Partial Closure - Animal Kingdom Lodge [Merged Threads]

[lockedoutlogic]

This may seem odd behavior by the corporates to most.....but is actually not that unusual.

Renovations take place at WDW Resorts all the time...each resort sees some kind of renovation probably at least once every five years....sometimes it's a restaurant or a shop...a pool...sometimes the individual lodge buildings of a resort.

This one is very different....they have never converted an existing hotel into the DVC setup before...all other DVC locations were new buildings when constructed.
Now they are taking an existing resort of 1000 rooms and shaving that inventory by probably 100-200 rooms....and constructing nearly 1000 timeshare units above and next to the old resort.

It is unreasonable to think that they wouldn't have to do some tinkering with the schedule to accomodate this task. It is...afterall...basically a trial run.

As I said before....rooms are always going down for rehab...the key difference here is that normally they take a single building out of the hole inventory to update...and most staying there don't really notice it.

There have also been many times in the past were floors of yacht, beach, wilderness, and most notably the contemporary have disappeared for a period of time.

the construction at AK is probably more intensive....being that they could be doing structural work...as opposed to the normal stripping of decor that usually happens.

Be glad they did this....while disappointing...it is quite possible that those who had booked there could get a location that they never would have paid for out of pocket...like the poly....

And if the construction is that invasive....Disney is doing themselves a favor by eliminating as many complaints as possible.

While this may be inconveniencing to many...and disappointing....I know first hand that they will only displace people if it is absolutely necessary and...a last resort.

As far as dining plans go.....it will be difficult to address that....the DDP has pretty much taken care of any flexibility that there used to be in scheduling meals...
You want it...you got it.

Good luck to those who will be incovenienced by this....
my advice: GF, Poly, Contemp, BW, or Y&B are the only acceptable alternatives...

don't let them stuff you in OKW or Saratoga if you don't want to go there.

[BugeyedMuggy]

At least you were told when making reservations you may experience some noise. We had no idea there was construction until this discussion board. We had All Star Sprots one time the football and had to smell some kind of tar for 10 days. No mention of that either. If this is business 101 I feel really bad for the next generation. All for one and one for all.

[TammiMcMan]

Sorry BugeyedMuggy, I think we're maybe not entirely on the same page here. I thought you were talking mainly about the importance of DVC vs regular guests. Unfortunately, you didn't mention your concern regarding not being notified in your original post. I just read that on your followup. To the best of my knowledge, guests are being notified in chronological order and I believe they are up to mid August at this point.

My business 101 reference was directed at the reason behind why a company would opt for timeshare units and that so far, Disney has been actively calling those that could be affected. In your situation, the speeding up of completion dates may result in a better situation for you. It's possible that the interior construction, which is what's affecting so many guests, will now be finished by September 1st.

I agree that notification has never been a strong point of Disney, although they do seem to be making an effort. Since finding these message boards though, I honestly don't trust much unless I read it here .

[Tink1]

Does anyone know if that's being addressed, if they have CM's setup to help those affected guests with making new dining plans?

With the new system, you do not get a new reservation number when you change resorts. Your existing dining stays intact wherever you move to.

Nanc

[mprewitt]

I applaud what Disney is doing. They recognized that their initial construction plan would be disruptive to guests. So they decided to do it faster so it wouldn't drag on. Those guests that had to be relocated were either offered cash back or were upgraded for free to better accomodations.

Yeah, I know a lot of folks were looking forward to staying at AKL, but I think Disney did the best they could with a bad situation.

[TammiMcMan]

Thanks Nanc. I wasn't very clear, but what I meant was what about guests who had booked AKL 6 months ago and made a majority of their dining plans based on that resort.... ie Boma and Jiko's for a few meals. Now they find out that they're being relocated to SSR or the Poly and those meals at AKL become a major inconvenience to try and get to. Is there a special dining number setup to help re-assigned guests find more convenient dining at their replacement resort? Just seems like that should have been part of the relocation procedures for these guests, but I haven't seen it addressed anywhere.

[Tink1]

Sorry Tammy, now I see what you mean. No, not that I am aware of.

Nanc

[lockedoutlogic]

Thanks Nanc. I wasn't very clear, but what I meant was what about guests who had booked AKL 6 months ago and made a majority of their dining plans based on that resort.... ie Boma and Jiko's for a few meals. Now they find out that they're being relocated to SSR or the Poly and those meals at AKL become a major inconvenience to try and get to. Is there a special dining number setup to help re-assigned guests find more convenient dining at their replacement resort? Just seems like that should have been part of the relocation procedures for these guests, but I haven't seen it addressed anywhere.

