WL vs CSR vs AKL

[cardiacnurse_sk]

Hi all, we are planning a fall 2022 trip for myself and DH, both in our 30s. I have been to WDW 20+ times, and this will be his third trip; we have not been since getting engaged at Epcot in 2015, and things seem very different now in many ways. We will be staying for three nights and going to HS and MK only, no park hopping, and we won't have a car. Are the perks of a deluxe "worth it" in terms of extra evening hours, or will we be better off saving the $500ish and adding extras to our trip in other ways?

 

[Gehrig1B]

Definitely a personal decision based on how you like to visit WDW. Personally, proximity, restaurants, lounges, transportation are all a big part of how we choose our resort. Of the 3 you mention Wilderness Lodge would win for me. If you see a hotel room as “just a bed for sleep” then save the money…

 

[Gatrcruzer]

I think Coronado and AKL are the most remote, so getting anywhere will require the bus. And if you have no plans to go to AK, there is no advantage in staying over there. WL is nice because you at least have the boat option to MK and it is close to a few other resorts. That said, perhaps there are cheaper options that will get you close to the action? There are some non-Disney resorts on property that are walkable to Disney Springs, which is convenient (the two Hilton properties are particularly nice) - you can take Disney transportation from there; also, the Dolphin and Swan are well located to Hollywood Studios as well as all of the EPCOT resort area resorts and restaurants. With the skyliner perhaps those resorts are an option and cheaper than the deluxe hotels? Perhaps this has changed, but I don't think that you need to stay in a deluxe to get extra hours, so maybe there is a more economical option?

 

[cjsmom5]

I think Coronado and AKL are the most remote, so getting anywhere will require the bus. And if you have no plans to go to AK, there is no advantage in staying over there. WL is nice because you at least have the boat option to MK and it is close to a few other resorts. That said, perhaps there are cheaper options that will get you close to the action? There are some non-Disney resorts on property that are walkable to Disney Springs, which is convenient (the two Hilton properties are particularly nice) - you can take Disney transportation from there; also, the Dolphin and Swan are well located to Hollywood Studios as well as all of the EPCOT resort area resorts and restaurants. With the skyliner perhaps those resorts are an option and cheaper than the deluxe hotels? Perhaps this has changed, but I don't think that you need to stay in a deluxe to get extra hours, so maybe there is a more economical option?

This has changed on extra evening hours. Now only deluxe guests have access.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

If you can, plan on a Wed at WL, even if only for 1 night, so you can attend evening extra hours. (The schedule may change by next fall, or even May when I go, so keep an eye on that. ) I think WL is the cheapest deluxe too, so that is good, and easy access to MK. For the other 2 nights, you could look for something cheaper, but of the 3 you mentioned, none are close to HS. You say you got engaged at Epcot. Don't you have sentimental feelings for it, and want to go back there? WL is a beautiful resort to me, but like anything, it is not to everyone's tastes. If you want to do Epcot, stay at WL on Mon also, so you can do Mon Extra Evening hours there (subject to change). I don't know if you have to have a day ticket to do Extra Evening hours. I don't think so, but that doesn't sound like the WDW of today. You have not been since 2015? It is really different.
Good luck and have fun.

 

[cjsmom5]

If you can, plan on a Wed at WL, even if only for 1 night, so you can attend evening extra hours. (The schedule may change by next fall, or even May when I go, so keep an eye on that. ) I think WL is the cheapest deluxe too, so that is good, and easy access to MK. For the other 2 nights, you could look for something cheaper, but of the 3 you mentioned, none are close to HS. You say you got engaged at Epcot. Don't you have sentimental feelings for it, and want to go back there? WL is a beautiful resort to me, but like anything, it is not to everyone's tastes. If you want to do Epcot, stay at WL on Mon also, so you can do Mon Extra Evening hours there (subject to change). I don't know if you have to have a day ticket to do Extra Evening hours. I don't think so, but that doesn't sound like the WDW of today. You have not been since 2015? It is really different.
Good luck and have fun.

