SO confused, please help!!??

[flinkerfrosch]

I've been going back and forth from AKL to WL to the Poly, and then a split stay with AKL and WL, and then changed to a split stay at AKL and Poly.

Here's my dilemma...coming in Oct for 10 days. I have narrowed my choices down to either 10 days at AKL or 4 nights at AKL and 5 nights at the Poly.

Here's where it gets complicated..to stay 4 nights at AKL and 5 nights at the Poly with a "hopeful 30% discount" its a difference of appx $600 to split the 2 which I would be fine with.

To stay all 10 days at AKL would save appx $600 or..

If free dining was offered its just over $1000 more to do the split stay at AKL for 4 nights and the 5 nights at the Poly. Its much more beneficial for me $$ wise to get the room discount then the FD, but I may not know till Aug or even Sept what will be offered, and I don't think $1000 more is really in the budget??

I already have my reservation with pool view booked at AKL. If I made a change now, and booked 4 nights at AKL and 5 nights at the Poly in hopes that the 30% dicount came out..what if the 30% discount is not offered, I'm worried that if I wanted to change my reservation, and go back to my original plan (10 days at AKL) cause the extra $$ was too much, what are the chances of me getting a room again at AKL in Sept when I'm going in Oct.

I'm so confused as you can see...lol

I've also looked at it in the other way, and if I kept my reservation as is and waited, but then if the 30% discount did come out Aug or Sept, what would the chances be of me getting a room at the Poly for 5 nights?

This is all new to me. I haven't been to disney since 2005 and this is my 1st visit with my 2 young boys and DH.

ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks!!!

 

[Safari Queen]

Would you be unhappy at AKL for the whole stay? If not, take a chance the discount will come through. If not, you'll have a magical time with your kids, seeing the animals, sitting by the fire pit for story time, and enjoying the amazing atmosphere at AKL.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

Would you be unhappy at AKL for the whole stay? If not, take a chance the discount will come through. If not, you'll have a magical time with your kids, seeing the animals, sitting by the fire pit for story time, and enjoying the amazing atmosphere at AKL.

I don't think we would be unhappy staying in any resort in Disney, but from what I've been told is that it may get to be a bit much staying 10 days at AKL and having to take the buses all the time (we won't have a car)
Staying at AKL is a must, and we are super excited about it. I just thought it would be a nice switch up to try 2 different resorts in the 10 days, and especially the Poly. I've heard such wonderful things about both resorts, and that they are so different.

Thank-you for your input! I would ask my DH, but he always picks the cheapest way, and I'm not thinking like that. That's why I like to get all the opinions from the Disney's finest

 

[scrapquitler]

I don't think we would be unhappy staying in any resort in Disney, but from what I've been told is that it may get to be a bit much staying 10 days at AKL and having to take the buses all the time (we won't have a car)
Staying at AKL is a must, and we are super excited about it. I just thought it would be a nice switch up to try 2 different resorts in the 10 days, and especially the Poly. I've heard such wonderful things about both resorts, and that they are so different.

Thank-you for your input! I would ask my DH, but he always picks the cheapest way, and I'm not thinking like that. That's why I like to get all the opinions from the Disney's finest

I would rather stay in one place the whole time. I think it would be a pain to repack, move and then get situated in a new room halfway thru the trip.

 

[BringingUpDisney]

I booked a split stay in December for Poly/BC with the hope of a RO discount. I really feel that packing up is worth it to have time within walking distance of 3 out of the 4 resorts. I think you just need to figure out what works best for your family and hope for a little bit of pixie dust!

 

[nkereina]

I always book what I can afford when it's at full, regular price. If a discount comes out, it's just a bonus. No discounts are guaranteed and there is already speculation they might switch up free dining, or at least the time frames. It's anyone's guess so I wouldn't rely on it.

I'm not a huge fan of split stays so if you can swing AKL for 10 days and save money to boot, that's what I would do. Will you have a car? If so, transportation will be a non issue. We liked Poly but it was hard for us to justify the added expense. The only thing that made it worth the money was the monorail and the fact we could walk to TTC, since we didn't have a car.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I would rather stay in one place the whole time. I think it would be a pain to repack, move and then get situated in a new room halfway thru the trip.

I thought so too, but then the thought of experiencing 2 resorts would be so fun. I've never done it, so its hard for me to say whether it would work or not work??

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I booked a split stay in December for Poly/BC with the hope of a RO discount. I really feel that packing up is worth it to have time within walking distance of 3 out of the 4 resorts. I think you just need to figure out what works best for your family and hope for a little bit of pixie dust!

Did you end up getting your RO discount??

