If you like AKV, do you like BLT

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

We own both 0 DH wanted AKV & I wanted BLT. WE are staying BLT in less than a month and at AKV in November. I can't wait for either trip! I wanted BLT for the simplicity of being able to walk to MK which is my kids fav park right now and the ease of having the monorail to get to some of our fav restraunants and then Epcot. Dh likes AKV for many of the reasons others have posted.

 

[toniosmom]

I'm curious as to the size comparison of a BLT studio vs an AKV studio. Has anyone done both? (I already know the stories about the location of the BLT bathroom and kitchen sinks.) I'm more curious about the spaciousness of the living space itself.

 

[DenLo]

. . . . . . I'm sure that even if we don't love the decor, we will love it for location. Maybe we'll try to visit next week. Does anyone know if you can walk around the resort? I read some reports of needing key access to get in to BLT. Could we walk in the ground floor and out to the pool area? I like visiting resorts before staying there, so maybe this will get me excited about it.
Thanks again.

BLT is key locked so you would need to know someone to get in. However, I would think you could go to CR and ask at the front desk if you could see a villa (ask for the one you would rent) and look around the lobby and pool as you are considering making a reservation for your next stay.

If that doesn't work, you could take the BLT tour. Any DVC kiosk rep can sign you up. There is a presentation in the TOTWL with a game and either a continental breakfast or snacks in the afternoon. Followed by a tour of a GV (if one is available), and a 2 BR lock off. You also see the pool, community hall and lobby. It takes a couple of hours. One of the gifts is a fast pass card (3 FP per card) for each individual in your party. Which will make up for the fact that you don't make a rope drop that day.

 

[Iggipolka]

We own at AKV and stayed at BLT in March. We loved BLT and would absolutely stay there again. In fact, my wife would prefer to stay at BLT over AKV.
We loved how light the rooms are, how big they are and how streamlined the furniture is. The convenience of being on the monorail line and being within walking distance of MK can't be beat. It was also a very short walk to the Contemporary to use their food court and shopping. We were extremely pleased with our stay at BLT and are hoping that we'll be able to stay there during our next trip to WDW.

 

[magicmommy]

We own at both and love them equally.

 

[DVC Grammy]

I'm curious as to the size comparison of a BLT studio vs an AKV studio. Has anyone done both? (I already know the stories about the location of the BLT bathroom and kitchen sinks.) I'm more curious about the spaciousness of the living space itself.

My DD and I stayed there in January, in a LV studio. Having stayed in all the DVC studios, the BLT studio is my least favorite. As 2 adults, we felt very cramped (we're just average-sized women), and the back-to-back sinks in the kitchenette/washroom area was very cramped and a bit gross (making coffee while the other is brushing her teeth.............ugh). Although the no-lock sliding bathroom door wasn't a problem for us, I wonder how it would work if there were active toddlers/kids sharing the room.
We did enjoy the TOTWL and the location, but I'll stay with the other DVCs as far as studios are concerned.

 

[jarestel]

AKV has something no other DVC resort has... animals! That's the reason we choose to stay at AKV. And of course, the theme of the resort is spectacular as well. [disclaimer: AKV owner here]

The BLT experience is totally different. You're right in the middle of everything the Magic Kingdom area has to offer. Though I enjoy AKV's animal views, I think I find BLT's location and proximity to the MK resort area preferable. [disclaimer: non-BLT owner here]

The room layouts are, excepting decor, fairly similar as far as space and rooms go. Of course, in my case, room decor is probably the least important thing on my list. For those who place more value on this than I do, YMMV.

 

[Lost in Neverland]

We have stayed at both resorts and still tend to lean toward AKV.We really enjoyed BLT in the sense that early morning was magical watching the MK come to life and the ferries as well as other water transportation come to life. We were lucky to have a LV room on the North facing side that allowed us to see both the MK and fireworks as well as having the quiet of the lake.
In the end though AKV felt more like home. The rich colors and heavy furniture is more of the way we live day to day which made us feel very comfortable. AKV has a feel to it for us that I can not explain but if I have to pick between the two resorts AKV would win hands down.By the way has anyone noticed the light scent that is always present at AKV? It is a very calming scent almost like a spice.

