What to do...what to do...PLEASE help

[smillerguy]

Deluxre resort is to moderate as moderate in to value. I use to stay value all the time then we tried POFQ and loved it and stayed there a few times. Also like CB. AKL is amazing and is great for the animals. No boat ride to DTD though. I love the monorail rooms for the firworks at night and the night light parade. They are all great.

Splitting stays are a little bit of a hassel for us. Just don't like repacking but you could get a little of both. I would try for one of the new themed rooms at POFQ for 4 or 5 nights and then switch to AKL for the rest. Moving for 2 nights seem like a hassel. Have to unpack the first night and then have to worry about paccking to leave the next night. Your girls are at the perfect age to be at AKL and while the pool was great at POFQ 2 years ago I found as my children grew a little older that pool became a little smaller for them. Either way you have a great vacation. We don't splurge on lots of things but we try to make special family memories with our children while we can.
Oh yeah.. the CM at AKL are great with children that love animals. they will talk to them as long as you are willing to stand there and let them.

 

[mericletwins]

I would split the stay half and half and put the money saved over booking the entire trip at AKL towards a savanna view room while you are at AKL. We doing split stays because it feels like we get two vacations in one. We don't find it to be a hassle, or time consuming to do a split. Although we don't do this, some people don't pack a suitcase by the person, but by the stay. Pack a suitcase or two for everyone for the first resort, with toiletries, then pack all the other stuff for the other resort. That way you don't have to open all your suitcases in both hotels.

 

[disneybliss2]

Thank you so much for everyone's input and help! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it, especially since my post was so long. I'm still on the fence as far as which decision to make. I know, you're probably saying, "It's not that hard; make a decision!" Just when I think I've made up my mind, I start second guessing myself again. I have committed to having a decision made by this afternoon, though, so when I do, I'll let you know what I decided.
I like the idea of an equal split stay as many have suggested, but it poses problems with dining for us. We are big fans of the dining plan, and while I could convince DH to forgo it for two days, I don't think I could sell him on 4 or 5. Since in Disney eyes you have to have at least one park ticket for your party purchased to have the Dining Plan, you offset your savings of buying the tickets in bulk days on an entire resort stay by having to purchase at least one set for your second resort stay to get dining plan. For many that wouldn't be a problem, but for us since we like the dining plan, it is a kink. Another problem (the biggest), as I said, we can very easily afford the upgrade, but since I don't usually spend chunks of money like that, I feel horribly guilty. I'm too used to being frugal! At first I thought having two days there at the end would be a nice treat (and could justify spending a small amount for the two night upgrade), but I don't think we'll have time to truly enjoy the resort amenities like I'd want to. I also told my husband that we originally wanted to try out the deluxe to see if it's worth it for some other trip and for daughters to enjoy the resort (which is why we only did two days), but NOW is when my daughter (has been since little) is obsessed with animals (wild animals in particular). She eats up culture and would appreciate learning from the African cast members now. Our next trip won't be until she's 11 or 12, which is a fickle age and her interests might be different then. On the reverse side, I'm a little worried about transportation glitches. When we stayed at POFQ, it was wonderful. Don't want to feel like I have horribly long waits for buses at AKL like I did at our first two stays at POP. Again, thanks for listening and being patient and helpful.

 

[smillerguy]

I think you should just upgrade the whole time with the diing plan. If you are like me you will feel the pain when you initially pay for the hotel but during and after the stay you will not miss the difference in the cost. You will have a great time and then you can decide whether you want to splurge again on a different deluxe or go back to POFQ. I didn't have a problem with buses. The actual ride was longer but there were no other stops except one time on the way home they did a quick stop at a water park. the resort doesn't share buses like other places do.

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

Like I stated before, reread both posts and I think you will find your answer as YOU have already answered yourself. Time to splurge and AKL it all. Just this once. You only live once and you can't take it with you. Take the dollar out of the decision and make it ONLY on what as a family suits your family. So you won;t feel guilty, next time do POP! LOL

 

[robinb]

I can't believe I'm saying this ... but I would change to AKL for your whole trip. It is really such a beautiful, relaxing resort with plenty to do on your times back at the resort. They have a variety of animal related activities ("daily adventures") for children where they can earn beads. My DD did them when she was about 8-9 and had a blast. Since your DD adores animals so much, I would make the switch. You could consider renting DVC points for your stay at Jambo House or Kidani. It might be cheaper than booking directly though Disney.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I never understood the whole appeal of split stay. Its pain enough to change rooms at the same resort. I say do AKL for the whole trip.

 

[goofy4tink]

I never understood the whole appeal of split stay. Its pain enough to change rooms at the same resort. I say do AKL for the whole trip.

Oh, a lot of us do it all the time. Hasn't been a pain yet...not even when I did...1 night at Jambo House, 4 nights at BWV, 2 nights at Kidani, 4 nights at Pop (free dining!!!), and 2 nights at BWV!!! Now that was confusing!!!

But just one move??? Nah, not a big deal at all...especially if you have your car with you, or just use a cab to move to the next resort.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Oh, a lot of us do it all the time. Hasn't been a pain yet...not even when I did...1 night at Jambo House, 4 nights at BWV, 2 nights at Kidani, 4 nights at Pop (free dining!!!), and 2 nights at BWV!!! Now that was confusing!!!

But just one move??? Nah, not a big deal at all...especially if you have your car with you, or just use a cab to move to the next resort.

