be that you are only a day or two off from the poly beiling available. This could be a great opportunity for you to do a split stay and try two different deluxe resorts. Maybe first few nights at GF, WL etc. last nights at Poly etc. They will transfer your bags for you. We have done this before when WL was not available for full stay. With the age of your daughter it should be fairly easy. YOu just check out on way to parks, have Bell Services get your bags,bring a backpack for the day, and when you get to your next resort that afternoon, call bell services and have them send it on up. They can transfer your tickets, dining plan etc. from the room key to your new room keys.You may find more options this way. Regardless, you have a Great attitude and you will have a great time!

Thanks mom4graceandlogan. I thought this was a great idea, so I checked online to see if Poly or GF had available rooms the last 3 days of our stay.
They did, so I called and emailed our TA last night and asked to have us move to the Poly the last 3 days of our trip.

This was a garden view room at the Poly, so I wasn't looking for some huge upgrade. (We had the Savannah view at AKL)

Disney told my TA this morning the following:
"that the rate would not be protected to do a split stay. He said for the rate to be protected, it had to be consecutive nights at the same resort."

I wasn't really mad until I read this. Disappointed yes, but now I am very upset.
So much for them bending over backwards.

 

[dce123]

But again, this is not the end of the world, and it will not ruin our trip.

I guess I just thought Disney would do their best, within reason, to make things right.

 

[ccigliano]

I've been reading several of the posts and it really does look like Disney is trying to do the right thing. From what I understand the animals are spooked by all the equipment and noise so who wants to stay in a construction zone with no animals anyway. Don't get me wrong - I have my favorite resort (WL) and if there's no availabilty I am disappointed and will try to go when there is and I understand that you planned well in advance to stay at AKL. That said - I would push as much as possible to get what you want and I would say try the DVC resorts at the Wildeness Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk, or OKW. SSR would be my last choice, however, a 1 Bedroom plus $1000 cash is awesome if that was the offer and you are right next to DTD. Have you checked the layout out for the 1 bedroom, the jacuzzi tub is awesome. Assuming SSR is out, I would try for one of the WL, Beach Club, or BoardWalk DVC studios over a regular hotel room say at the Contemporary. Depending on what you like - OKW is also a very charming resort, while it is not attached to one of the hotels or outside a park, the OKW studios are very spacious and the theming is very Floridian Key West. Has anyone pushed for free dining as compensation for not getting AKL. I think I would try it out if I were in your situation and didn't get the resort that I had planned on staying at all this time. They offer it in the off season to get more guests - maybe now they'll offer it to appease some unhappy AKL guests. Good Luck - and enjoy your vacation.

 

[metsno1]

If I can just make one suggestion.....

Call YOURSELF and advocate for what you want. For some reason, I just think it's easier for a Disney CM to "turn down" a TA's request. I'm using a TA for my September trip, but I wouldn't hesitate for one moment to get on the phone and continue to move up the ladder of Disney Mgmt. until I got a sympathetic ear with the power to make changes if I needed them. They're out there, but you have to be persistent, patient, and never ever stop being "nice" on the phone.

You're paying way way way too much money for them to do absolutely anything but ensure your complete satisfaction!! It's wrong that you have to fight for it-but it looks like you do! Good luck!!

 

[dce123]

If I can just make one suggestion.....

Call YOURSELF and advocate for what you want. For some reason, I just think it's easier for a Disney CM to "turn down" a TA's request. I'm using a TA for my September trip, but I wouldn't hesitate for one moment to get on the phone and continue to move up the ladder of Disney Mgmt. until I got a sympathetic ear with the power to make changes if I needed them. They're out there, but you have to be persistent, patient, and never ever stop being "nice" on the phone.

You're paying way way way too much money for them to do absolutely anything but ensure your complete satisfaction!! It's wrong that you have to fight for it-but it looks like you do! Good luck!!

I have called directly. But was told by Disney that since we booked through the TA that any changes had to be done through the TA.
Thanks though.

 

[abeyst]

I have called directly. But was told by Disney that since we booked through the TA that any changes had to be done through the TA.
Thanks though.

