Last time in a deluxe as family of 5 + infant

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

AKL has the best park transport IMHO. Your bus won't stop at 3 other resorts.

And no DME is not a luggage delivery service. So one of you will need to take the bus

 

[Minniesgal]

The only bummer with AKL is the transportation inconvenience to parks.
Also, Can I still use ME if I rent?

Yes you can use ME and the AJL buses are great, better than those at YC BC which share with BWI

 

[Aliceacc]

And no DME is not a luggage delivery service. So one of you will need to take the bus

I think she means if she rents POINTS, not a car. And I believe the answer is yes.

 

[skwak77]

This will be our time also as 5 + infant. We stayed at poly in aug 2012 with six of and it was plenty of room. The rooms are huge! The transportation is wonderful for lugging 4 kids around u have boat and monorail to MK and we walked to the TTC and got on the express Monorail to Epcot. We have stayed at POR and BW but Poly favorite do far. We are thinking of splitting our stays between BC and CT this time. I absolutely love the location of the Epcot resorts around the lake. Plus it has nice transportation perks! I would definitely just stick to a deluxe room and save money!!

 

[stargazertechie]

The only bummer with AKL is the transportation inconvenience to parks.
Also, Can I still use ME if I rent?

Honestly, the AK buses only take an average of 5 minutes longer to the park. Plus they don't share with any other resort.

 

[tarak]

Honestly, the AK buses only take an average of 5 minutes longer to the park. Plus they don't share with any other resort.

I agree with this. We've always had great luck with the buses from AKL. Not having to stop at other resorts more than makes up for the distance from the parks, in my experience.

We rented points for a one BR suite at Kidani Village last January. We used ME and had trip insurance. The one BR suites at Kidani also have a second bathroom, if that's important to you. Jambo house only has one bathroom for the same size suite.

We're also a family of six, with an infant who is just over a year. Our next trip, she'll still be "free." After that, we'll be have to get two connecting rooms or go up to a two BR suite.

 

[jaykorf001]

Also, my vote would either be a 1BR at OKW or a 2BR value villa at AKL. The value villa would put you at Jambo house, and while the pool is no Stormalong bay, it's a zero entry with a fun slide and easy to keep an eye on the kiddos.

And the pool at AKL is larger than the Poly pool and is quite nice. We did not venture over to the Kadani pool, only the main pool at Jambo House. We were there in mid June and I found the pool crowded but very manageable to keep track of my 4 year old.

 

[mickeynut1]

The only bummer with AKL is the transportation inconvenience to parks.
Also, Can I still use ME if I rent?

As others have said, the buses at AKL are fine. Since the buses only go to Kidani and AKL, there is no sharing with any other resort(s) and even though AKL is out away from everything, it doesn't take more than about 5 extra minutes to get to the parks compared to other resorts. And yes, you can still use DME .

 

[TwistGrl101]

2 more questions:

Does AKL have a kids club and daily poolside activities and regarding a pmt plan for renting points, how do most renters work this out?

I'm still not sold on renting points as it is still cheaper to get a regular deluxe resort room, but I am looking into it and weighing my options.

 

[stargazertechie]

2 more questions:

Does AKL have a kids club and daily poolside activities and regarding a pmt plan for renting points, how do most renters work this out?

I'm still not sold on renting points as it is still cheaper to get a regular deluxe resort room, but I am looking into it and weighing my options.

Regarding payment plans- I've had some renters that required 100% at the time of booking, some required 50% down, 50% at 60 days, and some other arrangements

 

[bwifan]

Family of 6 must be tough. We are 5 and I come across rooms we can't get all the time.

I think everyone has the villas covered. And, yes, the poly and cont rooms are bigger, but max is 5 people.

I don't know your budget, but have you considered the deluxe rooms at the boardwalk? It sleeps 6, includes concierge, and is absolutely gorgeous. It's pricey so we only go during discounted times.

The BC pool is awesome, but with 4 kids maybe too awesome. The boardwalk pools are fun and manageable.

 

[TwistGrl101]

Boardwalk is one of my options...I love being on Crescent Lake, it's just so breathtaking. I just don't want to be looking across the lake regretting my choice lol.

 

[mickeynut1]

Does AKL have a kids club and daily poolside activities and regarding a pmt plan for renting points, how do most renters work this out?

