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

[G8r4evr]

At Saratoga were you offered a refund? I saw some people getting a refund for moving to SSR. It would be comparable to a Moderate in location. The BWI has a great location and the Clown pool is a lot of fun. My kids loved it. I am so sorry this happened to you. Will they allow you to switch to a moderate? If so, POFQ is very quaint and has the boat to DTD and a great pool for a 6 year old. I do know that your dates must have something to do with it because Aug 6th is completely booked. There was another thread of someone wanting to get Aug 5-7 and they can't in anywhere.

I havent been yet (had to cancel our ressie there for next week), but BWI looks like a great resort with a wonderful location! Did you get a Boardwalk view? Seems like your daughter might find that exciting. If August 6th is the problem, is it possible to get Poly for all nights except that one and maybe do a split stay?

 

[Ellegirl]

Thanks for the input on the Boardwalk. It does make me feel better. Supposedly it is waterview room. I can't help but be skeptical. I will try that split stay thing. I am going to try to call now. I am sure it will all work out. There really is nothing that will replace the animal experience. You all have such good input. We've never been to Disney and are already so frustrated. UGH!

 

[Ellegirl]

Oh, we were offered $700 to stay at the SSR. It's not really compensation as it is cheaper to stay there.

 

[HeresYourEars]

Sorry to hear that the resort you were looking forward to won't be available. Hopefully you'll have a marvelous time anyway.

Life isn't fair all the time, that's for sure. Gotta make the best of every situation.

 

[digman6]

I totally get your want to stay at AKL , and if its a deal breaker then cancel your trip and plan to go when it reopens like the CM said.

I think its very nice of them to give you whats CONSIDERED a nicer room view, but no extra cost to you. If you don't like the poly then pick someplace else if something else is open.

I don't think WDW is going to say , oh well the Smith family wants to stay or its not the same. they say oh well in that case let them stay. I think if they couldlet you they would not move you. I highly doubt Disney wants to move ALL these people to diffrent resorts, and lose the money filling them with people who paid for what they consider basic room. Don't get me wrong they are not hurting for money by anymeans. I think for me I would say Thank you and try it our, rather then complain the Cm said you can cancel. she was giving you a open ended choice stay someplace else or basiclly rebook your trip. it was not a case of stay or lose your money.

Just my 2cents....... Here come the flames

Hope you enjoy your stay where ever you end up

 

[Ratpack]

Oh, we were offered $700 to stay at the SSR. It's not really compensation as it is cheaper to stay there.

Are you saying it is cheaper to stay at SSR than AKL? ONly if they were putting you in a studio and even then I believe the cost is higher.

 

[Cmbar]

Oh, we were offered $700 to stay at the SSR. It's not really compensation as it is cheaper to stay there.

SSR Studio $279
SSR 1-BR $370
AKL Savanah View $285
BWI Water View $390

Does that make you feel a little bit better? The difference between the SSR and AKL is $6 a night for the studio. Some people were offered the 1-bedroom. If you had taken the $600.00 it would have been compensation for sure. And you could have put it towards your trip BACK to AKL. BUT I totally understand that you took BWI instead and that you are so dissappointed in missing out on AKL!

BWI is BEAUTIFUL and the location is a great location. The Clown pool is Lots of fun for your DD. My kids loved the slide there. You will be able to see fireworks over MK everynight and the boats to both Epcot and MGM are delightful. Be sur to try and fit in a visit to Beaches and Cream over at the Beach club (across the lake) and eat some of their yummy ice cream!

The only drawback I see to BWI is that they don't have good "fast food" place to get a quick bite or drink, but there are lots of other restaurants there in the area. Plus lots of fun on the boardwalk.

Since this is your first trip it will be hard for you to compare, but I do believe you will have a magical trip. You are at Disney! Keep your dining reservations at AKL so you can see the lodge and just get a feel for the next place you will stay!

Again, so sorry this happened to you! Have a magical trip. Of course I am jealous that you get to go so soon!

