AK Kidani village vs Beach club villas

[Pound86]

I’m hoping to book to go in June 2025. 3 adults and a 6 year old. There’s not a big difference in price between these resorts.

I like the beach club villas for their location but the other attraction would be the pool but it’s closed for refurb between January 2025 and June 2025. I’m hoping to go midway through June so is there a chance it will reopen early?

Kidani village pool looks cool and I like that the one bedroom villas have two toilets because we’re travelling with a partner to a family member so it’s a bit awkward. But i feel like really I would need a car for Kidani village to really make use of magic hours/extended hours.

We’ll be going for 14 nights so I’m thinking even without the big pool beach club villas is still the better choice because i wouldn’t need a car and it’s closer for those midday breaks?

Or am I missing a really big plus to kidani village?

Thanks

 

[thanxfornoticin]

It really depends which parks you plan to do more, or where you might spend more time dining. BCV is amazing for access to HS and EP. AKL-Kidani (or Jambo) is amazing for access to AK. The bus from AKL to MK is a bit farther than the bus from BCV to MK, but you're still likely to take a bus. The fact that they recently changed to the refurb on BC/YC/BCV pool through June, I probably wouldn't expect it to be open. You'd still have access to the 3 'quiet' pools. If you stay at Kidani, you'll have access to both the Kidani pool and also the Jambo pool - both are different, but really nice. The Kidani rooms are really nice with the extra bathroom! And AKL also has the animals, which our kids have loved for years! All that being said, if you do Kidani, a car could be a good way to go for a longer trip... Enjoy you trip! 2 weeks sounds nice!

 

[Pound86]

It really depends which parks you plan to do more, or where you might spend more time dining. BCV is amazing for access to HS and EP. AKL-Kidani (or Jambo) is amazing for access to AK. The bus from AKL to MK is a bit farther than the bus from BCV to MK, but you're still likely to take a bus. The fact that they recently changed to the refurb on BC/YC/BCV pool through June, I probably wouldn't expect it to be open. You'd still have access to the 3 'quiet' pools. If you stay at Kidani, you'll have access to both the Kidani pool and also the Jambo pool - both are different, but really nice. The Kidani rooms are really nice with the extra bathroom! And AKL also has the animals, which our kids have loved for years! All that being said, if you do Kidani, a car could be a good way to go for a longer trip... Enjoy you trip! 2 weeks sounds nice!

Thanks, because it’s two weeks we’ll likely do each park at least twice but HS and Epcot are where most of the dining preferences are and ride preferences. Plus I would like to be able to have a drink now and again so not having a car would be a benefit. But that extra bathroom keeps pulling me back I did think maybe if I stayed in Kidani I could take the car in the morning and then if I fancied having a drink with dinner we could go back on the bus if we had a midday break…. So much to consider!

 

[Anthony1971]

I am a fane of the BW area resorts for the convenience only as follows the end of the night at EPCOT fireworks where I would be closer to the back exit. If you plan on eating a lot at EPCOT and have hoppers? We are walkers so this does not bother me… HS is a mile + walk EPCOT you are in the back of the park…. With that there is just little time to be saved with Disney buses there is 0 need for a car. The extended hours take place in the front of EPCOT with the exception of Remy. 98% chance the bus will be a lot closer factor in waiting for the bus and the bus ride and you may lose 10 minutes. I will point out unless you are walker walking to a destination in the June heat is not pleasant… I would love to some day find this magical path people refer to for the BW area resorts however to me it is a walk that offers some convenience which again we enjoy….. assuming you need a car at any Disney resort is another myth unless saving 5-10 minutes at best matters to you and I can argue it can be longer to drive.

 

[Pound86]

I am a fane of the BW area resorts for the convenience only as follows the end of the night at EPCOT fireworks where I would be closer to the back exit. If you plan on eating a lot at EPCOT and have hoppers? We are walkers so this does not bother me… HS is a mile + walk EPCOT you are in the back of the park…. With that there is just little time to be saved with Disney buses there is 0 need for a car. The extended hours take place in the front of EPCOT with the exception of Remy. 98% chance the bus will be a lot closer factor in waiting for the bus and the bus ride and you may lose 10 minutes. I will point out unless you are walker walking to a destination in the June heat is not pleasant… I would love to some day find this magical path people refer to for the BW area resorts however to me it is a walk that offers some convenience which again we enjoy….. assuming you need a car at any Disney resort is another myth unless saving 5-10 minutes at best matters to you and I can argue it can be longer to drive.

Thanks, we are walkers, can you not walk to the front of Epcot from the BW area? Does that mean no monorail to magic kingdom in the morning unless Epcot is open? I’m just not a fan of buses haha so for it to be the only option on the AKL side of things makes me think a car would be more handy thank in the BW area, I’m happy to do Uber now and again but I know for MK that can be more of a headache than it’s worth too! For me the car over a bus is just if you miss it in the morning or it’s full etc it’s just easier to jump in the car

 

[thanxfornoticin]

You can get to the front of EPCOT and the monorail by walking through, but it's a far walk and like you said - you couldn't get into EPCOT until it opens. Then a 15-20 minute walk to the front, a 10-minute monorail ride to TTC, and then another monorail/ferry boat to MK.

