Partial Closure - Animal Kingdom Lodge [Merged Threads]

[mprewitt]

According to a reliable source, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World will be essentially closed for guests from now until Sept 1, 2007.

[Figaro0826]

I called for reservations for August 24th , 2 nights, Disney said there are no available due to construction.

So I booked Wilderness Lodge instead...

[Figment!]

Throughout June Disney has been relocating Guests on the 4th floor of the hotel (that are in trails currently under construction) to Saratoga Springs due to noise concerns.

At this time, there does not appear to be a confirmation of a whole resort closure.

It seems a little suspect that they would close the whole resort for a trail by trail conversion of only two floors.

[Tinkermom]

I have also read that AKL is closing until 9/1. There are several disney sites with stories of people who are booked at AKL between now and 9/1 being offered other accomodations. If this is true I think this information should be put on Intercot's homepage.

[Carol]

If this is true I think this information should be put on Intercot's homepage.

Hi Lisa -

When/if the news comes from Disney we'll put the details on the front page. Until then it's considered a rumor.

[DisneyDudet]

I would think that with the number of members going this summer, and staying at AKL, we would have members coming on to tell us about this. If they are indeed calling those who are staying to move them, I'm sure we'd hear something from those people.

Not saying that they aren't displacing more people due to noise or space, but a whole resort seems a little much. There are other places at the resort to stay other than the floors being affected. They now have limited number of rooms available, which will sell out easier than if all rooms were available at one time.

I'm sure Figment will let us know ASAP!

Keep your eyes open for more info!!

[Tinkermom]

Hi Lisa -

When/if the news comes from Disney we'll put the details on the front page. Until then it's considered a rumor.

Hi Carol!

I know we can all count on Intercot to get us the info we need! I sure hope we hear soon if this is true or just a rumor...

The main reason I am interested is there is some speculation out there that when the next phase starts there could be some more AKL closures starting in early '08. We are hoping to book AKL villas for February '08. I will be watching to see how this all plays out.

[mprewitt]

At this time, there does not appear to be a confirmation of a whole resort closure.

It seems a little suspect that they would close the whole resort for a trail by trail conversion of only two floors.

I agree. I wonder if this is mis-information.

[LottaLubes]

I think it's true...no matter what dates I enter on disney.com, AKL is unavailable. I can't believe it would be sold out for every night this summer.

[Tink1]

We have not been notified of any "official news" about this yet either way. At this point I must remain in the "this is a rumor" camp. Being a Saturday, I find it odd to hear any decision was made today (the upper ups don't normally work weekends)

There has been some guest relocation going on in the past few weeks, as everyone has been aware of. There will be more to come. I cannot say however that they are closing the resort. (Guest relocations actually happen often for many reasons; maintenance and upkeep, overbooking conventions, VIP security reasons etc.)

As soon as we hear anything Intercot, always, is the first place we put it.

Nanc

[DawnSS]

It's true. I got the call this am that we have to switch. All 17 of us were scheduled the first week in August. We had the choice of Saratoga Springs and Wilderness Lodge Bay Lake view and then we found out they were both completely booked. So, we are ending up at the Boardwalk in the Villa's. They look very nice...2 bedrooms, kitchen, etc. so it should be much nicer ammenities. I was so looking forward to AKL though. Maybe next time.

Dawn

[StillSimbaGirl]

Take heart - although AKL is very nice - you really can't beat that Epcot location - except MAYBE - by a monorail hotel. Boardwalk is by far a better location than Saratoga Springs...and somewhat better than WL (given that WL doesn't have monorail access).

[Figment!]

The following is an official statement released by the Disney Vacation Club regarding the progress of the Villas and the project's effects on the Lodge:

July 3, 2007

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas opened to Disney Vacation Club Members yesterday. We are pleased that our Members are happy with the new accommodations. There is construction occurring at the resort to complete the conversion of the fifth and sixth floors to Vacation Homes.

In an effort to accelerate the construction timeline and potentially complete this effort earlier than planned, portions of the resort will be temporarily closing. As a result of the accelerated timeline, we are working with Guests who have existing Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge reservations to assist them in selecting alternate accommodations for their upcoming visit. This does not affect all Guests staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

The care and safety of the animals at the resort is at the forefront of planning the construction. No animals have been adversely affected by the construction and we are proactively managing their care.

[BugeyedMuggy]

Not to sound petty but I'm disappointed to hear Disney is more worried about the VCM than the already reserved guest they had to relocate. I have res. for late Sept. & have booked many of my ADR's around my lodging. These I cannot change at this late date. I picked this hotel and alot of my plans are around this location. The SSR would not be acceptable to me. To cancel my trip I also have paid for air fare & Disney trip ins.(which I will not be refunded) I realize some things are beyond their control but to accelerate their plans & ruin other's does not in my mind justify the end result. I hope our trip is not effected as it will tarnish my respect for Disney & their many commercials about your dream can come true. I hope all the people relocated still had a magical time.

[Tinkerbard]

Im very upset Y'ALL I just called AAA about my RESERVATIONS at the ANKL for August 14th - 20th because I had a question about a room. MY AAA representative just called DISNEY and was told that they are closing the resort to anyone and all people who have reservations there July something through SEPTEMBER do to construction. I have a family of 12 going and IM SO upset now!!! Our trip is coppletely paid for and now we have to get new resort. My AAA asked Disney why they havent told them and they said they are in the process of calling all travel agencies now. I CANT BELIEVE THIS IM SO MAD!!!

[brianjdu4]

I understand how upset you must be. The good news is that you will probably be upgraded for free to one of the other deluxe resorts. I would call Disney direct and ask them. You might have your choice of rooms at no extra cost, even if the room is more than what you paid at AKL. Give it a shot and call them.

[Tinkerbard]

yeah well our first choice was the POLY and so My mother has told the AAA representative to call Disney and tell that we wont settle for anything else. They offered other resorts that don't even compare to Poly and the Animal Kingdom Lodge so that made us even angrier

[Disney_Barbie]

I understand your irritation with being left in the dark on the situation, and getting your heart set on a particular resort only to find out that it won’t be what you expected, but (sorry, but I’m always a super optimist) look in the bright side, Disney tends to be quite accommodating when it comes to stuff like this and I’m sure you’ll end up in a very nice resort. Personally, the Deluxe resorts are out of our price range, except WL & AKL since they are the lowest price, so I, personally would love if we had booked one of those and only paid for one of the “cheaper” deluxe and got to stay at one of the deluxe resorts that we never could have afforded otherwise, like the Boardwalk or the Polynesian. Just my thoughts on the matter at least, but I can understand the initial frustration of having plans made and then suddenly changing, sorry that your disappointed, but I’m sure you’ll be pleased in the long run.

[brianjdu4]

YOU call Disney directly and demand satisfaction. Bypass AAA for the moment!

[Tinkerbard]

My mother said she wants to give the AAA representative a chance since he has been so good to us so far but if she doesn't get through we will be calling ourselves.