Need advice on split stay or...

[pixiedustaholic]

a way we can book without the dining package for the entire stay. We like the dining package but we are looking at doing Sea World and Islands of Adventure on our next trip so there will be a couple of days that we won't need it.

We are looking at staying at the AKL. (1st time not staying at a value!) I thought about making 2 different reservations...or is there a better way? Thanks for any advice!

 

[Reagan&Co.]

It sounds like we might be wanting the same things! We want to stay a bit at Disney (taking advantage of the room only sale and free Disney passes) and then do Universal. I don't much like the idea of changing hotels a few times, but it only makes sense, I think.

We are very budget minded, so I am thinking we will stay in a regular hotel the first night, then do a Disney moderate or deluxe two nights, then a Universal resort a few nights (to take advantage of the fast pass thing). All this depends on the pricing...if we have to, we could check into ANOTHER, cheaper hotel, but hopefully prices will be decent!!!

I guess if we pack rather light and have our own car to transport luggage, it's not that big of a deal to move around????

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

If it were me, I would go ahead and do the dining plan for the whole trip. Then, I would have a couple of days where I booked both a breakfast and a dinner to use those other credits. Or, I'd book an early breakfast buffet like Boma before heading to SW so I didn't have to buy food at that park (I thought it was pricier than Disney when we went in 2008). You could also do some 2-credit TS meals with the extra credits. Any extra CS credits could also be used for breakfast on park days.

 

[rie'smom]

a way we can book without the dining package for the entire stay. We like the dining package but we are looking at doing Sea World and Islands of Adventure on our next trip so there will be a couple of days that we won't need it.

We are looking at staying at the AKL. (1st time not staying at a value!) I thought about making 2 different reservations...or is there a better way? Thanks for any advice!

I'd book at WDW w/the dining package for the first part of your trip. Then, I'd book a room at one of the Universal on site hotels for the last part. We've stayed at all of them and love the Royal Pacific. A few very important reasons to stay at a Uni on site:

1. Foremost is the Front of the Line Access. You show your room key, go into a separate line entrance and wait 5-10 minutes at most. Sometimes, there are no lines!

2. The parks are walking distance from the resorts. You can take a bus or a boat but you have the option to walk. We walk all the time. it's gorgeous!

3. You are in a true deluxe hotel not a Disney version of deluxe.

4. You end your trip relaxed. Staying at an on site allows you to sleep in, get to the parks whenever you want, and there's no running around like a maniac to get Fast Passes. It's very leisurely.

5. Depending upon when your trip is scheduled, the Harry Potter area may be open if you like Harry Potter.