Please help!!

[Gilmcel]

Thank you!!
Ok so here is what I am thinking. I really want the poly, but it is a lot more expensive than the others. I think my kids will really like AKL as well. We love animals. So I can do AKL and stay for 8 days - but here is the question... If I stay at AKL is it still worth it to not get a savannah room? That's where thd savings would be. If the savannah is really what makes it worth it- I think I would rather the poly???

 

[Nancyg56]

I think Savannah view is nice, but not having that would not be a deal breaker for me. There ae plenty of viewing spots to enjoy the animlas, and honestly, having to leave you balcony to see the animal might be a great bonus. There are cast members throughout AKL, all of whom love to discuss their homeland, as well as other lovely aspects of AKL.

 

[daisyduck123]

It would be a deal breaker for us.....having a Savannah view is what makes the entire stay there worth it, IMO.

 

[LaidBackDad]

Thank you!!
Ok so here is what I am thinking. I really want the poly, but it is a lot more expensive than the others. I think my kids will really like AKL as well. We love animals. So I can do AKL and stay for 8 days - but here is the question... If I stay at AKL is it still worth it to not get a Savannah room? That's where the savings would be. If the Savannah is really what makes it worth it- I think I would rather the poly???

Don't over think it. Do a split stay with 4 nights in one place 4 in another. Disney makes it really easy to change properties during your stay. I think it will help you get the most out of your first visit by experiencing AKL and an monorail resort. If you are staying at AKL, a Savannah view is worth it but some standard rooms still have at least a partial view of the Savannah.

 

[Ruminater]

We generally look at it from the perspective of where else we might vacation. We've been to Yellowstone and stayed at the Lake Yellowstone lodge so while WL is beautiful, for us it pales a little in comparison to the real thing (I know the Lake Yellowstone lodge is different than the Yellowstone lodge the WL is based on, we were there too). We also are planning Hawaii someday so the Poly isn't too high on our list. I've always felt like the Contemporary was "the future" and I know you can't go somewhere else and stay in the future so we stayed there once. On the other hand I don't think we'll do Mexico anytime soon so we really like Coronado Springs and probably won't vacation to Africa anytime soon so AKL was wonderful. We aren't really beach bums so this time we're staying at the Beach Club. Of course I've been to France a couple of times and I really like visiting France in the World Showcase, so go figure. Maybe it's all just our way of rationalizing where to stay at Disney. The short answer is you really can't go wrong staying on property and should trade price with convenience of location. We did the split stay a couple of times as well and it was a great way to see more in the same trip.

 

[Gilmcel]

Thank you!! You guys are amazing!
It seems that a split stay woukd bd a lot of work especially with little ones? Packing and checking out, checking in, unpacking... ?
Do people have done it like it?

 

[justme0729]

I haven't done a split stay but I'll chime in and say that I think the Poly is definitely worth the extra costs if you are able to. I think it definitely has the WOW factor especially if the theme appeals to you. You will be so thankful that you can take a quick monorail or boat ride to MK and a direct monorail to Epcot (with ~5 min walk to TTC) on top of having monorail access to tons of dining at the GF and CR. It's just so convenient. Plus, you can see the castle from the beaches or maybe your room and it makes you feel like you're in the middle of the magic the whole time you are there. I stayed there as a child and since then, it has always been my favorite resort! I'm sure that AKL would be a really amazing vacation too though... I just don't think you would feel as convenient to things as you would at the Poly.

 

[si-am]

If you're looking for the biggest wow factor for your kids, then it has to be AKL (Savanna view). What kid wouldn't love waking up in the morning to a giraffe off the balcony?! You'll have to deal with buses, but with a foldable stroller it shouldn't be too bad. Monorail from Poly will be convenient for you but the kids aren't going to really appreciate it in relation to the extra cost.

 

[LaidBackDad]

Thank you!! You guys are amazing!
It seems that a split stay woukd bd a lot of work especially with little ones? Packing and checking out, checking in, unpacking... ?
Do people have done it like it?