 

[marlower]

We too were called yesterday to move from AKL and we are going Aug 5. I feel the same way. We saved and waited for this trip for 5 years. We wanted to "do it right". We are heartbroken. They have moved us to the Boardwalk Inn. My daughter is 6 and I don't think she will appreciate the little details of this property. It's just a lot of money to stay somewhere you do not want to be. To make matters worse, that was the only hotel offered besides the Saratoga Springs. It's the only place there are rooms available. This is not fair. We would not have waited until 2 weeks before our vacation to try to get a room. And now that is essentially what we've done. Anyone have an idea for a moderate resort that has great service that we may enjoy just as well? At least we could get some money back, maybe? and be just as happy. The whole point of the lux resort for us was the Animals. We had the Savannah view room. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!!

I am so sorry that they called that late in the game! You are so right that you would have never waited until 2 weeks to make ressies and yet that is what AKL did!!! Again, I am sorry. I was called yesterday too for my Aug 14th arrival. I really didn't think I would be called because everything I read said they are calling in chronological order, well that sure is not happening! Good luck to you, I'm sure your dd will love the BWI, that pool looks fabulous!

Also,someone mentioned that we should ask for an all day fast pass to AK park just to make up for the view of the animals that we lost! I like that idea but forgot to ask for that when I was on the phone for almost 1 hour yesterday!

 

[G8r4evr]

Thanks for the input on the Boardwalk. It does make me feel better. Supposedly it is waterview room. I can't help but be skeptical. I will try that split stay thing. I am going to try to call now. I am sure it will all work out. There really is nothing that will replace the animal experience. You all have such good input. We've never been to Disney and are already so frustrated. UGH!

Oh no, I didnt realize this is going to be your first trip If you end up staying at BWI, I do think you will love it. The entire Boardwalk area is the epitome of "magical" and having a waterview should make it that much more fun. We love to stroll on the Boardwalk, shop and eat at ESPN.

Let us know if the split stay works out.

 

[AKLforever]

I think the issue w/ AKL is that the people who truly love it feel a deep emotional connection, it's not just a resort. We LOVE it that way, fell in love the moment we first had our "eyes up, jaws down" moment in the lobby. As such, ANY move, whether it is a "deal" or not feels a bit like a betrayal. For some people it's a beautiful resort and a fun place to stay, but a move that involves an economic/location benefit is welcomed (or at least tolerated) and that's fine, but for those who understand the deep, soul-soothing draw of AKL, nothing will make it better. There is some serious grief going on and I absolutely understand that.

That said, we own DVC points at AKV. I have a bracelet that I had made up with it and recently, someone noticed and said VERY hatefully, "It's all YOUR fault the AKL vacations are screwed up!" I thought she was joking, but she was dead serious.

When all's said and done, I honestly believe the DVC move will be in the best interest for ALL AKL adorers, not just DVCers. Historically, AKL has had occupancy issues that are now going to be helped, plus DVCers annual dues are going to be contributing to the common areas as well. I hope when the dust settles (literally) that guests and owners alike can take a deep breath (of that wonderful aroma!) and get back to enjoying our beloved resort.

To the OP, I am deeply sorry that you are being uprooted from AKL. I truly understand the emotions involved. I hope you are able to temporarily "bloom where you are planted" and try to find some upsides of the Poly and have a wonderful time on your vacation.

Thank you very much! And you hit the nail on the head about the way I feel, how I have a deep love for AKL, and it seems you were the only one that understood the idea that no move would help really. You are awesome! For real!
Thank you again!
And thank you to all who are understanding about this too.

 

[AKLforever]

I've been reading the boards very carefully because I'm one of the people who has been moved, and I can honestly only recall one instance of a non-lateral move: someone who ended up in a two-bedroom OKW villa. The moves people are bragging about are generally just to BC/YC/BW/Poly/GF/CR with the same view class. They SOUND like upgrades and people are calling them upgrades because they are a move to a more expensive resort.

