One night at any hotel (aiming for < $500) - where would you choose?

[bsmcneil]

ETA: Crud. I hit enter too soon and there were some things I couldn't control. SO - I simplified places that have Hotel & Villas. Left off the worst performers (though you can mention it in the comments). And if you'd be so kind, if you choose something with multiple options (e.g., CBR/CSR/POR or Resort/Villa), please let me know which you were thinking! Also, fyi, I did check and these are (at the moment) available (even for one night). If you choose two, can you tell me which is #1 and #2? And anyone can feel free to ask questions, make other suggestions, etc. And finally, sorry - for whatever reason, the poll question is super hard to read on my screen (white with a light gray background?). So, it's: "Which Would You Choose for One Night Stay (pre 7d @ AKL)?"

Now - to the real post:

In late Jan, I have a DVC rental (AKL Jambo) but I decided (way after signing the agreement) that it would be good to have a travel day planned. So, we're now flying in the day before. I've decided to stay on-site (I think) given the ease of "split-stay" stuff like luggage transfer (and not having to pay for an uber, etc to get from an off-site hotel to AKL or a park. Originally (and still) my goal was to be as cheap as possible. I missed out on the All-Stars, unfortunately (which would've been about 20 dollars cheaper). So, my choices are listed above (I think).

Points to consider:

• I'd really like it to be as cheap as possible.
• The current room I have (AoA - LMStandard) is 212 (excl tax) and I can live with that. And, if it really is worth it, I might be willing to budge a little.
• Kids have never (really) been (oldest went at 2.75, doesn't remember a ton - we stayed at AKL on that trip).
• They're not necessarily sold on any 1 particular movie or characters (at least with lodging connections - Stitch is our thing here, plus other newer stuff on D+ and some Frozen stuff).
• I don't anticipate coming back for a while.
• First day (travel) - plan is to settle in somewhere, maybe go to DS, maybe go to the pool, etc.

I've stayed:

1. Off-site (several trips - though on-site only after 2002)
2. All-Star Movies (1 trip) - not available this trip
3. All-Star Sports (1 trip) (if Sports was open, I'd want it as my oldest would LOVE it) - not available this trip
4. Pop Century (2 trips, I believe) - not available this trip
5. Polynesian (1 trip) - (9/10 - loved it so much). +385 for either Resort or Villas
6. Contemporary (1 night) - (7/10 - liked it, kids may like it, too). +554 BLT,
7. Animal Kingdom Lodge/Jambo Villas (1 trip Lodge and 1 trip to Jambo Villas) (8/10, obviously like it but since we're there for the next week, seems like overkill - though it does make it easier to transition to the DVC room) +223 (for Lodge or Kidani), +380 (Jambo Villas)

The other resorts:

• Wilderness Lodge (10/10 - though cost makes it more like 5-6/10) +204 WL, +523 BRV
• Cabins at Ft. Wilderness (9/10 - I think I'd love this so much but the cost is too much and I'm not sure what the kids would think) +210
• Art of Animation (6/10 - cool place/kid friendly, especially for the just one night, skyliner which I haven't done) +0 (current reservation)
• Beach Club Villas/Resort (5-6/10 - but for the cost) +299 BCV, +322 BCR
• Yacht Club Villas/Resort (5-6/10 - but for the cost) +522 YCR
• Boardwalk (5/10 - would've been higher for me but cost and I don't think it'll hook the kids as much) +475 BWV, +582 BWI
• Coronado/Caribbean/Port Orleans (4-5/10 - like SS and OKW, they're sort of meh for me but I've honestly never tried them. Cost is better though). +27 for CSR, + 43 for CBR/POR
• Riviera (5/10 - really not sure) +404
• All-Star Music (5/10 - not ideal theming but good price) - not available
• Saratoga Springs/Old Key West (2-3/10 - they're just meh for me) +208 OKW, +777 SS
• Grand Floridian (1/10 - not my style) +518

 

[SuperJ]

