Should I keep AKL, or really benefit from the CTH code?

[Harambe]

Just shaved $214.00 off my ressie at AKL for a week in Jan. Now, that is two really nice meals at WDW for my family, so I can't complain but . . . if I switch to a moderate, the CTH code makes a great big difference!

I really want to try AKL - should I just enjoy my little savings, or go for the big savings and book a moderate?

 

[ehallison]

If you can afford it, stay where you want to stay. My dh and I have finally decided we're at the point in our lives where we want to ENJOY our vacations and not try to squeeze every last nickel out of it by staying somewhere we don't like.

Allison

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Harambe
Just shaved $214.00 off my ressie at AKL for a week in Jan. Now, that is two really nice meals at WDW for my family, so I can't complain but . . . if I switch to a moderate, the CTH code makes a great big difference!

I really want to try AKL - should I just enjoy my little savings, or go for the big savings and book a moderate?

This really comes down to what is more important to your vacation experiance. If you cannot afford to do the deluxe resort and the sit down meals then I think the best thing to do is talk with your vacation party and take a majority vote. Do they want the AKL but may have to eat more counter service food or stay at a moderate you do more sit down meals?

 

[Harambe]

Good points made by all! I originally wanted to stay at one of the mansions at PO, then we decided to do the AKL. But the money is an issue, of course it basically means a BIG credit card bill or a small one!

Any other opinions? TIA

 

[cinder1]

If it was me, I'd stick with AKL. We don't do a lot of sit down meals (the 3 kids don't always want that). Also, the hours are shorter in Jan so I don't want to waste a lot of time on eating when I could be riding rides. Usually when we get back to the room, we are too tired to go to a sit down place. We will be there in Jan too. I have a PS for 1 sit down lunch and 1 sit down dinner. Now if you have older kids (or no kids) you may wish to spend more time at the nicer restaurants. DH and I would too without the kids!! AKL is beautiful.

 

[disney4us2002]

How long are you staying? Perhaps you would be happy with AKL for two nights and then move to a moderate resort and enjoy the benefit of greater savings. The best of both worlds? I never saw the draw to AKL personally as it is just too far from the rest of the World for me but it is usually the cheapest price deluxe. Where does your family want to spend most park time? If not AK, you will be spending much of your time getting elsewhere. Just my .02; have a great time whereever you end up!

 

[bridgettesmom]

Well ,we have stayed at AKL twice and we just got back from POR . We loved it,it has become our favorite resort.

AKL- It is an unique experience,a totally different hotel.We really enjoyed our stay there.On the plus side AKL has only one bus stop, it has Boma which has a wondeful buffet and you get to view the animals.We have stayed at a pool view and a savannah view and I totally reccomend getting the savannah room.The pool view was nice,but, it was lacking.The savannah view was outstanding.Also, please keep in mind that if you are going during the cooler months you will view more animals than in the warmer months.I also hate to say this ,but, I encountered many rude Cast members during our last visit. That did not happen during our first visit.IMHO their service is going down and that was a big dissapointment.Also ,if you get a room at the end of the hallway you will be walking for a loooong time!!

POR-Where can I start ?? The pool , the boat to Downtown Disney is wonderful and you can rent bikes and boats,which the whole family will enjoy.The Cast members were really friendly and really went beyond their way to keep their guests happy.It is so beautiful and peaceful.It is a bigger resort,which means you will walk,but, it is so beautiful you wont mind.We also stayed at the Mansions, I requested a riverview which we got and we also had a view of this gorgeous fountain.The pool is real nice,with a slide for your kids.It has a fun theme and is set to be like an island(Ole man island)There is also a huge pool bar next to it with a very friendly bartender.This place is so beautiful, that I would actually look foward to the morning walk to the food court to get breakfast(I like to sleep in while on vacation).The rooms are really nicely decorated with that southern feeling to it.Flowers on the wall paper,on the bed spreads and the shower curtain.It has a big armoire with mirrors.I didn't mind the outside hallways , I actually think it keeps the noise out. I did not try Boatwight ,but, was told by many the their food is excellent.In DH's words, Disney screwed up with this resort by calling it a moderate it has a really deluxe feeling to it!!

To sum it up,If you decide to stay at POR you will be giving up inside hallways,valet parking,queen beds and extended room service.Which in my opinion are really nice,but, did not miss them during our POR stay.You could make a PS for Boma so that you can go view the animals,go to the storytelling and experience AKL for a few hours.

I really did not want to make things harder for you,I was just giving you my honest opinion.Depending on how long you are stayiing you could split your stay between the two.

If you have any more questions let me know!!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Disney4us2002 had a good idea. Split your stay between the 2 resorts but I would stay at AKL last. We were booked to split our stay last May between AKL and then WL, we loved AKL so much that after visiting WL we just couldn't leave AKL and switched the remainder of our trip to remain at AKL. It is beautiul. It can be a long walk to your room (we were almost all the way at the end of the building) but it is well work the walk.....

 

[Harambe]

Thanks for all the great info! The family and I decided to do the pro's and con's last nite. I wanted to get the actual differences in money so I called CRO back to see how much our stay would be using the CTH code at one of the mansions. No openings!!!! POR does not have any of the code rooms left. Only CBR left, and I didn't want that so looks like we'll remain at AKL.

That was a good idea about the split, but DH hates the whole idea about moving mid-vacation.

Thanks again for your help!