Perhaps a split stay? Half at the beautiful Kidani and half at the beautiful BCV?!

 

[CarolynFH]

Perhaps a split stay? Half at the beautiful Kidani and half at the beautiful BCV?!

With a 14-night stay, this would be my choice. Best of both worlds. And I’d put BCV last in hopes that Stormalong Bay did open early.

can you not walk to the front of Epcot from the BW area?

As above, only if Epcot is open, and it would require a hopper ticket. And if you drive or take Uber to MK, you’ll park or be dropped off at the TTC and have to take either monorail or ferry to the actual MK entrance. So in that respect BCV and Kidani are the same - bus to MK is more efficient.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Perhaps a split stay? Half at the beautiful Kidani and half at the beautiful BCV?!

I actually did a split say between those 2 resorts last year. BCV was far better for being near a park that I could walk to and had Skyline access. It had better access to a variety of food at different hotels, if you have an AP you can get food inside Epcot, take a Skyliner trip to eat elsewhere. But Kidani has it all over BCV as far as access to better food, IMO. Remember you can mobile order from Sanaa, don't order dessert or beverage-stop in the shop in the lobby for zebra domes and to fill your refillable mug and you're all set. The breakfast they have at Kidani's Sanaa is wonderful, and watching the animals as the sun streams in can't be beat. However, after breakfast, it's often a very, very long walk back to your room. In all my trips to Kidani, I think they see my reservation and ask "Let's see how far from the lobby we can get her?" One time I swear I was closer to Jambo than the Kidani lobby. I've tried requesting near lobby (maybe they misunderstood) and near Timon elevator, but nothing works. For that reason, I much prefer BCV. I also prefer BCV because it was refurbished so much more recently. I stayed at BCV first on my split stay, and frankly Kidani seemed kind of old and dingy by comparison. I'll put up with it for 1-2 days for the zebra domes, but no more.

 

[JackosinDIS]

Even with the pool closed, BCV wins for me. The quiet pools are nice and do the job! The location can’t be beat.

We were at AKL for 6 days this summer, and by day 2 that walk to and from the lobby was getting really old… and we were only 2/3 of the way along the corridors! It is a big downside in my view. The rooms are old and in need of a refurb, but still comfy and functional.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Even with the pool closed, BCV wins for me. The quiet pools are nice and do the job! The location can’t be beat.

We were at AKL for 6 days this summer, and by day 2 that walk to and from the lobby was getting really old… and we were only 2/3 of the way along the corridors! It is a big downside in my view. The rooms are old and in need of a refurb, but still comfy and functional.

That actually reminds me of a point I don't think was made yet (unless I missed it above). Many AKL rooms are in decent shape, many in need of refurb. But I'm pretty sure they have scheduled AKL room refurb to be done in 2025. So it could be a situation where Stormalong Bay will be under construction the first half of 2025, and AKL could also be under construction in waves throughout 2025. I haven't see the latest schedule to see if details have been announced for AKL. But just another factor to consider for 2025...... Looking forward to the Murphy Beds replacing the sofa beds at AKL! MUCH better.....

 

[Sandisw]

I have to vote for BCV because it location to the parks is just too good to pass up!

 

[sethschroeder]

BCV is way better than AKV. The benefit of AKV is seeing the animals out your window and slightly bigger rooms just barely.

BCV is going to have a better pool (a nice DVC pool as well), easier access to parks (you can walk/boat to two of them), more dining options (Epcot/neighbor resorts), newer refurbed rooms, covered areas to more places as well (as you are connected to Yacht Club).

You will find some people who love AKV though more than any resort.

EDIT: I see that Stormalong bay will be closed possibly still. In the past people could go to BWV. That might be your deciding factor if you have kids. I would switch to BWV though at that point as the location is just a huge draw.

 

[sethschroeder]

But Kidani has it all over BCV as far as access to better food, IMO

Kidani has a grand total of 4 resturants while BCV has access to 50 resturants/quick service with seating. This ranges with multiple options of each for Sushi, Steakhouses, Italian, French, Pizza, Diners, Dinner Shows, Chinese, Hibachi.

Thats without the ease of access of taking the skyliner to Rivera/CBR to get things like Sebastian's for another flair of food.

You look at any top food category lists and BCV area options will be up and down those lists.

Oh and completely forgot to add in Epcot will have a festival at that time likely as well which adds another 20+ locations for food for BCV to choose from on top of all the other non-tabled QS that exist in the area that I didn't include above.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

BCV is going to have a better pool

I think part of the OPs decision-making process is that Stormalong Bay is scheduled to be closed when they're there. Best pool on property and a big perk for BC/YC/BCV - agreed. But not for their trip - so the AKL pools are in the conversation, since it's likely to be pool weather in June. The quiet pools around BC/YC/BCV are certainly nice, but get extremely over crowded when SAB is closed.

 

[katyjeka]

We just checked out of room 7661 at Kidani Village. The pool was great and never crowded. It's so peaceful at night and watching animals from your balcony is a great way to wake up.