Should I or Shouldn't I?

[disneyfreak202]

Hello,

I am thinking of surprising my boyfriend with a split stay on our next trip. Right now we have Pop booked for our whole trip. However, I looked up and saw we could do a split stay with Pop and Animal Kingdom Lodge- Kidani for only $428 more than our Pop stay. It would be a deluxe studio with a standard view, I have always wanted to do a savannah room here, but it would be a little too much for me. We could also do Saratoga Springs for $368 more for a deluxe studio or $449 for a preferred deluxe studio. We are doing this trip in place of our trip to Europe to visit our dream places of Barcelona and Rome (and a Disney Paris portion lol). This is what our plans look like right now vs. what they would be.

Arrive 10/24 and Check-in to Pop
10/25- Disney Springs, Adjust to Time Change, Dinner at Ale and Compass (might make a Epcot park reservation just in case we want to just walk around)
10/26- Magic Kingdom
10/27- Epcot
10/28- Animal Kingdom and Dinner at Kona
10/29- Magic Kingdom again
10/30- Hollywood Studios
11/1- Check-Out and go home

I was thinking of maybe doing 10/24-10/28 at Pop and then going 10/28-10/31 at AKL-Kidani or Saratoga.

I thought it might be worth it since we will be spending more time at the hotel than normal and I have always wanted to stay at AKL. (I also have Poly and Yacht Club/Beach Club on my list of dream hotels to stay at). Normally we spend all day in the parks and we really just sleep in the hotel and don't worry about the hotel room which is why we always stay value. However, with everything closed at AKL and not having a QS food option, I was thinking Saratoga might be a good option and being close to Disney Springs would be nice.

I looked at Yacht Club which may be an option, but it is $531 more for a Garden View.

Rivera might also be an option, but those are also $565 more for Deluxe Studio.

Do you think it is worth it, we are doing this as a budget trip especially without being able to do a dining plan like normal? I think if we do a split stay I will alter my plans so our rest day is in the middle of our trip to enjoy the hotel room and hotel.

 

[nw6675]

If you won't be too disappointed not having a Savannah view, I say go for AKL or the YC Garden View. My favorite trip was an adults only trip at the YC - perfect in almost every way and the view doesn't matter IMO with the awesome location. Where I stay is always one of the top considerations for me when planning and traveling, so I say go for it!

 

[disneyfreak202]

If you won't be too disappointed not having a Savannah view, I say go for AKL or the YC Garden View. My favorite trip was an adults only trip at the YC - perfect in almost every way and the view doesn't matter IMO with the awesome location. Where I stay is always one of the top considerations for me when planning and traveling, so I say go for it!

I was thinking of maybe trying to swing a YC Garden View Room. AKL I am thinking of maybe waiting and saving for a savannah view room (honestly, that is my dream) when everything is open more. I thought of Saratoga because with early park hours it may be nice to have an option to walk to DS and is the cheapest option for us.

 

[nw6675]

I've never stayed at Saratoga, but IMHO just seems blah in every way. I've considered it for the same reasons you are, but every time I just can't bring myself to do it. The YC is worth it!

 

[quinacciani]

We had a standard view on ALK once and honestly I think it was partial Savannah view. I’d do it.. we loved it. The view would be amazing but you can still enjoy the grounds and easily see animals walking around the resort.

 

[SarahC97]

SSR has some great pools and it's within walking distance to DS. If you go with that option, spring for preferred. You'll be closer to DS and get a newly refurbished room.

 

[loves to dive]

I love split stays and do them every trip. If money isn't too much of a swing, I'd do YC and not even worry about a garden view. Frankly, sometimes the garden view just means green and it can be the back of the swamp between YC and Dolphin. I always get a standard view at YC and have never had a bad stay there. The fact that you can walk to both HS and Epcot are game changers for me. We don't do DS so SS has never appealed but that is the only deluxe we haven't stayed at. Just as an aside, have you thought about Swan/Dolphin. Lots of times you can get them for the price of a moderate and you might not have to do a split stay but still have a nice resort in a great location. If you think about that, make sure you factor in their silly resort fees when comparing prices. Just another option.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Shouldn’t.

I wouldn’t spend the money on AKL standard view. You look like you’re spending most of your time in the parks so you would have limited time to enjoy the day views from the public portions of the hotel. I actually did this splurge once on a budget trip (Jambo) and even though we got upgraded to a savana view we were disappointed we spent the money on it. We simply didn’t spend enough time there to justify it and AKL is a pain to get to parks from. And now with COVID so many of the things that made a stay at AKL so good (international CMs, the buzz of Jambo, amazing food offerings in both hotels) are gone.

Also before you jump make sure to look at recent reports of stays. Reports of early on in the reopening of AKL were not kind (limited food offerings & slammed pools). Hopefully it’s gotten better, I haven’t followed.

Pop has renovated rooms + Skyliner. I think it fits the bill exactly for what one is looking for in a budget, park focused trip. Save the money for your next trip, wherever that may be!

 

[Eastern]

I would also stay at POP and save the money for your next trip.

