OKW or AKL?

[Family of Five]

I have never stayed at Aninmal Kindom lodge, is there an advantage over staying at Old Key West? I know there is alwalys personal preference, but didn't know if transportation and other factors were better at one versus the other.
Thanks!
Lori

 

[MinnieVanMom]

The rooms at OKW are the biggest of any other DVC. Also there is boat to DTD and SSR. The bus system is good. To get to the HH you just get on any bus as they all make the last stop HH.

OKW is very relaxed and laid back, they play Jimmy Buffet music by the pool.

AKV has the animals! The views can't be beat. The rooms are darker in colours. They have a super lodge, the pool is amazing and there are two restaurants. We love Boma's. However, it is only close to AK park. If you have a car it is a good choice.

 

[chalee94]

I have never stayed at Aninmal Kindom lodge, is there an advantage over staying at Old Key West?

as stated, transportation to parks (other than AK) is a little farther from AKV (or AKL) than from OKW. MK can feel a long way away.

AKV is composed of 2 buildings jambo house (5th and 6th floors of the old AKL) and kidani (new building - all villas). both are much more hotel-like than OKW - you park across the street (or under the building for kidani) rather than right outside your door like OKW, which is set up like a condo resort.

i love AKV for the exotic feel, views of the animals and restaurants like jiko and boma. here's a link to a good site for more research and a sample list of activities offered at AKV.

i love OKW for the relaxed, beachy vibe, the boat to DTD and that the studios there have 2 queen beds unlike all other DVC studios (including AKV) which have 1 queen bed and 1 pullout sofabed (double-sized).

 

[troynkasey]

I've never stayed at OKW, so I don't know if I can give you a comparison of the two. But we just went to AKL-Jambo House and I can tell you we will absolutely be back.

AKL is away from all the other resorts, but there is plenty to do there. Not to mention the animals to view. If you have kids, there are tons of things for them to do. If not, there's still plenty for you. There are daily educational hour long talks in the lobby on different things.

OKW is more centrally located and I would say it's probably similar to staying at SSR. We've stayed there and the bus rides from SSR are no different than AKL. At AKL you're closer to AK. OKW you're closer to MK. I'd say for simplicity's sake and not looking at goodle maps, you're very similar for Epcot and the Studios. So here's the next question...do you like being closer to MK or AK? Also...do you like the boat ride to DTD from OKW or does that matter?

AKL is one of, if not my favorite deluxe accomodation because of everything it has to offer.

I've heard that OKW has bigger rooms and has more rooms with dual queen beds as opposed to a queen and a sleeper sofa, so that may play in your decision.

Hopefully something I said peaked your interest or helped you decide which one you like. We plan on staying at OKW to see how it is, but right now, I love AKL...

 

[scottmel]

We have stayed at both and I much much prefer OKW between the 2. I don't care for AKL at all. I have given it 3 tries and offically wrote it off my list last month. While OKW is not my TOP favorite (that belongs to YC), I REALLY like OKW. Especially family of 5 in your case. Bigger rooms,etc, nice atmosphere, you really feel like your on a tropical vacation. However if you do pick OKW, make sure you ask to be away from the transportation road...Our first night was spent on what felt like a highway with constant bus noise, etc. We were moved the next day...but fyi...(we are a family of 3 and DD11 even admitted last month that she has had her fill of AKL and we need not return...)

 

[Amy&Dan]

They are so different in feel its hard to compare. I have not stayed at AKL but having been there to eat, it seems like one of the more immersive themed Disney resorts. It has the animals and the African theme and its pretty spectacular inside the lobby and outside.

AKL is a more typical hotel set up. There is a central lobby to walk into, it has things like interior corridors, room service and just that hotel feel.

OKW is more of a condo type resort. Multiple buildings, exterior hallways and no room service (they do have bell services that can help with your luggage and a guest services that can help you with getting tickets, to other Orlando areas etc.). It has the boat to DTD and that is very nice for dining and shopping. You can park right outside your door if you have a car which is great and the bus system has always been good for us. Its spread out but we like that.

