Decisions Decisions for 2013 Holiday.

[jackieleanne]

Help!

Ok need to book the Disney hotel before the 20th because of the offers etc.

Looking to do 15nights next September 20th until the 5th October from Manchester. Will be booking everything separately so just sorting out accommodation at the moment.

Ok so first things here are what I have been struggling to decide on for weeks.

1. Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge. << We love both and have visited both swayed more to Animal Kingdom Lodge as fell in love with the place when we visited Boma last year. Only downside is the distance to other parks etc.
2. If we go with Animal Kingdom Lodge is it worth the extra for Savannah view.
3. Last year we went out on the 22nd August for 18 nights and did a few days at Royal Pacific Resort at the start of the trip. We loved it here especially the early access for WWOHP and the FOL access. Not sure whether to do 2 nights here and 13 nights at Disney. Would we need the FOL/Early Access, as I know when we visited early September end of last trip it was very quiet at UOR.

What would you all do. How are the crowds at this time of year? We was planning on doing this period so we could do MNSSHP again and also do Food and Wine Festival for the first time.

 

[torsie24]

We've stayed at AKL twice, and on both trips have visited WL for meals.

We adore AKL, and although we like the WL, it just doesn't have the same wow for us, of course others feel differently.

We've had Savannah view both times and love it, first time we were lucky enough to get a free upgrade, and last time we paid for it. It was lovely to know we were guaranteed it last time, and we'll probably do the same next trip, but I'd rather stay at AKL with a pool view than stay at WL.

Also, when we've used the boat/buses from WL which we've now done 4 times. We've actually found them slower than the transport from AKL. Always had great bus service.

 

[jackieleanne]

Thanks Torsie That's good to know about the buses I will tell that to OH although he wouldn't of had the final say anyway.

We will have a car as well but will use the buses quite a bit usually in an evening so we can have a drink etc with our meal.

How close is AKL to AK? AK is probably our favourite park after MK. We love animals especially with OH being South African.

 

[torsie24]

Thanks Torsie That's good to know about the buses I will tell that to OH although he wouldn't of had the final say anyway.

We will have a car as well but will use the buses quite a bit usually in an evening so we can have a drink etc with our meal.

How close is AKL to AK? AK is probably our favourite park after MK. We love animals especially with OH being South African.

AK bus takes about 3 minutes.

The only place I'd say you might want to drive to is DTD/TL as sometimes those buses feel a little long. But it's certainly nothing killer, and not enough to put us off AKL!

 

[wilma-bride]

It sounds as though you've pretty much already decided on AKL, however I hold a contrary opinion. Although we enjoyed AKV (Kidani Village) when we stayed there, the one thing we kept coming back to, time and time again, was how far away it was from everything. It seemed to take an absolute age to get anywhere (except AK) by bus and, even when we drove offsite, it also seemed so much further than from any other resort we've stayed at. We were late for a couple of ADRs when we stayed there, purely because we completely underestimated the amount of time it would take to get to the parks (particularly MK). One morning, with the actual time we waited for a bus and the time taken to travel, it took us well over an hour to get to MK. That is not good for a planner like me who likes to be at the parks for opening In fairness, it wasn't bad enough that it would put us off staying there but it would certainly be a consideration, especially as AK is the one park we don't always visit on our trips.

For me, Wilderness Lodge definitely has the 'wow' factor. It is completely beautiful and the transportation is great. You have the option of the boat to MK as well as the Contemporary and Fort Wilderness. Watching the water pageant from the beach is lovely and there is so much to do and see. Being Flag family was an experience I will never, ever forget. We would choose Wlderness Lodge every time over AKL. It's personal preference though and everyone has different tastes. However, if distance is likely to be an issue for you, then I would think carefully about staying at AKL.

How about a split stay? I understand that's not the easiest thing to do if you want the free dining but, if you manage your credits OK, it could work well and you could try both then.

As far as staying at a Universal resort for FOTL, certainly the parks will be a lot quieter in mid/late September so you certainly wouldn't 'need' FOTL. It is, however, a great perk and I would personally choose to stay a couple of nights there at the beginning/end of the holiday anyway, if that is an option for you.

It is a great time of year to visit, though, and one we would choose if we weren't tied to school holidays.

 

[jackieleanne]

Thank you. Definitely worth considering. I have personally been tempted by the Contemporary as it's cheaper than the Savannah room and it's a monorail resort but OH isn't so keen on the building!

Agreed on the UOR hotels we loved being able to walk to an from the parks/Citywalk and it was a lovely resort. Would probably do the whole stay here if it wasn't for having to pay for parking at Disney and also the free dining.

 

[jackieleanne]

Booked Animal Kingdom Lodge for the 22nd September until 5th October on the DDP. So excited. Will be booking 2 nights at a UOR hotel for the 20th and 21st October.