What would you choose?

[billybaruch1]

And is that your final answer?

Would you stay at the AKL for $1,620 or the AS Movies for $750. Both include Ultimate Park Hopper tickets.

I can see some of the pros and cons of each, but I wonder if any of you would like to share some insight based on experience. Thanks.

 

[AspiringCindy]

If I was on a tight budget, I would have no problem staying in an AS hotel, but I usually opt for the deluxe! I prefer inside corridors, full service restaurants and theming like that of AKL and WL! We have stayed at ASMu and liked it very much too!

 

[billybaruch1]

Thanks. I'm tempted to with AKL - never been there, only been to AK once - but I've also never been to an AS motel/hotel. I guess you get what you pay for... if you're lucky. I'm glad to hear you've liked ASMu. Were the buses convenient from there, or would a rental car be better?

 

[lasmickey]

Personally, we spend very little time in our room. The deluxe resorts are great, but for no more time then we're there, we feel that it's a bit too much extra $$ to go for a deluxe resort. We are very happy in the "budget" resorts, and are even happier spending our "savings" on other "fun" things in the parks, etc.

 

[LvsTnk]

AKL, Loved It!

Also, someone just posted their bad experience with ASmovies bus service, and I have heard that when sharing service with the other AS's the busses come full to movies. It could have been on the transportation board or trip reports too not sure.

 

[DizzieDizney]

My family and I stayed at ASsports last year and loved it! We had the best time! The room was perfect for us but it was only me, dh, and 2 ds's 5yrs old and 1 yr old. We didn't feel cramped. The service was great! The food court was a bit crowded at times, we ate there once and the food was good. The only thing that bothered me was the busses. They were usually packed, esp at night when everyone was trying to get back to the resorts. We went during spring break last year so that might of been the reason why. There were alot of kids!! Other then that we had a good time....maybe cuz we weren't in the rooms much and there are no compliants from me about the rooms! This year we are trying CSR

 

[tn4mickey]

I would opt for All Stars and stay twice as long!!!!

 

[PoohBWV]

I think it really depends if this is a "going to the parks everyday vacation" or a more relaxing one. If you won't be spending much time at the resort, save your money and opt for AS. If on the other hand you will be spending time in the afternoons at the pool relaxing and have time to enjoy the amenities at AKL then go for it.

 

[miko]

If money were a concern but not too bad, I would split the stay with a few nights at each (if package would allow it).

 

[CamColt]

Since Im a big fan of ASMO, and dont really care for animals, thats a no brainer for me...ASMO all the way, and have the extra money as a bonus.
However, everyone is different with different priorities so it really depends what is important to you.
Good luck deciding!

 

[AspiringCindy]

Billybaruch, the buses were very reliable and convenient from ASMu.
I agree with Pooh, about whether you will visit the parks all day or enjoy the resort. If you know you'll spend time at AKL, then go for it. To me, the extra money would be worth it.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Based on my experiences- If your going to spend your awake hours all at the parks then do the ASMo but if your going to spend time at the resort definitely stay at AKL!

With the AKL you get a feeling of 2 vacations in 1 because when your at the resort it is so relaxing. The sights, the smells, the decor, even the lighting is done to provide a relaxing escape. With the All Stars you really don't get an escape from it all, which is fine if your using your room as a place to crash at night. But if you plan on having some down time for swimming and just relaxing the All-Stars really don't provide the atmosphere for that, it's a very high energy, fun place.

Just try and decide which vacation style fits you best.


Good luck with your decision!! Have a great trip!

 

[Timon71]

Let me start by adding that any disney hotel is wonderful. With that said, Deluxe hotels have many advantages.

The AS hotels aren't a bad choice if you have kids or are planning to only stay in your room to sleep. Another advantage of course, is the easy one, it's cheaper. The cheaper cost does come at a cost as in room size, perks, noise level between rooms, restaurants, BUS SERVICE, & overrall atmosphere.
The AK lodge in my opinion is in the top 4 disney hotels. This resort is eye candy. It's well worth every penny & is slightly underpriced for a deluxe.


