Splitting our stay...WL & AKL good choice???

[Rockynrobin]

Hi Folks! DH and I are travelling at the beginning of Dec with our 2 little girls (3 & 9mo) and we can't wait the last time we were at DW was in 1999 for our honeymoon where we stayed at the GF!

We were originally booked for 7 nights at WL but after reading so many great things about AKL were sooo torn as to where to stay. With AP rates coming out this morning, nothing was available for the WL so I decided to split the stay with DC discount on the first 3 nights at WL and AP discount for the last 4 nights at AKL savannah view.

We figured we would boat to MK and monorail restaurants the first 3 days while at WL and then concentrate on AK, MGM, relaxing, shopping etc the last 4 days at the AKL. I am pretty excited about getting to stay at 2 new resorts on this trip but I just wanted some reassurance that we are making a good choice splitting the stay - that the transportation at the AKL is good and that it is NOT a pain to move mid-stay - bell staff really will help move your luggage, etc? I dont mind packing to check out - like I said I just wanted some reassurance from people who have BTDT!

Thanks!

 

[Mike_in_FL]

We really like both those hotels. They are similar in layout in a number of ways (same guy designed both, and you can tell, especially in the lobby). As far as changing between them, we did a split stay this summer between AKL (2 nights) and the Poly (3 nights), and we have done it a number of other times in the past. We have three children (7, 4 and under 2). As long as you plan your activities, it is not too bad. They will indeed transfer your luggage for you. Just remember to keep anything with you that you might want during the day, since all luggage is transferred at one time during the afternoon, and you might not see your stuff until 4pm or so.

With such a young one, you might find it easier to choose a "monorail" hotel and an "Epcot" hotel. Transportation from these is the simplest, especially with a stroller. Examples would be the Poly (very kid-friendly), and Boardwalk Inn or Yacht/Beach Club. They are all great hotels. Of course, they may prove to be significantly more expensive, or unavailable, and therefore not appropriate. If so, please feel free to ignore me

Hope you have a great time, whatever you decide!

Mike

 

[jerseydizdreamer]

I, too, will be at Disney at the beginning of December (Nov. 29-Dec 6, to be exact), staying at POR. I'm very, very jealous of your trip, as you're staying at two of the most AMAZING properties imaginable! I know, I know, the Grand Flordian is considered the be all, end all luxury resort, but I'll take the Wilderness Lodge or AKL any day! Both are just incredibly beautiful... and wait until you see the Wilderness Lodge decked out for the holidays! It'll be hard to go home and realize, "oh, crap, you mean Christmas isn't over? What could possibly top what we've seen?"

AKL, too, is incredible. And the kids will absolutely love the animals!

I think you've made the right decision. Transferring from one resort to another is pretty much a cinch, and, transportation-wise, both places have pros and cons... as does any other resort you might pick.

As they say, don't sweat the small stuff... just enjoy and know you're going to have an AMAZING time!

Richard

 

[Rockynrobin]

Thanks for your replies gentlemen! I appreciate it. Anyone else have anything to add - I would LOVE to hear more experiences!

Thanks!

 

[Laurabearz]

Three weeks from today we are splitting our stay between AKL and VWL. Our kids are 4, 2 1/2,4 months old.

We are not doing any parks, but I will post a trip report about our time at the resorts.

 

[caseih]

We split our stay at those two resorts last December. We did 4nts at WL , had standard view reserved and were upgraded to woods view. We switched to AKL savannah view for the last three nights. We loved both of those resorts. We used the boat and bus transportation at WL and had no problems. Bus service from AKL was good as well.
We had breakfast and lunch/dinner at Whispering Canyon and Boma, which we thought were great. You are in for a real treat at either of those resorts!!