MK resort or AKL?

[dlstc]

We (self, DH, DDs 8 and 6 and DS 1 1/2) are travelling to WDW in late May. We are currently booked at the AKL savannah view with bunk beds. However, TGM suggests a MK resort since we will be travelling back to our room for afternoon breaks. We previously stayed at the WL and LOVED it.

Here are my pros and cons:

AKL
Pro: animals (DDs would love them), bunk beds, dedicated buses to other parks, zero entry pool for little one

Cons: smaller rooms than PR or CR, distance from parks

MK Resorts
Pro: on monorail, bigger rooms, view of MK at night, close to CRT, CMs and WCC
Cons: no dedicated buses to parks, no bunk beds, smaller pools, no animals

I'm still leaning towards AKL since the distance from the parks isn't as much of an issue with the dedicated buses.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Diana

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Hi!

Oh boy, this is a tough one. I love the AKL, but the monorail resorts are really the best for those taking an afternoon break. Let me tell you the difference it makes.

Tell me more about your situation- who are you travelling with, which parks do you plan to do to and how many times for each, etc. PM me if you'd like.

Kirsten

 

[dlstc]

Thanks Kirsten!

Here's the lowdown:

DH is in a conference most of the week and doesn't want to go out much at night, plus the 1 1/2 yo usually goes to bed before 7 p.m. DDs (8 and 6) and I will be going out 3 times. Here's our itinerary right now. It may change some, but I'm pretty sure we'll just go to parks after dinner to see Wishes/Spectro/P&PP, Illuminations and possibly Fantasmic:

Sat 5/17: Check in, stay at hotel
Sun 5/18: CRT at 8:10 am/MK until afternoon, break, MGM for Fantasmic dinner pkg
Mon 5/19: CM at 9:30, BB until late afternoon, back to hotel for evening
Tues 5/20: AK with Breafastsaurus at 10:30, back to hotel for evening
Wed 5/21: Epcot Future World, back to hotel for break, leave DS with DH, girls back to MK for P&PP(if they have it)/Spectro/Wishes
Thurs 5/22: sleep in - MGM (maybe-not much there) or AK - dinner at Rainforest Cafe - back to hotel for evening
Fri 5/23: MK in AM, back to hotel for break, Epcot for Illuminations

I like this scenario, because we're not staying up late two nights in a row.

We are going back out on Sunday, Wed., and Fri. If we stay at AKL, we might take a taxi to MK for CRT and maybe CM, just to be sure we're there on time and not stressed out.

If we stay at Polynesian or Contemporary, we'll have potentially an extra 50 sq ft. for the 5 of us, which could make a difference since the crib/pack n play takes up space. Also, I love the Monorail. But what about the buses from there? The AKL does have dedicated buses, which is nice.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!
Diana

 

[time4Mickey]

We have chosen to stay at the Poly for our next visit so we could easily take an afternoon break with our little ones. This will be our second stay at the Poly and with the TTC right there it is was wonderful. The buses didn't seem to be an issue. We are working in 2 nights at the AKL also though. I was just too afraid to be that far away from the MK the whole trip.

Karen

 

[pepe of ohio]

We have stayed at AKL, one time for 3 nights. We couldn't get all the nights we wanted at the Poly so took 3 nights at AKL before moving. We idin't care for the AKL at all. We had Savannah, our room was a long walk from the lobby, we didn't like using buses for everything. Our vacation didn't really start until we moved to the Poly. That said, and that was a few years ago and trips too, we have been doing our stays at WL, Poly is very nice but way to pricey. WL serves our purpose just right, all under one roof, great themeing, boat access to MK, FW and CR to gain access to monorail. The rooms are slot smaller but for us 2 really just fine.

There is something about being on the lakes around the MK that infuses us with the Disney feeling, all the resort lights, EWP, fireworks from the MK and of course the monorail. Evening we can take the boat to CR, hop the monorail and spend some time doing the resorts lounges or shopping and boating back. We usually get a super rate through AAA on the WL and for that kind of money, being that close to where we spend most of our time, the MK, we seem to be in the thick of things a short hop away. We do take breaks in the heat of the day and the boat from the MK is quick and a nice ride and we do like going to EPCOT on the monorail which is easy to do via a boat to CR and monorail to TTC. Granted, we stay at least 10 nights and time is not a factor but we like a casual vacation with no rushing so using Disney transportation is not a big issue.

