do I stay at an apt hotel the 1st night or an All-Star hotel or ?

[heartbeeps]

I need some lodging advice and hope you can help me figure out the best solution as my head is spinning just thinking about it.

Here's the scenario:
We're flying in after 8pm on May 1 so my initial thought was to get lodging at the airport for the night and transfer via Magic Express the next morning (May 2) to AKL where we'll stay from May 2 until May 6. Lodging at an airport hotel that offers a free shuttle back to the airport so we can hop on the Magic Express is ~$120 (all in).

For that price, I thought I should see what the difference is to stay on site:
ASMusic $99
POR $165
AKL $275

A cheaper accommodations alternative would be to stay downtown (like a Days Inn Maingate) for less than $40/night; however, I'd need ground transportation from the airport to the hotel ($15pp) plus ground transportation from the hotel to AKL (probably another $30pp) the next morning.

MONEY IS AN OBJECT as I'm footing the bill for 5 additional rooms (kids & grandkids) who will all arrive a day after us. As it is, AKL is too expensive to buy 6 rooms so the other 5 are staying at POR (5/3-5/6). I'm splurging on ourselves for DH 80th bday in lieu of a trip to Africa due to health concerns. I am already breaking the bank on this trip so I don't want to spend another $275 just to be in AKL starting so late in the evening.

Thanks all-earred friends for your advice!

 

[Skroops]

Personally, I'd stay on property at ASMU. It's easier to hop the ME and get away from the airport and straight into Walt Disney World. Since you'll be arriving late and only using one night, I'd suggest claiming your luggage at baggage claim and then bringing it onto your ME ( instead of allowing the 3 hours for your baggage delivery). You'd have to do that anyway if you took an airport shuttle to another hotel near the airport, plus you'd probably tip the shuttle driver both ways in addition to the ME driver the next day. I've heard that WDW will transfer your luggage for you to the AKL from the values, although I've never done that. We have had split stays before but we have always just taken a taxi over to the new resort first thing in the morning and put our bags at bell services until we returned for afternoon break and usually our room is available by that time.
I vote for staying on Disney World property!!
Good luck!

 

[ashef]

I vote for staying at ASMU or another of the values, too, for the same reasons. (Have you checked on AAA discounts, by the way?) When you arrive in Orlando, instead of retrieving your luggage from baggage claim yourself, let the ME folks deal with it & you and your husband go straight to the ME counter and the bus to WDW. (Or maybe get something to eat at the airport first since the WDW resort restaurants will be closed by the time you arrive.) Take a small carry-on bag with pj's and whatever you'll need when you get to the room, and settle in. They will deliver your luggage to your ASMU room later that night, and the next day, arrange to have the resort transfer your luggage from your ASMU room to your AKL room. That will be SOOOO much better than having to drag luggage around yourself, especially since the health issues you referred to probably make it a very bad idea for your DH to lug anything heavy.

I understand the symbolism of you & DH staying at AKL instead of going to Africa, but wouldn't you rather stay with your family for this vacation? I know I would! I would feel very isolated if I were at one resort -- even a fabulous resort like AKL -- and all the rest of my family were together at another resort. Why don't you & DH stay at POR with everybody else so you can really visit with them, and plan a meal at Boma at AKL for the whole group? I think staying at the same resort would make the trip a lot more special for all of you.

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, you may want to consider an airport hotel and using HOTWIRE or some other bidding for travel spot?? I asked for help on these boards and got lots of helpful info before I did it for the first time last April. I ended up with the hotel inside the airport(VERY luxurious)for a GREAT price!! A tip I recieved was to bid about 1 week out. We checked in and ate at the hotel's restaurant then went to bed. Next morning we rented our car and the hotel loaded our luggage for us and we grabbed a quick breakfast in the airport. Since you are staying at AKL(and the rest of the family is not) you may want to consider renting a car for you and DH?? Car rentals are generally cheaper if you make one far enough in advance(you can also cancel anytime)also check on Mousesaers for codes,coupons and deals. This way you and DH can join family at POR and make a OUICK GETAWAY when you want some alone time! ENJOY! Joan

 

[wvdislover]

We had a similar scenario when we went back in Sept. We weren't arriving at our hotel until after 9pm, so we didn't want to foot the bill for AKL that first night. I checked into a "cheap" hotel for that first night, but when I looked at reviews of those hotels on another website, I read some really scary things, like someone waking up to find a rat staring at him on the bedside table in the middle of the night! And this was the hotel I was very seriously considering. We ended up staying at a value resort our first night (ASMu) and then moved to AKL the next morning. We had rented a car, since we flew into Sanford, rather than MCO, so we didn't have an issue with moving our luggage. As I understand it, though, WDW will move your luggage from one resort to another free of charge (now, as to how quickly you'll get it, I don't know ). Good luck in your decision! Have a great trip!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I wonder if ME could deliver your bags to AKL instead of the value. You would bring a carry on with what you needed and you wouldn't have to worry about hauling your luggage around. Next day you could cab it over to AKL the fare would be really cheap because the ALL Stars is close to AKL.

AKL is beautiful I think it a great way to bring Africa to your husband instead of bringing your husband to Africa.

Also... WOW you are extremely generous for springing for your family to join you. What a lovely thing to do. If money is tight, have you considered booking the 5 other rooms at a value?

God Bless and Good Luck !