We have kids exactly the same age as you. We love doing split stays. You are right about the packing and unpacking; but, everything else is no hassle whatsoever. Especially, now with the online advance direct to room check-in, you just call bell services to pick up your bags or drop you bags off at bell services before you go to a park for the day. Disney moves your bags for you to the new resort while you are in the park. When you are done with the park at the end of the day you just go to the new resort and pick your bags up at bell services or have them delivered to your room which you open with the same magic band you used at the old resort. No hassle with the front desk at all. It almost feels like two different vacations in one. It is also quite a cost savings. We learned about split stays from friends who always split stays between value and deluxe hotels. The couldn't justify the cost of a Deluxe resorts for the whole vacation; so, they would spend most days in Value resorts by going to Epcot, Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios then switch to one of the monorail resorts for a couple days to go to Magic Kingdom or just stay in the resort for the day. Ultimately, you have to do what is the best fit for your family; just don't be overwhelmed by the idea of a split stay because it is way easier than you would think.

 

[maryandtyson]

We love AKL and have never had Savannah view. Still LOVE it!

Are there discounts for your dates?

 

[worm761]

Thank you!! You guys are amazing!
It seems that a split stay woukd bd a lot of work especially with little ones? Packing and checking out, checking in, unpacking... ?
Do people have done it like it?

We did a split stay for the first time last summer. I will not be doing it again. It was a pain to pack and leave one resort, check in at another resort. I just felt like it took too much time in our vacation just to switch resorts.

My advice to you: Create a budget. Then ask yourself how many days you would like to stay? How many days vacation can you take at one time? I've been to Disney many times. I normally take an 8 night trip. We don't do a lot of down time at the resorts so the value resorts are good for those type of trips. What exactly are you looking for in a resort? Will you spend a lot of time at the resort? How important is being on the monorail versus a longer trip?

This "wow factor" that you're looking for for the kids...is it the resort you want the wow factor for? Or for Disney? Do you normally travel and stay at deluxe resorts? Usually when we travel we rent a home but I like being on property at Disney (no driving!). We have stayed at the values, the mods, and AKL. AKL was great but we spent a lot of time at the resort. Our upcoming trip is all about the parks so we are staying at Pop Century. Honestly, my DD doesn't care what the resort looks like. She was just as happy at CSR, AKL, ASMu, and Pop.

As far as issues with busing, I've never had a problem. Our stroller for DD when she was little was super easy to fold up and lightweight so never an issue getting it on/off the buses.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I always think of it as I could spend all my money on one 8-day vacation at a deluxe or use half that money to plan a second vacation! I'd much rather have enough banked so that I can already be planning the next trip! If you're doing a vacation where you're just going to hang out at the resort all the time, then fine, spend the extra. If it's your first trip and you're going to be in parks 90% of the time, why spend so much on an empty room? I think you start out small--values--and grow each time you go back.

But each family has their own way of vacationing. If a deluxe room is that important to your family, you should go for it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi,

This is all so confusing- I would love your help!
We are planning a trip for our famy of 4 with 2 adults and a 3.5 year old and 7.5 year old the first week of may 2016. I chose that time because I want to be there when it is the least crowded but I am flexible really any time after as well. This will be our first time.
Here is what I'm getting stuck with:

1. It seems that the poly is a great place to stay if you have little ones for the convienience - I can do it renting dvc points, but it's expensive and I'm not sure it's worth spending an extra 1000$. ???
2. I'm also looking at OKW with dvc points- it seems like a great price- I can even add 2 nights if I do that. A total of 10 days. For still much less than the Poly???
3. Or I have been looking at AKL - I'm sure my kids would love it- it's middle level priced with the other 2 I listed with dvc points.??
4. Or forget all of that and try to stay at POL riverside and get a package??
I am not sure how often we will come back to the resort. I don't know if my kids will want a break in between. They love pools and usually on vacation we have to drag them away from the pool- so I know that will be an issue.
Also I don't really care about the size of the rooms.
I want the "wow" factor for my kids.
I'm thinking this will be our only trip to disney also- but who knows until you do it!
Please all feedback and suggestions are welcome and appreciated!!
Thank you!

1. There was the year that Disney had a terrific offer...so we changed from POR to WL, then to the Polynesian. My dd had always wanted to stay there. When we got there? She said, and I quote, 'It's not very Disneyfied. I wish we had stayed at POR'. She was 10 at the time. It's nice, but it's expensive.
2. Just stayed at OKW...I own DVC. Yes, the studio is large, with two beds. But the bus system didn't get it done for me. I think it's a great choice if you have a car.
3. Love AKL...but it has to be a savanna view for me.
4. I love POR...just stayed there, prior to my OKW stay. It's a favorite of mine. The pools are terrific there...that's where my 6 y/o dd came to love pool slides!!


