Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread

[anna0513]

I know it sucks, but at least you have the Kidani pool you can go to also.

Yes but can you imagine the crowds there? Everyone from Jambo will be going there because they have no other option.

 

[Somnia]

Yes but can you imagine the crowds there? Everyone from Jambo will be going there because they have no other option.

Oh for sure, don't get me wrong it really sucks for people. I'm just saying at least there is some form of an alternative.

 

[jerseygal]

The pool bothers me a bit, but right now I’m more concerned about the room refurbs starting on the villas, which we are in, and the noise that will create while trying to get my 2 yr old down for a nap

We are booked in a Jambo DVC which I made 10 months ago. I have not even been notified, many DVC members have not. On the DVC board, a member posted today that Member Services is saying that there are NO DVC renovations planned for rooms, just the pool. I understand; am equally as disappointed about the pool being renovated during Food and Wine, when we are traveling in October. November and Dec are high demand also with the holidays.

 

[gillep]

Sorry for the dumb question, but I'm an AKL virgin
What is the difference between these? They show up as different categories on the booking site. I realize the room layouts are different, but are they in a different section of the resort? Or all mixed in together?
Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House
Animal Kingdom Lodge

The villas are located on the 5th and 6th floors of Jambo House.

 

[anna0513]

I spoke to someone in guest services. The lady was very nice but said that only the member can call and ask for an accommodation but in her personal opinion she didn't think we would get anything because we were informed of the renovations and should not have booked the room if we didn't want the inconvenience. I told her that we booked months ago and were never informed. She said all owners were notified of the upcoming renovations and it was their responsibility to let the renters know. Unfortunately we were not apprised of this and now we are just simply left to deal with it.

 

[NikkiDP]

I spoke to someone in guest services. The lady was very nice but said that only the member can call and ask for an accommodation but in her personal opinion she didn't think we would get anything because we were informed of the renovations and should not have booked the room if we didn't want the inconvenience. I told her that we booked months ago and were never informed. She said all owners were notified of the upcoming renovations and it was their responsibility to let the renters know. Unfortunately we were not apprised of this and now we are just simply left to deal with it.

Whether the owners were informed or not shouldn't matter! If Disney is aware they are gonna do a renovation then they should have it on the site as something that pops up immediately before booking. If they knew far enough in advance to let owners know then they should have made anyone looking to book at AKL aware.

 

[gillep]

I spoke to someone in guest services. The lady was very nice but said that only the member can call and ask for an accommodation but in her personal opinion she didn't think we would get anything because we were informed of the renovations and should not have booked the room if we didn't want the inconvenience. I told her that we booked months ago and were never informed. She said all owners were notified of the upcoming renovations and it was their responsibility to let the renters know. Unfortunately we were not apprised of this and now we are just simply left to deal with it.

Unfortunately, the information you were given is not accurate. Although many people who have booked cash reservations have gotten notified of the pool closure, I have not seen any DVC member say that they have received anything official, and it is not on the member website. If you rented points then yes, only the member can contact member services to see if there is availability to change resorts, although the fall is a very busy time for DVC so availability isn't good.

 

[anna0513]

Unfortunately, the information you were given is not accurate. Although many people who have booked cash reservations have gotten notified of the pool closure, I have not seen any DVC member say that they have received anything official, and it is not on the member website. If you rented points then yes, only the member can contact member services to see if there is availability to change resorts, although the fall is a very busy time for DVC so availability isn't good.

I contacted my agent at the DVC Rental Store. I think she is trying to figure something out.

 

[anna0513]

Whether the owners were informed or not shouldn't matter! If Disney is aware they are gonna do a renovation then they should have it on the site as something that pops up immediately before booking. If they knew far enough in advance to let owners know then they should have made anyone looking to book at AKL aware.

I totally agree!!!!

 

[Somnia]

I spoke to someone in guest services. The lady was very nice but said that only the member can call and ask for an accommodation but in her personal opinion she didn't think we would get anything because we were informed of the renovations and should not have booked the room if we didn't want the inconvenience. I told her that we booked months ago and were never informed. She said all owners were notified of the upcoming renovations and it was their responsibility to let the renters know. Unfortunately we were not apprised of this and now we are just simply left to deal with it.

As a DVC owner I can say with 100% certainty I have never been informed. Thankfully the points I rented out for this year, everyone wanted to stay in Kidani so I hope my renters are happy!

 

[Average Joes]

When we asked the DVC rental facility we used about moving us (Sept 5-10) they would not contact the owner. When we really pressed we were told that even if they contacted the owner nothing was available other than a non-standard room at Saratoga. I was a bit surprised but I had no way to verify and therefore could not push the matter further.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

When we asked the DVC rental facility we used about moving us (Sept 5-10) they would not contact the owner. When we really pressed we were told that even if they contacted the owner nothing was available other than a non-standard room at Saratoga. I was a bit surprised but I had no way to verify and therefore could not push the matter further.

