Resort questions

[tim sommers]

Hi. I am a new member planning our first trip to BLT and AK. BLT is our home so I would like to see both resorts in our first trip. I was thinking 3 weekdays at BLT and then moving to AK fo 2 weekdays and 2 weekend days. Is it hard to move from one resort to another or is this a bad idea? What views are the best at each resort? THANKS TIM

 

[VTNuke]

Hi. I am a new member planning our first trip to BLT and AK. BLT is our home so I would like to see both resorts in our first trip. I was thinking 3 weekdays at BLT and then moving to AK fo 2 weekdays and 2 weekend days. Is it hard to move from one resort to another or is this a bad idea? What views are the best at each resort? THANKS TIM

I have not stayed at AK, so I can't say much about the views. I have stayed at BLT, and the views couldn't be better. We tried for a standard view, but had to go with lake view due to availability. We were on the 16th floor, which was pretty cool. We were on the left of the lake side and you could see Epcot and the Swan and Dolphin from our room. It was fine not having a MK view because you get about 1,000 opportunities to see it. The elevator areas on the far side had great views, the walkway to the Contemp. had great views, and the Top of the World Lounge had great views. The Lounge has an inside area and an outside area. You could watch the fireworks easily from the outside area.

I would pick a resort and not move if I were you. We've done that before and it basically wastes a 1/2 a day. I'd go with BLT over AK, but that's just my opinion. Friends who have stayed at AK have said it's tough to get anyway. You have to take a bus to get anywhere. At BLT, you could take the Monorail to MK or walk. When the crowds are packed, it was a lot easier to walk to the BLT from the MK.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The fact of being homeless on moving day is what keeps us from splitting our stay. We have done it once or twice, usually adding a cash day at a moderate resort on arrival (especially if we arrive late), then move over the next day. Odds have always been against us and the new room isn't ready until waaaay after 4PM.

If you have smaller children and need to take naps, the split stay will really mess up their schedule.

 

[Dean]

Hi. I am a new member planning our first trip to BLT and AK. BLT is our home so I would like to see both resorts in our first trip. I was thinking 3 weekdays at BLT and then moving to AK fo 2 weekdays and 2 weekend days. Is it hard to move from one resort to another or is this a bad idea? What views are the best at each resort? THANKS TIM

It's not bad but does depend on your resort and vacation personality I think. As noted, you'll lose a few hours minimum but really most of a day transferring resorts. If you plan it though it really shouldn't be a big deal. You might consider how many days you'll be in the parks or other destinations that are further away from AKV and whether you have a car or not has some implications on how well it'll work for you. I think many with this type of plan might do better with 4 days at BLT and 3 at AKV and doing non park things and/or AK during the days at AKV.

 

[DenLo]

Welcome Home, double neighbor! We too own at both BLT and AKV.

Many members do split stays. Some to save points and sometimes to try out different resorts. The day you move you call Bell Services and let them know you are checking out and moving to the other resort (AKV). They will store your luggage and food items (refrigerated and frozen) then move them to the other resort so they will be there when your room is ready there. You can go ahead and go over to the new resort and check in. Then go on to the park(s) or explore the new resort and pools until your room is ready. When your room is ready you go up to your new room, call Bell Services at at the new resort and request they bring up your transferred luggage and food items.

I won't say that there are never problems with luggage transfers but it although it is seldom sometimes things go wrong. Sometimes they are unable to find a piece of luggage or food sack. I have seen on some posts that the items are later found or Disney has reimbursed people for their lost items. But many more times everything goes well.

We are newer members and will be doing our first stay at BLT in March. In October we plan to have a split stay and will have more direct knowledge then about using Bell Services' transfer service.

Check out work2play's thread regarding the views at BLT. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082 You didn't mention what type of villa or view you are considering for each resort. If you have a lake view you could ask for a north crescent, high floor in hopes that you will get both a LV and an MK view. Some of the LV's on that end can see both.

AKV - I would stay at Kidani and get a larger room. I would select a savanna view and ask for one on the sunset savanna (supposedly more views of animals) and that the villa be located on the 2nd or 3rd floor. The second floor is the first floor for villas. I would stay at Kidani and get a larger room.

FYI, and requests you have regarding location and views for your villas are not guaranteed, but the resorts do try to get you the best room available in your category and consider your desires.