Need opinions...OKW or AKL

[AFETA]

We are traveling in mid May with 6 adults and 3 kids ages 8, 8, and 13. We are looking into doing DVC rental and checked into what is available. We are looking at OKW or AKL standard or savanna view in 2 bedroom villas. Anyone stayed at both of these resorts that could offer some insight?

Thanks in advance!

 

[rwdavis2]

I can't comment on a comparison, but are there really 2 BR villas available or are they just listed as choices on the rental site(s)? Supposedly the availability of 2BR villas is pretty rare, at least for AKL.
Good luck.

 

[AFETA]

We have checked availability with a DVC member and there is availability at Animal Kingdom-Kidani in either standard or savanna view as well as Old Key West.

 

[Wiltony]

I haven't stayed in either, so please take that into consideration, but I've heard lots of positive experiences with savanna view rooms at AKL so if your family likes animals, that's probably your best bet. OKW generally has the largest sq ft of all DVC accomodations, however, so if you're strictly looking for more space, that will better fit your needs.

You might also do a youtube search for "room tours" for each and that will help influence your decision. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[Mom2Anna&Elsa]

I'd personally go with Animal Kingdom Lodge out of the two-- it's such a unique experience. Old Key West has the advantage of proximity to Disney Springs to open up dining options, as dining will be limited in both locations. But the pool at Kidani is very nice, and Sanaa is fantastic. Your kids are too old for the very cool splash area there, though. Seeing African animals from your balcony is something you can't get anywhere else.

 

[cvjw]

I can't comment on a comparison, but are there really 2 BR villas available or are they just listed as choices on the rental site(s)? Supposedly the availability of 2BR villas is pretty rare, at least for AKL.
Good luck.

Not sure where you heard this. We book 2 bedroom villas for our family of 4 whenever we visit disney. Never had any issues booking at AKV and it is not one of our home resorts.

OP, we have stayed in 2 bedroom villas at both OKW and AKV multiple times. We love staying at AKV - it is one of our favorite resorts.

We really tried to like OKW, but hated it every time we stayed there. It was noisy - the buses can turn around right outside the villa doors. The bus ride around the resort before actually leaving for a park seemed to take forever. There is only a small counter service restaurant and the resort was just too spread out for our liking. We hated it so much that we sold our OKW dvc points

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I have stayed away from AKL for several reasons--dark design of rooms is not appealing, distance you have to walk from car to room is crazy, quick service is not open (and even when it is, is not in same building as DVC and not a short walk away). That said, those savannah view rooms do sound like fun! And the extra bathroom would certainly be handy for your party including 6 adults.

OKW 2 bedrooms are really large. They are bright. All have a good size balcony or patio with nice view. You can park right outside your villa. It is a super peaceful and calm resort. The value based on number of points is great.

 

[nonnadisney]

We have stayed in a 1 bedroom at Kidani Village and loved it. The Savanna areas are wonderful and if you have a standard view room you can go to the lookout places around the resort. A 2 bedroom at Kidani will have 3 bathrooms instead of 2. If you have a car the parking is inside a parking garage which we liked. At the moment the dining choices are limited so I would go grocery shopping or have grocery delivered we have used Garden Grocer. We have not tried OKW yet but the rooms look big and bright.

 

[melissa723]

My home resort is AKL, and it's also my favorite resort, but with that being said, if the food options are still closed down there, then I'd go with OKW. In November, we actually changed our AKL reservations to OKW because of that and it was the best decision. It was also our first time staying there, so we booked a studio close to the Hospitality House, and we loved it.

 

[Olaf Myfrenzargay]

No experience at OKW, but AKL at full steam is amazing. Unfortunately, in May likely that full Jambo experience not yet there, I.e. no Boma, no Jiko, no Victoria Falls Lounge, no Mara made to order, no activities. On the flip side you will have two pools to choose from, albeit each is a hike from the other (and as I understand it the Uzima pool bar only open on weekends), Sanaa at Kidani is open, and you will have the animals experience Which is great.

If you don’t mind that and buy groceries or order food, shouldn’t be such a bad thing though.

 

[Marionnette]

OKW has two real beds in the second bedroom. AKV has two real beds in the second bedroom if it is a dedicated 2BR and not a lock off. If it’s a lock off, that second bedroom has a sleeper sofa as the second sleeping surface. Just something you will want to consider if you choose AKV.

If I were traveling with kids, I would go with AKV. In addition to the cool savanna views, Kidani 2BR villas have a third, full bath. With a group that big, you will be glad you have it.

 

[DebLovesPooh]

The plus of Kidani is the third bathroom in the 2-bedroom and Sanaa. No quick service is a deal breaker for some. It's my home resort because I love the theming, but some find it dark. I second the recommendation of looking at tours online. Those videos help me decide where I want to stay next.

Deb

 

[Disneytam]

I can't comment on a comparison, but are there really 2 BR villas available or are they just listed as choices on the rental site(s)? Supposedly the availability of 2BR villas is pretty rare, at least for AKL.
Good luck.

We just booked a dedicated two bedroom at AKL for 5 nights the second week of December. We are following that with a 5 night stay at a Grand Villa at OKW. So there is some availability.

 

[holden]

Kidani has an extra bathroom, so 3 total in the 2BR. That seals the deal for me.

 

[stacie_d]

Both are great. The extra bathroom at Kidani is nice, but the 2 bedroom at Old Key West is very roomy. Will you be driving or relying on resort transportation? Parking at Old Key West is very convenient and close to the individual villas. Parking at Kidani is generally under the resort in the parking garage. I will probably be in the minority, but I don’t think the Savanna view is necessary at Kidani. There are lots of animal viewing opportunities around the resort and we don’t spend much time in the room. Old Key West has more of an apartment/condo feel than a hotel or resort—spacious and bright; Kidani is unique and beautiful but fairly dark.

Akl is one of our home resorts and we love it, but after a recent stay at Old Key West, I am surprised at how much I enjoyed the atmosphere of OKW.