How old are the kids? If you're planning a pool day, I would bump up to a moderate to get nicer pool with a waterslide (assuming Yacht/Beach is out because of price). If they're younger, like characters, and don't care about a slide, then AoA is probably fine for your needs. There's also a risk in winter that the weather may not cooperate for a pool day. Not sure when you're staying in Jan but check the dates because there's a scheduled skyliner closure and, if that was a factor in choosing, that may affect your decision. As for the moderates, theme at CSR is not great for littles, but teenagers may not care and pool is good. Of the other two, since cost is the same, I think I would recommend POR over CBR given your potential plans (and same comment for CBR about the skyliner) because the sea monster water slide is a hit with kids, there's a second pool with a slide at Riverside, and, if you do Disney Springs, you can take the boat right there. French Quarter has a few statues around the pool area (musician crocodiles, i think), though not anywhere near the level of the statues at the values. Also beignets.

If you decide to splurge, the cost increase between WL and the cabins, which look like your two top choices, is negligible and for $6 I'd rather have the additional space and privacy of the cabin than just a hotel room. I think FW is the best for an "activities day" because of the extra campsite-type offerings (biased because that was where my family always stayed when i was growing up in FL, back when it was affordable!). And those may end up being more "winter friendly" than a pool day but, unlike the pools, you're not required to be a resort guest to sign up (unless that has changed since covid. i would recommend re-confirming if any interest you) so those could be an option regardless of which hotel you choose.

 

[bsmcneil]

How old are the kids? If you're planning a pool day, I would bump up to a moderate to get nicer pool with a waterslide (assuming Yacht/Beach is out because of price). If they're younger, like characters, and don't care about a slide, then AoA is probably fine for your needs. There's also a risk in winter that the weather may not cooperate for a pool day. Not sure when you're staying in Jan but check the dates because there's a scheduled skyliner closure and, if that was a factor in choosing, that may affect your decision. As for the moderates, theme at CSR is not great for littles, but teenagers may not care and pool is good. Of the other two, since cost is the same, I think I would recommend POR over CBR given your potential plans (and same comment for CBR about the skyliner) because the sea monster water slide is a hit with kids, there's a second pool with a slide at Riverside, and, if you do Disney Springs, you can take the boat right there. French Quarter has a few statues around the pool area (musician crocodiles, i think), though not anywhere near the level of the statues at the values. Also beignets.

If you decide to splurge, the cost increase between WL and the cabins, which look like your two top choices, is negligible and for $6 I'd rather have the additional space and privacy of the cabin than just a hotel room. I think FW is the best for an "activities day" because of the extra campsite-type offerings (biased because that was where my family always stayed when i was growing up in FL, back when it was affordable!). And those may end up being more "winter friendly" than a pool day but, unlike the pools, you're not required to be a resort guest to sign up (unless that has changed since covid. i would recommend re-confirming if any interest you) so those could be an option regardless of which hotel you choose.

8 (basically 9 as they'll turn 9 the day after we leave) and 5. We are doing a pool day at AKL (mid-way through the trip) though I also expected we'd have some pool time on our arrival day (so, you make a good point).

It does seem that we can use the Skyliner (I realize that's subject to change) - but the times I've asked about it, it seems like it would still work for the AoA station.

You make a good point about the Cabins - we wanted to try out Trail's End and/or PB (or whatever it's called), lol. It may be too much space for us (1 dad, two kids) - but it seems so relaxing to me (I honestly haven't been to Ft. Wilderness but I absolutely adore WL and want to save up to stay there sometime).

 

[bsmcneil]

Honestly though - I wonder if the kids would be disappointed to go from that to AKL? I felt like that was less of an issue with AoA

 

[SuperJ]

AoA is probably totally fine for them. The resort areas and the pools would be a hit with that age. And the room is definitely more kid-themed.

