Where to stay with split trip with AKL

[Bciris]

I'm taking DW, DS6, DD4, DD2, and my in-laws to Disney at the end of June and early July. We have a 2 bedroom savannah view for Sunday to Sunday but because of flight availability we are coming in Saturday and leaving on the Tuesday after so I need 3 more nights. We just purchased DVC points that had banked all of their 2013 points. Assuming availability, where would you recommend you stay for our first on property Disney vacation? We are willing to move each time to try out resorts.

 

[disneynutz]

First night will be a waste because you will be tired, so pick a resort like SSR that doesn't have a high point cost.

Last nights somewhere relaxing, maybe BWV or BCV.

Bill

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Personally, I would suggest booking several consecutive nights in one room type and the remaining nights in another. A split-stay, between two resorts, will afford the experience you seek and minimize potential disappointment.

A variety of factors, such as luggage arrival and room readiness, can affect the ease of hopping from resort to resort. If each move is not seamless, then one's vacation may be defined by moving rather than the magic of the WDW resort. Moreover, if you plan to spend a significant amount of time in the parks, moving may cut into dedicated park time.

Again, I suggest that you check the current availability and plan for two resorts, especially for a summer visit.

 

[NoleFan]

With little kids & the summer heat, I would recommend BLT or VGF if either has availability. BLT has a community hall, top of the world, & walking access (would only walk during night or evening due to summer heat) to MK. BWV is awesome, too. Lot to do within a few steps & community hall as well. Have fun!

 

[dbs1228]

I too would recommend a split stay maybe 1/2 one resort the other 1/2 AKV. On move day/days you are homeless until 4PM which can be a drag with kids. I always prefer our split stays 1st half of trip BLT walk to MK, monorail to Epcot, boats to VWL and the Ft. then switching to AKV for the atmosphere, animals, pool and just to relax. We stayed last week 4 nights at VGF (then 4 ni AKV) but I so missed BLT! The monorail was down and the boats were horrible to VGF and our villa was a hike away from the boats. Not to mention the points cost was 100 more points for the 4 night stay at VGF vs. BLT not worth it to me at all. Good luck with your planning!

 

[Bciris]

Thanks for the advice. I would have preferred a half and half split but we got the animal kingdom stay as an RCI trade and we are working around DD4's dance recital. We plan to get the annual pass and go back again next June so we may do another split stay then that is more equally split.

 

[DenLo]

I'd suggest BLT, that way you can see MK and possibly Epcot while staying there.
It's walking distance to MK and you can ride the monorail, if it is running, back as BLT is the first stop. The pool has a large and small slide and there is a water play area for kids that like to play in sprinkler type fountains. And there is a beach with sand between BLT and CR. Everything a kid wants for play, plus a Community Hall where you can get movies (DVDs) for the room and even games.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Last nights somewhere relaxing, maybe BWV or BCV.

Bill

I also would recommend splitting with BCV or BWV. It's just such a different "feel" over there that it's like 2 different vacations, splitting that with AKL. The beach and the water taxi really make for a different trip. One night, I just rode the boat all around for about an hour, just for that experience.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would try to get the first night at AKV and go to BLT for the last nights. Truly different experiences!

 

[MSUmom]

We just got back from 7 nights at AKL villas and our last night at BWV. Night and day. Glad we did the 2 bdrm Savannah but found we liked the closeness to a lot of things at BWV better.

 

[jaimeadk]

We have traveled DVC for years, but this will be our first time to do a split stay. We won't have a car, so how does the luggage/food get to the new resort?

 

[dbs1228]

Bell services with come get your luggage and food and ask that it be transferred to the new resort. keep all refrigerated stuff separate and let them know. They will bring everything over for you and when you check into (are in) the new room call bell services and they will bring it up to you.

 

[jaimeadk]

Wow! That sounds great. Thanks for the answer. From experience, does it work as smooth as it sounds?

 

[dbs1228]

It has for us we just tip when we drop with bell services at 1st resort and tip when everything is delivered to the room at 2nd resort. On 2 occasions they did not bring up fridge stuff but upon asking they went right back down and got it for us. Of course it had our adult beverages so we NOTICED

 

[Disney Doll]

So you're going to move 3 times in this trip? That's a little rough but doable.

I would ditto the PP who said so OKW or SSR the first night to use the least amount of points. Then you have your week at AKV. My last couple of nights I'd go to the boardwalk area personally...BCV would be my 1st choice & BWV if BCV wasn't available.

Split stays are great insofar as it's like being on 2 different vacations. We have always had good luck with bell services moving our luggage. I usually take a couple of insulated bags for the perishables. They refrigerate them but I feel like it gives them a little extra protection, especially when travelling in the hot Florida sun.