We are planning a 2026 Nov trip, so discounts are not out yet, which could be the issue. But it seems to be significantly (i.e. thousands of $US) cheaper to stay 12 nights at Contemporary than it would be doing a 8 nights / 4 nights split over AoA then Contemporary (our initial plan).
Should I expect this to change once deals are released? Or would a stay of 12 nights always trump any split stay? I guess there must be massive savings when increasing nights and park tickets (10 days in park all up).
The split stay would be the priority as it gives us the location for MK days (especially coming back for naps mid-day) and then theming, plus location for other parks. But a full stay at AoA or Contemporary is cheaper. If forced down this route, we can’t decide between the deluxe resort perks and location or the space, theming, and $ savings of AoA. First world problems I know but this is our once in a lifetime trip from Australia!
I don’t know first hand, but I would expect deals would bring them more into parity down the road.
That said, AofA family suites can get crazy expensive to the point that I’ve never stayed there. I always end up getting better deals elsewhere for better accommodations.
Well I mean a full stay at AoA is even cheaper than Contemporary full stay So we still have the delema of which one to pick (location + deluxe perks VS themeing/room size/extra bathroom).
There is 5 of us so the extra bedroom and bathroom will come in handy. Plus our youngest is 5 and would LOVE the Cars theming. And of course $2.5k savings…but the appeal of CR being so close to MK making party nights easier as well as the better eating and EEH…
I’m curious what is driving the savings for CR vs split stay … usually if discounts haven’t been released yet, it should be relatively even per night. Unless you are choosing unusually expensive nights for AoA.
Its the 10 day ticket vs the 4 and the 6 day ticket! The best way to compare is to choose a 10 day ticket for your for your six day stay and then choose no ticket for the four day. But if you go with a split stay I would work with someone to make sure your tickets are good for the duration of your stay.
Agreed - can you (@Klattsy) do ticketless packages / room only and get your tickets elsewhere? I’m not familiar with whether Australia has special package offers like for the UK, but from a quick net search, you can probably get the Attraction Tickets 14-day tickets (check the thread in La Cava for more info).
The suites at AoA are crazy expensive. 2 bathrooms are nice though. The big issue I have is for all that $ and it’s still a value resort so any discounts will be at the value level. Also, it’s the last bus stop.
Yes! That seems to have worked. Split stay + 10 day Attraction Tickets (max I can get) falls between AoA full stay package and Contemporary full stay package so thats a good compromise. What am I missing by booking tickets through a 3rd party though? Any issues with LL purchases later or after hours party tickets?
This worked out better - I thought my stay period outlasted the 10 day validity period (which is more than 10 days but I thought it was still longer). Now its only US$600 to do the split stay which we can wear to get the best of both! Thanks for making me revisit it!
If you get tickets through a reputable third party, you get a code to link it to your MDE account and can book LLs at the usual schedule.
For a 14-day ticket, you can actually time it to extend your LL booking window if you make the first day of your eligibility per the dated ticket more than 4 days before the beginning of your hotel stay. Date based tickets book LLs at 3+ length of ticket up to 14 days (then one day at a time for stays longer than that).
Onsite privilege is 7+length of stay up to 14 days.
Since your stay is 10 days, you may have to book your last couple of days one at a time if you do this, but at +14 there will 100% availability for all attractions anyway. The tricky thing would be making sure your ticket is valid for your last planned park day.
Hmm, I’m not sure what you’re looking at since Attraction Tickets are 7 day or 14 day bundles? I’m happy to DM you the La Cava link if you need it so that we can dig into that more in the AT specific thread, if you want. @Jeff_AZ is an expert there as well.
I’m glad that regardless, this is helping you figure out your trip!
ETA: This is the 14 day ticket link, in case it helps.
this! It honestly doesn’t surprise me that the full stay at CR is more affordable. I’d skip the split honestly
So we still have the delema of which one to pick (location + deluxe perks VS themeing/room size/extra bathroom).
