Help me decide: Fly or Concierge????

[Blondy876]

My DH and I have found a little more money for our Nov. vacation. We are staying at the AKL for 7 nights and I can't wait!!!! However I have a bit of a delimma. We have been planning on driving from South Jersey (about 16 hours) but when we found out about this extra money my dh assumed that we would use it for plane tickets. I however would prefer to use that money and upgrade to the concierge level of AKL. I'm working hard to convice him and since I'm doing all the planning I'll probably get what I want in the end anyway but I was hoping to get some of your opinions. I have never stayed in the concierge level before and I love the idea of being pampered while I'm there. We will have our 4 year old with us and I will (hopefully) be several months pregnant at that time. We haven't been to Disney in over 6 years but because of our dd and the pregnancy plan to take things at a slow pace, lots of down time and naps. Enough of my babbling, what would you do: fly or concierge and why? (BTW I have been on a two day car ride pregnant before and with lots of stops I'm OK, so that's not a concern) Thank you for reading this much too long post.

Jenn

 

[ducklite]

Well, I hate to drive or ride in a car, but if my choice was AKL concierge or a 17 hour car ride, I take the car ride.

Try to plan your trip so that you miss the DC rush hour traffic, it's brutal!

The concierge staff at the AKl really knows how to take care of it's guests. We've been fortunate enough to be able to stay with the twice now, and can't wait to go back again.

Make usre you book the Sunrise Safari. It does cost extra, but it's so worth it!

The AKL is a great place to just relax. There are childrens activities in the lobby every day, of course animal viewing 24 hours a day, and storytelling in the evening. They bring out night vision goggles at 10:00pm to view the animals with.

The offerings in the lounge are excellent, and the staff there makes sure that you are so well cared for.

Enjoy!

Anne

 

[packy]

I'd take the plane. For the extra $100 or so a night for concierge you can buy a lot of food. The I-95 corridor is difficult in the summer - construction, heavy traffic and delays. We live in Jersey (Monmouth County), sixteen hours is real optimistic - I would figure more like 20-24 hours if you are going in the summer.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

IMHO...

I agree with Anne. Take the time to drive...no airport hassles...no screening....etc...and once you get there..the AKL Conceirge service will make you forget any long drive times!

Either way..you still end up in WDW!

 

[LIFERBABE]

As someone who is always trying to maximize the Vacation Dollar, I would drive! Knowing that you will be pampered all week makes the drive worth it. Plus, as you stated, you will need more down time so the added amenities will make your stay nicer. We drive, but I make sure our lodging is top notch and that we want for nothing while we are there. It's a sacrifice, but worth it. We make frequent stops and the kids really enjoy the ride. We make it part of the experience.

A compromise could be to find a really great fare and split your stay between concierge and standard at AKL. Never done this and don't know if it is possible but just a thought.

 

[Disneymoon04]

Well, I love hubby2b dearly but anything more than about 6 hours in a car together and it's not a pretty sight. So my vote goes to plane tickets. BUT, if you've done road trips before and being confined in a small space for 20 hours doesn't get rub on each others nerves - go for concierge!

 

[msteddom]

I would fly. To me driving never seems like a bad idea, until you've been stuck in the car for 6 hours and realize you're not even halfway there. I like arriving feeling less tired and not have to deal with the loooong drive home as well. I think you will get much more out of having an extra day to relax whether it be before you leave, actually at WDW or when you get home.

 

[safetymom]

I would fly. Being pregnant in the car for that long will be hard. Consider it pampering yourself by flying.

 

[Demosthenes]

I'd fly. Speaking from experience, there is nothing worse than taking a relaxing vacation only to follw it up with two long days of driving back home, and then hopping right back into work the next day. If that doesn't ruin the effect of a vacation, nothing does.

 

[ronniek]

I would fly, too! Used to live in Trenton, NJ and made a trip to WDW by car once! That was enough...and there were no kids in the car and I wasn't pregnant (think of the "pit stops" that you will need to make). Treat yourself with a plane ride. Get there in 2 and half hours and enjoy the day.
If you do decide to drive...it is way longer than 16 hours...and if you don't want to get there in the middle of the night, you will have to stay overnight somewhere. We stopped in Jacksonville, FL. Good luck! ...after that long car ride, treat yourself to a massage at the spa at AKL.

 

[milmore104]

I just have a quick question, What do you really get w/ con.? A food spread and drinks 3 times a day and someone to help you make PS? This is all I've understood that you get am I missing something? Please let me know. I just can not justify spending the extra $100 a night for this seeing we would never use it. I enjoy making our plans. We never now for day to day when we get there where we are going so I usually make our PS in the morning right at the parks. And as for the food we would only be there for probably the breakfast and we don't eat a lot before we go out except for a character breakfast. If I'm missing something please tell me!
That being said would you benifit from this? I hate flying and would do whatever I could to not fly but I would rather "suck-it -up" than drive the 27 hours it would take us to get there. We love the fact that at 6am we are in NY and by 11am we are checking into our hotel. DH doesn't have to worry about getting us there or driving everyday! This is DH way of being pampered! So you might want to consider him! Just my 2 cents!
Nicki

 

[Blondiex46]

as a single parent my driving days are over (2 9 year olds) but if you have the time and someone else to drive then I would drive, cheaper (IMO) that is why I have driven every time cept once.

