Splitting 4 nt stay -- CBR & AKL? ASMovies & WL? Clueless!

[MelissaE1]

Help, all you DISers who know the resorts.

My family of four (me, DH, DS9, DD4) are going for 4 nights in May and would like to split our time between a value or moderate and AKL or WL. We can't afford to stay at a deluxe for four nights but figured this would be a good way to try one. Our choices for the first two nights are any All Star (I prefer Movies as it is harder to get discounted and it is available) or CBR. We last stayed at POR and loved it, but it is unavailable for our dates. I have stayed at ASMusic myself and think my kids would like the theming at ASMovies. Don't know much about CBR, but the cost difference is almost nothing between that and the All Stars.

For the second two nights, we have the choice of AKL or WL, so far I seem to lean a bit toward WL.

Anyone have any recommendations about how which combo to choose? I am clueless but need to do something before the discounted rooms are gone.

TIA!

 

[robinb]

I would really suggest that you not switch resorts with such a short period of time. You'll spend way too much of your "Disney" time packing, unpacking, checking in and checking out. Plus, you may not be able to even check into your second resort until after 2pm leaving you homeless beween 11:00 and 4:00 ... not a great thing with a 4 year old. Also, 2 days does not make refillable mugs worth it. I your case, I would stay at CBR the whole time.

BUT ... if I had to choose between WL and AKL I would go with AKL. The pool is nicer and you have the animals right at your door. I picked AKL myself for my July stay (4 days BCV, 4 days AKL) because of the pool. If you are leaning toward WL, look into renting DVC points and staying on the villas side. It may turn out to be cheaper.

 

[jaysue]

Did you build your budget with the Florida resident rates?

Thanks
Jason

 

[jaygatz]

I would suggest definitely splitting your stay! Splitting stays is one thing we do every trip...no matter how short the stay. Now for which resorts, hmmm. The All-stars are in the same area as the AKL; however, that is where the similarities end. The only thing is with the All-stars and the AKL, you will have those long bus rides to every park except the AK. So, the trip times to the parks would be one consideration in favor of the WL, if your little one is like mine and loves the MK. The boat ride to the MK would be fabulous for a four year old. Also, you could ride a boat to the Contemporary and ride the monorail if your DS and DD would find that enjoyable. On the other hand, the AKL is the AKL, and it is the most awesomely themed resort in which I have had the pleasure of staying. It has the animals, the feel of Africa, Boma, and the Mara (although the Mara will be a disappointment if you are used to and enjoy the food court at the All-Stars). I don't really know what to tell you other than "Seize the day...Swap the resort...and make sure not to ruin your dessert with dinner!"

 

[jaysue]

If I was going to split the stay I would go with

All Star Movies at the start
WL at the end

For the same reasons as posted above re location within WDW as a whole

But check those FLL rates, may bring the mods or deluxe low enough for you to afford the whole trip at one

Thanks
Jason

 

[MelissaE1]

Robin, point well taken about the short stay and switching resorts, but this is the only way I can see to try AKL or WL so I am willing to make the sacrifice. Disney assures me they will transfer our luggage while we are at the parks, I hope this is as easy as it sounds.

Renting points sounds interesting, how does one go about doing that? Is there some sort of listing somewhere?

Jason, I did plan with resident rates in mind. There is still a pretty big difference, especially since WL has only garden view available at a slight upcharge, no standard rooms for any date we can go. May is dicey for us and our APs expire the 22nd so we want to go before then. It's a pretty big savings to split the stay. We could do the whole trip at a moderate, but I really want to try a deluxe... maybe my DH will get used to it! lol.

jaygatz, MK is definitely the favorite of my 4yo, and right up there for my 9yo also. The boat ride and subsequent monorail ride they would love. Didn't know you could do that. I have heard that the theming at AKL is the best hands down, but it looks pretty nice at WL also... is it even close? We could only afford a parking lot view at AKL anyway.

Thanks for all the info, keep that information and advice coming! What would we do without the DIS boards?

 

[jaysue]

To look into renting points go to the DVC Rent/Trade Board:

http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=29

WL has very good themes - in my mind think A- grade
AKL has excellent themes - in my mind think A+ grade

They will move the luggage but will put into storage at destination resort and will not put in your room until you check in and request

Thanks
Jason