Now if you are comparing Animal Kingdom Villas to Old Key West Villas, AKV units will be newer with the granite counter tops and many of the one bedrooms will have the two bathrooms vs. the one bathroom in OKW one bedrooms. The newer DVC units at AKV, BLT and the Villas at GCH in Disneyland are set up differently as far as one bedrooms vs all the other DVC's. An OKW one or two bedroom is huge, the biggest of any DVC one or two bedroom. The studios have the two beds which is nice for families of four but for a couple, I think a studio with one bed and a sofa is nice.

Some of the OKW units have been rennovated and they look very nice. The older style that many units still have is nice and bright, some of them however are a bit worn.

AKL also has a lot of human traffic in the lobby and around the savanah viewing area. It has popular restaurants that many people not staying at AKL or AKV come to dine at and its a big draw as an attraction in and of itself for people to come visit and look around. I find that lobby a lot like the monorail resort lobbies in that they are always bustling and full of people. OKW's restaurants are pretty much frequented by the people staying there. Its very laid back and a wonderful resort. We love OKW and love that set up of multiple buildings in a spread out layout vs. the hotel feel of AKV or other DVC resorts (except SSR which is set up like OKW).

AKL/AKV rooms will be darker to go with the theme, OKW units are bright and light and very beachy. Being from Colorado, the beach feel, even a fake one, is a big plus to me!

 

[cindym]

Can you park 2 cars in front of your villa at OKW?

 

[chalee94]

Can you park 2 cars in front of your villa at OKW?

you'd need to get 2 parking passes when you check in, but "yes."

 

[Family of Five]

Thank you for everyone's replies, in taking all the advice it sounds like Old Key West will be a better fit for us. In my heart, I'd love to stay at Bay Lake Towers but will have to wait for a money tree to grown in our yard for that one.

I love the idea of the boats at Old Key West... Are they only for travel between the resort and Downtown Disney?

Again, thanks for all the advice!!!
Lori

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Can't comment on AKV to much as I have only visited but I think you will be happy with your choice. OKW is our favorite. When you get to HH the music just puts you in the right mood. All that extra leg room in the units is wonderful. I have found all of the cm at okw to be pleasant and helpful, but then I always have a smile because I am just happy to be there. If you are visiting the main pool make sure you visit the gurgling suitcase. The best bartenders at disney.

 

[chalee94]

I love the idea of the boats at Old Key West... Are they only for travel between the resort and Downtown Disney?

the OKW boat only travels to DTD, but if you get off at DTD, you can catch other boats that go to SSR and port orleans (for a beignet, for example).

 

[ugadog99]

Keeping in mind that everyone has their own likes and dislikes, we will never stay at OKW again. About the only two things we liked were the quiet pools and the HUGE rooms. AKV, however, is our absolute favorite resort! One of the things I like most about Disney is that there are resorts to suit everyone's tastes!

 

[lock3130]

We have stayed at nearly every Disney resort (including both AKL and OKW) and OKW is the one resort I won't stay at again. It seemed soooo far away from everything and it seemed to take forever on the buses. Once you get inside of OKW, you have to ride around on the bus until you find your specific stop...and if yours happens to be one of the last ones, then you're on the bus for awhile.

AKL, however, is one of my favorites. It can be so interactive and there's always something to look at. I would highly recommend AKL over OKW!

 

[ugadog99]

We have stayed at nearly every Disney resort (including both AKL and OKW) and OKW is the one resort I won't stay at again. It seemed soooo far away from everything and it seemed to take forever on the buses. Once you get inside of OKW, you have to ride around on the bus until you find your specific stop...and if yours happens to be one of the last ones, then you're on the bus for awhile.

AKL, however, is one of my favorites. It can be so interactive and there's always something to look at. I would highly recommend AKL over OKW!

Exactly my thoughts about both resorts!