which would you you take?

[pyrxtc]

I'm pretty sure my mind is made up but still was wondering. My Dh and I have decided to take our two younger children back to Disney in early December. WE are debating two options but I am really leaning towards the first. I am hoping I have a pin attatched to my name so i can get a better deal on the first.

Stay is Dec 1-5 with PH's and dining plan.

1. AKL, Savannah view with bunk beds would be $2789

2. BCV (renting points at $10 point) @ $1900 for room, tickets, and all mentioned above.

My boys will be just turned 3 and almost 6. They are tall for their age and we plan on spending most of our vavction between AK and MK. We missed the most stuff at those two last time and think the boys would enjoy those two the most. What would you do? the extra money is worth it in the end for me. MY Dh said to do whatever but I can't call til Monday to see if I can get a better rate.

 

[pyrxtc]

posted here cuz this is the budget board although it wouldn't blow our budget for AKL. I was just thinking that with two little boys, we wouldn't need the PH and could get regular passes instead. I really dont think we would be doing more than one park a day!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I'd be leaning in the other direction. You're talking about nearly $900 difference in price! That's a lot of money when you're basically getting the same thing: deluxe accomodations and the dining plan to boot!

The BCV are also more centrally located than the AKL. The AKL is close to AK but not much else. And at BCV, you get to swim at Stormalong Bay, which is probably the most impressive pool on Disney property.

I know that there are a lot of AKL fans out there. I like it too but not enough to ignore the big price gap. I'd be renting the DVC points and stay at BCV.

 

[Reflection]

posted here cuz this is the budget board although it wouldn't blow our budget for AKL. I was just thinking that with two little boys, we wouldn't need the PH and could get regular passes instead. I really dont think we would be doing more than one park a day!

I thought the dining plan had to be purchased as a component to the Magic Your Way package, as it is based on the number of days of your ticket. So if you rent DVC points, how will you be able to do the dining plan?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Disney will be making the dining plan available to DVCers and DVC renters for stays beginning in April 2006 or later.

 

[crisi]

Have you stayed at the AKL? It has its pluses and its minuses. We were on a high floor and not in a great spot - so the animal viewing from our room left something to be desired. That didn't keep me from spending the whole day on my balcony. The kids programs are really cool, we didn't do nearly enough of them. And it has Mara, which is the best food court at a Disney hotel I've been to. On the minus side, it is off the beaten path.


BCV has Storm Along Bay....a pool most people love but if its just you and the boys, I'd be really careful. It isn't an easy pool to watch kids in. Its far too deep in the lazy river part. If your six year old is a ok swimmer and your three year old needs to stay by the sandbar, the pool will make you old before your time (ok, maybe not you, all mom's have different tolerances for kids near water - it makes me grey before my time).

Since you aren't planning on Epcot or MGM, the location of BCV really isn't a plus.

 

[DMRick]

I am hoping I have a pin attatched to my name so i can get a better deal on the first.

Stay is Dec 1-5 with PH's and dining plan.

1. AKL, Savannah view with bunk beds would be $2789.

I don't think you can get the dining plan if you use a pin can you? I think you have to buy a package and I don't think you can use your pin for that.

 

[pyrxtc]

well, it would be nice to be able to use some sort of discount. does AAA have a good discount at this hotel? After talking more with my Dh tonight. We are definately going to go for the experience and try AKL. We'll be spedning more time in the room on this trip and look forward to the animals and all the kids programs.

 

[CheapMom]

So far you can't get the dining plan with a AAA room discount or any room only code. So you can't use a pin if it is a room only but if it is a package incentive then maybe you can. They recently offerred a code MYW packages (with or without dining) to the general public. It gave you hopper/plus tickets on your package for the price of base tickets. So maybe you will get lucky and they will offer some thing for packages during your stay even if you don't have a pin code.

 

[thelionqueen]

I stayed @ AKL and wasn't at all impressed by anything the hotel had to offer. We didn't stay concierge but we did pay extra for the Savannah view.

If you don't have binoculars, you'll need them to see the animals on the savannah. The only animals we saw (which were still distant) were giraffes and birds. It's not the spectacle everyone thinks it is or the way the brochures picture it to be.

I wouldn't stay again if it were the cheapest on property. Didn't like the restaurants, theming or rooms. Just my .02. Never stayed @ BCV, but for $900 less, would snatch it up!

 

[brittsmum1998]

I've stayed at AKL and was not impressed either. We are DVC members and mostly stay at the Boardwalk and you can't beat those accomodations especially w/ kids. Was the 1900 for a studio, one bedroom? FWIW we have a 7 yr old dd and she wasn't a big fan of AKL, JMHO...although the $$ would be a factor for me along w/ Stormalong Bay.

 

[canwegosoon]

I'm going to say AKL, not because it's better for your budget(the DVC is a better investment/and great location) but because you seem to really want to be there. You have 12 months to plan and get the money together. So I would say ALK. I am not sure you will be able to take advantage of Stormalong Bay-You were talking about December...so I would go with where you want. I think the 6 yo will be old enough for the bunk beds (or share the lower birth with brother, room service every day, and you don't have to use the pull out couch. We are DVC members...and love BCV, BWV etc, but I do miss the daily maid service(I should just break down an pay for it). The other thing to consider is are you sure you will not be at Epcot for CP or any of the Christmas story tellers? Good Luck

 

[pyrxtc]

Ther are storytellers at epcot in the first weeke of December? I did not know that. When do they do the lights for Christmas? Will we be able to see them. i did not even think about that.

 

[safetymom]

I would suggest asking on the codes and rates board on the Resort board here on the DIS. There are some great people there that can help you with discounts, codes, pins.

You will have a great time no matter where you stay.

 

[goodferry]

Christmas stuff goes up at Thanksgiving. You would probably be able to go to MVMCP too!

My vote would be BCV, money considerations aside, but we already decided that would be the next resort we want to stay in, so I am biased. Whatever you decide, have a great trip.

If you book with AAA you can get a discounted package, that's what we did this past December. I believe if you have a pin attached to your name, you can not apply that discount to a package.

 

[poohj80]

I'd also vote for BCV (what size villa?) for location, Beaches and Cream, and Stormalong Bay (assuming it's warm enough to get in the pool). We have stayed at AKL and, even though it was neat once, probably wouldn't stay there again as it's just so far removed from everything except the AK.

Ther are storytellers at epcot in the first weeke of December? I did not know that. When do they do the lights for Christmas? Will we be able to see them. i did not even think about that.

During the holidays, each country in Epcot's World Showcase has their version of Santa telling stories of what Christmas is like in their country. It's a lot of fun! Plus, don't forget about the Osborne Lights at MGM.