What type of room on points at AKL?

[Lesley]

Now that the resort is open I'm wondering what type of room DVC members are getting when using points.

By looking at the points chart for AKL..and how the points are the same as for the Poly, YC, BC and CR Tower I would surely hope that DVC members staying on points at AKL will be given a savannah view. If not the points are really out of line....the standard view rooms at AKL sell for $70 to $100 less than anything else in that points category. Seems to me they should have 2 levels for points like they do at the Contemporary.

So has anyone returned yet to tell their tales?


Lesley

ºoº
1979 Contemporary
1992 Off-site
1994 Carribean Beach
1999 Fort Wilderness and Coronado Springs
2000 Polynesian and Old Key West
2002 Boardwalk Villas

 

[Werner Weiss]

My understanding is that you get "run of the house" -- meaning you get whatever is available with no guarantees -- when you use DVC points to stay at a Disney Collection resort. But at AKL, the big selling point is the view of the animals. Most room have it; some don't.

Sure, there's great design and atmosphere throughout the AKL from all I've seen and read -- but if you don't have a savannah view, you really aren't getting the real AKL expereince.

If you book for cash, and you know you're saving significant bucks, you might be satisfied with a standard view. But if you're staying on points -- lots of points -- you're going to expect a view of the big critters, or you'll be very disappointed.

DVC really needs to negotiate a guaranteed savannah view for DVC members, and needs to state such on the point chart. Or, as Lesley wrote, "they should have 2 levels for points like they do at the Contemporary."

-----
Werner Weiss, Curator of Yesterland, featuring discontinued Disneyland attractions

 

[Lesley]

Thanks Werner...my understanding is "run of house" as well, but I was wondering how this is unfolding in practice. I feel strongly that to end up with a standard view for the # of points paid would be at the least unfair and at worst a complete rip off. It takes an awful lot of points to stay at the deluxe resorts as it is.

I hadn't thought of the negotiation aspect...that DVD negotiates these agreements with the hotels. It's hard to remember that Disney is composed of many smaller companies.

Hopefully by 2002 they'll work this out.

Still wondering what kind of rooms DVC members are getting now too!


Lesley

ºoº
1979 Contemporary
1992 Off-site
1994 Carribean Beach
1999 Fort Wilderness and Coronado Springs
2000 Polynesian and Old Key West
2002 Boardwalk Villas

 

[BillPA]

I only stayed once on points at the GF back in '95. Then it was "best available". Ended up with a lagoon view room. Most posts I've seen, DVCers seam to end up in the better rooms, but like Werner said, there are no guarantees.

Have a great trip.

Bill
DVC Member OKW '93

 

[Dean]

We only used points once for a non DVC resort but at WL, it was standard only by policy per the CM.

Dean

 

[mouseclick1]

Lesley,
I agree with you, which is why I am booking a one night stay at AKL with cash. I know most of the time DVC members are given an upgraded view, but I'm not going to chance it at AKL. It would not be with worth it to me to stay there and look at a parking lot or even pool (especially not at 55 points!).

 

[dianthus]

We just returned from our stay at AKL( opening day, which was special) on points. When I booked MS told me it would be a deluxe savannah room, but upon check in, I was told by the CM that it was not a deluxe room- just a standard room with a savannah view. He called DVC & we spoke to 3 people who did not know what we were talking about. I was very upset & got the name of someone in charge at DVC that I will write to about this, as MS was misleading when I booked. The CM at AKL was great though- he did give us a standard room in a very nice location- lots of animals in front of our balcony, so all worked out OK in the end. The points were the same as Y & B and Y & B is far superior, especially from the transportation perspective. Being there on opening day & getting the first guest pins & lanyard made the situation palatable. I think AKL is nice, but not on par with Y &B or the Poly.

 

[KathyK]

We have the following booked - 1 night cash, deluxe savannah view, 3 nights points deluxe savannah view(according to the DVC MS CM), 3 nights cash, deluxe savannah view.

I wouldn't have booked the nights on points if the DVC MS CM didn't specifically say that she was booking the same category room, as we are hoping not to have to change rooms twice during the stay.

We understand that there is a chance that we may have to switch, but as long as we're booked for the same cat. room, we *shouldn't* have to (if the room assignment person is doing a half-decent job).

