NOOOO!!!!!!!!! Closing half of the AKL from now to who knows when

[AKLforever]

I JUST now got a call from disney, and we lost our rooms because they decided to close part of it because of the construction. I didnt freak out or anything yet. They said we could stay at any other deluxe for the same price, no matter what rooms are available as long as they have vacancies. Im more then upset at this. I love AKL, as you can see by my login name here. Anyone else have this issue yet?

 

[Cmbar]

I JUST now got a call from disney, and we lost our rooms because they decided to close part of it because of the construction. I didnt freak out or anything yet. They said we could stay at any other deluxe for the same price, no matter what rooms are available as long as they have vacancies. Im more then upset at this. I love AKL, as you can see by my login name here. Anyone else have this issue yet?

This has been all over the boards. Lots of people moving. What are you dates? That is so dissappointing for all the people planning on their vacations at AKL. I think it stinks, but I would decide quickly which resort you want. Some have gotten GF or Poly for no additional cost. Some have gotten SSR with REFUND so good luck in your decision. Oh I have seem some getting YC/BC and BWI too.

 

[AKLforever]

Just got off the phone, and got the poly lagoon view.
Not bad , but still, I love akl, and this will not be the same.
My wife is thinking of calling back and telling them how we want to stay at AKL. And how much it means to us too, and that we may just have to cancel, it means that much.

 

[carol/houston]

AKLforever,

What were your ressie dates and room type at AKL?

 

[AKLforever]

standard room, cheapest room. and it was from aug 31 to sep 5th, and im starting to see a pattern here. It seems all the cheap rooms are being hit and the savanna views and up are not. Could that be the case? Man, I was thinking of getting the view too, GGRRRRRRR

 

[carol/houston]

standard room, cheapest room. and it was from aug 31 to sep 5th, and im starting to see a pattern here. It seems all the cheap rooms are being hit and the savanna views and up are not. Could that be the case? Man, I was thinking of getting the view too, GGRRRRRRR

It seems that most of the moves have been with standard rooms. We have pool view / bunkbed and I am just holding my breath that we don't get the call; however, the upgrades have been good. Poly lagoon view, for the price of standard AKL - nice upgrade!

 

[Cmbar]

standard room, cheapest room. and it was from aug 31 to sep 5th, and im starting to see a pattern here. It seems all the cheap rooms are being hit and the savanna views and up are not. Could that be the case? Man, I was thinking of getting the view too, GGRRRRRRR

I guess there is two ways to look at that. Like you said it won't be the same since you had your heart set on AKL. However, POLY Lagoon View for the price of a Standard AKL is VERY Good. I think you should tell your wife to take a deep breath and definitely don't cancel. You were going to be in a standard view, so no view of animals out the window. You can still go to AKL to Boma or Jiko and then look at the animals then. Although there have been rumors that because of the construction the animals aren't around anyways.

I know you are dissappointed but just think, monorail, Ohana's, KONA! I hear so many wonderful things about Kona's! I am so jealous of your upgrade. We are going to GF with a GV room (only because we got a 40% off code) and now I hear they will be rehabbing the resort while we are there. I don't know how they will be able to "upgrade" us.... Not that I am complaining!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[AKL_obsessed]

I am so upset right now....... cannot even explain.
I dont know whether to cry or scream......

AKL IS Disney to us.... sad but true.... I saw Poly when we were there in January. I wasnt impressed AT ALL. Looking online the rooms look ok...some hints of AKL there for comfort, but the hotel itself just doesnt impress me.

 

[AKL_obsessed]

I guess there is two ways to look at that. Like you said it won't be the same since you had your heart set on AKL. However, POLY Lagoon View for the price of a Standard AKL is VERY Good. I think you should tell your wife to take a deep breath and definitely don't cancel. You were going to be in a standard view, so no view of animals out the window. You can still go to AKL to Boma or Jiko and then look at the animals then. Although there have been rumors that because of the construction the animals aren't around anyways.

I know you are dissappointed but just think, monorail, Ohana's, KONA! I hear so many wonderful things about Kona's! I am so jealous of your upgrade. We are going to GF with a GV room (only because we got a 40% off code) and now I hear they will be rehabbing the resort while we are there. I don't know how they will be able to "upgrade" us.... Not that I am complaining!

Enjoy your trip!

Yea but the point is.... we dont like Ohano or Kona really.... our trip is AKL with Boma and Jiko (which we dream about all year). Like I said, sad but true. I mean yes we can still eat at AKL but staying there and the smells makes it for us. Yes, we'll live at Poly, but this just stinks period. I dont care if its a $ upgrade. Id rather stay in my "cheap" AKL room darnit!!! lol
And the girl I talked to irritated me more...when I tried explaining how important AKL was and how it MADE our trip her reply was "well I can cancel your rez and you can rebook when its open". Im sorry.....who's canceling on who?!? YOU called me.... ugh.
Im definitely calling a manager tomorrow. I dont care if "I dont have to pay for the upgrade"....whoop any hotel would not make you pay for an upgrade when its their screw up...I am not happy.

