Nervous about ressie at AKV (Kidani)

[AlexTina]

I currently have a ressie for 5/27-6/4/2009 at AKV . I just read that only Phase 1 will be completed by 5/2009, Phase 2 will be completed by 9/2009. We are very excited about the new pool and water play area and intended to call first thing August 10th to change our ressie to Kidani. BUT do you think that the water play aread/pool will be completed with Phase 1? Do you think my guide would have this info? I am beginning to think that we should stay somewhere else in 2009 and save our AKV trip for 2010. I am very nervous about the construction and I know that we don't want to stay there if the pool/water play area are not completed. It seems that we would be better off waiting 1 year and just let the place get totally finished prior to staying there. I bet there will be tons of complaints about the construction noise and the bugs being worked out from those who stay while only phase 1 is open and considering that our trip is so close to opening day there will probably be a ton of bugs still being worked out . I'm really leaning towards changing my ressie. I think by staying there immediately after opening we will be setting ourselves up for disappointment and problems.

Tina

 

[drusba]

They have not said what will actually be finished. I would suspect the following: (a) the pool and restaurant, store, other outside stuff will be open (that is kind of one those: why would they risk angering everyone who reserves by not having those ready when it opens); (b) most all of the building will actually be done including all of the outside and anything left to be done for Phase II will likely, if anything, be just insides of rooms.

 

[tjkraz]

The resort pool, lobby, restaurant and all other critical amenities will be completed by May. I say "critical" only because there may be some minor resort features which are not open because they fall into the construction zone, but the pool will certainly open with the resort in May.

By May they will only be 4-5 months from finishing the entire resort. All of the remaining work is certain to be internal (equipping rooms, etc.) and construction disturbances will be minimal.

They biggest issues you are likely to encounter, IMO, are due to the newness (?) of the staff. Kidani will require dozens of Cast Members to staff, all of whom will be getting accustomed to their surroundings and coworkers for the first time. The extent to which this will impact guest experiences remains to be seen.

Personally, I would probably stay there a month after opening if given the opportunity. But don't expect CMs to be very good a giving directions yet.

 

[dwelty]

It should be finished by then, if past DVC behavior is any indication. Check out this link to overhead photos. If you look at photo 3 in the lower left, you will see that construction of this area is already underway. (you can click on the photo to zoom in). I will be there the first week of May, and I am not worried. I am sure it will be open by then.

http://dvcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=521&Itemid=1

 

[AlexTina]

Thanks for the replies. I was primarily concerned with the pool. The pool MUST be open or my kids will freak out . As far as the empolyees getting acustomed to their surrounds that's okay we're pretty easy going and don't mind confusion too much I mean we have 3 kids so confusion/chaos is part of my daily routine

Tina

 

[kdepot]

I can say that Disney did this to us years ago.

We booked a res at all stars and they asked if i would like to stay at AS Movies as it was new. We said yes and found the main pool was still under construction but the hockey pool was open and all the main bldgs were open, dining, arcade & gift areas. They would want you to acceess the Main lobby areas as far as the pool area I would ask MS.