Split stay resorts (honeymoon and first visit)

[shpooey]

My soon-to-be DH and I are starting our honeymoon planning, but I can't decide which resort(s)! I'm leaning towards a split stay, so probably two resorts.
I've been to WDW many times, but rarely stay on property (just once at AoA), so I don't have much experience with the resorts and it'll be DH's first visit to WDW ever, so I want him to have the best experience. I'd really love to stay in resorts with some great theming.

We'll be there in October, so my current plan is 5 nights at BC, then 4 nights at AKL (also looking into renting DVC points, so BCV or AKV alternatives, if possible).
I like BC because it's close to Epcot for F&W, nighttime activities like Jellyrolls, a great pool area (we love a lazy river but don't plan on going to the waterparks).
Then I'm thinking AKL will be a bit more laid back - he loves animals and has never been on a safari, so getting a savannah view and relaxing a bit more, enjoying the restaurants there. Maybe doing some of the tours from the lodge or hitting the spa. I'm a little concerned about travel time to the parks from AKL, especially after the convenience of BC, but I don't think I'd plan to go back to Epcot or HS in the second part of the trip, so just AK and MK.

Since it's his first trip to WDW, I'm wondering if we should splurge on one of the MK resorts for a few nights? Tbh even the lower end of the deluxe resorts are a splurge for us, so not sure if we'd be able to swing the budget for the Poly or Contemporary.

Any thoughts?
And if you have any general honeymoon advice, or advice for someone's first visit, I would love to hear all that as well! Thank you!!

 

[teawar]

Your first 2 resorts are great choices. If you go with animal kingdom, definitely get the Savannah room! It’s totally worth it to my family. The pools are great there, but I don’t believe there is much of a spa. Someone else can answer that part.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

The BC and AKL are nice resorts. We love the AKL Savannah view. So relaxing and the ride to MK is not that bad. Especially that you won't be going to the other parks while at the AKL.

Have you considered doing a club level stay for maybe less days. A club level stay would be so special for a honeymoon. There is a new club level at the Coronado Springs - The Gran Destino Tower, that has great reviews and is less money. Check to see if you can get a good deal on any of them. Maybe do 3 days CL and the rest another resort.

Enjoy and congratulations on the wedding.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My soon-to-be DH and I are starting our honeymoon planning, but I can't decide which resort(s)! I'm leaning towards a split stay, so probably two resorts.
I've been to WDW many times, but rarely stay on property (just once at AoA), so I don't have much experience with the resorts and it'll be DH's first visit to WDW ever, so I want him to have the best experience. I'd really love to stay in resorts with some great theming.

We'll be there in October, so my current plan is 5 nights at BC, then 4 nights at AKL (also looking into renting DVC points, so BCV or AKV alternatives, if possible).
I like BC because it's close to Epcot for F&W, nighttime activities like Jellyrolls, a great pool area (we love a lazy river but don't plan on going to the waterparks).
Then I'm thinking AKL will be a bit more laid back - he loves animals and has never been on a safari, so getting a savannah view and relaxing a bit more, enjoying the restaurants there. Maybe doing some of the tours from the lodge or hitting the spa. I'm a little concerned about travel time to the parks from AKL, especially after the convenience of BC, but I don't think I'd plan to go back to Epcot or HS in the second part of the trip, so just AK and MK.

Since it's his first trip to WDW, I'm wondering if we should splurge on one of the MK resorts for a few nights? Tbh even the lower end of the deluxe resorts are a splurge for us, so not sure if we'd be able to swing the budget for the Poly or Contemporary.

Any thoughts?
And if you have any general honeymoon advice, or advice for someone's first visit, I would love to hear all that as well! Thank you!!

I like your plan! I would definitely price out a studio at BCV to see if it offers you a cost savings. We actually prefer the DVC building at BC as I find it more quiet than the resort side, it's super close to the EP walkway, the bus area and the QS. At AKL, as PP suggested, I would definitely try to book savannah view (and, again, see if AKV is available - I would probably do Jambo in your case for DVC as that building is a bit more lively than Kidani, IMHO, and has the QS). Honestly, for 2 adults, I really prefer the Boardwalk/EP area over the MK resorts - there is so much more to do within walking distance in that area of WDW.

 

[shpooey]

Thanks all for the advice! Glad it seems like I'm on the right track! I'll look into DVC and Club level to see if I can make either work. I'm thinking getting BCV during F&W will be a long shot, but I'll definitely try.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thanks all for the advice! Glad it seems like I'm on the right track! I'll look into DVC and Club level to see if I can make either work. I'm thinking getting BCV during F&W will be a long shot, but I'll definitely try.