 

[johnsonet]

I totally understand your disappointment. AKL is my all-time favorite resort. There is something very, very special about the place for some of us

Depending on your desire to be at WDW in general and in the parks, etc. I would consider either re-scheduling your trip OR making lemonade out of lemons Yes, it stinks that you can't be in your first choice BUT, even though you don't want it, you ARE being offered an extremely generous alternative... Trust me, I have stayed at both AKL and Poly many times (more at AKL) and my heart belongs to AKL but I also ADORE the Poly and it is a fabulous resort. I could list at least 10 reasons why you will LOVE it but I think you should go and fall in love with it for yourself It has a LOT to offer, including very nice rooms, lovely grounds, great transportation options and views of the MK from around the property... It will be a different trip for you, for sure, but a fantastic one, if you allow yourself to enjoy it
Go and have fun!!

 

[CoolPool]

I'm sorry it all sucks but since you are entitled to the best, I'd suggest calling back and requesting the Mk view CL. I mean, that would be real compensation by Disney since its so inconvenient to even consider another deluxe resort. How dare they ruin everything for you!

 

[carol/houston]

Good luck tomorrow with your conversation with the manager. Here is a little pixie dust for you.
Please let us know how you make out.

 

[kileybeth]

gosh, I guess I can kind of understand being dissappointed but you've got to think of all of us who paid rack rate just for the chance to stay at the POLY even in a garden view who now most probably will not recieve any upgrade at all as all of those rooms have been taken up with AKL refugees who paid closer to half of what we paid???

kwim? just a thought from the other side.

 

[Cmbar]

Yea but the point is.... we dont like Ohano or Kona really.... our trip is AKL with Boma and Jiko (which we dream about all year). Like I said, sad but true. I mean yes we can still eat at AKL but staying there and the smells makes it for us. Yes, we'll live at Poly, but this just stinks period. I dont care if its a $ upgrade. Id rather stay in my "cheap" AKL room darnit!!! lol
And the girl I talked to irritated me more...when I tried explaining how important AKL was and how it MADE our trip her reply was "well I can cancel your rez and you can rebook when its open". Im sorry.....who's canceling on who?!? YOU called me.... ugh.
Im definitely calling a manager tomorrow. I dont care if "I dont have to pay for the upgrade"....whoop any hotel would not make you pay for an upgrade when its their screw up...I am not happy.

I really do understand how mad you are. I am just curious, was this your first idea of the closing? This has been going on for a few weeks and since you are staying at the last half of when they are supposedly closing the building (through Sept 1st) that is probably why you got the call now. I think you are one of the "lucky" ones because you got the call now. Some people are going to have to deal with it a check in and some people say the construction is so bad THEY are requesting to move.

What is it exactly that you want? If you want to stay at AKL with all the construction and noise and lack of animals because of the smell and look of the resort then call back and say "NO". It isn't like they are moving you for the fun of it and filling up their more expensive properties just to tick you off. They are offering an alternative before you check in. And I don't understand why they would be choosing the people that paid them the least amount of money to stay at the resort to UPGRADE them. Why not upgrade the people who have put out more money and then 'upgrade" within the resort those that paid for a standard view. Doesn't seem like Disney is making very good business sense. I for one would be ticked if I paid for a very expensive room at the Lodge and got there and my building was torn up or noisy and they have things blocked off and (I have heard but this is not confirmed) the animals have been moved away from the construction. Only to find out that I can't be upgraded to a resort of equal cost because they are all booked up with the people who paid for the standard rooms. But that is just me. I haven't stayed at AKL so I am not one who understands the "love" of the resort.

Again I totally have sympathy for your dissappointment so close to your trip, but before you call tomorrow just be sure what exactly is it you want. You are not the only one being moved. They are shutting down whole sections of the lodge. But it ok for you to say NO and insist you go to AKL.

The reason I would be really mad is that while you are being turned away the DVC people are opening up new rooms. I say they should be the ones to be told "no" since the DVC villas are what is causing the problems and let the resort guests who had reservations stay in the new villas!

OK I know I am going to get flamed for that.

 

[Cmbar]

gosh, I guess I can kind of understand being dissappointed but you've got to think of all of us who paid rack rate just for the chance to stay at the POLY even in a garden view who now most probably will not recieve any upgrade at all as all of those rooms have been taken up with AKL refugees who paid closer to half of what we paid???

kwim? just a thought from the other side.

I was thinking that same thing... Anyone booked at the Poly or the GF in GV rooms don't have any chance of getting an upgrade. I think even the people that paid for MK view are going to have a difficult time since they will probably overbook that view and the AKL people will be so miffed they will insist on them getting the view even though the POLY or GF people have paid for it. I don't envy those of you staying at those resorts during the next few weeks. Not to mention that the resorts will be more full with more people at the pools and restaurants.

