Total newbie to WDW - AKL + GF in Dec?

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Spent hours reading these great boards this weekend. WDW is much more complicated than I ever imagined!

DH wants to go to WDW for the first time as a "I beat cancer victory trip" (5 years!), mid-Dec. We are in our 40s, kidless but kids at heart. I'm not sure but thinking AKL for the first three nights and GF for the last three (assuming I can still get them). Non-smoking, savannah room and then a lagoon room with a MK view of fireworks (am I saying this right for booking?). Views matter the most to us, followed by quiet - we want to be far from from pools, ice machines, piano bars, etc.

1) I gather it's better for me just to call up and get a res for the room category I want, and then later see if they offer the AP discount rather than use a TA? Do you have just as good a chance if you modify an existing reservation with AP as making a new one with AP?

2) How long does it take to get to Epcot/MGM from AKL and GF? Are we missing out by not having a boardwalk-area resort?

Thank you!
Total Newbie CaliforniaDreamer (I picked that before realizing it was close to the grand pooh-bah's username - if i knew how to change it, I would)

 

[Gary M]

What a great celebration trip. You picked two great resorts, which are very different from each other. Just go ahead and make your room reservations and if/when the discounts come out, just call and change to the discount, if it is available for your dates and resort. Just keep your eye on these boards and www.mousesavers.com for discount codes.

Time to get to the different parks will vary, but I would guess the actual travel time would be 15 to 20 minutes. The buses come by the resorts every 15 to 20 minutes, so if you just missed the bus, your wait can be a little longer. You picked two great resorts.

 

[#1hockeymom]

What a great reason for a celebration trip! I am going to answer this with some more ideas. SORRY! Since you want to be near the MGM/Epcot area, why not add the Swan/Dolphin to your ideas? You'll love the beds, the views can be simply spectacular, and you'll have the ability to have a little more quiet since there are usually less children there compared to the Disney resorts. Your two resort picks are fabulous, I am just adding one more idea to your mix!

Happy planning!
Debbie

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Welcome to the board and Congrat's on the big 5 year mark. I know how important that mark is since I have a friend who is waiting to hit it!!!!
Sounds like you have picked two great resorts.
My husband and I will be going in November. We also are in our early 40's with no kids. We picked AKL and YC.
He has never been to WDW and I have not stayed on site since I was a kid.
It was really a toss up for us when it came to staying in the EPCOT area or on the monorail.
Call and make reservations for the resorts you want ( do you have AAA? There is a discount right off the bat)
and wait to see if discounts come out for your time. We did that. We had the AAA discount and then a few weekends ago we got the postcard and saved over $400.
Once again Welcome and Congratulations!!!

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Thanks Gary, for the transportation times. Also thanks to hockeymom and Mrs J. (will do the AAA until AP comes out). I'm still with the GF then AKL plan. One thing that is driving me crazy - I found some maps online somewhere today. Anyone know where I saw that map of the GF?

 

[scoutsmom99]

CaliforniaDreamer
Maybe you saw it on Deb's site? Here is the link to her page about the GF! I hope this helps!

The Fact Sheet for GF
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_gf.htm

Pictures for GF with resort map
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_gf.htm

 

[Gary M]

Map for the GF can be found at:

www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/grandflo.jpg

 

[KayakDaddy]

Congrats on the 5 year milestone!

You picked two great resorts, both with great on site dining. Make sure you dine at Boma's, we do - whether we are staying at AKL or not. Also, the open-faced Grand Sandwich at the Grand Floridian Cafe is almost worth a side trip just by itself.

AKL is 15-20 minute bus ride from Epcot. It goes quickly, with lots to look at. From GF, you could ride the monorail to the TTC, then transfer to the monorail to Epcot. I don't know if that would really be any faster though, since you almost have to do the whole loop to get back to the TTC from the GF. If you drive your own car, beware of Disney road signs. We decided to drive to MGM one night from AKL for the late Fantasmic, and we missed the turn. I kind of expected the entrance to a major theme park to jump out at me a little bit more. We backtracked and found it alright, so we were fine. I would have been bent if that happened while trying to get to the park early in the morning though.

A bonus is that the nicer resorts always have the closest bus drop off and pick up points at the parks. You will have a much shorter walk from your bus stops to the main gates.

You shouldn't have any trouble finding discounts at the AKL, but you don't see them advertised as much at the GF.

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Thank you map people! Yes! And kayak, good tips on the transportation. I will order that sandwich and toast to you.

So thanks to this great board I was able to learn a lot in a few days (of non-stop reading). I have made our reservation and the super nice guy on the phone (a great Disney fan who said he loved making people's dreams come true) said we're likely to get what we requested (room location) because most people just ask for "non-smoking!"

Also - if you are even thinking of doing the sunrise or sunset safaris, make your concierge room-only reservation at CRO and then call concierge (ask for the "itinerary concierge" which is different from the regular one) at the AKL. They are *not* sold out for the month of Dec. Only Dec 10th is sold out for the sunset (I don't know about the sunrise). The process for the reservation is they have you on a list so it is essentially a done deal. It is just not considered officially "confirmed" until 3 weeks when the 90 day mark hits. Then it will be automatically confirmed. I think this is a fair and considerate system, it allows for first-come, first served and doesn't make you have to be on the phone on one specific day. They will want a credit card number just to hold it. BTW, concierge didn't ask me for my reservation confirmation number as she checked and it must have shown up in the computer rather instantly.

I was worried last night but today it is coming together!