3 weeks in 1 resort or split??? Please advise!

[MMS1125]

I'd do the Poly and Bc too personally esp since it looks like you have 5 in your party? Not sure the room sizes @ AKL but only 4 could fit in a standard room you'd have to go all the way to a 1br suite to get 5 in 1 room. Same for OKW unless you are renting dvc points I think you can do 5 in a studio that way (not 100% positive)

 

[Tori 2001]

I wouldn't worry about the change - if you can book it! Disney will transfer bags for you and you'll just have to check out of your first hotel and pick up key cards at your second one. Really no hassle at all. I wouldn't do it for a short stay, as you would want to concentrate on parks, but for multiple weeks, a change of scenery isnt a bad idea. You really wouldn't even need a rental car, you could use disney transport and hotel transfers, and just grab a cab for your universal days.

Three weeks is a very long stay... if there is such a thing as too much Disney, I think you are about to find out. Would you consider doing a couple of weeks at Disney and then visiting somewhere else for your other week?

As for order, spend your two weeks first in the hotel that really excites you, and then try the other as a change of pace. AKL would probably be your children's second choice, and you could always book a meal at the boardwalk hotels to get a taste of them too. Or, slide down to a mod and save some money for the souvenirs. Coronado is nice and makes for a 5 minute trip to the waterpark, if your kids are into that.

Have a great trip!

 

[padawans]

#4 without a doubt. I love long vacations. Have fun.

 

[GovieMom]

Oh and can someone please fill me in on what OH is. "Other Husband".

Other Half. lol

 

[mum2threemonsters]

Sorry Iv not been back, ended up going for a quick end of exam drink yesterday afternoon which ended up being an 8 hour drink... Didnt feel too well today I must add!

As for the room sizes my youngest is 2 so the room occupancy is ok until they are 3! Although he will be in a travel cot (pack and play).

I was meant to phone yesterday to amend the booking but ended up going out and Iv been too poorly to call today so will phone tomorrow.

Im going to see just how much extra they quote but I think Ill go for OKW-AKL-BC that way we keep having something to look for.

As for staying 3 weeks, the cost of our trip is partly due to the airfare from UK and with 3 children we do want to take time to relax inbetween. 2 weeks just seemed to short and when we priced up 18, 20 days etc It was only an extra $300 to stay the 3 weeks so that was the decision made!

 

[pigby]

Sorry Iv not been back, ended up going for a quick end of exam drink yesterday afternoon which ended up being an 8 hour drink... Didnt feel too well today I must add!

As for the room sizes my youngest is 2 so the room occupancy is ok until they are 3! Although he will be in a travel cot (pack and play).

I was meant to phone yesterday to amend the booking but ended up going out and Iv been too poorly to call today so will phone tomorrow.

Im going to see just how much extra they quote but I think Ill go for OKW-AKL-BC that way we keep having something to look for.

As for staying 3 weeks, the cost of our trip is partly due to the airfare from UK and with 3 children we do want to take time to relax inbetween. 2 weeks just seemed to short and when we priced up 18, 20 days etc It was only an extra $300 to stay the 3 weeks so that was the decision made!

Wish we could go away for 3 weeks - almost did this time - when we bookeddidnt realise it would be the Queens Diamond Jubilee Bank Holidays on The Monday and Tuesday (booked last October before it was announced) only would have needed next Wednesday off to get 3 weeks! - Fly next Thursday.

Anyway, I digress - its a while since we didnt do a split stay - nowadays split between Universal and Disney resorts but have done two Disney resorts - and once did Universal resort and 2 Disney resorts in 14 nights ie 3 hotel split- but that was a bit too much.

I think as you have picked different areas of Disney World - and I would say you have them in the right order - BC is great at the end when you can stroll to Epcot or even DHS - but we were sick of buses by then.

For our split stay this time (5 at Universal and 10 at Disney), I only open 1 case for Universal plus get the odd thing out of the other cases when necessary - that way only 1 to pack at the end of the first 5 nights - dont know if this would work for you.

Also we have used Bell Services a few times to transport our cases to the next resort (within Disney, of course) then you can just forget about them and enjoy the park until check in time. We never hired a car though - you may wish to do the transporting yourself.

 

[disneymomjcs]

I love it! You will too three weeks at three resorts #4 would be my choice.

AKL is wonderful and gives the feel of not being in Disney with all the magic.

BC would be my pick being able to walk to Epcot and Disney Studios or use the Friendship Boats.

OKW is a lovely resort very lush and relaxing.

You will love the zero clearance at AKL, fire pit, animal viewing and the two hot tubs! Huge wonderful lobby to read a book or just people watch.

BC the pool "water park" is amazing and the kids will have a blast. The slide is so long and fun and a sand bottom pool is too cool. Beaches and Cream and Cape May Cafe yummy.