B

 

[ducklite]

Milmore--If you look at the cost of concierge from a "will I eat enough to break even" perspective, then the answer is emphatically no.

At some of the resorts there are other perks to concierge, free loaner strollers (as available) at the Polynesian, the Sunrise Safari at the AKL, and we hear about the ability to get otherwise sold out CRT CB from some GF guests.

There are also some added benefits which can't really have a price put on them such as upgraded toiletries, bathrobes in the room, and the lounge itself as an enjoyable place to relax and socialize.

If you are seldom at the resort, and enjoy making your own phone calls for planning, then it might not be the right thing for you. Only you can determine what is right for your family. Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

Anne

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

If I had to choose, I would opt to fly and give up concierge. We have only driven once and that was enough. The ride there is fine because hey we are going to Disneyworld, but the ride back at least for us was not the least bit enjoyable After seven days in close hotel quarters add another 20-24 hours in a car and we were one cranky family.

While concierge is a nice luxury, coming home from vacation still in a good mood is priceless.

Laura

 

[BounceyOne]

As a family that drove to WDW 3 times in the past year I vote for drive. We are in NY and it is a 17 hour drive for us. We have done it in all seasons including summer. In april we drove straight home and with pit stops it took 17 hours. Going down we usually stop overnight in south carolina somewhere.

I don't enjoy flying post 9/11. Its just not the same any more.

You might want to look into the auto train, it might be cheap enough for you to do and still stay concierge.

 

[crs7568]

My vote would definitely be to drive down. I have also done the drive while pregnant and my obstetrician said it was fine as long as you flex your toes every so often to keep the blood flowing appropriately to your feet. It is not a bad drive and we do it every year...sometimes twice a year. Go for the pampering!

 

[susy]

Is there any chance of adding "travel days"? I don't know if I would drive straight through with a small child and being pregnant. If you can stay overnight in a hotel your child will LOVE it. I lived in NJ until I was ten and we drove down to FL every year for vacation (usually Miami). The trip was so much fun. My mom made it fun. I would wrap little gifts and snacks to open every hour. Believe it or not, but we let my son do playdough in the car! I used to teach preschool and nothing calms a child down better! Just bring a little lap desk or tray for his activities, snacks. Don't forget an umbrella stroller . A VCR in a bag is a great idea.If you don't have one, maybe you can borrow one. A portable type potty is a good idea, too. My Dh and I found that if you start your driving around 4am , you make GREAT time between 4 and 8 (your child will most likely sleep during this time).. It slows down a bit during rush hour, but then picks right up again. I remember my parents always stopped at fun places with playgrounds and then we would stop at a hotel and go swimming and sleep. Next morning leave at 4 again.

Remember that when you finally arrive at AKL you will be whisked away to the concierge floor, be able to enjoy some snacks, have someone else make your dinner plans, and return to your room after turndown service. You won't have to make a grocery stop or lug tons of snacks with you. You are in more control of when you actually leave, too. You won't have to get to the airport by a certain time.

 

[nicurnc]

I think I would fly.
1. You are pregnant, you'll need to stop alot! for the babies sake , as well as your own comfort ( think poor circulation and blood clots )

2. Driving from NJ has become horrendous! I'm from there and make the trek from NC twice a year. Even though bypasses take you around DC, Baltimore, Richmond, it will still make your hair stand on end. Everybody is doing 80 mph in bumper-to-bumper traffic, although it does thin out some past Petersburg.

3. 16 hours is pretty optomistic. Where in South NJ. My sister in Toms River thinks of herself in South Jersey, but that is a good hour and a half from the sis who lives off exit 2. We can make it from her house to mine (approx. half-way to Orlando) in 8 1/2 hrs. That's with no traffic and one stop for gas and a bite to eat. We have made it to Orlando in about the same time.

While I think concierge would be a wonderful thing, whatever pampered feeling you would have will probably evaporate after a long, hot car ride, pregnant with a little one

Look to see if you can leave out of AC. I don't know if there is a non-stop out of there, but that would be ideal. Less airport hassle time and you'll arrive there and home fresher

Loretta

 

[Kitty 34]

I would definetly fly!!!

 

[Dana49]

I would split the stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and use some of the money to fly. Check out the prices for the flights and determine from that how many nights you can afford to go with the concierge level. You are going in November and depending upon when in November, the flights may be reasonable and there may be codes for the resort. I would use the concierge time at the end of my vacation. They may even give you a free upgrade for the length of your stay. The drive down is never bad, but the drive home is horrible. Enjoy!