2 bedroom villa-which would you choose?

[Tammy A]

So my recent plan to do a split stay between French Quarter/yacht club in August has changed due to us adding my sister and niece and nephew to the trip. There will now be 9 of us. The kids are 13,15,17,18,20 and 21 ( well I guess the 18, 20 and 21 year olds aren't kids anymore), then my sister, fiance and me. I have the Boardwalk 2 bedroom lock off reserved but I can change to a 2 bedroom Kidani village (savanna or standard) 2 bedroom or a 2 bedroom Old key West. All accommodate 9 people.
We spend most of our time pretty equally between all parks. We are getting park hoppers. Sister is a recent amputee but gets around really well with her prosthetic. Celebrating her recovery (given 1 % chance of surviving) and also daughter's graduation from high school.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Well you can walk to Epcot and DHS from Boardwalk and IMO its a busier atmosphere. I've never been to AKL but from what I've read its seems to be a more quiet and relaxing resort -- and you have the view of some animals from a savanna room. Depends on what you like. You can always split stay it if torn between the 2. OKW I know nothing about so I'm of no help there.

 

[Tammy A]

Do you know if the sleeper chair and pull out sofa are fairly comfortable? I'm thinking of ordering some sort of mattress cushion from amazon if needed and having them sent to the resort we choose.

 

[ErinsMommy]

It'll be our first time staying at BWI, but the pullouts at Poly and Contemporary when our 11 year old has opted to use them she's said have been comfortable enough.

 

[hes122]

Whichever place offers the 3rd bathroom. 9 of us stayed at BLT several years back and the 3rd bathroom was a game changer.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

I'd stay at the Boardwalk. The older "kids" might enjoy walking around the Boardwalk area in the evenings. I also think it's convenient to be that close to two parks.

 

[chalee94]

BWV has the best location. Not sure if it has a sleeper chair, though. Maybe a small foldout bed in the studio? (Edited to add: yes on the small studio bed.)

OKW has the sleeper chair and the most space. Definitely the largest and going through renovations now.

AKV kidani has 3 bathrooms and the sleeper chair. The giraffes and zebras on the savanna are pretty cool, too.

 

[Tammy A]

It looks like the boardwalk's 9th sleeping spot is a pull down bunk size bed. It must be in the studio part of the 2 bedroom. My 13 year old is fairly short and would probably fit (I think), otherwise we could bring a blow up single bed and the "kids" could take turns sleeping on that.

 

[Tammy A]

Anybody have anything to say about the pools? We will definitely be in the pools in the afternoons.

 

[lovin'fl]

My 18 year old twins slept in flip down TV bed last year and they are tall...well one of them did but not sure which...they are both 5ft 8.5in. TV flip down bed is in the studio part. Personally, I would go for AKV Kidani for your party...for the sleeper chair in living room and the extra bathroom. And AKV is a great resort with a lot to occupy you right there...animals, great dining and nice pools.

 

[Tammy A]

Is the pool at AKV Kidani pretty nice?

 

[Tammy A]

The other thing I'm kind of hoping for is maybe a little romance for myself and my fiance even though we are traveling with a bit of a big party. Our last trip together, given it was just the 2 of us, we spent alot of romantic walks around the resort. We were at Port Orleans Riverside. Any one of those 3 a bit more romantic than the others?

 

[chalee94]

Anybody have anything to say about the pools? We will definitely be in the pools in the afternoons.

AKV wins on pools IMO. You can use both pools - Kidani and AKL.

BWV has a clown themed pool - so clownophobes should stay elsewhere.

OKW has a slide with a sandcastle and sandy play areas IIRC.

 

[dansdad]

Anybody have anything to say about the pools? We will definitely be in the pools in the afternoons.

BWI has THE best slide on property. The pool itself is really nice too.

 

[lovin'fl]

I would describe resorts like this and some may disagree but this is IMO...

OKW is a grandmotherly feel...very quaint and chill. Not sure how it's good for date night except little bar by pool is nice or boat over to Dis Springs.