Also, when you think about it, you can never really make a lateral move from a savannah view -- nothing compares with it. I'm not sure what view is really equivalent in Disney's eyes.

Another person that understands, thank you!
Animals out side your room can not be replaced by a garden view, lagoon view or any view for that matter, no matter what price the room is.

 

[AKLforever]

We too were called yesterday to move from AKL and we are going Aug 5. I feel the same way. We saved and waited for this trip for 5 years. We wanted to "do it right". We are heartbroken. They have moved us to the Boardwalk Inn. My daughter is 6 and I don't think she will appreciate the little details of this property. It's just a lot of money to stay somewhere you do not want to be. To make matters worse, that was the only hotel offered besides the Saratoga Springs. It's the only place there are rooms available. This is not fair. We would not have waited until 2 weeks before our vacation to try to get a room. And now that is essentially what we've done. Anyone have an idea for a moderate resort that has great service that we may enjoy just as well? At least we could get some money back, maybe? and be just as happy. The whole point of the lux resort for us was the Animals. We had the Savannah view room. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Your right, its not fair, I will agree, and I feel very bad for you too. The best advice I can give you would be this, stay at the Coronado Springs resort, its a med, its very close to AKL and you can hop a bus to AK, then to AKL in very little time and still see all the fun stuff at AKL. And CS is a great resort, its got one cool looking pool, and some nice places to eat too. I hope that helps.

 

[dawgsgirl]

My sympathy to all those getting moved on such short notice. Disney REALLY dropped the ball on this one. Has anyone demanded a free stay???

 

[CanadianGuy]

As has been stated many times..

It's terribly unfortunate and I'm sure it feels not terribly fair. What exactly would you suggest they do? Assurances were made by contractors and so forth that the construction could be done with minimal disruption to animals and guests.

Clearly they have found that not to be exactly the case so they are moving proactively to move folks around. While I'm sure this doesn't make very many people happy, it makes you a lot happier than a jackhammer near your room at 8am.

Personally, if I wasn't happy with any of the deluxe choices, I would downgrade and save the money for another trip.

The AKL construction has been ongoing since January and is unfortuantely going to continue in one form or another thru 2009.

I fear we are only seeing the beginning of what will be two years of disruptions, relocations and disappointment.



Knox

 

[clownfish1452]

Well I was just switch today and I am very happy. I would have been happy any where as we all should be we will be on vacation with the mouse in the place on earth.

Sarah

 

[mika911]

Well I was just switch today and I am very happy. I would have been happy any where as we all should be we will be on vacation with the mouse in the place on earth.

Sarah

Did you happen to notice I think I read you got the GF. Do you know if it was available at WDW site, or if this was special availability cause you're kicked out of AKL?

I ask cause on my week very limited availability, and the only place I'd probably not be too upset with for what I'm aiming at this trip is the Poly.

 

[clownfish1452]

I did look and there was no availabity in the GF for my dates so they must have some rooms set aside for this reason. So I would shot for Poly if that is what you want.

Sarah

 

[mika911]

I did look and there was no availabity in the GF for my dates so they must have some rooms set aside for this reason. So I would shot for Poly if that is what you want.

Sarah

Fantastic. That gives me hope, if I'm moved. Thanks! Have wonderful stay! GF will be a real treat!

 

[clownfish1452]

I have been watching for weeks GF has been all booked up so I think if they do switch you there really should be room. Poly was my second resort if GF was full, but they did not give me any problems. I really hope you get the resort of your choose you should be able to, because we all have been planning on AKL for months.

Sarah

 

[Goofydiane]

What confuses me more is that area is expected to be closed till sept 1. We're arriving late night on aug 31.... why are we being moved??? We're basically arriving the day they're supposed to reopen the area.......

Is an option asking the AKL for a split stay? If the resort opens again on September 1 as planned, then ask if you can spend your first night in a different resort and check in on September 1 at AKL? If you don't mind changing resorts than this might be a solution to consider.

Good Luck and enjoy your vacation!