bay lake/AKL vs art of animation

[ukfan87]

Hi!
Excitedly planning a trip for next spring with our 3 young children and grandparents. We have booked POFQ for the first week and are very excited.
We are debating where to stay for our second week; we have enquired about the poly with DVC rentals but no availability so far. The options they have offered are bay lake tower/ akl. We are debating splitting our stay for a few nights at each (staying at AKL is a dream of mine but my husband is worried it is too out of the way). He feels this is too much moving around with 3 kids and we would be better off booking art of animation directly with disney. Bay lake tower theming looks a bit meh to me but would love to be so close to MK.
What do people think is a good idea for 3 preschoolers and their parents and grandparents?
Thanks so much

 

[_auroraborealis_]

AKV is not out of the way for anything but MK. Conversely, BLT is really only convenient for MK.

So it depends on your plans. I would go for AKV myself, but BLT for the walk to MK is great. You just have to realize that with either a lot of people meaaure the convenience in "time to MK" and if you are doing other parks they end up far more equal.

Both are loads better than AOA and you will have a real kitchen and a WD.

 

[Marionnette]

Both are loads better than AOA and you will have a real kitchen and a WD.

If the OP rents a 1BR or 2BR villa. If they opt for 2 studios (like they would have gotten at Poly), they won't have either.

 

[Disturbia]

We’ve stayed at AOA and AKL many times. I would say if you’re going to HS or Epcot more then AOA suites are great and have 2 bathrooms, but only a kitchenette (we do ADRs, so don’t utilize a full kitchen much). Kids loved the big blue pool and we utilized it almost every day. If grandparents are staying back to take care of the kids, the pool and transportation are just steps away and easy to run back to the room (no folding strollers on gondolas were a big plus). Food at Landscape if flavors was just ok, but the Turkey/Fish dinner was unexpectedly great. Do know the gondolas stop working if it’s raining or lightning and there are no announcements at Epcot so we’ve had to walk from the back all the way to the front and the line was an hour long for buses (took us 1.5 hrs to get back to resort and it was our travel day). We order breakfast items from gardengrocers. If you have a resort mug, you fill it everyday as you have to walk through the quick service to get to buses (we didn’t utilize resort mugs much at AKL as it’s very inconvenient to get to Mara).

AKL 1 bedroom is great and with grandparents there is enough space to cook and there is a balcony to sit and relax while sipping coffee. If you plan on cooking a lot then AKL is a better choice. Mara and Boma have great food and we travel from other resorts to go to Boma, but we ended up walking a lot to get to the pool or dining. I would sign up for a room request to get one closer to the lobby with touring plans (we had to do a room change the last time as we were at one of the ends). We are not DVC members and pay out of pocket and the price difference is huge, but we still stay at AOA for convenience.

Grandparents loved both and were just happy to be there. Sitting on the balcony and having a relaxing cup of coffee while watching giraffes and zebras roaming the savanna was a big plus. We went when they were in their mid 50s and then 60s, but they didn’t want to stay back in the resorts (wanted to ride rides and enjoy food and wine festival etc).

Deluxe resort guests now have extra magic evening hours to Epcot and MK but we have small kids and we’re hoping they would add HS and AK; so now we might change our Nov AK 1 bedroom to a Nemo suite if possible for our nov trip (the Gondolas were like a ride and our kids love it). At AKL our trash got cleaned only after multiple complaints (they didn’t even take it out every other day) and the bus service was a headache (30+ mins routinely).

Also both resorts took over an hour to deliver groceries or pick up bags (AOA was slightly better). Always check 30 mins into the wait.

