Advice - AKL or Old Key West

[mlggator22]

We are coming for week in October. There are 5 of us staying in the room, and we are looking at 1 bedrooms. My husband and myself will be staying in the main bedroom. My adult daughter and her boyfriend will be staying on the Queen pullout and my adult son (only staying 3 nights) will be on the twin pullout.
We LOVE AKL, but have only stayed in savannah view. What I have loved about AKL; the two bathrooms (we are staying in Kidani) and of course all the animals. This time we were only able to get a resort view.
I have never stayed in Old Key West. It looks large, which is nice. Sharing the bathroom with daughter and boyfriend is not ideal, especially if we get a room that would require them to come through our room to access. I know we can request a room with a two access point bathroom, but its not guaranteed. It's mainly because of my daughter's boyfriend.
Old Key West is less expensive too.
We will have a car, so busing isn't as huge a deal to us.
I'm really on fence between these two. Should we stay in Old Key West (more central and less expensive) or AKL (two bathrooms and animals - just not outside our balcony this time)

Tell me your opinions - especially if you have stayed at both. I would love opinions on Old Key West for anyone who is stayed recently.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We are coming for week in October. There are 5 of us staying in the room, and we are looking at 1 bedrooms. My husband and myself will be staying in the main bedroom. My adult daughter and her boyfriend will be staying on the Queen pullout and my adult son (only staying 3 nights) will be on the twin pullout.
We LOVE AKL, but have only stayed in savannah view. What I have loved about AKL; the two bathrooms (we are staying in Kidani) and of course all the animals. This time we were only able to get a resort view.
I have never stayed in Old Key West. It looks large, which is nice. Sharing the bathroom with daughter and boyfriend is not ideal, especially if we get a room that would require them to come through our room to access. I know we can request a room with a two access point bathroom, but its not guaranteed. It's mainly because of my daughter's boyfriend.
Old Key West is less expensive too.
We will have a car, so busing isn't as huge a deal to us.
I'm really on fence between these two. Should we stay in Old Key West (more central and less expensive) or AKL (two bathrooms and animals - just not outside our balcony this time)

Tell me your opinions - especially if you have stayed at both. I would love opinions on Old Key West for anyone who is stayed recently.

I've stayed at both AKL and OKW with extended family, and I think there are more advantages at OKW. But I forgot about the extra bathroom (only at Kidani, not at the AKL/Jambo building). The bigger porch, where everyone can sit outside around a table, at OKW is great! And the indoor table, and size of the kitchen table at OKW are also pluses. But the extra bathroom at Kidani is something to consider. It's a tough call.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Agree, agree, agree! OKW is really nice, especially with the extra space. But AKL-Kidani has such a great layout for your situation. I'd go Kidani, even standard view. On the other hand, keep an eye out for the refurb schedule. There are indications that Kidani refurbishments could begin sometime in October. I don't know if that's a big deal or not, but it's something to watch for.

 

[FrancisK7]

Kidani with the extra bathroom and view of the animals... there are no other hotel in North America that can offer this experience, so for me that is priceless. It's a true oasis of peace. And the food options are great! Sanaa, Boma, Jiko, the lounge... the grounds and theming are so beautiful... once the refurb is done and they get rid of Satan's sofabeds the resort will literally be perfect.

 

[Brian Noble]

For five, I'd lean to AKV for the second bathroom. My upper limit for one bathroom is about 2-3 people.

 

[drusba]

With 5, I would also favor Kidani with the second bathroom. The OKW 1BRs are larger but Kidani's are larger than many others (including Jambo). It appears you already have a resort view (formerly standard view) reservation at KIdani. Be aware you can potentially get a savanna view overlooking the Pembe savanna with a resort view room at Kidani. If that is desired request a room near the Pumbaa elevator (the last elevator on the north wing; the lobby/front entrance faces west). That elevator is between the fifth and sixth buildings units on the North wing and all rooms on the Pembe savanna side of those two building unitss are resort view rooms with an an actual direct savanna view. Just be aware that actually succeeding in getting that request will mean long walks to the lobby and bus station.

If the refurb that is to begin in Oct is done like prior refurbs of AKV, it is not likely to be much of an issue -- prior procedure was to do 1/2 of a floor at a time, and when done do the other half, and then move to another floor and follow the same procedure.

