Dillema

[Tonka's Skipper]

Saratoga or Old Key West? Much difference?

Old Key West has wonderful theming and landscaping. It is spread out and more quiet and layed back, 2 large polls and 2 small quiet pools. The bus stops are nicely positioned and run pretty good. Olivia's food is great. Its the hidden Gem of WDW.

Which ever you pick, you will enjoy your trip!

AKK We love it!

 

[dreamfinder]

Remember that SSR and OKW both have several internal bus stops. So while you may get dropped off/picked up first, your opposite trip may have added time due to that fact.

If I recall correctly, the average trip time from AKL is only something like 2 minutes longer than from some of the other resorts, so not all that much overall.

 

[rt06]

You want to blow your girl's mind, you go AKL. This will be her walking into the lobby The buzz. There is so much energy, I've never walked into a place like that. The pool is awesome (even better when they didn't enforce pool hours, or do they?), maybe second to BC. The setting for romance is there. The transportation issue is really nitpicking, and yes I believe that to be the worst aspect of AKL, but come on. It's because I'm thinking of 2AM, standing room only MK to AKL and exhausted. And some people get frustrated to see five DAK shuttles go by for every one MK. Like I said, though. Nitpicking. You're not going to enjoy Disney without a little (or a lot) of patience to begin with.

I say AKL Jambo House if you can. Are you really going to cook and do laundry? Kidani is dullsville in comparison.

If September, why not just cancel your reservation and rebook to avoid the fee? Are you dealing with Disney?

 

[Rocabilly]

Damn you guys, you're sending me crazy, hahaha! The deposit we lose will be bigger than the £50 fee if we change resort.

Our usual sheduelle would be catch bus to said park at 7:30/8, that's my only real worry, that we won't make the rope drop if there are bus issues, that and the worry of getting stuck at the resort if the weather gets real bad.

I'm nearly persuaded to change back to AKL, you guys just gotta nudge me over the edge.

Thanks for all of your help!!

 

[rt06]

Oh, I see. You ride the tube. I ride the subway. Don't even sweat that. Disney transport will be a breeze. A little jostling will make you feel at home. Just a little more sunshine and the wrong side of the road. Yeah, you'll have to be up a half hour earlier than everyone else. Now compare every other amenity. Pool, gym, dining, etc... AKL

 

[DisneyOutsider]

AKL is literally the most awesome resort that I have every stayed at in my life. It's very romantic and it's breath-taking. Certain WDW tourists tend to walk around with a very entitled attitude and will let one bus that was 15 min late alter their entire perception of their vacation. A bus can be late at any resort you choose to stay at, but AKL isn't better or worse than any of the other resorts' bus service. If you're very worried about the 15 min you might lose if a bus is late, then either give yourself a generous amount of time to get where you're going or rent a car and take complete control of your transport.

I hope you guys have a great time! And I promise you that you wouldn't regret staying at AKL. But if you do choose AKL, make sure you devote at least half a day to relaxing/exploring at the resort. There's a lot to see!

 

[Rocabilly]

OK guys, I think you'll all be happy to know I just called up and reverted back to AKL, and the nice lady I spoke to added a requested for top floor and also added "celebration" to our invoice, although there is no specific celebration. Haha

Thanks for everyones help!!

 

[rt06]

You will not regret it. Very cool surprise.

The gig will be up when you approach DME because they ask you which resort you're staying at, then send you to the designated line.

 

[MaryJaneP]

* Dilemma * *Jig*

 

[Rocabilly]

OK, NEW DILEMMA.
How far can I make it without her finding out, prior to arriving in Orlando I trust that I am capable to hide all evidence of it, but how do I keep it a secret when we're booking in for the DME.

What is Orlando Intl's oppinion on blind folds?!

SERIOUS.

 

[jpittore1]

The Magic Express lines will be hard to hide. If you could keep her in the dark the bus driver will probably give away the surprise because before they pull out of the airport they typically announce what resort they are traveling to and how long the ride will be. Believe me, her face seeing the lobby at AKL will not ruined by magic express..

 

[lostpro9het]

OK, NEW DILEMMA.
How far can I make it without her finding out, prior to arriving in Orlando I trust that I am capable to hide all evidence of it, but how do I keep it a secret when we're booking in for the DME.

What is Orlando Intl's oppinion on blind folds?!

SERIOUS.

IIRC, AKL shares a DME bus with All-Star and Coronado Springs. You could make her believe you guys are going to one of those two resorts then just get off at AKL.

 

[rt06]

I've always used gig. I also wait on line for cawfee.

"Lemme get a regyoolah cawfee."
"How would you like it?"
"Regyoolah."

Anyway, with AKL the last drop off, I don't see how the gig can not be up prior to that ("Why aren't we getting off?"). You have the signs at the airport. You'll get scanned and asked, "Animal Kingdom?" Loading your carry on (unless you want to keep it on your lap), "Animal Kingdom?" Prior to boarding, "Animal Kingdom?" Who knows how many times the bus driver will say it. You would need a blindfold, earplugs, a pair of Beats headphones, maybe even a burqa. It's just too much.

There is one thing, but it involves money and baggage claim: Taxi. After you very gentlemanly open the taxi door for her, you can discretely tell the cab driver your destination and ask him to keep his pie hole shut (more politely). I don't think it's worth that.

So the gig is up an hour before you hit the lobby. Whaddyagonnado? It's all new to you as well, so you can share in that palpable excitement together. That's not a bad thing.

 

[Rocabilly]

Blindfold, and have a sign ready that explains the situation maybe that I can show but my girlfriend will be unaware?

I'm determined to make it to the resort with out any knowledge.

If you guys got any more ideas please shoot, I'll try and document it too for when we get back and I'll share...

 

[rt06]

The only foolproof way would be taxi. All you have to say is, "Animal Kingdom Kidani/Jambo and don't say anything, it's a surprise." Done.

There's just too much verbal communication from the airport to the resort with DME in order to ensure people get to the right destination.

lostpro9het's suggestion gets you pretty close to your goal, but again, AKL is the last stop. When you're still on the bus after stop #2 (I forget the order), she'll have figured it out.

But definitely let us know how it turns out.

 

[Rocabilly]

I see where you're coming from!

Ok, taxi, what price ish would I be looking at?

 

[Rocabilly]

Could I book a Mears service in advance?

 

[rt06]

I can't justify fare and baggage claim to extend the charade a mere hour over the convenience of DME. I just can't. You want the perfect experience and that's admirable, but over thinking has already cost you once. The DME scenario does not take away from the surprise IMO.

Not to dissuade you, so check the Mears website. You'll find all the info you need.

 

[BuddyThomas]

I've never stayed at AKL but I've heard wonderful things.
We stayed in a one bed villa at Saratoga Springs and loved it. So spacious, peaceful and relaxing

Spacious is the key word. We stayed here one year a d went to a special late night party at Typhoon Lagoon. The cab dropped us off at about 2AM at the wrong building and we wandered around that spacious resort for about an hour trying to find our room.

 

[unkadug]

Spacious is the key word. We stayed here one year a d went to a special late night party at Typhoon Lagoon. The cab dropped us off at about 2AM at the wrong building and we wandered around that spacious resort for about an hour trying to find our room.

I'm sure the cocktails didn't help matters!