Value or deluxe? I'm too indecisive :(

[Delphinidae]

Alright guys, bear with me because I'm going to ask what I'm quite sure everyone will think is a crazy stupid question, but I just can't make a decision and I'm out of time. Trying to plan a trip for me, DH, DD (13) and DD (10).

On one hand we have the Summer Meal Offer (which expires tomorrow so I need to book NOW if we want it) with a stay at All-Star Sports in August. I know it's not FREE dining, but it is one free meal for everyone each day, which means we would probably only be buying one meal a day OOP since we normally eat breakfast in our room before going to the parks, so at least that's something.

On the other hand, we have a very good deal, also in August, for the AKL, standard view. Very good deal as in essentially only a couple hundred dollars more than the offer at All-Star Sports would cost us. It's insane to me because I really never thought we would be staying at any of the deluxe hotels. My issue is, of course there is no food whatsoever included in that deal, so everything would be OOP. I am also a tad nervous about booking with a TA but only because I've always dealt with Disney directly so it's new.

Now I am in the process of looking up menus and trying to figure out how much I think we would spend on food to see if spending the extra to stay at AKL but buying all food OOP would be a dealbreaker or not. Hubby and I both keep waffling over All-Stars vs. AKL because while it's beautiful, I don't know how much time we will actually spend there at the resort. We are planning on a 6 night stay with 5 day tickets, but I suppose if it came down to it and we stayed at AKL, we could get 4 day tickets instead and spend a day at the resort. On the other hand, I hate to lose park time. Also, with how big AKL is, is it a pain walking to bus stops etc? My last stay was 2012 and at POFQ (my favorite) so I'm definitely used to smaller resorts.

Guys I just need help lol. Summer Meal deal deadline is tomorrow, I have an anxiety disorder and it makes it hard for me to make even a simple decision because I'm constantly second guessing everything.

 

[Hopefully]

Alright guys, bear with me because I'm going to ask what I'm quite sure everyone will think is a crazy stupid question, but I just can't make a decision and I'm out of time. Trying to plan a trip for me, DH, DD (13) and DD (10).

On one hand we have the Summer Meal Offer (which expires tomorrow so I need to book NOW if we want it) with a stay at All-Star Sports in August. I know it's not FREE dining, but it is one free meal for everyone each day, which means we would probably only be buying one meal a day OOP since we normally eat breakfast in our room before going to the parks, so at least that's something.

On the other hand, we have a very good deal, also in August, for the AKL, standard view. Very good deal as in essentially only a couple hundred dollars more than the offer at All-Star Sports would cost us. It's insane to me because I really never thought we would be staying at any of the deluxe hotels. My issue is, of course there is no food whatsoever included in that deal, so everything would be OOP. I am also a tad nervous about booking with a TA but only because I've always dealt with Disney directly so it's new.

Now I am in the process of looking up menus and trying to figure out how much I think we would spend on food to see if spending the extra to stay at AKL but buying all food OOP would be a dealbreaker or not. Hubby and I both keep waffling over All-Stars vs. AKL because while it's beautiful, I don't know how much time we will actually spend there at the resort. We are planning on a 6 night stay with 5 day tickets, but I suppose if it came down to it and we stayed at AKL, we could get 4 day tickets instead and spend a day at the resort. On the other hand, I hate to lose park time. Also, with how big AKL is, is it a pain walking to bus stops etc? My last stay was 2012 and at POFQ (my favorite) so I'm definitely used to smaller resorts.

Guys I just need help lol. Summer Meal deal deadline is tomorrow, I have an anxiety disorder and it makes it hard for me to make even a simple decision because I'm constantly second guessing everything.

A couple of thoughts.

Isn't the " Summer Meal Offer" for Quick service only? I don't think that is worth lots of money.
I'm confused by your "6 night stay with 5 day ticket". With 6 nights we plan on 7 days. With 6 nights you could spend arrival day and departure day enjoying the resort & still have 5 full park days.
If you can afford it, including OOP meals, I would go with AKL
Good Luck

 

[Elmo888]

AKL!

Okay, emotions aside, here are a few other questions...how often have you visited and where have you stayed? That might factor into your decision.

Are you able to start saving now for your food budget? You might find it less overwhelming if you put away x dollars per week until your trip to save for dining. Also, think about having breakfast in the room. Cereal, bars, fruit, bagels, etc. can save some money. Use a grocery delivery service if you don't have a car.

What concerns you about your TA? I started to use a Disney specialist TA, and it has been very helpful. I don't have to watch for and apply discounts...he does!

What about your touring style? If you go from park open to close, AKL might not be worth it. If you take afternoon breaks or spend evenings at your resort, AKL may be worth it. I wouldn't necessarily eliminate a park day if you stay at AKL. I would just plan on spending an afternoon and/or evening at AKL. It is beautiful!

