PLEASE HELP: Akl call nothing but SSR available!!

[DisOrBust]

This is my friends trip of a lifetime that has been planned for 2 years and staying at AKL. Now 30 days out they get this call and NOTHING else avialbe. They have cxalled and told them this was not acceptable and WDW saud too bad. Now should they just eat the airfare I really don't know what to tell them!!

 

[ruzer28]

That's not right, I'd hold my ground if I were them. I honestly don't believe that there isn't a single room in another deluxe available. I know that they really want to stay at the AKL, but I'm sure if they're persistent, Disney can find something for them at a resort that they'd be happy with, other than SSR. Good luck to them, keep us posted!

 

[TammiMcMan]

What are their travel dates? Others have reported the same thing, but have been given other options as well. I would check the online system to see what else is available and call back to talk with another CM.

Just wanted to add though, that if they're truly that disappointed, they may want to bite the bullet and pay to change their tickets for another time. Sometimes if you go into the vacation already feeling let down, it's easy to end up with a disasterous vacation.

 

[DISNEYNY]

I just read another post on here about AKL. The person said that they were offered SSR and would not accept it. They were then offered Beach Club and still were not thrilled, but have now gotten the POLY. Hopefully your friends can get someone to help them. I find it hard to believe that there is no where for them to stay except SSR. Keep calling!!

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

Tell your friends to stand their ground and checkout disney's website to see what they have available and call to see if they have it and tell them that's what you want. Or keep calling until they speak to someone who will help them.

 

[DisOrBust]

We did check online and NOTHING showed for the full ten days. I couuld get WL if we did a split. Chris called back raised hell and got WL with a courtyard view for the entire trip. She may still cancel and eat the air change price. When she booked in Feb she was COMPLETELY assured that the constrcution at SKL would not interfer with her trip. Another bold face lie by Disney.

 

[gharrer]

SSR is awesome.

 

[johnsonet]

... When she booked in Feb she was COMPLETELY assured that the constrcution at SKL would not interfer with her trip. Another bold face lie by Disney.

I can imagine how upset they are but that's a bit much

 

[CoolPool]

As stated in several posts here, Disney did not anticipate the level of problems they are experiencing and thus are trying to mitigate the situation by offering alternatives. Some have chosen to stay and others have taken offers to go to other resorts. I can understand their (your friends) frustration but I don't think Disney lied. We known about the construction for many moons now and its been heavily commented on. I actually think its great that they are doing this; I know that I've stayed at a hotel during a refurbishment (in another city) that I didn't know about and I was not offered an alternative because there wasn't one. At least Disney has alternatives to offer.

 

[LaurenLC]

I know the situation stinks, but I do not understand why almost everyone that posts about getting booted out of AKL complains about being given SSR as an option. It's not like you're being put in a motel 6...SSR is a really nice resort, and hey, you're still at WDW, right?

 

[johnsonet]

I know the situation stinks, but I do not understand why almost everyone that posts about getting booted out of AKL complains about being given SSR as an option. It's not like you're being put in a motel 6...SSR is a really nice resort, and hey, you're still at WDW, right?

Yes, but the themeing and animals probably play such an integral part in choosing AKL. I have stayed at AKL at least 10 times and I know I would not want to be moved. SSR looks very nice but it is "apples and oranges" from AKL. I think lots of its rooms there are vacant all the time and that is why it's available to be filled with AKL "refugees". I do feel badly for those whose vacations are being altered by this situation but I feel Disney is trying to accomodate people as best they can...

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I was at the BC during the building of the villas and it was very loud. That is why I did not book AKL this year and opted for the WL. I dont care what any hotel/chain says there will be noise. I think it is smart of Disney to move everyone so they dont have mass confusion at the resort with people complaining. I am glad to see your friends got another offer they were happy with. It sucks but I think the move is worth it. If they are truely unhappy they should rebook when AKL is all fixed up.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

what happened with this
I would also take tammis suggestion
check the dates
it seems like many are being offered SSR and turning it down and saying they will only take a monorail resort
I see the Poly as the place picked the most

 

[LaurenLC]

Yes, but the themeing and animals probably play such an integral part in choosing AKL. I have stayed at AKL at least 10 times and I know I would not want to be moved. SSR looks very nice but it is "apples and oranges" from AKL. I think lots of its rooms there are vacant all the time and that is why it's available to be filled with AKL "refugees". I do feel badly for those whose vacations are being altered by this situation but I feel Disney is trying to accomodate people as best they can...