How could there be? They now book the places so that people are practically tossed out the front door if they don't have a res....like a drunken cowboy being thrown out the double doors in an old west saloon....

there would be no way to "reassign"dining reservations....they would simply tell you to use transportation to go to your reservations.

Anyone want to debate the merits of the old priority seating system...again?

[TammiMcMan]

There just seems to be some "pull" for those staying within the resort, to be seated at a resort restaurant.

Trust me, I miss same day reservations very much. Those Epcot kiosks were great!

[Donalds Duckie]

Back in 2002 I had reservations at CBR for 9 months when I got the word that they were completely closing CBR. I called WDW Travel (that's before I knew about Intercot and Magical Journeys) and they told me it was true and that, although they were notifying guests in order of arrival dates, they would go ahead and handle my reaccommodation. I didn't complain a bit when I was moved from 7 nights at CBR Water View Room to 7 nights at The Polynesian for no additional charge.

Our dining plans were not affected more than one dinner we had booked at what is now called Shutters at CBR, but I can see how that could be annoying. I hope ADR CMs have a plan for those moving AKL ADRs to other restaurants.

[BugeyedMuggy]

I wish we did not have to book 6 months in advance for dining myself. I hate to tie myself down on where to be and where to eat all the time (feels like a cruise ) But as someone else said you can't get into restaurants without them. So maybe book any ADR for any resort in case Disney may move you. Who knows.. I've never had to think this way (sarcastic of course)

[lockedoutlogic]

There just seems to be some "pull" for those staying within the resort, to be seated at a resort restaurant.

You would think....

but you'd be wrong...there is 1 dining system that is used by all..CRO, resort guest services, park Guest relations, concierge, and the podiums at the restaurants....

IF it's booked...it's booked.
And everyone has equal chance at getting them who has access...there are no varying levels of privilege for those with dining access.

In order to "jam" an extra party into a packed meal period...the Manager or Chef at a specific restaurant would have to do it...and they are very hesitant to do so.

If word got out that they'd do it...not only would every pushy guest want to get that privilege....but all cast members who needed to use it would try to exploit as well.

the reservations system now is not the same one as it was in the past...
they traded flexibility for guaranteed revenue....

logical...but not great in the PR department.

[ScottyP]

Does anyone know where they are in chronological order? We are going August 26th to September 2nd and are staying in a standard room. I called twice and was told not to worry we would not be disrupted. The second person I spoke to put a note on my account indicating we have a baby and are planning to be around for naps. I am still unsure and am anxious all other resorts will be full.

[TammiMcMan]

ScottyP, if you haven't been called yet and your reservation is not marked for relocation, then you are most likely in a room that's not being affected. At this point, the decision would be yours. If you think it will be disruptive, then I suggest looking online at which resorts have availability during your vacation dates, call Disney reservations and ask to speak with someone handling the AKL relocations.

For what it's worth, chances are if you are in your room, with the balcony doors closed during nap times, you probably won't notice too much noise. Of course, that all depends on what they are working on.

[ScottyP]

The CM who I spoke with said that if I make a change now I will have to pay for the increased cost (to move to another Deluxe). If I am contacted to be moved Disney will eat the cost. We are not going to initiate a move that will increase the price of our vacation and we do not want to change to a moderate. Looks like we will keep our fingers crossed and hope they are working on another part of the resort.

[TammiMcMan]

The CM who I spoke with said that if I make a change now I will have to pay for the increased cost (to move to another Deluxe).

Is that what the regular reservation CM told you, or did you speak with someone who is specifically handling the relocation?

Recent reports don't seem to show any major issues going on there, so you may want to leave it alone and hope for the best.

[BugeyedMuggy]

ScottyP - we made that same phone call (to find out what's up with relocation) and at first were told our res. had been cancelled Then when DH asked the CM to recheck or res. we were told also we would be o.k. We are going 9-22-07. So we will also cross our fingers and hope for the best. We usually stay at value resorts .(upgraded to moderate once but was not worth it) We are never in our rooms except to sleep. This will be our first Deluxe & we will see if it's worth it for us. Good luck to you.

[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