Need Help Choosing -AKL or BLT

[lovelyk68]

I am taking a quick 4 night trip in late August with my DS - 13 and DD -10 and am trying to decide between a one-bedroom Lake View at the BLT or a Savannah Bunk Bed room at AKL. The price difference is about $377 total. We have never stayed at either and will have a car.

We have stayed at the Poly, YC, BW, Dolphin and GF previously. My favorite was the Poly but that was when the kids were much younger and we were in the Club area. I love the YC area for the ability to walk to two parks, but neither park is really my favorite.

We are not doing Disney the entire time and plan a day trip to Sea World and to visit my DD's adopted Manatee. We will do two days in the parks and probably some of the extended evening hours.

I have always wanted to stay at the AKL as Boma is one of our favorite restaurants and we go there every trip, but I am afraid that it is too isolated. On the plus side, we love animal watching and I think you can't beat the opportunity to do that at this resort. We also love watching the fireworks at night and that would be so easy at the BLT as well as walking back and forth to the MK (which has 2 evening Magic Hours during our stay). The extra space and bathroom is really helpful at the BLT as well. I am concerned that the BLT doesn't seem as Disney, we have to walk into the Contemporary for everything, and since we are not DVC members, we might feel like second-class citizens. Also read review that the BLT pool is not so great.

I know I can't go wrong with either, but I would love some opinions from those who have stayed at either or both.

Thanks so much for any help!!

 

[Minnie824]

I would choose AKL. First though, is there a reason you can't get a 1 bedroom at AK? Either Jambo or Kidani? Then you'd have the animals and the space. We've stayed at Kidani and loved it. No isssues with the buses at all when we went in august 2009. And the pool at both Kidani and Jambo are great. We didn't feel isolated at all.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I think you cannot make a wrong choice. I have not stayed at either but I did want to post that you will never feel like a second class citizen as a cash paying guest at a DVC resort! I have stayed at other DVC resorts many times. There is no push to buy a contract and there is no way to tell who is on cash and who is on points. Disney has a fair amount of inventory at those DVC resorts for cash guests. The only way they are treated differently is that they get daily maid service whereas guest staying on points do not (unless they pay extra for it). So do not let that sway your decision at all.

The plus to a one bedroom are the extra space, extra bathroom, your own laundry room and the jacuzzi tub. A DVC one bedroom is truly a wonderful thing.

But the AKL looks wonderful and having a savanahh view would be nice. Can you get a one bedroom at AKV?

I'd probably go with BLT for the space and closeness to the MK, esp with those two emh nights at MK. I personally also do not think AKL is that far off the beaten path and you said you had a car. All resorts are close to something and far from something else! So it all evens out.

 

[lovelyk68]

Thanks so much to both of you for your replies. If I want to do the 1-bedroom at Kidani with a Savannah view it would be an additional $250 over the price at BLT which is just too much for me. I like the cost saving of the AKL savannah room option (could buy us a lot of mickey ear ice creams...LOL) and the opportunity to stay somewhere that I have always wanted. However, I find that when we are on vacation, we do so much better when there is room to relax and spread out. MK is also my favorite park and the ability to see the fireworks from the resort is so tempting. Decisions, decisions. Thanks again!!

 

[timandlesley]

That's a tough one, I've stayed at both and love both! There are positives to each.
AKL for us we love the atmosphere, how everything is under one roof including the sit down restaraunts and counterservice and bus service, how buses aren't shared with other ersorts. You just can't beat seeing girraffe's from the pool and all of the great kids activities they have, including a kids club on property.
For BLT we loved being able to walk home from Magic Kingdom at night, see the fireworks from the Top of the World Lounge, the pool was great but the way it is positioned it was shaded by 4p.m. Being on the water was great, we rented water mice.
We love the decor in both hotels (obviously both are quite different) but love both resorts equally, I guess it's just a matter of taste and what you are looking for, have a great trip!
Lesley

 

[Amy&Dan]

The newer style DVC one bedrooms (that AKL and BLT have) are wonderful. I have not stayed in either of those at WDW, however we did stay in one at the Grand Californian in Disneyland. The add'l bathroom is a HUGE plus!