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I always book what I can afford when it's at full, regular price. If a discount comes out, it's just a bonus. No discounts are guaranteed and there is already speculation they might switch up free dining, or at least the time frames. It's anyone's guess so I wouldn't rely on it.

I'm not a huge fan of split stays so if you can swing AKL for 10 days and save money to boot, that's what I would do. Will you have a car? If so, transportation will be a non issue. We liked Poly but it was hard for us to justify the added expense. The only thing that made it worth the money was the monorail and the fact we could walk to TTC, since we didn't have a car.

Excellent point! You think like my husband..lol

You are very realistic, and sometimes I need to be brought back to reality. We can afford the Poly, but I just didn't know if the extra $1000 without a RO discount is truly worth the stay there?

I'm one of those moms that wants my boys to experience as much as possible in the amount of time we have! I get so guilt stricken at the thought of not doing something I could have, should have done.

I know AKL would be amazing, and maybe I should stop beating myself up, and realize that being at Disney for 10 days and staying at AKL is a very special experience.

We continue on our vacation after Disney, and stay another 8 days in a 2 bedroom condo on the beach in Treasure Island, so I really can't complain.

Now, here I go again, but maybe instead of Poly, we could split stay at WL. The prices are the same, and WL has great transportation. We do not have a car, so this could be a great compromise! Never stayed at WL, but from what I've heard and read, its a beautiful resort with lots to offer the kiddies!

 

[jenjersnap]

Well, as I have said in all your other threads I am a fan of split stays. We don't find it to be a pain. How frequently do you expect to get back to WDW? If this a true, not coming back for 5 years at least thing, I would, for sure, do a split to soak in as much as you can. WL is lovely too.

It does seem, though, you might be happiest at AKL from a cost and attraction perspective. Personally, I would take some of the savings and rent a car. Keep in mind, these other resorts can be visited. Frankly, the rooms are the least exciting things about most resorts.

If a discount comes out, I don't think you will have an issue booking either AKL or Poly if you jump on it. WL is less likely, typically discounts are less there or more limited...at least, have been but you just never know because it is based on bookings.

 

[DisneyBliss7]

I think it'd be fun to do a split stay. I would spend most of the days at AKL and a few at Poly! I've always wanted to stay at Poly but we would need two rooms b/c of the size of our family. We are staying a AKV in October and it looks beautiful and they seem to have a lot of activities for kids I was worried about the distance from AKL and only having the buses but I don't think it will be that bad. And I've heard that AKL don't share buses so we won't have to pick up guests at other resorts

 

[Sandi]

jenjersnap makes a good point. If you won't be back for 5 years, then do a split stay. If you think you'll be back in a year or so, pick one and enjoy the heck out of the resort then do a different resort next time. We've done a few split stays for different reasons (ASMu to BWV; POR to Poly; and Pop to FW) and I didn't find that the move was obnoxious or time consuming. I wold say to make sure you end at the nicer resort (going from AKL to WL is a wash, but I'd rate Poly nicer than either of AKL or WL).

 

[Sammie]

For me personally I would take Polynesian out because of the construction going on.

WL just has been redone, and its looks fabulous. If doing a split I would do AKL and WL.

 

[Cappy81]

AKL is a beautiful resort! I could easily spend 10 days there. The transportation is not bad at all.

 

[njsmama]

Personally, I would just leave it with AK, then if a RO discount comes out, split the stay. If you are going in October, the resorts aren't likely to be packed, therefore as long as you called as soon as the RO discount became available, you should get what you want.

 

[RapunzelsGoodMom]

I THINK I may have posted on your other post so ignore me if I've said this twice!

But both resorts are fabulous and you really can't go wrong. In fact, I've struggled with this same exact question (3 & 1 year old) and it really is hard to decide.

FOR ME.... I would probably do a split stay and never do the dining plan. My kids aren't old enough to get anything out of it so I'd home for the room only discount at each. 10 days is such a luxury and I would probably do 6 days at WL (to be close to the MK which is where you will spend most of your time) and then move to AKL for the final four. Those last four days I would do the AK theme park, a resort day (or two) and maybe one other park. With the kids that small, I almost feel like they would enjoy the pool and animals onsite as much as they would going over to the park. So I would slow down a bit and just really enjoy the resort and hang out.

But I promise to let you know how our stay goes once we get back in a couple of weeks. Hoping that it is fabulous at AKL. Definitely going to be more of a "stay-cation" than park event for us but I think the kids are going to really love the pools and animals....who needs the park?

So I'd do both....6WL/4AKL and forget the dining plan and hope for room only discounts. Our 3yr often will share with her piglet of a baby brother and when they both have eaten well, we will also feed them off of our plates. the DDP guarantees you'll be spending $9 per meal for each kid to eat. Probably only makes sense when they ACTUALLY eat their food. Which doesn't describe mine quite yet! ha!

