Last minute trip! NEXT WEEK. Deciding between AKL and BWI

[TheLittles]

so we literally just decided to go to WDW next week. It's to celebrate my daughter's 5th birthday. I just booked AKL and I have two days to change it if I decide to. We are going Aug 31-Sep 6. I'm worried about the time it takes on the bus to get from AKL to the parks. We have stayed at BC and YC and we loved it but looking at pics looks like maybe BWI needs some updating. I haven't ever stayed there though so I don't really know. Just want some input into the two resorts. I have stayed at AKL once, when they opened and I was a kid. I liked it I just don't know if I love the idea of being secluded out there. There is a price difference but not a huge one (bwi is a little more). Just looking for opinions.

 

[mkh531]

They are both far from MK, which is where a 5 yo wants to spend all of their time. I would stick with AKL for now, she will be wowed by the animals!

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

I stayed at AKL over spring break with my 5 year old and 13 month old. I've never stayed at boardwalk but just from reviews I've read I don't think I'd want to especially with children.
AKL is beautiful, the buses were great, and my daughter loved the pool. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. I never once felt like we were secluded - if anything it was a very relaxing oasis after a long day in the parks.

 

[NicoleLarson]

I've stayed at both recently, BWI just last week. I think it's tough to make a bad choice here, these are our 2 favorite resorts. I'm partial though to BW because that's where we celebrated my DD's 5th birthday. You get a larger room at BWI and a better pool slide. At least the room we were in showed no wear or tear so I'm not sure what you saw that you thought it needed a remodel but from what we saw everything was in great shape. Something cool about the BW is that they have these nightly entertainers that are so much fun to watch, it just a great place to be at night. Being able to walk to 2 parks is awesome as well. Oh and if you love ice cream Ample Hills is amazing! Have a great trip and know wherever you end up will be wonderful.

 

[melissapealo]

If your DD likes animals then I would definitely stay with AKL. Buses were never an issue for us while there. Whatever you decide, you're at Disney so will be great anyway.

 

[Shanti]

so we literally just decided to go to WDW next week. It's to celebrate my daughter's 5th birthday. I just booked AKL and I have two days to change it if I decide to. We are going Aug 31-Sep 6. I'm worried about the time it takes on the bus to get from AKL to the parks. We have stayed at BC and YC and we loved it but looking at pics looks like maybe BWI needs some updating. I haven't ever stayed there though so I don't really know. Just want some input into the two resorts. I have stayed at AKL once, when they opened and I was a kid. I liked it I just don't know if I love the idea of being secluded out there. There is a price difference but not a huge one (bwi is a little more). Just looking for opinions.

We stayed at AKL in April and the bus service was good. Both resorts are beautiful, but AKL is more peaceful. Stay where you like & don't worry.

 

[rosiebean]

If your daughter loves animals, then AKL. If she is adventurous and loves water slides, BWI. (Frankly, I'd pick BWI no matter what simply because it has slightly larger rooms and is within walking distance to two parks vs. being within bus rides to 4 parks).

But both are lovely resorts, and I don't think you'd be disappointed with either.

 

[Shellyb84]

I haven't stayed at BWI but I love BC and being in that area. We stayed at AKL for the first time in June. We did and AKL/BC split. By two nights at AKL we were ready to move on. It's a beautiful resort, and seeing the animals is very cool, but DD7 thought the slide was really boring and the novelty of seeing the animals from the balcony had worn off after a couple of days. The rooms are so tiny and dark. We had TERRIBLE luck with the MK buses (waited over an hour leaving MK one afternoon). Also, the majority of the CMs weren't very friendly, which was surprising because we've usually had great experiences with the CMs at other resorts.

The BW area is awesome, such a great location and walking distance to 2 parks. The slide at the pool at BWI definitely looks fun! As a PP said, the entertainment on the BW is so fun, there's Ample Hills for great ice cream, surrey bike rentals, etc. BWI gets my vote for sure.

 

[pbb&j]

We really liked BWI. The rooms are actually in good shape, but I think the choices made in the remodel a few years ago are "interesting". I get that they were going for a period look, but I can see why you thought they looked dated. Is that what you're concerned about? We found the whole resort to feel fresh and in good condition. We loved the nice big balcony, and the room is a good size. Having the extra day bed was awesome.

The pool slide at BWI is awesome! Being able to walk to 2 parks combined with the fun atmosphere on the Boardwalk at night made this one of my favorites at Disney.