I selfishly hope this AKL mess if fixed by November!

 

[Allison]

If it is really important to you to be at AKL and you won't be happy somewhere else, you should think about rescheduling.

 

[kileybeth]

yes, booking early and going in a "slower" time period was very exciting at first. but first came all the upgrades from the values, getting things like 1 and 2 bedrooms at SSR for value prices and then deluxes. . .

I had booked a value at first, thought about moderate and then took the plunge for the pleasure of a deluxe and I will still enjoy it but some of the "wow! look where I get to stay!" factor has worn off for me. sad, I know and I am happy for those who get to stay deluxe at those prices, I know I would be doing the happy dance if it was us but just a bit hard to swallow on the other end ya know?

will Disney still overbook (I know it is common practice) even with all the people they are shifting around? gotta wonder how that would play out?

 

[AKLforever]

I really do understand how mad you are. I am just curious, was this your first idea of the closing? This has been going on for a few weeks and since you are staying at the last half of when they are supposedly closing the building (through Sept 1st) that is probably why you got the call now. I think you are one of the "lucky" ones because you got the call now. Some people are going to have to deal with it a check in and some people say the construction is so bad THEY are requesting to move.

What is it exactly that you want? If you want to stay at AKL with all the construction and noise and lack of animals because of the smell and look of the resort then call back and say "NO". It isn't like they are moving you for the fun of it and filling up their more expensive properties just to tick you off. They are offering an alternative before you check in. And I don't understand why they would be choosing the people that paid them the least amount of money to stay at the resort to UPGRADE them. Why not upgrade the people who have put out more money and then 'upgrade" within the resort those that paid for a standard view. Doesn't seem like Disney is making very good business sense. I for one would be ticked if I paid for a very expensive room at the Lodge and got there and my building was torn up or noisy and they have things blocked off and (I have heard but this is not confirmed) the animals have been moved away from the construction. Only to find out that I can't be upgraded to a resort of equal cost because they are all booked up with the people who paid for the standard rooms. But that is just me. I haven't stayed at AKL so I am not one who understands the "love" of the resort.

Again I totally have sympathy for your dissappointment so close to your trip, but before you call tomorrow just be sure what exactly is it you want. You are not the only one being moved. They are shutting down whole sections of the lodge. But it ok for you to say NO and insist you go to AKL.

The reason I would be really mad is that while you are being turned away the DVC people are opening up new rooms. I say they should be the ones to be told "no" since the DVC villas are what is causing the problems and let the resort guests who had reservations stay in the new villas!

OK I know I am going to get flamed for that.

We tried to say no, and they said theres nothing they can do. Why did you think we could say NO to them? Where did you hear that?

 

[Allison]

Here is the latest info posted on mousesavers:

LAST UPDATE: 7/3/07 - MOST RECENT ADDITIONS ARE IN RED


According to a reliable source, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World will be mostly closed to guests from July 9 until September 1, 2007. (These dates are subject to change.)

The temporary near-closure is due to disruption caused by the construction of Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas units within the main structure of the Lodge. Apparently the disruption was greater than anticipated and Disney has decided to move guests rather than inconvenience them during their stays.

Disney is calling guests who are currently booked at the Lodge in chronological order to assist them with moving to another resort. Guests have been offered rooms at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and at various Disney Deluxe resorts for the same price they were paying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Each case is handled differently, based on the room type booked and availability at other resorts for the dates in question.

If you booked through a travel agency, your travel agent will receive the call and will contact you with options.

It appears a few rooms will remain in use, but not many. I have been told that the following room types probably will NOT be affected: Pool View Bunkbeds, Suites (except the Vice Presidential and Presidential Suites, which reportedly will be used as a temporary Concierge Lounge) and Kilimanjaro Club (Concierge) Standard rooms. Guests staying in those room types may request a move, but the decision to move them will be handled on a case by case basis.

The restaurants are expected to remain open with regular hours.

 

[AKLforever]

I was thinking that same thing... Anyone booked at the Poly or the GF in GV rooms don't have any chance of getting an upgrade. I think even the people that paid for MK view are going to have a difficult time since they will probably overbook that view and the AKL people will be so miffed they will insist on them getting the view even though the POLY or GF people have paid for it. I don't envy those of you staying at those resorts during the next few weeks. Not to mention that the resorts will be more full with more people at the pools and restaurants.

I selfishly hope this AKL mess if fixed by November!

Ok, for one, you and the person you agree with dont understand that we are being moved to a COMPLETELY Different resort, you get to stay at yours, and you chose your room, and you complain about not getting a free upgrade? LOL, you have to be kidding me. Dont worry, I will keep clear of the pools and restaurants for you, ok? Dont want to bug you while you stay at your choice resort.