Where would you stay for just two nights?

[megs1313]

I had to add two days to the front end of our trip because of flights. Only half of my party will be with us on those days so we won't be doing any parks. We get in REALLY late (almost 1 am!) the first night. Since there's no DME anymore, I'm thinking we should book a hotel near the airport for the first night and then somewhere neat for the second night before heading to AKL. Where would you stay? I looked at the swan and dolphin because we've never stayed there before, but they are fully booked!

 

[lockets]

I had this scenario too and chose to book pop for two nights to avoid moving 3 times. Got me on property for a value price close to what airports charge anyway. Then you can have your bags transferred by Disney to next place.

 

[GBRforWDW]

I had to add two days to the front end of our trip because of flights. Only half of my party will be with us on those days so we won't be doing any parks. We get in REALLY late (almost 1 am!) the first night. Since there's no DME anymore, I'm thinking we should book a hotel near the airport for the first night and then somewhere neat for the second night before heading to AKL. Where would you stay? I looked at the swan and dolphin because we've never stayed there before, but they are fully booked!

We stayed at the Cambria near the airport in December 5-10 minute drive. It's pretty new, so everything is really nice and pricing isn't too bad - we paid a bit over $100/night and that was booking the day we wanted to check in - we didn't like our original hotel room. It is about a 25 minute drive to the parks, but since you're not going that day, shouldn't be an issue.

I'd also check out the Hyatt inside the airport since you're getting in so late, just go straight to your room

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

LOL my first suggestion was going to be AKL, until I saw that's where you're staying in the first place. I've always wanted to stay there but having to bus everywhere is tough for us - I've been saying for awhile that we should spend a non-park night or two there just to enjoy the resort. AKL aside, I'd maybe book the night at any of the Disney Springs area resorts. Personally I'd probably go for Saratoga or Port Orleans just bc the theming appeals most to me, but the point is really the location. For a no-parks day, being able to just walk or take a boat into DS seems like an awesome time.

 

[Meglen]

We added 2 days and did the Buena Vista Disney springs resort. And for those days we will just shop and relax. The other time we added 2 days we did dolphin.

 

[Ursula_Fan]

I'd add POR or POFQ. They're great for shorter stays, totally different from AKL, and it's nice to wake up in the bubble. YMMV.

 

[robinb]

Hmmm. I was going to suggest staying at the All Stars and then I read that you're going to spend the next day outside the parks. I would probably choose one of the Disney Springs hotels.

 

[Anna131517]

We had to do something similar and chose to stay on property at CBR for a night. It’s a great resort to hang out at during the day and Disney will transfer your luggage to the next resort, so we only had to pay for one ride that way. We liked their food options, the pool is amazing, there’s a nice playground, and the beaches with hammocks are really cool.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

What's your budget? If I was going to stay somewhere for just a day or two with no parks, I'd go to Beach or Yacht club or the Poly to use the pools. Or look at some of the Disney Springs hotels that have amazing pool/water features.

 

[Shellyred8]

I always go back and forth with this type of situation. Since it's only one or two nights, do I splurge and try something we would never do for a full week trip? Or since it's only two nights, do I go cheap?

In this situation, I would go with getting a room at the hotel IN the airport (I would probably be half asleep by that time and barely functioning! LOL!!!). Then I would look at the DS hotels or maybe one of the really fancy hotels in the area. The really fancy hotels would probably be out of my comfort zone price wise, so I'd probably end up at one of the DS hotels. It's nice being super close to DS so we can just walk over there and find something to do (bowling, movies).

But, as someone else mentioned, if you go to one of the WDW resorts, they will move your luggage to AKL on your move day, so that's definitely something to factor in too.

 

[snikki]

Will you be hitting the parks before everyone else arrives or mostly staying at the resort?

I would choose a moderate. This way you get to save some money before moving over to deluxe but you still get some good amenities. My kids are older and love a pool slide. I like to have some more food/drink options if I'm planning to stay at the resort more. Hot tub doesn't hurt either.

Our next trip is at CSR and I'm so looking forward to it.

 

[FunnyLady1966]

I'd add POR or POFQ. They're great for shorter stays, totally different from AKL, and it's nice to wake up in the bubble. YMMV.

I second this. Great resort and experience. We've always stayed at DVC resorts or deluxe resorts and POFQ was a phenomenal experience. Now I'm ready to try the other moderates.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'd add POR or POFQ. They're great for shorter stays, totally different from AKL, and it's nice to wake up in the bubble. YMMV.

Added benefit is a boat to Disney Springs!

 

[fla4fun]

I would vote for one of the PO resorts as well. It’s a totally different vibe compared to AKL and getting to DS is easy by boat or bus (I like to boat over and bus back).

 

[Edeyore]

I would stay at the Polynesian if I could afford it. I stayed before and it was great. The last few times I have
check the pricing is has just been too expensive.

 

[lockets]

I had to add two days to the front end of our trip because of flights. Only half of my party will be with us on those days so we won't be doing any parks. We get in REALLY late (almost 1 am!) the first night. Since there's no DME anymore, I'm thinking we should book a hotel near the airport for the first night and then somewhere neat for the second night before heading to AKL. Where would you stay? I looked at the swan and dolphin because we've never stayed there before, but they are fully booked!

Curious what did you end up deciding?

 

[bbak30]

I would probably book a moderate for both nights to avoid moving twice. POFQ if possible. If not, them maybe a Disney Springs hotel.

 

[raddisneyfan]

If u r not going to parks, then I would say POFQ or POR so that u have the boat to DS. As PP have stated, u could stay at a DS hotel, but let's face it, the theming doesn't compare to a Disney property.

 

[megs1313]

Curious what did you end up deciding?

We ended up booking the Hyatt in the airport for the first night (since we get in at like 1am) and then club level at wilderness lodge for just one night before transferring to AKL for the rest of our stay. I figured that way, Disney transfers the luggage and we only have to pay transport from the airport once. my dh has always wanted to stay at WL, but we have 3 kids and usually they are all with us. This time our oldest is joining us late so we can finally stay at WL! And CL just because I can. LOL

 

[lockets]

We ended up booking the Hyatt in the airport for the first night (since we get in at like 1am) and then club level at wilderness lodge for just one night before transferring to AKL for the rest of our stay. I figured that way, Disney transfers the luggage and we only have to pay transport from the airport once. my dh has always wanted to stay at WL, but we have 3 kids and usually they are all with us. This time our oldest is joining us late so we can finally stay at WL! And CL just because I can. LOL

Awesome! Have a blast!