If you can't get BCV, consider BWV as well. BWI/BCV is a lovely resort and will be closer to the entertainment on the Boardwalk, of course. The walk to EP is not long and it's also closer to the DHS walking path.

 

[kmatts]

We are doing a split stay Beach Club 4 nights then AKL 5 nights in May. I love this combination bc you can pack in the Epcot and HS time in the beginning and then spend more time relaxing at the resort when you switch to AKL. Whenever we stay at AKL we have a hard time leaving the resort to go to the parks. It's just so lovely and interesting.

 

[mickeymom22]

I like your plan. It is so great to stay at an Epcot resort and have the ability to stroll back to your resort from HS and Epcot.

Hubby and I stayed once at the AKL without the kiddos. It is such a nice relaxing resort. The only thing we had requested was a king sized bed. I wish I could remember the room number to share. We didn't pay for a savanna view room, but the CM said she could give us a room that was considered obstructed. To us, it wasn't. There was a corral in front of our balcony, but the animals were still very close. The giraffes slept outside our room one night.

Have a great time and make special memories!

 

[NickDubs34]

I like how you think with your resort choices.

For what it’s worth, doing 10 nights this summer with three at AKL and seven at BWV, so somewhat similar.

One thing to consider in terms of your order of stay is the ease in acquiring fast passes. For example, we are doing AKL first with a little MK in our first three days and saving BWV for the second part when we will do mostly HS, EP and MK. Having HS on the back end should help us land the FPs we want for HS at the times we want a little better and though FoP might be tougher on the front end, it’s still manageable and we will want to enjoy the resort a bit more anyway.

Nothing wrong going in either order of stay but just something to consider as you plan out the stay, fast passes, meals, etc.

 

[jabrown40]

I agree that for adults, the Epcot hotels are a better choice than MK. If you can swing it, I really recommend the Wild Trek tour at animal Kingdom. It's a little pricey, But if your fiancé loves animals it was the highlight of our trip!

 

[Rowlf the Dog]

...
Hubby and I stayed once at the AKL without the kiddos. It is such a nice relaxing resort. The only thing we had requested was a king sized bed. I wish I could remember the room number to share. We didn't pay for a savanna view room, but the CM said she could give us a room that was considered obstructed. To us, it wasn't. There was a corral in front of our balcony, but the animals were still very close. The giraffes slept outside our room one night.
...

Same here. I stayed at AKL in November with a standard room, I didn't place any room requests before but also got a standard room with what was considered a partial savanna view but for me really was a full one without any obstructions. As I recall there are many standard rooms with "partial savanna view" which aren't close to the lobby. As I recall it I was at least 5mins away from the lobby on kudu trail at the 3 rd floor, and there were only few rooms on 3rd that were classified as "savanna view" but much more were "standard rooms with partial savanna view". So if the costs are an issue, perhaps try it with a standard room with a room request.
Never the less AKL is very beautiful resort

 

[shpooey]

One thing to consider in terms of your order of stay is the ease in acquiring fast passes. For example, we are doing AKL first with a little MK in our first three days and saving BWV for the second part when we will do mostly HS, EP and MK. Having HS on the back end should help us land the FPs we want for HS at the times we want a little better and though FoP might be tougher on the front end, it’s still manageable and we will want to enjoy the resort a bit more anyway.

Nothing wrong going in either order of stay but just something to consider as you plan out the stay, fast passes, meals, etc.

Such a good point, thank you! I was thinking that it would be good to start at the busier resort and end at the more relaxing one because that's usually how I plan my vacations (when I'm travelling abroad I always like to end a busy trip in a city with a beach spot or in wine country or at a spa, etc.), but as always, gotta rewire my brain for a Disney trip and plan a little differently. It definitely makes sense to time it with theme parks and FP. Thanks for the tip!

I agree that for adults, the Epcot hotels are a better choice than MK. If you can swing it, I really recommend the Wild Trek tour at animal Kingdom. It's a little pricey, But if your fiancé loves animals it was the highlight of our trip!

Thanks for the recommendation! I was debating between Wild Trek and Sense of Africa. Wild Trek sounds exciting and more active, which he'd definitely like, but I like that Sense of Africa gets you up close interacting with some animals. Have you done any of the other AK or AKL tours?

 

[shpooey]

I think we'd definitely get a savannah view at AKL, but does anyone have any thoughts on the views at BC? I think a water view is too expensive, but a garden view isn't that interesting to me. Are the standard view rooms disappointing? Worth it for the upgrade to garden/woods?