picking between AKV or BLT

[princessap]

We are considering renting points for a ten day stay. I was convinced on AKV but am now contemplating between AKV and BLT.

Kids will be 15 months, 4 (dd) and 6 (dd)

I am wondering what resort activities, pools etc. would be best for kids our ages.

 

[vdub322]

We are new DVC owners with AKV as our home resort, but we made our first reservation at BLT for our upcoming trip. The main reason for this was the walking distance to Magic Kingdom. It makes it very convenient to be able to come back to the room for DD3's nap time in the afternoon.

That being said, we did end up turning our 7 night BLT stay into a 5 night BLT/3 night AKV split stay so we could experience both resorts.

 

[rpcvpanama]

With the age of your children I would pick BLT. The convenience of access to the monorail and MK is a big bonus. I love, love, love AKV but it is pretty far from most of the parks and getting back for afternoon naps/down time is not as easy.

 

[spiceycat]

Kids will be 15 months, 4 (dd) and 6 (dd)

I am wondering what resort activities, pools etc. would be best for kids our ages.

blt has a tiny pool. So the pool and stuff is really better at AKV. they both have an activity center (community hall) - but AKV is definitely bigger.

depends upon what you are going for - the parks - then being close to the MK is a big plus for me. It takes between 20 and 30 minutes to get to MK from AKV (Kidania) - jambo house is a little less.

from blt you can WALK to the MK in 5 to 10 minutes. if you decide on BLT don't take the monorial to the MK - walking is much faster. riding the monorail for fun - well that is definitely a treat.

with AKV there is anything close by besides AKV(jambo house) to go to if you get bore with it and don't want to go to the parks.
BLT is a short monorail ride from Polyn, GF - a boat ride to WL/VWL or FW

 

[YankeePrincess]

are you renting a studio? If so I think the best bet would be AKV. The studios at BLT are very small.

If you are doing a 1 or two bedroom, BLT is best since it is so close to MK and that is great for the little ones. Also, you can use the CR pool as well when staying at BLT if the BLT pool is too crowded.

 

[BLTLDZ]

With the age of your children I would pick BLT. The convenience of access to the monorail and MK is a big bonus. I love, love, love AKV but it is pretty far from most of the parks and getting back for afternoon naps/down time is not as easy.

I agree with this. HOWEVER- There are TONS of things to do at AKL resort, & MK is a bus ride away....check out this website for AKL. Will give you an idea of all they have to offer.

http://www.aklresort.com/

 

[living20057]

my home resort is BLT, but I enjoy AKV. Yes it is further out, but we enjoy animal watching. There pools are great! I think it depends on your what your planning to do during your stay.

 

[rmcildw2m]

For me it would be a toss up, BLT has the fireworks at night but AKL has the animals all day long .

 

[CarpeDisney]

We're owners at AKV, and have stayed at both AKV and BLT.

If you're considering spending a majority of your time at the Magic Kingdom, BLT is definitely the better option. As we've travelled with children that needed mid-day naps, the quick walk or monorail ride from BLT was very convenient, as opposed to the bus ride from the park. (You may hear a lot of people saying that AKV is "so far out of the way" from everything. In my family's opinion, the bus rides aren't bad at all.)

However...
If you're thinking of spending some full days at the resort rather than in the parks, I think I'd lean towards selecting AKV. The resort provides a lot of unique activities for children, some fantastic pool areas, and overall has a much more laid back feel to it.

Both resorts have some great positives aspects associated with them, and I think either way you're going to be happy with your choice.

 

[lync]

I was trying to decide the same thing. We were able to book a 2br value at AKV. By doing so, I was able to save $900. Choice made....lol!

It is a tough decision, though.
Good luck!