As for the cabins, that actually seems like the perfect number of people - one adult for the bed and a kid for each bunk. We used to go as a family of 5 (kid in each bunk, parents in the bed, and one kid on the what was then a murphy bed in the living room and is now a pull-out couch). We loved it there because the "hotel" had space to play outside and a picnic table for meals - I think my parents booked it for the $$ savings because we usually did all breakfasts and dinners at the cabin. I can't say about disappointment - you know your kids - but obviously AKL would be less space than a cabin and theming there is more "adult" but I think it's one of the most beautiful resorts. The cabins of course aren't character themed either. I'd say WL is probably the closest in terms of a similar style/vibe to AKL and also no characters, which is good if you don't want change but bad if you want two totally different things (and if you want that, AoA to AKL is definitely that, but in a good way). If you want that super kid-friendly vibe for them for a night and to save $, I think AoA is probably is the way to go (staying there with my 6 year old niece next month. she saw it on a TV commercial and has demanded to visit "the Mermaid hotel" since). Good luck deciding!

 

[BrotherCraig]

When we priced most of those hotels, they were mostly over $500. Caribbean beach was $340 a night so we chose that one. We enjoyed it but probably would not stay there again. Skyliner was awesome. Not a big fan of exterior motel style doors/walkways. I like interior. Most of the Deluxe resorts were over $700 a night so we went CB. Glad we did it. Riviera was very nice when we visited and would love to stay there. Busses and skyliner were great from there. Zero complaints. For one night and going to DS only, I would go with Riviera. Can always take the skyliner over to Epcot and walk over to the Boardwalk as well. With kids, Wilderness Lodge.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Keep it cheap. Sleep in that morning, pack up, hit Disney Springs and then head to your next hotel.

Also, things go wrong in traveling. I never advise people make big splurges on arrival night because the end result can be you arrive super late or even the next day if your airline gets other ideas for your ticket.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I just chose Coronado for price (only deluxes available otherwise) for a holiday weekend. Their pool complex is pretty cool, and it's near AKL. but it's not really close if you're going to a park other than AK.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Loved the Riv. Beautiful and all under one roof. We usually pay more than that though. Think our rate for one br was upper $600's last year.

 

[Marthasor]

I voted for AoA. It's not my favorite resort (I find it to be a bit loud), but for one night, with small kids, I think it would be really fun. You could spend the time touring the resort and seeing all of the big statues, ride the Skyliner over to the Boardwalk and enjoy some time over there - there is plenty to do to keep yourselves entertained and it meets your criteria of keeping it cheap. I have a hard time splurging on one-night stays when I realize I really only have the room from 3 pm until 11 am the next day - not even 24 hours.

 

[focusondisney]

It does seem that we can use the Skyliner (I realize that's subject to change) - but the times I've asked about it, it seems like it would still work for the AoA station.

This is from one of the restaurant pages on the Disney website:

“From January 23 through January 28, 2022, Disney Skyliner service between Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort and Epcot will be out of operation for refurbishment. Complimentary bus and FriendShip boat service will be available.”


AoA will run to CBR & you will transfer to Studios line, but the Epcot line won’t be running. So you won’t be able to get to Epcot, or those area resorts on the Skyliner. In case that matters to you.

 

[bsmcneil]

I'll consider it a win to just sit on the thing for a trip to CBR and back. The kids were split - youngest wanted the "pretty" Little Mermaid room. The oldest wanted the cabins.

 

[Carol_]

AoA is awesome. Right fit for your kids ages. Right price. And at least one kid gets what she wants. Get the other kid a cool gift… or have dinner at trails end, which rocks. Chip n Dale s’mores singalong thing is free, too.

 

[starry_solo]

Can you contact the broker to see if the owner has points available (and there is availability) to add on an extra night?

 

[loves to dive]

Given that you are only there for the night and the kids want to spend I go for whatever of the moderates is the cheapest. They have good pools with slides.

I love Swan/Dolphin. Right in the middle of Epcot/HS like YC/BC/BW but a lot less. Great pool and the rooms are slightly larger than WDW rooms. They aren't very "Disney" in that they are convention resorts but for one night, it shouldn't matter.

 

[kanerf]

You could try renting DVC points. I just rented out some of mine and made reservations for 1 night each for two families of 4. One at CCR and one at OKW.