Where To Stay On Saturday?

[DarthGoofy]

We will be arriving in town about 1pm or so on Saturday January 13th and are trying to decide where to stay at before checking in to the VWL on Sunday. I wanted to stay at the AKL, but Rachel (DW) says "No Way, not for just a day." :crymeariv So, I am trying to decide if we should stay at POP or even off-site:jawdroppi

What do you experts suggest. Should we jsut go ahead and stay at POP? If we stay off-site, where do you recommend?

Thanks for the help, I am stumped on this one.

[KNWVIKING]

I've always enjoyed spending a nite or two out on International Drive. DW doesn't like the unpack-pack-unpack part of the excursion, but she also likes trying new places.

We like the Sherratons on I-Drive. At the North end is the Studio City - round building,20'ish stories high, big globe on the top - and the South end is Sherraton World. S.World is a sprawling resort with multiple pools, Studio is a typical hotel style.Studio City has very large rooms,great views,above average dinning,pool with bar, great staff. It is right across from Wet-n-Wild.

Average price at either resort is $99.00, we've always gotten cheaper with AAA discounts or other internet specials.

[PoohsPal]

Could you justify the AKL day if you did concierge so you could do one of teh morning or evening special safaris?

Pop worked for us fo r1 night in January. Heaven forbid I stay offsite! Your kids would probably like it too. I was able to get AAA rate fro about $67. Can't imagine you'd get much cheaper offsite. JMO.

[Pocahantas]

We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside on the Saturday night before our BCV stay in December. I had initially booked All-Star Movies but when AP discounts came out we upgraded to POR for just a few dollars more. DD and I are trying to stay at every resort at least once so we use our Friday and Saturday nights for that. I have considered staying offsite to save money but just can't bring myself to do it. I need to be at Disney!!!

[yecats48884]

Hi Mike!

We just got back from our trip a couple of weeks ago, and I too was lacking a nights ressie. We stayed at DD Hilton. It was very nice and reasonable. We were fortunate--didn't ask for it but had a gorgeous view of DD and could even see SM and CR in the distance---also had a birdseyeview of SS. I will stay there again if found lacking. You still feel like your at Disney, just being a short walk from DD. I actually would probably prefer that over any of the Values. Has wonderful deluxe amenities too! Let me know how you come out!

Stacey

[RweTHEREyet]

Can I ask what kind of rate you got at the Hilton?

[ErinC]

Mike, we usually do a priceline stay for our before DVC checkins. I usually bid the disney zone resort level. If you get lucky you could score the Hilton at DD for around $60. We are staying the few days before NYE at the Omni at Championsgate. I think I paid $110 a night for it. You can check WWW.biddingfortravel.com and see what others have gotten for that time frame. If it gets too much I just book pop for the night. Good luck.

[carolina_yankee]

If you don't plan on going to the parks Saturday afternoon adn evening, you would have almost 24 hours straight at AKL - that could be worth it. You're checking in early enough to enjoy the resort, and there's a lot of activity at sundown. If the weather is warm - the pool is great. If not, there's still plenty of things to explore.

If you were to spring for concierege (something I will do someday), I would make sure they have room available on the sunrise safari (if you're interested) before committing to the extra cost.

I usually suggest people treat the AKL as half-day park if they are staying there. There are so many viewing areas, exhibits, and pool related things to enjoy. An evening meal at Boma or Jiko would be well enjoyed, or the Boma breakfast buffet on Sunday morning. You definitely won't need anymore food for the rest of the day.

Dirk

[yecats48884]

Can I ask what kind of rate you got at the Hilton?


We paid 120.00 including tax--it looks like you could get a better deal on priceline--it would be worth checking out! Good luck!

[Rozzie]

Mike, come to AKL with the Rozzie's, we'll be there Jan 13 doing the Sunrise/Sunset Safari's!! :yes:

[Simba's Mom]

I stayed at AKL for "just one night" last month. I looked at it as spending a nite there BEFORE WDW. I never left the resort. I did several of the activities offered (culinary tour, sunset storyteller, etc.), watched the animals. It was great to treat AKL as a "destination" vacation.

[DarthGoofy]

The problem is that the cheapest room available at AKL is a bunk bed pool view for $281. I don't imagine they will be realsing AP codes since it is MLK weekend. POP is only $92. That is a huge diference. I really want to stay at AKL, but it is hard to justify the cost.