I am going to call DVC MS to check on this before we go, but if we end up switching rooms *because* of a DVC screw up, they will have one very angry pregnant woman to deal with.

 

[dianthus]

Kathy K - call ahead & confirm what they told you and avoid what happened to me. We had 3 DVC MS CMs on the phone & finally I got "Jeff" who was a Mgr. He insinuated that I was making this up, which infuriated me! I got the Sr. Mgr's name & I intend to contact him, as I was told specifically it was going to be a deluxe savannah room by MS CM when I booked it. Here's how it went...
I called in Jan. to see if anything was available, as we decided to surprise & celebrate DD's 10th birthday (4/16) at WDW. I knew I was hard pressed, due to the late date & it was Easter week. The MS CM said all there was available was Coronado Springs & Caribbean Beach, then she said wait- let me check something... She came back on the phone & told me they could now book AKL on points & it was available for opening day- 4/16!! It was 144 points for 3 days & she said it was on par with Y & B, or maybe better. (Y& B was 144 points as well for that time period- but was not available...)She read from a card or screen - DELUXE Savannah room. The DELUXE rooms are mostly located on the 5th floor with a savannah view. I said OK, as I felt it was a comparable value.

I'll be anxious to hear what MS tells you today.

GOOD LUCK! - Linda

 

[Lesley]

Thanks for the input, dianthus. Not on par with the YC or the Poly, eh? Hmmmm....food for thought. I'm glad to hear you did get a savannah view though.

Kathy, please keep us updated on your situation. I'd like to see how it turns out.

Thanks everyone! Anyone else?


Lesley

ºoº
1979 Contemporary
1992 Off-site
1994 Carribean Beach
1999 Fort Wilderness and Coronado Springs
2000 Polynesian and Old Key West
2002 Boardwalk Villas

 

[KathyK]

Believe me, after reading what dianthus went through, I'd be on the phone w/ MS right now, but I don't have the paperwork in front of me at work. So, I'll have to take care of it on Monday.

What really upsets me is that I would have just paid the cash for those nights if the MS CM hadn't "guaranteed" me the same category room. Since I am pregnant, I am planning on taking afternoon breaks, and would really like to have a room from 11 am - 3 pm *every* day*.

I will let you know what I find out on Monday.

--Kathy

* Fully understanding that with separate ressies, there is a chance of being moved, but it *shouldn't* happen with the same cat. room.

 

[A1A1]

called to double check what I was registered for, they said Savannah view. MS CM said these rooms on points at AKL are savannah or pool views.

 

[dianthus]

A1A1- Just curious, what did they tell you when you made your initial reservation? My ressie just said one hotel room. I didn't give it a second thought because I have never booked a non DVC property on points. I had no reason to doubt the MS CM, as she told me deluxe savannah. The issue with us is they said one thing & gave us something different, of lesser value. They should have called me if they changed their booking policy at AKL- which I suspect they did. The surprise at check in I did not need... I too would have paid cash & saved the points for another trip. The AKL CM "Jack" was terrific & gave us a wonderful standard savannah room on the Zebra trail with critters a go-go..so he really helped make things right, I will say, the AKL staff are doing cartwheels for the guests. It's so themed (done beautifully, but very dark & a bit dreary), you really don't feel you are in WDW at all. We felt it was a bit too much out of the way for us- we prefer staying in "the world". I have been a DVC member for many years & never had this happen. Whatever they told me on the phone, I took them at their word- never a problem before. We own quite a few points and use them every year. I have lost a great of faith with MS on this one. Sr. Management will hear from me.
For now, I'm collecting info... I'm curious what other people were told at the time of their AKL reservations with DVC. KathyK and I can't be the only ones... Let us know! Thanks! - Linda

 

[A1A1]

dianthus,
sorry to say that I don't remember what they told me upon making my ressie. I did ask if we got the "leftovers", and they said no, that we get rooms reserved just like everyone else.

I was wondering how large your family is? I actually thought the deluxe rooms were for larger families. Don't know where I got that one, but wonder if it was a consideration for them.

I didn't think MS was able to book deluxe rooms, only standard savannah or pool view.