 

[heatherlynn444]

i ahve stayed at GF twice and Poly, and are staying AKL in 10 days .

anyway, the buses are not awdul from the MK resorrts...we had great experience with them. and you only have to take abus to AK and MGM. you would take the monorail to teh other two.

bigger rooms, i know the GF has a zero entry pool, think poly does too etc. etc.

BUT we are excited to stay at AKl for the animals and teh huge price difference! lol. very excited about staying somewhere cheaper lol.

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Hi Diane,

Based on your schedule, if your budget allows, I would say one of monorail resorts. Here are the room sizes at each of the monorail resorts--- GF 448 sq. ft, Poly 404 sq. ft. and CR 437 sq. ft. (AKL is 381). Let me know if you want me to send you the layout of each room.

The dedicated buses are nice from AKL, but there is nothing like the monorails. If baby is in bed by 7pm, the MK view at CR might be a good option so you can watch WISHES every night!

 

[rcraw45425]

Another vote for a monorail resort, since based on your ADRs you'll be spending a lot of meals in that area. CR gives the added bonus of walkling to the MK, plus you're the first monorail stop from the MK on the way "home". Have never stayed at AKL but have stayed at WL, I agree, the Pack & Play would take up a good bit of room. WIth your early morning CRT you would have to get up very early to get a bus to MK to be at CRT by 8:10. With the Polynesian you could take the monorail or the resort launch to the boat dock. From CR you could walk over, it takes maybe 15 minutes from the south wing of CR to the turnstiles. Plus you have the EWP in the evenings and Wishes also. I don't think you can see any fireworks from AKL. Also while the baby is napping/ sleeping, one of you could take the other children exploring around the resort, even hop the monorail and go to another one. We frequently do that on our arrival evening if staying in that area. We also enjoy EPCOT resorts for the same reason, lots to do on the Boardwalk at night and a view of the Illuminations fireworks too.

 

[newjmom]

Room- We stayed at AKL in November, my kids are 7,5, and 2. It was definitely a tight squeeze but doable. The PAk N play takes up the whole bathroom/ hallway area making it difficult to move around at night. This was not a big deal since my kids all went to sleep aboutthe same time.

Buses-were dedicated and I had no complaints but by the time you wait for a bus, get to your destination, walk thru security and into the park, and then walk out of the park and wait again to retun for a bus, we did not feel it was worth returning to the hotel for a break. Remeber between walking, waiting and driving this adds atleast one hour a day to your trip. SO even if we left the park at 1, got back at 2, took a swim that would be atleast 4 before we could head out again and when I was there the parks closed early. We compensated by leaving later in the am or retruning earlier at night. My husband always handled the stroller, with my 3 I could not handle collapsing and redoing the stroller with 3 kids by myself.

pool-zero entry pool at AKL was great and the water slide was perfect for all 3 of my kids. My younger too were afreaid of the Poly slide (its covered and long, you lose sight of them on their way up the stairs)..Also AKL pool can get cold as it is mostly shaded but my kids loved the hot tub (however they are not visible from the pool so we all had to make a move together to the hottub)

This was just my experience and preferences, HTH and have a great trip!

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

Hey Diana- PM me your email. I've been trying to PM you the room layouts but I can't for some odd reason.

Kirsten

 

[Flossbolna]

I think staying at AKL would not be so much more unconvenient for you. The monorail resorts are good for getting to the MK. But even there, I was not impressed with the time you need to get to and from the MK with the monorail. I think the monorail is really cool and I make a point of riding it when I am at WDW. But I actually think it is quite a slow means of transport. Once it arrives at your station it actually takes quite some time to unload and load all people, then you are off to the next stop, wait there... AKL has dedicated busses and we never waited too long for one of the busses (normally less than 5 minutes, a few time 10 and only once 15 minutes). Once your on the bus it takes 18-20 min to MK, 10 to Epcot and MGM and 3 to AK. If you want to go to the other parks from a monorail resort your bus will most likely make stops along the way and for Epcot you would have to transfer from one monorail to the other.

Looking at your schedule, I think you will not gain so much more time by staying at a monorail resort. Of course as others have pointed out, you will gain space. But this also comes at a price.