1st time in WDW- please help w/hotel choices

[mcasciano]

Hi Everyone,
I am new to this board- I have been reading it for the last 2 weeks. I have not been to WDW since I was a kid and my husband has never been. I was starting off planning a trip to take our 2 children ( 4&7) next year. I think my next year turned into this December!!! So now the pressure is on to decide on the hotel.
I want to stay in WDW for sure. I first considered POR or CBR- , after reviewing more I am thinking about AKL as well.
Any thoughts or insight?? I am so excited- it will be a surprise for my kids- we are telling them we are planning to go next year.
We want to go dec 8-14th- i hope this is a good time- i thought being there prechristmas would be great.
thanks so much
michelle

 

[BCV23]

Of your hotel choices I've only stayed at AKL for two nights and CB for one short night (as in just to sleep) so can't help you much there although I'm sure others will be along with lots of help. I did love AKL...very unique and beautiful.

But I can tell you that you've chosen a great time to go. Low crowds and the parks and resorts will be beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Welcome to the DISboards and happy planning. It's half the fun.

 

[sherry8253]

My vote is the AKL. We loved it there and I wish we were staying there again this year but the price of the Swan was too good to pass up. The kids will love the animals.

 

[Puffy2]

With a 4 and 7 year old my first suggestion would be an monorail resort (Polynesian first, then Contemporary and finally Grand Floridian). But these can be expensive.

You might visit the DVC RENT TRADE BOARD and learn about renting points to buy a rental time from a DVC member. You can save a TON, would have a place w/a kitchen, etc... It is a great way to go (the best location is the Boardwalk, standard view - there is also Beach CLUb and Wilderness Lodge Villas and the more out of the way Old Key West (cheapest, biggest, and still has bus transport). THe only thing is that it is risky to rent. Although I've never heard of anyone here on the dis getting stiffed by someone - it still "can" happen . You see, you pay the DVC member up front for the reservation (they make the reservation in your name and mail you the confirmation paper - often people also ask for a "written agreement of sorts" too), but you pay with a check or bank check for the whole reservation and that goes to the DVC member. THe DVC member has complete control over your reservation (which means they can cancel it at any time) ALthough I've never heard of anyone doing this - it's a possiblity and therefore makes the transaction a risk.
I have rented once and it was great. Got a one bedroom villa w/kitchen, jacuzzi tub, hugh bathroom ,etc... at the boardwalk for about $680.00 in low season for 4 nights. Can't beat that!

 

[boston-yachter]

1) AKL....is nice...very nice...but a good distance away from the parks and such....keep in mind that hours in early December are shortened( no one goes those days)...this means that you'll prob want to spend time at DTD...or the Boardwalk...this could be a hassel from AKL...
plus getting to the MK can be a long long bus ride!

2) CBR...this is one of our favorite resorts....we've stayed at all three....and we'd go back to this one as our fist choice.....it offers water activities...a better pool for kids (in my mind) then the AKL...the rooms are great....location is better....between Epcot and MGM....and the whole presence of the resort gives more of a laid back feeling than AKL...the food court was renovatied...and sometimes you can see illuminations from the main building..or even your rooms...

3) POR...this is a great resort as well...the boat to DTD is especially nice...works well for when the parks close early....the pool complex is even better for the kids...and the southern "huck finn" style is very pleasing...it has a nice food court and set up...

***for CB or POR...I would make a request for rooms closer to the main building/food court....these reosrts are big and you can find yourself walking 10mins for a cup of coffee....

extras- The AKL is nice...if you have a savanah view room...people rave about the animals...but in a standard or pool view room...the view is decent and animal free...leaving you the oppurtunity to go and walk the trials...thats nice...but you can visit the resort one afternoon and do the same thing....

if your really looking for a resort...around the same price as the AKL....then check out the WL as well...its location to MK is a must with young kids...I'm assuming your kids will mainly spend there time at MK...the boat is great...the lake is fanatstic...and being near all the MK area resorts makes dinning and shopping quick and easy!!

P.S. I never had problems with the AKL...it is a really nice reosrt...I just think there is too much hype about it....especially if your in a standard or pool view room....
when your in a savanah view room...it truley makes all the difference! So if you can swing it....go for that....

