AKV vs BLT and 2X studios or a 1 bedroom

[Nicsjtp]

Have got it down to 2 choices - either AK (kidani) OR BLT .....

travel party is me, DH, 3 kids (2 boys 8 and 6, 1 girl 2 years) and my mum/grandma.... going May 2011 for 10 nights

Im really torn - the kids would LOVE the safari feel and animals at AKL and the pool/play area. BLT - well the location is the pull here. I dont think the hotel as such will as fun but the monorail and proximity to MK would be good.

Is AKL really far from everything? Is the transportation really bad?

OR should we consider a split stay? To get the best of both?

Second question - we are tossing up between a 1 bedroom villa (like the option of laundry in room) or 2X studios (doesnt matter that we arent interconnecting as we have grandma)....

Lastly with DVC - apart from the cleaning service - is there anything else that is affected? I also realise any discounts (free dining etc wont apply)....

 

[Sandisw]

We enjoy split stays but my children are older, much older. We love BLT and its location to MK but this is our favorite park and we visit it almost every day we are there, even if for nothing more than to walk around at night.

Studios at BLT are smaller than studios at AKL. Even though you can fit your family in a studio since your daughter is under 3, I would not put that many people in a BLT studio. If you go with the 2 studio option, then opt for AKV.

Or, do the 1 bedroom at BLT and 2 studios at AKV if you choose the split stay.

Good luck!!

 

[ToddyLu]

We thought the buses were just fine at AKV last fall. I think the longest we waited was 10 minutes. Kidani is the first stop on the park buses, and Jambo is the first stop on the DTD bus. So if you eat at Jambo you take the DTD bus back to Kidani. The trip on the bus was no worse than when we stayed at ALL Stars, and of course the drop off much closer. AK is maybe a block from the entrance to AKL. You still need the bus to get there but it is literally 2 minutes away. We loved the fact that Kidani was "away " from everything, it really helps in the theming. Have a great trip.

 

[starbox]

I vote split stay! We enjoyed two short BLT stays this summer. I would not want to stay longer than a few nights, but is great for your MK nights!

 

[bookwormde]

Yes split. IF gradma can handle the sleep chair then there is nothing like having a 1 br with all its conveniances

bookwormde

 

[DenLo]

My first reaction was to say split stay. Then I looked again at your children's ages. The older two children probably don't nap anymore, except when worn out at WDW, but the toddler does. Will she sleep okay in the stroller on the day you switch? You might have to wait for your new villa(s) at the second resort until 4:30 PM. If that's okay, then I'd consider a split stay. Do three or four nights at BLT in two studios (points are higher at BLT) and then switch to a one bedroom at AKV. Three nights would give you plenty of time to see Magic Kingdom, do the monorail and even go to Epcot if you want. The first nights at BLT gives grandma some privacy and she can take the kids when she wants and get a break when she doesn't. Then she'll be ready to have the boys 24-7 when you switch to a 1 BR at Kidani. I'm assuming the toddler will be in a pack n play in the MBR of the 1BR or the Master bathroom. You'll also have a washer/dryer in the room about the time you'll need it.

If a split stay isn't possible, then I'd stay at either resort in a 1 BR. At both resorts the 1BR sleeps five with a toddler. But anyway, if you go to MK several times during your stay, then stay at BLT, if it's a one time visit, then stay at AKV. The only bus ride that really is longer is the one to MK. That's because the traffic on World Drive gets backed up from time to time and then all resort buses are affected by it.

Now that I type this advice I keep wondering if that will really work for grandma--10 nights in the living room with kids? Would you want to be the only adult in the living room with the kids for 10 nights? It's a shame that a 2BR isn't an option that would give the adults each a bedroom and the kids the living room. Grandma could invite the boys from time to time to join her in her room or not.

