Which Option Would You Choose?

[mupt02]

We will be making our first visit to WDW next August. When looking at different packages, right now we are mainly considering 2 options. One is to stay at the Value Movies Resort. The other is to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. We are traveling with kids ages 4, 2, and 9 months so we know both would entertain them. Our problem is the AKL is $2000 more than the Value resort. I'm wondering, is it worth the money? We don't want to be crammed and are willing to pay for it, if it is worth it. Asking other places I have gotten very mixed reviews, so I came to the experts.

 

[laceemouse]

I would save my money and do the more deluxe trip when they are older.

Little kids will like the decor at a value resort just as much or even more, it is more kid like! Also, as far as being crowded, little kids jump in the tub together and run around naked. They will most likely jump in the bed with mom and dad, you don't need the extra space.

We have teens now, they spend hours in the bathroom each and everyone needs their privacy. We have to get multiple rooms or a DVC unit. It is so pricey, especially considering we are hardly IN the room!

If you want to SEE the AKL you can book a meal there and go hang out, sit out and look at the savannah and shop in the gift shops and stuff. That is what we do. Have fun planning

 

[stacopp]

The All Star movies resort was great when my daughter was younger because it is themed after Disney movies and it really brought home the magic of being at Disney

 

[barrbr]

I have stayed at AKL but not at All Star. I can say that the AKL is a spectacular resort! I assume that your young ones are like most young ones and love animals. My kids just couldn't get over the fact that there were zebras and giraffes at our hotel! I personally think it was worth every penny!

 

[septbaby]

Sorry to toss out a choice in between, but what about a Moderate hotel?

The Moderates will have bigger rooms, themed pools including a designated kiddie pool and an in room refrigerator. With the play pen for the baby the extra space will probably make for a more comfortable stay. Both Values and Mods have Double beds. AKL would offer two Queen beds, though you could also book a king with a set of bunks (more $) to give you more floor space for the kids.

Value room are smaller and a fridge is extra and not guaranteed. During Value season a Mod hotel will be less than $500 more for a 7 night stay. The kiddie pool area at Caribbean Beach Resort would definitely entertain them as would the beach, playground and probably just looking at the wild life on the resort. There are also hot tubs for you to take a break in after a few days of walking the parks. Value hotels do not offer hot tubs.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Ohio Disney Girl]

(no, not the adult diapers.......) Having stayed at AKL and all of the values, if I had the money, I'd stay at AKL in a heartbeat. AKL is a little roomier with a separate sink area and bathroom, (which was nice to get ready in the AM without lights shining in everyone's faces), has a balcony, and my children will never forget waking up to see "their" giraffe eating breakfast right outside our door each morning. The theming is gorgeous and it feels luxurious there.
That being said, we have stayed at every value and are back at a Value this trip as we pretty much sleep at our hotel room and that's it. The extra money we save on the hotel affords us the opportunity to induldge elsewhere- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, dinner at CRT, etc.... and we just don't spend enough time at the hotel to enjoy the expense of the deluxe enough. The Values do their job for us, but I think that even those rooms are overpriced considering the lack of space, sometimes well-worn carpets, and non-standard refrigerators.
The Mods hold no interest for me. Not much more space and same sized beds for the money and only slightly better theming.
If you can swing it, go deluxe. If you are going to be in your room for naps, mid-day breaks, etc..., go deluxe. Otherwise, save your money for elsewhere and sleep at a Value!
That's my "two cents" worth to do with what you want!

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

We've never stayed at the All-Star but have stayed at AKL once and are going back soon! Our kids (4 and 6) loved the AKL. They couldn't get enough of the animals. They loved the balcony and seeing them as they walked down the hallways through the windows. TONS of fun activities in the lobby to do; nightvision with the animals; drumming with the CMs in the lobby!!!

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I have stayed at ASMO, it was horrible and I would never stay there again, but if you put that aside the rooms were to small for the 3 of us (2A.1C - 4yrs old). I know that the mods are larger rooms and that would be a middle ground as far as cost goes.

 

[Epcot4Me]

I would definitely go with AKL with kids that age...that way, when they are napping, the adults have space on the balcony where they can talk or watch the animals. Plus, the resort is gorgeous and fun

 

[laceemouse]

Don't get me wrong, AKL would be awesome. Your kids would love it. BUT.....$2000 is a LOT of money to most people. A LOT!
If money is no object, go for it! But honestly, your kids will not even know that AKL is an option unless you tell them. You could use that $2000 and have another whole trip to Disney in a few months

 

[disneyvoice]

Have you considered a family suite at the All Star Music?

I think that younger kids really enjoy the theming at the All Star Movies - at least my son did. But the beds are small - doubles - for two adults. Plus I think you would be really cramped with 5 of you in the room - especially since your kids are so young and will be probably be going back for naps. The hard part about having just one room is that you basically have to sit in silence while the kids nap (or nap yourselves!!!).

The Family suites are only at the All Star Music so the theming isn't quite as exciting but still big and exciting for the kids. Plus with a family suite you and your husband will have a separate room for when the kids are napping, so you could watch TV. Plus you have two bathrooms and a small kitchenette which would be good with kids and the baby. The best part is that you would have a queen bed in your room. The Family Suite shouldn't be as expensive as Animal Kingdom lodge - but I think it would work better for your family. We are staying there during our October trip.

 

[Vaughn4380]

Some of the budget seekers on this board could probably do an entire Disney vacation for less than $2,000. If money is no object, AKL all the way. If saving $2,000 is important than your kids will like ASMu just as much. You might also consider one of the suites at the All Star resorts. You get double the floor space, a nice sitting area with sofa, and a second bathroom. It would keep the cost down and give you more room.

 

[Singinglizzie]

Comparing AKL to a Value resort is like comparing Champagne to Beer, you can drink both and they both have bubbles but other than that they are very, very different. Yes, 2k is alot to spend, but AKL is such a unique property. Here are some ideas to keep your costs down 1) have you considered a "split" stay? You didn't mention how long you are staying, so if you stayed 1 week, you could stay at the value for 4 nights, then stay AKL for 3 - and you would get a taste for each. You purchase your MYW tickets for 7 nights with the first package, then do just a room only at AKL, so you still have park tickets. If you want Disney Dining, I would add it to the first package, so your check-in day at AKL, you still have dinning credits, that expire at midnight. Last 2 days you eat out of pocket. You get alot of food with the DDP, so not having it the last 2 days might be good. I always feel I overeat with the plan, but that is just me! 2) You could also consider booking AKL by renting points from a DVC member. If you do a split stay, you could do the last few nights and live it up with a concierge room - which provides continental breakfast, snacks, evening cordials, and appetizers, plus you get help booking your adrs. If you are going to splurge - this is the way to go! 3) There is a travel agency called Dreams Unlimited that buys blocks of Disney rooms and offers them individually for a substantial discount. I would get a quote from them, to see if you could get that AKL 2k down to something more affordable. 4) Check out the Swan and Dolphin, which are onsite and offer some WDW perks like EMH, but NOT the DDP. Their rates are competive with the moderates, but the properties are deluxe. HAVE FUN with your trip planning!