Opinions wanted!

[tgarre06]

Background: My family (me, husband, 4 yo DD and 1 yo DS) are flying in 2 nights before our cruise. My Dad and 16 yo brother are coming with us. We are flying in early in the morning, landing at 10am, while they are flying in late at night, landing at 10pm. Essentially it will just be my family utilizing the hotel for the first day. We just went to Disney and visited all 4 parks the beginning of last month, so we are not visiting any parks these days before the cruise. We are relaxing by the pool (hopefully it is warm enough), shopping and dining. We are currently booked in a deluxe room club level WL, which I'm really excited about, although a little nervous about construction, specifically by the pool. My DD will be sleeping with my husband and I, and my son is still in a packing play, so we only need 3 sleeping surfaces, so the deluxe works. The CheapTickets promo codes are now applicable for our visit, and we can book a suite at AOA, which I know my kids will love, for a good price. However, we've only ever stayed deluxe. The WLdeluxe is $1265 for the 2 nights. The AOA suite is $600 for the 2 nights. It is hard for me to gauge how much the club level is worth in dollars since I've never stayed Club before. And of course the deluxe resort provides additional amenities. Would you stay put or switch to AOA and save the $665? FYI I constantly flip flop on hotels every Disney trip!

 

[adisneyaunt]

Ur specifically not doing parks, I'd say the Amenties would then be most important ... i'd stay put and not go Value.
Enjoy!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you are used to deluxe, I personally, would not switch to AoA, especially if this is a resort-only trip. We stayed there once and it was very loud and uncomfortable. That being said, I would be nervous staying at WL with the construction as well. Have you thought about pricing out just a regular, non-CL room at one of the deluxes? Since your youngest is 1, you can all fit into any room that will sleep 5, so you could stay at any of the monorail or EP resorts and you would get two queens and a daybed in those rooms. Personally, I would drop CL if you can, and just book a room at Poly, GF, BC/YC or BWI.

 

[TristiK]

Personally,we are deluxe people and are happy to pay the difference. For a non park trip, I'd definitely stay with WL.

 

[tgarre06]

If you are used to deluxe, I personally, would not switch to AoA, especially if this is a resort-only trip. We stayed there once and it was very loud and uncomfortable. That being said, I would be nervous staying at WL with the construction as well. Have you thought about pricing out just a regular, non-CL room at one of the deluxes? Since your youngest is 1, you can all fit into any room that will sleep 5, so you could stay at any of the monorail or EP resorts and you would get two queens and a daybed in those rooms. Personally, I would drop CL if you can, and just book a room at Poly, GF, BC/YC or BWI.

If you are used to deluxe, I personally, would not switch to AoA, especially if this is a resort-only trip. We stayed there once and it was very loud and uncomfortable. That being said, I would be nervous staying at WL with the construction as well. Have you thought about pricing out just a regular, non-CL room at one of the deluxes? Since your youngest is 1, you can all fit into any room that will sleep 5, so you could stay at any of the monorail or EP resorts and you would get two queens and a daybed in those rooms. Personally, I would drop CL if you can, and just book a room at Poly, GF, BC/YC or BWI.

We picked the Deluxe Room because it had two separate rooms. I'm not sure we could all survive in one room, could be dangerous! We originally had 2 standard rooms at WL but with my pin code, it was only a few more dollars to upgrade to the deluxe CL room.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

For a resort only stay I would go with the deluxe CL room at WL.

I don't know much about the WL but are you able to see the water parade and Wishes from there? Also all the things I've read about at the Fort sound interesting.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

If you are going to make the resort the only destination during your stay; I would definitely stay with a Deluxe resort. And WL happens to be my favorite resort. We also make the resort part of our destination; the pool, dinning reservations, relaxing at the pool bar or in the lounge and exploring the resort and grounds.

 

[tgarre06]

If you are going to make the resort the only destination during your stay; I would definitely stay with a Deluxe resort. And WL happens to be my favorite resort. We also make the resort part of our destination; the pool, dinning reservations, relaxing at the pool bar or in the lounge and exploring the resort and grounds.

I think we eliminated AOA since we are not going to any parks. Price was enticing but....Now I'm now considering AKL Kidani 2 bedroom villa. $100 less than WL by renting points and everyone will have their own space, including 3 bathrooms instead of 1. We've stayed at AKL for at least a portion of our last 2 trips, and I feel like that is really a resort that we could stay at for 2 nights without leaving. Of course we'd be giving up the club amenities at WL still. What do you think?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think we eliminated AOA since we are not going to any parks. Price was enticing but....Now I'm now considering AKL Kidani 2 bedroom villa. $100 less than WL by renting points and everyone will have their own space, including 3 bathrooms instead of 1. We've stayed at AKL for at least a portion of our last 2 trips, and I feel like that is really a resort that we could stay at for 2 nights without leaving. Of course we'd be giving up the club amenities at WL still. What do you think?

Yes, I would switch to AKV. I love the DVC two bedrooms and you will have much more space than the WL deluxe room. With the $100 you save, you could purchase snacks, beverages, breakfast items, etc. and make your own private CL!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Wilderness Lodge is my favorite resort, but AKV 2 bedroom for less money would absolutely win out. A 2 bedroom provides so much extra room. As the previous poster said, I'd use that money and get food delivered from Garden Grocer for my own CL (hello Dr Pepper!) and just enjoy the extra space.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We just got back from a three-night WL trip at the end of November. We had your same booking category - Deluxe Room with CL access. I have lots of posts about the room, the location of the Deluxe Rooms, and the new lounge over on the Club Level Thread. The posting dates will be towards the end of November.