Be at your TAs office tomorrow and have them call while you're there. That way you can be completely involved in the arrangements they're making on your behalf. Your TA should be making some serious demands on your behalf already, but since they're not I WOULD NOT continue to allow my TA to make this type of negotiation without me being completely involved. She's making money off your vacation, so technically you're paying her to work for you.

It sucks that they did that about the Poly. That totally isn't right. What else do they have available during your stay? I'd ask for a list of all available rooms. If none are equal to your Savannah room (in style of room AND in price), and you do decide to settle for something of lesser quality, demand compensation for your troubles and inconveniences you have to make.

**on a side note, what is the price difference btw AKL SV and CR GW? Will DD9 like being so close to the MK?

Let us know how it goes and what you've worked out.

 

[Uuaww]

don't worry, itll all work out in the end. plus... come on, youll be in disney in 2 weeks!!!

 

[dclfun]

I'm not understanding the issue with the split stay. Does the OP have AKL booked for the entire trip and only want to be moved to the Poly for part of it? ---Kathy

 

[dce123]

Has anyone pushed for free dining as compensation for not getting AKL. I think I would try it out if I were in your situation and didn't get the resort that I had planned on staying at all this time. They offer it in the off season to get more guests - maybe now they'll offer it to appease some unhappy AKL guests. Good Luck - and enjoy your vacation.

That's a good suggestion. I will ask my TA to look into it.

 

[dce123]

Has anyone pushed for free dining as compensation for not getting AKL. I think I would try it out if I were in your situation and didn't get the resort that I had planned on staying at all this time. They offer it in the off season to get more guests - maybe now they'll offer it to appease some unhappy AKL guests. Good Luck - and enjoy your vacation.

That's a good suggestion. I will ask my TA to look into it.

 

[bmoc_ny]

I would ask for a Boardwalk Studio, for your inconvenience.

 

[dce123]

Be at your TAs office tomorrow and have them call while you're there. That way you can be completely involved in the arrangements they're making on your behalf. Your TA should be making some serious demands on your behalf already, but since they're not I WOULD NOT continue to allow my TA to make this type of negotiation without me being completely involved. She's making money off your vacation, so technically you're paying her to work for you.

What else do they have available during your stay? I'd ask for a list of all available rooms. If none are equal to your Savannah room (in style of room AND in price), and you do decide to settle for something of lesser quality, demand compensation for your troubles and inconveniences you have to make.

**on a side note, what is the price difference btw AKL SV and CR GW? Will DD9 like being so close to the MK?

Let us know how it goes and what you've worked out.

Thanks for the advice.
I can’t go to the TA’s office though. I am using the one promoted on “Mousesavers.com”. I feel like she is doing everything she can to help us.
We have used them in the past and she has always been very helpful, and we’ve never had any problems in the past.

One of the other posters suggested asking to have the dining plan covered. We are on the dining plan for our stay, so I think I will ask my TA to look into it.
That would be great if Disney covered that cost.

Right now, the only other resort that is available for our length of stay is the SSR. (7/16-7/23). I’m sure the SSR is a beautiful resort, but it’s just not the type of place that I wanted to be this year.
As for cost, the CR GW-GV is actually 10-20 more per night than the AKL SV. So monetarily the offer is certainly fair. And Disney did offer the previously mentioned refund amount with the SSR.

I guess this post was more about disappointment than being treated unfairly. And the hopes that I’d get some suggestions here that I’d be able to look into. I am a single dad. I’ve been one for 4 years now, and my daughter has been the focus and main priority in my life. I’ve met a woman whom my daughter and I both love, and she will soon be part of our family.
This trip was special because it’ll probably be the last “daddy-daughter” trip we take while my daughter is still young, and I wanted it to be perfect.

I’m sure we will have a wonderful stay at the CR. We’ve never stayed there, and I’m sure my daughter will have a great time once we are there.
But Disney’s stance on the split stay really bothered me.
I thought that if we had to miss out on staying at AKL, then at least we’d have a chance to stay at two of other resorts that we’ve never been to before.
Poly had garden view rooms available for the last 3 nights of our stay. It wasn’t as if I was requesting concierge service or a suite.

If anyone else moved from AKL has requested a split stay and gotten a different result, please let me know.

