Would you rather: Try a new Resort, or book the one you love?

[torsie24]

2014 planning is all go now, so the traditional "Which Disney hotel(s)" debate has begun!

It's Jack and I travelling, and my Mum and Dad are going to join us for the first week or so, and we're also hoping to have 3 or 4 nights on the Dream at the end of their stay, so the middle of ours.

This gives us the opportunity to move hotels mid-trip if we so wish, as it'll be just as easy as it would to stay at one resort, and then leave for the cruise, and then return to that resort again.

So here is the dilemma.

1 - All 4 of us LOVE AKL

2 - Mum and I REALLY love the Floridian, Dad and Jack really like it, but I know Jack and I won't be able to afford a week in the Main Building and I might be dissapointed being out in a lodge, especially if my parents are living it up in the CL lounge! I also think if my Dad knew the price, as much as he loved the CL food he'd moan about the cost all trip, which wouldn't be fun for any of us! I think it's a Dad thing to moan...... He'd have a nice time really. He just likes to use the phrase "Daylight Robbery" too much.

3 - Mum & Dad only had about 2 hours in EPCOT last trip, so maybe try a new Resort instead? (Yacht/Beach?) Or stay at the Boardwalk, which we did enjoy and loved the proximity to DHS and EPCOT. If their CL is cheaper than GF that might be a good option for my parents.

I think I'm going to meet resistance with Jack if we go to WDW but don't spend some time staying at AKL, so one of the weeks will be there I think (fine by me!)

Of course theere could also be the option of getting a 2 bed villa at one of the DVC resorts. Particularly if we can get one at SSR/OKW on the DDP deal. My Mum might not be over the moon with those two resorts though, but I think SSR looked really nice when we went for our DVC tour.

So (and well done if you've made it this far!)....what do you recon?

 

[tinks_1989]

For me it's book where you love! We keep thinking of booking AKL but I just love SSR and the convince of being so close to DTD and use of buses is perfect for us!

X

 

[disney_princess_85]

We stayed at SSR in 2010 and 2011 and, while we love the resort and would like to stay there again, we thought we should experience some of the others. This year we are going to be at Wilderness Lodge.

In your case, I think you should go back to AKL for at least a few nights as you clearly love it so much. I think it would feel "wrong" if you didn't stay there! Do both: A week at AKL and a week somewhere new.

 

[queendisney]

def book where you love to be. I take it you have looked at all the other resorts you mentioned and therefore you know the feel of them. We have looked around them all and just know that there is no point booking somewhere different. We booked WL one year, although we liked it we didn't love it and went straight back to POR thereafter. There is no point going somewhere you know is not your style and wishing your were somewhere else! On the other hand if you think you will actually really like somewhere else then go for it as you may end up loving it, you at least know you won't hate it.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Book the one you love. We went to CSr our first trip and on our second decided to split bbetween CSR and GF. We didn't hate GF but thought it was worse than CSR and obviously major more $$$. However, CSR lost their buffet breakfast at Pepper Market and that made our 2010 trip mad - we just spent too long travelling for food before hitting the parks.

Last year we went to AKL which we loved and this year we are booked for BC but only because of the breakfast issue everything remaining the same we would have stuck to CSR but we are looking forward to the ability to walk to EPCOT and DHS

 

[wideeyes]

I loved AKL so would be my 1st choice always if I had my own way! Staying there felt like 2 holidays in 1 to me. We easily spent a whole day at the resort as they had so much going on and I can't see us doing that at any other resort.

However if we stay onsite again I think we will have to go for SSR/OKW deal.

 

[starrysky]

I would go with what you love but it is nice to try new places too. Like a lot of the PPs maybe book a couple of days at AKL.

We loved POFQ but were not so keen on POR due to the size.

However we loved OKW so much last year we have booked again for this one, the deal on the room and DDP were a big factor as well.

OKW we found to be quiet and very pretty. The only downside is the lack of a decent CS place. Boat to DTD is great and the rooms are lovely. We had a studio last time and have splashed out on a 1 bedroom after seeing the one our friend stayed in last year. They are huge and they have had a recent refurb.

I love the idea of AKL and have been to look around but the location puts us off as we like to spend time at DTD.

We are hoping that the offer of the discount is on for next year again.

 

[zippy99]

I can see both sides - had DH known he had august off we would have booked 14 days OKW in the blink of an eye we loved it there £1600 + £950 on Dis tickets with free dining = £2550. As it happens this deal was gone by the time we booked and we have gone with the US offer of free dining and paid £2100 for Caribbean Beach with Full DDP and park tickets for 9days - we could have opted for port Orleans but having stayed their before and knowing we could not get our ideal go OKW we are quite looking forward to a change.

On our very first Dis trip we planned to stay at CBR but had to downgrad to POP due to finances. So I would love to try CBR as it was always our first choice - to be honest though we are not resort dwellers and like to be out and about in the parks or relaxing in world showcase - the resort is a place to sleep and swim for us -so trying CBR seems to suit our needs. I am quite looking forward to the change now circumstance has created it

 

[Disney Princesses LW]

we too are plannind for 2014 we have always stayed off site before DH loved international drive he likes the night life when we returned 2nd time we opted for LBV and it was too quite for him.
This time we want to take advantage of the DDP so will definatly stay on site in one of the disney hotels although not sure which one not sure which one would suit us swaying towards the CBR think DH and kids would love the beach here xx

 

[Elise79]

OK it all depends what you want from the trip.

As DVC members we know we will be back and it won't be long so if we don't love a resort it is not quite so important.

We tried both BCV & BWV - I had thought we would love both resorts for the location - and truly while we were not miserable we won't be going back.

OKW - I booked purely for the 42% discount & free DDP - preferred to SSR as the one beds have a chair sleeper for DD which she loves. Wasn't expecting to love it as the location isn't our preferred area well - we fell totally in love with the resort so much so that we are giving serious thought to adding DVC points there!

So - if it won't break the trip that you don't 'love' the resort as much as the others then try something new - if it will go back to AKL or GF

 

[torsie24]

Oh you all talk so much sense!!

Urgh it's tough!!

I was looking at 2 bedroom floors plans today.

The BLT ones look fab with the extra bathroom. Hmmmm. We liked BLT but it's a lot more £ for MK view and our view was really why we liked it last time. Not sure how I'd feel in a SV on a low floor......

The 2 beds at AKL might be worth a look. I know the Kidani units are nicer but I polled my parents (who love Sanaa) and Jack. And all of them far prefer Jambo.

Oh I'm no closer! Thank goodness ive got 13 months to decide!!

 

[PudseyChancer]

Given the individuality of each resort and their own unique selling points, I'd say try something new. Onsite I've only experienced All Star Sports and OKW, but both were fantastic holidays and I really enjoyed the hotels, OKW as you'd imagine, being my favourite out of the two. This time round we're staying at AKL and BCV, though as we've visited other hotels for meals, etc on our previous holidays, it was tough choosing - we went for AKL to experience the animals close up, and BCV for SAB and the close locality to Epcot.