[iluvwdw]

Hi all...I am trying to start planning my next Disney trip (after I go in August) and I will be staying on Disney property. I am trying to decide where to go and I thought I would ask all of you, who know the resorts so well!

We are thinking of going for 4/5 days the first week of December (I hear the parks aren't as crowded then, am I right?). I want to stay in a hotel that is conveniently located...meaning if we rely on Disney transportation, we will be fine. We won't get a rent a car for this trip, since it will be strictly Disney...no outside parks.

I also want to stay in a hotel that is beautifully decorated for Christmas. This will be our first time at Disney during Christmas season, and I want it to be great!

We are thinking of spending approx $150 per night on a hotel room. Any opinions of where I should stay?

[mickey]

Well, with the $150 limit, you exlude many of the deluxe resorts, with the exception of some of the wing rooms at the Contemporary, the Wilderness Lodge or the Animal Kingdom Lodge (except for the savannah view rooms). The resort that best fills your needs would be the Wilderness Lodge. It is outstanding at Christmas, has good access and is a great place to stay for your first trip. I would suggest a woods view room, and you should be under your $150 without problem, with discounts of course.

I have had mixed experiences with the first couple of weeks of December. The parks can become crowded, but it is tough to know ahead of time. I have found that they get crowded because there are a lot of school groups and international groups that go during this time, and when they all hit one park at a time, it can get crowded. in December 2002, we went to the MK the only day we were at the parks, and rode every ride prior to about 2 PM. Of course, it was raining and cold. Even when it cleared up, we went to EPCOT and never waited more than about 10 minutes.

[iluvwdw]

Mickey, thanks so much for the info! Mouseketrips also suggested Wilderness Lodge and AKL! They said that I could definitely get a moderate, but my best deals would be at WL and AKL. I would LOVE to go to AKL, but it seems so inconvenient to everything. Everyone always says the bus service is really slow there! Do you know anything about that?

Also, do you think the WL will have things to do for our son, who will be 2 years old at the time?

And one last question, I swear! Do those of you who stay on property and dedicate their trip to Disney, feel you are OK without a rent a car, or would it be easier to get around in The World if you had a car???

I always stay off property and get a rent a car, so I am torn whether I should get one for our December trip.:dazed

[jwdj4lfe]

Originally posted by iluvwdw
I would LOVE to go to AKL, but it seems so inconvenient to everything. Everyone always says the bus service is really slow there! Do you know anything about that?
Also, do you think the WL will have things to do for our son, who will be 2 years old at the time?
And one last question, I swear! Do those of you who stay on property and dedicate their trip to Disney, feel you are OK without a rent a car, or would it be easier to get around in The World if you had a car???
I always stay off property and get a rent a car, so I am torn whether I should get one for our December trip.:dazed

I've heard mix reviews on the AKL bus service. It seems that people either think the bus service at the AKL is great, or terrible! lol. But I'll be staying there in 12 days so I'll be sure to talk about it in my trip report!
As for your 2 your old, I'm not sure if there's really that much stuff for him to do, but hey its Disney World, so there's got to be something! They have a kids program, but its for 4 yr olds and up.
Whenever we go to disney we drive, but once that car gets parked at the on-site hotel, it stays there! Disney transportation really is great and efficient, and we always rely on it. The problem about having a car is that you would have to get in it and drive it back to the hotel. After being worn out from a full day at the parks, I would just want to climb on that bus and sit down until we pull up at our resort, lol. Hope this helps!
Joe:)

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by iluvwdw
Mickey, thanks so much for the info! Mouseketrips also suggested Wilderness Lodge and AKL! They said that I could definitely get a moderate, but my best deals would be at WL and AKL.

Imagine that!!!!:whistle: :whistle:

And one last question, I swear! Do those of you who stay on property and dedicate their trip to Disney, feel you are OK without a rent a car, or would it be easier to get around in The World if you had a car???

We always dedicate our trips to WDW & never get a car. As a matter of fact, check out Tiffany Towncar. We always use them as opposed to Mears...the price is only minimally higher for us & it's soooo much more convenient.

[monorailgoof]

I have never actually stayed at the AKL but
I hear that it is a great place to stay
I hear that the food is excellent
I was there before it actually opened for a special sneek preview of it
They opened it onlt for 3 hrs and you got a tour and secrets about the hidden Mickeys and stuff(not telling were they are):hmmm
It seemed great
The only problem that we had with it was the fact that it is soooo far from everything that it took almost a 25 monute bus ride from the Wildernees Lodge to the Hotel
If You feel it is worth the wait
I would stay there
In addition
I think that the wiolderness Lodge is a perfect place to stay
I have stayed there at least 7 times and Loved it!:love:

[disneymom]

Hello
We stayed at AKL in Dec 2002 and it was beautifully decorated for christmas. We had a rental car but I actually preferred the bus service. It lets you out at the front of the parks where as when you have your own car, you have to park and walk (and walk and walk). My feet definitely preferred Disney bus service. We never had much of a wait. The longest wait we had was about 15 minutes from BB to AKL. Good luck!:)

[iluvwdw]

Thank you all! I definitely have some thinking to do...both resorts sound great! It will be a tough choice...at least I have some time to think about it!!!