If you had a choice

[Epcot Forever Forever]

I’d suggest you ask the 9 and 12 year olds which one they want, by the way. Let them watch some YouTube videos. Both great resorts, can’t go wrong, don’t let perfection get in the way of fantastic.

 

[MsChristy12]

Usually I would say go with AKL since you have kids and the safari would be so much fun for them. However, seeing that you're doing 6 park days and staying only 7-8 days, you might not even have that much time to enjoy the safari? In this case, I would say go with BRV, especially you have the boat as a 2nd option for transportation.

 

[NVDISFamily]

For those of you who have been to AK, how much of a pain are the busses? I just want to make sure it won't affect us a ton. We plan to RD EP and AK. Maybe one day at MK as well. But I imagine if we aren't in the area it's a ride to MK anyway?

Wilderness Lodge is our favorite resort on property but AKV is tied for a close 2nd place in terms of being a magical themed place. I would not let the bus ride worry you too much. In some ways the longer bus ride can be a blessing as it's more rest time with someone else doing the driving (plus more time in AC but that's not as big of a deal during the time of your visit). I will say that none of our trips to AKV in the busses were ever crazy crowded vs our bus from HS to Wilderness Lodge was shared with the Contemporary which made it a bit busier and also took more time.

I'd give the edge to BRV/WL as you are doing two MK days.

 

[Stormalong Smiths]

Regarding your question about buses: One important factor to consider with your littlest one is that, if you're using a stroller, it will need to be folded down on all buses. IME, the boats from WL/BRV to MK are usually large enough that you can drive the stroller right on, so that saves you at least two days of bus transfers with your stroller. That can make a huge difference if baby falls asleep on the go. For that reason, I would lean slightly towards BRV... though you can't go wrong between BRV & AKL!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We're biased towards AKL, as it's our favorite. The talk is always about how far away it is from everything, and that's exaggerated. The only long bus ride is to MK. Just like it's a long bus ride from the monorail resorts to AK. If you have 2 days planned for MK, the AKL location might not be the best for those days - but the buses will still work well for you. The other days, the bus rides are probably a little shorter to EP, HS, and definitely AK, depending on your final choice.

We have traveled to WDW late January most years, and it's the rare year that we don't have at least a couple days for swimming. At AKL, you'll have 2 pool options, both really nice. The splash pad at the Kidani pool is very popular. The Jambo pool is large and beautiful. And both pools have easy access to additional animal viewing. Depending on your family's dining tastes, AKL also has (in our opinion) the best resort dining options of any Disney resort, with Boma, Sanaa, Jiko, the The Mara.

In reality, you don't have a bad choice for a resort on your list - all beautiful places with pros and cons. But don't shy away from AKL because you read it's so far away - it's just not true! It's more remote, but not far. And in many ways, we find that to be an advantage - it seems a bit less hectic. Good luck with your choice, and have a great trip! We'll be there, too!

 

[I Run Long]

Hello from Vancouver Island! I'm biased as you can probably tell from my signature line, but I would probably recommend AKV with BRV a close 2nd. We've stayed at all the other resorts but I would recommend SSR/OKW for an adults trip due to the proximity to Disney Springs. Anyway, at AKV buses are often and we've never waited more that 5-10 minutes (the only exception being busses to Disney Springs). You will have to fold up the stroller for the little one, but that would be the case for most resorts since you're going to end up taking a bus to at least 1 or more of the parks no matter where you stay. Your kids will love the savanna view and there is simply no place like it unless you plan on a visit to Africa. It is such a unique experience! Oh, and if you stay in Kidani in a 1 bedroom you will have 2 full bathrooms rather than 1 like everywhere else. But I do agree, have your kids watch some YouTube videos and see what they think! Let us know what you decide and have a fabulous trip.

 

[RoseGold]

I've gone in January, and even Stormalong Bay is empty. Even the Canadians wouldn't swim then. If you remove the pool (which would lean BR), I'm hands down safari view. It's a wonderful room and kids really enjoy the aspect of seeing animals outside your room.

But this resort is HUGE. If you have a studio, laundry can be a workout to go several times all over the building.

I don't think the buses are that bad, and it's not like it's that much further than SSR/OKW.

Another factor might be noise. In my experience, BR was one of the worst soundproofed, and AKL one of the best. I didn't even get unlucky with my BR neighbors and I could hear which episdoe of Bluey they had on.

 

[RoseGold]

Regarding your question about buses: One important factor to consider with your littlest one is that, if you're using a stroller, it will need to be folded down on all buses. IME, the boats from WL/BRV to MK are usually large enough that you can drive the stroller right on, so that saves you at least two days of bus transfers with your stroller. That can make a huge difference if baby falls asleep on the go. For that reason, I would lean slightly towards BRV... though you can't go wrong between BRV & AKL!

WL used to be runnning a small boat and a larger, accessible boat, so you maybe at 50/50 for having to fold. VGF/Poly is now running an accessible boat too, so it seemed to me in June that this was impacting WL. We went to WL twice and had to fold all four trips.

But I really don't think this is a huge deal, on the boats or the buses. I've done it plenty alone, and people will help you. I wouldn't pick the resort based on the buses, which aren't that worse than the boat.

 

[HairyChest]

I’ve stayed at all of them.
Without question, Boulder Ridge.
There is a certain warmth & magic to staying there & around the MK area that you don’t get through pictures & videos, the theming is the best, beautiful, new renod rooms, the view of the lake & trees is spectacular, the boatride to MK is very special.

