AKL V BC

[VeeBlancha]

Just looking for some opinions here...I’ve read through some past threads but would like some newer thoughts.

We are heading to Disney next month and originally I had a standard room booked at AKL (as that is all they had available and still do). We are making up a trip we had tocut short due to ds getting the flu on our second day. So I was trying to almost recreate that trip for the family. One of the big draws to AKL was the bunk beds, which is what we had before but now I see they have all been removed. (We have stayed at WL bunk beds and right now that resort is out of my budget).

My dilemma came when BC dropped into my price range and I started researching their pool area and the walking ability to EP and DHS. I have three kiddos (7, 5 and an infant) and the older ones love the pool. I love the theming at AKL but SAB seems like a blast for the kids, not sure about the pool situation at AKL.

So, any insight would be appreciated. I did switch to the standard view at BC but could switch back to AKL if I need to.

Thank you!!

 

[CarolynFH]

Just looking for some opinions here...I’ve read through some past threads but would like some newer thoughts.

We are heading to Disney next month and originally I had a standard room booked at AKL (as that is all they had available and still do). We are making up a trip we had tocut short due to ds getting the flu on our second day. So I was trying to almost recreate that trip for the family. One of the big draws to AKL was the bunk beds, which is what we had before but now I see they have all been removed. (We have stayed at WL bunk beds and right now that resort is out of my budget).

My dilemma came when BC dropped into my price range and I started researching their pool area and the walking ability to EP and DHS. I have three kiddos (7, 5 and an infant) and the older ones love the pool. I love the theming at AKL but SAB seems like a blast for the kids, not sure about the pool situation at AKL.

So, any insight would be appreciated. I did switch to the standard view at BC but could switch back to AKL if I need to.

Thank you!!

Full disclosure: We've never stayed at BC but have stayed at AKL, which I love. But here's what I have read, over and over:

Re the pool at BC - I've read more than one parent who was frustrated because the pool area is very spread out and they couldn't keep their eyes on their kids. Of special note is that the entrance to the slide is outside the gates and across the walkway from the actual pool area, and many parents aren't comfortable letting the older kids (e.g. the 7 year old) go by themselves while the infants and toddlers play in the shallow area. Also, the lazy river is deep and runs swiftly, and people have commented on how it's not suitable for kids who are not strong swimmers.

OTOH, I keep reading about how lovely the pools are at AKL (you can use both pools no matter whether you're staying in Jambo or Kidani) and how much fun the kids' splash area is at Kidani. So with the ages of your kids, and the fact that the pool is important, I'd stay at AKL.

 

[hungryjack]

Also considering these two resorts for October. My primary reservation about AKL is the distance to the parks (bus only). With 3 kids under 8 years old that may need mid-day naps, AKL concerns me...thoughts?

 

[westie55]

Re the pool at BC - I've read more than one parent who was frustrated because the pool area is very spread out and they couldn't keep their eyes on their kids. Of special note is that the entrance to the slide is outside the gates and across the walkway from the actual pool area, and many parents aren't comfortable letting the older kids (e.g. the 7 year old) go by themselves while the infants and toddlers play in the shallow area. Also, the lazy river is deep and runs swiftly, and people have commented on how it's not suitable for kids who are not strong swimmers.

I have stayed at YC/BC and AKL. Everything above about Stormalong Bay IS a concern for parents with young kids. Mine are 2 and 4. My 4 year old LOVES waterslides, but if I am in the pool with the little one I am uncomfortable sending my son out of the pool area, across the way, and into the area where the slides load on his own. At the Contemporary last summer, I could watch him climb the stairs and go down the slide all from the pool. I like YC/BC a lot, but I am waiting to stay there again in all likelihood until my kids are older and more independent. The quick service is also very lacking. We are doing AKL on this trip. It doesn't hurt that AKL is a lot cheaper too!

 

[gharter]

We have stayed at both when our kids were younger. They loved SAB. It is large and spread out. Depending on how much your kids run all over, it can be challenging to watch them.
It is nice to be able to walk to HS and EPCOT or come back to your room during the day if the kids are tired or you want a break.
If the pool doesn't matter, then I would do AKL. If they plan to spend a lot of time at the pool, BC.

 

[MomOTwins]

If you are not wild about the appropriateness of Stormalong Bay for little kids, have you considered Boardwalk? It still is walkable to two parks so nice for midday breaks, but has a more straightforward pool.

 

[Deploraboo]

Stayed at both. Without equivocation, AKL. I have now stayed at seven resorts in the past two years, including these two, and maintain that AKL is the best of that group, and outside CBR, BC is the worst. The pool is overrated and confusing to navigate, especially to get to the pool slide, which is strangely located outside the pool. Yes you can walk to Epcot, but your kids will highly likely not like Epcot. Walk, boat to DHS, yes, but AKL has the animals and just take a Lyft or Minnie to MK.

If proximity to Epcot and DHS is paramount, Boardwalk blows Beach Club away And imho has a better more manageable pool area. And of course the Boardwalk with tremendous kiddie activities.

 

[VeeBlancha]

Thanks for the fresh opinions everyone, I really appreciated it! It turns out WL dropped into our price range and we love it there so I switched our reservation to that resort! I will def keep BW in mind for future trips, there has just not been any Florida resident availability for that resort at the moment.

 

[Sue M]

We love WL, and the new DVC pool which everyone (staying at WL) can use is now our fav.

 

[lovethesun12]

We have stayed at both and loved both. AKL is the nicer resort but BC has a better location and character dining. I didn't find it hard to watch my kids (3 and 6 last time) at Beach Club at all. Personally we would choose Beach Club every time unless the price difference was significant which it sometimes is.