AKL ..Refurb ?

[DisneyDancer312]

So our travel agent just called us and said we are no longer allowed to stay at the AKL because of a Refurb. :fork:

is this happening to anyone else...
we're going in 14 days and ive never stayed there and my family and i are really upset

anyone know what is going on? :veryconfu

 

[jayhawk2307]

I haven't heard about any refurb at AKL. Call Disney themselves and reserve through them or atleast ask what's up.

 

[kcnole]

I know they're refurbing one side, adding a savanah, more rooms, and converting them into DVC's. I hadn't heard that it was going to effect anyones stay however.

 

[Champion]

So our travel agent just called us and said we are no longer allowed to stay at the AKL because of a Refurb. :fork:

is this happening to anyone else...
we're going in 14 days and ive never stayed there and my family and i are really upset

anyone know what is going on? :veryconfu

This is why you should never use travel agents.

Some of the rooms are being upgraded to DVC, so yes, there are a lot of rooms being refurbished.

However, I am 100% sure that Disney tried to get your travel agents attention about this a lot longer than 14 days out.

Where are they converting your reservation to?

 

[fizzle75]

Yeah, that sounds suspicious to me. I would definitely call Disney before you get upset.

 

[RiversideBunny]

There was an article recently or a posting about how they decided that the noise from the villas construction was getting to be too much so they are no longer putting people into certain rooms at the AK Lodge.

Edit:
Here's the note. It's from allearsnet.com

Important: From March 2007 - April 2009 Construction will be taking place at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in preparation for the Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas. The early phases include construction in the main building.
In June 2007, some guests have been called and offered to move to Saratoga Springs due to noise concerns. DVC members who have reservered the villas in the main building have been told to expect construction noise during the day.

 

[mprewitt]

The 5th and 6th floors of the AKL are being converted into DVC villas for the new Animal Kingdom Villas. Also, they've moved some folks that were scheduled for the 4th floor due to the construction. All construction inside the AKL was supposed to be completed by May 2008, but it looks like Disney is ahead of schedule.

Next to AKL, Disney has broken ground on the new Kidani Village buildings, which will all be DVC villas for the Animal Kingdom Villas. Construction should be finished sometime in early 2009 on Kidani Village.

 

[coltow]

I seem to remember another poster saying this happened to them too. If you want a more specific answer call Disney direct and ask. Where are they moving you to? I was just wondering if they upgraded you for your trouble.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey there all, I can tell you that I was only advised this morning that I would have to MOVE someone due to the construction. I was told at the time of booking that construction would be going on, however they did not have a problem booking the vacation for me. I cant speak for most travel agencies, however any communications from Disney to Kingdom Konsultants is handled in a prompt fashion. Anyone who is staying at AKL should contact either the travel agent who booked them or if you booked directly yourself, contact Disney immediately regarding this issue. I can tell you this is absolutely true though. Belle

 

[DisneyDancer312]

Yes i know we dont normally go through a travel agent but she's a good friend of our family ...mistake i guess...but anyway they are putting us in the grand floridian ...i mean no complaints about that i was just excited about the AKL ...and we did have a savanah view room which would have been awesome but i guess from what you guys were saying thats whats where they are refurbing. but thanks for the info anyway everyone... i appriciate it. :wave:

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey there Dancer, I have to tell you I dont think using a TA is aproblem, especially if she is a family friend. Regardless of how your room was booked you would have been moved. As far as using a travel agent, a good travel agency can be invaluable in terms of what they know. Belle

 

[DisneyDancer312]

thanks belle. i mean im only 17 its not like i have a choice on which way my parents book our trip. but our TA did everything we asked and this was the only issue so far. i mean a little more notice would have been great but other than that there was no problem.

 

[coltow]

I'd take GF over AKL any day especially if I don't have to pay the extra money for it. I'm sure you're better off. If they needed to move you and you didn't I'm sure you would have been miserable with all the construction noise.

 

[dvalentine]

Will that affect people, like myself, staying there in December?

