AofA suite x Akl

[carolk2016]

Good to know ... We are going for 7 days 6 nights ... So I was thinking 3 days in each ... So hard to decide

 

[robinb]

I would not recommend a split stay for (1) your first trip to WDW which is (2) only over 6 days. You will have a much better vacation if you pick one resort and settle in.

I don't think anyone else has mentioned this yet, but you can also look into renting DVC points for your vacation. Here is a link to the rent/trade board that can explain how things work: http://www.disboards.com/forums/dvc-rent-trade.29/ . There are some downsides to renting points: you have to be 100% sure of your dates because most rentals are non-refundable and there is no housekeeping at DVC reports on points. You may be able to rent a studio at Animal Kingdom Villas which will be slightly bigger than a regular AKL room but will also include a kitchenette like the the AoA suite.

 

[mickeynut1]

If you want the DDP, Disney requires you to purchase tickets along with the DDP as a package. The only reservations that can buy the DDP without park tickets are for people with annual passes or reservations at Disney Vacation Club resorts booked with DVC points. So, if you split stay with the DDP you would be required to buy tickets with each reservation which will nearly double the cost of your tickets since Disney gives a big discount on additional days past the third day.

Anyone can book a ticketless package now. It's not advertised and you do have to call as it can't be booked online, but the OP can book the DDP for both stays and only buy tickets with one of them.

 

[AJA]

AKL for the entire trip gets my vote!

For me I wouldn't do a split stay if this is your first big family trip. I don't like having to pack up the morning of the move.

 

[imthemamahere]

Another vote for Animal Kingdom Lodge here. It's our favorite. My son, who'll be just about 7 1/2 on our next trip later this year, talks about the animals at AKL as if they're old friends. On our trips there (at 2 1/2, 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 years old), he'd step out on the balcony first thing in the morning to wish the animals good morning. He couldn't go to bed without stepping onto the balcony to say "Good night, animals! See you in the morning!"

(And on our return home after those first two trips, was devastated to find that all he could see our our front windows most days was a squirrel. I think he was hoping that the giraffes would follow us home.)

Add that to the theming, the awesome pool (+ slide, if your 5 year old likes those), the better food options, and the chance to pop over to the spray park at Kidani for some happy-kid-playtime... for us, there's no comparison. We just love the Animal Kingdom Lodge!