BW or AKL

[Mousefan mom]

Hello,

We are planning an adult trip in August, and we will have a couple of built in resort days (over 50 now, and the body loves the rest between park days!). We are currently booked at BW, have stayed there before and love it. We have never stayed at AKL and we were considering switching. I know we would give up skyliner access, but the last time we were there in summer it went down frequently due to storms (not sure if this is the case--its been about 4 years). One concern for AKL, if I understand correctly there is no quiet pools--do the main pools get packed? I know when we stay at Poly, etc. They are so busy we generally just go to the quiet pools. Thank you! Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We'd always do AKL over BW if given an option. There isn't a 'quiet' pool at AKL, but you do have access to both pools, the one at Jambo and one at Kidani. The Jambo pool is very large and we've rarely felt overly crowded there (but we've not been there in the heat of August, so I'm sure swimming is very popular!). We love the Jambo pool because you can find chairs inside the 'fence' by the water, and there are also many chairs (and shade) just outside the fence where you can enjoy the day with just a short walk to the water. The Kidani pool is a bit smaller and maybe a bit more for kids with the splash area.

We also feel the dining options at AKL are the best resort options on property with Boma, Jiko, Sanaa, and The Mara (but that depends on your tastes!).

While Skyliner can be a big plus, it definitely does go down during the summer storms..... Enjoy your trip whichever resort you choose!

 

[ktink]

DH & I are both over 50. We've stayed at both & prefer BWI. But we prefer monorail or Epcot area resorts. BWI was our first deluxe hotel so that plays a part in our choice also.

AKL is beautiful & Jiko is one of our favorite restaurants on property! Since you are doing some resort days, the transportation might not factor in as much as it did for us. By the end of our 8 night stay at AKL, we were over the buses. We were there in early September & the pool didn't seem overly crowded even though the majority of the chairs were taken.

I don't think you can go wrong with either though!

 

[VGCgroupie]

The pools at AKV can get very busy, the Kidani pool is busier do it having a better slide, splash pad and it being smaller than Jambo. But many still do gravitate to Jambo because it's near QS dining. I know they say BW has long hallways, but imo they have nothing on AKL hallways. If you will be in the room a fair amount of time being able to see the animals from a Savanna view room is pretty amazing and no other view can really compare. Keep in mind parts of AKL are undergoing refurb.

I adore BW and didnt adore AK. Just so you know wear my personal feelings on it are when making my comments.

 

[Mousefan mom]

We ended up changing things up all around. We decided to save $1000 and switched from BW to POR. Once we discovered the deluxe benefits just aren't quite worth the extra park time perk right now (AK instead of MK) and added it up, we had money leftover to buy the evening event at Epcot and we figured with the 2 resort days we had built in, POR looked very relaxing, better food options, had quiet pools, and is close to Disney Springs. Hopefully we don't regret it, but so far my pocket book is smiling at me. I know the last time we went late summer and stayed at BW, it felt like the Skyliner (and the boats) went down daily for several hours due to lightening in the area--which negated the transportation benefit. However, we will see, lol...it has been a while since we did full bus transport. Either way--its a week at Disney

 

[sponica]

We ended up changing things up all around. We decided to save $1000 and switched from BW to POR. Once we discovered the deluxe benefits just aren't quite worth the extra park time perk right now (AK instead of MK) and added it up, we had money leftover to buy the evening event at Epcot and we figured with the 2 resort days we had built in, POR looked very relaxing, better food options, had quiet pools, and is close to Disney Springs. Hopefully we don't regret it, but so far my pocket book is smiling at me. I know the last time we went late summer and stayed at BW, it felt like the Skyliner (and the boats) went down daily for several hours due to lightening in the area--which negated the transportation benefit. However, we will see, lol...it has been a while since we did full bus transport. Either way--its a week at Disney

I personally have never minded the busses from POR. You're close to Epcot and MK, and it's not that far for the other 2.

 

[RuntheMouse]

We ended up changing things up all around. We decided to save $1000 and switched from BW to POR. Once we discovered the deluxe benefits just aren't quite worth the extra park time perk right now (AK instead of MK) and added it up, we had money leftover to buy the evening event at Epcot and we figured with the 2 resort days we had built in, POR looked very relaxing, better food options, had quiet pools, and is close to Disney Springs. Hopefully we don't regret it, but so far my pocket book is smiling at me. I know the last time we went late summer and stayed at BW, it felt like the Skyliner (and the boats) went down daily for several hours due to lightening in the area--which negated the transportation benefit. However, we will see, lol...it has been a while since we did full bus transport. Either way--its a week at Disney

For an adult trip at a moderate, did you consider CSR? I think the food/beverage options are superior there and the pool options are many. I think the rooms are nicer there as well.
No matter where you stay, you’ll have a great time I’m sure!

 

[Mousefan mom]

For an adult trip at a moderate, did you consider CSR? I think the food/beverage options are superior there and the pool options are many. I think the rooms are nicer there as well.
No matter where you stay, you’ll have a great time I’m sure!

We did, I have never stayed there before because we used to travel with a family of 5 and their rooms didn't match us--but they didn't have any rooms available during our stay.

 

[patty57]

Not being snarky, but what is the benefit of the skyliner at BW? It's right at the international gateway for Epcot, and by the time you walk to it to go to HS, you can walk to HS, or take a friendship boat.
I stay at BW a lot, and never even think about the skyliner, except to take a ride for fun.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Not being snarky, but what is the benefit of the skyliner at BW? It's right at the international gateway for Epcot, and by the time you walk to it to go to HS, you can walk to HS, or take a friendship boat.
I stay at BW a lot, and never even think about the skyliner, except to take a ride for fun.

Agreed. The only time we use it (while staying at BC or BW) is if we get a breakfast/dinner reservation at Topolinos at Riviera!

 

[Mousefan mom]

Not being snarky, but what is the benefit of the skyliner at BW? It's right at the international gateway for Epcot, and by the time you walk to it to go to HS, you can walk to HS, or take a friendship boat.
I stay at BW a lot, and never even think about the skyliner, except to take a ride for fun.

You aren't wrong--it is a further walk to HS, but the benefit is likely just walking into and out of the international entrance at Epcot. That is pretty awesome if you end your evening in the showcase--having said that...it was literally a $1000 more than our new resort, and for $1000, I'll walk.

 

[gottalovepluto]

We ended up changing things up all around. We decided to save $1000 and switched from BW to POR…

Your people can found here. Welcome!

As the Ticker Turns...the neverending saga of the Resort Changers​