 

[goldenears]

Hi!
I have three young kids too (very similar ages to your's). I have stayed at both resorts and would pick BLT. The proximity of the resort to MK is unbeatable. You can also take the monorail to Epcot. Even though you have to switch monorails at TTC, rolling a stroller on and off a monorail is a lot easier than getting it on and off a bus. I think the pool at BLT is great. They have the big slide, which my 6 and 4 year old loved. They also have a smaller slide, that was perfect for my 2 YO. Another great feature is the large Mickey-Shaped splash pad, which all of my kids enjoyed. On a down day, you could spend some time at the pool and then take a boat ride over to FW and take your kids to the stables. Your two older girls are both old enough/young enough (there is an age limit) to do a pony ride.
To me, less bus time equals more quality time (either at parks or relaxing). In the end, both resorts are beautiful and no matter what, you will have a great time!!

 

[lync]

We drive to all of the parks....so that was a factor in our decision. Will you drive or use Disney transportation?

 

[marynvince]

Having stayed at both on same trip with a 4yo, Hands down Animal Kingdom. Something magical for a 4 yo boy and 45yo dad about waking up and watching "wild" animals from your balcony.

 

[sarahk0204]

BLT's pool may be smaller, but it is perfectly adequate for the size of the resort. You've got the baby slide for the youngest and the "big" slide for the older two. I was not too impressed with the water play area when I saw it (just fountains shooting up out of the ground). However, my kids (6 on their first visit to BLT) just LOVE it. Coupled with the travel time to to MK, and I vote BLT all of the way.

 

[princessap]

We drive to all of the parks....so that was a factor in our decision. Will you drive or use Disney transportation?

We will drive as we like having our own transportation.

We will spend some resort only days and it looks like there is more to do at akv. am i wrong ??

 

[Greysword]

So, your highness, you have found the DVC boards. Now to answer your questions....here..on this board, too....

You will go to BLT. You will stare down upon Chef Mickeys and squeal like a 5 year old. You will be in awe of the monorail passing through the concourse. You will enjoy yourself.

Your DH will fall in love with it and decide to buy into DVC, thus forcing you to go to WDW every year of your life. Then you will stay with the wildlife at AKV, sine it will be your home resort.

BLT..... BLT..... BLT......

 

[princessap]

So, your highness, you have found the DVC boards. Now to answer your questions....here..on this board, too....

You will go to BLT. You will stare down upon Chef Mickeys and squeal like a 5 year old. You will be in awe of the monorail passing through the concourse. You will enjoy yourself.

Your DH will fall in love with it and decide to buy into DVC, thus forcing you to go to WDW every year of your life. Then you will stay with the wildlife at AKV, sine it will be your home resort.

BLT..... BLT..... BLT......

not sure how to take this!?

 

[dbs1228]

I think you cannot go wrong at either resort. We have teens who love BLT because they can come and go with ease to the parks, all the resorts on the monorail, boats to FW and VWL.

My youngest DD babysits for 3 kids 8, 6 and 4 who are DVC owners and they say their favorite resort is BLT and yes they have stayed at AKV and many others. They say it is just really nice to walk back to the resort mid day to eat lunch and take a break from the park (nap or just down time) - easy walk back for the night time parade and fireworks. I loved AKV the 1 night I was there and cannot wait to stay again but it will be a trip I am planning to have more resort time then park time. Enjoy!

 

[DEA]

We were at AKL a couple of years ago with kids a little younger than your two oldest, and they had a fantastic time out there. Last year, we stayed at BLT on points, and thought it was a mistake. When we went over to Sanaa for dinner one night, I tried to see if they had rooms available at AKL/KV for the remainder of our stay. I think we're just more AKL people than we are BLT people. The MK proximity is nice for BLT, but the place itself felt sterile to me. Also, I found the customer service over at BLT to be pretty bad, at least on check-in day.

 

[Greysword]

not sure how to take this!?

Hopefully tongue in cheek Since your board name indicates royalty, I thought I'd give you the honors, too

Me, I'm a BLT fan, but you'll enjoy either, as most have said. Plus, I honestly do hope your DH will enjoy the villas enough to visit WDW a bit more. Then again, his hope to change venues periodically may work out in your favor to see the other Disney parks around the US and globe (not to mention the DVC resorts in Hawaii, South carolina, and Vero Beach).