Just back from AKV and BLT

[dr&momto2boys]

We got back last night from a nine night WDW vacation. We stayed at AKV at Kidani in a studio room March 2 through 5th, then at BLT in a one bedroom from March 5th through 11th. Here are some observaions from our trip...

The pool at Kidani is awesome! The kids loved the splash area.

Sanaa was better than I expected.

We are so done with studio rooms! No fault of Disney. The rooms are beautiful, we have just outgrown them...almost officially. It was so nice to move to a one bedroom after the first three nights.

Personally, three nights at AKV are all I prefer to stay. We relax and spend time at AK. It's one of the nicest themed resorts for sure but I'm spoiled by the monorail at BLT.

One bedroom villas are currently the perfect size for my family with little kids. (As the kids grow and we add one more, we'll be a 2bdr family soon enough.) It's so nice to have the laundry machines in the unit too.

I really liked the BLT rooms. I'm not a fan of the styling normally, but I thought it was really nice. I loved the kitchen island and booth.

We were surprised by a nice view of both Bay Lake and the MK--even though it was classified as standard view.

The 5th floor was a great place to be. It's the same level (so no extra elevator needed) as the bridge to the Contemporary and therefore the restaurants.

The pool at BLT is very nice but I wish there were more food offerings at the pool bar. It's just a short walk to the Contemporary's pool and pool bar with better offerings though.

It was shockingly busy at WDW for early March!

Just my observations. We had a very nice trip and the weather was great for the most part. I would definately go at this time of year again! (Although I think it would be better on a year where Spring Breaks are more consistent at schools--so we could avoid them.)

 

[KingRichard]

Sounds great and almost the exact way we hope to do it next year.

We just got back 2 weeks ago from 9 day at WDW and then the Dream.

Both were incredible!

 

[El&Asmom]

Sounds like a great trip. I just booked almost an identical trip for Oct except we are doing 1bds at both AKV and BLT. We considered a studio but realized the same thing. A studio with 3 small kids is no fun. Dd3 will still be 2 on the trip so technically we could do a studio but it's so not worth the savings of a few points. We are doing a std view at Kidani to save pts instead, so we'll see how we like it as we never done anything but a SV.

 

[moredisneyplease]

The kids splash/pool area at Kidani is indeed amazing!!! My litter ones LOVE it! glad you had a great time

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I forgot to comment on the bathroom doors at BLT. It is weird that they don't have any locks and are so easy to slide open. My 2yr old was constantly open and closing the doors on us. It didn't matter to us, but it is weird. I don't remember being concerned about them when we shared a GV with extended family last year. Maybe since there is just one common bathroom (rarely used) and the rest of the bathrooms are accessed through the bedrooms it didn't bother us.

One other comment about the trip was our luck wih last minute table service locations. We typically make ADRs way ahead of time (and did for this trip too) but changed our minds at least three times. We were able to get into Sanaa with about a 30 minute wait; Teppan Edo with a 20 minute wait; and The Wave with very little wait at all. (BTW, we didn't have any luck calling for same day or next day ADRs anywhere.)

 

[arthur06]

We have a trip in April (5 nights at BWV) in a studio, with no kids. Then another trip in Sept/Oct (4 nights at BCV and 4 nights at BLT) in a studio, with kids. I think these will be our last 2 trips in studios.

I think after these trips we will go to a 1br or larger, unless we do an adults only trip, and even then who knows.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

We have a trip in April (5 nights at BWV) in a studio, with no kids. Then another trip in Sept/Oct (4 nights at BCV and 4 nights at BLT) in a studio, with kids. I think these will be our last 2 trips in studios.

I think after these trips we will go to a 1br or larger, unless we do an adults only trip, and even then who knows.

I think if just DH and I went, we'd reserve a studio because the room is big enough for two--although I hate the bed size. We're used to a king bed at home. Maybe he could sleep on the couch! But we're definaely done with studio rooms with the kids. The only size room we haven't tried is the 2 bedroom. We've done a GV a couple of times with extended famaily and that was certainly nice! (Although only the master has a big bed and we gave the master to my in-laws.)

 

[bookwormde]

Did you get a chance to see one of the 1brs at Kidani, you will be spoiled the next timeyou stay there!

bookwormde

 

[Cyndibear]

So nice to hear you had a wonderful trip. I too am spoiled by a one bedroom, eventhough it is only the two of us! I love my king bed!!! I also enjoy Kidani and BLT, I love that each one is wonderful in its own way. That's great that you were able to change your dining so easily!! I miss the good old days when we didn't have to make ADR's months ahead of time.

Cyndi

 

[Harlemgirl720]

Glad you had a great time at both. We leave in 11 days. We are doing a studio at AKV for the first night and then BLT for the next 3 nights. We stay at AKV often and this will be our first stay at BLT. We stayed in a 2br at AKV in August and it was wonderful.

It will be only DS (11) and I so a studio is fine.

We will be doing the same for Xmas. First night (xmas) at AKV then the next 3 nights at BLT. Studios as well. From there our NYs cruise on the Dream.

 

[BigEeyore]

I'd love to do a split stay at AKV and BLT sometime! With little ones, it must be so nice to just walk over to MK (or hop on the monorail) and not have to deal with a long bus ride or going thru TTC.
Just to add - I love the sleeper chairs at AKV and BLT villas! they are perfect for young kids that are too big for a crib but not really ready for a big bed.
I am with you on the studios - I can stand it for a couple of nights, maybe to save weekend points, but then I need my space!

 

[DizGirl20]

Thank you for sharing. I always learn something new when people share a quick resort/trip report. We are staying at AKV next month and b/c I am always planning one step ahead... thinking of BLT for next year. I will definitely have to remember to request a 5th floor room!

 

[purpliequeen]

OP- Thanks so much for the review. We'll be at BLT next week and are looking forward to our trip. I've never stayed at either the Contemporary or BLT before so it's reassuring to hear from others how their trip went.

 

[jakenjess]

After staying at BLT last year and AKV Kidani this year, those two resorts are now at the top of our favorites list! With two teenagers, the pull-out chair and the extra bathroom are priceless, so I'm going to try to stay at one of these two resorts until the kids are off to college. DH loved the parking at Kidani, and it was so beautiful and peaceful there. Also had the best bus service we've had anywhere. I think BLT still slightly edges out AKV because of location, but we love them both! As a PP said, staying in a 1-bedroom at Kidani would be a huge difference over a studio, I'm sure.

Glad you had a great trip; thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 

[mandjblum]

I was at BLT last week in a 2 bedroom and there were locks on the bathroom door. They are hard to find. It is like a clip that sticks out on the end of the door when you slide it shut.