Ugh! Split stay indecision = stress!!

[tallen429]

LOL!!
Among other times, we usually go right at the end of summer because our area is one of the few that doesn't start school until after Labor Day. We find the heat tolerable because it's so empty that we get a ton done first thing and then go hang out and swim...

Anyway, since we have APs this year, I want to take a longer trip..thinking ten days. I'll probably take DD 6 and DD9 for part of the time myself and DH will join us for a week.
I want to do a split stay between AKL and somewhere else...but the somewhere else is giving me a headache.
We have stayed many places and I wanted to try something new for a few days, but year after year I reject those very resorts because of size, transport...etc.
I always think about trying CSR or CBR but the negative reviews always stop me.
Thinking of doing WL ( a fav of mine but the little ones haven't been there) and that will probably be the default, but I thought of staying at a Mod too.
I'm not really a value resort girl, but also considered Pop.

Going around and around until I'm dizzy!! Yikes!

 

[mmmears]

Ever since my family fell in love with AKL several years ago we've been doing splits there. I love the animals, but find that for a trip that long, I prefer to split the time with something more "conveniently" located.

For us, it's been the Poly, GF, or YC/BC. Looks like you are looking in the moderate/low deluxe range though. The one I've been interested in trying is the WL -- and that's on your list. At least if you stay there, you can tour the MK those days and take advantage of the nice boat ride to the MK! Plus you will be on the lake and have all the recreation choices there. And I think the WL is a beautiful resort and will go well with a stay at the AKL. We took our DD to WCC for dinner one night at the WL and she was very impressed with the resort and asked if we could stay there -- I think the place looks fun for kids.

I haven't stayed at a Mod (although POFQ looks appealing since it's smaller), so I can't give you the pros and cons of those.

You haven't said (or maybe even decided) which part of the trip you will be alone with the kids. If it were me, I'd prefer that part to be in a one-building resort with good transportation.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[tinkbyday]

Sounds like the WL would be a good fit - the kids would probably love it there!

If you wanted to spend a bit more, staying at one of the deluxes in the Epcot area as the PP mentioned, is a great way to do a split - being able to walk or boat to two parks is an awesome benefit - plus the Boardwalk in the evenings is so much fun.

I've stayed at both CBR and POR and found I just am not a fan of the moderates - I just don't care for the motel atmosphere with the outdoor corridors - there are many who don't care about this, it's just my personal preference.

 

[tallen429]

Ever since my family fell in love with AKL several years ago we've been doing splits there. I love the animals, but find that for a trip that long, I prefer to split the time with something more "conveniently" located.

For us, it's been the Poly, GF, or YC/BC.

I haven't stayed at a Mod (although POFQ looks appealing since it's smaller), so I can't give you the pros and cons of those.

You haven't said (or maybe even decided) which part of the trip you will be alone with the kids. If it were me, I'd prefer that part to be in a one-building resort with good transportation.

Good luck with your decision!

My FAVORITE resort is Beach Club, and I've done the monorail resorts except for GF and I'm saving that for DDs Mommy and Me trip. LOL! I'm really wanting to try someplace we haven't been, or it would be BC in a heartbeat!

I'm thinking DH will come for the later part of the trip...

Sounds like the WL would be a good fit - the kids would probably love it there!

If you wanted to spend a bit more, staying at one of the deluxes in the Epcot area as the PP mentioned, is a great way to do a split - being able to walk or boat to two parks is an awesome benefit - plus the Boardwalk in the evenings is so much fun.

I've stayed at both CBR and POR and found I just am not a fan of the moderates - I just don't care for the motel atmosphere with the outdoor corridors - there are many who don't care about this, it's just my personal preference.

We LOVED WL when I took my oldest there when he was the age my middle ds is now. Beautiful resort! I've been wanting to get back for a while. It's definitely in the running...probably in the lead.
As I said above, BC is my all time fav but I want to venture out..ha ha...it's scary! LOL!

I might get REALLY crazy and do a 3-3-4 split with Pop, WL and AKL! I have never found hopping to be the inconvenience some people feel it is. Leaving in the morning to your park of choice, Dis moves your bags, a quick stop by the desk of the new resort and you're good to go! We'll see what the AP room only rates end up being. At least for now I can get AKL for the 30% general discount and have that in place and cancel later.

