AKV or SSR with 3.5 and 1.5 year olds

[emmababy]

We are contemplating our next trip. Our upcoming trips and our last one were at BWV, which we love because we don't have to get on the bus everyday.

We own at SSR and have never stayed there. We are thinking that by next year we can do umbrella strollers, which we would be a lot less hassle than our HUMONGO JUMBO stroller we have now!!

So, those with little ones, give me the pros and cons of your experiences at either of these resorts. I am open to both of them, but am scared of using the bus system everyday, especially when we need breaks in the day.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Find a stroller(s) that lays flat that they can fall asleep in. You will have more sanity left at the end of your "vacation".
Just my 2 cents.

 

[emmababy]

We have a sit n stand deluxe right now. Convenient but WAY too heavy!! Hoping by next year, we can do a more lightweight stroller. If not, there is no way I would do the buses every day!

 

[thepeach80]

We've never done AKV, but we did SSR last time and I really liked it. We were right next to one of the smaller pools and the bus stop. We had 6 adults, a 4yo, 2yo, and 10 mos plus a huge double stroller. Whenever we wanted to go to the main area though, we drove. It's a BIG place so I'm not sure we would've wanted to walk, but we had a car and never tried either. lol The main area has a nice pool and kiddy water area so they can just play in sprinklers and such. There's a movie rental place and a kid's club place too. We used the bus all the time except for going off property and it wasn't bad at all, but the extra adults helped. We won't have as many helpers next time and 1 more kid, ack!

 

[emmababy]

Congrats on the upcoming baby!! We won't have a car, so driving is out. How long did it take to get to the parks?

 

[hakepb]

I'd lean AKV Jambo Savannah view because the room is a bigger attraction or point of interest with the animals, and Jambo gives you a more guaranteed easy access to the few nice on-site eating options.. (which may mean fewer multiple bus hop trips to other dining)
A few of the kids activities may greet you in the Jambo lobby when you go back for an afternoon nap (such as live cultural music, or one day there was a CM with crayons and paper helping kids make crayon reliefs of the animial medalions on the floor..)
The main disadvantage to Jambo is walking from the bus stop to the lobby is uphill (and past the public smoking area)

At SSR you could, at least, take a boat to DTD, (I also loved the boats at BWV as a change in pace,) I did enjoy a very relaxed boat trip back to SSR, but that boat was smaller, and would require a fold-up.

 

[emmababy]

Thanks for the tips! We would eventually like to stay at both, especially with the value points at AKV! I was just a little hesitant with the buses and a big stroller!

 

[delmar411]

we've done SSR with multiple small kids. I love it actually. The main pool has a wonderful splash area for the little kids. You check out a life vest for the length of stay so you can take it back to the quiet pools if you like. The Grandstand area has another splash area. I found the buses to be pretty good and you are tons closer to the parks than AKV. The buses at AKV were always there. I waited a total of 5mins over 3days for buses at AKV(and that was waiting for 1 bus). But I spent a lot more time on the buses which wasn't great (I get car sick).

SSR is much quieter and that works out to better sleep for little ones which means happier kids.

I like the food court at AKV better though. More choices for things I will eat.

I wouldn't worry about buses and a double stroller. Lots of ppl have them on the buses and it's not a big deal. I wouldn't use any umbrella strollers for the parks. They just aren't comfy for such long periods of time. They make nice lightweight compact strollers w/ full recline that would be easier to juggle on the bus if you had your hands full.

 

[KristiP]

We have stayed at both and I have 2 children. To me AKV are so much Better than SSR. Our kids loved to look out and see the animals eating and walking around.

 

[thepeach80]

Yeah, we never took the boat. I think we forgot about it! lol It never took us long to get to the parks and DTD was the next stop after ours, hence why you can take a boat there! We had to wait for a bus for a while when we were leaving Epcot, but hardly ever waited for one when leaving SSR to go somewhere and we did character dining at the Poly twice w/ no problems and pics at the GF.

 

[DVCJones]

Last year we stayed at SSR. At first I wasn't thrilled, however, I learned quickly this was a very kid friendly resort. I would recommend staying in the Grandstand section when you have little ones. The pool in the Grandstand is great for small children. It has a splash and play area that was perfect for my 2 1/2 and 5 yo DDs. What I liked most about it was, I could sit in a lounge chair and actually relax because I was able to watch my kids splash and play without fear because I didn't have to worry about them falling into a pool which is located close by but not too close. The main pool is great too with a Zero entry and splash area.

We usually take a side-by-side double stroller that reclines so my little one can take a nap. The Grandstand section is great too because it is the first bus stop. This makes it easy to get your stroller onto the bus when it is empty.

My kids liked the food too at the CS restaurant too.

Give it a try...you might like it too.