AKL at Christmas...Decision made, upgrade booked :)

[Suzerella]

We are currently booked at All Stars Music for a trip December 8 - 11. I'm really excited to be at Disney during the holiday season , and this trip is meant for taking in the sights, sounds, etc and not as much about touring like crazy. Plus, I'm really excited to have 4 full days, as our long weekends are generally just 2 full days and two half days if we're lucky.

So, I got an unexpected bonus from work today and have about $300 play money that DH and I decided I could do with as I wanted. So, of course...Disney

I looked online to see about "upgrading" our trip and AKL is running at $145/night with my AP discount AND we get a $100 dining card. Total with taxes would be $490, about $163/night.

Currently, we are paying right at $200 for 3 nights at ASMu, $66/night.

We've never stayed at anything other than value, and none of the available moderates really appeal to us (POR, CSR). I've only been to AKL once and it was for dinner at Jiko. At the time, we thought it was beautiful. Our dream deluxes are Polynesian and Beach Club, but we won't be in a position to afford those anytime soon

I've looked at the AKL thread, but there is a lot of information lost in about 600 pages of posts.

I guess I'm asking, how is AKL at Christmas? Will it feel like we are in a deluxe? Will we feel like our "splurge" paid off? Is it's location an issue? Will we even see any animals in December??

I'm leaving my vacation in the hands of virtual strangers, although by being DIS board members, I trust you

Thanks in advance!!

 

[RIGrandpa]

Good questions!!! My wife and I are staying at POR for 5 nights Dec. 6 to Dec 10 and then 2 nights Dec. 11 and 12th at AKL to give it a try. We have never stayed there but went to Boma once and love the resort and this visit we are going to stay and hope to see the animals and enjoy the resort for two days. We think it will be worth the extra money and we also got the annual pass rate. We stayed at All Stars in the past and there is no comparison between that resort and one of the deluxe resorts. I think all of the resorts are decorated well for Christmas.

 

[Suzerella]

Here's a thought -- can I make another set of reservations for AKL and keep my ASMu reservations as well? Since it's an AP rate, I have until 5 days out to cancel one of them, and I should be comfortable with my decision by Oct. 15th at the latest.

I hate to tie up 2 rooms, but there are a few family things going on that may make the decision for me, and I won't know until mid-Oct. And, I'd be opening an AP rate room for someone who may be booking late

 

[mslclark]

I think you would love AKL, especially if you're not going to do a lot of park touring. There is so much to see there. We stayed there last December and completely fell in love with the place! The decorations are stunning, especially the big tree. They had different choirs and groups singing in the lobby during the holiday season. We had a lot of fun watching the animals at night with the night vision goggles.

 

[disneydreamer1970]

Another vote here for AKL!!! It is an absolutely georgous resort....especially at Christmas. I say go for it if you can....you will not regret it!!

Trish

 

[Princess Amy]

We are doing a split stay between AKL and CSR on our upcoming trip Dec 1-9. We have not stayed at either resort, nor have even stepped in the front door. So both resorts will be a new exciting experience.

If your even having to question staying at AKL....you know your choice already.

 

[TYTY]

Suzerella ~ AKL at Christmas is amazing. The tree is awesome! You will definately feel like you're in a deluxe and your splurge paid off. I was there in Dec. 06 and we saw lot's of animals. I do have to mention when we were there it was before the construction, so I'm not sure what it will be like this December. Enjoy AKL!

 

[Suzerella]

If your even having to question staying at AKL....you know your choice already.

You are probably right I think I'm going to go for it, after DH leaves for work this morning. I'm hoping I can keep it secret from him until we arrive on property -- wish me luck!

 

[DisneyBaby2004]

You are probably right I think I'm going to go for it, after DH leaves for work this morning. I'm hoping I can keep it secret from him until we arrive on property -- wish me luck!

We are also staying at AKL in December. Out first trip there, I kept it a secret from DH until we pulled into the resort. It was a nice surprise. We have been to several other hotels since then so he has no clue we are staying there again. We feel in love with CSR, so CSR is for summer trips and AKL is for Christmas. What makes the surprise even more is that we are spending the first night at ASMu and he will think we'll stay there the duration of the stay. Have fun and enjoy wherever you lay your head - you're in DISNEY

 

[Suzerella]

Yippee! Ok, I made the upgrade. I lost some of the great deal I had yesterday.

Called to book over the phone, and Dec 9 - 11 wasn't showing as available in their system at AP rate. So, back to the computer.

Booked Dec 8 -- all they had available was pool view for an extra $15. So, I booked it.

Booked Dec 9 - 11 online, $149/night for standard view plus $75 dining card.

I'm going to keep watching everyday to see if a standard view room opens up. I'm really hopeful that I won't have to switch rooms if I'm booked standard for both ressies.

Thanks to all for your words of encouragement!! I am EVEN MORE excited to see WDW at Christmas time in my FIRST deluxe resort!! Holy cow, only a little over 3 months to go.

 

[raven69david]

We'll be at AKL 12/9-12/15 as this is the time we normally go to WDW. We love the xmas themes & decorations all of the resorts are adorned in. AKL has a HUGE tree in the middle of the resort which is jawdropping gorgeous.

Very soon the Travel Channel will be featuring the christmas holiday special at WDW as they do every year. You need to watch it as they show the tree and lodge all decorated for the holidays. We have it recorded on our DVR and watch it alot. I wish i could buy that episode. Is that even possible?

Here is a slideshow of the holiday special: http://travel.discovery.com/tv/samantha-brown/photos/holidays2003/photo.html

 

[Princess Amy]

I'd new you come over to the AKL side!!!