Just some thoughts!

 

[L&Lfan]

AKL, no question.
The bus stop is just off the lobby or even closer if you cut through the gift shop.

 

[loves to dive]

As far as AKLs size and bus stops. There is one stop at Jambo House and one stop at Kidani, the bus stops at Jambo first then Kidani (which if I'm not mistaken is only DVC so it's off the table anyway) so no, there aren't a lot of bus stops and no they aren't that far. AKL is larger than ASSp, but you get what you pay for there. You get to see the animals from many locations through out the resort. The lodge is beautiful, I'm talking breathtaking and worth spending time at. I would go with AKL if you could swing it. As far as meals, you can eat breakfast in the room, if the girls aren't big eaters they both can order kids meals even though one of them is older, I actually eat kids meals at QS because it's more than enough food for me. You can even share meals at TS. Go ahead and start buying gift cards when you have a chance, get a Target Red card and order on line and get a 5% discount on the card.

 

[Freiden8]

We always go for the "upgrade" to any original plans because you never know when they'll happen like that again.

Splurge. It'll be worth it.

 

[Delphinidae]

A couple of thoughts.

Isn't the " Summer Meal Offer" for Quick service only? I don't think that is worth lots of money.
I'm confused by your "6 night stay with 5 day ticket". With 6 nights we plan on 7 days. With 6 nights you could spend arrival day and departure day enjoying the resort & still have 5 full park days.
If you can afford it, including OOP meals, I would go with AKL
Good Luck

Yes, it is QS only, and I know it isn't much, but every little bit helps lol! As far as the 6 nights with 5 day ticket, I'm not sure what time we will arrive because we drive and it's always a toss up as to if we will spend a night on the road or drive straight through. I never plan on using park days on our arrival or departure days, so yeah I did plan on the 5 days in the middle being the park days. But you're absolutely correct that we could spend all of the arrival and departure days enjoying the resort, I just wasn't sure how long we would actually be there on either day

AKL!

Okay, emotions aside, here are a few other questions...how often have you visited and where have you stayed? That might factor into your decision.

Are you able to start saving now for your food budget? You might find it less overwhelming if you put away x dollars per week until your trip to save for dining. Also, think about having breakfast in the room. Cereal, bars, fruit, bagels, etc. can save some money. Use a grocery delivery service if you don't have a car.

What concerns you about your TA? I started to use a Disney specialist TA, and it has been very helpful. I don't have to watch for and apply discounts...he does!

What about your touring style? If you go from park open to close, AKL might not be worth it. If you take afternoon breaks or spend evenings at your resort, AKL may be worth it. I wouldn't necessarily eliminate a park day if you stay at AKL. I would just plan on spending an afternoon and/or evening at AKL. It is beautiful!

Just some thoughts!

I have been 3 times. Have stayed at Riverside when it was Dixie Landings, All-Star Music, and POFQ. POFQ has been my favorite. I am planning on saving up for food (and souvenirs) now. Trying to figure up what food will cost. I don't think we will do as many character meals as the kids are older, but they did say they would like to do Crystal Palace again. Our last trip we did 2 character meals and the Fantasmic! package at Mama Melrose so I think we really got our money's worth of the dining plan. Now i'm at a loss LOL. As far as breakfast in the room, that is what we did last time (except for one morning when we ate at Kona) and that is the plan this time also.

About the TA, I think it is just because it is new to me. I am I guess just nervous about leaving things in their hands. Also bummed that I can't get the interest free financing with my Disney Visa, but whatcha gonna do? Can you still get trip insurance with them?

Our touring style definitely is park open to close. However, this is the first time we would be going in August (have only been in June and late September) so we may find ourselves going back for a swim at some point! I should mention that this will be my kids' second trip and the first for my hubby. Of course he doesn't understand the big deal and asks why we can't just stay in an off property hotel. That is just not an option for me LOL. The budget will be tight though so off to look at food costs I go. Thank you for all your help

 

[Delphinidae]

As far as AKLs size and bus stops. There is one stop at Jambo House and one stop at Kidani, the bus stops at Jambo first then Kidani (which if I'm not mistaken is only DVC so it's off the table anyway) so no, there aren't a lot of bus stops and no they aren't that far. AKL is larger than ASSp, but you get what you pay for there. You get to see the animals from many locations through out the resort. The lodge is beautiful, I'm talking breathtaking and worth spending time at. I would go with AKL if you could swing it. As far as meals, you can eat breakfast in the room, if the girls aren't big eaters they both can order kids meals even though one of them is older, I actually eat kids meals at QS because it's more than enough food for me. You can even share meals at TS. Go ahead and start buying gift cards when you have a chance, get a Target Red card and order on line and get a 5% discount on the card.

