Another help me decide which resort!

[FSU Girl]

I just got back from a wonderful week long trip and currently in the bounce back offer window. I have two options for an upcoming trip either a two bedroom savanna view room at Animal Kingdom Lodge or a theme park view one bedroom villa at Bay Lake tower.

A little background for us I’ve only done two bedroom villas with my two kids. We like the space and having the living room as a living room for when kids are asleep. Obvious downside it’s way more expensive. Every trip I try booking a one bedroom and end up cancelling it I’m worried about how it’ll go.

Both these rooms are available for the bounce back (I don’t book with points we aren’t DVC) they’re for May and I know Kidani will be nearing the end or done with the room renovations by this point. We just stayed in a two bedroom theme park view at bay lake and thought the room was amazing. It’s not available for a bounce back but is for rack rate, not doing that.

Has anyone traveled like me and only done the bigger rooms and then tried the smaller room and it worked out? I’m just worried it’ll be a disaster. My 5 year old is autistic so it makes traveling more complicated. I’m not sure her sleeping with the kitchen next to her will be really distracting for her to fall asleep.

I love the location and view for BLT. We use strollers and magic kingdom is main focus of our trips. The kids do love animals and would probably enjoy seeing them from the room although idk if it being farther away they’ll lose interest quicker. I hate the buses are the only option to the parks. The pools are better at AKL though.

 

[Hubalorian]

If you have experienced BLT, I would make a new memory at AKL. You would be very likely to get a renovated rooms, because if they are on schedule, I would imagine any room not yet renovated would be in the process of being renovated. I hope that makes sense lol

I would not risk the space issue if it’s a big factor to you and your family. Sending positive vibes for you and your family!

 

[Brian Noble]

A little background for us I’ve only done two bedroom villas with my two kids. We like the space and having the living room as a living room for when kids are asleep.

We were also a We Want Our Space family. We tried a 1BR with both kids. Once. After that, we stuck to 2BRs if it was the four of us.

In fairness, this was mostly because I was resentful about losing the living room after the kids went to sleep, so YMMV.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

AKL Kidani in a newly refurbished 2BR savanna view? Absolutely! 3 bathrooms, tons of space, balconies with animal viewing - one of our favorite room types and locations anywhere..... I don't think I'd go smaller!!

 

[Disturbia]

For kids with Autism, animals will be much more soothing but it’s hard to get them
to stay indoors. That said the staff was rude at AKL and we had to repeatedly ask for things. We’ve had multiple bad experiences so choose to stay at AOA suite or Poly.

Always check your room location/type before going to the room. Poly gave us a ground floor which had the doors open to a walkway. We had to change rooms (DD6 has sensory issues and can easily open the door and run). On our second stay at the Poly last Dec, there was constant from the boats in the Marina (corner room; boat horns until 11 pm and starting at 5 am). Then we had someone check in that had kids playing and hitting the wall with the luggage cart at midnight and the pull down bed was shaking. Called security and they had them remove it (waited to hear it for themselves). You could hear the fireworks as well. We booked a Bounceback for the Poly deluxe suite but changed it to AOA Nemo (similar price for a 7 night stay). The deluxe hours are not worth it for a longer stay and with younger kids.

AOA Nemo has a one bedroom setup and 2 full baths (Poly deluxe suite has 2 baths but only 1 toilet). We love the Skyliner and our kids feel like it’s another ride.

If you’re using a wheelchair/stroller then it might be good to stay at a monorail/epcot resort