Right now the the Wed night extended hours are for Epcot. But as wishicouldgomoreoften said this could change in the blink of an eye. You can only use the extended hours if you are booked at the park. So if you are not going to Epcot during your trip, that would not work. As of right now, the advantage would be for MK but that is only on Mondays and it doesn't look like your trip will fall on a Monday. Again, the extended hours (days offered) and the parks offered can change anytime. With this in mind, it doesn't look like deluxe properties would offer more than a moderate in terms of "perks." So, it goes back to personal tastes. The rooms at the deluxe (although WL and AKL are smaller than most deluxe properties) hotels are typically bigger, so if that is important to you, then you would lean towards deluxe. Transportation offerings are also typically better at deluxe properties in terms of the number offered. And, dining variety at deluxe can be better if you are looking at that area. So it all goes back to personal taste. You may be able to stay at a moderate and the monies saved could be used towards an Uber/Lyft if you don't want to use what is offered at the resort. Depending on the difference in price (can be as much as $300 per night) you could get a couple very nice signature meals. Good Luck!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Right now the the Wed night extended hours are for Epcot. But as wishicouldgomoreoften said this could change in the blink of an eye. You can only use the extended hours if you are booked at the park. So if you are not going to Epcot during your trip, that would not work. As of right now, the advantage would be for MK but that is only on Mondays and it doesn't look like your trip will fall on a Monday. Again, the extended hours (days offered) and the parks offered can change anytime. With this in mind, it doesn't look like deluxe properties would offer more than a moderate in terms of "perks." So, it goes back to personal tastes. The rooms at the deluxe (although WL and AKL are smaller than most deluxe properties) hotels are typically bigger, so if that is important to you, then you would lean towards deluxe. Transportation offerings are also typically better at deluxe properties in terms of the number offered. And, dining variety at deluxe can be better if you are looking at that area. So it all goes back to personal taste. You may be able to stay at a moderate and the monies saved could be used towards an Uber/Lyft if you don't want to use what is offered at the resort. Depending on the difference in price (can be as much as $300 per night) you could get a couple very nice signature meals. Good Luck!

Oh, sorry. Everything I read said the opposite---Epcot Mon, MK Wed.

 

[cjsmom5]

Oh, sorry. Everything I read said the opposite---Epcot Mon, MK Wed.

You are right ... I read it wrong!!

 

[cjsmom5]

If you can, plan on a Wed at WL, even if only for 1 night, so you can attend evening extra hours. (The schedule may change by next fall, or even May when I go, so keep an eye on that. ) I think WL is the cheapest deluxe too, so that is good, and easy access to MK. For the other 2 nights, you could look for something cheaper, but of the 3 you mentioned, none are close to HS. You say you got engaged at Epcot. Don't you have sentimental feelings for it, and want to go back there? WL is a beautiful resort to me, but like anything, it is not to everyone's tastes. If you want to do Epcot, stay at WL on Mon also, so you can do Mon Extra Evening hours there (subject to change). I don't know if you have to have a day ticket to do Extra Evening hours. I don't think so, but that doesn't sound like the WDW of today. You have not been since 2015? It is really different.
Good luck and have fun.

Yes - you have to have a park ticket for that park or park hopping on your ticket to take advantage of the extra evening hours.

 

[Gatrcruzer]

This has changed on extra evening hours. Now only deluxe guests have access.

Wow! Well, if evening hours are important, I would say stay in a deluxe - that said, are they important? Also, as others have pointed out, the timing of the visit could impact which parks have magical hours which may or may not align with when you wish to visit or are able to visit those parks, and all of this could change without notice. Argh! Good luck with planning and hope regardless of the scenario that you have a good visit.

 

[HopperFan]

Hi all, we are planning a fall 2022 trip for myself and DH, both in our 30s. I have been to WDW 20+ times, and this will be his third trip; we have not been since getting engaged at Epcot in 2015, and things seem very different now in many ways. We will be staying for three nights and going to HS and MK only, no park hopping, and we won't have a car. Are the perks of a deluxe "worth it" in terms of extra evening hours, or will we be better off saving the $500ish and adding extras to our trip in other ways?

Ahhh I opened this because you listed our THREE MOST FAVORITE RESORTS.

WL - Boat to MK, long bus ride to DHS. Boat nice touch. Hotel is smaller, nice if you are spending resort time. Feel like it has a bit of an adult feels, Geyer Point is very nice. Upscale woodsy feel to it.

AKL - Unique and nothing like it in this country. While a Savanna room not necessary for animal viewing it is spectacular. Popular with families so not sure I'd call it an adult resort to stay at. If your budget is standard or pool view (I'll never book again) then I would likely not spend the big bucks here. It is bus only to every where and the farthest from MK.

CSR - the deluxe of the moderates became even more deluxe with the tower. Very adult, my adult kids love it here. Lots of dining options, beautiful resort with four different and distinct designs. Bus everywhere but it is about as central as you can get location wise. Just across World Drive from Epcot and DHS, around corner from AK and a very direct bus ride on highway to MK.

FALL 2022 we don't know hours or other special stuff. I would say if you plan on having a park centric trip then I would save the money and stay at CSR. That money could buy you tickets to whatever the Halloween "Party" is, could buy some nice dinners, could buy fireworks dessert party etc. If you plan on lots of hotel time then pick the one that you want to spend the most time at.