WWYD? Post-cruise stay

[Dug720]

I'm currently booked for a 4-night post-Wish stay in late August. I'm splurging on a Deluxe because 2 of my nights coincide with extended evening hours and having only 4 days, even though the timing is typically very low crowds (and was in 2021 for sure), having those extra hours and hoppers will help I think.

I'm hoping to be able to sign up for the 10K of Wine & Dine weekend (my only glitch right now is I need to see when historically parent/teacher conferences are because though we do have vacation days from a stolen Spring Break, I doubt my principal would approve one over a PTC day), so while I'd love the Poly, it makes more financial sense to go with a less expensive Deluxe and then a Value for race weekend. OR I could do a mod for both and give up the extended evening hours.

Assuming I stick with Deluxe for post-cruise, these are the options within my budget...(Obviously there are not any discounts yet and IF something like Yacht or Beach were to come in under the price cap with those I'd consider moving...but I don't want to book it and be stuck if there isn't one.) I have a TA I use and love, so I'm not interested in renting points anywhere as that takes away from her livelihood. And also through Disney I can pay over time.

AKL Standard or Pool View or AKL Kidani Studio
- I'm not as "OMG SO FAR" as others are, so the perceived isolation doesn't bother me. I've stayed here once years ago with my family and really enjoyed it.
- AK is probably my favorite park.
- Con is there is one method of transportation to the parks

Contemporary Garden Wing
- Never stayed at the Contemporary
- Walkable to MK and Monorail to Epcot - and currently I'm scheduled for MK to be my final day, so I could stay longer before walking back to the resort to get my bags and shuttle to MCO
- Garden Wing should be really newly redone...though I'm not the biggest Incredibles fan.
- Con would be it's not main tower so I'd have to walk out of that. But that's tiny really.

Wilderness Lodge Nature (not fireworks) or Courtyard
- Never stayed here
- Boat is an option to MK and could use boat to MK and then monorail to Epcot
- Con is I'm really not a wilderness/forest kind of nature girl and the theme has always left me cold.

OKW does have studios for a bit less than AKL, but I won't have a car and that resort seems VERY spread out (and this from a girl who has no issues with CSR or CBR's footprints), so I'm pretty much ruling that out out of hand.

Thoughts?

 

[Dug720]

Also posts with reasoning are appreciated/encouraged.

 

[Kae]

WL but we love everything about it, AKL we would not stay without a savannah view. Contemporary Would be my 2nd choice.

 

[pixiedust2u]

We loved the Garden Wing at CR. The walkability in and out of MK can’t be beat. The rooms are spacious and it’s really not a big deal not being in the main tower. Some of them have really lovely views. You have lots of dining options easily accessible at the other monorail resorts. To get to non MK resorts you can easily use busses or Uber.

never stayed at an AK resort, but for a quick trip it’s so far from everything I feel like you’d be spending valuable time on transportation.

We’ve stayed at WL, I prefer this resort for a winter getaway. The theming just isn’t for me, when I’m in Florida I want to feel like I’m in Florida!That being said….. I much prefer being on the monorail vs boat and bus access to MK. Boats can be crowded and harder to come by.

so CR garden wing would be my suggestion! Easy access to MK, and other monorail resorts for dining, shopping etc! Bigger, quieter rooms though not too far from fun and just keep bustle of main tower! Pools are also nice for some R&R.

 

[Bahamontes]

Of the choices listed, WL offers the most flexibility in terms of location - but the Bass Pro Shop theming is strong, and if that’s not your desired aesthetic for a Florida vacation, I hear ya!

Have you considered Swolphin? It would be nice to be in the Epcot zone for the race, and the price has really started to make BC/YC look exorbitant. Might be a way to avoid a split stay (after the cruise, I would be up to my limit on travel and logistics) and give you the deluxe feel without the price.

 

[Dug720]

Of the choices listed, WL offers the most flexibility in terms of location - but the Bass Pro Shop theming is strong, and if that’s not your desired aesthetic for a Florida vacation, I hear ya!

Have you considered Swolphin? It would be nice to be in the Epcot zone for the race, and the price has really started to make BC/YC look exorbitant. Might be a way to avoid a split stay (after the cruise, I would be up to my limit on travel and logistics) and give you the deluxe feel without the price.

