AKL vs BLT

[Shleedogg]

We own at BLT. Our first 2 trips as DVC members we were traveling w/ other family members who wanted to stay at AKV, so we stayed there. This past trip in Sept, we decided to finally try our home resort. We were so excited about the location. It was great for it's proximity to MK, really amazing. We could walk out the door and walk to MK every morning, take the monorail back and stop to fill up our mugs on our way back to our room.

It's location was terrible for transportation to the other parks. We figured that with DHS and AK, but the monorail to Epcot was an hour each way. You have to ride the monorail around the resorts and stop and change trains at TTC. It literally was an hour each way.

Bus transportation was also terrible. You share a bus with the Poly, GF and sometimes WL. It is also a very long ride.

We also stayed for 3 days at AKV in Sept. The transportation was loads better. Yes, you only have the bus as an option, but it's a dedicated bus. It stops at Jambo and Kidani, but it's the same resort and they're very close stops, unlike the MK resorts. We only had one morning where we waited more than 10 min for a bus, and there was someone there explaining that there had been an error or something and told us when the next bus would be.

The other thing I like about AKV vs BLT is just that the resort feels warmer and more comfortable (this is of course subjective though). I thought I'd love the posh feel of BLT, but I just didn't. Plus, the animals are an amazing perk! We stayed in a 1 bedroom at Kidani last March and loved it, beautiful and very spacious. The best bonus is that you can save 45 points by staying there!

 

[spiceycat]

Not much shade I thought at Bay Cove at BLT. Plus, Bay Cove is right there practically in the center of the hotel. We used both pools at night and I thought we'd wake people up at BLT. The pool at Kidani had a lot of umbrellas and shady trees! The Kidani pool is AWESOME!!

depends upon when you go - it is almost surrounded by the BL building - so they shade the area.

except in summer - the sun is overhead more then

spring, fall and winter - it is fine. okay so much shade in the winter - so it can get cool.

that say - the BLT pool is small - unless you have kids would go with CR pool - walking distance probably about 2 minutes away from BLT pool.

now the cr pool definitely has less shade - but think it even has some.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

depends upon when you go - it is almost surrounded by the BL building - so they shade the area.

except in summer - the sun is overhead more then

spring, fall and winter - it is fine. okay so much shade in the winter - so it can get cool.

that say - the BLT pool is small - unless you have kids would go with CR pool - walking distance probably about 2 minutes away from BLT pool.

now the cr pool definitely has less shade - but think it even has some.

During out stay in Dec the location of the pool was really bugging DH and the amount of shade that it would get from the building. He wants the sun! He asked one of the CM's who said that during the winter it would be in the shade by mid afternoon and that during the summer it is in the sun until late in the day when the sun gets lower on the horizon. I'd guess that in Dec. it was around 2:30-3 that the mid part of the pool started to get shaded.

The CR pool has next to no shade. They've put up cabana's and have a few umbrella's but it's a hard pool to find shade.

 

[etemplet]

You guys are killin me. I'll never make up my mind now.

Great input though !!

Cheers,
Gene

 

[sweetdana]

I voted AK

but will add
* if you are going more than 6 nights, I would split stay, and get the best of both worlds. Go to BLT 1st and go to Epcot, MK, and HS, and "park run", then go to AKV and relax a bit more enjoy the pool ALOT more, and go to AK Park. The Kidn pool is wonderful.

If you are not going at least 6 nights, then I will keep my answer at AKV unless you are dying to try BLT. Standard will be tough if not impossible to get.


I tried it this past Aug and will not go back. Location is great, but transportation is not better. The Monorail to Epcot with the up and down, transfer trams ect is close to an hour from dept of room to entry into Epcot. ..Though you do not have to take kiddies out of stroller like on a bus.

 

[Nanajo1]

I voted for AKL. We did a split stay BLT/AKL-K. Transportation was a toss up. The BLT bridge walk way was like a wind tunne. Having to change at the TTC for EPCOT was time consuming. The bus from AKL to MK was surprising quick as were all the parks. I know I'm in the minority but I didn't feel like I was "hom" at BLT. It really has a high end hotel vibe. I like my I could live here fantasy.

 

[twinklebug]

You guys are killin me. I'll never make up my mind now.

Great input though !!

Cheers,
Gene

Gene, go and read how you worded the poll. The BLT option has a positive spin to it, the Kidani option has a negative one. Your heart clearly wants to go with BLT. Just book it and put yourself at ease! (you can always rent/transfer in those 45 points later down the road or rent 24 from MS to make up the difference when you need them)

Oh, and we expect a trip report... and a live webcam from the balcony too

 

[etemplet]

Gene, go and read how you worded the poll. The BLT option has a positive spin to it, the Kidani option has a negative one. Your heart clearly wants to go with BLT. Just book it and put yourself at ease! (you can always rent/transfer in those 45 points later down the road or rent 24 from MS to make up the difference when you need them)

Oh, and we expect a trip report... and a live webcam from the balcony too

Hi Twinklebug, I'm not the thread starter on this one. LOL But I've been doing much reading because we are considering our home resort. My comment was a reaction to what I am reading which is not helping me come to a definitive decision. I'm not sure there is a bad place to make my home resort. I like the BLT and am considering a purchase very soon.

Cheers,
Gene

 

[dawne98]

we just went to wdw last weekend and had a 1 bedroom at AKV and LOVED IT!!!! The pool is great the food is wonderful and we want to go back lol we only went to MK for MNSSHP and the bus was great to get back...when we got in line one was going and one was pulling up...we are not going to be back to WDW until 2013 when they are done with the add on at MK so that is when we'll be at BLT

 

[majortom1981]

I vote for Animal Kingdom villas. We chose it as our home resort because we live near NYC. BLT feels and looks like any other hotel that I have been to in manhattan. I go away to get away from home.

I also like the animals. AKV has a lot more to do at the resort itself. Kidani and jambo have the firepits in the savanah. Kidanis is better though. Instead of fighting for a spot to watch the fireworks at one of the parks you can sit on the rocking chairs at night around the fire talking with the african guides and watching the animals.

Also if you have kids they have tons of activities there. One which i watched was they were showing the kids how to play african instruments and the kids looked like they were having a blast. I attended one talking about botswana I think it was. It was very interesting (it was where the guide lives).

If you dont want to have to go to the parks akv is a great resort which has a lot of non park activites.

PS all hallways at kidani have views of the savanah wether you hava a savanah view or not . also the african music through the speakers rocks

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

BLT .... Big concrete tower next to my least favorite park

AKV ANIMALS!!!

enough said.

I don't see me ever really trying to stay at BLT Even if the points were higher or equal I would go with AVK BLT has no appeal IMHO

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Even if you don't have an animal view, the animals are pretty amazing. They also have fun activities at AKV for the kids. We really enjoyed our stay there!

Have fun deciding!

 

[ilovepooh]

It depends on a few factors. If you have little ones then the monorail is perfect since you won't need to fold the stroller for Epcot or MK. We have little ones and were going to stay at AKL, but decided to get tickets for MVMCP. We changed our reservation to BLT since we want to be closer to MK since we'll be there most of our stay.