Split Stay or Choose! About This Page:

[tigfan]

This is my first time posting here and I must say that I have gotten some really great tips/ideas. I do need opinions as I have to make a decision asap. I will be going to WDW at the end of June and already have courtesy reservations at CSR and AKL for 8 nights. I really cannot make up my mind which I would prefer, they both sound wonderful. My question is, how much of a pain is it to move between hotels in the middle of your stay? We will have a car there as that's the only thing the husband insists upon! If I had to choose, which would be the better choice? It is also our 25th wedding anniversary and I want to make this vacation really special.

Thanks.

[chezp]

Hi Lisa - I wanted to be the first to welcome you to the boards!

I can't really help, as we've never moved hotels before, we will during our forthcoming stay, when we'll stay at AKL for the first time, but at the moment I can't be of much help. But I think if I had to choose - and bearing in mind it's your 25th wedding anniversary - I'd go for AKL, as it is meant to be a really special resort.

[Wendyismyname]

Hi ! Welcome We're glad to have you here!

I think you've got a tough decision to make! AKL is a deluxe resort and CSR is a moderate. I think since it's your 25th anniverary, I'd stay at the AKL the entire time. However, I have heard that it is not hard at all to switch resorts. People do it quite often. Since you will have a car, you can take your luggage yourself. Or disney will take care of it for you!

Good luck to you!
Wendy

[statelady01]

My first preference would always to be to choose and stay at one resort. I also agree with Chez, go for AKL unless cost is going to be an issue- then I would take some AKL over none at all!

Welcome to the boards- hope to see more of you!

[LisaJ]

From what others have posted here, it is not a problem at all to have your luggage transferred to another resort hotel. You just let the front desk or bell services know and you can go off to the park for the day and then return to your new resort and your luggage will be there. They do it all the time.

Welcome.

[Colexis Mom]

to the boards We split our stay last year, and are doing it again this year. It's really no problem at all, and you get to experience two resorts. I'd say go for it

[DisneyDoll]

"To all who come to this happy place, Welcome!"-Walt Disney

I've never split stays, but from what I've read here, it's not a bother. You will have to check out and then check in again at the new hotel, but Disney will move your luggage for you. If you do decide to split, stay at CSR first then go to AKL...save the best for last!

[loobyoxlip]

Definitely go for a split stay. Start with CS and upgrade to AKL. This way you can test the best of both worlds. Have a great time. Transferring is so easy. If you don't want to lug all your luggage to your car, they will transfer it for you

[Joy J]

We did a split stay last August with one week at Animal Kingdom Lodge and one week at Wilderness Lodge. Although Disney certainly made the luggage transfer thing easy, that still didn't help the fact that it really disturbed the wonderful flow of the holiday for me to have to pack up all the suitcases, move to another locale and then unpack again at another location. For me, it's much more restful to be able to spend the entire vacation at one resort. If I had to choose between CSR and AKL, I would definitely pick AKL. Of course, I've never stayed at CSR but I can vouch for the fact that AKL is a fabulous place to stay with wonderful ambience, great amenities and then of course there are the animals. I truly felt like I was staying at an exclusive game reserve in the wilds of Africa. AKL is so unique and entertaining that you could actually spend all your time there without ever going to the theme parks and still have the vacation of a lifetime.



Oh, and before I totally forget, a big hello and welcome to the boards!



Joy

[StephanieS]

I would just stay at AKL the whole time- the idea of packing everything up and unpacking it mid-way through the vacation sounds like a waste of the precious time you have at WDW. Have fun! -Stephanie

[Mouseketeer]

We did a split stay this past December at the POR and AKL, and for us it was no problem to change hotels. I liked getting to experience two different resorts. The day we changed hotels was our "off" day from the parks. We slept late, had a leisurely breakfast, then moved to the AKL. We spent the rest of the day exploring the hotel. There is a lot to see at the AKL and if you are going to have a savannah view room, you'll really enjoy relaxing on your balcony and looking at the animals. Good luck with your decision and happy anniversary!

Lynda

[OffKilter_Lynn]

Hi Lisa!

Other than having to pack (then unpack), changing resorts isn't a major deal. That being said, since this is a 25th anniversary trip, AKL would be my pick for the entire trip.

If cost is an issue, then CSR first then 'upgrade' yourself to the deluxe AKL. Have a marvelous trip & welcome to the boards!

[Mel & Richard]

I agree with Joy. Luggage transfer is no big deal. The time to pack everything in your room up and then unpack it later in the day is a slightly bigger deal. We did it last year and won't be doing it again.

As far as which resort, I'd pick AKL over any other resort.

Mel