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

 

[sndral]

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. …
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.

I was in a 3 br. at AKL Jambo last month w/ 2 nine year olds & a 4 year old, they were out on the balconies every day of our 7 night stay checking on what quickly became ‘our’ giraffes & zebras. Maybe because I love watching the animals & was out there too .

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.
…

You can run into CMs having a bad day at WDW anywhere, I’ve been staying at AKL/V for over a dozen years & not run in to any rude CMs there, I’ve seen rude guests occasionally, but the CMs have always been helpful.
We needed new towels & more coffee a couple of times on our stay last month & just used the housekeeping button on the phone to request them & the supplies we asked for were there when we returned each time & we did call because they hadn’t picked up the trash & they sent a runner to do that right away.
Much as I love staying at AKL/V, it’s more challenging w/ buses/strollers - we had outstanding bus luck last month (except for one night leaving MK at closing) but, we were only dealing w/ one small stroller for the 4 yr. old, it looks to be more challenging for those dealing w/ very large or double strollers. You might opt for the AKL/V 2 br. & just budget some funds for mini van rides to/from MK.
Also, which parks do you visit most, BLT can’t be beat for a quick return to the villa from MK if you need a break.
That said, I don’t think the 1 br. at BLT will give you the space you want. Are there any other options - WL has boats, BC or BWVs have boats & are walkable to Epcot & DHS, Riviera has the Skyliner to Epcot/DHS, GF has monorail/boats & you can walk, etc.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

If you really want to stay at BLT, would you consider putting the kids in the bedroom part of the 1BD? The new murphy beds are actually pretty comfortable I know as an adult I prefer a “real” room, but I also agree that losing access to the living room when the kids go to sleep kind of stinks.

Having said that, there is no shame in having a 2 BD for 4 people and AKL is really lovely. Also, for what you save staying there vs. other closer properties you can Lyft to 3 parks and Minnie Van to MK and still end up ahead cost-wise.

 

[FSU Girl]

I was in a 3 br. at AKL Jambo last month w/ 2 nine year olds & a 4 year old, they were out on the balconies every day of our 7 night stay checking on what quickly became ‘our’ giraffes & zebras. Maybe because I love watching the animals & was out there too .

You can run into CMs having a bad day at WDW anywhere, I’ve been staying at AKL/V for over a dozen years & not run in to any rude CMs there, I’ve seen rude guests occasionally, but the CMs have always been helpful.
We needed new towels & more coffee a couple of times on our stay last month & just used the housekeeping button on the phone to request them & the supplies we asked for were there when we returned each time & we did call because they hadn’t picked up the trash & they sent a runner to do that right away.
Much as I love staying at AKL/V, it’s more challenging w/ buses/strollers - we had outstanding bus luck last month (except for one night leaving MK at closing) but, we were only dealing w/ one small stroller for the 4 yr. old, it looks to be more challenging for those dealing w/ very large or double strollers. You might opt for the AKL/V 2 br. & just budget some funds for mini van rides to/from MK.
Also, which parks do you visit most, BLT can’t be beat for a quick return to the villa from MK if you need a break.
That said, I don’t think the 1 br. at BLT will give you the space you want. Are there any other options - WL has boats, BC or BWVs have boats & are walkable to Epcot & DHS, Riviera has the Skyliner to Epcot/DHS, GF has monorail/boats & you can walk, etc.

Magic kingdom and animal kingdom are our most visited. The bounce back offer is really limited only villas I saw for our week was AKL and Bay Lake Tower. Key West and Saratoga also did have availability but we haven’t wanted to stay at them since they are really spread out

 

[FSU Girl]

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!

Ya I’ve nervous about not having the space which is why I never go through with it lol. I’d love to test it out and see since it would save money but could be a potential terrible trip for an experiment

 

[FSU Girl]

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.

We really do use the space, the kids go to bed really early

 

[FSU Girl]

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!!

I do love the idea of getting a new room

 

[FSU Girl]

If you really want to stay at BLT, would you consider putting the kids in the bedroom part of the 1BD? The new murphy beds are actually pretty comfortable I know as an adult I prefer a “real” room, but I also agree that losing access to the living room when the kids go to sleep kind of stinks.

Having said that, there is no shame in having a 2 BD for 4 people and AKL is really lovely. Also, for what you save staying there vs. other closer properties you can Lyft to 3 parks and Minnie Van to MK and still end up ahead cost-wise.

The kids wouldn’t share a bed so I’m not sure what sleep arrangement would work since the master has a single king bed.

 

[Hubalorian]

Ya I’ve nervous about not having the space which is why I never go through with it lol. I’d love to test it out and see since it would save money but could be a potential terrible trip for an experiment

To be fair, both options have that potential for different reasons. Also - if you want to avoid the buses, you could consider using the Minnie van service. Pricy but an option nonetheless

 

[Disturbia]

You can run into CMs having a bad day at WDW anywhere, I’ve been staying at AKL/V for over a dozen years & not run in to any rude CMs there, I’ve seen rude guests occasionally, but the CMs have always been helpful.
We needed new towels & more coffee a couple of times on our stay last month & just used the housekeeping button on the phone to request them & the supplies we asked for were there when we returned each time & we did call because they hadn’t picked up the trash & they sent a runner to do that right away.

Yes. That’s why we gave it at least 3-4 tries. The issues were mostly post covid and incl not cleaning the room for 4 nights (we are not DVC and paid over $1200 a night for 1 bedroom); we were supposed to get cleaning every other day - garbage bin was overflowing and had egg shells and meat! Other times they forgot to refill coffee pods and only brought 2 when I requested 4 (3/5 coffee drinkers; we drink coffee twice a day!). The last straw was a CM refused to change bedsheets until I showed her where one of our kids had an accident but I had tried to wash it (she was angry until she saw soaked clothes in the bathroom). The housekeeping experience at the Poly was so much better if not for the noise in a corner room facing the marina.

We still love going to AKL (kids love animals) during our AK day and we book Boma once a trip. Maybe when we’re only 4 people again (DD17 going to college soon) we might give the deluxe suites a try again (price would be comparable to our AOa Nemo suite - 3 separate beds!).