You've gotten a lot of good advice. I do split stays all the time. My family hates them!! And it's me that has to do all the packing each time. They just like to settle into one spot and stay there.
Yes, the MK resorts have boat and monorail access....but, you're paying for that! I value my time as much as most people. I'm on vacation..I am not going to stress over an addtl 20 mins travel time. If it's a really short visit, less than 4 days, then sure, maybe. But the bus travel actually can give you some rest time. I seldom find it to be too troublesome.

Have you looked at a family suite at AoA? Darn, they're really cute. You and your dh would have a nice master with a king bed in it. The kids could each have their own bed. Two bathrooms, a kitchenette area. Just so darn cute. You could probably do it for the same price as a MK resort. As someone else said, the kids are going to be wowed just by WDW. The resort isn't going to be as big a deal as you would think! With little kids, under the age of 10 or 11, I like having a food court......the Polynesian doesn't have one! Heck, with older kids a food court is nice. They can feed themselves there!!! Lots of options to consider I guess.
It sounds as though you really like the Polynesian and want to do that. If that's the case, go for it. But there just isn't much 'wow' factor there, at least not for kids....been there, done that! And that's pretty much the same with any of the deluxe resorts. Yes, AKL/Kidani have the animals. But you really need a room that looks out on the savannah. Otherwise, you'll spend your time at the viewing stations. Nice, but then it can be hard to justify the cost.

 

[RustManFan]

What I could do with an extra $1000 at WDW? Let me count the Disney dollars!

 

[Ceryssa]

Thank you!! You guys are amazing!
It seems that a split stay woukd bd a lot of work especially with little ones? Packing and checking out, checking in, unpacking... ?
Do people have done it like it?

I didn't find it to be much of a hassle. I packed up our stuff, bell services picked it up and sent it over to the next hotel, and we went on about our business. Our kids were 6 and 8 so we didn't have to deal with a stroller though. My husband thought it was a huge pain, which I found funny because I was the one who did all the work!

 

[SharonZ]

Just remember if you rent DVC points, then you won't be able to get a refund if you cancel your trip and you need to pay the full amount due at the time of booking.

 

[goofy4tink]

The biggest issue with doing a split stay is that you can be 'homeless' for part of the day. If you check out of one resort around 8:30, and send your bags to the new resort via Bell Services, you may not be able to get into your next room until 4:00 or so! And I have yet to get my transferred bags before 5:30 or so!!! So, you may not have a room or access to your bags. With kids, that can be a pain in the neck.

 

[Jelly563]

The split stay seems like it is your absolute best option, you can compare/contrast and answer a lot of the questions you are currently asking. Start at the moderate for a longer stay (to save $) then have a little deluxe accomidations towards the end. You will appreciate the reason why they call it a deluxe.

 

[myrheille]

It's your first visit! That is amazing. Here are things I would NEVER do for a first visit:
- A split stay. People who tell you it's easy are right, but they're seasoned WDW travelers. It IS a lot of trouble if it's your first visit and you don't know your way around. Sometimes things DO go wrong and you can spend hours checking out and back in. Packing for the kids will annoy you. I'm planning a split stay right now, but I say keep it for the second (or more) trip.

- Going to OKW, at least without a car.

- Paying more for a bigger room.

The truth is, on your first visit, you will want to spend alllll your time in the parks. You will go back to the resort to shower and sleep. Maybe eat a couple of times. Values are great for that. They have tremendous "kid appeal" and they are cheap, allowing you to spend more days at WDW.

Now, I don't know your budget. If $1000 is pocket change to you, staying at a resort that's close to MK like the Polynesian - or like the Contemporary which I personnally prefer, since you can walk to MK - could be worth it. It makes it easier to come back to the room for an afternoon break/nap, for one. But you seem to be really unsure about it. So I say, go to Pop Century, and if you're staying 10 days, go ahead and visit the Polynesian for a meal at Kona Café, or Animal Kingdom Lodge to eat that delicious Sanaa bread service, and you'll see if these are places you'd like the next time around If you're staying a week, well, you won't even have time to check out everything in the parks, so keep the resort tourism for the next trip!

Have a great trip! By the way, the website **************.net is full of really great suggestions for a first (and maybe only) visit. The webmaster also has an awesome book.