AKL or Beach/Yacht Club or Boardwalk

[Terk-1]

On the fence and need your help. I currently have first time reservations at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for early next May. I'm now wondering if I should transfer those over to either the Yacht or Beach Club or Boardwalk to be closer to EPCOT. Which would you stay at and why?

 

[pooh2001]

BC - reasons -

Has alternate bus transportation - boats and your feet can walk to EPCOT and STUDIOS.

BC has Stormalong pool (we do not like the Boardwalk 'clown' pool)

BC has Beaches and Cream, Cape May Buffet and the Arcade

BC is the best walk to EPCOT

From BC you can do the activites on the Boardwalk

From BC you can have a choice of MANY restaurants in the area

BC is kid friendly


AKL - reason not to - buses and far away from MK, EPCOT & STUDIOS, not everyone like the food - limited selections. PRO - bunkbeds & animals, less expensive than BC.

YC - not a bad alternative - but looks a bit 'fomal' for kids

BW - reason not to - most expensive of the bunch - we do not like the looks of the pool

 

[robinb]

Stick with AKL. It's a great resort!

 

[liquidsky88]

I wouldn't suggest the Yacht Club. We found it to be a little "stuffy". The Beach Club imo is a nicer hotel with a warmer theme to it. The Yacht Club didn't feel very Disney to us. Plus the hallway by the souvenir shop smelled of mildew. Not very welcoming. I would also suggest the Wilderness Lodge. That by far is my favorite hotel in Disney. It was awesome coming back after a long day in the parks to such a nice hotel. Plus the staff there is excellent!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I would suggest switching to the Boardwalk Resort or Beach Club. They are a short walk or boat ride away from Epcot and MGM and not to mention the actual Boardwalk area. In my opnion, AKL is too dark and drab and more out of the way than the other deluxe choices. I think one of your other choices would make for more fun!!!

 

[Mousemom]

Out of those three we have only stayed at AKL, but if I could afford to, I would stay at the beach club. It looks like a really neat resort to me. I love their pool and Cape May (we had a character breakfast there once).

 

[bethymae5539]

We've stayed at all of them, and each has something special, but I would defintely rate the Beach Club as #1. It has the best pool, the best ice cream, location closest to Epcot, and a friendlier atmosphere than the Yacht Club. The constant bus rides and long walk back to the room at AKL really wear you down after awhile. Hope this helps!

 

[Terk-1]

This is going to be a solo trip. I've stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and really enjoy it there, but thought it would be fun to try a different resort. I've stayed at the Beach Club once before, but several years ago. I like the idea of being closer to the parks. I'm thinking that if I make small payments starting now, then it will be paid for once the trip comes. My family stayed at AKL a few years ago and liked it, but did not love it. I think my other concern about AKL is being far from the other parks and relying on just the buses. Another plus side to one of these resorts would be closer to EPCOT for the Flower & Garden show. I see what you are saying regarding the Yacht Club. When I walked through last year to take some pictures, it seemed more formal, than the Beach Club. How are the buses from the EPCOT resorts?

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I wouldn't suggest the Yacht Club. We found it to be a little "stuffy"....

I agree, from the moment you walk in, it seams way to uptight for Disneyworld!!

 

[msteddom]

I vote Boardwalk since you have never stayed there before and it is close to Epcot.


Melissa

 

[disneyworld!]

I LOVE the YC..never once did it feel stuffy! eveyone there has treated us better then any other resort! so my vote is for YC, they also have the full balconies were as the BC does not. BC also does have some full size beds...instead of the queen....not many, but I managed to get some in BC concierge! and I like less kids.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

The Boardwalk Inn is my very favorite Epcot resort. Second choice would be Beach club, then the Dolphin, then the Swan, then Yacht Club. I think AKL is lovely but too far out for an entire visit

 

[GinaGrumpyDwarf]

i have never stayed at the BOARDWALK but jeeze...how i love the atmosphere there!! My DH and I went there on the first night of our honeymoon to eat at ESPN and we ALWAYS remember those chicken nachos..lol. I LOVE AKL...but if i had the $$ i would snatch up the Boardwalk in a heartbeat

 

[Odie]

This was two years ago, but we stayed at the BeachClub and loved it! When making my calls, it happened to be the deluxe resort with the best price. When calling recently, Animal Kingdom is the cheapest deluxe. Sounds strange but call and see. Staying at POR this August, but would love to be back at the Beach Club. Never stayed at Animal Kingdom, but doesn't appear you can get to anything but AK without a bus. At Beach Club you have the boats or walk to Epcot, MGM and can always walk over to the Boardwalk at night. According to my kids and niece and nephew, the pools at the Beach Club rule!

 

[WendyinNC]

I LOVE the YC..never once did it feel stuffy! eveyone there has treated us better then any other resort! so my vote is for YC, they also have the full balconies were as the BC does not. BC also does have some full size beds...instead of the queen....not many, but I managed to get some in BC concierge! and I like less kids.

Don't plan on staying at the YC Concierge in August because I'll be there with my three kids. Actually, less kids and a quieter atmosphere is why I selected this resort. I need a real break after a day in the parks. I also need a full balcony to enjoy my coffee and donut in the morning while everyone else is sleeping. A full balcony is a must for me since it's like having another room.

 

[madalex]

My two favorite resorts at WDW are the AKL and YC. We love YC for the pool and the location (near Boardwalk, Epcot and MGM). But, if you have never stayed at AKL before, you should try it once just to enjoy the theming, the animals and the overall atmosphere of the resort. It is a wonderful place. In the end, however, you can't go wrong at any of the alternatives you have proposed.

 

[aengus]

There is not a bad choice there in the lot. If I were you I would narrow down the choices with a simple question that you could answer. Do you want to be in the thick of things or not?

BC and BW are 'in the thick of things' and AKL is more secluded. You can't beat the location of BC and BW for convenience, but sometimes you want more peace during your vaca and the time to unwind, in which case I would say AKL.

I will avoid the BC vs BW debate and let everyone else fight that one out if you want to be in the thick of things

 

[agnes!]

Never stayed at Animal Kingdom, but doesn't appear you can get to anything but AK without a bus.

If taking Disney transportation, you have to take a bus from Animal Kingdom Lodge to the Animal Kingdom theme park. It is not accessible by any Disney means, you would have to drive your own(or rental) car or get a taxi from AKL. (A guest *cannot* walk from the AKL to AK, either.)

agnes!

 

[leighe]

I love AKL! Even though buses are the only transportation option you don't share a bus with any other resort so you go straight to your destination,which is nice.

However, if you are going for the Flower and Garden show then I think you would want to be in the Epcot area. DH and I had a hard time deciding between BC and YC - couldn't do BWI - clowns freak me out - and finally decided on BC because it looked so relaxed and fun.

Have a great time!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We have stayed at all four and enjoyed them for a variety of reasons.

I personally would choose the BC, Barely over the other three because of the atmosphere, location, SAB, and CM's.

Great Problem to have! Enjoy!