Resort Split Stay with MNSSHP (Aug 2025 AKL/SSR)

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Saturday (goodbye Disney )

In the morning we finished packing up and made it out of the room right before check out time

We were tired from the party

We played on the arcade until we ran out of credits. I think the $50 I loaded a week previously went pretty far for us





And then we went to the community hall to pick up the painted ceramics the kids did earlier and hang out



I thought it was really nice how they bubble wrapped it and put it in a nice bag for us. Plus they added lots of glitter to the kids delight.



This is when DD6 realized we were leaving Disney. I must have not done a good job of helping them realize today was the day.

She got really REALLY sad and cried. She didn't want to leave

The original plan was to start heading to a science museum in Jacksonville that was on our way to our next hotel but because DD6 was so upset we decided to go to rainforest cafe again instead since she had loved it so much and DH said he would treat all of us.

It really helped cheer DD6 up. She really loves that restaurant lol

We were seated next to a fish tank. Very cool




This time I got the Asian salad and a cocktail. Thank you DH! They were both good.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Over lunch we asked DD6 wanted to do and she said she wanted to go shopping at the other Disney outlet that we hadn't been to yet. And over lunch she had started to feel sad about summer being over. She was starting first grade on Monday. She didn't love her time at kindergarten (but she's actually really enjoying first grade and loves her teacher. Such a relief)

So anyway DH said we should pick out a first day of school outfit too. This cheered her up some too

Since last time we went to the Vineland outlets. This time we went to the International Drive outlets. It was so packed. DH dropped DD6 and I off and just idled somewhere since he couldn't find a spot. DS3 was napping in the car.

We went to the character warehouse first. It was so much smaller than the other one. Definitely choose Vineland if you only choose one. I'll probably not go to international drive again.





I did like looking at the DCL merch they had tho. DD6 bought a doll, clothes for the doll and a microphone but it really was waaay smaller.

Then we went to the gap outlet next door. No pictures sorry! DD6 picked out her first day of school outfit plus BFF necklace for her and her BFF at home plus some pants she really liked

Here she is on her first day





And then we drove to our hotel. I know I napped. I think we all took turns napping. We were all pretty wiped

We did stop at buckees for the bathroom and gas and snacks



We arrived at hampton inn and suites Charlotte around 1230am

The neighborhood looked really ritzy. We kept joking because even a McDonald's we passed looked high class. It had a 2nd floor balcony seating area. And there was a Rolex store a block away and a fountain outside and classical music playing



We liked our room but the best part......

A TV IN THE MIRROR IN THE BATHROOM whaaaaaaat



We didn't use it but it was a cool surprise

And then we went to bed

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Sunday

We were all tired still when we woke up. Disney does that to you. DH went to the breakfast buffet and brought us all food to eat in bed. I think they had pancakes??? And fresh fruit which was nice. I remember liking it more than I expected to.

And then DH studied with DD6 while I packed up the car and walked around with DS3. When she was done studying I asked if she wanted to rip up her summer study packet since school started the next day

She liked this idea





And then we headed to Discovery Place Science (it was part of our free science museum list). We were in Charlotte NC btw

This place was a cool surprise... except I had to pay for parking which I'm not used to where I live so blah but it was worth it

First we went in the little kid room. It was similar to children's museums weve been to

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

And then I was hungry and DD6 was hungry so we went to the cafe. I got a cookie and a lemonade. DD6 got some chicken nuggets



Then we checked out the aquarium



DD6 touched some sea creatures

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Next up was the rainforest room which was very pretty and warm. The rest of the museum of freezing





It had this cool bridge thing that the kids enjoyed



Then we went to an exhibit about........ummmm.....I think underwater deep sea exploration....I'm not really sure





DS3 enjoyed answering the phone. "Hello?!"

And then we did bathroom and got on the road. I napped a lot on the way home but I drove some

I think we got home around 5pm. I didn't want us to get home late the night before school starting. I washed some clothes (including DD6's new outfit) but it was really nice that most of the clothes in the suitcases were already clean since I did laundry on vacation. I'ma try to do that from now on.

Next up final thoughts

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Final Thoughts

AKV Kidani
Loved it. It was beautiful but also felt homey and magical. I loved that everything was inside. It felt very convenient to fill our mugs, go to the gift shop, arcade, community hall, restaurant and laundry. I really liked looking at the animals every time we walked somewhere. I loved the pool and the slide. The kids loved it too. It was easy for me to watch my 2 kids there. And all the plants and theming were very beautiful. It never felt too busy anywhere at the hotel and everyone seemed nice and in a good mood. Really liked that the parking was covered. The car got a lot less hot and it was a very short walk from the elevator to the car plus I never worried about rain getting us on the way home. The only thing I did not like about this hotel was the lack of a quick service in the hotel itself. We could have used the quick service at the pool but we never did. It wasn't a big deal to not have a quick service like I worried it would be. I would definitely love to stay here again and now I get why people are worried about the refurb ruining the rooms. The room was so homey although I would prefer a Murphy bed.

SSR
We got a really nice surprise upgrade to a 1 bedroom here...but I still preferred AKV. We were very close to the lobby but it still didn't feel as convenient to walk to the arcade, community hall and mug stations since we had to walk outside and it was so hot. Their community hall seemed to have more activities but again less homey. We only went to the pool next to the lobby and it was very beautiful and also they seemed to be playing a lot of trivia, like almost every time we walked by, which is a big plus for me . I think we would have enjoyed this hotel more if it was less hot. If we stay here again I will pay the extra points to be in the preferred section again.

I think I'm learning that I prefer the condensed hotels and not the spread out hotels. So far I've stayed at AoA, Vero Beach, CBR, ASMo, AKV Jambo, BLT, AKV Kidani and SSR. I would rank CBR and SSR as my bottom two and I think it's the spread out vibe that they have in common.

Resort Stay
I was a little worried we would be bored or the kids would be sad we weren't going to the parks but I was so wrong. I loved our resort stay. It was so relaxing and we were never bored. It was also fun to look for stuff to do outside the bubble. We enjoyed our chocolate factory tour. And we enjoyed the outlets. I also enjoyed visiting more science museums on our membership list. I didn't spend too much money on this trip either which was the goal. This was a kind of last minute trip once I realized DD6 had no camp the week before school so I decided to take time off of work. BUT it was also kind of perfect that we were able to go to a party during our trip. I can see many more resort focused stays in our future but I do think I'd want at least 1 park day. For this trip 1 party day felt like enough park time for us.

Drive to Disney
We have decided that we're not going to drive all night anymore (if possible). Taking our time to drive was so much better. DH says he's too old to drive all night now

MNSSHP
Loved it. So much. Our plan originally was to see the hocus pocus show, parade and fireworks plus do rides and trick or treat. But we were having so much fun with just going on whatever rides were around us with no wait. And it was just so cool to see all the decorations and see all the guests in costumes and the characters in costumes. Plus everyone seemed to be in a great mood. It really reminded me of the vibes on the last night on DCL. Which are the best. We had an amazing time together as a family. I would change nothing. And we got so lucky that it didn't storm. I'm very grateful for that. I'd do another party in a heartbeat.

Future plans
Possibly a short stay at Hilton Head over spring break. I have 5 night booked at AKV Jambo in a value studio for next June. I am pretty low on points. I really want to buy more points

 

[Counting Stars]

Another wonderful report Thanks for taking the time to share. We also love AKL for the resort itself- its very relaxing and the pools are great.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Another wonderful report Thanks for taking the time to share. We also love AKL for the resort itself- its very relaxing and the pools are great.