 

[AspiringCindy]

What about WL? Not only do they offer really good rates, but their hotel is just beautiful-especially during Christmas! You would still have easy access to MK with the boats.

 

[ripleysmom]

If I had to choose between those resorts I would choose POR.

I've been to AKL and just was not impressed. I haven't stayed there so I am only going but what I have seen when visiting.

The last time we stayed at CBR, I really did not enjoy it so I would not stay there again.

POR is beautiful and we enjoyed it the last time we stayed there.

 

[Harambe]

If you have the money, I'd second the Poly! That monorail is so handy to get back to your resort from MK with tired little ones. It has an awesome pool area with a volcano slide (kids will love it) plus it has the zero-entry (just like wading into the ocean). The kids can also play in the sand at the beach. You can see the MK fireworks from the beach/pool area (no pushing crowds!)

Poly also has two wonderful restaurants ('Ohana and Kona Cafe) as well as a decent counter service place (Captain Cook's).

Poly also has the Neverland Club - an incredible child care center that is themed after Peter Pan. The kids can go for a few hours and you folks can head to the Tambu Lounge for drinks and appetizers.

Boy - I am so reliving my last vacation at WDW.

 

[AgaintoDisney]

Another vote for the WL if you are looking at AKL. IMO the AKL is to far from the parks and bus rides can be long. With younger children you will probably be spending more time at the MK and the boat ride from WL can not be beat. The Christmas decorations at WL are awesome. No matter where you decide to lay your head, you will have a great vacation because you are at Disney.

 

[DeeP]

I would go with WL. You will be able to get a room there for the same or maybe even a lower price then AKL, you will be much closer to MK which is where you will probably spend a lot of time with young children, the WL rooms as do the AKL rooms have bunk beds so each child can have their own bed, you will be close to FW which has a lot of activities for young kids like pony rides, petting zoo, carriage rides, nightly campfire and movie w/Chip & Dale, a marina w/boat rentals, bike rentals and playgrounds, you can view the nightly Electrical Water Parade from the resort and this resort is decorated absolutely gorgeous for the holidays.
I would definietly pick POR last only because this resort is in stages of refurbishment.

 

[kdibattista]

First of all... WELCOME TO THE DIS!!!!! I vote AKL. We stayed there last year and I don't think we will ever, ever stay anywhere else!!!!

 

[tink2]

I think it depends what you're looking for. We loved POR- it is beautiful. We had a room close to the main building and bus stop- which is important to us as our family travels with four children under the age of 10. If you choose this resort, you might want to make that request.
CBR- while I've never stayed there- looks beautiful. However, it is large. I think is has a lot of bus stops. If you stay here, I would do my homework with a map of the resort and make a room request close to a bus stop. Keep in mind that the bus will stop at each bus stop until it is full.
AKL- This is the spot for our next visit. We chose it for a few different reasons: the animals and uniqueness of the resort- I think our children will love it. We have a savannah view. Also, I've read many good reports about the transportation. It doesn't share a bus with any other resort- like other resorts do. Therefore, once you get on, it is a straight shot to your destination. Yes it is far away, but there are no other stops, making travel time close to the same. And, it will be nice to have a bus ready when you leave the park and not have to compete with other resort guests for a spot. This is important to us as again, we have small children.
Good luck with your decision! I don't really think you can go wrong with either resort. Just research each on these boards and wdwig.com and make the best decision for you and your family!

 

[kda]

How exciting to plan a trip like this! December is really a wonderful time because the crowds are low and the parks and resorts are decorated so nicely. Keep reading this board faithfully for info on any discounts, and check out www.mousesavers.com also.

If you're really 'into' Christmas, WL is one of the best decorated, and it will (hopefully) be possible to get a discount. If the decorations don't matter so much, then any of your choices would be wonderful ---- it comes down to a matter of personal taste. Despite the feeling that AKL is far from MK, the bus ride is reported to be only 12 minutes. Considering that all other resorts share busses or make multiple stops within their resort and AKL doesn't, that sounds like a pretty quick ride. AKL is an adventure all it's own!