 

[Marthasor]

Hi!
Excitedly planning a trip for next spring with our 3 young children and grandparents. We have booked POFQ for the first week and are very excited.
We are debating where to stay for our second week; we have enquired about the poly with DVC rentals but no availability so far. The options they have offered are bay lake tower/ akl. We are debating splitting our stay for a few nights at each (staying at AKL is a dream of mine but my husband is worried it is too out of the way). He feels this is too much moving around with 3 kids and we would be better off booking art of animation directly with disney. Bay lake tower theming looks a bit meh to me but would love to be so close to MK.
What do people think is a good idea for 3 preschoolers and their parents and grandparents?
Thanks so much

Could you please let us know what villa category at BLT and AKV you would be booking? I think that would sway some opinions on here. I'm not a huge fan of splitting up a week with pre-schoolers, but I'm also not a fan of AoA. Are any other DVC properties available for the entire week so you wouldn't have to split the stay and just stay at POFQ one week and the DVC property the next week? You could also consider Swan/Dolphin. You would get deluxe accommodations in an incredible location at, typically, the cost of a WDW mod.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The BLT studios are really tight for five people (hopefully at least one of the children is under the age of three since they only sleep four plus one). Two studios at BLT will not connect. But a two bedroom BLT villa would be very nice for a family of seven people. AKV studios don't sleep five either. Just four plus one and they do not connect to other studios.

 

[Disturbia]

You would have to book a 1 bedroom villa at AKL; and I assumed that at least one of the 3 young kids was an infant (<2), hence you can fit in AOA suites as a party of 6+infant.

We have an infant and 2 kids so the little mermaid rooms are still showing up as an option. I think Disney counts less than 2 as a baby that sleeps in a bassinet (so a 4 guest room can sleep 4 people AND an infant)

 

[NicoleLarson]

Hi!
Excitedly planning a trip for next spring with our 3 young children and grandparents. We have booked POFQ for the first week and are very excited.
We are debating where to stay for our second week; we have enquired about the poly with DVC rentals but no availability so far. The options they have offered are bay lake tower/ akl. We are debating splitting our stay for a few nights at each (staying at AKL is a dream of mine but my husband is worried it is too out of the way). He feels this is too much moving around with 3 kids and we would be better off booking art of animation directly with disney. Bay lake tower theming looks a bit meh to me but would love to be so close to MK.
What do people think is a good idea for 3 preschoolers and their parents and grandparents?
Thanks so much

So first off what room size are you looking at for DVC? Although we routinely do split stays and don't mind them one bit but with toddlers and grandparents in tow, 1 move will be enough. You honestly can't go wrong with either resort. AKL is a favorite of ours, its con is also a pro being removed from everything else. Its nice to truly take a break from the parks and feel like you are somewhere else entirely. BLT is amazing for its location but if you are going to do 2 studios, then no way. The studios are pretty small and 5 people for 1 week would be torture IMO. If you are doing a 1 bedroom, they are much larger and have 2 bathrooms which will be nice for 5 ppl. Last option AoA, would it just be all 7 of you in 1 room? Absolutely not. Those pull down/out beds are not very comfortable and the room would be REALLY tight for 7.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

I really feel like BLT has nothing that great about it except location to MK, but YMMV.
AoA is worth consideration, but I would recommend either three LM rooms or two suites even if you have a child under 3yo who doesn't count toward occupancy. I like AoA for you because young kids will really love all the OTT statues and theming and the pools. Plus the incredible ease of Skyliner for getting to Epcot and DHS. Landscape of Flavors is quick and easy for grabbing some grub.
But I'm sure everyone would love the animals at AKL and formal dining options.

 

[JennyDrake]

With 4 adults and little kids, _I_ would go with 2 bedroom DVC or 2 rooms at value or moderate. I would not do split stay as that is a LOT of moving stuff with a LOT of people. Having a door you can close off to make a more quiet room will be priceless and extra space will help keep everyone on speaking terms....

 

[CaptainAmerica]

AKV is not out of the way for anything but MK. Conversely, BLT is really only convenient for MK.

Hallelujah.

People who say "AKL is too far from everything" have no understanding of Walt Disney World's geography. The park that's way off all by itself and far from everything else is Magic Kingdom.

 

[snikki]

I assume you’re booking two rooms at POFQ?

I wouldn’t split the second week with two resorts and move that much with that many people including small children. I would stay one place for the whole week and pick AKL 2 bedroom if it’s for everyone. Or a studio/one bedroom if it’s just your family unit of 5. It’s a cool resort with a nice pool. I do like BLT/CR but think it’s kinda boring and would only stay there if we did a TPV.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The BLT studios are really tight for five people (hopefully at least one of the children is under the age of three since they only sleep four plus one). Two studios at BLT will not connect. But a two bedroom BLT villa would be very nice for a family of seven people. AKV studios don't sleep five either. Just four plus one and they do not connect to other studios.

