Advice please

[mom2munchkins]

I'm not sure if this is in the right spot so here it goes...... I wanted to surprise my family with a trip to Disney. My kids birthdays are in May and June. They desperately want to go for their birthdays. So I got a great deal on AKL club level.I'm now having buyers remorse. (I haven't paid off the trip)My question is ...do I stick with my deal or look for an off property place.I found a place on line called Tiki Liki Resort in Kissimmee. Not sure what it is like. Pictures look nice BUT pictures can be decieving.If I book on line with this place and bag AKL I can get a kids eat free card for something like 125 restaurants. Right now I'm in the place that I really really want to take my kids. I'd rather stay off property than not go at all.Just not sure which is more ecomical. TIA

 

[elaw]

I'm not sure if this is in the right spot so here it goes...... I wanted to surprise my family with a trip to Disney. My kids birthdays are in May and June. They desperately want to go for their birthdays. So I got a great deal on AKL club level.I'm now having buyers remorse. (I haven't paid off the trip)My question is ...do I stick with my deal or look for an off property place.I found a place on line called Tiki Liki Resort in Kissimmee. Not sure what it is like. Pictures look nice BUT pictures can be decieving.If I book on line with this place and bag AKL I can get a kids eat free card for something like 125 restaurants. Right now I'm in the place that I really really want to take my kids. I'd rather stay off property than not go at all.Just not sure which is more ecomical. TIA

What are you having Buyers remorse about? the AKL-CL is awesome! If $ is the problem, I'd go with a moderate then ..... being onsite is the way to go.

 

[spiceycat]

disney resorts are not the best choice for budget.

maybe you should consider Disney's Pop instead of AKV. that say would not go with Tiki Liki resort - suggest you try Wyndham Bonnet Creek - it is definitely closer to WDW.

with both you are getting a condo/villa instead of a hotel room. is that what you want?

 

[mom2munchkins]

I just want to surprise my kids. I love love love AKL.Maybe I just need my nerves calmed a bit. The deal I got was 3day passes, 5 days 4 nights,food plan, Club level standard room at AKL for $3100. That is a good deal right? The

 

[Missyrose]

I just want to surprise my kids. I love love love AKL.Maybe I just need my nerves calmed a bit. The deal I got was 3day passes, 5 days 4 nights,food plan, Club level standard room at AKL for $3100. That is a good deal right? The

When you say "deal," was there a discount involved or is it just paying rack rate for the room plus adding tickets and a dining plan to your package? Also, you're getting 3-day tickets but are going to be at Disney for 5 days, you should budget how much it will cost to add days to your tickets (not terribly much, but I don't want you to be surprised).

 

[pamkat1820]

I would def stay on property, I would not stay off site with small kids. But that is just me. We have the 30% off offer and we are paying considerable less for a 7 night 8 days stay at POR in a RR room. Why not check out the speical offers on the WDW website. They r still running the special 30% off until march 31st. Good luck with your decision.

 

[mom2munchkins]

I originally called Disney to check out rates because I got a PIN code 30% off in the mail. I guess I shouldn't assume but I assumed I was getting the PIN code applied to my reservation. I'll call back tomorrow and check. I think I may have them see if I can get a better package price. I was only planning 3 park days. With my kiddos I need to factor in a down day or 2 just to hang out and swim. I'm also planning on driving(from Ohio Heaven help me)

 

[ResortFan]

I would definitely stay on property too and maybe go with a value or moderate. What time of year are you going?

 

[kandb]

I don't think that is that great of a price. You are only staying 4 nights. That is not that long. We are staying at CSR with 2adults, 2 children and 1 (under 3) and we are staying for 8 nights, 7 days of park passes and we got free dining for $2800.

 

[jebobak]

If you thought you had enough money for AKL, but now are having second thoughts, go with a moderate instead and you'll probably cut your cost in half. I'd definitely downgrade to a moderate resort before considering staying off-resort. Any perceived advantages of the off-resort offer are negated by the hassle involved (especially if it is a short stay).

I'm sure you'd appreciate having the better, upscale, villa-type experience instead of just a hotel room, but I'm sure your kids would much rather be staying at a Disney resort, even a moderate one!!

It's all about the Disney experience!

 

[k3chantal]

I would stay on property; no matter what the cost! The perks are still too good to stay anywhere else. You can use their travel systems, a bus in the case of AKL, you can use the extra magic hours, and the pools and other attractions and amenities at AKL are fantastic.

Take a big gulp, a deep breathe, and leave your doubts behind. Your biggest problem is that you won't ever want to go to a different type of hotel after you stay there!

 

[Sue M]

I would price out a regular room at AKL, not CL. That is really expensive. so I would skip CL at AKL if you are budgeting.
Also look at the moderate resorts. Or Values for that matter. You can't compare a CL level room in WDW with a Tiki Liki in Kissimmee! It's Apples and Oranges.

I don't know how old your kids are, but on a short trip, do they need 2 day down time? only leaving 3 days to see the parks? Your traveling a fair distance to see WDW. I'd be doing that.

 

[padawans]

I originally called Disney to check out rates because I got a PIN code 30% off in the mail. I guess I shouldn't assume but I assumed I was getting the PIN code applied to my reservation. I'll call back tomorrow and check. I think I may have them see if I can get a better package price. I was only planning 3 park days. With my kiddos I need to factor in a down day or 2 just to hang out and swim. I'm also planning on driving(from Ohio Heaven help me)

It looks like you have been to Disney twice(AKl and WL) so you know the advantages of staying onsite. If money is a issue I would downgrade to a standard room or Akl or Wl or go to a moderate. Csr is our favorite moderate.

 

[rt2dz]

Okay I'll go to the grain I think staying off-site can be a good choice.

I'm not sure I would stay in a hotel room but maybe look into renting a house. I used to be a huge on-site job but we actually tried our last trip off site and, much to my surprise, we enjoyed that vacation in a nice four bedroom, three bath house with a private, heated pool for less than I could get for a value, or a moderate, or renting DVC points. We were even closer to the parks than most of the resorts-- definitely all the value resorts.

Of course, I love onsite still if cost is never an issue, especially AKL. But if cost is an issue I would definitely go off-site without thinking twice.