Hope you have a WONDERFUL trip. Don't worry, either hotel you choose will make you HAPPY. YOU'LL BE AT WDW.


Jay & Monica

 

[jkovick]

Depends on your $$ situation and your touring plan. Are you spending most of your time in the parks? If so, All Stars are just fine (we have only had positive experiences there) and you would have and extra $870 in fun money!

 

[>>^..^<<]

AKL - the Fairy Tale package is not going to last forever - this could be your only chance to stay at a Deluxe for the 7/4 rate.

>>^..^<<

 

[MJames41]

Originally posted by >>^..^<<
AKL - the Fairy Tale package is not going to last forever - this could be your only chance to stay at a Deluxe for the 7/4 rate.

>>^..^<<

Excellent point. If money wasn't an issue, I would go with the AKL.

 

[billybaruch1]

Thank you all very much. This is about the most pleasant forum in the entire Internet.

I guess what makes planning a trip to WDW so much fun for me is, as someone posted, I cannot really make a bad decision.

I'm going solo this time, exorcising the demons of my most recent failed relationship. (I know that may be more information than you wanted, but there it is.) I've only been to the old Dixie Landings and CSR, but the Fairytale deal seems to be so popular, right now there are no ressies with that package to be had at CBR or any moderate at the time I want to go.

Hence, my dilemma over AKL or AS Movies. I can afford either one, lucky me , but I think I'll leave the AKL for another trip, even though I could save over $1,000, mostly because I'm going solo this time, exorcising the demons... oops, deja vu all over again.

I like a more relaxed, less high-energy place. But as long as the buses take me to Mission: Space, and Epcot Food & Wine, and the water parks, and Pleasure Island, and the other major parks, and on and on... I can't wait!

Bill

 

[SuzEm]

If you can afford it....it's a deal right now, treat yourself. You will be glad you did. A wonderful place to sit on the balcony viewing the animals while exorcising demons. I just split a stay between CBR and AKL, my 3 days in a savannah view room cost almost as much as my 7 days at CBR, but well worth it. And in retrospect, wish I had booked the whole trip for a standard AKL room. We enjoyed the savannah view room because we spent most of our time at the resort our last 3 days. Next trip, I'll probably spring for AKL standard for the whole trip. So far, it's my favorite resort; and my 7 year old daughter loved the place! And the transportation was excellent to the parks.

 

[billybaruch1]

Now you've done it! I was all set... figuring I wanted to be on the move all day and just coming back to the room to sleep. As others have written, a big factor in my decision is how much time I will actually be at the resort.

I appreciate the input. What's the savannah view? I guess I can go look it up and I probably will. Was that a standard room? Also, I wonder whether you wish you had a water view? Where are the best rooms? Where are the worst (if any)? Did you see any lions or tigers? Can you see any nocturnal animals at night? (Well, you sure won't see 'em during the day, doh!)

Hey, is it hot and rainy and windy enough for you in Nashville? I used to live there for a short while at Stewart's Ferry. I enjoyed it very much.

 

[billybaruch1]

SuzEm,

Nice pictures of your daughter.

I starting imagining the views at AKL as something really wild and African. But then I clicked here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/aklodge/animals.htm#Where the rooms face: and I didn't see any predator-type of animals listed. You know, like lions, and tigers, and bears (sorry, Wizard of Oz flashback).

But I realize this is Disney; there isn't going to be bloodshed on the plains here. I like AK pretty well and am looking forward to going back to see what's new. (And I can't wait for 2006 and Expedition: Everest.) Maybe someone would like to correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems the views from AKL are just a bunch of cows and antelopes and birds (and giraffes!) just eating and living and so on. Which is fine, there's nothing wrong with that.

Anyway, I sure like this forum and if I don't "read" from you sooner, I'll catch you later, alligators.