It seems that with the newness of this resort there were a lot of questions and kinks to work out. The posts here over the last few months on the resorts board about the AKL showed that everyone was confused.

Sorry you had this experience. Why did you want the deluxe room? I may have read this in your post, but don't remember. It seems that the rooms are almost identical - deluxe being just a hair bigger, and maybe up a floor.

Were you able to see the animals from your balcony? I think I remember you saying you had animals " a go-go" (lol). I bet you had a better view than you might have with the room you originally wanted. Seems like they tried to correct the situation with you at front desk, and gave you a room with a good view.

I'm sure as more people are booking this hotel with points, they have straightened out which rooms are reservable on points and which aren't. I have the impression that the rooms aren't much different though. Check out the info here on the dis, they give room layouts for all the different types of rooms. Your view did sound great, too. Maybe you could let this one go......

 

[Dean]

I'm certianly no expert in this area as I've only used this feature once but I have discussed it with MS on two occasions. On both occasions, I was given the idea that we would expect a standard room and might get an upgrade if available but not concierge. MS essentially said it was up to the destination resort.

I know that from a DVC member's standpoint, this is a lot of points and to me, points equals money. However, from Disney's standpoint, I think they look at this like we're getting a cheap room then act and react accordingly.

I guess my point is that I don't want members to be disappointed when they don't get a special type of room or view and feel they should be fore warned. I'd assume a standard (worst) view for anything that isn't spelled out. The only time I'd expect more is when I paid extra points for something specific.

Dean

 

[dianthus]

A1A1 - Thanks for the feedback. I did have a good trip because the AKL CM made it right for us, which I really appreciated. He gave me a standard room on the 4th floor with a great view of the main savannah inside the horse shoe.I talked to several people at the pool that said all they saw from their rooms were birds! We were swimming in giraffes, zebras & watusis! ( late in the afternoon ) We had Rm. 4413- zebra trail & it was very nice, not too much sun in the afternoon. Some of the other rooms down the way looked liked they were frying in direct sun... There was 3 of us which was fine. 4 in the room would be a bit tight- the rooms are small by comparison to the other deluxe resorts.

The only reason why I was upset was I didn't get what I was told I would get and I didn't like the way MS addressed me or the AKL CM- he was taken back as well. I felt a bit ripped off, but I will get over it! I guess I should expect to get ripped off at WDW during Easter week!LOL!

I am still going to write because I feel the information I got was wrong and the attitude when addressing customers has to go!(This was a Mgr. in MS ) Members depend on the info they get to be correct from MS- I never had a problem before. KathyK also was told they'd book a deluxe savannah room for her on points, so I know it wasn't just my interpetation. I believe it is MS' responsibility to give members correct information when they book, as you can't use these points at DVC resorts if you have to cancel.

We did have a nice time after check in, being there opening day was neat & my DD had a great 10th birthday. That's really all that mattered in the end...

Linda

 

[KathyK]

The CM I spoke to said that her computer showed "*Deluxe* savannah view room" for my reservation. She also noted that there was a notation made on the reservation that I had requested not to change rooms between my reservations on cash and on points. Of course, none of this is on my confirmation sheet, so I have to take her word for it.

I guess we'll see what happens in two weeks.

--Kathy

 

[LIDisneyFan]

KathyK


Given what has happened before, I would ask for a copy of that reservation, stating a Deluxe Savannah Room in writing so you can simply show it when you check in.

 

[dianthus]

KathyK- I would definitely ask for a written confirmation so you can take it with you to show them. You know what happened to me...

I am going hold off writing to Rick Burnley- Sr. Mgr. of Member Services about this issue until you return & post whether you got the deluxe room or not. If you don't get it, call and ask to speak to him directly. My room # was 4413 & I checked in opening day. My AKL CM at registration was "Jack" ( he'll remember the situation... he was so nice!) So Mr. Burnley can look up my info to give you some ammo if they give you a hard time too!

Good luck Kathy, I hope your reservation comes off without any hassles! Zebra trail was great for the animals! Hope your vacation is relaxing, before your new little addition comes! AKL is very laid back, just what the Dr. ordered!!

Please post when you return so I know what happened.... My fingers are crossed for you!!

Have a great trip to AKL!

- Linda