BW vs AKL

[MJ6987]

Hi All,
I am considering buying into DVC (probably around 100 points) and trying to work out the best home resort to go for. We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children (6 & 9). Although I can drive I would like to avoid having to hire a car if possible. I am thinking between these two resorts for the following reasons:

1. Boardwalk - mainly down to location, i.e. walking distance to Epcot and Studios) and the fact that point values to book Studios / 1BR Villas seem reasonable compared to other resorts (that is why BW as opposed to BC which has a similar location), excellent dining options around.

2. Animal Kingdom Lodge - theming, particularly the chance to get Savannah Views, activities available at the resort, again reasonable point values (although SV is a bit more), bus service is meant to be good for all parks (and not shared with other resorts?)

So what would people advise? Have I missed (or overstated) and advantages to consider? How good / bad is Disney Transport from BW to MK / AK (are there lots of stops in between?)? How do activities for each resort compare for adults and children? With AKL, would it be difficult to dine in the evening at other resorts if no hire car? How much does the highway proximity detract from the atmostphere at AKL?

Another consideration is which of these resorts would be more difficult to get at 7 months (assuming wanting Savannah View Studio / 1BR at AKL or Standard View Studios / 1 BR at Boardwalk? For info we would mainly be looking at staying February or December (but not "peak" December time). It would be good if I could own at one but still be able to book the other at 7 months out.

I realise this is a LOT of questions, but any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[chalee94]

So what would people advise? Have I missed (or overstated) and advantages to consider? How good / bad is Disney Transport from BW to MK / AK (are there lots of stops in between?)?

make sure you can book exactly at 11 months if you want the cheaper AKV-value rooms or the BWV-standard view rooms, both do go quickly.

for epcot/studios visits, BW can't be beat, but bus service from BWV is a common complaint, as it does share service with other resorts while AKV does not.

AKV expires in 2057 and BWV expires in 2042. that may or may not be important to you.

Another consideration is which of these resorts would be more difficult to get at 7 months (assuming wanting Savannah View Studio / 1BR at AKL or Standard View Studios / 1 BR at Boardwalk? For info we would mainly be looking at staying February or December (but not "peak" December time).

definitely should be easier to book savannah view rooms at 7 months than anything at BWV - but especially the standard view rooms.

ALL december is "peak time" for DVC. (although it does get even more ridiculous between christmas and new year's).

i'm not sure about some of your other questions.

 

[mikesmom]

I'll try to answer some of your questions..
- Bus service. Transport to parks at any of the DVC resorts seems to be an issue for many. There is no DVC resort that had easy, fast transport to ALL of the parks - the place is just too spread out. BWV has easy walk to Epcot or the Studios, bus service to the rest. It shares busses to the other parks and many people have complained about speed, reliability, etc. I haven't seen it. Maybe we're just more laid back -for us, someone else is driving and we'll get there when we get there. In my opinion all busses beat the driving to the park, finding a space, getting transport TO the park gate (as you are in the back forty at the lot), and (the worst) battling the lines to get OUT of the park at closing.
- Activities: It's a draw. Plenty to do on and around the Boardwalk, tons to do around AKL.
- 7 month window: Ok here's a real difference. You will NOT get a Standard View Studio at Boardwalk in December. Doesn't matter that you think you go at non peak times - ALL of December is peak for DVC. ALL. February will even be a challenge. There are not a lot of Standard View rooms at BWV and folks who like to stretch those points snap 'em up at 11 months. It would be a challenge to get one at 7 months any time of the year, not possible in December. Since AKL is not built out yet, nobody knows how that will go at 7 months. But again, all of December is peak for DVC so any ressies at 7 months would need to be made right at the 7 month window and may require some use of the waitlist.

Others will chime in, I'm sure, but given your parameters I would buy where you most want to stay in December.

 

[DeeCee735]

BW at night offers alot for families, adults and kids alike. Even my "almost adult" teens find plenty to do between ESPN and Beaches & Cream and the hot tub and the pool slide, they're pretty happy there.

It is our favorite resort and favorite location, however we did just purchase an add-on at AKV. The theming can't be beat, it's a very relaxing resort, with two great restaurants, a great pool and of course the awesome savannahs.