Animal Kingdom is very nice BUT you cannot see the savannah when it gets dark, its pitch black, so unless you are in the room for significant time during daylight, its limited in enjoyment. To me, seeing a huge lake is nicer than a view of a savannah. Only having bus transportation is a negative. Beautiful lobby & grounds.

Old Key West doesn’t have much to it.

Saratoga Springs is BEAUTIFUL and has Port Orleans Riverside vibes. The boatride to Disney Springs (and the walk) is very nice. Feels like you stepped back in time (in a wonderful way)

Answer: Boulder Ridge

 

[I Run Long]

Animal Kingdom is very nice BUT you cannot see the savannah when it gets dark, its pitch black, so unless you are in the room for significant time during daylight, its limited in enjoyment.

That simply isn’t true. Unless you were there during a complete blackout, the savanna is lit at night. It maintains a moonlit feel where you can see the animals and the front desk has night vision goggles you can borrow too.

 

[RoseGold]

That simply isn’t true. Unless you were there during a complete blackout, the savanna is lit at night. It maintains a moonlit feel where you can see the animals and the front desk has night vision goggles you can borrow too.

Yes, I was up at 4AM with jet lag once and saw tons and tons of animals. They have some lighting on them. It's nowhere near pitch black. If your room is dark, you can def see the savanna.

 

[bwang123]

I'm sort of tempted by the AK safari view but I know the resort is far from everything.

It's closest to the best park in all of Disney World, Animal Kingdom.

We've stayed at AK several times and the distance to other parks has never bothered us.

 

[matt and beth]

Long story short, we may have a chance to stay at a DVC resort in late January. Our choices seem to be

Animal Kingdom (safari view)
Boulder Ridge
Old Key West
Saratoga Springs

We will have 7-8 days there and do 6 park days. We will have an infant, a 12 year old and a 9 year old. Our parks will likely be 2 days MK, 2 days HS, and one day at EP and AK. No hoppers. If it's not too cold we will swim (and are Canadian so not too cold is relative! )

I'm sort of tempted by the AK safari view but I know the resort is far from everything.

Which one would you pick? Why? Any advice is super appreciated. We will be happy to stay at any of the resorts, but if we have a choice, what should we pick?

AK hands down. You won’t regret it. It’s further out than say OKW or SSR but there are multiple bus stops at those locations. It balances out. If you can swing the 1 bedroom at AKL Kidani you get the 2 baths

 

[HairyChest]

That simply isn’t true. Unless you were there during a complete blackout, the savanna is lit at night. It maintains a moonlit feel where you can see the animals and the front desk has night vision goggles you can borrow too.

A little presumptuous of you to claim my experience as false, don’t you think? If you can see the animals at night, Why would you need night vision goggles to see the them then…. ?

It was PITCH BLACK and not a blackout. The Savannah is NOT lit at night for the animals comfort. Have you perhaps considered you had a view of a different savannah with better positioning and visibility than the one I had a view of instead of automatically claiming me a liar?

 

[Sammie]

I don't think the transportation is bad at AKL at all. All resorts have one or two parks that are not convenient regardless. Transportation is never a consideration for me when picking resorts. OKW and SSR are the most convenient to all 4 parks.

I will say until you actually get ready to book you won't know for sure what is available.

 

[Sammie]

A little presumptuous of you to claim my experience as false, don’t you think? If you can see the animals at night, Why would you need night vision goggles to see the them then…. ?

It was PITCH BLACK and not a blackout. The Savannah is NOT lit at night for the animals comfort. Have you perhaps considered you had a view of a different savannah with better positioning and visibility than the one I had a view of instead of automatically claiming me a liar?

Were you at Kidani or Jambo House? I know at Kidani we were able to see the animals that were close to the lodge. A giraffe and baby slept under our balcony every night. As to the night vision goggles it helps see the animals as they move from the softly lit areas into the darkness.

 

[I Run Long]

A little presumptuous of you to claim my experience as false, don’t you think? If you can see the animals at night, Why would you need night vision goggles to see the them then…. ?

It was PITCH BLACK and not a blackout. The Savannah is NOT lit at night for the animals comfort. Have you perhaps considered you had a view of a different savannah with better positioning and visibility than the one I had a view of instead of automatically claiming me a liar?

Sorry if you feel that way - it certainly wasn't my intent. I honestly don't know why or even how the savanna would be pitch black in your experience since the savanna is illuminated to simulate artificial moonlight. The lighting is low so as not to interfere with the animals but at the same time as @Sammie mentions above, the night vision goggles help one to see the animals as they move from softly lit areas. Now obviously you don't have to have the goggles to actually see the animals - it just enhances the experience. I mean I can see the stars at night but a telescope helps me see them more clearly.

 

[I Run Long]

This is the savanna at night. It is low lit for sure but it really is beautiful.

 

[bianca]

AKL would be my vote with kids. We just took our 1, 6 and 8 yo grandkids last December and they all loved it. One important point that I haven’t seen anybody mention is that the time of year you are going, the animals are much more active on the savanna than during warmer months. We’ve never had an issue with transportation. Another huge plus for AKL with kids is the Kidani water play area/pool. I think it would fit well with the ages of your kids ….. something for everyone. Our grandkids sure loved it!

We also purchased a pair of night vision goggles ($100 on Amazon) and the kids got a kick out of watching the animals at night.

 

[RoseGold]

It was PITCH BLACK and not a blackout. The Savannah is NOT lit at night for the animals comfort. Have you perhaps considered you had a view of a different savannah with better positioning and visibility than the one I had a view of instead of automatically claiming me a liar?

I was in two Kidani rooms on either extreme end, and the savanna was (dimly) lit on both sides all night long. This was in June and February 2023. We have no idea when you went or where you stayed.