HRH / AKL / Poly

[Southernswthrt1]

After much research, I think I have decided to stay at HRH for 3 nights (can't seem to make myself spend the extra $$$ for PBH), followed by 3 nights at AKL, followed by 2 nights at Poly. As much as I would absolutely love to spend 4 or 5 nights at Poly, I just don't think I can spend that kind of $$$ right now.

So does anyone out there think I'm crazy for splitting an 8 night trip into 3 different ressies? I could decide where to stay, so I'll just stay at all of them!

For all you Vet's out there...how difficult is it to switch hotels on Disney property? We plan on visiting Kennedy Space Center on the day we switch from AKL to Poly.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I think you're crazy. Three hotels in 8 days is a lot of work you just don't need.

While I would stay at Uni for my Uni days, I'd pick one hotel at WDW and stick with it. AKL vs. Poly? I dunno. Two of my favorites. Flip a coin there.

Switching hotels requires packing everything up - the wet and the dirty with the clean - and risking more wrinkles. It also means being out of one hotel early and into the next one (possibly) late, leaving you homeless for several hours - the busiest and hottest hours, the ones where you most want to be in your room. And it means more waiting at check-in.

Then there is the unpacking. And re-packing. All this packing and unpacking might not seem like a big deal while you're planning but it is a major pain in the patootie when you are vacationing. The less work and confusion you have, the better.

And if you're buying crap in the parks and having it sent to your hotel, you have to remember where you'll be and all that.

I can totally understand not wanting to pay for several nights at the Poly (or Portofino Bay.) But if you're switching to Disney, that's enough switching, IMO. If it's too many nights of Poly, go to AKL - it is a wonderful hotel, not second to the Poly in any way (except for the monorail and it won't kill you to park at the TTC and take a tram to the monorail.)

If your heart is set on it, though, I wish you all the luck in the world!

 

[DisneyWisher]

I disagree with the PP I think its a great idea. Definitely stay at Universal hotel when going to Universal. I've stayed at all 3 and HRH and PBH are great. So its a toss up. Though you aren't staying at PBH, I love their bathrooms its as big as a small bedroom, plus they have a deli/pizzeria for sit down and take out a lot cheaper than at HRH (we actually saved money by staying at PBH because of it) Ok enough about Universal.

Transferring from one Disney Hotel for another is easy. Just call down to Bell Services and let them know that you are changing resorts and they will handle the rest. The only drawback is that your luggage might not be at Poly til later in the day. When you arrive just call down to Bell Services and they will bring it to you.

A trick to the whole dirty laundry thing, do laundry the night before moving and dedicate a small luggage bag to dirty clothes. The washers and dryers at AKL are near the pool inside the building (you'd exit the building to get to the pool and Mara's). Plus by planning to do laundry you won't have to pack as much. I learned this several years ago. We pack less and don't have to lug around as much. Bring detergent from home, put in small zip lock bags. 1 scoop per baggie.

 

[raven69david]

Bring detergent from home, put in small zip lock bags. 1 scoop per baggie.

I agree with your post but packing a white-powdery substance in a ziplock bag is only asking for trouble when that bag goes through the screening machines at the airport. If it's packed in the luggage, they will break the lock off to inspect it once they spot it while going through the x-ray machine. Once they determine it to be detergent, they will clear it and zip it back up, however the bag will be permanently damaged. If it's carry-on, that will be a fun experience when you get pulled out of line and get a TSA agent all up in your business with the 40 questions routine.

In short, buy detergent at the hotel (they sell it there) and listen to the rest of what DisneyWisher stated in their post. Good advice.

If it was me, i'd stay at HRH and then pick 1 hotel to come back and stay for the rest of the trip.

 

[DisneyWisher]

I agree with your post but packing a white-powdery substance in a ziplock bag is only asking for trouble when that bag goes through the screening machines at the airport. If it's packed in the luggage, they will break the lock off to inspect it once they spot it while going through the x-ray machine. Once they determine it to be detergent, they will clear it and zip it back up, however the bag will be permanently damaged. If it's carry-on, that will be a fun experience when you get pulled out of line and get a TSA agent all up in your business with the 40 questions routine.

In short, buy detergent at the hotel (they sell it there) and listen to the rest of what DisneyWisher stated in their post. Good advice.

If it was me, i'd stay at HRH and then pick 1 hotel to come back and stay for the rest of the trip.

I'm sorry I live in FL and drive to Disney, didn't even think about airline security (sorry about that ) . We pack it in shoes, so if it spills it won't ruin anything. Shoes always get packed into a garbage bag before the suitcase.

 

[Southernswthrt1]

First off...DH already thinks I'm crazy! ha ha...Since we'll be driving, I don't think the detergent will be a problem! Honestly, I was also considering SSR (due to its close proximity to DTD). The problem is that I had my heart set on Poly, but I can't convince DH that's it's worth it.

plus they have a deli/pizzeria for sit down and take out a lot cheaper than at HRH (we actually saved money by staying at PBH because of it)

. DisneyWisher - I'd like to hear more about your experiences at HRH and PBH!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Praise2Him]

We did almost the same thing when it was just DH and I for our 20th anniversary. We stayed 3 nights at Portofino Bay, 3 nights at the YC and 2 nights at AKL. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again, unless I had small children. That would make it a little more difficult!

 

[chyam]

I agree with your post but packing a white-powdery substance in a ziplock bag is only asking for trouble when that bag goes through the screening machines at the airport. If it's packed in the luggage, they will break the lock off to inspect it once they spot it while going through the x-ray machine. Once they determine it to be detergent, they will clear it and zip it back up, however the bag will be permanently damaged. If it's carry-on, that will be a fun experience when you get pulled out of line and get a TSA agent all up in your business with the 40 questions routine.

In short, buy detergent at the hotel (they sell it there) and listen to the rest of what DisneyWisher stated in their post. Good advice.

If it was me, i'd stay at HRH and then pick 1 hotel to come back and stay for the rest of the trip.

I have NEVER had a problem with this, I always pack powdered Tide in my suitcase, on the outside of the Ziploc I write tide, ziplocs are made for reclosing. And my suitcases have been inspected and have also gone through uninspected. I would much rather bring a detergent from home that I know I am not sensitive to than purchase something at a resort that I may not tolerate not. Secondly you aren't really allowed to lock your luggage, only with a TSA approved lock, which they can open easily without ruining it. I fly several times a year and like I said I have never had a problem with laundry soap in my luggage. I also put dryer sheets in, not only to use in the dryer but it also keeps my clothes smelling good in the suitcase.
I do agree about the HRH I stayed there in January and IMO I found the rooms to be much nicer, the showers much nicer and the over all room to be nicer than any of the moderates or for that matter the WL. I too would chose the HRH and only move to WDW to 1 hotel.