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

[Goofydiane]

As for "at least you still get to go to disney, and thats what its all about" comment, its not only that. For those that truly love AKL, and Im being serious here, theres a magic to it that Is hard to explain. Its more then half the experience.

OP - I understand your frustration over having to move and then to get some of the responses you've been getting. For some of us AKL brings some additional magic to the trip, and staying somewhere else takes away a little bit of our magic. If people were getting displaced from Poly or GF due to construction, the posts would be the same as they are now over AKL. Everybody has their own resort or own ways that make their Disney vacation magical and it is unfortunate that part of your magic is being disrupted. This should be respected by all of us.

I hope you have a great vacation, no matter where you stay.

 

[AKLforever]

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!

Actually , they are going to stop construction on one side, and start on the other on sept 1st, so the rooms will still be very limited as they have been. From what the disney lady on the phone said at least. Because Im staying there from the 31st, coming in very late, to the 5th and thought the same as you did.

 

[AKLforever]

OP - I understand your frustration over having to move and then to get some of the responses you've been getting. For some of us AKL brings some additional magic to the trip, and staying somewhere else takes away a little bit of our magic. If people were getting displaced from Poly or GF due to construction, the posts would be the same as they are now over AKL. Everybody has their own resort or own ways that make their Disney vacation magical and it is unfortunate that part of your magic is being disrupted. This should be respected by all of us.

I hope you have a great vacation, no matter where you stay.

I agree, and thank you. If this was going on at Poly and people were freaking out over there, I would support them, thinking about how I would feel in there shoes. And know that any other resort, no matter what the price difference is, wont make things feel better for loosing that one resort you love so much.

 

[AKL_obsessed]

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.

Omg......I love you.....seriously. Thank you for TRUELY understanding what it mean to lose our AKL stay!!
I am sorry about the comments that rude person made to you. Thats horrible...

OP - I understand your frustration over having to move and then to get some of the responses you've been getting. For some of us AKL brings some additional magic to the trip, and staying somewhere else takes away a little bit of our magic. If people were getting displaced from Poly or GF due to construction, the posts would be the same as they are now over AKL. Everybody has their own resort or own ways that make their Disney vacation magical and it is unfortunate that part of your magic is being disrupted. This should be respected by all of us.

I hope you have a great vacation, no matter where you stay.

Thank you!!! You two rock...seriously....

 

[Marilyn Mc]

We were also offered Polynesian Lagoon View for the same price as our standard AKL room.
At first they offered Saratoga Springs. I just was not impressed with that. I asked for a monorail resort and they offered Poly. We are going Aug.29-Sep 4.

 

[mika911]

We were also offered Polynesian Lagoon View for the same price as our standard AKL room.
At first they offered Saratoga Springs. I just was not impressed with that. I asked for a monorail resort and they offered Poly. We are going Aug.29-Sep 4.

Awesome. That is fantastic. Beautiful resort and beautiful view. Good result, for an unfortunate situation. Congrats. Hope I'm so lucky! ha-ah.

 

[Marilyn Mc]

Awesome. That is fantastic. Beautiful resort and beautiful view. Good result, for an unfortunate situation. Congrats. Hope I'm so lucky! ha-ah.

Thanks! I am so estatic because I wanted to stay at the Polynesian in the first place. DH wanted to cut some corners on this trip and and stay in the cheapest possible deluxe room. So now we both win.

 

[mika911]

Thanks! I am so estatic because I wanted to stay at the Polynesian in the first place. DH wanted to cut some corners on this trip and and stay in the cheapest possible deluxe room. So now we both win.

Awesome. I have to admit I want to stay at AKL, but a part of me really wants to try the Poly especially since I wouldn't want to spend the money normally.

The rooms look so nice at the Poly, and the grounds are simply gorgeous.

 

[Luvsun31]

I got the dreaded phone call yesterday! Our visit to AKL was planned for 8-4 thru 8-9. I had requested a savannah view room.
I was told that they would need to move us due to construction. They wanted us to move to SSR - a one bedroom villa. I did not want to stay at SSR. I asked what other options there were. The CM didn't offer any other options. She asked me if I had a preference. I gave her my first, second and third choices. My first choice was not available. (Beach Club) My second choice was available - Boardwalk - standard view.
After reading what everyone else was moved to - I am beginning to wonder if I should have requested something different.
I did ask the CM if I could just refuse to move. She said I could do that, but that once I checked in - they would then tell me that I would be moving to SSR.
Do you think a standard view at BW is an even swap?

