August stay

[Diasmom]

I think we are going to Disney this August, probably 26-30, for a resort only stay. It will be my husband, my daughter 13, and I. We received a pin code so have fairly good rates available. We are looking at Animal Kingdom Lodge standard room, Yacht Club, and Caribbean Beach. We have been to Caribbean Beach a couple of times before the construction and a short split stay at the Yacht Club. I'm quite nervous about the heat and weather. My husband is leaning towards Yacht Club but I'm thinking Animal Kingdom. Caribbean is definitely cheaper. The smaller room really isn't a problem. It will be our twentieth anniversary! (And bringing the kid! ). Hoping Tim can see a rocket launch, lots of time by the pool and checking out Disney Springs for the first time. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[jliucci]

CBR is under construction which may not bother most if they are at the parks all day, but since your doing a resort only trip I would probably stay away from CBR right now.

 

[rchampagne]

I'd choose Yacht Club for a resort-only stay. Not only because they have the best pool, but also easy access to Boardwalk for other dining options.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would take CBR off the list. It's under construction and you have to walk outside to access all of the facilities. Both YC and AKL are beautiful, but with a 13 year old, I would go YC. I think your 13 year old will get bored with the AKL pools pretty fast. Plus with YC, you'll have walking access to a ton of restaurants and the Boardwalk entertainment at night.

 

[SarahC97]

If you're going only for the resort, I'd go with a deluxe -- and I'd go with Yacht Club for the pool! Plus, YC is just in a better location, close to lots of things to do.

 

[loves to dive]

You can't go wrong with either YC or AKL. I'm inclined to say to go with whichever one is less. A lot of people avoid AKL when doing the parks because unless you drive you have to ride the bus so it might be the perfect opportunity to stay there. I wouldn't do CBR because you already have been there and for a non park day you are pretty limited to just swimming. You have already been to YC so why not try AKL as something new.

 

[OneinThree]

I desperately want to stay at AKL, but never have because of the transportation issues getting to the other parks. It's a gorgeous resort, and some of the best dining on property. We were not really impressed with YC when we stayed there (BC may be a different story). Couldn't really speak to CBR as it has been so long since we've been.

 

[nkereina]

I agree that you can't go wrong with Yacht Club or Animal Kingdom Lodge. AKL of course has the animals and safaris right at the resort (for cost), which is another pro. The pros of Yacht Club are the awesome pool and close proximity to other resorts for more dining options.

On the flipside, AKL is a long ride to Disney Springs. Too inconvenient for us to go more than once. YC would be closer. And at YC, I'd be concerned that the pool area will be crowded. Many people stay there just for Stormalong Bay, so I'd think a lot more people take time for the pool while staying there.

 

[leebee]

If you decide to stay at AKL, Jiko does a wine tasting on Wednesday afternoons for (I think) $15. Also, there is a culinary tour (I think offered daily) where you learn about both Jiko and Boma, and enjoy some samples of their food. I think we had roasted dips and breads and Jiko, and soup samples and zebra domes at Boma... and I believe it was free!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would do AKL. I couldn’t be within walking distance of Epcot and not be tempted to go in! PLus AKL just seems to have more activities like PP have mentioned.

 

[Sue M]

I would consider a stay at Cocoa Beach instead. And maybe go to KSC. Or a stay on the Gulf Coast.

 

[Diasmom]

Thank you for all the input, everyone. I think it will be wonderful where we stay. We've had two great visits to the Caribbean Beach but with construction...
I would love a split stay but can't seem to get the great prices that way and would love to add a Cocoa Beach stay for a night. A little nervous about the ocean, it's a little nerve racking watching my family swim out there even though they're good swimmers. Love to hear those with experience! Love to check out the tours.

 

[Sue M]

Thank you for all the input, everyone. I think it will be wonderful where we stay. We've had two great visits to the Caribbean Beach but with construction...
I would love a split stay but can't seem to get the great prices that way and would love to add a Cocoa Beach stay for a night. A little nervous about the ocean, it's a little nerve racking watching my family swim out there even though they're good swimmers. Love to hear those with experience! Love to check out the tours.