But as you say, that money will come in handy for other things. I just wish the AKL standard rooms were a bit bigger. I can never wrap mysef around the fact that they are only 340 square feet! Same size as the mods more or less but you do get the balcony. But little room to unwind in.

Honestly, for $240 more, I'd go with the one bedroom. If you were talking studio I'd say no way because those BLT studios are like 300 square feet and set up very funky. So you'd lose square feet. But a one bedrooms is wonderful and once you stay in one, no room will ever be quite the same!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with Bay Lake Tower because of it's overall location to the Magic Kingdom, the walkway which goes there, Resort Monorail access from the Contemporary and more overall transportation options.

 

[blessedby3]

We just got back from staying at a 1BR at BLT and this is my new favorite resort. Everything is just beautiful, we had a lake view room- 14th floor dead center of the building- a beautiful view. The convienence of the walkway to the MK is so worth it. There were lots of activities for my kids and the really enjoyed the pool area. It was so convienent to the CR for food and monorail too.

 

[lovelyk68]

I would go with Bay Lake Tower because of it's overall location to the Magic Kingdom, the walkway which goes there, Resort Monorail access from the Contemporary and more overall transportation options.

We just got back from staying at a 1BR at BLT and this is my new favorite resort. Everything is just beautiful, we had a lake view room- 14th floor dead center of the building- a beautiful view. The convienence of the walkway to the MK is so worth it. There were lots of activities for my kids and the really enjoyed the pool area. It was so convienent to the CR for food and monorail too.

Thanks so much for your input!! I really appreciate it. I really don't think the BLT location can be beat compared to AKL. I love being in the thick of things, so I know BLT will suit me more from that perspective. If it weren't for seeing the animals (which is totally cool), there wouldn't even be a discussion.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks so much for your input!! I really appreciate it. I really don't think the BLT location can be beat compared to AKL. I love being in the thick of things, so I know BLT will suit me more from that perspective. If it weren't for seeing the animals (which is totally cool), there wouldn't even be a discussion.

You're welcome.

 

[kaffinito]

I've stayed at bother resorts, and they both have their pluses and minuses.

BLT:

Pluses - close to MK, and walk there or watch the fireworks from the resort. really nice pool area with a good slide, great views all around the resort of the lake. A one bedroom is great for the sleeper chair and sleeper sofa in the living room, and having the extra bathroom and the washer and dryer is wonderful.

Minuses - you have to travel to CR either by the skybridge or via the sidewalk. If it's raining, it can get a bit soggy. All of the restaurants, etc are in CR, and the bus stop is at CR.

AKL:

Pluses - you get to see the animals either from your room or from one of the many viewing areas around the resort. The pool area is lovely and large. There are two out of the way hot tubs to soak in. The restaurants are great there, and the food service is good too. You can take the DTD bus to Kidani to use their new pool area.

Minuses - It is a ways away from the parks except for AK of course, so you might want to drive. The buses stop at Kidani before AKL so you might have to stand on the bus. Mara has good food, but a limited choices. The room size is small, and the furniture is large. *Although a bunk bed room is nice, and makes the room seem a bit larger.*

Hope this helps! IMO if it was a short stay I would book at BLT for the good transportation, but for a longer stay where you get to spend a bit of time at the resort I would book at AKL.

 

[lovelyk68]

I've stayed at bother resorts, and they both have their pluses and minuses.

BLT:

Pluses - close to MK, and walk there or watch the fireworks from the resort. really nice pool area with a good slide, great views all around the resort of the lake. A one bedroom is great for the sleeper chair and sleeper sofa in the living room, and having the extra bathroom and the washer and dryer is wonderful.

Minuses - you have to travel to CR either by the skybridge or via the sidewalk. If it's raining, it can get a bit soggy. All of the restaurants, etc are in CR, and the bus stop is at CR.

AKL:

Pluses - you get to see the animals either from your room or from one of the many viewing areas around the resort. The pool area is lovely and large. There are two out of the way hot tubs to soak in. The restaurants are great there, and the food service is good too. You can take the DTD bus to Kidani to use their new pool area.

Minuses - It is a ways away from the parks except for AK of course, so you might want to drive. The buses stop at Kidani before AKL so you might have to stand on the bus. Mara has good food, but a limited choices. The room size is small, and the furniture is large. *Although a bunk bed room is nice, and makes the room seem a bit larger.*

Hope this helps! IMO if it was a short stay I would book at BLT for the good transportation, but for a longer stay where you get to spend a bit of time at the resort I would book at AKL.