 

[AngieInOH]

I too would stay at POP. Definitely would not do AK if your dream is a savanna view. I'd wait and splurge once things are back to "normal"

 

[disneyfreak202]

Hi all thank you so much for this! Still debating between it, but think AKL is definitely out. We are doing a park focused trip, but we usually do and like I said are in the park open to close, where this time it is way more laid back with less hours. Thinking if I do end up doing it we will go SSR or YC. YC is looking appealing, just the price is a little more than I hoped. Might end up just doing a few nice meals instead. The skyliner is appealing (I did look to see what a full weeks stay at CBR would be and that would be the same as a split stay between Pop and YC). Might end up being a last minute decision for me.

 

[maccagerl]

I would go for AK. There is so much to do there! I have never booked a Savannah View but twice we were out in rooms with a Savannah view!
Even without the view there are several viewing areas where you can see all the animals.
Also the restaurants at AKL and Kidani are fabulous.
(Be sure to take the free kitchen tour with all the yummy samples ).
The pool area and 2 hot tubs are also top notch.
You won’t be disappointed!

Whatever you decide have a great time!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I would go for AK. There is so much to do there! I have never booked a Savannah View but twice we were out in rooms with a Savannah view!
Even without the view there are several viewing areas where you can see all the animals.
Also the restaurants at AKL and Kidani are fabulous.
(Be sure to take the free kitchen tour with all the yummy samples ).
The pool area and 2 hot tubs are also top notch.
You won’t be disappointed!

Whatever you decide have a great time!

There is no way they are allowing people to do a kitchen tour during COVID

 

[gottalovepluto]

Hi all thank you so much for this! Still debating between it, but think AKL is definitely out. We are doing a park focused trip, but we usually do and like I said are in the park open to close, where this time it is way more laid back with less hours. Thinking if I do end up doing it we will go SSR or YC. YC is looking appealing, just the price is a little more than I hoped. Might end up just doing a few nice meals instead. The skyliner is appealing (I did look to see what a full weeks stay at CBR would be and that would be the same as a split stay between Pop and YC). Might end up being a last minute decision for me.

Good luck with your choice and travels! No matter where you end up at least you’ll be at DISNEY WORLD!

 

[RoseGold]

Geez, several nights of your trip are currently on DVC with savannah studio for 16 points. Crazy. You usually can't book like that last minute, especially a studio.

Maybe look at renting the points for a few nights?

Renting is not without risk, so do your homework about renting.

Edit: Also Boardwalk!!!

 

[hmkenn0]

I’m at AK Jambo now and nothing is open but kidani is pretty much business as usual (I’d even say busy). It would be literally a coin toss between AKL and YC for me- but if you don’t have a car- definitely YC!

 

[wilbret]

DVC AK family here. We love it. That being said, we have stayed at SS at least 6 times, I think? Add more later this week! We LOVE being able to walk to DS.
I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I would choose it over AK without the view, you might save some $$, too?

 

[a1tinkfans]

With ur schedule of all park days I’d not stay YC.. think it’s wasteful... if u we’re doing dining at Epcot or wanting nite hours there so I’d skip that. I’d also skip Saratoga, blah. AK kidani and AKL are fabulous, yes Savannah is so nice...but even without that view you ll love the overall experience. All the animals and the lookout areas. if ur able to swing Savannah I’d do that. Enjoy ur getaway and I’m sure the split will be great fun!

 

[disneyfreak202]

Geez, several nights of your trip are currently on DVC with savannah studio for 16 points. Crazy. You usually can't book like that last minute, especially a studio.

Maybe look at renting the points for a few nights?

Renting is not without risk, so do your homework about renting.

Edit: Also Boardwalk!!!

I have looked at renting, but I am not sure about how it works and feel sort of clueless. Thought about looking into renting points at Boardwalk.

With ur schedule of all park days I’d not stay YC.. think it’s wasteful... if u we’re doing dining at Epcot or wanting nite hours there so I’d skip that. I’d also skip Saratoga, blah. AK kidani and AKL are fabulous, yes Savannah is so nice...but even without that view you ll love the overall experience. All the animals and the lookout areas. if ur able to swing Savannah I’d do that. Enjoy ur getaway and I’m sure the split will be great fun!

If we end up with YC we will probably move somethings around. We have a reservation at Ale and Compass on Sunday we would move to Wednesday, and we would probably switch our Epcot day with our second MK day. Just so we can take advantage. AK Kidani, our main concern is the lack of food options. One of the reasons we don't like Values, but normally we are in the parks so much with a dining plan and park hoppers, so we don't eat at the hotel. This time we are cutting back on table service and since we can't park hop to Epcot.

 

[crazylady]

Have you thought about renting a dedicated DVC reservation? There are so many options out there right now. I just looked and see Poly, BLT, Boardwalk, AKL (savana and standard) and even a RIV studio for your date range. If your dates are flexible, you might even be able to find a place for your whole trip.

In answer to your actual question, I wouldn't be overly excited about POP for this trip with the shortened park hours. But I also wouldn't want to do a split stay. I would consider a moderate if I didn't want to spend the $ on a deluxe for the whole trip. Of the deluxe you listed, I would choose YC.