Whenever you decide on the resort, you can ask for info about locations that may be more convenient for you. There's beautiful and fun things about every WDW resort and it can be very hard to choose. That's why you may decide to keep coming back and try another resort next trip

 

[susy]

First of all- AKL has top-notch transportation. It is the ONLY resort on property that does not share transporation AND has one bus stop. I know that some resorts don't share buses, but they have mnay stops within the resort. At AKL, you get on the bus and go straight to the parks-do not pass go, do not collect $200. The longest ride is to the MK- 15 minutes flat. AK- 5min, Epcot and MGM- 10. Last year there were GREAT discounts for this resort, so hopefully this year will be the same.

My favorite moderate is CSR. The pool area is WONDERFUL!There are only 4 bus stops within this resort.

You are going at a GREAT time!!!! Crowds should be low, decent weather (can be iffy,so pack for cold and hot), decorations and Christmas festivities.

WL and GF seem to be decorated the nicest for this time of year.

Check out the reort FAQ and photos at wdwig.com!

 

[soccer mom]

Hey you guys, quit bashing the transportation at AKL, it's the best!

We have stayed at the Poly, BC, POFQ, AKL, and FW cabins. We have visited all of the other resorts except Value. AKL is our families favorite! Our four kids loved it. The transportation is great. Yes, it is physically distant from MK, but the only thing faster would be a monorail resort. AKL doesn't share buses with any other resort. Other resorts share with two resorts. Making the extra stops definately adds time, and depending where you are in the pick up, you could end up standing. When you see the resort you will understand the reason for the distance. It is part of the theming. You can't have an African savannah in the middle of a city!

POR and CBR and great resorts. We really enjoyed POR when we stayed at POFQ (they are sister resorts within walking distance). My only hesitation with either of them is their size. They are large spread out resorts. You could end up in a room that is a 20+ minute walk to the food court or pool. There are multiple bus stops so that wouldn't be a problem (but all those stops do add to the transportation time). Make sure you check out a map and request a building close to the themed pool and food court if this is important to you.

If you really think MK is the resort you will spend the most time at, I agree with the others that a monorail resort, or WL, would be the way to go.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[mcasciano]

Thanks so much for all the great responses!!! I think I have narrowed it down too either the AKL or the WL.
* I really can not spend the additional $$$ for the monorail resorts
* I am nervous to book the POR with the renovations going on
* I think i decided against the CBR due to the fact that I would like a different "theme" other than beach/carribean

Both AKL and WL sound great. My kids really love animals which is why I originally thought of AKL . I will continue to gather more info and make a decision- hope to do by end of week. I can not wait - the kids will be so excited!!

thanks again
Michelle

 

[Laura1994]

Thought i'd throw in my 2 cents now that you are considering the WL. We stayed there this past Feb. We did go over the AKL to check it out, although we haven't stayed.

One of the biggies for me is transportation... Not knocking AKL, since I have no experience of it. Would like to tell you about WL's though... Boat to MK, buses to the other parks. Boat also goes to Ft. Wilderness, which as someone posted is a great place to check out. Also boat goes to Contemporary Resort, which would give you easy access to the monorail or you can access the monorail system at MK. We love the choice of taking the boat, just more fun than a bus!

Also if you are looking for a fun character breakfast, make priority seating ressie at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary. This is a FUN breakfast for the kids, noisy, singing, dancing, etc.

Have fun!!

 

[Connieh]

Hello, Although you didn't mention one of the allstar resorts I have to add that with the kids ages they would probably enjoy one of these resorts. I have taken my two boys to the allstar's movies and the sports. They loved them both. The money you save can be spend on more souvenirs for the kids.

Just another thought!

 

[Jen D]

I've only visited AKL, I haven't stayed, but the place is completely breathtaking! You'll love it!

Either way you can't go wrong. Check out the resort pictures on this site and on WDWIG.com to see which decor and setting you prefer.

 

[Demosthenes]

I love both the AKL and the WL; however, at Christmas, there is no comparing these two - the WL wins hands down. The WL was made for Christmas. Visit the AKL any other time.