PLEASE HELP: Akl call nothing but SSR available!!

[DisneyBee]

I wouldn't consider SSR an upgrade either. When I go on vacation, the last thing I want to see is a kitchen and/or a laundry room. No thank you! I've seen the units and they're not much different than renting a condo at the beach for a week during the summer. The deluxe resorts (AKL, GF, WL, Poly, etc.) all have fabulous themes, and frankly when I think of SSR, fabulous doesn't spring to my mind.

 

["Got Disney"]

I love SSR it is a great resort. It is large yes but very nice. Our 2 favorits are the SSR and BC....don't think your friends will be disappointed.

Good luck

Disneybee
also let me add that as DVC members we pay thousands of $$$$ to be DVC members and they are Delux resorts not just trash. If that was the fact than thousands of smart people would have never purchases them. We paid $30,000 and that is not chicken feed for what you may call a lower grade resort. They are above the regular delux as for the reg. delux does not offer one and two or more bedrooms with a laundry room, full kitchen and jacuzzie tub, and more. Your right they are like staying in a Condo but to me taht beats a one room studio anytime for sure.

 

[tidefan]

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.

FYI, about half of the Animal Kingdom Lodge is about to be a "timeshare" too...

I wouldn't consider SSR an upgrade either. When I go on vacation, the last thing I want to see is a kitchen and/or a laundry room. No thank you! I've seen the units and they're not much different than renting a condo at the beach for a week during the summer. The deluxe resorts (AKL, GF, WL, Poly, etc.) all have fabulous themes, and frankly when I think of SSR, fabulous doesn't spring to my mind.

Have you stayed there? Just asking because when DW and I went to tour the DVC, we went pretty much thinking that we would like the AKV. However, we were very pleasantly surprised by just how nice SSR is. In the end, we decided to buy at SSR instead of AKV. I really don't think that a lot of people have been through it much other than what they've seen across the lake from DTD. Also, I LOVED the golf course (but, I am a very avid golfer...) being right there. Now, AKL is great too, and it is truly unique. I have no problem with some folks being disappointed to be moved, no matter where they would be moved to. It does get a little old, however, to see the continual SSR bashing.

As to the kitchen and extra space, to each their own. We love having the kitchen, more specifically the full size fridge. The ones at CSR were just waaaaaay to small. For the price of what Disney would charge me for one of their refillable mugs, I can get 5 12-packs of Coke and they stay nice and cold in the fridge and I still have room for all of my DDP leftovers (usually dessert). But the best thing is having a couch to sit on...

 

[johnsonet]

FYI, about half of the Animal Kingdom Lodge is about to be a "timeshare" too...

You're kidding! I had no idea

 

[Nancyg56]

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.

Probably more like the "best laid plans" rather than a lie.

Honestly, if your friends are not going to be happy with any other resort it may make sense to postpone your vacation. I understand the frustration, although I admit I would simply roll with the punches and "assist" Disney in finding an acceptable resort. We chose not to book AKL because I don't like glitches on my vacation and thought that the construction would make me nuts. I might have considered it if I thought I could have upgraded to the BC

Disney is not a cheap vacation so if it is already looking like a disappointment you may find that you cannot find much magic. I hope that this all works out for you.

 

[dawgsgirl]

Disney really messed up on this AKL thing. I wonder why they just didn't close the entire resort?

 

[johnsonet]

Disney really messed up on this AKL thing. I wonder why they just didn't close the entire resort?

I've wondered the same thing... but it's just not that simple. They have employees, for starters. They have a lot of unaffected rooms, and an unaffected pool, unaffected (and very POPULAR) restaurants and also, AKL has really rounded the bend into great popularity in the past couple of years so there a thousands of people wanting to book rooms there. It is just a very unfortunate situation.

All boils down to $$$$ Those DVC unit are obviously a huge moneymaker for Disney...

 

[DisneyBee]

Got Disney: I never said SSR was trash, nor did I say that it was a "lower" grade resort. Please! I just said "I" didn't think it was fabulous and it's not the style of accommodation "I" want for "my" vacation, and to me it wouldn't be an upgrade. To each his own in this case. That's what's wonderful about Disney Resorts - there's something to suit everyone. By offering those choices everyone is allowed to choose what they consider "magical" - for me, it's simply no kitchen and no laundry room and fabulous theming.