Can you see anything from the standard room views? I have been to AKL one time, to eat at Boma, and it was so beautiful. I haven't eaten at the other places there before. I'm glad to hear the bus stop trek isn't awful, because we all know how far a simple walk can seem after a long hot day in the parks! I didn't realize that adults could order a kids meal! That is good to know. I do have a Target RedCard and have seen lots of people seem to buy gift cards regularly for use in the parks, is there an advantage to doing it this way besides the 5% discount (that I didn't even realize was valid on gift cards!)

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you can swing it, I would do AKL. It's beautiful and you will notice a huge difference in the quality of the hotel, room, amenities, etc.

I have a hunch as to which deal you booked - with that particular package, you cannot purchase Disney travel insurance. If you would like insurance, I would recommend checking out www.insure my trip.com. (without the spaces) You will be able to compare pricing for trip insurance policies. I use it all the time for cruises and non-WDW trips.

 

[Freiden8]

Can you see anything from the standard room views? I have been to AKL one time, to eat at Boma, and it was so beautiful. I haven't eaten at the other places there before. I'm glad to hear the bus stop trek isn't awful, because we all know how far a simple walk can seem after a long hot day in the parks! I didn't realize that adults could order a kids meal! That is good to know. I do have a Target RedCard and have seen lots of people seem to buy gift cards regularly for use in the parks, is there an advantage to doing it this way besides the 5% discount (that I didn't even realize was valid on gift cards!)

This was the view from our "standard" room...

 

[Elmo888]

I use a TA and my Disney Visa and still get free financing. I would ask about it. And, yes, I still can get trip insurance through my TA.

Since your family hasn't been much, I would definitely try AKL.

Just FYI, you can order kids' meals at CS restaurants for any age. We also ordered kids' meals at TS for my then 10 year old, and we didn't have a problem, too. It is buffet and family style meals that get expensive with kids over 9. If you stick with TS where you order off the menu, you can control things better (share meals, kids' meals, etc.) Sanaa is a TS restaurant at AKL that is great and relatively reasonable. AKL has a CS restaurant, too.

 

[Delphinidae]

I have a hunch as to which deal you booked - with that particular package, you cannot purchase Disney travel insurance. If you would like insurance, I would recommend checking out www.insure my trip.com. (without the spaces) You will be able to compare pricing for trip insurance policies. I use it all the time for cruises and non-WDW trips.

Thanks, I'll check into that. My husband doesn't get to put in his bid for vacation time until April so we aren't guaranteed that he'll get the week in August that we want yet, and I don't want to lose everything if I have to cancel!

And Freiden8, OMG those pictures! I think I know what I want to do LOL

 

[robinb]

A QS meal is worth costs about $10-$18 depending if you enjoy a drink dessert with your meal. If we assume a QS is worth about $15 each, you're giving up a value of about $60 per day when you go to AKL. Over 6 nights, that's an extra $360 you'll have to spend while at AKV on meals on top of the additional cost for the resort. It sounds like you'll be spending about $100 more per night at AKV over ASSp. I guess if your budget is tight then that $600 might be a deal breaker. If you think you can budget elsewhere (like packing breakfasts with you since you'll be driving) or if your DDs will eat kids meals then maybe you'll be able to swing it. I love AKL and if can make it work I would do it. Even a standard view is nice.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I would chose AKL, but we don't like the dining plans anyway. We actually prefer to pay for our meals OOP.

 

[robinb]

This was the view from our "standard" room...

View attachment 153783 View attachment 153784

There are far worse standard views at AKL. The rooms over the walkway to the bus is probably the worst room in all of WDW.

 

[Mynamewastaken]

AKL all the way. We are a family of 4 and oop has always been cheaper than the dining plan

 

[Mynamewastaken]

If you look on Orbitz and do a room only reservation you might score an even better deal than what you are being offered. Plug in their discount code.. it is discount on top of Disneys and I have always done that to save more.


Read up on how to book if you use orbitz (regarding adding your kids onto the reservation after you book)

 

[Freiden8]

And Freiden8, OMG those pictures! I think I know what I want to do LOL

FYI:
I was able to get this view by requesting "close to lobby" and "kudu trail" when I did online check in.

 

[robinb]

FYI:
I was able to get this view by requesting "close to lobby" and "kudu trail" when I did online check in.

Requests are just that, but I'm glad that you got a great view! I booked a standard view on the villas side expecting a pool view and ended up with a Sunset Savannah view.

 

[Delphinidae]

I wonder if the TA can help me out with a decent view.

I'm looking at menus now to try to see the cost of the places we want to eat OOP vs. dining plan. Does anyone know if Mama Melrose still has the Fantasmic! package and if so, can you get it OOP or dining plan only?

EDIT Oops nevermind I just found MM's dining package on their menu I hate that we will be paying adult dining prices on both kids now :/