Almost Ready to Book, Any Advice?

[izzie-wizzie]

Hi Everyoneeee

I am so excited - Scott just found out his rough schedule for the rest of this year so we will be able to book our Holiday now

We're Looking at going 24th September - 8th October 2011. So MNSSHP and Food + Wine again!

Anyway before i get too excited before its booked, just wanted to run through some practicalities - see if you can give me any advice

Flying with Air France from Aberdeen to MCO, only one stop at CDG airport - just over £1200 for both of us return.

Originally looking at staying at SSR, and with hotel, free DDP and 14 day tickets would be £2002.

So £3200 for 2 weeks which is not tooo bad, especially with DDP!

Anyway, I told DBF this and he has said its cheaper than he expected, we could maybe look at the possibilty of staying at AKL (I would LOVE LOVE LOVE this!)

However its an extra £1500 then SSR for AKL Savannah View, just trying to decide if this is worth it? What are your thoughts????

Or is it worth the extra £700 for standard view AKL!? I've heard of a few people who get comp upgrades on arrival - but it seems like such a chance, and for me the whole point of AKL is to see the animals from the balcony

Any input or thoughts greatly appreciated folks

 

[dixonsontour]

I'd go for ssr and save the money for next year!

Not sure how many years the ssr/okw 42% off deal will be offered - i'd go now, you can always do Akl another trip.

We stayed at okw but lots on here have enjoyed ssr - the room set up with a bed and settee and the location close to DTD seems ideal for a couple.

If you eat at Akl you can look at the animals there before eating, we enjoyed doing that.

 

[izzie-wizzie]

I'd go for ssr and save the money for next year!

Not sure how many years the ssr/okw 42% off deal will be offered - i'd go now, you can always do Akl another trip.

We stayed at okw but lots on here have enjoyed ssr - the room set up with a bed and settee and the location close to DTD seems ideal for a couple.

If you eat at Akl you can look at the animals there before eating, we enjoyed doing that.

Thats a really good point to take advantage of the deal while its on. The pool at SSR is looks lovely too.

And we should see the animals etc one night, as we're planning a meal to Sanaa - nom nom nom

But then the idea of sitting on the balcony watch giraffees and stuff seems so magical too - such a tough decision (but a nice decision to make either way)

 

[dixonsontour]

I thought we'd be sitting on the balcony at okw each evening - managed it the last night!

Seriously you can't go wrong either way.

 

[Elise79]

To me it would not be worth it and certainly not standard view. I would rather get a one bedroom at SSR and have the extra space!

TBH we visited AKL for the first time in November and were really under whelmed by the place.

 

[starrysky]

I would love to stay at AKL but might only do it for one night. The reason is we visted on our trip last oct and yes its lovely etc but it is very far out from places like DTD. As we don't take a hire car it just seemed like to far out of the way compared to POR where we were staying.

I say stay at SSR and use the extra cash to treat yourselves to a special experince or Discovery cove etc.

 

[torsie24]

I ADORE AKL, so would say it's totally worth the £700.

We didn't really like DTD, and SSR is so huge, I'd definitely rather spend the extra money. You only get one holiday a year, so I'd rather spend a bit more.

We got an upgrade from Standard to Savannah view, so were lucky, but this time we have booked through a DVC member instead of through the normal hotel booking, and are getting a Savannah View studio for less than Disney UK want for a room at Coronado Springs!

If you can afford to pay the full amount in advance then I really recommend this as it's such a good deal.

dvcrequest.com is a good place to book through.

 

[torsie24]

Just had a price up on dvcrequest for you.

Your dates in a Savannah View studio would cost $2834, so £1771.

Of course you need to add in tickets and food. So still more as you wont get free DDP, but worth a look.

 

[notaprincess]

I'd also look into renting points, at $10 per point right here on the disboards, a great deal.

Have you considered a split stay, seeing you'll be there 2 weeks??? I stayed at AKL last year and went for a massage to SSR, didn't like it much at such a huge resort! On the other hand I loved AKL, but I did have a rental car, which I sometimes used.

 

[disney_princess_85]

I'll be honest and admit that I didn't think I'd ever stay at SSR, based on my initial impression that it was too big and felt somewhat stuffy. However, when the (amazing) 42% off offer came up, it was too good a deal to resist! I wasn't particularly looking forward to my stay, however I ended up loving the resort- it's just so pretty! Yes, it is big but there are plenty of more intimate areas to explore and each location has its plus points. We stayed in The Springs, opposite the main pool and restaurants etc. It was a fab location for us and we plan to request it for our second stay this year.

My advice is to go for SSR while the offer is still there.