You would have to book a 1 bedroom villa at AKL; and I assumed that at least one of the 3 young kids was an infant (<2), hence you can fit in AOA suites as a party of 6+infant.

We have an infant and 2 kids so the little mermaid rooms are still showing up as an option. I think Disney counts less than 2 as a baby that sleeps in a bassinet (so a 4 guest room can sleep 4 people AND an infant)

OP has four adults and three children. Whether one of the children is an infant is irrelevant at Bay Lake Tower or Animal Kingdom... They'd need a minimum of two studios or a 2BR villa no matter how old the children are.

 

[Disturbia]

OP has four adults and three children. Whether one of the children is an infant is irrelevant at Bay Lake Tower or Animal Kingdom... They'd need a minimum of two studios or a 2BR villa no matter how old the children are.

Oops. My bad. You can book AOA suites (sleeps 6) but not AKL 1 bedroom (sleeps 5). Thats a huge price difference between AOA and a 2 bedroom. I think that’s why they want to do a split stay or just stay at AOA.

I suppose transportation (park access) and need to cook would be deciding factors if price isn’t.

 

[kwdw]

You didn’t say what kind of rooms you intend to book, that can make a huge difference in my thoughts.

1) I would definitely not split stay the second week, too much work when you are all ready moving once for sure.
2) You can’t put all 7 of you in one AoA suite. If you were thinking one suite and one LM room, realize that the LM rooms are a walk from the suites.
3) I would book a 2 bedroom DVC someplace. I think AKV is a great choice because that would give you three bathrooms and the full kitchen. Grandparents can have some privacy yet be right there. I think if you can get a savanna view, everyone will love that.
4) I second the statement said previously that AK area is not far away, it’s actually MK that is the hike for everything.
5) I think ANY 2 bedroom, DVC site is a fabulous choice for you.
6) You might look at the Treehouses at SSR, too. Now, I do think these can feel isolated without a car and they are far from a main pool which might appeal to you. Make sure the bed set up would work for you.
7) You gotta ask what you want. If you want a full kitchen, you need at least 1 bedroom DVC. If the mini fridge and a small microwave will suffice, then AoA will work. I might suggest two suites vs one suite/and a LM so you will be closer together.
8) For two weeks, I think folks will like the full kitchen the second week. Sometimes home cooked food tastes best. I also think it can give you more down time together.
Which could also be a bad thing if you are going to grow sick of each other…..

 

[justme0729]

Since you are staying for 2 weeks total, I don't think you necessarily have to be super close to the parks if you plan to spend time at the pool/ resort? I love both BLT and AKL... I wouldn't want to switch twice in a week though.

BLT is classic Disney in my opinion with constant view of the castle from the elevators, hearing/ seeing the fireworks and electric light parade every night, monorail, easily walking into MK at anytime you feel like assuming you have park hoppers after 2:00pm, etc. It is a great place to be if you plan to be "on the go" or want to really feel immersed in the heart of Disney. A theme park view would let you see fireworks from the room which we love. The resort is also pretty compact and easy to get around to the lobby, monorail etc. if anyone struggles with mobility. If you want to eat out at California Grill, Chef Mickey's, or anywhere else on the monorail loop, it would be a very convenient place to be.

AKL has a really relaxing, exotic feel to it. If you plan to spend a lot of time at the pool or anyone in your party is an animal lover, this would be a great choice. A savannah view would be very special! At AKL, it is more of a hassle to find entertainment than at BLT in my opinion... you will have to take a bus/ car to go out to eat anywhere outside the resort and to the parks so you might not feel like going out as frequently and/or choose to cook in the room? I really love the atmosphere at AKL though!

I've never stayed at Art of Animation but I would think the only benefit would be the Skyliner transportation to Epcot and DHS instead of all buses at AKL and your kids might like the theming.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I will say "two weeks with little kids eating out every meal" is... it's a mood, for sure. I have always found that having a real kitchen for longer stays is a game-changer with littles, because it removes a lot of stress and logistical mayhem.