BWV is a fun lively feel. Not a super quiet resort and busy at night. Plenty places to eat or drink for date night and even lively time at the piano bar there. But not necessarily romantic.

AKV is a more romantic feel. Great places to eat and drink and then can sit on many viewing areas to watch animals or by the cool fire place in Jambo lobby or fire pits outside. Can stroll around outside viewing areas. Pool bars are neat to hang out at too. Also neat lounge in Jambo lobby.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The other thing I'm kind of hoping for is maybe a little romance for myself and my fiance even though we are traveling with a bit of a big party. Our last trip together, given it was just the 2 of us, we spent alot of romantic walks around the resort. We were at Port Orleans Riverside. Any one of those 3 a bit more romantic than the others?

I would stick with BWV. There is SO much to do in that area and the kids can just walk (or take the boat) back and forth between two parks, mini-golf, tons of restaurants, etc.

The pools at AKL/AKV are nice, but there is really nothing else there to do for older kids.

There is really nowhere to walk at AKL/AKV. BWV offers you the entire Boardwalk to walk on and you can even walk into WS which I find very romantic to stroll around at night. I think in terms of location and amenities, BWV is your best bet.

 

[ptlohmysoul]

Really BWV is the best location. However, AKV's floorplan is best. The main thing AKV has is that 3rd bathroom, which, with that many adults and older kids, may be almost necessary. In BWV, the "master" bathroom is shared with those sleeping in the living area. In AKV dedicated 2 bedroom, the master bathroom is actually that - only connected directly to the master bedroom. The living area, which sleeps 3 on fold-outs, has its own bathroom, while the 2nd bedroom which sleeps 4 on 2 real queen beds has its own bathroom. So, AKV's master bedroom is actually more private than BWV's.

 

[Tammy A]

Wow! Such a tough call. I do like the layout of the AKV Kidani 2 bedroom villas, however the location of the boardwalk villas is so awesome for the “kids” to be able to stroll into Epcot, plus the entertainment of the boardwalk. What to do? What to do?

 

[lovin'fl]

The thing about Disney is it has busing and boating and monorail transport and is relatively safe for older (like teen) kiddos to come and go. Just maybe BWV would be better for a later curfew. We stayed at AKV for Xmas 2013 with all the in laws including nephews 20 and 18 when my DS was 16 and niece was 15 and my twin DDs were 13. It was a little rough in that nephews were out all hours (as was niece a little since she was wih her brothers) but I more wanted my kids in by 11pm (except one night MK had late EMH until like 2am and that I didn't mind as much since the buses were going). It didn't go so well. Quite a few tantrums from DS. BWV, and even OKW with being near Dis Springs, is better for later curfews. But the extra bathroom.....man, that's a biggie. For what it's worth, SIL owns AKV and books there all the time with my nephews and niece (they are 5 years older now and have significant others at times too) and they all love staying at AKV. They like SSR as well (for DS). They never really try for BCV or BWV.

 

[CMNJ]

Really BWV is the best location. However, AKV's floorplan is best. The main thing AKV has is that 3rd bathroom, which, with that many adults and older kids, may be almost necessary. In BWV, the "master" bathroom is shared with those sleeping in the living area. In AKV dedicated 2 bedroom, the master bathroom is actually that - only connected directly to the master bedroom. The living area, which sleeps 3 on fold-outs, has its own bathroom, while the 2nd bedroom which sleeps 4 on 2 real queen beds has its own bathroom. So, AKV's master bedroom is actually more private than BWV's.

I agree. We absolutely love BWV but the 2BR dedicated villas at Kidani are much more impressive accommodations. Since all BWV 2BR are lock offs there are only 2 real beds in them with 2 sleeper sofas and the pull down bunk. Having an extra real bed and a extra full bath when you have so many adults seems like a winner to me. The pools are AKL are very nice too. Also the balcony in a dedicated 2 BR at Kidani is continuous if you think several of you who want to hang out together. At BWV again since it will be a lockoff there will be a divider between the balconies