No park trip July AKL or BC

[mom2kando]

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary this July and want to do something nice. WE have two little ones who will be 8 and 5 in July. We would like to stay away from the parks if possible and lay low at one of the resorts (knowing our kids it will be too hot and crowded for the parks and we've been before and will be back again after this trip)

I think we'll do one of the villas through renting DVC points.

Would you stay at Beach Club (awesome pool/water play) or Animal Kingdom Lodge (kids love animals/learning new things). Also we're Veg and the food at AK appeals to us. We'd be 5 nights.

TIA!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary this July and want to do something nice. WE have two little ones who will be 8 and 5 in July. We would like to stay away from the parks if possible and lay low at one of the resorts (knowing our kids it will be too hot and crowded for the parks and we've been before and will be back again after this trip)

I think we'll do one of the villas through renting DVC points.

Would you stay at Beach Club (awesome pool/water play) or Animal Kingdom (kids love animals/learning new things). Also we're Veg and the food at AK appeals to us. We'd be 5 nights.

TIA!

I would pick the AKL. It would be too hard for me personally to be at the BC, right next to Epcot, so close that you can hear the fireworks and even see the highest ones from some locations, and not have park tickets. AKL is awesome and the vegetarian choices are great.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Would you stay at Beach Club (awesome pool/water play) or Animal Kingdom Lodge (kids love animals/learning new things). Also we're Veg and the food at AK appeals to us. We'd be 5 nights.

TIA!

Just my experience from BC this past summer, with kids around the same age as yours (well maybe a year older)...Stormalong Bay was a pain in the neck for us. The slide was so annoying the way it was so far from where you come out, you have to cross the main sidewalk. The whole pool area was SO crowded, and this was the last week of August. The layout is confusing. I don't want to discourage you, but we were disappointed in it and would have preferred a more normal pool.

From what I saw, and from chatting with people on here about it, SAB is an awesome pool if your kids are a bit older than ours were and are strong swimmers.

Just my 2 cents! I'd go with AKL if I were you, especially if the food appeals to you more over there.

ETA: It would also be impossible for me to stay at BC and not walk over to Epcot every day lol

 

[DisneyRegulars]

May I ask why you want to be on Disney property if you are not going to go to the parks? If you are willing to rent dvC points, have you considered Disney's Vero Beach Resort? I think I would choose there to get that nice Disney feel without the temptation of the parks nearby.

 

[mickeynut1]

I agree with the pp's and would choose AKL. We've stayed at both resorts and while we did like the BC, I think AKL is quieter and a little more laid back and would be great for a resort only trip. Plus Mara is great for quick CS meals/snacks, while the BC has very limited options, IMO. Good luck.

 

[mom2kando]

Thank you for the great advice. I think we will really consider AKL.
I hadn't really thought of Vero Beach-I just remember all of the fun we have had at Disney resorts/pools (campfires/movies/pool/lobby games etc) which is why we wanted to do a Disney resort. We'll be driving and Vero Beach is another 2 hours I think? There is one in one of the carolina's right- but not ON the beach. I just love the disney magic- the idea of watching the animals, etc.

 

[kmb584]

If I had to choose between AKL and BC for a regular Disney trip, it'd be AKL. I positively love that resort and its amenities, not to mention having an African savanna in my "backyard".

For a trip where parks are going to be excluded, I'd opt for BC. Yes, you'll be close to both EP and DHS and therefore the temptation to enter one of the parks, but there is truly so much more to do in the Epcot resort area compared to AKL. You'll have a ton more dining and shopping options, you'll be able to see the fireworks, and I think it will give you more of an overall feeling of being in WDW. The experience at AKL is incredible but you'll be dependent upon the bus system if you're planning to head off of the resort grounds.