Booking into Disney

[badger1518]

We will be in orlando for 2 weeks on from the 11th april and were going to to book into a disney hotel for a couple of nights as we have never stayed on-site before. We have thought about animal kingdom lodge, can anyone recomende a good hotel and will it work out cheaper to book before we go on line or book when we get over there

Thankyou

 

[Celestine]

Only ever stayed at the value resorts, so can't comment on AKL (unfortunately). I would suggest booking before you go so at least you know you'll get a room. You are also more likely to be able to get a discount, rather than have to pay the rack rate. If you subscribe to mousesavers you may find discounts there, otherwise try an american tour operator like mousears vacations or DU.

 

[KayleeUK]

Try Dreams Unlimited for a Quote for you.

Haven't stayed at AKL myself but it is gorgeous

 

[Frances999]

Check www.mousesavers.com for discount codes for your travel dates. If there are already codes released, you can call Disney and book a discounted rate. Alternatively, as others have suggested, contact Dreams Unlimited and they will check for codes on behalf of you. We've booked with Dreams for this August, and our agent, Merrie Thomas is great. She'll make any PS's we require and is also working on a detailed itinerary for us - all included in their service for free. If you are an AA member, be sure to request the AAA rate, this can offer about 15% off regular rates. Also, consider purchasing an annual pass - the price of the pass can sometimes be paid back by the savings you make by reserving an AP code discount. However, be sure that there IS an AP code for your dates before splashing out on the AP.

Don't wait until you get over their to book. You will probably have to pay the rack rates. I stayed in AKL concierge last August and it is a fantastic resort. The atmosphere is wonderful and the restaurants are amongst the best in Disney, IMO. I would reserve a Savannah view room to make the trip even more memorable. It is great ordering Room Service and relaxing on the balcony overlooking the savannah. The pool area is great also. The transport is a bit of an issue, we drove everywhere because I found the bus journeys a bit of a nightmare compared to other deluxe resorts. Let me know if you have any specific AKL questions

 

[paulh]

try disneys own web site they might have offers for then on the site just make shure that you go to the us site as the uk site is a lot dearer for rooms ect just find a price it will give you a discount code and you can phone then to book the room with that discount
Paulh

 

[vernon]

Once you decide on the hotel you're looking for I'd call both Disney's CRO and Dreams. If the price is the same ( and it should be) I'd go with Dreams as they will regulalry (and for free) check your rate and if there is a better rate available it will be applied to your booking. Disney won't drop the price they charge you, unless you call them to check if there happens to be a promo on at that time. Booking before you go is likely to be a much cheaper option.

My DW Jana and I stayed at the AKL last year and it is a fantastic hotel. IMHO the restaurants and architecture are among Disney's best, it has a great pool area and having access to look over the savannahs (even from the pool) is a really cool experience.

You'll be happy with any of the Disney hotels, but the ones I think are their best are (in order) Y+B club (this has Disney's best pool area and that aspect combined with location nudge it ahead of AKL) , AKL , WL (again great pool area and cool themeing) the GF and the Polynesian. In the case of the last two, they are great hotels and the monorail access to the MK is a great perk, you do however pay for that accessability. If I'm hyper critical I find the GF a little too pristine for my liking, and always feel I should be talking at a whisper, but it is a beautiful hotel with great restaurants, facilities and location.

 

[UKDEB]

We often take a couple of days out to stay onsite, either at WDW or US.

We've stayed at AKL and it <i>is</i> a beautiful resort, but to truly get the benefit of staying onsite, you might want to consider a Magic Kingdom or Epcot resort. If you stay at AKL, you have to take a bus or car to the parks. If you stay at an MK resort, you will be able to use the monorail. If you stay at an Epcot resort, you can either walk or take a water taxi to both Epcot and MGM. There's nothing to stop you visiting AKL for a meal (both Boma and Jiko are great restaurants).

 

[badger1518]

thanks for all the replies