My daughters love to get surf lessons from RonJons in Cocoa Beach. We book semi private lesson and usually only 1 or 2 others in lesson. The last time they had the same instructor that gives surf lessons at Typhoon Lagoon. Could easily do 2 days at Cocoa Beach.

There’s also the Gulf Coast. The water is very calm and sand is like powdered sugar! I love St Pete Beach.
I may be in the minority, but if I wasn’t planning on going to the parks I would book a beach hotel. For the price Disney (over) charges for their rooms you could get a really amazing hotel anywhere.

Could split stay between Gulf and Cocoa Beach. On the drive between you could stop in at Disney Springs.

 

[Diasmom]

Thank you everyone for your responses. We were able to get a split stay AKL/Beach through a travel agent. Hope it will be the best of both worlds for us! We were originally thinking an ocean stay but I have a fair amount of money in Disney gift cards.

 

[izzylovesmickey]

We love both of those resorts. That should be a great split! Have fun!

 

[oceanmarina]

I would take CBR off the list - I've stayed at resorts during construction and it takes some of the magic away.

I would go with AKL - who knows you might luck out with a savannah view. We had one when we stayed in Kidani and it's truly magical.

 

[Hopefully]

Thank you everyone for your responses. We were able to get a split stay AKL/Beach through a travel agent. Hope it will be the best of both worlds for us! We were originally thinking an ocean stay but I have a fair amount of money in Disney gift cards.

Did you factor into your decision that you will be "homeless" one day? You will have to check out of the first hotel by 11 AM and will not have a room at the next until at least 3ish. Perhaps you can make this a DS day. Personally I would never do a split on a non park trip

 

[Kimberle]

I think we are going to Disney this August, probably 26-30, for a resort only stay. It will be my husband, my daughter 13, and I. We received a pin code so have fairly good rates available. We are looking at Animal Kingdom Lodge standard room, Yacht Club, and Caribbean Beach. We have been to Caribbean Beach a couple of times before the construction and a short split stay at the Yacht Club. I'm quite nervous about the heat and weather. My husband is leaning towards Yacht Club but I'm thinking Animal Kingdom. Caribbean is definitely cheaper. The smaller room really isn't a problem. It will be our twentieth anniversary! (And bringing the kid! ). Hoping Tim can see a rocket launch, lots of time by the pool and checking out Disney Springs for the first time. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I have gone a ton of times during August. I prefer to stay in a resort that's under 1 roof. It's so nice to be able to get something to eat, etc while in your resort during an afternoon rainstorm.

I have stayed at both AKL and YC. My YC stay was last Dec. They are both beautiful resorts with lovely pools. I do think your 13yo would like the YC pool better. Plus it is so nice to walk to Epcot, especially in the evening if you just want to catch the Fireworks and/or dinner. Though most rooms don't have this view, I was lucky enough to be able to see the FW from both Epcot and HS from my room. (Not the full shows, just the tops, but that was quite beautiful!) If you room doesn't have this view, you can just walk out to the beach area to view! There lots of beach chairs on the beach where you could relax and enjoy the view. AKL is beautiful too! I could sit on my balcony and watch the animals for hours! With a standard view, you won't have this. You'll have to go to the common viewing areas.

 

[pd1138]

Thank you everyone for your responses. We were able to get a split stay AKL/Beach through a travel agent. Hope it will be the best of both worlds for us! We were originally thinking an ocean stay but I have a fair amount of money in Disney gift cards.

That sounds like a great trip!! We have done two non park resort trips and loved them! We stayed at YC for one and spent over five hours exploring AKL and conversing with the many CMs from Africa! We started with an awesome relaxing breakfast at Boma! You might definitely get the best of both worlds! My DS loved the magician on the boardwalk at night and we could watched the fireworks from EP and HS!