I am not a Marriott girl so those have no interest for me.

 

[Lisa_lvspplmvr]

I would go with Contemporary. The location , food options , updated rooms would be so convenient for this trip . Monorail to both parks with extended hours would be worth it for me .You have so many food options with the other resorts on the monorail line too . Have an amazing trip !!

 

[Disneylover99]

I’d pick the Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge. Love the theming!

But, out of those 3 choices, I’d choose AKL for you. I remember you mentioning in various threads your dislike of the theming at CR and WL. So stick with what you know you’ll like.

 

[Marthasor]

I'm currently booked for a 4-night post-Wish stay in late August. I'm splurging on a Deluxe because 2 of my nights coincide with extended evening hours and having only 4 days, even though the timing is typically very low crowds (and was in 2021 for sure), having those extra hours and hoppers will help I think.

I'm hoping to be able to sign up for the 10K of Wine & Dine weekend (my only glitch right now is I need to see when historically parent/teacher conferences are because though we do have vacation days from a stolen Spring Break, I doubt my principal would approve one over a PTC day), so while I'd love the Poly, it makes more financial sense to go with a less expensive Deluxe and then a Value for race weekend. OR I could do a mod for both and give up the extended evening hours.

Assuming I stick with Deluxe for post-cruise, these are the options within my budget...(Obviously there are not any discounts yet and IF something like Yacht or Beach were to come in under the price cap with those I'd consider moving...but I don't want to book it and be stuck if there isn't one.) I have a TA I use and love, so I'm not interested in renting points anywhere as that takes away from her livelihood. And also through Disney I can pay over time.

AKL Standard or Pool View or AKL Kidani Studio
- I'm not as "OMG SO FAR" as others are, so the perceived isolation doesn't bother me. I've stayed here once years ago with my family and really enjoyed it.
- AK is probably my favorite park.
- Con is there is one method of transportation to the parks

Contemporary Garden Wing
- Never stayed at the Contemporary
- Walkable to MK and Monorail to Epcot - and currently I'm scheduled for MK to be my final day, so I could stay longer before walking back to the resort to get my bags and shuttle to MCO
- Garden Wing should be really newly redone...though I'm not the biggest Incredibles fan.
- Con would be it's not main tower so I'd have to walk out of that. But that's tiny really.

Wilderness Lodge Nature (not fireworks) or Courtyard
- Never stayed here
- Boat is an option to MK and could use boat to MK and then monorail to Epcot
- Con is I'm really not a wilderness/forest kind of nature girl and the theme has always left me cold.

OKW does have studios for a bit less than AKL, but I won't have a car and that resort seems VERY spread out (and this from a girl who has no issues with CSR or CBR's footprints), so I'm pretty much ruling that out out of hand.

Thoughts?

If you are looking for convenience, I would do CR. I actually prefer the garden wing to the tower - it's quieter and it's such a quick walk to the lobby, restaurants and bus area. The elevators in the tower can get a bit crowded. I just stayed in the CR tower and I did not like the Incredibles room theming at at all. I'm not a huge Incredibles fan and I did not think it jived at all with the Mary Blair/Grand Canyon concourse atmosphere of the rest of the resort, but, CR is still very conveniently located.

Otherwise, I would pick AKL. If the theming at WL, doesn't float your boat, I don't see any reason to stay there unless it would save you some money. Other than going to MK and AKL, I would probably consider using uber/lyft to go to DHS and EP.

 

[DWillowBay]

Of all your listed choices, Dug, I'd consider Contemporary. If your goal is Extended Hours, you're right next door to MK and down the monorail line from EPCOT. We really enjoy the walk to MK and being outside of the tower might just be a plus (given the noise level sometimes). You'd have access to a variety of restaurants, the lake is beautiful, and, heck, it's a classic. Mary Blair - 'nuff said. You don't have any "BAD" choices, so you're trip will be great no matter what. I happen to love the theming at WL, but if you don't...I wouldn't spend that kind of money on something I didn't love. AKL is beautiful, but you can go there, if you want, without having to put yourself through a long ride home after extended hours. Just my 2 cents. Have a great time!