 

[conandrob240]

Fellow refugee here ands I just want to say that I really also understand why some people are so upset. We have stayed at AKL every year for the past 4 and it is place where I feel extreme joy and peace. It is our "home" at WDW. I agree that there is no other place equivalent at all in terms of the type of experience you get with the animals. I am a little sad but also very excited to try out GF where we were "bumped" to. I think the initial way this was handled with only one resort being offered (SSR) was "cheap" on the part of Disney. People are being inconvenienced and they are not honoring their promise of a room at AKL which was made when you paid for your reservation. Now, in general, they seem to just be giving people whatever resort they want that is available even when they are "upgrades"- that is the way they should be handling it. They do "owe" you if you are being moved. I would absolutely EXPECT an upgrade and/or some sort of compensation. As a comparison, I was recently bumped from a sandals resort because of construction that wasn't complete and they really treated their guests well- generous room upgrade, spa credits and free comp nights for future stays. They didn't try to be cheap and laterally move me to the sae room category- they made up for their mistakes.

 

[Marilyn Mc]

IDo you think a standard view at BW is an even swap?

BWI is a fantastic resort! I have stayed there many times and have never been disappointed. The location can't be beat!

 

[AKL_obsessed]

We were also offered Polynesian Lagoon View for the same price as our standard AKL room.
At first they offered Saratoga Springs. I just was not impressed with that. I asked for a monorail resort and they offered Poly. We are going Aug.29-Sep 4.

See I would have to laugh if they offered me SS resort. I live 30 minutes from SS itself!! lol.... thats one resort thats a TOTAL waste of money to us lol....

 

[Marilyn Mc]

See I would have to laugh if they offered me SS resort. I live 30 minutes from SS itself!! lol.... thats one resort thats a TOTAL waste of money to us lol....

LOL DH has family near there too so we have been several times. I would have accepted Beach Club or Boardwalk DVC. That is it.

 

[tidefan]

I got the dreaded phone call yesterday! Our visit to AKL was planned for 8-4 thru 8-9. I had requested a savannah view room.
I was told that they would need to move us due to construction. They wanted us to move to SSR - a one bedroom villa. I did not want to stay at SSR. I asked what other options there were.
...
Do you think a standard view at BW is an even swap?

I think the initial way this was handled with only one resort being offered (SSR) was "cheap" on the part of Disney.

OK, I have been following the AKL issue for awhile and I sympathize with all of you. If I had my heart set on going there, then got moved a couple weeks out, I would be peeved too. Now that being said...

I DO NOT understand all of the SSR bashing on these AKL threads. Everyone acts like going to SSR is like being struck with the plague. Have any of you ever been there? We love SSR, so much so that when we toured DVC with every intention of buying at the Animal Kingdom Villas, we were extremely surprised to find out that we actually liked SSR better. It seems like every thread I read on these AKL movement threads state that SSR is "like a moderate" or "cheap" on the part of Disney.

Now, it seems as though Disney is offering a move to a 1 Bdrm villa AND offering to refund up to $700 to those willing to move there. To me it's a no-brainer unless you just had to be on the monorail. SSR probably has one of the nicest pools outside of YC/BC in the High Rock Springs pool and the new Grandstand pool is one of the better themed pools at WDW, IMHO (love the horse gates and water cannons). All I am saying is that SSR is not a third world country and some of you may actually want to take a look at what is there before you automatically dismiss it. You can always use the $700 credit for your next trip at AKL!

Sorry for the rant. I do empathize with those being moved as that puts a damper on a vacation for sure, but please, stop the SSR bashing. It's really a great place if you give it a chance.

 

[conandrob240]

It wasn't SSG itself I was referring to as "cheap"- it was the fact that Disney had rooms available at almost every resort, yet they were being "stingy" and only picking one (probably the one with lots of empty rooms & a DVC property which means lower cost to maintain- no mousekeeping, for example) to offer people. In situations like this, giving upgrades or comps or special perks should be part of a standard response. In that sense, Disney was being sort of stingy and cheap.

