Can't Decide? AKL or Yacht Club Resort?

[roozlilone]

Just booked a trip for June 11, 2005 for 7 nights at the Yacht Club! Can't wait, but my question?? I've never stayed at the Yacht Club. But I'm just not sure if I made the right decision. I've stayed at the AKL, WL, PO, CBR and by far the AKL has been my favorite. I guess my question is....Is the Yacht Club worth the extra money. AKL is over $100 less a night. I've always wanted to stay at the Yacht Club but is it worth the price? I don't mind spending the extra money if the resort is worth it...I know the pool is but what about the rooms, are they that much bigger then the AKL and nicer? Can't decide. Please help!!!!

 

[WDW2000]

The Yacht Club is worth the extra price to me because of LOCATION! You are literally in the center of everything WDW has to offer. The pool area is also a big hit if you have children. AK Lodge is beautiful and very relaxing so there is definitely a different atmospher than the Yacht Club, but nothing beats a room at the Yacht Club with a balcony overlooking the lake and Boardwalk if you can get it. It is so nice to be able to take a boat to either the MGM Studios or EPCOT as well. I much prefer that than the busses at AKL. ALSO, if you are going during the hotter season, there are many more shaded and cooler areas in the Yacht Club. I found it very hard to escape the heat when we were at the AKL. The rooms at the Yacht Club feel bigger to me, though I'm not sure if they are. They are very nicely decorated with light, soft beach tones, which always relaxes me. THE rooms at AKL are a little too dark for me. I can promise you that you will not be disappointed one bit with the Yacht or Beach Club. I've never heard anyone who has stayed there who didn't just love it.

 

[Got Quattro?]

I will tell you in a week.

I stayed at the Yacht Club in March or 2004, and am staying on Animal Kingdom lodge this weekend for the first time.

YC/BC are so far my favorite places to stay. LOCATION is awesome.

 

[ADisneygirl]

I haven't stayed at the YC, but the location is GREAT. We usually stay at the BWI. We love to be able to walk into Epcot and MGM or take the boat. The whole area around there is relaxing to us.

We have also stayed at the AKL and loved it. I think you will find the rooms a little bigger at YC. The rooms at BWI are.

 

[HM]

I'd pick AKL over the YC. I've stayed at both. The only thing that YC has over the AKL is location (I like walking to Epcot and MGM) and a better pool. AKL has much more interesting decor (imo) and I like that it has a quick service eating place, which we used a lot (Beaches and Cream and Hurricane Hannahs are not in the same league as Mara). I'd find plenty of uses for that extra $100.

Good luck with your decision. -HM

 

[Grumpy92]

The rooms are larger and you cant beat the location. We also were upgraded from a stnd to a lake view. It was wonderful we set on the balcony and watched illuminations from our room. I can also tell you this is the best cluster of restaurants in this area.

 

[daannzzz]

I have stayed at both and it is a hard decision. The Yacht Club feel more formal than most of the other WDW resorts. We had a great room with a wonderful view and the location was awesome. Staing in the Epcot resort area has a more exciting, busy feel to it. There is so much to be able to walk to and places to go eat ...it just feels vibrant.
As you know the AKL has an isolated feeling which I think makes it more relaxing and quiet. I also really like the interior decore and feel of the AKL better.
I think you should give the YC a try just for variety.

 

[roozlilone]

Thanks for all the good advice....there seems to be great reasons to choose either one. I have two little girls, ages 5 and 7 and we we usually come back to the hotel to eat lunch and take naps and relax, is either better for that? I know it seems crazy to get sooo....wrap up in where you stay when you go to Disney World, but for us, where we stay is what makes or breaks our trip!

 

[Erin12303]

We like the location and pool at the Yacht Club. Also, the room size is very nice.

I like the AKL for the atmosphere.

I don't think you can make a bad decision but it might be nice to add YC to your "tried it" list.

Have fun!

 

[JayCT]

I have never stayed at AKL, but it seems so far removed from everything that I have no interest in it. I know a lot of people here love it but we are not big fans of AK either. We did stay at YC last MAy and loved it. The service, pool and location can not be beat. The rooms are wonderful and bigger than AKL. YC is a bit formal for oour casual tastes (we love the Poly best) but if you have always wanted to stay there, go for it.

