DVC resort or AKL concierge??

[bartty]

Which would you do? We have ressies at AKL concierge for Jan and am going to see availability at BW/BC/WL at 7 mth window. Traveling with DDs 4,2,1 and DH. We will be going midweek and value season, hope we can get a room at the 7 month mark. We've never stayed at any of the epcot hotels or AKL... only our home resort (which we love). Just want to try something different... Thanks!

 

[polly p]

We had this same debate. We opted to AKL and it was great. The kids loved seeing the animals we had a deluxe savannah view and couldn't ask for a better room. It was a hike from the lobby but that didn't bother us. Next trip again we debated on 2BR villa or poly and chose poly. My family has decided they don't want to stay in the same place twice until we have done it all. if you do decided on AKL, be sure to have coffee on the balcony about 7-8am. I got to watch as they fed the animals. It was a great sight. I woke up the whole room to come watch. The pool was a great hit with the kids too.

We also did VWL and loved that too. Great pool. The kids loved this resort also. If you want to have full kitchen for breakfast, lunch, etc then you need to go with a DVC resort. That is the biggest decision.

 

[lisareniff]

AKL concierge was a great experience for us, loved it, other then that we have only stay at the BCV and Poly. However with the ages of your kids I would go with a DVC 1 or 2 bedroom. There is nothing like having a kitchen and washer/dryer with 2 and 1 year olds. The concierge lounge is nice but can be far away from the rooms for convienence and you would only have the one room. You could combine the AKL and DVC in one trip, AKL on the weekend and DVC for Sun-Thurs, and get the best of both worlds. I think I would hold off on AKL for just a couple years.

 

[bartty]

Thanks for the info. I would love to do a split stay but we are doing 4 nts on land then moving on to 4 nts at sea w/ dcl. Cannot wait! Only have 7 more months to go

 

[zulaya]

We did AKL concierge once...we wanted to try concierge and do the Sunrise Safari.

The lounge was on the other side of the resort from our room and we only stayed one night. We had a great savannah view, but we had a great savannah view before non-concierge as well.

It was great to do it once, but I am not hot to trot to go back. I did miss my kitchen, even for one night.

I'd say go for it once, maybe not this trip, maybe on a future trip.

 

[CarolMN]

You didn't use points for your AKL stay, did you? If you did, you aren't going to be able to cancel that ressie and then use the points to stay at a DVC resort.

Best wishes -

 

[bartty]

No, If there is one thing I learned from the DIS it's use your points for dvc only. So, I got a cash reservation via CRO. I will just have to wait for my 7 month window to open up and we'll see. If BW is available, then I'll cancel AKL ressies.

 

[CarolMN]

No, If there is one thing I learned from the DIS it's use your points for dvc only. So, I got a cash reservation via CRO. I will just have to wait for my 7 month window to open up and we'll see. If BW is available, then I'll cancel AKL ressies.

Unless you have your heart set on a standard view or a Boardwalk view, I really don't think you are going to have a problem getting into the BWV in January even though you won't be able to book until the 7 month window opens. Even a standard view or a guaranteed Boardwalk view isn't impossible - it's just not nearly as probable as getting a PV-Pool/Garden.

Best wishes -

 

[bartty]

Thanks carolmn, just answered my next question!!! We would love a boardwalk view - the noise wont bother us even the little ones.... we live on TOP of an irish pub!!!!
I want to make sure this trip is perfect as it is our "welcome home dad" celebration at disney trip!!