We're HERE. Complaining LIVE from AKL...

[Cindie-rella]

We arrived at AKL Sunday all excited to finally get to share a WDW vacation with our GD! We rented DVC points from a member for a savanna view/studio. After staying here before we already knew we loved this resort, so we were really looking forward to return to our favorite resort. I'm very interested in buying into DVC and thought by renting points and trying out a studio might give my DH the extra nudge needed to convince him to sign zee papers. Check in was smooth. Excitement was off the charts!!! We were given the room keys to rm.# 5212 / Sunset savanna. Uh-oh, Sunset you say?? I asked the CM if there would be a construction view since it was on Sunset. She told me not really, most of the construction was way over to the right, it wouldn't interrupt our view and that there were many animals to view from our room. Okay, great, now even more excited we head for 5212, open the door, room is great, love having the kitchenette. Head for the "savanna view" door... Where are those cameras??? We have to be on Candid Camera, this has to be a joke!!!! Isn't it? I went right back down to the CM that gave me the keys...asked her if this were some kind of joke!!! She said no and told me every single room was booked! Nothing, nothing at all left! I only wish I could post these pictures of our view right now. 1st of all not only could you see all the construction, they're painting and doing all kind of work on the rooms and fences to the left of us and there are 2 big giant lift trucks with construction going on ALL around us. The noise level is awful! Construction vehicle back up beeping and loud motors etc.We had our patio door open today and couldn't hear each other because of how loud the construction is!!!!! Even w/o all the construction stuff, this would be a poor excuse for a savanna room.
Oh, and even if there were animals roaming around, we'd never know it b/c there are tree tops covering what little savanna is here! I told the CM I could not believe they would actually charge someone in any of these so-called savanna view rooms in this area of the resort the kind of money they do. I'd take a view of a swamp before I'd pay this kind of money for a "noisy" construction view! The CM told me Disney rents these rooms as "Standard view" but DVC rents them as "Savanna View" ????!!!! WHY? Not even fair for a second. With this awful view Disney/DVC needs to cut the rates. Perhaps $99./a night? That might be fair as long as the visitor knows what they'll be getting. Or perhaps use these as the so called "free" upgrades.
Ok, there it is...I've vented!
Even after all the above complaining I did...I must tell you. AKL is still my favorite resort., I just need a different room
Oh and for all those Disney Channel & Jonas Bros. fans, they here at AKL. We've been seeing all different kids giving autographs in the lobby. Even one of the Jonus Bros. I don't know who's who on the Disney Channel, so I could be standing next to one of these kids and never know it.

Anyway, thanks for listening. Any questions please post and I'll answer soon.

 

[las3888]

We were there recently and I took a stroll down probably where you are...I was shocked at the view myself. While there are animals, it's just construction city...I am LOL at your Candid camera description! What a bummer! I actually felt sorry for the animals! I hope you can get a new room/view very very soon!!!

 

[greenpea89]

I'm so sorry to hear about your view and the noise! Can they change your room tomorrow or later in your stay? I know it might be a little inconvenient but probably not as bad as what you are experiencing now. Maybe you can try again in the morning and a different CM will be able to help you change rooms. Wishing you lots of pixie dust!

 

[Reginak]

I am sorry that your trip has turned out this way. Perhaps they can fix it tomorrow. Please don't judge DVC membership from this mistake - we have never had a problem. I think that what has happened is unusual.

That said, I must admit that my four children would absolutely love that room. They would want to stay and watch the trucks and cranes all day long!

Regina

 

[Disneyfan1977]

If they couldn't offer me a better room than I would ask to switch resorts. I couldn't listen to or watch construction my entire vacation. Fair is fair. Could you enjoy your trip to Disney better if you were somewhere else? You already aren't getting much of a view of the animals so I'd ask to switch.

Just my two cents....

 

[cpbjgc]

If they couldn't offer me a better room than I would ask to switch resorts. I couldn't listen to or watch construction my entire vacation. Fair is fair. Could you enjoy your trip to Disney better if you were somewhere else? You already aren't getting much of a view of the animals so I'd ask to switch.

Just my two cents....

The OP said they rented points from a DVC member, so they can't switch resorts like they might be able to do if they rented from Disney through CRO.

Hope the rest of your trip goes well Cindie-rella!

 

[John's Mom]

So sorry about your room view. I hope the rest of your trip is magical for your GD.

 

[sixcats]

We had the same problem when we checked into our villa last Sunday. I called and they said all rooms were booked, maybe they could move us later in our stay. I was told the noise would go on from 9-5. The next morning I went out on the balcony around 6:30 am and the work was going loud and strong.
I called to speak to a manager in charge of room assignment. We were moved later that day to a lovely quiet room. It was a pain to packup and move, but the rest of our trip was much nicer because of it.

