AKL vs Beach Club?

[ziggylu]

OK....

So, we're two adults, no kids. Have never spent much time in Orlando...probably won't again anytime soon. Going for four nights at the end of a convention husband needs to attend in the area.

Had seen a Travel channel thing on the AKL about a year ago and thought it looked neat. As mentioned in my other thread was told couldn't book there so bought a package at the Beach club.

Now realize we CAN stay at AKL and am wondering if we should? this is why I went to TA to begin with to help decide which resort might be best for us. grrr!

We probably wont' spend much time at Magic Kingdom, one day at most. Will go to AK and Epcot. Have purchased the dining plan(are thinking we might end up eating mostly at Epcot, especially with the food and wine festival going on). Probably won't hang by any pools much. Prefer a more quiet atmosphere(if that's possible at Disney!). Enjoy the "Disney experience" but aren't necessarily big Disney people.

Is the construction at AKL much of an issue? Is it too far removed from the rest of the resorts, parks, etc to be convenient? Is it really a special experience or will we be happy just being at the park and not staying at the resort itself? Husband didn't want to stay at the Grand Floridian because he thought we'd spend more time dealing with transportation then if we stayed at the Beach Club...would this be the same situation at AKL now that we know it is in fact available?

It's probably impossible to compare these two resorts but if you've stayed at both do you have a preference?

Thanks for any input!

 

[AnninIowa]

We stayed at the Beach Club on our first Disney trip in 2005, then stayed at AKL this past February. BC was beautiful and the pool was amazing, but we LOVED AKL! We are going back next May. Don't let the "distance" of AKL to the other parks scare you off; you have one dedicated bus at AKL, whereas the BC shares with YC, Boardwalk, Swan AND Dolphin. We had better bus service at AKL. While BC is close to Epcot and MGM, your only choice in getting there is the boat or to walk. The boat takes you to the International Gateway, not the front of Epcot.

With AKL, not only do you get dedicated bus service, the animals are wonderful! They are visible in the hallway viewing stations if you don't have a Savannah room. We loved the Mara quick service restaurant. The pool is beautiful; the gift shop is amazing, too. All in all, so much more than just a "nice" resort!!

 

[Disney Fool]

BC is very, very kid-friendly. It's raucous, noisy fun, very laid back and casual. I just returned from a trip there and there are multiple activities for kids. Lilo and Stitch were playing games in the lobby with kids; there are pool contests, a table set up in the lobby with staff making towel animals, there's a huge screen on the beach and nightly there is a marshmallow roast and a movie. BC is literally steps from the back entrance to Epcot. Across the way is the Boardwalk--so you have several restaurants to choose from, including the Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club. You are a short boat ride to MGM with more restaurants.
AKL is all about the animals. And they are wonderful to watch. AKL is about Africa, the sounds, the music, the culture, the food. From the minute you walk into the lobby and your nose gets a whiff of those wonderful spices cooking downstairs and wafting through the lobby, you're hooked! giraffes stroll by in single file, water buffalo roam the savannah. It's dark and cool inside the resort, and your room looks subdued and quiet.
Both are wonderful resorts to spend time in. Whatever you choose, enjoy.

 

[roxannex]

We're staying at AKL in December, and I have never been there before, so I can't comment yet.

But...you mentioned Beach Club. Did you have an option to stay at the Yacht Club also, or just the Beach Club? The reason I ask is because we have stayed at both resorts and we found the Yacht Club to be much quieter and more suited to adults than the Beach Club. I think this is because of the villas as the Beach Club.

 

[Disney Fool]

I've stayed at the Yacht Club, also, and to me, they're the same resort. The activities are so spread out, that you are not overwhelmed by what's going on. for instance, during my last visit two weeks ago, the pool games were at BC one day, and the YC side the next day. I used both lobbies, as did several people. The BC is a lively place, so is the YC. There's just as many kids staying there as at the BC. I did not find this to be a negative aspect of the resort. There was always something to do. Pingpong, movies, swimming, volleyball, surry bikes from Boardwalk, strolling around the lagoon, the Boardwalk, the marina, Beaches & Cream. I love it there. I also like AKL for different reasons.

 

[litlpixie]

I have been to both as well, and although I absolutely loved AKL for the aptmosphere and the food.....If it were just me and my DH going I would probably pick the BC, just because if your in the mood to walk around, see the sights, hang out at Epcot, walk the BW.....it's just easier to already be in the area.....Happy Travels

 

[candleonwater]

Because you plan on spending your time at EPCOT (as opposed to MK), if it were me, I would choose the Beach Club. We've stayed at BC 2x, and will be at YC next month, but we've also stayed at AKL. While we really liked AKL as "something different", we absolutely love almost everything about the BC. But most of all - it's proximity to EPCOT. While we're going to be down there, EPCOT is open late one night and I can't wait to be able to just walk out the back entrance and be in my bed in no time!

One bad thing we experienced at AKL - a 45 minute wait for a bus to MK first thing in the morning. Since we spend most of our time at MK and EPCOT I really prefer the monorail resorts. Our trips are usually really short and I hate having to wait for a bus.

 

[brightspark]

Hi there,
If you love animals, and you want to feel as though you are in a safari lodge... go to AKL! I loved the theming, and the pool and the animals. It's all so beautiful.

It sounds like candleonthewater had a bad experience with the MK buses... but that can happen anywhere, it's just unfortunate, and not the norm. When we've been at WDW for a couple of weeks we may find that we have one occassion with a bad bus incedent, but I wouldn't expect more than that.

AKL is slightly further out from the parks (other than AKL) than some of the other resorts, but none of them are too far away really.

Make the decision on the theming. I've never stayed at the Beach Club, but am convinced that if you love animals that you will have a great time at AKL.

 

[kimberh]

We have stayed at both without children. You can't go wrong with either. If you love watching animals, you will love AKL, the restaurants there are a must too. If you love walking the Boardwalk or doing a lot of the Food and Wine Festivities, then Beach Club is a Disney Favorite. I am shocked that there is availability for Oct.

If you stay at AKL, get Savanna View, it is well worth it!

 

[Mississippian]

One big advantage to the Beach Club is that you can walk to Epcot, spend a few hours, walk back to your room and chill out. Then go back to Epcot. A shower before dinner is really easy.

The transportation back and forth to AKL just doesn't work so well. I actually think you would enjoy the resort experience more at AKL, so you just have to pick, location or theme.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I have stayed at both and LOVE LOVE LOVE AKL and I probably wont return to BC. Too many kids, overcrowded pool and the CM's were not all that friendly. That could have just been the week we were there but I was not at all impressed with BC and we even got a free upgrade to CL after 2 days and complaining about the room. I guess they had nowhere else to put us. AKL is just so relaxing and user friendly. The restaurants are wonderful!! They dont share buses and transportation was much better than BC who shares buses. This is just my opinion of course. Alot of people love BC we just didnt care for it.