Just back GF/AKL/HRH/BC!!!

[grumpyandbashful]

Long story, but I just got back from my longest ever trip to WDW/US. Arrived at the GF for a meeting July 12 - got lonely and sent for my 13 y.o. DS to join me early (rest of family was supposed to arrive July 18, but DS came down early ). Neither of us were that happy with the GF, and since most of my meeting was over, we requested a transfer to the AKL (our favorite resort). GF desk wasn't helpful (told me I couldn't move since I had a special contracted rate for the meeting), so I called AKL directly from our room and they magically and happily arranged a transfer for us - we moved to the AKL that evening!
The rest of the family (DH, DD 15 and DS 17) arrived the 18th - we picked them up (had rental car) and headed to the Hard Rock Hotel for 2 nights - just enough time to hit all the USF/IOA highlights with FOTL access.
Next we headed to the Beach Club for the last 6 nights.

General Thoughts:

GF - very "pretty" resort (too pretty for my 13 yo DS!). Nice quiet pool, beautiful landscaping. Has a more sedate feel than the other resorts.

AKL - This is our whole family's fave resort - when DS and I moved there from the GF, we felt happy and at home immediately. We were given a pool view room (we had to accept a room with a rack rate equivalent to the discount rate I had at the GF), but we were perfectly happy with this. Love the lobby, love the pool, Mara has nice variety. We'll be back here on our next trip.

HRH - We couldn't get an upgrade (I requested nicely) as hotel was at 98% occupancy - but we got a very nice 6th floor garden view looking towards the boat dock. HRH is great for access to the parks. Only disappointment at USF was not being able to see Shrek - no express line anymore, and the waits were outrageous.

BC - we decided to revisit the BC this trip, which is where we used to stay when the kids were younger. We wanted to be close to Epcot. Rooms were very pretty, pool was great of course (though crowded). We walked in and out of Epcot most days. Still we missed the AKL and will stay there next time. BC was very crowded with lots of small children, and now that our kids are teens, we prefer a quieter resort. Also, we had 1st floor rooms facing the forest. Nice location, except very loud noise from the hallway morning and night from people passing back and forth - VERY loud!!

July - I enjoy every visit to WDW, but never again in July - heat was incredible. Crowds were heavy but manageable (except MK - yikes!). Went to TL 2 hours before closing and it was packed

Ask any questions you'd like .

 

[Pan's Dad]

hi there,

i am frantically working on a vac plan for end of aug/beg of sept - have never been in the summer and only taking my fam (wife, 10 and 11yr old) because their cousins are going then...i love wdw but am concerned about the heat, humidity and rain they talk about. the plusses are the lower rates, less crowds, and cousins will be there.

looks like we will stay at a tshare for a wk and due to the rates, i am looking at AKL for 3 nites as have never stayed there and it sounds nice.

my question is in regards to your comment about not returning in the summer - was it that bad? i read most people go to the parks in the am, swim in the afternoon and go back at nite. (we are from upstate NY -- )

thanks.

 

[johnsonet]

Welcome home! I just got back yesterday You stayed at some of my FAVES! We were lucky and had not a drop of rain and 4 days out of 5 were dry heat rather than Humid heat (many of you KNOW the difference I'm talking about...)
I absolutely LOVE AKL and am just so happy to have so many choices at WDW! AKL is fantastic - love to hear that it's your favorite
We were at GF July 21-24 then moved to BWI which is exceptional.
Walked into BC and YC and would like to try one or the other but not sure I can tear myself away from BWI CL and AKL
What a nice long trip you had!
( It was more crowded than I thought it would be...)
Glad you had fun!

 

[sari80]

We just got back from a 3 night stay at WDW after staying in Ft Myers for 4 days. Although we have been to WDW in the summer before, we had been there in August. I noticed that the parks seemed much busier in July than in August. I also thought it was much hotter. The heat was bearable in the parks as long as you were in the shade - even Animal Kingdom seemed relatively cool out of the sun. There did not seem to be as much humidity as we have here in Iowa. I was surprised. I think the August vacation will be fine. Just be sure to take some afternoon breaks to use the pool or enjoy your air conditioned room. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, too. Our favorite! Have fun.

Sara

 

[gm]

I am glad you had a great time!!! We also were on the 6th floor at the Hard Rock facing the boat and garden. It was a very nice and clean room.

By the way(learned it the hard way), they still have express for Guest staying at Universal resorts for SHREK 4D. There is no sign but when you show your hotel room key to the attendant, he lets you in.

We also didnt see the express sign anywhere and we never bothered to ask the attendant so we missed out but when we came back, I posted on the Universal boards and they said that you ask the attendant by showing your hotel key and they let you in.

 

[grumpyandbashful]

Pan's Dad - go ahead and enjoy your visit at the end of the summer. It will be hot and probably rainy, but the crowds will have thinned out considerably, and that will make all the difference in the world. You should have a good time and hopefully you will really love the AKL!

About Shrek 4D - I'm really upset now that I know we could have seen it! I asked an attendant and he said that there was no express line at all, so I assumed we couldn't have FOTL. I think I'll email HRH and tell them that they should mention this to their guests when they check in. We were bummed that we couldn't see Shrek!

 

[jcanary]

Pan's Dad
We are from the same neck of the woods - I am from Rotterdam. For the past 12 years we have always gone either July or June. We love it. Our kids are now in their 20;s and older teens and they love to be on their own. We do practice the ritual that we go to the parks first thing in the morning, meet for lunch and then do the pool, shopping or do boats since we get the family boat and bike plan. Sometimes my DH and I will just stay at the pool while the kids do the boats. There is so much to do at WDW then just the parks & this is one way to enjoy it. Just took some neighbors down at the end of June and they loved it. Sometimes they spent all day in the park and didn't mind it. It was 92-93 every day. We stay at BCV or OKW so we have lots of room. It nice to go down with less clothes too, you know it is going to be hot so you only pack shorts, etc. Twice we have gone in the winter and always had larger suitcases because you didn't knowi f it was going to be hot or not (one year we arrived on NY's day and it was 90). As long as you expect the heat and don't plan on doing the parks in one day - take your time and enjoy the little things.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We arrived at HRH on July 15 and stayed through the 18th. They did allow us to use express FOTL on Shrek. We left on the 18th and stayed at GF until 26th. Wasn't it a wonderful week. We changed hotels too. We tired POR because the rate was so good but missed our GF so much we only lasted 3 hours at POR. Both hotels were really good about switching us (they still gave us AP rate at GF) and moving our luggage.

 

[grumpyandbashful]

Yes, I've found out on the Universal boards that we could have seen Shrek - it sure wasn't obvious, though!
Weather was nice for July in that there was only one rainstorm - early in my trip. Heat didn't get really bad until the last few days. I think it's the crowds that get to me the most! I wanted to go to Blizzard Beach, but after our experience at TL, we decided not to go. I saw a man getting on a WDW for BB in the late afternoon, and the bus driver told him "Are you sure you want to go there? It's too crowded."