 

[Cindie-rella]

Hi again all. We could not be switched as the DVC member has to be the one to do that for us. We are already doing a split stay, heading for OKW tomorrow,Wed. Otherwise, I would never have accepted this room for an entire 8 nights. I was upset enough about 3 nights. We figured there was nothing else we could do so we just sucked it up and can't wait to try OKW. I must say, despite the room view & construction noise...we're having a GREAT time! heading to Hollywood Studio's now...

 

[Laren]

I am so sorry about your room view- I am glad you had planned the split stay!!!

Did you say the Jonas Brothers are on property- are you kidding me? My DD is an enormous fan and she's in WDW right now- are they filming some sort of show there or something?

If she ran into a Jonas somewhere. . .she would just faint.

 

[Atotty]

Quick question for OP.....did you request a certain section to be in or leave it up to chance? Just wondering if asking to be anywhere but Sunset in advance would help.

 

[TheFram4]

We have just returned to the UK a from the AKL villas ( 4 nights from 25/4/08) and believe we had the same view - we were staying in room 5205. We had paid the extra points for a savannah view and had the 2 'telehandlers' to our left a small patch of grass in front of us mostly obscured by tree tops and saw the occasional ostrich and rabbit!!! When looking out of the balcony the main view was of building work.
I double checked with the lobby that we were in fact a savannah view it was that bad (I could have cried at having 'wasted' our extra points on the view)
There was a note in our room stating the building work would be occurring from 9am to 5 am but I could here the reversing beeps of lorries from 7pm whilst lying in my bed.
To add insult to injury when we initially checked in we were told our room would not be ready till after 5pm (unacceptable!)
We had been staying 8 nights OKW and 3 nights VB previously and did not want a further room move but I will be contacting my guide.
Just got back home at present and too tired to complain constructively!

On a positive note I loved the resort and the villas will be great once finished just a shame the construction causes so much disruption

 

[BamaFan121s]

Wow..you've reaffirmed my reason of why I don't book at a resort when I know there is construction / refurb going on there.

 

[Cindie-rella]

I am so sorry about your room view- I am glad you had planned the split stay!!!

Did you say the Jonas Brothers are on property- are you kidding me? My DD is an enormous fan and she's in WDW right now- are they filming some sort of show there or something?

If she ran into a Jonas somewhere. . .she would just faint.

The stars of the Disney Channel kids shows are here competing in some sort of games at World of Disney Sports. The Jonas Bros. and others are performing a concert this Sat. there. I believe alot of the kids are staying at AKL.

 

[Cindie-rella]

Quick question for OP.....did you request a certain section to be in or leave it up to chance? Just wondering if asking to be anywhere but Sunset in advance would help.

No, I didn't request anything in advance. Just when we got there I asked not to be placed with a view of the construction. The CM fibbed. I not only seen the construction and heard it continuously....but they were repainting and doing all kind of work outside our rooms, that's why there were lift trucks in our view at all times, and virtually NO animals. What a disappointing stay!

 

[Tracy0729]

How is your room at Old Key West will be staying there on Saturday. Thanks Tracy

 

[mefordis]

I'm sorry to hear about your disappointment! I've had my share of resort disappointments at WDW as well.

How are the crowds at the parks? A lot of people or pretty reasonable?

I'm sure you will have a great time, regardless!

 

[Cindie-rella]

How is your room at Old Key West will be staying there on Saturday. Thanks Tracy

We stayed in a studio. Our rm.# was 3536. We were right across the street from the Turtle Pond bus stop (huge convenience!). About a 5 min. walk from a quiet pool, but we had a 3rd floor room never again. No elevators. Whew! At the end of a long day carrying all sorts of bags and a stroller AND a "sleeping 35 lb. GD", well, like I said, no more 3rd floor rooms for us. I requested certain bldg.'s and they weren't available. When we went by those bldg.'s I knew that they would have been perfect for us. Next time I hope to get my request! Otherwise, I really enjoyed OKW. Beautiful resort. A little shy on pools for the size of the resort, but all in all, a lovely place.

P.S. My opinion on Olivia's... high prices for so-so food. Turtle shack has a good turkey sandwich for a reasonable $6.

 

[polyfan60]

I'm sorry about the room view. That's so ironic that the Disney Channel stars are here because they were also at the AKL two years ago for the opening of Expedition Everest!

 

[SunnieRN]

So sorry about your "savannah" view. Happy for you that you were so close to the bus stop at OKW.
No elevators?? A savannah view for DVC members, but standard for other guests....wow...makes me think about whether or not DVC is such a good deal after all...
Hope you are having fun!!!