AKL vs Boardwalk Villas vs BCV

[momof31983]

This will be our 4th time to Disney since 2009. We have always stayed in a 2 bedroom villa at the AKL (we trade thru RCI). We just put a 4th request in for Disney but expanded our search to Boardwalk Villa and Beach Club villas as well. We would gladly take the AKL again as we've been very happy with it everytime (well, minus the crazy long walk from our room to the front of the lodge but we can deal) but in the same sense want to try something different. We plan to drive this time so transportation isnt an issue. I'm looking for great amenities for the kids (7, 5 and 3 right now) which AKL does have. How are the pools at Boardwalk and Beach Club? How are the rooms? Would you stay at one over the other and why? Thanks in advance!!

 

[chalee94]

I'm looking for great amenities for the kids (7, 5 and 3 right now) which AKL does have. How are the pools at Boardwalk and Beach Club?

BCV is generally regarded as having the best pool on property. it's also one of the smaller DVC resorts, though, so availability will be tougher than AKV.

BWV is a relatively larger resort. the pool has a clown face that spits out the slide riders, so that divides the clownophobes from those who like the pool...in any case the BWV pool is not as popular as BCV or AKV.

How are the rooms?

BCV has had a few more issues lately (anecdotally) and the rooms are due for a refurb...no word yet on exactly when it will start, though.

BWV has had a more recent refurb. but they also have the long hallways like AKV.

BWV and BCV are both very popular as the boardwalk area is fun at night (historically, jugglers/magicians-type entertainers) and of course, you can walk from both to epcot (and a longer walk to DHS).

 

[momof31983]

Thanks for the input! Yeah we went to the Boardwalk at our last visit and really enjoyed it which prompted us to put it on our search this time. Also, would you say the pool at BCV is better than AKL?

 

[drusba]

Pool at BCV itself is just a small pool. It is Stormalong Bay, the pool at YC/BC that BCV guests can also use, that is the large pool and considered one of, if not the, best pool at WDW and better than either of the two at AKL. However, with smaller children you can have one issue. The pool is so large (and winding) that you need to keep track of children constantly because you cannot actually see all parts of the pool from any one location.

BWV pool/garden view (what those trading in usually get) is usually easier to get than BCV because it has a lot more rooms. The pool at BWV is fine although children who are afraid of clowns may have issues with the big clown face above the slide.

As to the rooms, if you stayed at the Jambo (original AKL) building at AKL, you will find the 2BRs at both BCV and BWV about the same size as Jambo but with substantially more closet space and much bright colors. If you stayed at Kidani, you will find the 2BRs at BCV and BWV about 100 sq ft smaller than the 2BR you had at Kidani.

 

[momof31983]

We've always stayed at Kidani in a 2 bedroom. Another reason for wanting to switch is that we wanted a DVC resort with good restaurants. We won't be doing the dining plan this time (waste of money to us) since our kids would much rather eat mac n cheese in our room after a long day at the parks. Last time we had multiple meltdowns and it just wasn't worth it. But we would like a DVC that had some good options had we decide to eat out. The African food is just not our thing.

I do worry about the large pool area that you describe. My older son can swim 100% but I still want to be able to see him. My middle son can "kinda" swim and my daughter can't swim yet. So those 2 need to be constantly watched. At Kidani Village we can every area of the pool which was nice since we could just sit and relax while watching them.

Def a lot to think about. Wondering what our first hit will be....

 

[jekjones1558]

We've always stayed at Kidani in a 2 bedroom. Another reason for wanting to switch is that we wanted a DVC resort with good restaurants. We won't be doing the dining plan this time (waste of money to us) since our kids would much rather eat mac n cheese in our room after a long day at the parks. Last time we had multiple meltdowns and it just wasn't worth it. But we would like a DVC that had some good options had we decide to eat out. The African food is just not our thing.

I do worry about the large pool area that you describe. My older son can swim 100% but I still want to be able to see him. My middle son can "kinda" swim and my daughter can't swim yet. So those 2 need to be constantly watched. At Kidani Village we can every area of the pool which was nice since we could just sit and relax while watching them.

Def a lot to think about. Wondering what our first hit will be....

The BCV pool has a nice sandy area great for young kids. Will you ever be alone with the kids at the pool? I wouldn't consider using that pool with 3 young kids unless I had at least one other adult to help at all times. It is really sprawled all over the place. You might be better off with the BWV pool for this age and save BCV until the kids are old enough to be a little more independent. But I am a nervous Nelly with kids and pools so YMMV.

