Advice on where to book!! - The DIS Discussion Forums

DisneyJanFeb2008 · 12-26-2012, 10:38 AM

Looking for advice on where to book! Situation is as follows: looking to travel March 18-25 (seven nights), three small children, top criteria is walking from our room to the main transportation area/food/pool (hate internal buses w/in the resort) and a themed pool. We typically stay at parks all day and don't come back to resort until the evening for bed.

My best pricing options are:

OKW - $1,482
SS - $1,563
CBR - $1,680 (pricing based on forthcoming Jan. 3 promo rates)
AKV savanna room - $1,813

Not sure if it's worth it to pay additional $ for AKL since we have to take all buses to parks there like we were at a moderate. And we like the beach feeling so may enjoy being able to have a cocktail at the Caribbean Beach for example. Really missed upscale feeling/Disney theming when we stayed at the Swan last year but loved the location. So we'd enjoy the AKV for that reason. We've stayed at the WLV (loved!) and SS (hated internal buses) in the past too. Thanks!!!!

larryz · 12-26-2012, 10:42 AM

If $$$ is your primary concern, you would not like my suggestion -- Beach Club.

If you can score a discount (PIN, FD, or Florida Resident) you'll have all you want in one location.

DisneyJanFeb2008 · 12-26-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larryz

If $$$ is your primary concern, you would not like my suggestion -- Beach Club.

If you can score a discount (PIN, FD, or Florida Resident) you'll have all you want in one location.

Thanks, I should've mentioned that WLV, BCV, BWV, etc. are all booked the time we want to go!

larryz · 12-26-2012, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyJanFeb2008

Thanks, I should've mentioned that WLV, BCV, BWV, etc. are all booked the time we want to go!

Keep checking back -- people cancel all the time, and especially around the 45-day point...

minnie mum · 12-26-2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyJanFeb2008

Looking for advice on where to book! Situation is as follows: looking to travel March 18-25 (seven nights), three small children, top criteria is walking from our room to the main transportation area/food/pool (hate internal buses w/in the resort) and a themed pool. We typically stay at parks all day and don't come back to resort until the evening for bed.

My best pricing options are:

OKW - $1,482
SS - $1,563
CBR - $1,680 (pricing based on forthcoming Jan. 3 promo rates)
AKV savanna room - $1,813

Not sure if it's worth it to pay additional $ for AKL since we have to take all buses to parks there like we were at a moderate. And we like the beach feeling so may enjoy being able to have a cocktail at the Caribbean Beach for example. Really missed upscale feeling/Disney theming when we stayed at the Swan last year but loved the location. So we'd enjoy the AKV for that reason. We've stayed at the WLV (loved!) and SS (hated internal buses) in the past too. Thanks!!!!

Is your youngest child under 3 yrs of age? If the answer is no, then CBR is out- max occupancy is 4 + infant. Plus it has internal buses. If your youngest us under 3, then you could pay extra for a preferred room so you wouldn't have as far to walk to Old Port Royale for meals/drinks, but you would still have to ride the circuit of bus stops going to and from the parks.

AKL has similar occupancy restrictions in its standard rooms. AKV does not have standard rooms- it's standard offering is a studio, which also has a max occupancy of 4. But they both have fabulous theming and great pools. Our favourite deluxe. Again, if you can stay at AKL, I would request a room close to an elevator to reduce the long walk to the lobby from some of the rooms.

DisneyJanFeb2008 · 12-26-2012, 11:43 AM

Yes, youngest is under age 3. Leaning toward OKW for savings since we don't spend much time at the resorts if we can be near hospitality house but now I hear those buildings are sold out - ughhh.

bcrook · 12-26-2012, 12:10 PM

Go for the savanna view room! AKV is beautiful, and I have always found the busses to be great. The pool area at Kidani is fun for kids, and they have a nice bar there too.

OKW Lover · 12-26-2012, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyJanFeb2008

top criteria is walking from our room to the main transportation area/food/pool (hate internal buses w/in the resort) and a themed pool.

Three of the four resorts you list have internal busses - only AK doesn't.