I imagine it's a tough decision to make, but for a first purchase IOHO, BW - hands down.

Good luck and have fun planning.

 

[crisi]

If you want 100 points through Disney - you only can get VAKL - the 100 point promotion is only available there.

You may be able to find a 100 point BWV contract resale, but it may be a long wait to find the right contract.

 

[DisneyDreamers2007]

We had this same dilemma ourselves!

I personally love the BWV. The location (walking distance to Epcot & the Studios), boardwalk view opportunities, boardwalk atmosphere, using the WDW best pool area (at BCV) and great dining options. I thought the bus ride to other areas in WDW was fine, but it does stop at at Swan/Dolphin & BCV (and I've read that the AKV is a direct route so it is faster). Even though it was fine by me, last year we went with our friends who have kids & they felt the bus rides took too long. This year we rented a car and it was perfect, parking is free throughout WDW and you can get rates for $11 a night through Priceline.

We like the the theming of AKV and they have some of the best restaurants in WDW. The incentives are pretty good buying direct from Disney right now (but you would have to buy 160 points). The biggest reason I would buy AKV is the extra 15 years you would get on your contract. We love BOMA and ended up taking a pretty long bus ride one night between BWV and AKV, then took a taxi back because the buses weren't running out of there past 9:30pm that evening.

In the end we had to buy BWV because we just LOVE staying there and felt that AKV is too isolated. Good luck on your decision...you can't go wrong either one!

Also, here's a link to Our Laughing Place Web Site that calculates how long it takes to get from one point to another (considering all transportation methods) within WDW:
http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.aspx

 

[cfd91]

We just added on 100 points at AKV last week. We did consider trying to get a 100 point add-on at BCV but decided the great incentives and the 2057 expiration was a better option. Remember BWV have 15 years less. We will take our chances getting in other resorts at 7 months. Also have 210 at SSR.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I own BWV and have stayed at AKV. AKV is lovely but, I much prefer BWV. You can walk or take the boat to Epcot and to DS. We actually walk through Epcot to catch the monorail to MK. I can't judge the buses though. We usually rent a car.

 

[5forDiz]

You can't go wrong with either resort in our opinion. Each has their own unique features and advantages .

Our two eldest like BWV because they are now at an age to enjoy walking around Crescent Lake to grab a bite at other resorts and since they are older they now seem to prefer Epcot & Studios somewhat more than MK.

Our youngest just turned 12 but loves BWV as well for its pools, bakery & ice cream treats, boardwalk entertainers and community hall activities are great as well.

That being said we are seriously considering an add-on at AKV because of the current add-on incentive at AKV & extended contract years. Also at Kidani 1BR's will sleep 5 ( & 2 bathrooms) & 2BR's will sleep 9 and the kids are more often wanting cousins or friends to come along too. Kidani's pool area looks to be amazing too.

Since your kids are 6 & 9 you may decide that in the near future AKV offers more that they may be interested in like savannah, pool. And are the 15 extra years on AKV contract important for your family to have ?

It's not easy to decide ! Our home is OKW but there are things we love at each DVC resort. Have you thought to maybe split your points between both BWV & AKV ? Like a try & then decide on a future buy ? if you purchase 50 pt resale at BW you can then add on at AKV and who knows, it is possible that maybe an attractive add-on incentive for that resort will be offered again in the not so distant future. If you are uncertain starting with a smaller contract may be wise & even with a 50 pt resale you can get 4 - 5 studio nights depending on time of year and if you bank you'd have 100 pts to use every other year. Also, once you buy a DVC resale you can then do add-ons directly though DVC if you'd like ( minimum add-on would need to be 25 pts. and if you wanted financing through Disney then the add-on would need to be minimum of 50 pts.). And by adding on directly through DVC there are no closing costs.

Best wishes & hope you'll be enjoying your DVC soon

 

[MJ6987]

We had this same dilemma ourselves!

I personally love the BWV. The location (walking distance to Epcot & the Studios), boardwalk view opportunities, boardwalk atmosphere, using the WDW best pool area (at BCV)

I didn't think this was allowed?

 

[chalee94]

I didn't think this was allowed?

you are correct.