Better Hotel Choice with 2-1/2 year old

[disnmooner2013]

Going end of May 2018 for 7 days. Our daughter will be 2-1/2 years old. She loves animals. We think we will have our own car which is making me question which resort to stay at. We are down to Yacht club boardwalk view room or Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah view. If we choose AKL is there a much better view of the animals from a club level room vs regular room. Taking mid day breaks back to the hotel. Our daughter loves water but will not really be able to swim so not sure if Yacht Club is worth the extra money except for central location. Doing 1-1-2 days at MK, and 1-1/2 days at Epcot, 1/2 day at AK, 1/2 day at HS, 3/4 day at Disney Srings and resort /rest day. Planning to have pre-park opening breakfasts one different days at Chef Mickey's, Akershus, Tusker House, and Crystal Palace. Spending 1 day at the resort with pool time. Please answer the poll and give your thoughts.

 

[megs1313]

If you'll be coming back to the resort through the day, then club level seems like a nice choice. The Tusker beer in the AKL club lounge is a nice midday treat.

 

[disnmooner2013]

If you'll be coming back to the resort through the day, then club level seems like a nice choice. The Tusker beer in the AKL club lounge is a nice midday treat.

Megs1313 you would pick AKL over YC iwht our 2-1/2 year old. Thanks for the tip about the beer that is helpful for more information on their club level.

 

[megs1313]

Megs1313 you would pick AKL over YC iwht our 2-1/2 year old. Thanks for the tip about the beer that is helpful for more information on their club level.

Yes, I absolutely would. I think AKL has more for your toddler in terms of "wow" factor than YC does. I know YC gets a lot of hype for their pool, but I think your little one will be just as happy at AKL's pool and will get the extra excitement of the animals and my daughter LOVED the drumming lessons in the lobby when she was 2. We really enjoyed the club level offerings at AKL when we went, especially the beverages, so AKL Club Level gets my vote!

 

[Kimberle]

We stayed Club at AKL. We found the views wonderful. We saw animals all the time. It was so nice to go to the lounge and bring b/fast back and eat on the balcony. With a little one, you'll love the milk and juice in the lounge.

 

[NicoleLarson]

All AKL CL rooms face the Arusha Savannah which is the largest and gives the best chance of seeing the most animals. Other Savannah views could look at any savannah, which tend to not have as many animals in them.

 

[disnmooner2013]

All AKL CL rooms face the Arusha Savannah which is the largest and gives the best chance of seeing the most animals. Other Savannah views could look at any savannah, which tend to not have as many animals in them.

What are the animals on the Arusha Savannah?

 

[disnmooner2013]

Yes, I absolutely would. I think AKL has more for your toddler in terms of "wow" factor than YC does. I know YC gets a lot of hype for their pool, but I think your little one will be just as happy at AKL's pool and will get the extra excitement of the animals and my daughter LOVED the drumming lessons in the lobby when she was 2. We really enjoyed the club level offerings at AKL when we went, especially the beverages, so AKL Club Level gets my vote!

Thanks I did not know about the drumming lessons. My daughter loves playing with her little drum.

 

[megs1313]

What are the animals on the Arusha Savannah?

Arusha Savanna: Pelicans, geese, giraffe, ankole cattle, zebra, Wildebeast, eland, gemsbok

 

[mousegear]

I also voted for AKL Savanna view. I don't think your 2.5 y/o would enjoy the Stormalong Bay since it's more suitable for bigger kids. AKL should be much more relaxing and they have a nice pool for your little one. Also, what's more entertaining than watching animals at leisure.

 

[disnmooner2013]

What is the price difference in the 3 choices?

 

[megs1313]

What is the price difference in the 3 choices?

Rates for 2018 aren't out yet, but according to mousesavers the rack rate for a weeknight in early May (up to the 24th) in 2017 is:

AKL savanna view: $584/week night
AKL savanna view CL: $691/week night
Yacht Club Lagoon or Pool: $609/week night

 

[disnmooner2013]

Do the club level rooms at AKL come with a microwave? Also, can you request a savannah view so not to get a pool view with a club level room?

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

Do the club level rooms at AKL come with a microwave? Also, can you request a savannah view so not to get a pool view with a club level room?

No microwaves in any "regular"resort hotel room at WDW, club level or not. Villas will have kitchen set ups.Someone will have more info about family suites as well. We have only done resort room and one or two bedroom villas. I'm not totally certain about studio villas, but I believe they have microwaves. Most food courts have microwaves you can use too.
All club level room at AKL are savanna views.
We enjoyed our CL stay at AKL, but our room was really far from the lounge. I hope this helps a little and I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[disnmooner2013]

No microwaves in any "regular"resort hotel room at WDW, club level or not. Villas will have kitchen set ups.Someone will have more info about family suites as well. We have only done resort room and one or two bedroom villas. I'm not totally certain about studio villas, but I believe they have microwaves. Most food courts have microwaves you can use too.
All club level room at AKL are savanna views.
We enjoyed our CL stay at AKL, but our room was really far from the lounge. I hope this helps a little and I hope you enjoy your trip!

What club level rooms are by the lounge?

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

What club level rooms are by the lounge?

I'm not sure, we were used to WL and hadn't gone to AKL before so we were surprised to be another floor from the lounge there. Certainly just lack of knowledge on my part before the trip about the resort. It wasn't bad, just different from our experience of always being on the 7th floor for our CL WL stays. The lounge was lovely though!

 

[Kimberle]

What club level rooms are by the lounge?

Many years ago, AKL was redone. The Club lounge is still on the 5th floor. The "regular" rooms used to be here. However, when you booked Club, you could get a non-savannah view. Now, all rooms on the 5th and 6th floor are DVC. "Regular" club rooms are on the 4th floor. They all have Savannah views. You'll now have to take the elevator to the lounge. The hike was OK for us. I'd rather do that and be guaranteed of a Savannah view.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I would chose AKL CL, but I also love CL so that has an impact on my decision. That being said, we also have a 2.5 year old and for that age, I like to have the more "healthy" options of yogurt and fruit, and milk available all day. We do spend a good deal of time at our resort though.

 

[mickeynut1]

Yes, I absolutely would. I think AKL has more for your toddler in terms of "wow" factor than YC does. I know YC gets a lot of hype for their pool, but I think your little one will be just as happy at AKL's pool and will get the extra excitement of the animals and my daughter LOVED the drumming lessons in the lobby when she was 2. We really enjoyed the club level offerings at AKL when we went, especially the beverages, so AKL Club Level gets my vote!

I agree! We love AKL and while we've never stayed at the YC, we have stayed at the BC and AKL wins out for us between BC/YC. We haven't tried CL yet at AKL, but have stayed CL at other resorts and we love having the lounge for another place to sit and relax other than in the room or around the resort. I also I think CL would be nice and convenient with a little one. Hope you have a great trip no matter which resort you choose .

 

[Eastern]

Club level is very convenient if you are travelling with children.