 

[luvthattink]

We have stayed at AK - Jambo, Kidani and BLT. We are not really fans of the modern style and weren't sure what we would think of BLT. However, after staying there we really enjoyed it. You can't beat the location and using info obtained from these boards we had a great view of the MK even though we had a LV room. We are already booked to be there 2 more times this year. With all of this in mind we also really love AKV. In fact while I am typing this I am watching a live streaming video from Kidani.

It is difficult to put the two resorts in the same category. They are completely different and we love both for different reasons.

I just booked a 2 bdrm LV for November 9-19th and am curious as to what information you could pass along to me that would help us to potentially have a view of the MK with a LV room. Any tips would be greatly appreciated

 

[SunnieRN]

I am VERY excited! We own at AKV and BLT. We have stayed at SS, OKW, WLV, and AKV. I loved them all for different reasons and they all had things that were not my favorites.

This June we will be doing a split stay at BLT and AK Jambo villas. Both will be "firsts", so I am looking forward to it. The reasons we chose the two resorts are due to the fact that they are so different with totally different experiences, decors and locations.

 

[MiaSRN62]

AKV and BLT are both our "home" resorts. We love them both for very different reasons. We're the types that like variety as well.....so we feel like we get that when we take turns staying at each of these resorts.

Maria

 

[Vickis3js]

We are having similar problems. Our kids are wanting to stay at BLT and DH and I just can't seem to get excited about it. We did the tour and it just wasn't for us. Of course staying there and being that close to MK may change our minds. So we will try at 7 months for something and hope for the best. If not we will be more then happy to stay at AKL. We really want to try them all atleast once but I do love the fact that AKL and BLT gives you 2 bathrooms in a 1bd and we can fit our family of 5 in a 1bd totally saves on points!

 

[dbs1228]

Our day visit to AKV is what sold us on dvc, but some how we ended up buying at BLT and resale at SSR (THV is our 1st choice of places to stay). We only have a few years left traveling with our DD's so BLT will be convienent, and give them the ability to stay at the parks way later then we desire! I cannot wait to go to AKV with DH and myself, we plan on trying all the resorts so we have several years to go before deciding where our favorite place to stay is. Too many resorts so little time!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I think my signature answers the OP's question from my perspective, at least. I love both resorts as they are both extremes of the Disney spectrum IMO. IMO, they are the two most Disney resorts in all of DVC and like I said, for totally different reasons.

Buy where you love to stay. I bought both.

 

[SFD998]

We may try to book it for our Oct '11 trip. It would be really nice for MNSSHP, and to get to F&W, although I'm sure many others will feel this way, so it may be hard to get into for Oct. Thanks again.

I don't know how it will be by Oct '11, but we stayed there in Oct '09 and have managed to get back in for Oct '10. We do not own at BLT. I can tell you that the reason we stayed in '09 was because it was brand new and figured we could get in with it only being opened about a month when we went. The reason we went for it again it '10 was because it worked so well in '09. Being able to go to MNSSHP and walk back to the room at the end of the night if we wanted to was great. It worked so well we actually bought tickets for a second night.

 

[SFD998]

I'm curious as to the size comparison of a BLT studio vs an AKV studio. Has anyone done both? (I already know the stories about the location of the BLT bathroom and kitchen sinks.) I'm more curious about the spaciousness of the living space itself.

We have stayed in both and I think it felt smaller at BLT than at AKV. However, we had the kids with us at BLT and it was only the wife and I at AKV. This probably makes all the difference in the world.

 

[spiceycat]

the studio are definitely smaller (unless you are talking about value at Jambo house).

that say since only travel solo or with one other person- it doesn't make alot of different.

a family of 4 would be very tight in a BLT studio. while in a studio at Kidani - they would be fine.

love both of them for different reasons.

love AKV because it is lovely, watching the animals can be fun, learning about the animals and Africia culture can be even more fun. not likely to go to africia - but can enjoy AKV.

love BLT because you can walk to the MK, the CM's are some of the best, you can easily get to the Polyn, GF and MK with the monrail, you walk across the bridge to CR, the boat marina is one of the best with all types of water stuff you can do, the arcade at CR is one of the best, Top of the World is wonderful!!! the community center has lots of things to do - despite its small size.

just being at BLT makes me happy....

 

[thelionqueen]

just being at BLT makes me happy....

You said it!!!

 

[majortom1981]

I own at AKV and took a tour of blt. Maybe its because I am only 30 min from NYC but BLT feels like Staying at NYC and I go to vacation to get away from home lol .

AKV feels totally different teh anywhere by me here at home.