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hi there, As far as December I Am not sure what the construction schedule is, butI would certainly contact your Travel Agent or Disney ( depending on whom you booked with) and ask the question!!!!! I can imagine many people are NOT going to be happy, but would you be more happy with a jackhammer going off over your head while you are trying to sleep???? I would rather be moved, that is for sure!!!! Belle

 

[WED10IA]

We took a group down and went through a travel agent (we have never done this before but with the group we decided it might be best) Anyways we've known this agent for a long time and let me tell you next time we are going straight through Disney. It was such a hassle, he told us that if we wanted Disney to pick up our bags and take them to our room we had to have that info sent in 30 days early. He told us this 3 days before we left. Then he had the park tickets all given to the group leader so we had to sort that out. Thank god for Disney guest services.

 

[dave1105]

First of I hope that you have a wonderful trip. Sorry that you are not gonna be able to stay at your first preferance but it sounds like it is for the best as far as noise. Plus you can still visit the AKL and see the savannahs.

Secondly, I can't speak for all travel agents but in my two experiences thus far I have to say they were dramatically different.

My first experience was with AAA and the trip got booked ok and literature was given. When we visited we felt kind of rushed. Downpayment was given and then no real contact until the time came to pay the balance of the trip.

This time around I decided based on recomendations of others on this site to use Kingdom Konsultants and it has been a world of difference! Although I am not dealing face to face with Marie, she has taken lots of time between phone calls and emails to assure that everything will be wonderful come December. From providing pros and cons of different resorts to booking our ADR's. It makes a big difference dealing with someone who has personal experience. I can't say enough wonderful things about Marie.

 

[disneydudette]

This is NOT just through travel agents, and Disney themselves have been calling people 14-21 days before arrival to notify them of a transfer. Apparently this is a rather sudden decision... and disney is scrambling.

When/if you recieved a call... Disney pushed for transfers to studios/1-bedrooms at SSR. If you were unhappy with that choice, they would also suggest the Beach Club, Boardwalk, and several other deluxe resorts, but not all. Ultimately, they would meet your resort quest if possible.

Apparently the construction noise, equipment, and activity is extremely noticable and too overwhelming when factoring in guests. I also heard that only floor 3 and 4 were open.

You are not the only AKL traveler to be moved, and it looks like you picked a great resort to move to! I've seen at least a dozen others be offered "transfers" regarding this same discussion.

From the DVC brochure I recieved, they're converting rooms a section at a time. Unfortunately it's at home... but I wouldn't be surprised if (at later date) they "transfer" those staying in standard and pool view rooms due to that section being converted.

 

[wannabeBelle]

First of I hope that you have a wonderful trip. Sorry that you are not gonna be able to stay at your first preferance but it sounds like it is for the best as far as noise. Plus you can still visit the AKL and see the savannahs.

Secondly, I can't speak for all travel agents but in my two experiences thus far I have to say they were dramatically different.

My first experience was with AAA and the trip got booked ok and literature was given. When we visited we felt kind of rushed. Downpayment was given and then no real contact until the time came to pay the balance of the trip.

This time around I decided based on recomendations of others on this site to use Kingdom Konsultants and it has been a world of difference! Although I am not dealing face to face with Marie, she has taken lots of time between phone calls and emails to assure that everything will be wonderful come December. From providing pros and cons of different resorts to booking our ADR's. It makes a big difference dealing with someone who has personal experience. I can't say enough wonderful things about Marie.

Thank you Dave!!!! That is so sweet!!!! I think that using a TA to book a trip is just like any other kind of service profession. I know our agency has people who have a deep love for all things Disney. I try to get down there as often as I can so I Am on top of resorts, restaurants, changes etc. I know the other agents who I work with are the same way. If you use an agency/ agent who isnt as familiar with Disney or doesnt have the same level of service we do, you may get stuck in a bad situation or not be as informed as you might like. Certainly shop around to different agents and see who is giving you the best deal combined with the kind of services they offer. Belle

 

[coltow]

I've been talking to my sister about this and we're sad that we are planning our trip for next summer and not this summer just for the chance that we could be upgraded for free. YES AKL would be our first choice, but to be able to stay somplace else with out paying the price difference would be fantastic. I understand the disappointment, but think in the positive, how great of an opportunity this is.