[AFMom]

I couldn't do it either, Darth. I can think of way to many other uses for the $200 !!! Now on a special trip, like an anniversary or something, maybe - but that's quite a difference!

[DarthGoofy]

Now on a special trip, like an anniversary or something, maybe - but that's quite a difference!

That is why we didn't mind dropping the big money to stay one night at the Poly since it was for our 10th anniversary. It is just hard to justify. Especially since we have finally decided to buy into AKV for sure.

[jaysue]

That is why we didn't mind dropping the big money to stay one night at the Poly since it was for our 10th anniversary. It is just hard to justify. Especially since we have finally decided to buy into AKV for sure.

Have not stayed there but have heard good things about the HGVC out on I-Drive (near the Outlet Mall)

Also, there is the Marriott Village at on Palm Parkway as well

Have you inquired re member cash discount for Sat night?

Cheers
jaysue

[carolina_yankee]

The problem is that the cheapest room available at AKL is a bunk bed pool view for $281. I don't imagine they will be realsing AP codes since it is MLK weekend. POP is only $92. That is a huge diference. I really want to stay at AKL, but it is hard to justify the cost.
There might be AP rates - we stayed through MLK weekend in 2004 on an AP rate - Savannah View for $170. Just because they don't advertise it for certain dates doesn't mean the CM can't apply it in the system. I asked for an AP rate this year for 2 nights starting Thanksgiving at Pop Century this year, even though the fineprint didn't include those dates, but we got it! It wasn't as much as the standard promotion - just $10 off of the AAA rate, but that's something.

Dirk

[Frozenfingers]

If you have a car, (they do have shuttle service too) you may wish to consider the Comfort Inn by the Crossroads (Palm Pkwy). I usually get it for 50 to 56 a nite.. Large rooms, comfy beds, always been clean and quiet! Lounge for the adults, pool for the kids.. Restaurant/ cafeteria plus a little mini market. Free continental breakfast in the mornings..

Here's a link... http://www.comfortinnorlando.com/

Fro

[spiceycat]

I think Pop is cute!

so it gets my vote. just remember it is a value resort - so there aren't as many CM and the lines are longer for just about everything.

are you flying or driving?

if flying then I would get an airport hotel with a shuttle so I could still use the DME to get me back and forth to my DVC resort.

Priceline is good for this too.

if driving then it doesn't matter as much. there is a best western lakeside - that was a laquinta and before then a Sheraton. this is an older hotel it was on of the first along US 192 in 1971.
www.bestwesternlakeside.com

then you can go by the old Holiday Inn (black lake) which is being converted into condo - for the great price of $125,000 (or something around then). and the sign acts like this is a wonderful bargin......:slyasafox :reporter:

it is not being torn down like DVC - just remodeled - so the same plumbing and electrical (that gave the hotel lots of problems).... it dates from the 80's.

lots of people like Cypress Pointe - finally staying there this Dec
you can get it in on
www.hotelkingdom.com

here its link
www.cypresspointe.net

there is a Marriott not far
www.marriottworldcenter.com
since they are working on it - the prices should be reasonable. You pay for parking here.

[spiceycat]

you can also look
www.expedia.com

[Muushka]

We just had this problem. I waited too long to book a Disney resort (at AP rate) for this Dec 2. So I advertised on TUG for a studio or 1 BR for just that Sat night. I got about 6 offers ranging from $69 a night to $89 a night for a 1 BR. I ended up at Cypress Palms in a 1 BR (set up like DVC with the king bed and Jacuzzi) for $79. No tax. Pretty good deal.

[DSNY FN]

We always stay at one of the All Stars if we are staying at Disney if not then we grab a room at teh coast and stay there it all depends on how we feel.

[katk1975]

In September, we stayed in the Radisson Celebration for our first night of the trip. It was close to WDW, and very nice. Pool was almost WDW quality, and they had 2 nice hot tubs. They did sock us with a $10 activity fee, but wifi was free, so I figured it a fair trade.

If you go to allears.net, I think they have a $69/night special running for January if you link through their website. I have never stayed at a value resort, but hubby has and would prefer the Radisson to a value. Granted, we are two adults, no kids, so the theming and such may not appeal as much as it would to a family. Radisson doesn't have much theming of course, but it was a nice hotel.

-Kat

[mushu]

We use are AP discounts a lot on Friday and Saturday.