AKV or BCV with kids who still nap?

[Ninniemommy]

We are going to WDW in Oct. We have a 5 year old & a 2 year old that both REQUIRE at least a 2 hour nap/day. From a location standpoint would we want to see if AKV would be a bad idea for naps. We are also looking at BCV, but does it really have that much of a better location than AKV? Does anyone have previous experience with AKV bus timing? Would love any feedback. Thank-you!!!!!

 

[JTDisney]

IMO BC/YC is the #1 location in all of WDW and AK is about the lowest on the list. Not to mention the pool is the best in all of WDW. Again, no comparison to any other resort either. Have you thought of splitting time between both? It is very easy to do. Also, make sure you eat at Jiko if you stay at AKV. It is arguably the best restaurant outside of V&A in all WDW.

 

[MickeyMouse'sBFF]

Don't underestestamate the power of a stroller there. Many of a "good" nap have been done in ours while walking around Disney.

 

[laughinplace199]

Don't underestestamate the power of a stroller there. Many of a "good" nap have been done in ours while walking around Disney.

So true!

When my 2 oldest kids were little, we always went back to the room for naps. We always rent a car, so it didn't really matter which resort we stayed at. When baby #3 came along, the other 2 kids had outgrown naps. Luckily, #3 is a laid back, go with the flow kind of kid. More often than not, he naps in the stroller. He is 2.5 yrs old now. We just got back from WDW last month. I think he napped in the room twice in the 9 days we were there.

 

[puffkin]

In October we stayed at AKV and 2 weeks ago at BCV. My DS3 still naps most days.

I think the transportation at Beach Club is HORRIBLE (except for walking to Epcot). It is a great location IF you don't need to rely on Disney transportation. The pool is FANTASTIC though. We had a hard time getting DS to nap because he wanted to go to the pool.

I have always thought the bus transportation at AK is really good. I am not sure how the addition of Kidani has impacted that, but before it was very good and efficient. Probably the best we have consistently had on property, and we have stayed at most of the resorts. The pool is nice and the new villas pool and kid area look great. We really enjoyed staying here because while DS napped we could enjoy the Savannah view and have something extra to do and look at. The dark theming of the rooms also helped DS to sleep better. We also liked the option of the Mara over the Beach Club Marketplace.

I really liked them both, but I would give a slight edge to AKV. If you have a car or your kids don't need to nap as much, I would say BCV mainly because of the pool.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

I would say BCV as its easier to avoid buses. (and breaking down strollers with napping children). From MK you can take the monorail to Epcot and walk thru epcot to the other entrance to BCV. or walk from HS.

I haven't stayed at AKV but just think waiting for buses with tired children is a nightmare. ;-) at least walking back in the stroller they may fall asleep...Mine always did.

 

[mjkacmom]

I vote BC because you can walk to 2 parks, so if your child falls asleep in the stroller, and you want to go back to your resort, you can avoid busses from those parks.

 

[stacy6552]

BCV is more centraly located. But we stayed at OKW with a napping baby and didnt find the 'commute" a problem. Either one will be fine.

 

[kpm76]

I guess it really depends on what appeals to you. We always rent a car, so busses are a non-issue for us. Never stayed at BCV but have stayed at BWV and I really do love the location and the proximity to Epcot. That being said, we stayed at AKV for a week last November and it was amazing. Our DD was 18 months old at the time and I am a real stickler with the need to have down time and let her nap in a quiet room. She has never been a stroller napper though. I loved, loved, loved AKV! We had the best savannah view and would put DD down for her nap, grab our books and go sit out on the balcony and watch the zebras, giraffe, flamingos etc. It was truly amazing. Yes, AKV is off the beaten path but again, we had a car, so it didn't matter. DD loves animals and when she woke up from her naps she would sit outside with us and watch the animals get their late afternoon feeding (3:30pm). It was so relaxing and quiet.....the resort is amazing. BTW, I am not the biggest animal lover on earth but how can you not appreciate the beauty of a zebra walking outside your room?? Good luck with your decision and have fun

 

[RMulieri]

I think BCv is easier...You can walk to DHS and Epcot..It makes it easier

 

[AmyBWV99]

We've stayed at both with small napping children. We're not super big fans of BCV but are HUGE on AKV right now for our kids ages 19 months & 4.

