AKL...$139 pool view...help me convince my friend

[Tinkerbell2]

I had booked the BW @ Lake Buena Vista for $59 a night...but Ive heard mixed reviews about it. So today I was able to get the post card rate of $139 for AKL and she gave me a pool view. I booked that for 3 nights and I have a complementary night at the boardwalk (It actually expired but they said they would still honor it ) So now, I need your help to convince my friend to spend the extra money ($100 each)

Please Please Please...Fill me in on the good the bad and the ugly of all resorts.


Thanks

 

[josierac]

Do you have the Travel Channel? they are showcasing some of the resorts at disney. AKL is one of them. I am watching the tape of it right now (that someone was kind enough to send me).

You can search below for a post that has a list of when it's airing or you can go to their website and do a search there.

 

[Tinkerbell2]

Unfortunatly 1) its not on until March 2) she doesnt get it (she lives across the country, we are going to meet there) and 3) I have to call her tomarrow so we can make our decision.

 

[eeyore0062]

Tell her you will probably NEVER again be able to get AKL poolview for that price, and you REALLY want to do it now. I know that I couldn't pass that up, if I had the opportunity to take advantage of it!!!

 

[Tinkerbell2]

Well shes never been to disney...so the way she sees it is that both the AKL and the BW are just hotels...one costs $59 and the other $139. I need to make her see what a deal that is. Rookies just dont understand that!

 

[MajorWoody]

Hello,

Tell your friend that for a mere $100, she will upgrade from a generic hotel room, which is not actually inside WDW (even though technically it is), to a deluxe Disney Resort. Tell her that for a mere $100 her vacation destination will be a world away from the traffic and hassle of being off property. Tell her that AKL is a stunningly beautiful resort, with animal savannahs just a few feet from her door. The interior lobby, and Boma restaurant are also reason enough to make the change. Tell your friend that it is a vacation , and that price is not likely to be repeated, while BW can be had at another time for a similar price.

I could go on and on, but I'll stop for now. We stayed at AKL last May, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Hope that helps,

Take care.

Bill

 

[Janet2k]

Tinkerbell2, does she have an Internet connection? If she does, just point her at the many photos that have been taken of the AKL. I have stayed there a couple of times now and have always had a wonderful stay. It is a unique and beautiful resort, with some of the most wonderful Cast Members around, in my humble opinion.

Here are some links for your friend:

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/resorts/AKLodge/index.htm

http://198.65.131.237/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68312

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/resorts/resortindex?id=DRSAnimalKingdomLodgeRsrt

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/rescc/costcalc.asp?pageFunction=researcher&resId=AKL&submit1=go!

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp...Movies&cat=resort&location=AnimalKingdomLodge

 

[grumpyandbashful]

AKL is an awesome resort, and if you can afford the extra $$, it is definitely money well spent! Hate to sound corny, but you will be totally transported there. The resort is beautiful and unique. Plua, being on Disney property makes everything easier.
Just FYI, I had a pool-view room reserved there for early December, and was able to upgrade to savannah view for $10/night more. I just told them I'd really like a savannah room, and they offered me the upgrade.

 

[A1A1]

I just posted to someone else that this resort is a must. The African experience is amazing. I felt totally connected with that resort.

It is an outstanding price!!!!! Definitely worth the $100 each. You will not just be on a trip in Florida, but will be on a vacation in Africa. It is amazing.

I would definitely stay there again. I paid a LOT more than what you got the room for. You have to take that rate!!!! In fact, I got a moderate for that rate this fall --it may have even been $149.

If you don't take this rate --- let me have it!!!!!!

Let us know how you do with the friend.

 

[meb51]

Wow - what a great rate!. I called this past weekend to try to change my ressies for the AKL from the WDTC (at $144) to CRO after receiving the postcard for 139.00. I prefer the less restrictive policies under the CRO (less deposit/more liberal cancellation policy) The CRO said they didn't have any discounted standard rooms available for the days I was going in May but could give me a discounted room with a pool view.... for $212.00 a night. Needless to say, I kept my current ressies. You might mention that to your friend. She might see what a bargain you have.inkbounc

 

[Dreamin' Disney]

Hey Tinkerbell2!

If you're going during peak season, the regular rate for AKL is close to $400 ... even more for a pool view. I don't think you'd ever get a rate as good as $139 in another year. It's also a deluxe hotel with all the benefits of being on-site.

Best Western is at most a 3 star hotel but it's got some great views of Downtown Disney area. Sure you'd save some money, but you could always stay there on a future visit, since you'd probably never get such a good deal at AKL again.

Hope this helps!

 

[Kelsie]

Just a note that the $139.00 rate quoted for AKL is before tax. The total nightly rate is about $154.29 per night.

 

[BobF58]

Unfortunately, no one understands until they've stayed on property. You have to tell her you're a veteran and she has to trust you on this one.

 

[susy]

Tell her to call me and I'll convince her!!!! I stayed at BW-are you talking about Best Western in Downtown Disney??? Well, although $59 is an okay rate for that hotel- it is bascially that- a hotel!!! And (correct me if I'm wrong) you have to share a bus with all the other hotels on Plaza Blvd., so start subtracting all the park time you'll be missing=$$$$. Plus, you have to walk waayyy out to get your bus at the park. AKL is the first bus stop at the parks (I think). AKL is not a hotel. It is a resort and worth every bit of that GREAT RATE you are getting!!!! We had to cancel our ressies there and ended up at the courtyard in DD. It was okay for us because we had our own car, but it was not the same vacation that we had planned for six months! I would direct your friend to some websites , so she can compare the resorts. I have the feeling that if she doesn't change her mind, you could start to resent her on your trip (like when your are hot and tired and waiting for that bus)... good luck to you!!!

 

[Tinkerbell2]

Thanks for the help guys... It took some doing but I convinced her...AND I just got word I will have 2 complementary nights at the BW (We had some problems at a different resort on a special family trip and they gave us each a complimentary night and my sister is letting me use hers ) Soooo with the great rate at the AKL and switching to the boardwalk for 2 nights we are actually spending less!!!! My friend doesnt even know about that part yet. Oh Im soooo excited! I cant wait! Thanks for all the help!

 

[susy]

2 nights at AKL and 2 at BWI???Wow!!! You two are going to have a blast. Don't forget to post a trip report!