Hi !
Two resorts I really love and have stayed at each several times. Keep in mind, only OKW offers two full beds in their studios. All other
DVC studios will have the one bed/one sofa bed. But from your party, it doesn't sound like this will be an issue for you.
Things to consider :
VWL : great location to the MK. It's a very nice scenic boat ride over to the park (thus the ability to avoid the busses at least to one park)
Can also see a tiny bit of the Wishes fireworks from the beach area at WL/VWL as well as the Electric Water Pageant that goes around Bay Lake nightly. Two full serve restaurant options as well as a quick serve mini food court at WL.
AKV :
For me, the big reason to stay at AKV is a savanna view. This is why we made this one of our home resorts. I think I would feel "left out" if we booked a standard view at this resort.
Jambo House preferred for the dining and food court options. They have Boma, Jiko (buffet and full service) as well as the food court Mara.
Kidani has Saana (full service) and only other quick service is the pool bar area. From *some* locations at Kidani it's not a bad walk to Jambo for food, but I would request "Jambo side" or similar just in case. However, there are no guarantees with requests. So if a food court is important to you, ask for Jambo. That said, I think Kidani has more rooms and would be an easier waitlist match. But you can have two waitlists for one reservation ? The Kidani pool area is really cool for younger kids--has a water play area.
I feel themeing is rich at both VWL and AKV. Beautiful Pacific Northwest theme at VWL and of course African theme at AKV.
Busses, from my experience, also seem to be about the same in terms of service. Sometimes WL/VWL shares with FT Wilderness. Can anyone confirm if they still do ? Jambo and Kidani both share. For the life of me I can't remember if the bus picks up first at Kidani or Jambo ?
Hope this helps. Good luck with the waitlist !!!! Due to sheer numbers of rooms, I think you have a better chance at AKV.
