AKL vs Swan and Parking

Thank You so much DIS boards for all of your help with my decision . I have another caveat to the ongoing resort search. We are staying are the Swan $190 (2 adults 2 -5 year old twins) Dec 18-21. We were offered a FF rate by a CM for POR $159 and AKL for $189 (bunk beds) I received great advice from my previous thread. Thank YOU ALL AGAIN!

The twins grandparents are staying at the swan in order to be close to us and help with the twins first WDW trip. We are only able to secure 1 FF rate room unfortunately. I would love to hear any advice on the pro's and cons of us switching to the AKL while grandparents stay at the Swan. Can they park at the AKL for free? Can they reach the AKL with WDW transportation? Would you switch or stay together. Our goal is to visit MK (mostly) MAYBE animal kingdom.

Last question. We will be in Orlando from the 18 to the 28th (visiting family etc. ) We are attempting to visit both WDW and Universal BEFORE Christmas. I was considering shortening my WDW visit in order to add elongate my universal visit. Would that be wise? We are attending the Mickey Christmas Party on the 18th and I thought it would take the 19th -21st just to complete MK. If the kids were up to it we could attempt the AK. BUT I have never visited WDW during Dec or with young kids so I am really in the dark as to what I should expect.

I called AKL about the transportation and they recommended I drive to MK instead of taking the bus. She also said that we would still have to tak e the monorail or ferry over to MK. For some reason I was under the impression that we would be dropped off at the MK gate. Also she said they have one of the best children's programs in the afternoons and at night. They learn African instruments and have a parade, go on safari walks, African crafts , pool parties-- just to name a few. She also mentioned that guest can park with a parking pass. I wonder if we have to drive to MK anyway is it better to stay off property?

MoyCoy said:

I called AKL about the transportation and they recommended I drive to MK instead of taking the bus. She also said that we would still have to tak e the monorail or ferry over to MK. For some reason I was under the impression that we would be dropped off at the MK gate.

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You most likely talked to someone at a Call Center as there is no way to get directly to anyone at AKL unless you have a Club Level reservation and call the IPO. I wonder why she recommended driving? She is correct that if you drive, you have to park at the Ticket and Transportation Center and take the monorail or ferry over to MK. If you take the bus, it drops you off right at the front gates of MK.

I agree with the PP. we always have a car and we drive to the parks mostly EXCEPT MK. We always take the bus to MK because it's so much easier. And we've been staying at AKL the last few years. There is no reason to drive to MK from there.

As to the OP's one question, I would just stay together at the Swan instead of making it more complicated. The grandparents could take a bus from DHS to AKL, but not from the Swan. And driving around the parks at holiday time will be slow and frustrating.

Normally I would pick AKL over the Swan but I suspect that in this case it is more important to keep the family together. The Swan is a lovely hotel and the Boardwalk area is beautiful. You will certainly not feel hard done by if you stay there.

Non-guests can participate in a lot of the activities (not the pool of course) at AKL if that has piqued your interest. You can easily drive there and self-park for free if you want to check it out.

You are at WDW for a relatively short time so I think you will be too busy with the parks or naps and some swimming to do much else. You will appreciate having an extra couple of adults around to care for the kids without having to make arrangements to get to and from your respective hotels.

If you have a car and they have a car, you'd each have (had) to pay for parking per night at the Swan - $18 for self-parking, $26 for valet. Plus, there's a per-night per-room resort fee of $23. All plus tax
That's $82 per night the two parties will save by having your parents move to AKL. Would that make the switch affordable?

I am confused. Does the wdw bus take you to the front gate so that one can avoid the ferry and monorail ride or would one still have to take ferry? I looked up AKL phone number on a fan site. Also yes, we thought saving money on the resort and parking fee would be great but I wonder if its,worth the hassle of two different hotels during the busy season.

Thank you all for your great advice!!!

MoyCoy said:

I am confused. Does the wdw bus take you to the front gate so that one can avoid the ferry and monorail ride or would one still have to take ferry? I looked up AKL phone number on a fan site. Also yes, we thought saving money on the resort and parking fee would be great but I wonder if its,worth the hassle of two different hotels during the busy season.

Thank you all for your great advice!!!

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If you take a Disney bus from a Disney resort you go directly to the MK gates