DVC is highly booked during Food & Wine. I doubt they are lying to you about the availability. Certain rooms you easily get blocked out at even at 11 months during that time (thus why I have a split stay between two of my home resorts)

I can tell you from looking at the website - there is no available studio for all nights.

 

[anna0513]

THIS THE REPLY I GOT FROM THE DVC RENTAL STORE:


First, let me say that I am so sorry that you will have to encounter these issues. Disney provides the very best product in the travel industry and it is frustrating when your stay does not meet the standards that they should.

I have spoken with my boss in regards to our position on the situation. I wanted to add our thoughts in order to make clear our stance.

• The DVC Rental Store receives no notice of resort refurbishments prior to the information being released to the General Public. At the time of your booking, we had no knowledge that there would be any work going on at the resort during your travel dates.
  
  
• The DVC Rental Store nor the Member act as an agent for the Walt Disney Company so we do not have any control over service issues. We are happy to assist you by advising you on the best course of action to take while at the resort to address these issues but we are not liable for any compensation due to Disney's decisions or inaction.
  
  
• Disney may choose to move your villa, offer such items as FastPasses or make no compensation at all. These provisions are strictly up to the Disney Company and their representatives at the resort. Unfortunately, since we are not an agent of the Disney Company, we have no control over the compensation or lack of compensation offered.
  
  I hope that the above points give you a better understanding of why we can not offer any compensation for the short comings of the Disney Company. Please be aware that this is a travel agency standard and is not exclusive to the DVC Rental Store.
  
  
  

 

[andychris14]

Does anyone know the dates of the room renovations? I’ve called twice and they had no notice of the rooms being done. Just said the pool starts in September.
We are going mid August and wanted to know if this will pertain to us.
Thank you!

 

[goofygal531]

Does anyone know the dates of the room renovations? I’ve called twice and they had no notice of the rooms being done. Just said the pool starts in September.

We are going mid August and wanted to know if this will pertain to us.
Thank you!

This is the first I’m hearing about room renovations. I’d love more info too as we’ll also be there in August.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Does anyone know the dates of the room renovations? I’ve called twice and they had no notice of the rooms being done. Just said the pool starts in September.
We are going mid August and wanted to know if this will pertain to us.
Thank you!

The CM I spoke with at guest relations ( not the call center ) said it will start with the Jambo House Villas first starting in mid Aug,2018.

I got a call after sending emails to get more info.

Guest Relations
wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Chief Executive of Walt Disney World Resort
George Kalogridis
CEO
P.O. Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 828-2600
george.kalogridis@disney.com

 

[Diasmom]

I just sent an email to Guest Services. I was prepared to just go with it until I learned about Stormalong Bay. Our trip is a split-stay between Beach Club and Animal Kingdom Lodge so we are now dealing with back to back pool construction. I'm not sure that anything can really be done for us but I felt I at least needed to voice my disappointment. I do understand the need for refurbishments but what an extreme bummer for our bad timing!

We're doing the same split stay the last week of August for a resort only stay and it's difficult to not be concerned. We were so excited for both resorts, now maybe not so much. We haven't stayed before at a resort under refurbishment/construction.

 

[paradesintherain]

Just 30 days until check-in! I wish we were staying at AKL longer than 3 nights, but I'll take what I can get

 

[Jon84]

Does anyone know the dates of the room renovations? I’ve called twice and they had no notice of the rooms being done. Just said the pool starts in September.
We are going mid August and wanted to know if this will pertain to us.
Thank you!

This is the first I’m hearing about room renovations. I’d love more info too as we’ll also be there in August.

The CM I spoke with at guest relations ( not the call center ) said it will start with the Jambo House Villas first starting in mid Aug,2018.

To add to the above, the renovations usually start top down. So expect Jambo Villas and Club Level to be affected first, and lower floors into 2019.

 

[jerseygal]

QUOTE="anna0513, post: 59255480, member: 240619"]I spoke to someone in guest services. The lady was very nice but said that only the member can call and ask for an accommodation but in her personal opinion she didn't think we would get anything because we were informed of the renovations and should not have booked the room if we didn't want the inconvenience. I told her that we booked months ago and were never informed. She said all owners were notified of the upcoming renovations and it was their responsibility to let the renters know. Unfortunately we were not apprised of this and now we are just simply left to deal with it. [/QUOTE]We are DVC members, still as of today have not been notified of the pool renovation at Jambo. Have had several conversations with Member Services. They keep saying the same thing, letters are being mailed out, "we will be receiving one". We are traveling in October, booked Jambo 10 months prior to this coming October, NOTHING available for our dates. Been members since 2008, Animal Kingdom is our home resort. It is 5 months out from October and not one studio available.Think that this particular year, Food and Wine combined with opening of Toy Story Land is making it almost impossible to get any accomodations. Hope that you can make the best of your vaca!