I can't help with AKL kids club or poolside activities as we don't have little ones, but payment when renting points varies as it depends on the renter, as the pp said. Some require 50% down with the balance due 30 days prior to arrival; some require payment in full at booking, etc. It just depends on the renter and when/how they want to get paid .

And, yes, the poly and cont rooms are bigger, but max is 5 people.

All of the deluxe resorts (except WL and AKL) accommodate 5 + 1 under the age of 3 in a standard room, so with the OP's youngest still under 3, the Poly is still an option .

 

[TwistGrl101]

The more I obsess over where to stay, I just don't think I can stay anywhere but the BC, DH agrees. I so want to try somewhere new, but I have a hard time believing we would like another resort better!!

 

[Tink415]

If your just looking at a regular room for your next vacation, before you have to get larger accommodations due to party size, BWI room is the same size as BC room and the pool doesn't compare to SAB. Poly and CR rooms are much larger than BC rooms, the pools don't compare to SAB, but the MK is a close by, and Poly has a vibe that I love. Maybe do a split stay 5 nights Poly 5 nights BC? Then again, if you looked at the Poly pool in dis-belief, you might be better off sticking with the BC

 

[TwistGrl101]

I was thinking of doing just that--Poly/BC split stay...BUT i go the last week of August, so there is a chance for free dining.....if FD comes out when I have a split stay booked, then I would have to purchase park tix separate for each reservation, so I would be losing out on money...am I making sense?

 

[Marthasor]

I was thinking of doing just that--Poly/BC split stay...BUT i go the last week of August, so there is a chance for free dining.....if FD comes out when I have a split stay booked, then I would have to purchase park tix separate for each reservation, so I would be losing out on money...am I making sense?

Yes, that makes complete sense, particularly with a large family! Unless you plan on going back to WDW in the future and want to save that second set of tickets from your second resort stay.

Go with BC if your heart is set on it. My ONLY advice is, if you have any interest in Poly, do it NOW as ALL of the other deluxes have villa options which (though they may be more expensive) will be available to your family when your littlest turns 3 (GF (soon), CR, BC, BWI, AKL and WL ALL have DVC villa accommodations). There are rumors that Poly will get a DVC, but nothing has been announced so this literally could be the ONLY time you could stay there.

What I would do is book your 10-night stay at BC (if your heart is set on it). If FD DOESN'T come out, I would re-book a BC/Poly split. I love BC, but Poly is AWESOME!!

 

[TwistGrl101]

That sounds like a good plan, thank you!

 

[Syndrome]

The more I obsess over where to stay, I just don't think I can stay anywhere but the BC, DH agrees. I so want to try somewhere new, but I have a hard time believing we would like another resort better!!

Just an FYI, BC does have larger deluxe rooms. They are much larger than the standard BC rooms (we have stayed in both). We love the deluxe room extra space for our family of 5 (3 grown up, but still kids). Plenty of room for a roll away too. The rooms are a bit pricey because club level is the only way they are available. They are called Deluxe Club level rooms. Awesome rooms, and they are huge. Only downsides are the cost (unless you get a great deal, like 30% off room only rate), and they can be hard to book, because there are only approx 6 deluxe rooms available at BC.
We scored a deluxe CL room for our upcoming trip with the 30% off special . Had to be quick about booking it though..........the deluxe rooms go fast at BC.

Also, if you are considering the Poly for August 2014, keep in mind that it is almost certain that the Poly will be "under construction" next year, due to the newest DVC construction that will take place at the Poly. Just something to consider.

Syndrome

 

[Syndrome]

We are also torn as where to stay anymore with our growing family of 5. We love the WDW deluxe resorts, but it is starting to get cramped for us, unless we stay in one of those $$$ suites.
We have rented points before, and will likely go that route after our next trip. For the money, you cant beat the space you get. I have done the math, and we would have saved some money renting points for a 2bdrm villa, vs deluxe club level.
Our family loves WL and AKL, which is impossible for a family over 4 to stay, unless you stay in a villa. We have stayed at WL, in a junior suite which was great, but they are getting pricey now. We stayed at AKL when they used to have the club level rooms over the lobby. The room was great .........1 king, 1 daybed and bunkbeds ..........it was a great room for a family, but sadly those rooms are gone now.

Will be looking to rent points again for our next visit..........prob at AKL, and/or WL.

Good luck with your decision !

Syndrome