We were at BCV 1 bdrm for 9 nights our home resort is BWV (which has the exact same set up for rooms we've been members for 10 years now) BUT before we had kids I didn't appreciate crazy door configuration of the 1+ bedrooms. We have a double stroller and we could barely get the thing in the door there's so freaking much furniture in the way and then it felt like we were all over each other. It seemed like I ran into the dining table with my hip 15 times a day. We were always running after DS#1 making sure he wasn't slamming doors (3 doors to get to the potty, bang, bang, BANG). When the baby was sleeping in the bedroom portion you cannot get into the bathroom with out leting light in from the living area. The pool is great but busy I never really feel relaxed. We weren't super excited either about the sandwhich counter set up it was always crazy busy in there and there's no where to sit and eat, so you buy food, haul food. The premium point charts don't really endear me either since the views can be less than fabulous, at least at BWV you get to see a pool or BW, not premium points for parking lot. The walking to Epcot and DHS is nice, for the other parks we would valet the rental car so one less thing deal with coming in and out of the resort.

We stayed in a 1 bdrm the 2nd week were there the same trip at AKLV and fell in love and are returning for our next trip. It was nice to be able to compare 'living' in each right back to back. We love that the bedroom can be closed off and you don't have to go thru to the bathroom and the potty is better arranged in the bathroom. The closet in the bathroom is awesome for storing toiletries away from little hands vs the low cabinets in the rest of the DVC resorts, they won me on that! We felt like we could make all the niose we wanted in the living areas the baby never heard a peep. We were glad we took a monitor so we could hear him! When the shades are pulled the rooms are super dark. When we took the stroller with us it was a straight shot into the room and there was a nook where we could fold it up out of the way. We also liked having the actual food court. The pool to us has a much more relaxing vibe to it. Altho it is a ways away we always rent a car using the valet service and never take the buses so it doesn't make the difference to us and can't comment on how timley it runs. Seems like there have always been many there.

There are pros and cons to both resorts. Things we adore about some resorts pre-kiddos have become pains with young children. My parents try to stay at BCV every trip they LOVE it and we always stayed at BWV & WLV as our family grew our needs changed.

 

[Ninniemommy]

Wow--Thank-you to everyone for the amzing comments & information. This is exactly what I was looking for & am so thankful for all of these bits of info. I can't wait to share the info with my husband. He is sold on BCV for it's location, but my son (4 years old) is sold on AKV. I now have some great pro's & con's to ponder. Thanks again!!!

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

We travel with a whole family that still requires naps. Yes, naps are a requirement. We go to the park of our choice for the day in the morning. Then we go to the hotel and we all crash - we change into our gowns and jammies in the afternoon, then we all go to sleep for about 2 hours, I make sure to get a wakeup call scheduled (before we go to sleep) so we wake up in time to get ready for our evening ADR. We have been many times to WDW, and we have learned that we all need this naptime. At dinner, there are no kiddo meltdowns or tired parents yelling and impatient.

 

[Ninniemommy]

Well this has been a hard decision to make & all of the responses have been incredible!!!! We want to do what will be best for our children & still have loads of Disney fun. We have decided on AKV!!! I really liked the comments about the dark, quiet, & large rooms for napping. I also like the separation & space of the room, as well as the peace & tranquility of the Savanna. I think the kids will love it & I found that the bus makes it's first stop at Kidani. If we spend a little less time at the park that will give us more reason to go back soon & stay at BCV!!! Thanks again everyone!!!

 

[TinaLala]

I loved the convenience of the BC because you could walk to Epcot, hop the monorail to MK and I believe you can take a boat to the Studios.

My vote is for BC!!

 

[AmyBWV99]

Have a great time!

 

[unpaintedhuffheinz]

We were in AK this past January. Around naptime we found a quiet path, in between Africa and Asia. It's the place where the lady who dresses up as a tree on stilts walks around for the crowd.

This path is near a covered section of picnic tables. It is sheltered by trees and had a babbling brook nearby that's soothing to listen to. The Little Gunner slept soundly for two hours here, and very few people came by.

 

[Ninniemommy]

We were in AK this past January. Around naptime we found a quiet path, in between Africa and Asia. It's the place where the lady who dresses up as a tree on stilts walks around for the crowd.

We will check this out for sure for a nap at AK!!! Thank-you!!!