Need Help With Last Minute Trip

[DaisyNY]

Thinking of taking a last minute trip with my 19 year old daughter...Just the two of us! Have not stayed at either AKL - Kidani or SSR...which would you recommend - these are the only two with availability...Thanks!

 

[kbonner]

AKL is beautiful with lots of atmosphere. SSR is close to DTD. It depends on what all y'all are wanting to do and where you are wanting to spend your time.

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree with PP. I love AKL savanna view and could sit on the balcony for hours watching the animals. But it's otherwise distant from everything else at WDW. SSL being close to DTD means opportunities for dining and shopping.

 

[automaticsoap]

I haven't stayed at SSR yet -- but I fell in love with AKL in September! Definitely one of my favorite resorts. I'm dying to go back. The atmosphere is amazing, and the restaurant options are excellent.

 

[Sandisw]

When DD and I did a girls only trip a few years ago, we stayed at AKV...it was a relaxing trip with mother/daughter massages and just for a long weekend...the purpose of it wasn't the park and just going to eat...we did end up going at night, but spent most days sleeping in and lounging at the pool.

We have not been to SSR--going to try this in a few weeks when I move her down to Disney for her internship...but I can see the benefits of being there and having lots of options for shopping, meals and grown up drinks!!!

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Our home is AKV, but for our first DVC trip in FL (we've always been able to use our points at VGC) we ended up doing a split stay at AKV and SSR last year - we purchased our points on DCL and had never been to WDW beforehand.

Have to say that we were ambivalent about AKV and absolutely loved staying at SSR, and given the choice going forward, we would definitely stay at SSR over AKV.

 

[racefanof88]

Our first stay a SSR was as non-members; we loved it so much we bought DVC at SSR. I really did not care for AKL too much. We were in Jambo House and even though the décor was pretty, the beds were so hard it would have been just as comfortable sleeping on the floor.

The layout of AKL is crazy too. If you get a room a Kidani you will be WAY on the back of the property. On our recent trip I had lunch with a CM friend at Sanaa and I honestly did not feel like I was at Disney. It is way to isolated for my liking.

SSR has beautiful grounds and the boat ride to DTD is nice and relaxing. The décor is very pretty and not overstated.

 

[lovin'fl]

Oooohhhh, I think I may be able to help. I have a trip booked for this Aug with my twin DDs-15 (no DH or DS ). I asked them where they'd like to stay and 1 DD said SSR while the other DD said BWV...luckily both were available when I booked so we are doing a split stay. I even went through all the resorts with them and asked if they were sure those were the places they wanted and they said they were (so they were not interested in AKV...which we just stayed at in Dec). SSR is a good pick because you can request Congress Park to be able to walk to/from Downtown Disney...and the teens seem to love that (my inlaws always book SSR for their 3 teens).

AKV is my fave resort for just the resort...it is so lovely and so much to see and do. The dining at AKV/AKL is some of the best at WDW (IMO). SSR, though, has Downtown Disney nearby for many dining options too.

If you are doing a 1BR...AKV will have an extra bathroom so each of you can have your own. I think studios are comparable at both.

Overall, I think SSR is probably the way to go for teens-college kids. My nephews, in college, love to walk over whenever they want for coffee (Ghiradhelli) and lunch (Earl of Sandwich) and hanging out later in the evening (bowling, movies, shopping).

Happy planning...it's very exciting. I cannot wait for Aug...neither can my girls (which is a nice feeling).

 

[DisneyDiana]

AKV Jambo is my absolute favorite resort. I feel like I am in a faraway exotic destination. I like feeling set apart from the rest of Disney. It is my relaxation vacation spot.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

I really like Kidani. The Savannah views are better than Jambo in my opinion. I will say that it can be quite the hike sometimes to your room though, lol.