AKL During Refurbs or BWI?

[famsen]

I've stayed at both BWI and AKL a few times but have a question. Would you rather stay at AKL during the pool rehab closing/room refurbs coming up or stay at BWI? AKL is about $400 less but concerned about construction noise and disruptions. I like BWI proximity to HS and Epcot but what do people do for quick service meals there specifically for breakfast? Quick service other than snack foods seems lacking.

 

[Kip Herner]

I don't have a suggestion for your question, but when is the AKL refurb supposed to start?

 

[famsen]

I don't have a suggestion for your question, but when is the AKL refurb supposed to start?

September for sure but I've heard reports of it possibly starting in. August

 

[Marionnette]

I've stayed at both BWI and AKL a few times but have a question. Would you rather stay at AKL during the pool rehab closing/room refurbs coming up or stay at BWI? AKL is about $400 less but concerned about construction noise and disruptions. I like BWI proximity to HS and Epcot but what do people do for quick service meals there specifically for breakfast? Quick service other than snack foods seems lacking.

There is a continental style breakfast available in the Belle Vue lounge just off of the lobby, You can also go outside to the boardwalk to purchase a more substantial breakfast at the Boardwalk Bakery.

 

[dansdad]

I've stayed at both BWI and AKL a few times but have a question. Would you rather stay at AKL during the pool rehab closing/room refurbs coming up or stay at BWI? AKL is about $400 less but concerned about construction noise and disruptions.

We think both are great resorts but BWI is our favorite WDW resort. You can't beat being able to walk to 2 parks.

I like BWI proximity to HS and Epcot but what do people do for quick service meals there specifically for breakfast? Quick service other than snack foods seems lacking.

For breakfast the Boardwalk Bakery is perfect for us. We can all get something we like. Belle Vue Lounge is also good. And outside of breakfast, between popping into Epcot, the pool bar and options on the Boardwalk we never feel food options lacking.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

BWI. I've stayed in multiple resorts during refurbs and avoid it now, if possible. You just really don't know how it will impact your stay. We love Boardwalk Bakery for breakfast. The QS at BC and YC (the new marketplace is awesome!) are also good. When we go to EP, we typically stop in France for breakfast.

 

[MissionMouse]

Well Disney is saying expect noise from 9am to sunset. They will shuttle you to another pool. Personally, it doesnt define attributes of my vacation. I would move and consider the dining option for breakfast that others have already mentioned. I wonder if you stay with AKL if you will always look for the impact/noise...as you already have the concern.

 

[AngiTN]

When is your trip? Is it during a time you know for certain you will be able to swim? Realize, BWI's main pool is not in the Inn, it's over in the Villa. While not as far as Kidani's pool, it's not right there.
If you don't have a pool view room you aren't likely to hear any noise
Otherwise, BWI is my favorite resort, even though AK is my favorite park. I enjoy AKL a whole lot too. And I wouldn't let their current construction plans stop me from staying there, especially if it saves me money.
And while BWI is my favorite, I do recognize why folks find the set up of the lay out a bit off putting. Especially if you have a kid in a stroller. You are left to use 2 elevators every single time you want to go to the Boardwalk proper, which means the Bakery or to HS or Epcot.
And the Bus to AK and DS will share with other resorts, often all of them, which I do find annoying and I often use to do Uber to AK instead of using the Bus.
So you'll have some trade offs if you pick BWI over AKL, you'll be trading construction for a couple different inconveniences. You'll need to see which would bother you more.

 

[Shellyred8]

When staying at BW, there are a few options for breakfast. Some options are closer than others! The Boardwalk Bakery is the closest and has a decent quick serve breakfast. It's like the other quick serve places at the other resorts, just a more limited selection. We had the breakfast croissant a couple of times while we were there and it was pretty decent. They also have a platter breakfast (eggs/bacon/sausage/potatoes/mini croissant). You can also walk over to the Yacht Club or Beach Club and grab something from one of their quick serve places. The other option that we recently started using is the Dolphin. There are a couple of different options over there to choose from.

The only down-side to this is (for us anyway) that if it's raining out, you are stuck walking outside to get your food.

Have a great trip!

 

[disneygolfer1985]

When is your trip? Is it during a time you know for certain you will be able to swim? Realize, BWI's main pool is not in the Inn, it's over in the Villa. While not as far as Kidani's pool, it's not right there.
If you don't have a pool view room you aren't likely to hear any noise
Otherwise, BWI is my favorite resort, even though AK is my favorite park. I enjoy AKL a whole lot too. And I wouldn't let their current construction plans stop me from staying there, especially if it saves me money.
And while BWI is my favorite, I do recognize why folks find the set up of the lay out a bit off putting. Especially if you have a kid in a stroller. You are left to use 2 elevators every single time you want to go to the Boardwalk proper, which means the Bakery or to HS or Epcot.
And the Bus to AK and DS will share with other resorts, often all of them, which I do find annoying and I often use to do Uber to AK instead of using the Bus.
So you'll have some trade offs if you pick BWI over AKL, you'll be trading construction for a couple different inconveniences. You'll need to see which would bother you more.

I guess it depends on when you go, but we are DVC members at the Boardwalk and go either over Thanksgiving or Christmas and the Boardwalk has not shared buses to MK or AK since 2013 for our time frames. I read a few years back that the BW was supposed to have their own dedicated bus service to the parks.

 

[AngiTN]

I guess it depends on when you go, but we are DVC members at the Boardwalk and go either over Thanksgiving or Christmas and the Boardwalk has not shared buses to MK or AK since 2013 for our time frames. I read a few years back that the BW was supposed to have their own dedicated bus service to the parks.

I didn't mention MK.
I went last week, in April and in January and they have shared to AK and DS
And actually, at MK and it's PM EMH they shared too.

 

[famsen]

When is your trip? Is it during a time you know for certain you will be able to swim? Realize, BWI's main pool is not in the Inn, it's over in the Villa. While not as far as Kidani's pool, it's not right there.
If you don't have a pool view room you aren't likely to hear any noise
Otherwise, BWI is my favorite resort, even though AK is my favorite park. I enjoy AKL a whole lot too. And I wouldn't let their current construction plans stop me from staying there, especially if it saves me money.
And while BWI is my favorite, I do recognize why folks find the set up of the lay out a bit off putting. Especially if you have a kid in a stroller. You are left to use 2 elevators every single time you want to go to the Boardwalk proper, which means the Bakery or to HS or Epcot.
And the Bus to AK and DS will share with other resorts, often all of them, which I do find annoying and I often use to do Uber to AK instead of using the Bus.
So you'll have some trade offs if you pick BWI over AKL, you'll be trading construction for a couple different inconveniences. You'll need to see which would bother you more.

Our trip is mid September. I think I am going with Boardwalk. AKL's distance from other parks is always a bit of a downer to me but I love the resort so I accept it. But my concerns about construction noise and how it might effect the overall atmosphere for me pretty much seals the deal. I may just use snack credits for breakfast except for 2 table service ones we booked. As long as I can use my refillable mug for coffee at the Boardwalk Bakery or Belle Vue, I'll be fine.