AKV or BLT

[Native NYer]

We're about to purchase DVC and deciding between BLT and AKV.
Any recommendations from DVC experts?

TIA

 

[ariel5884]

We just did an add on at blt, and got 09 pts as well as 2010. We stayed at akv and liked the overall resort, except for the food choices. Blt reservations are harder to get than akv reservations. Also remember just b/c you buy at one resort doesn't mean you can't stay at the other.

 

[katied]

We stick with the rule "buy where you want to stay." We book our trips at 11 months out, and I love being able to book exactly what I want and not worry about what might be available at 7 months - so, since I want to stay at BLT was walk to MK, we bought at BLT. Now, if I want a MK view or a SV, I can book those and splurge or save points.

(as an FYI, we did not really consider any financial differences - we knew what we wanted and bought it).

 

[kristie03]

We were torn when we bought too...we like the decor of AKL better, but the location of BLT better....

We could see our self loving each for their own benefits.

Our guide reminded us that there are so many fewer "keys" at BLT than AKL, so we thought it might be better to have the 11 month advantage at BLT and we bought there.

Good luck!

 

[timandlesley]

For us, we went with AKL because the points were cheaper AND we love Animal Kingdom Lodge. We had NO problem booking Bay Lake Tower at the 7 month window either. Now that we've stayed at both there are pro's and con's to both and I honestly love BOTH resorts. LOVE Bay Lake Tower's modern feel, the pool was cool, being on the water was awesome, being able to walk home from Magic Kingdom after the fireworks and not fight the crowds was priceless and watching the fireworks from the Top of the World Lounge INCREDIBLE! Of course being at a monorail resort was wonderful too!
At Animal Kingdom Lodge, we stay at Jambo house, LOVE the decor and theming, such a beautiful resort. Where else can you swim in an amazing pool and watch girrafe's at the same time. We love the kids club there, the pool and the restaraunts are awesome. We love eating at both Boma and Jiko and the food court (Mara) is great too. Also, you can use your points to stay Concierge at AKL and you need that 11 month window to book that, so that swayed us a bit too.
Hard decision, but for us we stay at AKL more often due to the points per stay and know we can get BLT at 7 months as well. Good luck with your decision, can't wait to welcome you home
Lesley

 

[Sandisw]

We bought at BLT because we love the MK and it is our favorite park. We also travel during Magic season, so for us, the point difference for stays in SV rooms is not that much different than the other resorts we would choose (VWL, BWV, or BCV). Owning there to use the 11 month booking window was important for SV rooms.

I think that everyone should buy at the resort that they believe they will enjoy, if nothing can be traded out at 7 months the way they want.

If you are really unsure, have you thought about getting points at both and then doing either split stays each trip or using banking and borrowing to alternate between the resorts each year.

It would give you an opportunity to have the 11 month window at both (with whatever points you buy at each) which may also allow for some customization of trips.

So, if you own 100 points at BLT and 100 at AKV, then you could bank BLT one year and borrow AKV to get 200 points to use at that resort at the 11 month mark.

Depending on when you travel, you may find this useful. For example, one year you want to visit in December and stay at BLT, but the next you are going in the summer and AKV will be just fine.

Good luck!

 

[ToddyLu]

We bought at AKV. For us DH loves photography and he was able to relax and take as much time with the animals as he wanted. Our home decor is similar with dark tile and neutral paint...so that lent itself to our comfort. Transportation was very easy. Yes I can see that walking to MK is a benefit of BLT. But to get on the monorail you have to leave your room, get on an elevator, get to the sky bridge walk throught the CR concourse go up the escalator and wait on the monorail...not so convienent. So we simply just walk out to the bus stop...which, as others have accurately pointed out, may be a bit of a walk depending on where your room is in AKV. SO for us decor and overall feel of the resort we important, not location. We actually liked the fact that AKV seems remote..two vacations in one. You honestly could not go wrong with either and you can definitely try the other resorts out. There are so many themes to choose from that are wonderful. Now trying to convience DH to try them will be my biggest DVC issue...he LOVED AKV.

 

[dansamy]

We bought 160pts (min buy-in) at BLT. I can see us potentially adding on 100pts to AKV later. So, I'm positively no help at all because I think you should just buy both!

We chose to make our initial purchase at BLT because I can foresee that resort possibly selling out more quickly because of its advantages. I didn't want to run the risk, however small, that I might not be able to get a 100pt add-on at BLT at a later date. That cinched BLT > AKV for me.

 

[DenLo]

We initially bought at BLT and within 6 months bought a resale contract at AKV. We wanted to have the home resort advantage at both resorts.

My advice is similar to many above--buy where you want to stay. If you have young children who love MK, you cannot not beat the location with BLT. Just 10 minutes away. If you enjoy relaxing in your room or on your balcony, AKV is perfect for that. It is so nice to just sit on the balcony and watch the animals. My DSIL loves to sit out there in the morning with coffee/tea and just watch the animals. Says it was the most relaxing trip she's ever had at WDW. They do the parks commando style so some down time is rare for them.
.

 

[Native NYer]

Thank you everyone!
I had no idea I could buy points at both.
Is adding on points later easy?

Tomorrow I speak to my DVC guide. I'll have a decision in the morning I can't wait to cancel that GF ressie!

 

[AnnaS]

Keep us posted and good luck with your decision.

 

[Crystal_27]

It is really, really difficult to compare the two, and each has its pros and its cons. On the pro side, AKV is the cheaper of the two (but with more expensive MFs), it is larger (more availability), uses less points for most room types, offers conceirge rooms, and has a distinct and awesome theme. On the con side, it is not within walking distance anywhere on property, and you will have to use busses to go everywhere. With BLT, on the pro side, it is within walking distance to MK, is on the monorail and, because of its proximity to MK, offers easy bus access to all resorts, and offers MK views, and has low MFs. Also, BLT offers the TOTW lounge to guests staying on points. On the con side, it costs a lot of points to stay at BLT versus the other resorts (except the standard views, but those are difficult to get), and some aren't a fan of the decor or the room configuration (especially the studios). There are probably a hundred other things that I didn't mention, but those are what comes to mind for me. Either way, good luck with your decision!

 

[Crystal_27]

I had no idea I could buy points at both.

Do keep in mind though that your AKV points are not "combinable" with your BLT points until the 7 month mark. So, if you want to book AKV at 11 months you can only use your AKV points to do so (until the 7 month mark opens - - then you can use BLT points to book at AKV).

 

[Native NYer]

Thanks for the info everyone!!!
We bought BLT today

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks for the info everyone!!!
We bought BLT today

Congratulations and welcome home! That is our home resort and we love it!!!

 

[Native NYer]

Congratulations and welcome home! That is our home resort and we love it!!!

Thank you! We're so excited about out August stay at BLT. We're just finishing up paperwork so we can cancel GF I never thought I'd be excited about canceling the GF

 

[dizfan]

Thanks for the info everyone!!!
We bought BLT today

Congratulations and Home!

 

[Native NYer]

Congratulations and Home!

Thanks

 

[timandlesley]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
WELCOME HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Lesley

 

[Sandisw]

Thank you! We're so excited about out August stay at BLT. We're just finishing up paperwork so we can cancel GF I never thought I'd be excited about canceling the GF

We will be at BLT from August 2nd through the 5th!