I think i just dont want to waste time when im there with packing and moving. I hate packing

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I think I would go with AKL for the entire trip. That way you don't have to forgo the dining plan at all. Your daughter will be grown up before you know it. I'm also very frugal, but we are going all out for our trip in September and staying at my dream resort (the Poly). You only live once!

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

My only advice with split stays is ALWAYS end with the better resort. We were snowed in 2 years ago. Disney was full but was gracious to find us a room for the night. However we went from a deluxe to a value. If it was the other way around I dont think family would have noticed as many differences. But going down in status even one level you will notice small things. ; ) ie towels softer, beds softer, everything just better. We have done 2 split stays one going up and one going down and it is as you would expect.

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

DD and I go just the two of us at times. I really REALLY like the posters ideas of a suitcase per hotel. That is awsome. When her and I go again I think I would most definately do a split stay doing that trick. How does the luggage get moved as our split stays: time one was the blizzard (and we were at the airport and went back we had no luggage for a day and a half as we checked it in in the am) and time two was split by a cruise so maybe not a true split stay.

 

[disneybliss2]

Well, decision is made. I switched our reservation for the full length of stay at AKL. I was so excited when I first called and made the reservation change. Then I felt guilty for a couple of hours. Now I'm back (and will stay back) to being excited again.
My decision boiled down to a few things.
1. DH and I really didn't want to lose our dining plan, even for the two day split. We really didn't want to lose it for four or five days if we made the split broader. Maybe that's us being stubborn, but for us the dining plan really works. Staying at AKL the entire time allows us to use our credits how we want throughout the trip.
2. Staying at AKL for the entire time will also allow me to be more flexible with our schedule. I don't have to feel like we can only stay at the resort the last two days to take full advantage of the amenities. Now I can spread the activities throughout the week and take advantage of some down time I will build into the trip. I think we can all appreciate the resort more now and not feel rushed and try to balance our last park days with only resort time if we only had two days at the end.
3.I had Boma and Sanaa reserved for our last two nights to be close to the resort on the two days we would stay there. On our AK park day, I had us going to Epcot so that I could save Boma for our AKL stay. Now that we'll be at that resort the entire stay, I can be more flexible with our dining.
4. I didn't really want to try AKL out for a possible future trip. NOW is when my daughter is a huge animal lover in an extreme way. She has been for years and may very well stay that way, but now is when I want to give her this opportunity to experience the animals and learn about the African culture from the CMs. She will soak it up!
5. The main reason: While financially it was not even an issue of being able to afford the upgrade, it still made me feel guilty. We're very blessed and just because I can easily afford the upgrade, doesn't mean I should necessarily spend the money. I'm so used to being frugal that I felt greedy for wanting to upgrade.
Instead, I'm not going to feel guilty and I'm happy with the decision I made. As many have said, I can't take it with me and it won't affect my finances at all. I know this vacation will be the best for my family, and I know we'll make wonderful memories. For that, it is worth for me to upgrade. I.am.so.excited!!!!!! Thank you so VERY much for all who gave me advice and feedback.

 

[disneybliss2]

Like I stated before, reread both posts and I think you will find your answer as YOU have already answered yourself. Time to splurge and AKL it all. Just this once. You only live once and you can't take it with you. Take the dollar out of the decision and make it ONLY on what as a family suits your family. So you won;t feel guilty, next time do POP! LOL

I got a smile from your post! Your first post to my question got me thinking, you're right, I have already answered myself with my pros/cons list. This second post was the gentle nudge I needed. Thanks for your help!

 

[mericletwins]

DD and I go just the two of us at times. I really REALLY like the posters ideas of a suitcase per hotel. That is awsome. When her and I go again I think I would most definately do a split stay doing that trick. How does the luggage get moved as our split stays: time one was the blizzard (and we were at the airport and went back we had no luggage for a day and a half as we checked it in in the am) and time two was split by a cruise so maybe not a true split stay.

On the day of the move, we call down to bell services in the a.m. and tell them we are moving resorts. They come up and tag it and take it away. We head to a park for the day and then to resort #2 around dinner time and call down to bell services to bring our luggage up. Keep in mind, you will not have access to your luggage until around 4 or 5 if you do it this way.

Another way is to take your luggage down with you, hop in a cab and go to resort #2. You can check in and store your luggage with bell services. Head to a park or wherever and go back when your room is ready.

 

[mommy2twinprincesses]

This is certainly a tough one! AKL is my #1 absolute favorite and we stay there every chance we get. BUT, the extra $1000 is a big expense even if you can "afford" it. If it were me, I'd leave things as they are. Port Orleans is a beautiful resort and more centrally located than AKL (although we've never really had a problem with the buses). Think of it as getting a taste of AKL this year and if you really love it, you can save up and stay there next time (you say you go every 2yrs). I think your plan for staying there at the end of your trip is a good one. Yes, switching resorts can be an slight inconvenience, but it's a great way to experience different resorts and a wonderful way to end your trip!

^ That ^

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

This is what DIS is all about. One or many helping you have a better vacation. Your welcome but you already chose, we just gave you a nudge. Now go have some fun!

 

[Chelley00]

Well, decision is made. I switched our reservation for the full length of stay at AKL.

I think you made the perfect decision! We LOVED AKL and I would love to stay there again! Make sure and take the time to do all the activities. It was one of the highlights of our stay. DD had a great time and learned all kinds of things. Enjoy!