 

[Micca]

Haven't stayed at YC but stayed at BWI(just across the lake) for the first time this year and agree about the location. We have stayed at AKL a couple of times and liked it a lot. At $100 a night less, that would be hard for me to pass up.

 

[robinb]

If price is no object, I would recommend the YC. The location is great and you'll add another resort to your list. Just make sure to check over on www.mousesavers.com regularly for discount codes. For instance, rates for the YC though April are currently available. In the past, codes for June have come out in March.

 

[NeedsNEscape]

I think the Beach Club might be cheaper than the Yacht by a couple of bucks, it is also closer to the back entrance of Epcot if you want to walk with your two small children. Both the Yacht and Beach Club have quiet pools which was really nice. AKL only had the one pool and during the summer it was pretty crowded when we were there. The YC was a bit quieter and darker than the BC as I recall. It was really cool to see the fireworks from the balcony at the YC/BC, too. Although the food was really great at AKL, I liked the YC/BC.

However, my kids would rather go back to the AKL! go figure... they really liked animal watching.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by NeedsNEscape
I think the Beach Club might be cheaper than the Yacht by a couple of bucks, it is also closer to the back entrance of Epcot if you want to walk with your two small children. Both the Yacht and Beach Club have quiet pools which was really nice. AKL only had the one pool and during the summer it was pretty crowded when we were there. The YC was a bit quieter and darker than the BC as I recall. It was really cool to see the fireworks from the balcony at the YC/BC, too. Although the food was really great at AKL, I liked the YC/BC.

However, my kids would rather go back to the AKL! go figure... they really liked animal watching.

Pricing for the Beach Club is the same as the Yacht Club as is the Boardwalk Inn.

 

[flagirl]

I've never stayed at AKL - I am sure it is also really nice. But I just stayed at the Yacht Club in Sept. It is GREAT. If you have little kids - the POOL itself is worth the extra $$$. Plus it will be easier and quicker to get to at least 2 of the parks. Lots of eating options - You can go watch fireworks every night at Epcot and just walk back to the room. The other feature to me that made it so good was the balcony in every room. (Not sure - AKL may have that too but I don't know..) I have an 18 month old and when she would nap we would sit and read outside on the balcony - we also got a free upgrade to lakeview. At night we would buy wine (at France in Epcot) and sit on the balcony and enjoy watching the boardwalk and drink wine while our daughter slept.

I will say the lobby is a little stuffy. The decor was just ok for me. But that wasn't enough to outweigh all the other really positive aspects.

Either choice I am sure you will have a great time!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by roozlilone
Just booked a trip for June 11, 2005 for 7 nights at the Yacht Club! Can't wait, but my question?? I've never stayed at the Yacht Club. But I'm just not sure if I made the right decision. I've stayed at the AKL, WL, PO, CBR and by far the AKL has been my favorite. I guess my question is....Is the Yacht Club worth the extra money. AKL is over $100 less a night. I've always wanted to stay at the Yacht Club but is it worth the price? I don't mind spending the extra money if the resort is worth it...I know the pool is but what about the rooms, are they that much bigger then the AKL and nicer? Can't decide. Please help!!!!

Personally, I would stick with the YC, but here is why:
1 - SAB is phenomenal
2 - You can easily walk to Epcot and MGM
3 - The Boardwalk is a short walk away and so much fun!
4 - The theming of YC and BC is beautiful!

HAVE FUN!

 

[MLAinVA]

We've stayed at AKL several tomes and really enjoyed it. But we decided this week to go for a "Mickey quickie" December 16-19 and were able to get a rate of $165 for YC. We couldn't pass it up! (Shades of Green overflow rate) We'll let you know whether we made a good decision when we get back.

 

[JESW]

Why not split your stay? Stay at the AKL for the first couple of nights and then switch over to the Yacht Club. We have been splitting our stay the last couple of trips and we really like that - it's as if you are getting two different vacations. Pack up your bags on the day you switch, head off to the parks and Disney will move you. Later in the day go check in to your new resort - not too bad.

We stayed at the AKL one time and while I really liked it, I missed being in the center of things like at an EPCOT resort.

Jill

 

[Bracho]

Location...Location...Location...

I would go with the Yacht Club. I think it's worth the extra money due to the location.

Good Luck!