AKL, dining? transportation?

[ptefabulous]

Hey!

So I am planning a surprise trip to Disney for my boyfriends birthday. However since I have't been to disneyworld in over 12 years, it's pretty hard planning this trip by myself. So hopefully you guys don't mind answering a few questions

I'm planning on renting a car since we are going to visit the kennedy space station while there. How spread out is the parking lot at AKL, and does it tend to be pretty full? I'm trying to figure out if I should budget in valet parking.

Also how crazy is parking at the parks? My guess is it is easier to plan on just taking the busses from the resort instead of driving?

We are both vegetarians and I heard the restaurants at this resort have the most vegetarian options, I'm just not sure about if I should get a dining plan or not. We're not really fancy eaters, and prefer to grab whatever is easy on vacation, and I've heard the dining plan is only really worth it if you plan to eat at the more expensive restaurants. If we are planning on breakfast everyday (quick service?) at the hotel and supper from boma or in room dining every night, would the basic dining plan be worth it?

I'm sorry if these are questions that have been answered elsewhere, I'm looking for opinions though! It's not easy to spend this kind of money on a trip without input from my partner. Thanks for all your help!

 

[memakwed]

I can only comment on the DP aspect and Boma. The DP is $55 a person roughly for the 1 QS 1 TS. BOma is more expensive for a buffet at about $40 and then add the expense of the QS for breakfast. Probably the DP is costing you a few dollars more but not where I care. If I am close to breaking even and not worried about every penny I go with the DP just as convenience to know it's pd ahead of time. If every penny counts like our nex trip I would really check the menus and figure the exact numbers that you will spend. Don't forget you also get a snack credit to use as well which will probably make you break even or benefit a few cents. Also you now get your refillable mug included in the dp. I do not have experience with room service or parking at AKL.

 

[ptefabulous]

Thanks for the advise! I think prob will end up getting the basic dp. By tasting at all it's already costing me more then I originally thought of spending, so why not just go all out! I can't wait to no longer be a student so I can afford fancy vacations!

 

[serene56]

i figured'out dining plan vs paying out of pocket.

we do not need to eat desserts with every meal. and i factored in 5.00 per day for a snack

since we are hoping to eat at the castle - that takes two credits.

dining plan will cost us 770 for our stay gives us 13 meals and 7 snacks.

paying out of pocket- going to the same places will cost us 750 and getting 6 snacks plus two added meals

 

[ptefabulous]

i figured'out dining plan vs paying out of pocket.

we do not need to eat desserts with every meal. and i factored in 5.00 per day for a snack

since we are hoping to eat at the castle - that takes two credits.

dining plan will cost us 770 for our stay gives us 13 meals and 7 snacks.

paying out of pocket- going to the same places will cost us 750 and getting 6 snacks plus two added meals

So really not a huge difference, a little better without the plan actually. Hmm... I wish the DP was a better deal, but it doesn't seem like it will make much off a cost difference for us.

 

[disney777]

To get the dining plan, you'd have to have a package deal that includes park tickets (which you will need anyway). And I know when I buy the DDP via my AP, I also get charged tax on top of the $55.
Tips will be the same at the TS places, but I tend to pay more in tips on DDP due to tipping on beverage and dessert that I don't always get when I pay OOP. And also because I tend to order the more expensive items when on DDP. DDP also incudes the refillable mug.

 

[Sue M]

You may be better off without the DDP. AKL does have lots of food options. At Mara I had a great vegetarian flat bread yum. I don't know if you eat seafood? They also have good salmon nightly specials.

You can go on Allears.net and look at the menus, they list all the restaurant menus and pricing, so you can see if the DDP would be a good deal for you.

I found the AKL parking lot crowded. We had a car the first day.

 

[Missyrose]

Also OP, I know planning a trip to Disney can be overwhelming, but don't limit yourself to only eating at AKL. There are great restaurants at the parks and at the other resorts ( and since you'll have a car, it is easier to get from one resort to another). Food is only one part of picking a resort, make sure you like the rooms and the feel of the resort and also the activities you think you might do while staying there.

We stayed at AKL in October and loved. But while we ate a few meals at the resort, we ate at lots of different places , as well. Happy planning!