BLT or AKL

[quandrea]

Probably heading down in March (Canadian March Break). Which resort should a family of five (me, dh, dd 8 and twins 3) pick. We love Animal Kingdom, but I'm itching to try BLT

 

[DannysMom]

With your kids' ages I say try BLT. It certainly has the location, as I imagine that MK will be a top destination for you.

 

[quandrea]

With your kids' ages I say try BLT. It certainly has the location, as I imagine that MK will be a top destination for you.

That's what I'm thinking. Is standard view good enough?

 

[DannysMom]

That's what I'm thinking. Is standard view good enough?

Have not stayed there yet, so I obviously am only guessing based on what I have read here..... If you can get standard view great, but if you are looking to switch there at 7 months be prepared to spend the points for lake view, standard view is very popular with BLT owners wanting to stretch their points-- so often not available at 7 months. GL

 

[quandrea]

The seven month window actually opened for me today (coincidence). I checked and the standard view is available. Should probably book it, I guess. Have to talk to hubby tonight. We are going to Arizona in May, but I think he may want a March holiday, if we can make it happen. I'd like a holiday now, but that's besides the point...

 

[GrumpyBelle]

BLT is not my taste. I would go with AKV, BUT if you are really wanting to try something new go with BLT. I think trying it once is worth it... I had my doubts about AKV until we stayed there. It is now my favorite. You never know, it may surprise you.

 

[quandrea]

BLT is not my taste. I would go with AKV, BUT if you are really wanting to try something new go with BLT. I think trying it once is worth it... I had my doubts about AKV until we stayed there. It is now my favorite. You never know, it may surprise you.

This is why I'm hesitating. We love AKV. I find it has more activities than any other resort. We're actually going in Oct and won't be going to the parks aside from MNSSHP. I'll have to think about this...

 

[bwang123]

We bought at AKV during sring break but are only staying there for the first time in December. We were able to get a few days at BLT (lake view) at the end of our trip. The resort and rooms are nice but the ability to walk to MK is awesome. We would go to one park at rope drop, come back to the resort before or after lunch, rest (DW, DS2 and DS6) and then walk to MK for the rest of the day. We didn't plan on spending that much time in MK but it was great. We really didn't care about the view from our room which was sort of lake/pool/other peoples rooms.

I am looking forward to AKV because we love animals, the theming, resort and rooms look amazing. I think younger kids will prefer AKV. They better because we will have our kids and the friends we invited also have children that are the same age.

 

[quandrea]

Just booked! Got a standard view one bedroom for eight nights during March Break. Really excited. I imagine my eldest and I heading over to the MK after the twins are in bed for an ice cream or one ride. Am I dreaming? Here we come. DH said it was time to shake things up. We will have stayed at Animal Kingdom 4 times in a row, so here we go.

 

[DannysMom]

Congrats. . Always good to shake things up once on a while.

 

[quandrea]

We bought at AKV during sring break but are only staying there for the first time in December. We were able to get a few days at BLT (lake view) at the end of our trip. The resort and rooms are nice but the ability to walk to MK is awesome. We would go to one park at rope drop, come back to the resort before or after lunch, rest (DW, DS2 and DS6) and then walk to MK for the rest of the day. We didn't plan on spending that much time in MK but it was great. We really didn't care about the view from our room which was sort of lake/pool/other peoples rooms.

I am looking forward to AKV because we love animals, the theming, resort and rooms look amazing. I think younger kids will prefer AKV. They better because we will have our kids and the friends we invited also have children that are the same age.

You'll love Animal Kingdom. My eldest daughter would rather stay at the resort when we are there because there is so much to do. Gorgeous villas, great cast members, amazing food. DD would also eat at Boma for the entire trip if we let her. Zebra domes from Mara are an afternoon ritual. Enjoy.

 

[peabody58]

You will love BLT - great Community Room, you have the CR right next door, love the walk to MK, monorail (need I say more), visit the Poly/GF resorts, pool hopping at CR if you want, TOTW lounge for fireworks, 2 bathrooms.

Enjoy the uniqueness of BLT.

 

[nole8302]

We just had our first stay/visit @ BLT and it was awesome. My DD is 5 and DS is 3, so MK was a top spot for us. Nice walk to the park early in the morning and monorail ride back in the afternoon. Nice pool too and kids loved the slide. Wife and I love the Grand Mariner Margartia at the pool bar too.

 

[jacksmommy]

You will love the ability to walk to and from the MK - it is worth its weight in gold with young kids! I love AKV/AKL - it feels like home to me but the convenience of BLT to MK, seeing the castle every time you go to the elevator and just being in the middle of everything can not be beat. We had a lake/pool view and I loved seeing the water parade and my in-laws could watch us swim in the pool from the balcony which was perfect for them. I love the modern decor with a Disney-twist. You'll love it!

 

[GW45]

We own at AKL but found its only convenient to AK and far from everything else. Loved the animals but didn't care for the dark theming and the 20 minute round trip from the room to the lobby or pool was a deal breaker for us having walked miles at the parks during the day. We're at BLT now for one night and the difference! Not crazy about the look of the main building(Contemporary Resort) but the convenience to MK is fantastic and BLT itself is nice. We watched the fireworks from the DVC lounge on the 16th floor tonight and it was perfect.

 

[quandrea]

We own at AKL but found its only convenient to AK and far from everything else. Loved the animals but didn't care for the dark theming and the 20 minute round trip from the room to the lobby or pool was a deal breaker for us having walked miles at the parks during the day. We're at BLT now for one night and the difference! Not crazy about the look of the main building(Contemporary Resort) but the convenience to MK is fantastic and BLT itself is nice. We watched the fireworks from the DVC lounge on the 16th floor tonight and it was perfect.

What view do you have. We had to modify our trip and I can 'afford' a lake view. Should I do it?

 

[jcwedit]

We love them both and we end up doing split stays. We do MK while at bay lake and Animal kingdom while at Kidani. Both great resorts with totally different themes. We don't mind the move mud trip but ymmv.

 

[jcwedit]

What view do you have. We had to modify our trip and I can 'afford' a lake view. Should I do it?

We have had lake views and standard. Really not that different. We always try to book standard first.

 

[spiceycat]

Just booked! Got a standard view one bedroom for eight nights during March Break. Really excited. I imagine my eldest and I heading over to the MK after the twins are in bed for an ice cream or one ride. Am I dreaming? Here we come. DH said it was time to shake things up. We will have stayed at Animal Kingdom 4 times in a row, so here we go.

ask for north side even number rooms. you might get a side view of the MK.
as for your dream - you can definitely do it - the walk is no longer than 10 minutes - most can do it in less time.

both CR and BLT have activities. BLT has the activites center (community hall)- it is on the first floor - near the exits for the pool. so you might be surprised. have found this ch less busy than the others - probably because nothing can competitive with the MK.

if there is not an activity list for both BLT and CR in what you are given at the front desk - ask for it - at the front desk or ac.

 

[quandrea]

ask for north side even number rooms. you might get a side view of the MK.
as for your dream - you can definitely do it - the walk is no longer than 10 minutes - most can do it in less time.

both CR and BLT have activities. BLT has the activites center (community hall)- it is on the first floor - near the exits for the pool. so you might be surprised. have found this ch less busy than the others - probably because nothing can competitive with the MK.

if there is not an activity list for both BLT and CR in what you are given at the front desk - ask for it - at the front desk or ac.

Thanks for this. I've been toying with upgrading to a lake view, but someone else here says they always book Standard first. Your specifics regarding requests helps.