 

[JBx3]

If kind of funny when I here" AKL is so remote". How remote can anything be when you are on Disney property???? We never feel AKL is remote, never had bus issue and as a matter of fact, we like that they have "dedicated" busses, not shared. For us AKL transport us to a whole different world above and beyond Disney and has a neat exclusive feel. So it is a great break from the parks and hectic pace. We noe like to spend dedicsted days at the lodge only! Over the top theming as well....

Can't speak for BLT but having the monorail and having the location surely is a big sell.

 

[Nicsjtp]

great advice from you all thanks! Its looking more and more likey for a split stay! And I think Illl take that advice and start off with 2X studios at BLT and then switch to the 1 bed AKV. Grandma will be fine - the boys are great sleepers - and the baby will be in with us.. and then grandma gets her own room when we cruise straight from WDW so she will be just fine!!!!

Didnt think about the switch day and the delay in our room however we do plan on doing Universal one day and Kennedy Space Center so we will just choose that day to do one of those (and of coourse I have to hit the outlets at some stage )

 

[dianeschlicht]

We feel AKV has some of the best bus service on site. Sure, it's a little farther out than some of the other resorts, but Disney bus service is spectacular, and we have never had horrible waits from there. In fact, one trip we joked that the bus must have known we were on our way, because it was usually pulling up just as we got to the bus stop!

If you can swing it though, I'd aim for a 2 bedroom. If you can't, then a 1 bedroom will suffice as long as everyone gets along well and Grandma doesn't mind sleeping on the pullout chair.

 

[DenLo]

If kind of funny when I here" AKL is so remote". How remote can anything be when you are on Disney property???? We never feel AKL is remote, never had bus issue and as a matter of fact, we like that they have "dedicated" busses, not shared. For us AKL transport us to a whole different world above and beyond Disney and has a neat exclusive feel. So it is a great break from the parks and hectic pace. We noe like to spend dedicsted days at the lodge only! Over the top theming as well....

Can't speak for BLT but having the monorail and having the location surely is a big sell.

Thank you for your post, it says it all.

 

[Greysword]

I would probably get a 2BR for my family, if I was in this situation. Although the 1BR is failry spacious, you will be bumping into each other in the room. Two studios would work, but they could be on different floors and not near each other. I pulled the Point Charts from wdwinfo and it seems a 2BR at OKW is about the same points as a 1BR at both BLT (less) and AKV (a bit more).

Two Studios/1 Bedroom/2 Bedroom (or THV at SSR)

BLT (LV) 196 / 384 / 498
AKV (SV) 174 / 344 / 446
OKW 138 / 280 / 380
SSR 156 / 320 / 402


Sometimes, the more spreadout larger DVC resorts are the best! Good luck with your decision!

- Chris

 

[katied]

I would opt for the 1 bedroom at BLT. You'll have 2 bathrooms, the full kitchen and the washer/dryer. The convenience to walking to MK or monorail to Epcot is great with little ones. One person can head back to the resort for nap time with the youngest, and others can stay at the parks, etc.

I've done split stays with little ones, but it is a lot of work, esp. because on the day of the change you can't use the room for a nap.

 

[Nicsjtp]

Thought I had it all worked out this morning however DH has thrown a spanner in the works and said he really doesnt want to do a split stay... can understand his reasoning I suppose - just doesnt want to have to repack everything after 4/5 nights and go to yet another place - and in a honesty it will be easier with 6 of us to not have to pack up and move again... so we have definitely decided 1 resort only and have also decided that a 1 bed is the way to go and DH is really keen for BLT for pure convenience.... so I guess that makes up my mind - now to see if we can get our dates.....

 

[DenLo]

. . . . . so we have definitely decided 1 resort only and have also decided that a 1 bed is the way to go and DH is really keen for BLT for pure convenience.... so I guess that makes up my mind - now to see if we can get our dates.....

Good luck!

 

[nytimez]

I prefer AKV (my home resort). But the transportation bites. It's not quite true that it doesn't share buses -- because Jambo and Kidani are served by the same buses. That means you'll still have to deal with the possibility of buses showing up already full and a stop before you get to your resort if you stay at Jambo House.