AKV Savannah or BLT Lake View

[Alexander]

DS (6) and I are visiting WDW for 8 nights at the end of August. I have a savannah view room booked at AKV (at DS's request). However, we are going sans rental car this trip and I am thinking that maybe a resort with better location might be better for us.

First choice was BWV, but they don't have all 8 nights however, BLT does have all 8 nights in a lake view available. Honestly, the location is perfect as we have ADRs at Chef Mickey's and O'hana.

We have never stayed at BLT, and I would love to hear what you all think. Should we keep our savannah view room (we've had these before and loved them) or should we go for BLT which will make transportation much easier.

 

[Missyrose]

I say try something new. The location is great and like you said, your ADRs are already perfect for it.

 

[dd08]

DS (6) and I are visiting WDW for 8 nights at the end of August. I have a savannah view room booked at AKV (at DS's request). However, we are going sans rental car this trip and I am thinking that maybe a resort with better location might be better for us.

First choice was BWV, but they don't have all 8 nights however, BLT does have all 8 nights in a lake view available. Honestly, the location is perfect as we have ADRs at Chef Mickey's and O'hana.

We have never stayed at BLT, and I would love to hear what you all think. Should we keep our savannah view room (we've had these before and loved them) or should we go for BLT which will make transportation much easier.

I agree with the PP. WE love AKV (which is why we bought there), and personally I'm not a Contemp/BLT (in defense of BLT, have never stayed there, but I do not like the Contemporary) - but regardless of the ADR's I would stay at BLT just to see if you like it. This is assuming if you haven't tried it before.

That said, and this is just my opinion, if you have had experience there and didn't like it, IMO, stay at AKV if you like it. Disney's transportation isn't that bad IMO (though many on this board disagree) and it isn't worth staying at a resort you don't like just to save a few minutes a day.

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

Another vote for BLT. The transportation there can not be beat! You won't be disappointed!

 

[Alexander]

Done! Just changed to BLT Lake View! I am really excited! We have not stayed there in the past, so this will be all new for us.

I am looking forward to the TOWL, the easier transportation (boat, monorail), and of course I didn't even consider how much DS loves the arcade at the Contemporary!

Need to change my countdown in my signature.

 

[kevmag]

Done! Just changed to BLT Lake View! I am really excited! We have not stayed there in the past, so this will be all new for us.

I am looking forward to the TOWL, the easier transportation (boat, monorail), and of course I didn't even consider how much DS loves the arcade at the Contemporary!

Need to change my countdown in my signature.

I would also have voted for the Lake View at BLT (even though we have stayed at Kidani Savanna view and loved it). Depending on what view you might want to request, here are some pictures of one of our BLT stays....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2312558

 

[DizDays]

I'm glad you chose BLT. Even though you couldn't go wrong with either choice, I'm a big believer in trying new things. We really enjoyed our lake view room at BLT when we stayed there. Have a magical time!

 

[rlduvall]

In June of 2010 we did a split stay, BLT Lakeview and AKV Savannah view. I love both resorts, but would have told you to go for BLT. You just can't beat walking over to MK.

 

[job09]

We've done both and loved both. AK seems more like a resort and the animals are great but you've done that. Go for BLT, I loved watching the magical parade from my balcony and the rooms are much nicer than AK (IMHO). We never used our car when we stayed at BLT, it is so great just to pop over to MK. Have a great time.

 

[Harlemgirl720]

In June of 2010 we did a split stay, BLT Lakeview and AKV Savannah view. I love both resorts, but would have told you to go for BLT. You just can't beat walking over to MK.

Since having pts at both locations, I love doing split stays. Always start off with AKV and end with BLT. Love the serenity of AKV but the convenience of BLT to MK.

PP, I think you made a good choice of BLT. I hope you and your son enjoy it.

 

[4Ds4Diz]

We just got back from our BLT stay. I have 2 DSs that love it there! The lake view was awesome. I love the early morning on the balcony listening to the boats toot their horns. We had a room overlooking the pool this time. Last time we have a view overlooking the Contemp pool. You will love the TOWL at night! We went up as a family, got a drink, sat at a table and played cards. Went out on the deck for the fireworks. It was great to just take the elevator down to the room when tired and ready for bed. We love, love, love the electrical water parade at night too. Easy access to the monorail and all that the resorts on the monorail have to offer too.

Ok, so can you tell I am ready to go back, after only being home for 3 days! I am still in vacation mode!!

Have a magical trip!

 

[coup2516]

Good choice. AKV is probably our favorite but the transportation at BLT is much better. I don't know that I would stay at AKV without a rental car.

 

[Alexander]

Good choice. AKV is probably our favorite but the transportation at BLT is much better. I don't know that I would stay at AKV without a rental car.

This is kind of what I was thinking. We NEVER go without a car, I really don't have a lot of patience for the buses, but since it is just DS and I and being 6, the bus is almost like a park ride for him, I figured I would save some money.

However, being at BLT, I don't have to rely on the the bus for everything! I am really excited to be trying something new. This is going to sound awful, but I was getting tired of WDW because of the same old, same old. But now I am looking forward to trying something we haven't done before!

 

[4Ds4Diz]

However, being at BLT, I don't have to rely on the the bus for everything! I am really excited to be trying something new. This is going to sound awful, but I was getting tired of WDW because of the same old, same old. But now I am looking forward to trying something we haven't done before![/QUOTE]


Where have you stayed before that it became the same old, same old?

 

[spiceycat]

walk to the MK when staying at BLT. It is a lot shorter.

ride the monorail to Epcot - but remember to check the schedule for the MK closing. an hour after the MK closes they shut down the resort monorail - for those times (you need to know before you go to Epcot) would ride the WL bus back to WL then take the boat to the CR/BLT.

love breakfast at Kona Cafe in the polyn when staying at BLT. makes visiting the other MK resorts so easy - just get on the monorail.

the connection (skybridge) between BLT and CR is on the 5th floor of BLT, the 4th floor of CR - so the monorail is just up the escalator.

 

[Alexander]

OKW, BCV, SSR, AKV, BWV, VWL

Since we were visiting 3-4 times a year we had gotten really tired of WDW. Over the last couple of years, we've mostly done DCL. So, when we are in WDW in August, it will have been a full year since the last time we were there. Considering, we were going every 3 months, a year feels like a long time. It will be good to try something new.

Thanks for the reminder about the monorail closing. I had read about that, but since it never applied to us, I kind of just blew it off.