Just sheer curiosity

[Mynamewastaken]

OK, lets say you are going to Disney with your two children aged 6 and 4. You are currently booked at POR in a RR for 5 nights and then switching over to a standard room at BWI for three nights ( RR for DD who wants to stay there and BWI because you always wanted to stay there and can swing it for a few nights but not a whole week). Then while booking a room for your sister you discovered (just by playing numbers) that for the same amount maybe slightly less you can stay in a standard room over at AKL...wwyd?

 

[Dis703]

Personally I would stick with BWI, but I have no interest in AKL. While the resort looks cool if I'm paying deluxe prices I want a great location and BW is a great location.

 

[TwistGrl101]

I think you will appreciate the convenience of the boat to DTD at POR and the boat/walk to Epcot/DHS at BWI. We always stay at BC, and something about being in one of the Epcot resorts around Crescent Lake is just magical. You will also be able to enjoy the Boardwalk at night and mini golf close by.
AK does not appeal to me, particularly because it lacks convenience to the parks. I just feel like staying in a RR and BWI will be more of a magical vacation for your family.
Of course, I am sure others will disagree with me and tell you how relaxing AK is, and how annoying it is to do a split stay (something I have never done.)

 

[wdwrich]

I'm a fan of split stays (like getting two vacations in one), so I would stick with your original plan. That being said, AKL is awesome and I would stay there as half of a split stay, but not for my entire vacation.

 

[DizDaD7]

Although I would love staying at more than 1 resort I am NOT a huge fan of split stays. Unless i was down there for at least 2 weeks or so, but that's just me. I would feel rushed with only an 8 night stay to me it wo to me it would feel like the vacation went a lot quicker.

 

[Tinkerkell007]

Hmmm...if it were ME I would stay at AKL for the whole trip. It really just depends how much you want to stay at BWI vs. AKL. If I have always wanted to stay at BWI then I'd probably just do the split stay.

 

[nkereina]

For me, the biggest appeal and justifier for the cost of deluxe resorts is location and alternate transportation options. AKL charges deluxe prices but is missing these factors, which is enough of a deterrent for me not to stay there (as beautiful as it is!). If I'm paying big bucks, I want prime location and no bus hassle. Since you can walk or boat to Epcot and DHS from BW, that would be my first choice.

 

[T. Baker]

AKL is quiet and has a very relaxed atmosphere and is very family friendly. We loved it there and it is now our favorite deluxe. There are a lot of things for children to do at AKL and the movie area is great. They have chaise loungers for you to sit on. We saw at Grand Floridian you have to sit on the grass to watch the outdoor movies. There is a fire outdoors with chairs around it and you can view the animals through night vision binoculars. The staff at AKL is outstanding. Each one we encountered went above and beyond for the guest.

Have a great time whatever you decide!!!

 

[princessallegra]

AKL is quiet and has a very relaxed atmosphere and is very family friendly. We loved it there and it is now our favorite deluxe. There are a lot of things for children to do at AKL and the movie area is great. They have chaise loungers for you to sit on. We saw at Grand Floridian you have to sit on the grass to watch the outdoor movies. There is a fire outdoors with chairs around it and you can view the animals through night vision binoculars. The staff at AKL is outstanding. Each one we encountered went above and beyond for the guest.

Have a great time whatever you decide!!!

This is so true! AKL the whole trip would be magical. It's beyond family friendly and luxurious.

 

[DizDaD7]

For me, the biggest appeal and justifier for the cost of deluxe resorts is location and alternate transportation options. AKL charges deluxe prices but is missing these factors, which is enough of a deterrent for me not to stay there (as beautiful as it is!). If I'm paying big bucks, I want prime location and no bus hassle. Since you can walk or boat to Epcot and DHS from BW, that would be my first choice.

True its a deluxe but not the same pricing.AKL that is. If you priced out 8 nights there vs. 8 nights at BW then by far BW is more expensive. That s the money that goes into the location of that resort. If they were the same price, im sure this would be a no brainer for the majority.

 

[DizDaD7]

Although I would love staying at more than 1 resort I am NOT a huge fan of split stays. Unless i was down there for at least 2 weeks or so, but that's just me. I would feel rushed with only an 8 night stay to me it wo to me it would feel like the vacation went a lot quicker.

 

[minnie mum]

Another one who is not a fan of split stays unless I'm there for a very long stay. However, I'd stick with the original plans. You selected these resorts for a reason, so why change now? Bookmark your AKL plans for a future stay.

 

[danceintherain]

You asked what I would do...

I'd stick with the split stay, because I've never stayed at either POR or BWI.
If you asked me the same question 4 years ago, I would have chosen and did choose the whole stay at AKL.
We LOVED our stay at AKL, but it's still the only Deluxe we've stayed at, so that's that. We got very similar rates for AKL that year and our stay at CBR a year and a half later, because of the available discount and the time of year.

Ultimately, only you can decide. I think 5 nights at POR and 3 at BWI sounds lovely, but I doubt I could convince DH to switch halfway through a vacation unless we were there for a REALLY long time.

 

[cjsm&d]

My family loved AKL... for the first couple of days we were there. Once the animal fascination wore off, we felt away from the action.

I think POR and BWI would suit my family alot more. We'd plan to do MK, AKL, and a nice boat ride to DTD while at POR, and walk ver to EPCOT from BWI while there and save time for a walk on the BW when the performers are out!

 

[nkereina]

True its a deluxe but not the same pricing.AKL that is. If you priced out 8 nights there vs. 8 nights at BW then by far BW is more expensive. That s the money that goes into the location of that resort. If they were the same price, im sure this would be a no brainer for the majority.

Yes, but AKL is still considered deluxe and charges more than moderate and value. Other than being aesthetically pleasing and having a balcony on your room, there's not much else that separates it from a mod that would justify the cost for me.

 

[mmmears]

I would leave it alone because with the split it sounds like both you and your DD will get to try the resorts that you really, really want to stay at. Plus, you'll have the convenient location when at the BWI.

AKL is amazing and definitely a deluxe -- and at a much lower price than other deluxe resorts -- but if it's not a place that you really want to stay at I would just keep what you are already happy with.