 

[germ539]

Just got off the phone with my TA. She hadn't even been notified about moving us (our trip is 7/14-7/20) Not like waiting till the last minute. She immmediately called and we had the choice of Contemporary Garden or SSR villa. I pushed for any other Deluxes and they found OKW studio. We took that one (we have 5 people going, 3 in one group and 2 in another). My DS9 will be disappointed, it's his first trip and he really wanted to stay at the AKL. They didn't even know if we would be able to go to the resort to see it, I guess according to my TA that they are doing "heavy duty construction" and we had a Pool view. We'll make the best of it though. Has anyone else ever stayed at OKW?

 

[momimouse27]

I would call back and demand they either move you to a tower room or give you a water view room at the Beach or Yacht. I would definitely say that CR Garden wing is a big downgrade from a AKL Savannah view.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

dce123 - I am in the same predicament although I am in the UK. I booked through a TA and I have been told by Disney they would easily move me but because it's through a TA, they have to call for me. I have been going back and forward (on the phone) and my TA is doing nothing. This is my wedding and honeymoon trip and we have paid alot for this whole thing and I feel I am being so let down by my TA. If only I had booked straight out with Disney. I am having a Disney Wedding, do you think I might get some help from my wedding coordinator? My stay is Aug 23rd-30th. I am really disappointed, I am getting nowhere.

 

[bzzymom]

I can relate. My honeymoon to Jamaica was spoiled by the company I was traveling through going bankrupt 3 weeks before my trip. We lost our honeymoon and over $2000.

You still have a trip to WDW at it will be magical, no matter where you stay. I have stayed AKL savannah view before and enjoyed it. We weren't at the room very much, but it was nice to go out on the balcony and see some animals. My second choice for deluxe after AKL is Beach Club. In my opinion, it would be a the next best place to take a 9 year old. I would stay at any deluxe WDW offered me.

 

[Sammie]

dce123 - I am in the same predicament although I am in the UK. I booked through a TA and I have been told by Disney they would easily move me but because it's through a TA, they have to call for me. I have been going back and forward (on the phone) and my TA is doing nothing. This is my wedding and honeymoon trip and we have paid alot for this whole thing and I feel I am being so let down by my TA. If only I had booked straight out with Disney. I am having a Disney Wedding, do you think I might get some help from my wedding coordinator? My stay is Aug 23rd-30th. I am really disappointed, I am getting nowhere.

I am sorry you are having trouble, but no one can do anything with the reservation except your TA, they own the reservation. I suggest your go to your TA in person and while there have her or him make the call in your presence. You are paying for this and they owe you that much. Don't leave until they make the call.

 

[clownfish1452]

I just talked to TA and she said they only moving people that are demanding to be moved. Also they are not going to close any part of the resort.

Sarah

 

[MiaSRN62]

Has anyone else ever stayed at OKW?

Yes Germ.
I'm a DVC Member and stay there often.

It is nothing like the AKL. It's not attached to a hotel.
There are various neighborhoods.....the rooms are in different buildings with white picket fences around them. There are only 2 or 3 buildings with elevators. The other buildings only have steps and they are 2-3 floors high. If you've ever stayed at any of the moderate resorts---OKW is set up like them.

I saw you had 2 parties ? The only problem with OKW is that you cannot get "connecting" or "adjoining" studios. I know at the Contemp you probably would have been able to have side by side rooms. But the way the OKW buildings are configured, it makes side by side nearly impossible. So if being connected or adjoining is important to you, I'd suggest you go with the Contemp. Otherwise, OKW is a very nice resort and is set up like a neighborhood/village. SSR would be similar in it's setup. Did u request the rooms to be close together ?

Also another note, the balconies on the ground level can often be surrounded by thick vegetation, making the views not all that great. Now the 1 and 2 bedrooms are awesome---with huge balconies and much better views. Did you ask about 1 bedrooms at OKW ?
OKW has 5 bus stops within the resort itself. Again, similar to CBR/POR. OKW does not share it's busses with any other resorts. If you want to be close to the main lobby/main pool/Olivia's restaurant, request : "close to Hospitality House".

If these things are not as important to you, I just request "water view".
Please let me know if you'd like to know anything else about OKW.