Please help me decide

[wdwmom3]

Can't decide between a suite at all star music or a standard room at akl. The price difference is only about $250 (8 nights). There are 2 adults and 3 kids (one is under 3). Can't decide between the extra space or extra amenities. I stayed at wl before and loved it. That said I'm sure we will have fun at a value resort as well.

 

[kmb584]

If the price difference for 8 nights is only $250 I would absolutely book AKL!

 

[AuroraRora]

Unless I had a major need for the space in the suite, I wouldn't even hesitate between that and AKL!!

 

[kdog_1981]

Does the AKL have a savannah view? If so, go for it! If not, I wouldn't do it.

 

[Belle83]

I would rather stay at AKL than have a little more space.

 

[mickeynut1]

AKL without hesitation .

 

[robinb]

I would go for more room. I can't imagine being in a hotel room for 8 days with 3 kids. That being said, you might want to look into renting points and staying in an AKV studio. The rooms are a little bigger and renting may be more cost effective. I.assume that one of your kids is under 3 since I didn't think that AKL slept 5 any longer after DVC took all the Deluxe rooms

 

[Atchley]

Akl!

 

[softballmom3]

As a mom of 3 kiddos I would say go for more room with the ages your children are.

 

[MMS1125]

I'd do the AS Suite too. I love AKL too but with a fam of 5 I think you'll appreciate the space more than the location. With the suite too the adults can have some alone time to watch tv in their room while the kids sleep so that's a bonus in my opinion

 

[wdwmom3]

The opinions seem split so I'm still undecided. Lol. Maybe a split stay is in order. Is it difficult to do?

 

[CanadianGuy]

The opinions seem split so I'm still undecided. Lol. Maybe a split stay is in order. Is it difficult to do?

Split stays are a fair bit of hassle I find.. esp if it's a 3 day / 4 day split. I always end up feeling like I've lost almost a full day in the switchover. Other's experiences may be different. But with small children and all the stuff that has to be packed up for a move...

My personal vote here would be the AKL room for this trip.. between the choices the OP listed.

 

[wdwmom3]

Thanks guys. I think akl it will be. It would be our last opportunity to stay in a regular room there and it looks so amazing. I keep forgetting that we have the balcony and it's easy for people to hang out in the lobby if anyone needs space. I think I'm actually going to change our park tickets and plan a resort day !

 

[rjvose17]

Granted we are a family of 4 but as experienced WDW travelers we would chose AKL hands down. We have stayed at Value's before and enjoy POP and will actually be staying there for a mini break next month but we bought DVC in order to always have those deluxe accommodations. Our home resort is AKL and we love every single aspect of the resort. If you feel you can sacrifice the extra space you won't be disappointed in the resort. Every detail is done to perfection and the quality is beyond any place we have stayed at on property including other deluxe Disney resorts. Since you probably won't be spending much time in your room I don't think that you will find that the extra space was that big of a deal. Have fun we will be back there in April for an entire week and we can't wait! OH AND There are many fun things for the kids to do as well, over at Kidani there is a community room, and the activities in the lobby's both at Kidani and Jambo are fun like the drum parades and at Kidani you can enjoy interaction time with the cast members from Africa. Last time we were there we went to the library at Kidani and my girls watched a presentation over Africa from a CM who was from Botswana and they were glued to his every word and all week long while we were there when they would see him their faces would light up and he would make sure to stop and talk with them, remembering their names and even played Wii with them when he didn't have to. AKL is a very special place. Now after writing this post it makes me even MORE excited to get back there!!!

 

[Robbi]

If the choice is an AKL standard room or AKL suite, go with the suite. The rooms at AKL are pretty tiny and might feel squishy with 5 people. If you were talking about a savanna view room, I'd go with AKL because the kids would probably be out on the balcony watching the animals and the room would not feel as crowded. As beautiful as AKL is, I would not stay there in a standard room.

 

[emilyindisney]

I would definitely try to consider how much time you'll spend in the room. Are you planning to come back each afternoon for a rest/swim with the kids? Or will you be out all day and only sleeping/changing in the room? This might help you figure out what kind of space you need!

I would think the kids would love AKL and being so close to the animals, but then again, they'll be in WDW so I'm sure they'll be excited either way!