Wow...thanks so much for this detailed info!!! It really helps a lot. I am thinking that we should do BLT for the transportation (not having to drive everywhere), but also because we might not get such a great deal on a 1-bedroom next time we come. We have never had such a luxury at Disney and it sounds wonderful. Thanks again!!

 

[blessedby3]

Wow...thanks so much for this detailed info!!! It really helps a lot. I am thinking that we should do BLT for the transportation (not having to drive everywhere), but also because we might not get such a great deal on a 1-bedroom next time we come. We have never had such a luxury at Disney and it sounds wonderful. Thanks again!!

BLT feels so luxurious, thats for sure
I really LOVED having that washer and dryer in my room. I know yours is a shorter trip (and you may not need the w/d), but we could have taken only 2 outfits and thats all- and we stayed a week!! I threw in a load of clothes every evening after we had all bathed, and they were washed and dryed by morning. It was really nice not taking home ANY dirty clothes except the ones on our backs
Plus having all that room to move around---we had never had that before as we were always in a regular room--and now we are SPOILED! We wont ever want to go back--that could be a problem for you too

 

[lovelyk68]

BLT feels so luxurious, thats for sure
I really LOVED having that washer and dryer in my room. I know yours is a shorter trip (and you may not need the w/d), but we could have taken only 2 outfits and thats all- and we stayed a week!! I threw in a load of clothes every evening after we had all bathed, and they were washed and dryed by morning. It was really nice not taking home ANY dirty clothes except the ones on our backs
Plus having all that room to move around---we had never had that before as we were always in a regular room--and now we are SPOILED! We wont ever want to go back--that could be a problem for you too

LOL...we probably won't want to go back either.

 

[leane]

I agree with a poster above. if you like animals AKV or sure!

I wil be at BLT in Oct so I don't have any advise yet..

But I can say that you will not be cramped in a 1 br with AKV or BLT they are nice and big!


We loved out stay at AK and if your doing EMH and doing pool time during they day to pool options at AK are great! ... for younger kids

 

[Debbie Jean]

Wow...thanks so much for this detailed info!!! It really helps a lot. I am thinking that we should do BLT for the transportation (not having to drive everywhere), but also because we might not get such a great deal on a 1-bedroom next time we come. We have never had such a luxury at Disney and it sounds wonderful. Thanks again!!

Have done both and as others have said, they each are wonderful in their own way. However, if you have never stayed in a 1 bedroom, then BLT is a great place to do it. The units are very well done... you will love having the 2 bathrooms, full kitchen and washer/dryer.

And depending on your Disney habits, you may find yourself considering DVC for your family... you wouldn't be the first member who tried it and couldn't go back to a regular hotel room!

 

[lovelyk68]

I agree with a poster above. if you like animals AKV or sure!

I wil be at BLT in Oct so I don't have any advise yet..

But I can say that you will not be cramped in a 1 br with AKV or BLT they are nice and big!


We loved out stay at AK and if your doing EMH and doing pool time during they day to pool options at AK are great! ... for younger kids

Thanks so much for your help!! We do love animals, but I am so afraid that I will be unhappy with the transportation and the size of the room. I really love the idea of being able to walk to MK and also have 2 bathrooms and 2 televisions. I read so many people here who say that they don't spend any time in their rooms, but we are the complete opposite. We like lots of downtime in the room, so to have a small, dark room probably won't cut it, even with the animals.

Have done both and as others have said, they each are wonderful in their own way. However, if you have never stayed in a 1 bedroom, then BLT is a great place to do it. The units are very well done... you will love having the 2 bathrooms, full kitchen and washer/dryer.

And depending on your Disney habits, you may find yourself considering DVC for your family... you wouldn't be the first member who tried it and couldn't go back to a regular hotel room!

Great to hear from another person who has done both...thanks so much!! I am definitely thinking the 1 bedroom will be soooo nice to come back to after a long morning or evening in the parks. I probably won't want to go back to a regular hotel room.

I am pretty much decided on the 1-bedroom at BLT. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to give their input and advice. I love the DIS!!