Just spoke to someone at AKL, IPO.

[Kimberle]

He was able to get every ADR I requested, and the Sunrise Safari, YEAH!

Anyway, I asked him about the construction. As of now, they haven't begun construction on the 6th floor. They are expected to start in June (very soon). The 6th fl will be totally "off limits" during our mid-Aug stay. The Concierge rooms will be on the 4th floor, all with Savannah views. They will no longer have Pool view rooms. (Double YEAH!) The 4th fl will have both Concierge and non-concierge rooms.

For now, the lounge will remain on the 6th floor. However, they may have some of the services on the 3rd floor (like breakfast). This is still "up in the air". He wouldn't say for sure, but it sounds like they will be relocated the lounge. (Makes sense, it s/be on the same floor as the rooms.) They want to have all the construction around the lobby area finished by the Christmas season.

Also, the breakfast after the Sunrise Safari will be relocated mid-August when Tusker (I believe that is the name) is closed for renovation. They aren't sure where the b/fast will occur. It may be in AK, or they may bring everyone back to Boma.

So, a lot is "up in the air". Other changes may occur as they get further into the project. However, the staff is dedicated to making sure we all have a wonderful time and aren't impacted by the changes occuring.

 

[MissMet]

Some of what the CM told you doesn't go with the mail out that DVC members received in the mail. Here's a link of the construction schedule:

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc/languagespecific/eng/resorts/animalKingdomVillas/DAKVMap.pdf

In this map it shows that they will be working on the lobby area starting Dec, because that's the last to be changed over. And part of the sixth floor will be opening as soon as July. Maybe they meant off limits to non-DVC guests?

 

[Harambe]

Also, the breakfast after the Sunrise Safari will be relocated mid-August when Tusker (I believe that is the name) is closed for renovation. They aren't sure where the b/fast will occur. It may be in AK, or they may bring everyone back to Boma.

This is what I was wondering - and afraid of!!! - as to where they were going to do the breakfast. We LOVED that wonderful Tusker House breakfast, sitting in the old school room, the whole experience. It just won't be the same, eating at Boma for breakfast! I also liked being in AK after the safari, but that does use up a day on a park ticket. Maybe they are trying to offer the Sunrise Safari without requiring park admission. Hmmmm . . .

 

[Kimberle]

Some of what the CM told you doesn't go with the mail out that DVC members received in the mail. Here's a link of the construction schedule:

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc/languagespecific/eng/resorts/animalKingdomVillas/DAKVMap.pdf

In this map it shows that they will be working on the lobby area starting Dec, because that's the last to be changed over. And part of the sixth floor will be opening as soon as July. Maybe they meant off limits to non-DVC guests?

Someone isn't just a CM, he's AKL IPO. He told me what's going on "now".

With any large construction project, each phase doesn't always go as first projected. Changes to the timeline do occur. I have seen that map, I don't know when it was printed/made.

Someone also told me that there may be more changes before our mid-August arrival.

It will be interesting to hear of other Concierge level guest's stay(s) over the next few months.

 

[nicwoodard]

*** is the man, isn't he?

We are booked for a Savannah view room (June 5-12) and we decided late that we wanted to try and upgrade to concierge. I emailed and Don responded. He told us that he wouldn't know for sure until this coming Sunday if it could be done.

I totally understand - I mean we should have made this decision earlier. However, I have confidence that *** will do it for us if he can. Whatever happens is meant to be, and we are sure that we will be blown away by the resort and the whole Disney experience!

 

[BCV23]

Lisa, the way I read the map is that construction has already started in all sections except Kidani Village. Just estimated opening dates vary. "Construction started" probably has more to do with permits though. Also I had not heard that part of 6th will be opening in July. To the best of my memory, the only area of AKL that has a 6th floor is the area immediately around the lobby. It doesn't branch off down the trails.

It must be frustrating for *** and other AKL club CMs to have incomplete info over the months. It seems to me that first reports were that the lounge for non DVC was to be moved, then it wasn't and instead would be shared with and run by DVC and now ???? That has to drive them nuts when they don't know what to tell guests. And of course, for the lounge CMs, I imagine they would like to know where they will be working!

 

[MissMet]

I'm not questioning you or ***, I was just confused about it. DVC members received those maps, along with a packet, last week. I'm not saying any one's info is wrong. It's just my first reaction was, that it seemed a little different than what I took from what I read in our mail-out & what I heard when I made reservations for the fall. That's all.

 

[bevgray]

Construction is definitely going on. I always request Sunset Savannah (that is where the Thompson Gazelles and a lot of the birds were located). When I checked in last week, I did indeed get Sunset. Unfortunately, I didn't know that the Tommies and birds had been shifted to Uzima. From my room, I had a pretty good view of the construction on the other side of Sunset. Only saw a couple of giraffes and ostriches the three days I was there. Arusha and Uzima had plenty of animals though so, if you can, you might want to try for one of those savannahs.

 

[BCV23]

Construction is definitely going on. I always request Sunset Savannah (that is where the Thompson Gazelles and a lot of the birds were located). When I checked in last week, I did indeed get Sunset. Unfortunately, I didn't know that the Tommies and birds had been shifted to Uzima. From my room, I had a pretty good view of the construction on the other side of Sunset. Only saw a couple of giraffes and ostriches the three days I was there. Arusha and Uzima had plenty of animals though so, if you can, you might want to try for one of those savannahs.

