Can't decide: AKL or BWV studio

[jmatias]

We had the AKL booked for our family (DH, ME, DS8, DS6 and
DD6 mths) for the last 2 nights of our Orlando trip...first two weeks we are at Marriott's Grande Vista. I know the kids would love the AKL.

I just found a trade on Interval for a BW studio for the same dates. We would move out of Grande Vista a couple of days early to stay at BW. Our kids lalso ove the Boardwalk area and the kitchenette will come in handy with our infant.

What to do? Would a Savannah room at AKL and the BW studio be comparable in size?

I'm also hoping to convince my DH to buy into DVC so maybe staying at BW will help.

Any suggestions?

 

[Granny]

I'm also hoping to convince my DH to buy into DVC so maybe staying at BW will help.

I think this line in your post holds the key to your answer!

Take the BWV booking if you can, and show it off to your DH. Also, if the kitchenette adds convenience to you, why not take advantage of it?

 

[pumpkinboy]

The BWV room will likely be larger than the AKL room, plus it has the kitchen facilities (mini-fridge, sink, coffee maker and mirowave), and those are nice advantages. BWV is also a lovely resort (we own there), and is walking distance ( or a lovely boat ride) from Epcot and MGM. The disadvantage is that the BWV studios have a queen and a pull-out double (the one my 4 yr old DD refers to as the "hided bed").

On the other hand, AKL is my favorite hotel ever! especially savannah view (get a view of the central savannah with the zebras, I recommend 2nd floor for optimum viewing). If they ever do DVC there, I will be among the first in line. The theming is gorgeous and the activities for your 6 & 8 yr olds will be great. The rooms will also feature 2 queens, or even better, a queen and bunk beds! which provides a little extra floor space (leaving a little extra room for the portable crib for baby).

If you have not stayed at AKL before, I think you might want to try it out this visit. It is the easier choice (since you already have the ressie) and I think it will meet your needs better this time. And your kids will Love it.

As for getting DH to consider DVC purchase, I suggest you go to lunch at a restaurant at the BW some time during your visit, and take the opportunity to look around (also take a gander at BCV and the cool themed pool there SAB). You could also tell him that DVC pts are usable at AKL (tho not a very good deal , but don't tell him that). Better to do the math on DVC since that was the most convincing for the male numbers wonk in me .

 

[Lexxiefern]

I vote for BWV. It is a fabulous area and if you want to convince your DH to buy in this is the way to do it.

However, AKL looks awesome (we visited on one of our recent visits) and we are staying there before we switch to BWV in sept. Have fun deciding!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Well, if it were for me, I would choose AKL simply because I like that resort more than the BWV/BWI. However, because you want convince the man to purchase DVC, I would do BWV. Once you rope him into the DVC purchase, there will be plenty of time to experience the beauty of The Animal Kindgdom Lodge.

Good luck!...

MG

 

[jmatias]

Thanks for the comments!

I think I need to focus on my goal so that means the animals at AKL can wait.

Maistre Gracey you are right! Once I convince my DH we can go to AKL whenever.

Aloha,
Jen

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Why not skip the Grande Vista altogether and split your stay between AKL and BWV? Unless of course you are using a timeshare or company money for that.

 

[jmatias]

This trip DH's family ( 6 people) are joining us so we have a 3 bedroom villa at Grande Vista for 2 weeks. We are Marriott owners already.

The last couple days of our trip will be just our family. That's when we move to Disney property.

We were at WDW 2 years ago and toured BCV. At that time we decided not to buy into DVC. Main reasons DH thinks Marriotts are better due to amount of resorts, Marriott tends not to be as expensive as DVC, and lastly, we live on Oahu so airfare can be high.

However, since going to WDW, our boys only want to return there. They think Disneyland is too small...talk about being spoiled

Anyway, we'll see if his feelings on DVC changes this trip. He does like the Boardwalk area so thats good. We'll also make a point to visit SSR...he does like the 50 years....

DH knows that I love Disney. He tends to be the more rational one so the "numbers" of it all must make sense to him.

Wish me Luck!
Jen

 

[goofy4dvc]

We took 2 grandkids to WDW a couple of years ago and stayed in a BWV studio the first night and then moved to a 1BR at BWV. I prefer the studios over the regular hotel rooms not only for the mini fridge, microwave, bar area, but I preferred the Q-Bed/Sofabed set up to the 2 QBed set up. During the day, when the sofabed was converted back to a sofa, there was alot more floor space to walk around in the room.

With all the activities of the BW area, and easy access to Epcot and MGM, you will certainly keep busy. But be sure you take a tour of the AKL resort, as well as other resorts too (Wilderness Lodge, Poly, Grand Floridian, etc.). They're all beautiful. Also the BW area is where the new SSR are currently located (until that resort opens in May).

Wishing you good luck and lots of "Pixie Dust" your way!!

 

[jmatias]

Thank you for the pixie dust Mona