 

[tidefan]

It wasn't SSG itself I was referring to as "cheap"- it was the fact that Disney had rooms available at almost every resort, yet they were being "stingy" and only picking one (probably the one with lots of empty rooms & a DVC property which means lower cost to maintain- no mousekeeping, for example) to offer people. In situations like this, giving upgrades or comps or special perks should be part of a standard response. In that sense, Disney was being sort of stingy and cheap.

All CRO (Cash) reservations at SSR receive daily mousekeeping. For those being moved, it will function just like every other resort at WDW. It is only DVC members staying on DVC points that get serviced every 4 days.

I would consider getting a 1 Bdrm villa and $700 an upgrade and a comp... (some may not, I understand that...)

 

[graygables]

I DO NOT understand all of the SSR bashing on these AKL threads. Everyone acts like going to SSR is like being struck with the plague. Have any of you ever been there? We love SSR, so much so that when we toured DVC with every intention of buying at the Animal Kingdom Villas, we were extremely surprised to find out that we actually liked SSR better. It seems like every thread I read on these AKL movement threads state that SSR is "like a moderate" or "cheap" on the part of Disney.

Now, it seems as though Disney is offering a move to a 1 Bdrm villa AND offering to refund up to $700 to those willing to move there. To me it's a no-brainer unless you just had to be on the monorail. SSR probably has one of the nicest pools outside of YC/BC in the High Rock Springs pool and the new Grandstand pool is one of the better themed pools at WDW, IMHO (love the horse gates and water cannons). All I am saying is that SSR is not a third world country and some of you may actually want to take a look at what is there before you automatically dismiss it. You can always use the $700 credit for your next trip at AKL!

Sorry for the rant. I do empathize with those being moved as that puts a damper on a vacation for sure, but please, stop the SSR bashing. It's really a great place if you give it a chance.

I own SSR, too, but have to say that while it is a lovely resort, it is a polar opposite from AKL not only in decor, but in spirit. It really is a deeply emotional thing to feel connected at AKL. Really. I wish I could describe it. There are just no comparisons and even a GV at SSR would not be an "upgrade" to someone whose heart lies at AKL. It's about the experience of the soul there. I don't get that at SSR (and it IS beautiful, but VERY different). We're seriously considering selling SSR to buy more AKV, that's how bad it is. I think there is something in the woods they burn in the fire pit that just flips an addiction switch in some people's brains...now I have to go sniff some coriander for my hit.

 

[Merryweather]

Do you think a standard view at BW is an even swap?

No! You are paying for a (savannah) view at AKL so the only lateral change acceptable would be a view at BWI. Do your homework and see what views are available and call back.

We are due to AKL at the end of August so I've been following all these threads regarding construction/upheaval/etc. It seems to me they've lost some pixie dust and are taking advantage of people's naivete regarding resort knowledge. This really disappoints me.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

I am someone else who got moved from AKL to GF. I had a standard room booked for 7 nights Aug23rd-30th as part of our honeymoon. I also wanted to be proactive and I asked to be moved. Now I had been looking forward to staying at AKL since summer last year, I knew straight away I wanted to stay here, I love the whole theming. However if I had the money I would have also loved to stay at The Poly, I love everything about it (look, rooms, restaurants). The Poly was my first request when asking to move, but they were full, so I ended up at The GF.
Now I am very happy to have been given the opportunity to stay at The GF, especially for my honeymoon. I could never have afforded 7 nights here (Garden View), I love all the restaurants and the monorail and I could easily walk to The Poly, so best of both worlds imo. However I did have my heart set on AKL, so I completely understand the pov of other people in this predicament. I do also agree that Disney does owe these refugees more than just like for like. As said before, you spend a long time choosing resorts for many reasons, so getting bumped to just any resort may not be suitable. We were offered WL to begin with, but many things didn't appeal for us (restaurants, transport, rooms in general) I really hope that all AKL refugees can find a resort to suit them and still have a magical vacation.

 

[HGLightlyj]

Positive comments about SSR: One of the great things about SSR is the close proximity to Downtown Disney. You can walk there, take a boat or a bus. I enjoy visiting other resorts and staying at SSR really cuts down on my travel time since I don't rent a car while at WDW. I can get to DD in a reasonable amount of time and catch a bus to other resorts. That being said, I love AKL and there is no resort that compares with the ambience at AKL but SSR is a beautiful resort with a very laid back atmosphere, beautiful grounds and beautiful accomodations. I just wanted to say something positive about SSR.