Off-site Condo Rental--Lake Buena Vista Village Resort??

[Disneyelephant]

My family and I are trying to decide how we want to spend our vacation in March. We've become accustomed to renting 2 bedroom condos on the Gulf Coast, but this year we'd really love to go to Disney.

We're 3 adults, my older parents in their 60's and me in my early 30's.

I've been looking at the following:

Lake Buena Vista Village Resort
Sheraton Vistana Resort Village
AKL Lodge 1 Bedroom Villa

We would be able to have a longer vacation if we stayed at either the Lake Buena Vista Village or Sheraton, and we'd only be able to afford 5 nights at the AKL 1 Bedroom Villa (assuming its even available).

We usually travel and stay for one week wherever we go, but I'd be willing to give up a night and a full extra bedroom, if the consensus would be that the AKL Lodge 1 bedroom villa is a better deal.

We'll probably go to the parks for 2 days and do 2 days at the water parks, but that's flexible.

I just want to know how all of these compare and if its worth it to give up a night of our vacation and an extra bedroom to stay on-site. We really would like a full kitchen, so the studio villas aren't for us, unfortunately.

What's the word on the LBV vs. the Sheraton Village?

Some assistance would be great since we've never stayed at condo at Disney before.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Bete]

If your parents sleep in the same bed, then any room with two beds will work. If you stayed at a Disney value resort you could get a longer vacation and dine in the parks and resorts for the money difference of a deluxe. The values have a laundry facility near the pool, if that is important to you.

You could always do the restaurants at AKL. That way you get in the ambiance of the resort that way without the room price tag.

If you are there to see the parks I wouldn't get hung up on the accommodations. I would rather have more time at the parks. If they can't walk the parks everyday rent scooters.

 

[Disneyelephant]

The issue for us is having a kitchen. We don't necessarily want to eat out every night, plus its nice to have separate spaces for myself and then my parents.

I'm more considering the Sheraton now vs. the AKL one bedroom. I've stayed at the values, that's not for us in terms of themeing. My parents are fine walking. We've been to Disney numerous times, so spending a decent amount of time at the resort and the pool is just as important to us.

Those are basically the two we're deciding between, but I didn't know if it would be that much more beneficial in terms of amenities i.e. transportation on property at a Villa location, versus an off-property villa location.

Thanks for your insight thought Bete, I do appreciate it.

 

[spiceycat]

only 2 days at the parks - then go with offsite.You will have more room and it will be cheaper. Would not go with villas on I-Drive (sheraton) that say would go with Sheraton Vistana Villas - they should be cheaper (they are older)

Now I do stay onsite at WDW alot - but joined the DVC when it was a heck of lot cheaper than now.

have never stayed at Lake buena Vista resort - but it fairly close to WDW, here a link
http://www.lbvorlandoresort.com/

 

[spiceycat]

Now AKL does have one advantage (well several) - they both AKL and AKV (this would be better for your family - it has 2 bathrooms not just one) the kitchen and masterbedroom are bigger.

It is a zoo as well - so they are animals - Africia out on your balcony or at worst you can walk down the halls and see them - they also have balconies where you can go outside and see them (not attached to guests rooms)

they have a long list of activities - very long - but both Sheraton Vistana should too - they are all timeshares,