I'm in NO WAY saying that SSR and AKL are the same, and I can only imagine the frustration of being booted out of the place that you REALLY wanted to stay at. However, I have read that Disney is giving people money back as well as an alternative resort to stay at. (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) You also have to look at it this way.. Would you really be happy staying at this resort with all the construciton noise, and many of the animals gone? Just a thought....

 

[johnsonet]

I'm in NO WAY saying that SSR and AKL are the same, and I can only imagine the frustration of being booted out of the place that you REALLY wanted to stay at. However, I have read that Disney is giving people money back as well as an alternative resort to stay at. (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) You also have to look at it this way.. Would you really be happy staying at this resort with all the construciton noise, and many of the animals gone? Just a thought....

I don't think you or anyone else is saying SSR and AKL are the same. My point was just that I can personally understand looking forward to a particular kind of vacation (animals, activities, etc.) and being disappointed when offered something completely different. It would be a tough spot to be in.

I had not heard any mention of reimbursements - only re-assignments.

Anyway, good luck to everyone who is in this predicament

 

[Starr W.]

I'm a DVC owner and there is no way I'm going to even consider going to AKV until ever piece of construction equipment is moved off the property.

I think the "construction" noise is much louder than management thought it was going to be(plus from what my fellow members have been able to book, moving faster than scheduled).

 

[CanadianGuy]

Disney has clearly had problems with guests very unhappy upon arrival at AKL. They are moving proactively to prevent that from happening on your friends vacation.

It's unfortunate, but it'd be a shame to let something your friend has no control over ... to ruin her vacation of a lifetime.

Best to roll with the punches and push for something that would also be exciting for them.

I know that's not the most exciting advice.. But really.. would they rather stay at a noisy resort under construction? Several very close friends of mine, manage construction projects (not for Disney) and they all say the same thing.. these schedules are highly variable based on all kinds of factors that make it sometimes virtually impossible to predict a solid timeline.

Knox

 

[Sammie]

I know the situation stinks, but I do not understand why almost everyone that posts about getting booted out of AKL complains about being given SSR as an option. It's not like you're being put in a motel 6...SSR is a really nice resort, and hey, you're still at WDW, right?

There is nothing wrong with SSR, however if you had booked SSR and wanted to stay there, would you be be happy with an unplanned move, I doubt it.

 

[iluveeyore]

I'm sorry about your friend's predicament, but I'm finding it hard to understand why people are upset about being moved to a DVC resort - to me it's an upgrade - we love all the DVC resorts and can't wait to stay at AKL in the villas - I've stayed at WL in the hotel, and was much happier in the villas at the WL - I'm sure your friend would have loved SSR - they only have so many rooms available because they just built a whole new section, and the resort is huge compared to the deluxe resorts. I hope they get everything ironed out and enjoy their trip - just being able to go to WDW and enjoy everything it has to offer should make wonderful memories for them to last a lifetime!!

 

[johnsonet]

I'm sorry about your friend's predicament, but I'm finding it hard to understand why people are upset about being moved to a DVC resort - to me it's an upgrade - we love all the DVC resorts and can't wait to stay at AKL in the villas - I've stayed at WL in the hotel, and was much happier in the villas at the WL - I'm sure your friend would have loved SSR - they only have so many rooms available because they just built a whole new section, and the resort is huge compared to the deluxe resorts.

To you it's an upgrade - to me it would be a downgrade because what I'm interested in is staying at a hotel and resort with an African theme, not a time share over by DTD. Sorry, but it's true. I hope most guests are satisfied with the alternative accomodations they are being offered but you really can't blame those who are not.

I just looked on allearsnet and it says that SSR will have something like 800 units when complete; AKL has about 1300 rooms and suites total; the GF has 900 rooms - so your explanation for the empty rooms at SSR is a little off.