OKW The pool is really cool. There is a sand castle slide and a nice play area with oversized buckets etc great for pics and you are by a Marina of sorts. You can take the boat to Downtown Disney.

You will have a different experience at all three!

 

[elaw]

If it were my choice, I'd pick #4!

I love split stays

 

[stitch34]

I would definitely say do all three! (heck, we've done a 6-way split stay on a 9 night stay - so it is doable!)

I'd say start at OKW - then to AK... and end up at YC/BC.

switching won't be tough, especially since you have your car -and other option is just call down to bell services and have them transfer it for you.

Depending on how much unpacking you do, and then repacking, that may be a pain for you. For us, we really don't unpack and it's just a matter of tossing our toiletries and pajamas from night before in the bag and we're off!

If it works better money-wise.... maybe do more than a week at OKW - and then do like 4 days AK, 4 days BC/YC - or whatever. many ways to split it up and doesn't have to be full week at each.

 

[nkereina]

Personally, if I was staying somewhere for 3 weeks, I'd want to unpack and set everything up and not move. I would pick YC because IMO, it has the best pool and you can walk to two of the four parks which is great. OKW and AKL are beautiful but in remote locations. If you will not have a car, you WILL get sick of those buses by the end of week one. I know I always am. The location of YC will help alleviate the bus stress since you can walk/boat to DHS and Epcot. In addition, you can also walk to Swan/Dolphin and Boardwalk for some evening entertainment and even more dining options. If you have park hopper, you'll be walking distance to Epcot for dining options as well.

 

[Fuhnuh]

We have gone for 3 weeks several times and doing it again this year. We only have one child and a car rental, so the moves we make aren't too bad. This year we will be they for 26 days AKL/Disney Dream/RPH at Universal/GF/BC. Four moves during our trip. Sounds crazy when I look at it, but we love so many of the resorts, we have a hard time settling on one. Also, i think you can make up most if not all the time wasted on the moves by proper planning. We do most of our heavy touring at the parks closest to our current resort. It makes it a lot easier to come back for a break.

If you won't have a car or don't want to spend much time driving, I would consider a shorter stay at AKL because it is a ways away from the other parks and DTD. BC/YC is a nice place to be for touring Epcot and HS. The monorail resorts are great for touring MK, but come at a premium that may not be worth it for some families.

If you decide to take the plunge, I would look at mousesavers.com and this board to make sure that you are aware of the discounts available for that time. Sometimes travel agents need a little hand-holding to get the best rates. I think BC and AKL both still have well discounted room only reservations available for that time. I hope whatever way you choose, you and your family have a great trip. There's a lot of information here to help with your choices and planning.

 

[omalleycat]

Great discussion! We are going for 23 nights and decided to remain at CBR for the entire trip. Was a tough choice as there are so many great looking resorts (value or moderate for us!) but I love the idea of making one place "home" for an extended stay. The final week we are doing the Seaworld parks and Gatorland and it would have made a lot more sense to move off site but I just couldn't do it
Good luck with your decision OP!

 

[ppony]

My first choice would be 4 by far but 2 or 3 would be cool too. Personally, I would be bored at one place for that long. Even if it IS Disney. The longest we have ever stayed in 1 place was 11 days in a Poly CL room. To be honest, I was ready to leave and missed trying new places and the fun that is inherent with that. We LOVE staying at a few places during a trip because it's kind of like a few vacations in one. Have fun!

 

[smidgy]

From what I've read when I was looking at a split stay, Disney will transfer your bags for you if you change hotels. Personally, I like the look of #4. If you get bored easily, this would give you three holidays in one!

bingo!!!

 

[rentayenta]

#4 for sure!

 

[mum2threemonsters]

Well things arent to be im afraid! I phoned our travel agents today and spent an hour on the phone, despite the online price working out around £800 when I add it up over the phone as an upgrade it worked out £1850!

This seems ridiculous. I spent an hour on the phone, firstly they hung up on me... Then they tried telling me I needed two rooms as my children were over 3... (which is not the case) then the guy seemed to be adding figures up in his head and kept getting everything wront and when he came up with £1850 I just gave up!

As much as I love the look of AKL and BC it seems it is not to be... however just another reason to return!!!

In the mean time I am looking at paying extra to Disney.com to book 3-4 nights at Art of Animation which was our initial choice however with no free dining plan we decided it wasnt worth it as it was more expensive that the deluxe. However I have seen 3 nights for £555 and tempted to keep my eyes out for a disney.com sale and book it on top of my existing booking so I still have my dining plan, dont have to bother packing up and if the kids have kept us awake each night my OH can stay at OKW and get 3 nights of sleep!

Does anyone know if they have sales on occasionally or if there is anyway a UK resident can get discount?

Thanks for all your input, far more that I expected!