Bevgray, what did the construction you see look like? Was it long curving buildings in the same material as AKL? TIA.

 

[johnsonet]

I was just there and was told that the CL lounge is NOT moving and that there were currently guests in the 6th floor rooms but that as they checked out, those rooms were "going down" and would be turned into AKL DVC units. SOME 4th floor rooms will become the STANDARD concierge rooms and those guests will still be given key card access to the 6th floor concierge lounge. Many of the 5th floor Deluxe conierge rooms are also lost to construction of the DVC units. The large 3-bedroom (and 2-bedroom?) units will be built in the new building(s).

 

[BCV23]

I'm not questioning you or ***, I was just confused about it. DVC members received those maps, along with a packet, last week. I'm not saying any one's info is wrong. It's just my first reaction was, that it seemed a little different than what I took from what I read in our mail-out & what I heard when I made reservations for the fall. That's all.

But the map in the mailing (we got ours almost three weeks ago...isn't it cool), does not show the sixth floor rooms opening in July. The red line on the map is the only part that includes 6th floor rooms as the 6th floor rooms only line the lobby.

johnsonnet, there will be many 2 BR units in the main building. Many (maybe all?) will be lockoffs which combines a 1 BR unit with a studio. The one BRs will occupy the same space as 2 current deluxe rooms and the studios will occupy one. The villas in the new Kidani Village will be even larger.

bevgray, can you describe the construction you observed?

 

[MissMet]

But the map in the mailing (we got ours almost three weeks ago...isn't it cool), does not show the sixth floor rooms opening in July. The red line on the map is the only part that includes 6th floor rooms as the 6th floor rooms only line the lobby.

Yes, I know. I should have made it more clear to whom I was directing that comment to. That was directed to Kimberle because I didn't want her to think I was, for lack of a better word, "attacking" her. These forums are so hard to read people & what they're saying.

I totally understand what you're saying. I didn't think about the fact of the sixth floor only being in the lobby section when I first saw the map & responded to her post. I see what you're saying & agree.

 

[BCV23]

These forums are so hard to read people & what they're saying.

Gotcha now!

 

[johnsonet]

johnsonnet, there will be many 2 BR units in the main building. Many (maybe all?) will be lockoffs which combines a 1 BR unit with a studio. The one BRs will occupy the same space as 2 current deluxe rooms and the studios will occupy one. The villas in the new Kidani Village will be even larger.

Thanks. I am not very familiar with DVC but now that you describe it, it makes sense that the 2-bedroom are 1-bedrooms + Studios The CM in the lounge only mentioned that the 3-bedrooms, which will be in the new development, will be the most amazing spaces people have seen - nicer than the 2 big suites in the hotel. He didn't mention anything about the 2-bedrooms, which is why I put that part in parantheses with a question mark.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks. I am not very familiar with DVC but now that you describe it, it makes sense that the 2-bedroom are 1-bedrooms + Studios The CM in the lounge only mentioned that the 3-bedrooms, which will be in the new development, will be the most amazing spaces people have seen - nicer than the 2 big suites in the hotel. He didn't mention anything about the 2-bedrooms, which is why I put that part in parantheses with a question mark.

The floor plans for the 3BR or Grand Villa in DVCspeak do look amazing. I don't think there is a model of those yet...at least I did not see one when I visited the AKV models at SSR two weeks ago.

I knew you had it in paranthenses...just thought I'd affirm that there will be spacious accomodations in both the one and 2BR villas in the AKL as well as in the new building.

We haven't purchased at AKV yet but boy, do the villas look gorgeous!

 

[johnsonet]

BCV23Thank you - I just did not want to come across as quoting someone when I wasn't I cannot WAIT to stay in an AKL DVC Grand Villa - maybe for my 15th wedding anniversary When is the entire project expected to be completed?? mid-2009?

 

[BCV23]

BCV23Thank you - I just did not want to come across as quoting someone when I wasn't I cannot WAIT to stay in an AKL DVC Grand Villa - maybe for my 15th wedding anniversary When is the entire project expected to be completed?? mid-2009?

I haven't seen an end date but the new building is "scheduled to begin opening in early 2009."

Did you have a nice stay at AKL?

 

[johnsonet]

Yes, thank you, it was wonderful. As always! I have stayed at every Disney Deluxe but the YC and AKL is where my heart is I love them all but there is something very special about AKL. This last trip was nice because we had great weather and the parks and resort were not so INSANE as they were last month during Spring Break. We enjoyed 2 fabulous dinners at Jiko, fun in the parks and a lot of down time by the pool. It was awesome!!

 

[Kimberle]

Yes, I know. I should have made it more clear to whom I was directing that comment to. That was directed to Kimberle because I didn't want her to think I was, for lack of a better word, "attacking" her. These forums are so hard to read people & what they're saying.

Oh, I didn't for one minute think you were "attacking" me. I'm sure WDW wants to get these units available for sale asap w/out disturbing the resorts guests "too much". It will be interesting to hear about people's trips over the next few months.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Due to various things that have come up in the past, the resorts board has adopted the policy that CMs' at the Disney Reservations Center, IPO planning offices and so forth may not be posted about (good or bad) 'by name' on the resorts board. This is for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is that Disney does monitor these boards and CMs have been reprimanded for things discovered here.

Thanks in advance for your understanding on this. In future, all questions on moderation issues should be discussed directly with a moderator via PM. But this time -- we're good.

Knox