 

[momof31983]

Thanks for the advice! My DH will be with me at all times (minus a run back to the room for something or a cocktail at the bar lol). I was also thinking of extending our search. Any other DVC resorts worth adding to my search?

 

[drusba]

For restaurant options, BCV is the best including because BC's Cape May Cafe has a character meal in the morning and one of the best buffet meals, its Seafood (and other) Buffet, in the evening. Boardwalk is getting a new restaurant to replace Kouzzina's and thus I cannot speak for it yet. Its Flying Fish is a very good, but expensive, table service restaurant, and both ESPN Club and Big River Grille have excellent short order foods (neither takes reservations). One of the best things about both BCV and BWV is that you can walk to so many restaurants, at the the Epcot resorts and the two parks. However, be aware that neither BCV nor BWV has an inexpensive counter service restaurant for breakfast in the morning.

Other DVC options you may want to consider include: (a) Bay Lake Tower (next to Contempory) giving you walking access to MK, one of the best character meals with the most interactive characters on site at Chef Mickey's, and rooms close in size to what you had at Kidani; and (b) Villas at Grand Floridian which has larger rooms than Kidani, which is right near an excellent pool, and has walking access to all the restaurants at VGF and Poly.

 

[Disney Doc]

Disney's lifeguards are the best in the business - they watch the kids in the pool exceedingly well. It's their job, and you can park yourself and relax, even when your kids disappear around the corner of Stormalong Bay. My kids grew up in that pool from their preteen years onward, and we never had an issue with safety. (Of course, they're 25 now, and parents do lots of things differently these days.) Don't do anything that makes you uncomfortable - vacations are made for worry-free relaxation! You can't go wrong at any DVC resort.

 

[ppony]

Having done all 3 and owning at AKV, I'd go for AKV and BCVs over BWVs for you and your kids several reasons. Let's just point out that the Creepy clown pool at the BWVs is just that, creepy. I just stayed there in Sept. and while my 14 year old son enjoyed the pool some, he MUCH preferred Stormalong Bay and the Kidani pool area over it by a mile. We found more at AK and the BC to entertain both our kids. BC is GREAT for location to DHS and Epcot. Lots of great dining around there too that isn't disney owned and thusly not ruined by the bean-counters. AKV is more quiet and beautifully themed. I prefer it's theming to all other Disney resorts. Even though we own there, we like to stay elsewhere too but alway like to come back and go for split stays including it as we just love the resort so much. Contrary to popular propaganda, AKV isn't any further away from other parks as the ones in the MK area are. The only resorts that have a leg up as they are located next door to 2 parks are the Epcot resorts. Otherwise you have just as far to go to DHS and Epcot from AKV as you do from the MK area resorts. It's more about where you want to spend most of your time and if a few minutes in travel actually will make you choose different theming. It won't for me. And we rent a car to avoid all bus nightmares. I HATE buses, more more to the point, the mean and crabby people on them.

 

[Sur]

How's the parking, then, if you rent a car? Do you pay to park at the parks when you stay at the villas. I just never considered this option...took cabs a lot.

 

[ppony]

How's the parking, then, if you rent a car? Do you pay to park at the parks when you stay at the villas. I just never considered this option...took cabs a lot.

If you're staying onsite in any WDW resort room or villa, you don't pay to park anywhere on property except the 2 non-Disney owned hotels of the Swan and Dolphin. Honestly, it's such a non-issue I never even think about it. Parking never costs us anything. When you look for rentals, check out Mousesavers and use codes. And check OFTEN. It took me a good 6 months of checking and rechecking to get some really good rental rates. It chaps my rump that it is like a dance they make you do But we always rent and given the few experiences we've had on the busses, we'll always rent. It saves a truck-load of time as well, and as you know, on vacation, time is gold. AAANNNNDDDD, we like to eat off site for many meals and duck into a Dunkin' Donuts as we have none within 3 hours of where we live. So that's fun. Also, we like to do our own grocery shopping now (Didn't always) when we arrive rather than have someone else do it. So it works out in a lot of ways.

 

[chalee94]

If you're staying onsite in any WDW resort room or villa, you don't pay to park anywhere on property.

to be clear, you get free parking at the parks when you stay onsite (including DVC). you can usually park at other resorts to eat or look around (often they give you a 3 hour pass) but you should not plan to park at resort and go to the parks.