So you have six people, right? I'll be honest... it was just four of us and the WL Deluxe room was pretty cramped. Felt like we were all over each other the whole time. The bulky lodge-type furniture doesn't really help things. It wasn't that bad... certainly more room than a standard room... but I wasn't really in love with the room itself.

I have not stayed AKV but I'm tempted to think that a 2BR there may be the better way to go in your circumstances.

As to your "what is CL worth" question - that's a tough one to answer and it's different for different people. You'll never make the math work if you try to translate meals/drinks you may have in the club vs. what you would pay for somewhere else otherwise. CL will always be more expensive. You're paying for convenience. To us, we VERY much enjoy CL particularly with the ages of our kids. The new CL lounge just opened and it's beautiful. CL food was fantastic in my opinion.

Construction for us was a total non-issue in November.

Happy to answer any questions!

 

[tgarre06]

We just got back from a three-night WL trip at the end of November. We had your same booking category - Deluxe Room with CL access. I have lots of posts about the room, the location of the Deluxe Rooms, and the new lounge over on the Club Level Thread. The posting dates will be towards the end of November.

So you have six people, right? I'll be honest... it was just four of us and the WL Deluxe room was pretty cramped. Felt like we were all over each other the whole time. The bulky lodge-type furniture doesn't really help things. It wasn't that bad... certainly more room than a standard room... but I wasn't really in love with the room itself.

I have not stayed AKV but I'm tempted to think that a 2BR there may be the better way to go in your circumstances.

As to your "what is CL worth" question - that's a tough one to answer and it's different for different people. You'll never make the math work if you try to translate meals/drinks you may have in the club vs. what you would pay for somewhere else otherwise. CL will always be more expensive. You're paying for convenience. To us, we VERY much enjoy CL particularly with the ages of our kids. The new CL lounge just opened and it's beautiful. CL food was fantastic in my opinion.

Construction for us was a total non-issue in November.

Happy to answer any questions!

Thank so much for your input! I read over your threads, and your CL reviews are what really got me excited for the Club! However, now that I'm thinking more clearly instead of being blinded by my desire to finally stay Club, I don't think the deluxe room is going to be big enough. If you said it was tight with 4, I don't think it's going to work for us. My Dad is 6'2" and my brother is 6' and growing! With a pack n play thrown in there, and 1 bathroom, I'm afraid we may get on each other's nerves having no personal space. We have been staying on site twice a year for the last few years, so I doubt I'm not going to have another opportunity to try WL Club on a future trip. I think I'm going to go with AKV. We are still spending way more than AOA, but we will gain loads of space and all those AKL amenities. Plus Sanaa is our favorite restaurant thus far at Disney, so having that downstairs won't hurt!

 

[tgarre06]

Yes, I would switch to AKV. I love the DVC two bedrooms and you will have much more space than the WL deluxe room. With the $100 you save, you could purchase snacks, beverages, breakfast items, etc. and make your own private CL!

I'm liking that suggestion to make our own Club!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank so much for your input! I read over your threads, and your CL reviews are what really got me excited for the Club! However, now that I'm thinking more clearly instead of being blinded by my desire to finally stay Club, I don't think the deluxe room is going to be big enough. If you said it was tight with 4, I don't think it's going to work for us. My Dad is 6'2" and my brother is 6' and growing! With a pack n play thrown in there, and 1 bathroom, I'm afraid we may get on each other's nerves having no personal space. We have been staying on site twice a year for the last few years, so I doubt I'm not going to have another opportunity to try WL Club on a future trip. I think I'm going to go with AKV. We are still spending way more than AOA, but we will gain loads of space and all those AKL amenities. Plus Sanaa is our favorite restaurant thus far at Disney, so having that downstairs won't hurt!

Yeah, I've been there... you get your heart set on booking somewhere but you know deep down it's probably not the most practical.

At the end of the day I think WL could be totally fine - you'd make do just like anywhere, right? You always have the lounge which is kind of a second "living room" when people need to get away from the room.

But, from everything you've said, the number of adults, the fact that it's a resort-only trip, and you really like some of the AKL offerings anyway, I'm thinking that may be the better way to go.

Maybe save CL for a longer trip where you can slow down and enjoy it more?

Best of luck with whatever you decide. It's Disney no matter what.

 

[kwdw]

I think the switch to a 2 bdrm villa at AKV is a GREAT choice. That resort is a destination itself. With the savanna and great pool, it's an awesome place to just hang out.

 

[AshleeH]

We stay deluxe - I would not switch to a value. We've stayed one night at Pop (arrival night) and I have one night booked at AoA (departure night for my upcoming trip, after my family flies out) but that's enough for me. I've stayed in WL and AKL and would choose AKL every day of the week. WL wasn't bad, but AKL was so much better.

 

[tgarre06]

Well, we were able to secure points at Animal Kingdom Kidani in a 2 bedroom. Everyone is really excited! And I'm relieved about having all that space! Thank you all for your input. Now I'll just be dreaming about Sanaa's bread service until we leave!