Help deciding - split stay Poly/Riv or Poly/AKV

[Honeypot]

Ok, so we are 99% sure we are cancelling our upcoming trip in Feb/March due to all the headaches with travel/testing/quarantine right now. So, I am planning another trip for August this year, and I have upped our time and budget because we haven't gone anywhere in so long! I feel like I deserve to treat myself

Right now I am thinking of 9 or 10 nights. I know we will do part of our stay (5/6 nights) at the Poly, as it's one resort I really want to try. My husband, who thinks I'm crazy planning such a long trip, I think would love something with more space and quiet. So I want to do a split stay and have been looking at either a 1 bedroom at Riviera, or a 1 bedroom at AKV (Jambo). I like the suites at Riviera better, and I think it would be more comfortable for the kids, although they are young enough to sleep anywhere I'm sure. I also like the skyliner access, although maybe it's less of a perk in August. The pools look nice, but not as nice as AKL, and of course you have the animals there as well.

We are a party of 4, myself, my husband, and 2 boys who will be 12 and 9 by then. Which resort which you choose, based on getting away, kids, time of year...or anything else that you would use! And would you do it at the beginning or end of the trip?

 

[Marthasor]

That's a tough one. I've stayed in one-bedrooms at both RIV and AKV-Jambo and, while I think AKV-Jambo is a more interesting resort, the rooms at RIV are absolutely gorgeous and are rivaled, IMHO, only by the villas at VGF. We found the RIV 1-bedroom to be incredibly comfortable - the queen Murphy bed in the living room feels like a real bed unlike the pullouts in the majority of DVC 1-bedrooms (like AKV-Jambo). I also think if you will visit EP/DHS more than AK during that part of your trip, RIV makes going to those parks much more convenient. On the other hand, AKV offers you more dining options onsite (Jiko, Boma, Sanaa, the Mara, etc.) whereas RIV only has 1 TS and 1 QS and, if the Skyliner goes down (which may happen often during August storms) it eliminates that transportation perk. I would probably do the villa after Poly.

 

[CarolynFH]

I would not do a 1 BR at Jambo - Only one bathroom, across the hall from the bedroom, no private entrance from the BR itself, bath has a tub shower with a crazy wide rim that as an adult I had a very hard time stepping over. If you can afford Riviera, much better! But if you want AKL, book 1 BR at Kidani - 2 full baths, foldout couch and foldout chair so both kids have their own beds.

 

[Honeypot]

That's a tough one. I've stayed in one-bedrooms at both RIV and AKV-Jambo and, while I think AKV-Jambo is a more interesting resort, the rooms at RIV are absolutely gorgeous and are rivaled, IMHO, only by the villas at VGF. We found the RIV 1-bedroom to be incredibly comfortable - the queen Murphy bed in the living room feels like a real bed unlike the pullouts in the majority of DVC 1-bedrooms (like AKV-Jambo). I also think if you will visit EP/DHS more than AK during that part of your trip, RIV makes going to those parks much more convenient. On the other hand, AKV offers you more dining options onsite (Jiko, Boma, Sanaa, the Mara, etc.) whereas RIV only has 1 TS and 1 QS and, if the Skyliner goes down (which may happen often during August storms) it eliminates that transportation perk. I would probably do the villa after Poly.

Thanks for your thoughts. That is why I'm struggling, I like AKV much more as a resort, but the rooms are just gorgeous at the RIV, and I think everyone will be more comfortable there. And I'm not sure of the value add of the skyliner in August. I was leaning towards the suite after Poly, so right now I have booked 6 nights there, and 4 at the Riv while I mull this over some more. I figured AKV will be available for longer, so easier to move that way than the reverse.

 

[Honeypot]

I would not do a 1 BR at Jambo - Only one bathroom, across the hall from the bedroom, no private entrance from the BR itself, bath has a tub shower with a crazy wide rim that as an adult I had a very hard time stepping over. If you can afford Riviera, much better! But if you want AKL, book 1 BR at Kidani - 2 full baths, foldout couch and foldout chair so both kids have their own beds.

Thanks for the advice, I like Jambo better, but those are good points for Kidani with the second bathroom and a bed for each kid (with my sons, that will make everyone happier! ) . Right now, Rivieria is not much more than AK, maybe $160 total? Not enough to sway me one way or the other with regards to pricing.