 

[CdnKayDee]

Well since you are going to the place you know you like the best AKL,why not pick the resort you have the most reservation about. This way the resort is already starting from a low position and can only go up. I suspect you will do AKL last so even if the resort does not impress you will have so much to look foward to. I would go with CSR for the mod and would not do a value.

 

[KB24]

WL is very pretty. I would definitely consider staying there.

 

[mmmears]

I might get REALLY crazy and do a 3-3-4 split with Pop, WL and AKL! I have never found hopping to be the inconvenience some people feel it is. Leaving in the morning to your park of choice, Dis moves your bags, a quick stop by the desk of the new resort and you're good to go! We'll see what the AP room only rates end up being. At least for now I can get AKL for the 30% general discount and have that in place and cancel later.

We did a 4-3-3 split once (had the 4 in the front since we arrive at WDW late at night so that first night doesn't really count). It was super-fun if you don't mind moving. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who has any hesitation about splitting though, but you don't! That one was BC/AKL/GF and it was so much fun. And nice, since we got to experience 3 different resort areas.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

LOL!!
.....................

I want to do a split stay between AKL and somewhere else...but the somewhere else is giving me a headache.
We have stayed many places and I wanted to try something new for a few days, but year after year I reject those very resorts because of size, transport...etc.

I always think about trying CSR or CBR but the negative reviews always stop me.

.......................

Going around and around until I'm dizzy!! Yikes!

You WOULD NOT HAVE TO LOOK HARD to find negative reviews for each of the resorts you love. So why be afraid of trying a new resort that you haven't tried because of the negative reviews?

I have read plenty of negative reviews for each of the resorts we have stayed at and and WE HAVE ENJOYED EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM!!!!!!

For me the only reviews that have any meaning are the ones that list; What they liked and What they disliked. Reports with only a laundry list of why I hated my stay at resort X has no meaning to me.

 

[Kim1964]

I had a good friend who hated her stay at CSR, but one year we did a little "resort tour" to check out properties we might try on future visits. We all thought that CSR looked great and I decided to try it, despite my friend's negative views. Prior to staying at CSR, we had stayed at Pop, POR, POFQ, YC, and WL.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at CSR. In fact, it was so great I had a hard time believing I was staying at the same resort my friend had described to me. The beds were very comfortable, the doors separating the dressing area from the rest of the room were a nice feature, the grounds were gorgeous, and we loved the pool (especially the slide). We were fortunate to have terrific housekeeping (and she came early so the room was all set when we returned for afternoon breaks). We were in the Ranchos section, which is about as far away from El Centro as you can be, but we happen to enjoy strolling the resort grounds so this didn't bother us. There was a bus stop just outside our building (we had a car so didn't take buses). The grounds at night are especially beautiful. CSR is now our favorite moderate.

 

[Abby Wednesday]

It's true, someone out there always finds something bad to say about every single Disney resort. FWIW I've seen a lot of positive buzz about CSR on this board. CBR probably not as much, but it has its devotees as well. Personally, I think the pool areas/grounds at both of these look pretty cool. More than anything it's about choosing something that appeals to you and your family. Good luck!

 

[tallen429]

You WOULD NOT HAVE TO LOOK HARD to find negative reviews for each of the resorts you love. So why be afraid of trying a new resort that you haven't tried because of the negative reviews?

Actually, with both resorts, it's mostly the size. I don't pay much attention to comments about beds, noise, etc...
With the heat in August, I have less than zero desire to have to walk 10-15 minutes to get to anything...especially if it happens to be with young, tired kids.
Also not a fan of the million bus stops and the time they add to getting anywhere.
The themes for both look cute, but have never been "must-do". I actually think that I'd try Pop before I tried either of those.
Something still nags at me about them though!!

 

[mmmears]

In terms of location size, when my only room request was to be near the lobby elevators, the resorts we have stayed at have always been able to accommodate our request. I understand about the looooooong hallways and distances, since all the WDW properties feel quite spread out to me. At least with AKL and WL, you are in the air-condition and won't get rained on!