We would not need one or two bedrooms as we're a small family, and I have a jacuzzi tub at home so that really isn't a selling point for me. I also do know that the DVC is very expensive, as you pointed out.

I leave tomorrow for AKL and couldn't be more thrilled!

 

[Starr W.]

I've wondered the same thing... but it's just not that simple. They have employees, for starters. They have a lot of unaffected rooms, and an unaffected pool, unaffected (and very POPULAR) restaurants and also, AKL has really rounded the bend into great popularity in the past couple of years so there a thousands of people wanting to book rooms there. It is just a very unfortunate situation.

All boils down to $$$$ Those DVC unit are obviously a huge moneymaker for Disney...

I think given the size of AKL, it never has been booked to the level of capacity that Disney would like(some sort of % they use), that's why 2 floors are being converted to DVC units. According to the last quarterly report from Disney, DVC is a big money maker for them(that's why the Kidani building is beinng added at AKL). I think eventually DVC units/buildings will be built at all the deluxe resorts( rumors are the demolished north wing of the Contemporary is the next location ).

We just joined DVC last year(we have been doing condo rentals at other vacation spots, we like the ability for the boys to have there own beds). Do I use the kitchen, no just to get quick breakfast. Having the washer is great as I can take less clothes and fewer bags(don't mind doing a couple loads for that). We will wait for AKV to be finished before we head over(ie 2009).

 

[dawgsgirl]

Why am I SO surprised that it all comes down to money??

 

[Starr W.]

Why am I SO surprised that it all comes down to money??

It usually does when dealing with a corporation.

Just from checking on line at Disney, I usually could get 2 rooms at AKL or GF about 6 weeks out from Easter and last Christmas. I usually put in another resort and it always comes up "Disney recommends" AKL or GF.

I really feel sorry for people who booked AKL for this time period. Sales for AKV started in late winter/early spring. I think the contstruction pace increased due to the response DVC had from members(we get a head start in buying, before the general public). Alot of people bought 160+ points to get their names on the "founding member" tapestry that will hang in the Kidani building.

It wasn't like Disney didn't think that ripping up 2 floors was going to loud and could have been a little proactive in moving people sooner or at least calling them sooner. But then again I thought they messed up the AKV launch(no real details, room drawings, barely got the point charts out), this was echoed by some longer members who remember the sales of the other resorts.

 

[Judique]

Why am I SO surprised that it all comes down to money??

Money talks.
AKL is a beautiful resort, but imho, not the moneymaker that it may have originally been conceived to be. Always room discounts available there and upgrades at checkin. You could almost have counted on buying a standard room and getting an upgrade.

So, Disney gave it a shot of a proven moneymaker - DVC. I didn't run out to buy any points because I believe after the initial hoopla is over, it won't be much of a problem to get a room there. Same as before....

I do sympathise with the people asked to move. The fact is they chose and paid for a certain vacation and now Disney is not delivering. For whatever reason...

An offer of another resort is nice and in some cases people will be happy with the tradeoff. There will still be some disapointed parties no matter what is offered, because that is not what they originally wanted. I remember booking the WL on one visit and at checkin I was shuffled to the Poly. I love the Poly but I was still disappointed because I was looking forward to staying at WL, simple as that.

SSR is a lovely resort and I've enjoyed a few stays there, but it may not be an acceptable substitute for someone who was looking forward to a view of the AKL savannahs. In a case like that I would find it a huge disappointment.

 

[Starr W.]

So, Disney gave it a shot of a proven moneymaker - DVC. I didn't run out to buy any points because I believe after the initial hoopla is over, it won't be much of a problem to get a room there. Same as before....

7 month window is our game plan too. Waiting for CRV to do our next buy.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Why am I SO surprised that it all comes down to money??

I don't have any idea why anyone would think a business's decisions would be ultimately based on anything BUT money...

 

[jmom]

We're due to stay at AKL in 4 weeks. Have not had a phone call...yet. I have read all the posts on this thread - interesting. From a 'haven't got a clue' perspective - if they do ring - which resorts in term of money are comparable to a 'savanna room at AKL' and which in terms of experience? I have animal loving 6 yr old and an energetic 4 yr old? Please help!