 

[drusba]

double post

 

[mlggator22]

With 5, I would also favor Kidani with the second bathroom. The OKW 1BRs are larger but Kidani's are larger than many others (including Jambo). It appears you already have a resort view (formerly standard view) reservation at KIdani. Be aware you can potentially get a savanna view overlooking the Pembe savanna with a resort view room at Kidani. If that is desired request a room near the Pumbaa elevator (the last elevator on the north wing; the lobby/front entrance faces west). That elevator is between the fifth and sixth buildings units on the North wing and all rooms on the Pembe savanna side of those two building unitss are resort view rooms with an an actual direct savanna view. Just be aware that actually succeeding in getting that request will mean long walks to the lobby and bus station.

If the refurb that is to begin in Oct is done like prior refurbs of AKV, it is not likely to be much of an issue -- prior procedure was to do 1/2 of a floor at a time, and when done do the other half, and then move to another floor and follow the same procedure.

This is good to know. When do you put in the room request? Is it near the date of arrival or anytime?

 

[Giraffe_Zen]

With 5, I would also favor Kidani with the second bathroom. The OKW 1BRs are larger but Kidani's are larger than many others (including Jambo). It appears you already have a resort view (formerly standard view) reservation at KIdani. Be aware you can potentially get a savanna view overlooking the Pembe savanna with a resort view room at Kidani. If that is desired request a room near the Pumbaa elevator (the last elevator on the north wing; the lobby/front entrance faces west). That elevator is between the fifth and sixth buildings units on the North wing and all rooms on the Pembe savanna side of those two building unitss are resort view rooms with an an actual direct savanna view. Just be aware that actually succeeding in getting that request will mean long walks to the lobby and bus station.

If the refurb that is to begin in Oct is done like prior refurbs of AKV, it is not likely to be much of an issue -- prior procedure was to do 1/2 of a floor at a time, and when done do the other half, and then move to another floor and follow the same procedure.

Thank you for the info on the Pembe Savanna and how to get a room there possibly. We were there a few years ago and were put in one of those rooms and loved it more than we expected. Have been trying to figure out what to request to get put there again!

OP--I would go with Kidani here. You can't beat everything the resort offers as well as that 2nd bathroom.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Of the two resorts, I've only stayed at AKL, but I would go back in a heartbeat! Two bathrooms, better restaurants, and plenty of places to see the animals even if you don't luck out and get a view of your own.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Ive only stayed at AKV and driven around OKW. Personally neither will be my go to in future, but at AKV you have the animals which heavily offsets some negatives there. Also that extra bathroom.

 

[Lewisc]

2 studios at OKW. 1 bathroom not good

 

[drusba]

This is good to know. When do you put in the room request? Is it near the date of arrival or anytime?

You can put in a room request as soon as right after you have made a reservation. Should not wait until near date of arrival because at some point before then they start to assign rooms.

 

[mlggator22]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I am going to sit down with the family and make our final decision. I am leaning towards AKL for the extra bathroom.

 

[BrownThunder]

I'm assuming you're going to the parks. If so, I'd recommend going with AKL. Reason being that the bus transportation can be quite a hassle with the 5 stops in OKW. I didn't mind it at the beginning but it really got on my nerves by the 6th day and pretty much decided I never wanted to do it again.

I know your original question had to do with the rooms themselves but if you're going to the parks, I'd strongly recommend taking this into account.

 

[HairyChest]

The vibe at Old Key West is my least favorite out of all DVC resorts. from the room to the feel of it, I wont stay there again. Animal Kingdom Lodge all the way!

 

[mlggator22]

I'm assuming you're going to the parks. If so, I'd recommend going with AKL. Reason being that the bus transportation can be quite a hassle with the 5 stops in OKW. I didn't mind it at the beginning but it really got on my nerves by the 6th day and pretty much decided I never wanted to do it again.

I know your original question had to do with the rooms themselves but if you're going to the parks, I'd strongly recommend taking this into account.

We do have a rental car with us, but I am sure there are times we will be using the bus too since we will split up occasionally. So this is good to know.

 

[NVDISFamily]

I would love opinions on Old Key West for anyone who is stayed recently.

We own at AKL and have stayed a few times on both sides, love the resort.

We also just did 8 nights at OKW in the spring and loved the resort. For your scenario, if you want to stay at OKW I'd find a way (if possible) to get the extra points and splurge for a 2BR. They are huge.

If more points are not on the menu Kidani would be the pick. That 2nd bathroom is worth it. Still have great access to animals all over the resort. The family/events room near the lobby also has great views of the animals and when we hosted family there the kids and teenagers loved that room.

 

[holden]

I'd choose the extra bathroom at Kidani or BLT every time.

 

[mort1331]

As a pp mentioned for about the same amount of points, look at 2 studios at either location, should be about the same amount of points.