I have been hoping to see a recent trip report from someone staying at AKL during the construction. Even though I am assured by every CM I speak to that we shouldn't be affected, I am still worried that we are shelling out thousands of dollars to stay in the resort that may or may not be disapointing due to the construction. I know they are calling those whose rooms may be directly affected through 9/1 and no concierge rooms are being used (or limited). We are doing on 9/14 and were really looking forward to staying here. The last person I spoke to said that we could always switch resorts if we arrive and find it unsatisfactory, but I doubt it would be for the same price. Has anyone had any direct experience with this resort during the construction? Is WL in the same price range and perhaps a realistic almost even switch?

We're going next week (Wed-Fri) and staying at AKL. We can report back how it was.

I have been hoping to see a recent trip report from someone staying at AKL during the construction. Even though I am assured by every CM I speak to that we shouldn't be affected, I am still worried that we are shelling out thousands of dollars to stay in the resort that may or may not be disapointing due to the construction. I know they are calling those whose rooms may be directly affected through 9/1 and no concierge rooms are being used (or limited). We are doing on 9/14 and were really looking forward to staying here. The last person I spoke to said that we could always switch resorts if we arrive and find it unsatisfactory, but I doubt it would be for the same price. Has anyone had any direct experience with this resort during the construction? Is WL in the same price range and perhaps a realistic almost even switch?

Yes, WL is in the same price range. We will be at WL September 8-15th. We were thinking about AKL, then heard about the construction, and figured we would stick with our favorite.

We're going next week (Wed-Fri) and staying at AKL. We can report back how it was. Great!! I can't wait to hear how your experience is!

We arrived at Animal Kingdom Lodge on July 9 with a seven-night stay planned. As we entered the lobby, we were greeted with a virtual symphony of drills and saws.
Our room – which would have been a pool view, we never got as far as the number or floor – would have been impacted by the work and we were offered a stay at Saratoga Springs. The receptionist, obviously, was prepared for us and others in the same situation.
We asked if there were other resorts available and were told no. So we took the Saratoga Springs offer. There was no adjustment in rates – an even swap – and we received a cash refund for one night.
Over the course of our week, we heard of a half-dozen other families who made the same move.
Saratoga Springs was lovely, but when plans you've made for almost a year get derailed, the overall experience is disappointing.

when plans you've made for almost a year get derailed, the overall experience is disappointing. Disappointing is right. I was afraid to hear this. Hopefully in the past 2 months they have made a great deal of progress! I also hope there is more availability at other resorts, even if it means an increased rate. Sorry to hear you didn't get to stay at your intended resort. Like you, I have been planning our trip for almost a year now with no expectation it would be ruined with construction.

Great!! I can't wait to hear how your experience is!

What construction? <g>

There were a lot of guests, a lot of people at the pool, etc. and Boma and Jiko were packed as usual.

For those familiar with the layout of the resort, it seems that earlier phases of construction focused on the rooms closer to the main lobby (along the various "trails" which extend from the lobby to the rooms). Our studio was along the first section of hallway along the Zebra Trail.

The current phase of construction is focusing on the further areas of those hallways. When you get off the elevators along the Zebra trail, you would turn left to go back along the hallway leading back towards the lobby area. That hallway is accessible and the rooms along that hallway are finished with construction. The two branches from the elevator going further away from the lobby are where the current construction is, and there are rope barriers stating that no entry is allowed and that hard hats are required.

So back to the original poster's question - we noticed nothing amiss other than those rope barriers in the hallway. No noise could be heard from our room. There was a smell of construction adhesive in the hallway, but that didn't carry into the room.

I would say that people with any future bookings at AKL should have no problems, with the small caveat that maybe not all of the guest wings (the other three other than the "Zebra Trail" have the same level of progress.

Thanks for the report, Chumpieboy! I will be there in a couple of weeks and I'm hoping this experience will be just as magical as the last!!!