Beach club v Animal Kingdom Lodge

[magicmouse2]

We are thinking of upgrading from POR to one of the above. I have looked at many photos but cant decide which one I prefer. I know there is a convenience factor for EPCOT with the BC but I am more interested in the beauty and atmosphere of the resorts. I have kids aged 5, 7, 12. Room quality is important.
I love animals and swimming.

 

[kdibattista]

Although I have never been to the Beach Club (and I am sure it's lovely) I would definitely go with AKL!!!! Its our new favorite resort and I don't think we will ever stay anywhere else!!! Were else can you go out to your balcony and see giraffe, zebra, etc??? Of course, you need a savannah view room though.

 

[DisneyLisa]

Sounds like you should go with AK...it has animals & from what I've read, a fabulous pool. BC has a great pool but it tends to get awfully crowded. My vote would be AK.

 

[TedL]

We just returned from a trip to the Beach Club. Friends of ours stayed at the AKL the same days we were there. They said the room was nice, but they'd choose the Yacht Club or Beach Club next time. They had the furthest possible room from the elevators. We had a GREAT room (4624) at the BC. We had a full balcony with chairs and a table, we could see the MK fireworks in the distance and the high Illuminations fireworks. The kids loved the pool so much, they wanted to be at the pool instead of at the parks.

 

[soccer mom]

We have stayed at both. Although the location at the BC is great if you spend a lot of time at Epcot, AKL is our favorite resort. Putting the proximity to Epcot aside, AKL had the best transportation. You don't share a bus with any other resort. At BC you share with YC and BW. Transportation was only fair.

We lived on our balcony at AKL and for the first time in our 25 years of going to the World, we actually kicked back and really relaxed at the resort. Our four kids want to go back, but I promised myself we would try all of the deluxes before we go back to AKL. Pictures do not do this resort justice.

 

[Gillian]

Touch choice! I think I'd choose the yacht club, actually, because we like the YC/BC area, but the YC rooms appeal to us more. Plus there's a better chance of getting a full balcony, and all of the rooms have 2 queen beds. some of the BC rooms have doubles instead, and we couldn't risk that. We'd have a lot of sleepless nights!

Are you 5 people or 4? For 5 people at AKL you'll need a deluxe room. They cost a bit more. Just something else to consider!

Are you going to do the fairytale package?

 

[magicmouse2]

We are P.ap holders Gillian. It seems AKL is the favorite of many so far. I really like the theme of AKL but I am unsure about the rooms. The furniture looks very dark, however I like the vanity area.

 

[laurens mom]

I would go with the Animal Kingdom Lodge. For sheer atmosphere, it can't be beat.

 

[cruelladephilly]

we had this same dilemma for our June vacation so we booked both and split the trip--that way we get a change half way through the vacation (for food and pool,etc) and get to have the best of both worlds!!! have fun!!!!!

 

[Diz-Me]

We (DS14, DD15, DH and myself) stayed at both AKL and BC during our last trip to WDW. I loved the size of the room at BC, Stormalong Bay and the closeness to Epcot. But I was completely enchanted by the AKL. There is something so magical about sitting on your balcony and watching the animals. We found the whole lodge to be tremendously themed and very inviting.

If I had to pick one of the two to stay at with children the age of yours I would definetly go with the AKL.

 

[twinmomplus2]

I have stayed at both Hotels. While you can not sneeze at the Beach Clubs location. You do not sound like at your kids ages, That You have to have the stroller convienance. And yes, BC's pool is great. Although can be very crowded. AKL would by far..... Be my first choice. In all my experience at Disney resorts, AKL is the most wonderful. The property is Immaculate, Customer service supreme. I loved room service this time around. First experience was iffy, second not a complaint. I love the rooms themselves Lobby is Stunning, I loved the zero entry pool. It has a Much better playground than BC, Can not compare the 2 actually as far as Playground. If you are going Savannah View, The room we had 2 weeks ago for location, Can not be beat!!! We were in 4502. Very close to MAra, The pool, The laundry, Never heard or saw any of it, But, we were 2 minutes away. LOVED IT> if you have any Questions, feel free to PM me. Good luck.

 

[MLAinVA]

We've stayed at both resorts and truly prefer the AKL. We like the exotic feel, the dining options, and the transportation. The only deluxe we haven't stayed in is the Poly and as far as we're concerned, the AKL is the "best of the best."

 

[Pig Pen]

I am not being helpful, just telling you that we are planning to split our Sept trip between BC Villas and AKL. We split between CSR and VWL this past trip and it worked out well. We will do AK and MK while at AKL, then do Epcot and MGM while at BCV. We mostly do the pool though.....

My goal is to stay at every resort.

 

[Samsma]

twinmomplus2 - did your room have bunk beds? Did you have zebra? Sounds like the room for me if the above is yes!

 

[epcotfan]

I have been to both and would pick the Beach Club over AKL. I like the Beach Club due to the fact you can walk into Epcot, stroll to the Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Swan, & Dolphin Resorts. There are a zillion eating choices in the area. At the AKL I felt trapped since the only place to walk to was the Savannah or the Pool. I felt like I could never get away from people at the AKL. The Beach Club also has a wonderful pool area. I found the pool very crowded at AKL-I guess since that is really the only recreational area to hang out at. At least the Beach club also has a quiet pool as well.

 

[saturday97]

We just returned from splitting our time between BC and AKL. We were asking ourselves the same question, which would we choose if we could only do one next time? Probably AKL. My DS5 had just as much fun in the pool at AKL as Stormalong Bay. The AKL is an experience not to be missed, and I found the staff to be much friendlier there.

 

[twinmomplus2]

No.... no bunkbeds! sorry 2 queens, Although, I was on the Zebra trail. we faced the savannah that did not contain any Zebras. We were right on a waterhole. Or Near a waterhole. We had Ankole cattle, with a baby, adorable to watch the family group all day. Girraffes, Gazelles, all kinds of birds. You could request a bunk room in that area. if being close to Mara and the pool is important. it was to me. Good luck! it is my fave resort.

 

[magicmouse2]

Thanks for all the help guys

I think the kids would prefer the bunk beds at AKL
Maybe we will try the Beach club when the kids are a little older and dont need as much supervision in the pool.

 

[miko]

We like both, and BC does have better rooms and service. However if you get a Savannah view room, I don't think WDW has anything to compare with that!