Sue M · 12-26-2012, 03:58 PM

I would pick AKL Jambo house. We like Zebra Trail because it's on the same side as food court and pool. Everything is under 1 roof, so no walking from far off buildings or internal bus. And has a great pool, and good food court with plenty of seating.
Kidani is nice, but lacking a food court. Only has a TS restaurant and soda fountain in gift shop.

Dizzytime · 12-26-2012, 07:00 PM

I'd consider SS, with a location close enough to walk to DD.Sounds like a great time to me, and not a bad location at all

If you had a big budget you'd probably be considering monorail resort, too, with the kids and all, but otherwise I do like being close to DD and everything they offer....including their busses.
Wherever you choose I know you'll have a great time.

12-26-2012, 10:38 AM	#1
DisneyJanFeb2008 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 111	Advice on where to book!! Looking for advice on where to book! Situation is as follows: looking to travel March 18-25 (seven nights), three small children, top criteria is walking from our room to the main transportation area/food/pool (hate internal buses w/in the resort) and a themed pool. We typically stay at parks all day and don't come back to resort until the evening for bed. My best pricing options are: OKW - $1,482 SS - $1,563 CBR - $1,680 (pricing based on forthcoming Jan. 3 promo rates) AKV savanna room - $1,813 Not sure if it's worth it to pay additional $ for AKL since we have to take all buses to parks there like we were at a moderate. And we like the beach feeling so may enjoy being able to have a cocktail at the Caribbean Beach for example. Really missed upscale feeling/Disney theming when we stayed at the Swan last year but loved the location. So we'd enjoy the AKV for that reason. We've stayed at the WLV (loved!) and SS (hated internal buses) in the past too. Thanks!!!!

12-26-2012, 10:42 AM	#2
larryz Saving for 2014... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: 2FAR2MK Posts: 5,917	If $$$ is your primary concern, you would not like my suggestion -- Beach Club. If you can score a discount (PIN, FD, or Florida Resident) you'll have all you want in one location. __________________ Just keep on going, keep on going, keep on going...

12-26-2012, 12:10 PM	#7
bcrook DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 2,600	Go for the savanna view room! AKV is beautiful, and I have always found the busses to be great. The pool area at Kidani is fun for kids, and they have a nice bar there too. __________________ -Barry FP+ "What we know, what we want to know" updates "page 1" can be found at this site.

12-26-2012, 03:58 PM	#9
Sue M DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: B.C. Posts: 7,166	I would pick AKL Jambo house. We like Zebra Trail because it's on the same side as food court and pool. Everything is under 1 roof, so no walking from far off buildings or internal bus. And has a great pool, and good food court with plenty of seating. Kidani is nice, but lacking a food court. Only has a TS restaurant and soda fountain in gift shop. __________________ Past Trips: Aug 2003 WDW Marriott Courtyard, [B]Aug 2005 [/BSeaWorld, Universal, Busch Gardens Hilton Garden Inn, ]Aug 2007 WDW CBR, Jan 2008WDW WL, Aug 2008St. Pete Beach, Universal-HRH, Sea Workd & Aquatica- Hyatt Place & Doubletree, Jan 2009WDW AKL, Aug 2009Key West Sheraton Suites, Cocoa Beach Hampton Inn, & WDW POR/WL, Jan 2010WDW Poly, Jan 2011WDW POR, Aug 2011WDW POR/BC CL, Jan 2012WDW WL, Aug 2012AKL CL, Jan. 2013POFQ Next trip GF & YC Aug 2013

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12-26-2012, 11:43 AM	#6
DisneyJanFeb2008 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 111	Yes, youngest is under age 3. Leaning toward OKW for savings since we don't spend much time at the resorts if we can be near hospitality house but now I hear those buildings are sold out - ughhh.

12-26-2012, 07:00 PM	#10
Dizzytime DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 681	I'd consider SS, with a location close enough to walk to DD.Sounds like a great time to me, and not a bad location at all If you had a big budget you'd probably be considering monorail resort, too, with the kids and all, but otherwise I do like being close to DD and everything they offer....including their busses. Wherever you choose I know you'll have a great time.