AKL or not to AKL

[AndyBlizz]

Hi All

After our last trip to WDW in Oct 2008, which was the "last ever" family holiday.

My parents have mentioned that they "would like" to go again. Around Oct 2011 as they really liked the F&W festive at Epcot last time.

Last time we went i managed to get

2 weeks at AKL (2 x std room)
Prem Econ Flights from B'ham
Coach Transfers
14day WDW Passes

for just over £8k for 5 Adults and 1 Child (30mths old)

When we arrived at AKL we had had both rooms upgraded they had a Savanna and Pool view. (It was at the end of the bit that sticks out of the Zebra trail. So If you looked left from the balcony you could see the Savanna and right in front was the hot tub.)

We felt that these room were in a perfect location for us. And we had our best WDW holiday we had been on.

When we booked the last holiday we said they we didnt want to stay at the same resort as our previous visit POR. As we had good memories of that and wanted it to be just as enjoyable.

And to go all that way and stay at the same resort seemed a bit of a waste.
That is why we went to AKL also we though my son would like it more. And he did love it.


So we have a big dilema for 2011.

Do we go back to AKL as it was so good and enjoyable or do we try a different WDW resort ?

But will wish we were back at AKL?
Or is we stay at AKL again will we just keep comparing it to our last visit (free room upgrade)?
Or do i pay for room upgrade POOL/SAVANNA so i KNOW i will get a reasonable room and not a car park view.

We will not do a split stay as this time there will be 8 of us going. As we know have a disney daughter. And my Brother will have a Female friend coming with him. (Just mates so he stays but i know she loves disney as she has been many many times)

We will also need 3 rooms.

I have costed the same holiday as we went on last time (but used 2010 dates) to see the prices and if booked at a package it will be approx £16k !!!!!!

Can any of you help me out with my dilema?

The cost is not the real issue as i accept that 2 extra people and an extra room will effect the prices. Plus the fact that since the booking the last holiday the exchange rate has changed massively (was around $2 - £1) back then.

Can anybody help ?????

 

[wayneg]

If cost is not an issue then book what you want to do and know you will be happy with it.

Personally I couldn't pay it, stayed at AKL for 3 nights and got free upgrade with Annual pass rate, cost me £71/night, wouldn't pay much more than that myself.
I have just booked Old Key West again for August, just compared it with AKL savanah room. 20 nights, paid £2,000. AKL would be £4,300. Although we enjoyed the view at AKL it is not worth an additional £2,300. I can go look at the animals anytime free, don't have to stay there to go see them. Both prices include same free dining plan.
You don't really want a split stay if you want to take advantage of free dining(hopefully it will on again Oct 2011) If you change hotels you lose the dining unless you buy more tix.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Although we enjoyed the view at AKL it is not worth an additional £2,300. I can go look at the animals anytime free, don't have to stay there to go see them.

I agree with Wayne. I always wanted to stay at AKL but I think it's enough for me to visit the hotel and stay for a while to watch the animals. Yes, it's a nice hotel and being around the animals is a bonus, but I think I'd feel a little miffed at paying so much when anyone can go in and see the same things you see if you were staying there.

 

[wickesy]

To me there is a difference between being able to see what other people can see for free and being able to sit on your balcony at any time of the day and watch the animals coming and going - so much so that we bought a DVC membership at AKV.

I think you need to consider how much time you spent in your room on the last trip and how much time you are likely to spend in there on the next trip. If it's just somewhere to lay your head and you are only awake for an hour or so of each day then no it isn't worth it, but my Dad and I tend to do a few hours in a park, come back to the room for a couple of hours to relax and re-charge before going out again and then spend another couple of hours later at night so it is worth it for us.

 

[jtlover]

We have stayed in a standard room as well as a Savanna room, and although the Savanna was lovely we were not in the room enough for it to be an issue that I would pay more just for the view, personally.

If it was me I would price up for another hotel as well - have you looked at saratoga springs as you can get a 2 bed villa (we have booked this for September) which caters for 8 people. There is a master bedroom, and a sofa bed in the living room as well as 2 queen beds in the other bedroom. There are also 2 bathrooms.

I dont know how many people the 3 bedroom one caters for, but that might be another option?

We have stayed at AKL, GF and will now be going to SSR. We have enjoyed staying at both AKL and GF and always go back to a restaurant in that hotel just to look around anyway

 

[PChef]

I was very tempted by AKL for our next trip, but we decided on the Beach Club due to proximity to Epcot during F&W Festival, also Stormalong Bay for the boys. Epcot is our favourite park so that sealed the deal really.

 

[rivercottage]

Im in a very similar position, managed to get a great deal last year from Birmingham to akl.

Im trying my best to get back there round about september this year, I just keep thinking of when I first walked into AKL - I almost cried, I ADORED my holiday.

Now I too worry about going back to the same resort and it not being as 'wow' as the first time.

- but nothing else really appeals apart from maybe Wilderness lodge

 

[mollies_mum]

I was very tempted by AKL for our next trip, but we decided on the Beach Club due to proximity to Epcot during F&W Festival, also Stormalong Bay for the boys. Epcot is our favourite park so that sealed the deal really.

This is pretty much how we chose AKL, AK is our favourite park and my DD (10) is animal mad so AKL is was