 

[ppony]

to be clear, you get free parking at the parks when you stay onsite (including DVC). you can usually park at other resorts to eat or look around (often they give you a 3 hour pass) but you should not plan to park at resort and go to the parks.

Of course, but that thought wasn't even implied or talked about. That's a whole 'nuther flamewar discussion.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've stayed at all three...own at BWVs. I'll be at BWV and Kidani in 3 weeks....,can't wait. Anyway....you already know what you get at AKL/Kidani. So, at BCVs you have a good pool...not great IMHO. I hated having my dd traipsing across the public walkway in order to get to the slide entrance. The pool area can get very crowded.....it can be hard to find a seat that allows you to easily watch your kids. But again, that's just my opinion.
I love BWVs though. Yes, some find the clown at Luna Park 'creepy' but that slide is a hoot! Nice and open, yet fast and long. And the walk to your villa can be long.....but not as long as Kidani halls!
Parking is fairly distant at BWVs and BCVs. But being able to walk or boat to two parks is wonderful. The restaurant choices are terrific in this area. Between BW, YC, BC. Swan and the Dolphin you have many, many great options. The one thing I do miss is a food court. I like to just grab something quickly on occasion. But Picabu over at the Dolphin is pretty good. It's a cafeteria style spot with pretty good quality food.

 

[momof31983]

You all are great. Thanks for all the suggestions and advice.

I hear a lot of people rave about BLT/Contemporary. I have eaten at Chef Mickey (one of my favorites bc it's so kid friendly and my kids loved the characters) but honestly the pics of the hotel plus what we saw when we went to CM is that it seems very "cold" and "sterile" which is why we didn't include it in our search. Am I mistaken?

 

[drusba]

You all are great. Thanks for all the suggestions and advice.

I hear a lot of people rave about BLT/Contemporary. I have eaten at Chef Mickey (one of my favorites bc it's so kid friendly and my kids loved the characters) but honestly the pics of the hotel plus what we saw when we went to CM is that it seems very "cold" and "sterile" which is why we didn't include it in our search. Am I mistaken?

You are correct about the Contemporary which has that cold, stone wall look in all the public areas. Fortunately, BLT is an entirely different design, a touch of modern with bright colors. Most impressive in the 2BRs is the windows that are almost floor to ceiling and wall to wall in the living room. My favorites are BWV and AKV but BLT is a close third.

 

[chalee94]

I hear a lot of people rave about BLT/Contemporary. I have eaten at Chef Mickey (one of my favorites bc it's so kid friendly and my kids loved the characters) but honestly the pics of the hotel plus what we saw when we went to CM is that it seems very "cold" and "sterile" which is why we didn't include it in our search. Am I mistaken?

i agree with drusba. the outside might look sterile but the interior was very appealing (opinions vary, though). and the walk to the MK can't be beat. (i also loved hearing the train whistle from my room.)

 

[momof31983]

Thank you for your opinions! We added BLT and VGF to our search. We actually just got a hit for a 1 bedroom at BWV for January that we turned down (holding out for a 2 BR somewhere plus I want to go after March bc we love the waterparks).

 

[El&Asmom]

We love all the resorts mentioned and have stayed at all onsite DVC other than VGF and the Treehouses. Each have their pros and cons but we love the EPCOT resorts simply for the area. There is nothing like walking around the Boardwalk and being able to walk into EPCOT. I'm also a runner, so doing my morning run there is a highlight of my vacation.
That being said, BLT is awesome. I'm not a fan of contemporary design but the rooms were fun and we loved the size. We had a lake view but it was the first room that wasn't a MK room so we had a view of both the lake and the MK. Waking up in the morning and looking at the MK from the 14th floor of BLT is just beautiful.
We just got back from Kidani, and man that walk drove us nuts this trip. We were in the farthest bead away from the lobby on the far side away from Jambo. It took forever to get to our room. And as I said, I'm a runner and the long walk still annoyed me. I also wish there was more outdoor places to walk around AKL. That's my favorite part of being at BCV/BWV.

As to pools, our kids sound like about the same swim level as yours. Our two oldest are good to decent swimmers and our youngest still wears a life jacket. They all like SAB best at BCV. Just a fun pool and when they were little they liked the beach area to dig in the sand. BWV doesn't have a zero entry level which is a pain when the kids are younger.

I love all the DVC resorts so I'm easy to please. You really can't go wrong with any of them.