Opinions Please - 1 day mini-trip (Contemporary or AKL)

[ameliahyde]

Hi Dis'ers. We are planning a one day/one night mini trip to WDW on Labor Day. We are spending the Saturday and Sunday at New Smyrna Beach with some friends, and then plan to drive early on Labor Day to spend the day and evening at WDW. We are planning to stay Deluxe so we can be close to a park to spend the day at. We were at WDW in November and April, so a short trip is okay. Here's the debate - whether we should do 1 day at AK and AKL or 1 day at MK and the Contemporary.

On a our last trip, my kiddos (two girls, ages 4 and 6) had a great time at AK. The really enjoyed Wilderness Explorers, and my 6 year old LOVED Expedition Everest. AKL looks like a great resort, and our flight leaves at 3pm on Tuesday, so it looks like there's a lot to entertain us in the morning. However, I've also thought about staying at the Contemporary and going to MK. MK is always a huge hit - there are more rides that everyone can enjoy and it has guaranteed later operating hours - plus we can walk there and back from the Contemporary. We have never done Sorcerers of the MK before, and I thought that would be really neat, and I think my girls would love the cards.

Which would you choose? My husband thinks AK would be more relaxing, but I think waiting until our next trip to go there makes sense with Pandora opening next year and the unknowns in place about Rivers of Light. However, I agree that it is a little slower paced and there are a few new offerings.

I'd love your opinions please! You Dis'ers always have a fresh perspective on things. Thanks!

 

[ellie05]

If the new entertainment is open by then I would choose AKL.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would do AKL. There are so many new offerings there and Jungle Book will most likely still be showing if ROL isn't open yet. AKL's hours have been extended until 11 pm, so their hours should rival MK's. AKL is also a much nicer resort than AKL. I would much prefer going to the AKL pool than CR's which is in terrible need of an upgrade.

 

[bsb]

I would personally do MK. For such a short trip I would want as much in your face Disney as possible, and to me that is MK and staying at the CR. You would also be spending less time on transportation. I would spend your non park morning doing a character meal at one of the monorail resorts.

 

[joanchris]

We just got back from a trip and stayed at AKL for a couple of nights. It was a great resort! We also stayed at Bay Lake Towers, so were close to Mk as well....For just a one day trip, I would choose AKL/AK. I think there's so much to do at MK that you'd feel like you couldn't complete it, while a day at AK would feel more complete for that park.
If you're just doing AK/AKL, while you know it's Disney, it's a totally different DIsney feel than the other parks.

 

[Skywise]

If you like AK I'd say do AK because of the short time -

On the other hand - You'll have quicker access to MK from the Contemporary which could save you about an hour, plus fireworks viewing and/or a good view of the electrical water parade at night.

 

[quinnc19]

If you plan on using the pool much, I would recommend AKL.