Good luck deciding! There is no bad decision - anything will be amazing!

 

[Junebugwv]

I think you would really enjoy time at the POLY or WL. Watching the fireworks and electric water parade is great from the beach at POLY, plus the monorail/boat transportation to MK is great plus the easy walk to the TTC to take the monorail to Epcot is nice. WL gives you views of the electric water parade plus the boat to MK or Contemporary. Being able to take the boat to Ft Wilderness is great for the kids.

We have done split stays quite a few times and had no problems with having the luggage transferred by bell services. We always have a car and still preferred the room-to-room service.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I THINK I may have posted on your other post so ignore me if I've said this twice!

But both resorts are fabulous and you really can't go wrong. In fact, I've struggled with this same exact question (3 & 1 year old) and it really is hard to decide.

FOR ME.... I would probably do a split stay and never do the dining plan. My kids aren't old enough to get anything out of it so I'd home for the room only discount at each. 10 days is such a luxury and I would probably do 6 days at WL (to be close to the MK which is where you will spend most of your time) and then move to AKL for the final four. Those last four days I would do the AK theme park, a resort day (or two) and maybe one other park. With the kids that small, I almost feel like they would enjoy the pool and animals onsite as much as they would going over to the park. So I would slow down a bit and just really enjoy the resort and hang out.

But I promise to let you know how our stay goes once we get back in a couple of weeks. Hoping that it is fabulous at AKL. Definitely going to be more of a "stay-cation" than park event for us but I think the kids are going to really love the pools and animals....who needs the park?

So I'd do both....6WL/4AKL and forget the dining plan and hope for room only discounts. Our 3yr often will share with her piglet of a baby brother and when they both have eaten well, we will also feed them off of our plates. the DDP guarantees you'll be spending $9 per meal for each kid to eat. Probably only makes sense when they ACTUALLY eat their food. Which doesn't describe mine quite yet! ha!

Good luck deciding! There is no bad decision - anything will be amazing!

Thank-you SO much for your post!! Please do let me know how you make out at the resort, I would greatly appreciate that!
Its such a hard decision for me, and I don't know why..lol
I guess because all the resorts have such different/amazing things to offer, I can't make up my mind (can ya tell..lol)
Because we are going 10 days, we are doing lots of down/pool/hang out at the resort days! I figure if we are going to spend that much $$ per night we are going to enjoy everything the resort has to offer

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I think you would really enjoy time at the POLY or WL. Watching the fireworks and electric water parade is great from the beach at POLY, plus the monorail/boat transportation to MK is great plus the easy walk to the TTC to take the monorail to Epcot is nice. WL gives you views of the electric water parade plus the boat to MK or Contemporary. Being able to take the boat to Ft Wilderness is great for the kids.

We have done split stays quite a few times and had no problems with having the luggage transferred by bell services. We always have a car and still preferred the room-to-room service.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your split stay! For the reasons you mentioned above was why I thought that doing a split stay to a resort closer to the disney action would be fun.
We won't actually be doing Epcot, but we are doing the other 3 parks plus a water park or maybe 2.
I do have a night at FW planned to visit the Chip & Dale campfire. Not sure if the boat goes to FW from the Poly. I do know it goes from WL.
Thanks for your help, and your input

 

[flinkerfrosch]

Well, as I have said in all your other threads I am a fan of split stays. We don't find it to be a pain. How frequently do you expect to get back to WDW? If this a true, not coming back for 5 years at least thing, I would, for sure, do a split to soak in as much as you can. WL is lovely too.

It does seem, though, you might be happiest at AKL from a cost and attraction perspective. Personally, I would take some of the savings and rent a car. Keep in mind, these other resorts can be visited. Frankly, the rooms are the least exciting things about most resorts.

If a discount comes out, I don't think you will have an issue booking either AKL or Poly if you jump on it. WL is less likely, typically discounts are less there or more limited...at least, have been but you just never know because it is based on bookings.

Thank-you again for your input. I know I am very indecisive, ugh!

We probably wouldn't be coming back to Disney for at least 2 yrs probably closer to 3 years at minimum. Not cause we don't want to, but for other reasons..

You, and others have also stated that I probably wouldn't have a hard time booking another resort closer to my arrival date, so that's comforting..

I have also thought about renting a car, but my husband would kill me cause originally we were driving (we live in Canada) and I convinced him to fly (got a great deal) and also convinced him that we didn't need a car cause Disney provides the transportation..so we're stuck with the Disney transportation. Not that its that bad from what I've heard, but I do agree it would be nice to have your own wheels.