Denali Lodging & Itinerary - D Cabins, D River Cabins, or McKinley V Lodge

Have only stayed at Denali Cabins (as mentioned in another thread already) but if I had to choose between these three I'd probably pick the Lodge, just because there are usually more things to do inside the main lodge building (in case you have some downtime due to rainy weather or whatever).

As for the itinerary, days 1 & 2 look right to me. Day 3 is "Drive our car as far as we can" ... you can only drive to the end of the paved road, 14 miles, so it doesn't take long to do this. You can no doubt do it after the day 2 trip to Eielson (not sure when you are going but in mid-summer it stays light almost 24 hours).

So for day 3 I personally would take the shuttle bus again (believe me, it seems different every day, with a different driver and different animal sightings), assuming the kids weren't bored with the first day. Maybe take it at a different time (ie, early to mid-day first trip, mid-day to late 2nd trip), or just sign up for one of the shorter trips.

Anyway, what you have is fine, it's just that the days are long and if you wanted to do more on day 3 you could easily do so.

I'm beating myself up over making this decision

Looks like you've put a lot of effort into making good choices, all the options you gave look fine.

You've got 3 very different places as the final choices - I can't figure out what criteria you used to get there. I've stayed at all 3, and the McKinley Village is the only one I'd stay at again unless price was my only criteria. You might want "character" rather than a standard hotel room, though - I have my own cabin so just want a really nice room at a good price. The buildings at the Village have been built at various times over the past almost-20 years - the higher the number the newer the building. The first 2 buildings (#1 and 2) are very noisy as they overlook the bus shuttle and parking areas. The rooms in the newest buildings are very nice.

Re Day 3, I agree with your plan for that day - drive to the Savage River at Mile 15 and go hiking, see the free sled dog demo, etc. The whitewater rafting is very good. For the best water you want the Nenana Gorge runs, with guests paddling - there are also much calmer upper-river runs, and when only the guide paddles they take an easier route through the gorge.

Thanks folks!!! McKinley Village is booked at $199 a night and includes a $100 resort credit - I'm hoping it will cover breakfast for the 3 mornings for the 4 of us. I put in a request for building 6 or 7 (hopefully that will get us a new room in a new building!)
In the end comfort ruled over character.

We are thinking of not going rafting - and renting bikes to do some riding in the park. The kids and hubby are avid bikers here and would appreciate new terrain.

BTW, Any suggestions for the day trips for day 15-16 from Anchorage would be appreciated.

Meals are pricey - $100 won't come close to covering 12 breakfasts at the Village.

About an hour from Anchorage is the Musk Ox Farm which we (dh, 2 boys 9 and 12 and myself) found fun and the Independence Mine. Very close to each other and fun and interesting. We spent a few hours wandering around the Mine and hubby even tried some gold panning there. Matanuska Glacier is about 1/2 hour further from there.

We didn't make it to the cultural museum in Anchorage but that was on our list to do if you are wanting to stay right in Anchorage.

Or do the drive south of Anchorage toward Seward which is very scenic and has glaciers and a wildlife center.

Any suggestions for the day trips for day 15-16 from Anchorage would be appreciated.

Wouldn't be cheap and not sure if 8 year olds are allowed on all of them, but a bear-viewing fly-out day trip would likely be the highlight of your entire Alaska journey if you are like most people and get within a few yards of feeding bears. Specific area recommendations (Brooks or Wolverine Creek or ?) would depend on exactly when you are there.

Alternatively, instead of 3 days in Anchorage you could do an overnight (or 2) at Seward. Lots of things to do there.

Im booking my shuttle tickets. I have to pick a time to leave WAC. Ive read the earlier the better, but I dont want everyone to be exhausted because I woke them at 4 am. It looks like the 7 am is already booked up. Should I opt for 6:30 or 7:30am??