Please help me decide-AKL or BC for anniversary trip??

[IvyandLace]

Help!! You guys know how it is...I was thrilled to be staying at AKL savannah room (first time in a deluxe!) with an AP rate, but then I got to thinkin'...what about the Yacht and Beach Club??! My husband and I will be spending four nights/five days over our fifth anniversary and are really looking for something special/quiet/romantic...and we LOVE Epcot. That's why I thought that the location of the Beach Club (DU was able to snag a reservation for me here-water view!) especially since we will be going to the Food and Wine Festival there the majority of our time. (We will then spend another week at ASMu with my extended family!)

Please help me decide. I'm worried that the Beach Club, while convenient, will be too noisy with Stormalong Bay-but pretty neat too! AKL is exotic and...somehow more intimate in my mind but definitely out of the way from Epcot so we would be using the bus a lot more there. What would you suggest??

Thank you for your opinions in advance...IVY

 

[Terk-1]

We stayed there a few years ago and REALLY loved it. Being so close to EPCOT and MGM was a big help. The rooms are beautiful and spacious and we found to be quiet. I think if your room is not directly over the pool, then there should not be a problem with noise from that. The difference between the YC & the BC is primarily atmosphere. Although the YC is further away from the main pool & EPCOT, it is much closer to the boat launch. Both the YC & BC are a very quick walk to EPCOT, as well as the Boardwalk.

 

[SafariChris]

I just returned from a 6 night stay at the AKL, I read everyone's posts on this board, and they were all on target. It was the most wonderful experience that I have ever had. truly magical!!!
the lodge is beautiful, I really felt like I was on safari in Africa. The animals were always right outside our window, the staff was great, there is almost too much to do and see in the lodge that I made it a point to get back every night by 4pm. The pool was great, the poolside bar(I had my evening drinks while rotating between the Hot tub and the pool) I didn't find it to be too packed with people, I heard others say that the hot tub there is the best of any resort!!! I was very sad the day we left, I felt like I was leaving my home.
The restaurants are also incredible...so for being on an anniversary you could spend alot of quality time in just that lodge.
Also, I heard alot of people talking about the AKL being farther out and not as convenient for the bus, I never waited longer than 10 minutes..not 1 single day....we went from AKL to AK, then AKL to epcot, AKL to typhoon lagoon, AKL to MGM, maybe it was just luck I don't know but the bus was not a big issue at all!!!
I hope this helps...good luck on your adventure.

 

[DeeP]

My vote, hands down would be for the Beach Club. It is a beautiful resort in the best location with easy access to 2 parks, numerous great restaurants, great night time entertainment--you have to go to Jellyrolls one night--it is a really good & fun adult night time spot. At night walking around the lake between YC/BC, Swan/Dolphin and BWI/BWV is soooo pretty and very romantic. You can't beat it. Stop and enjoy the free stuff like the beautiful atmosphere with the resorts all lit up and the Friendship boats coming and going, stop to watch the juggler or magician on the boardwalk, or go to Beaches and Cream and get a ice cream cone and just sit outside and enjoy life and your good fortune to be at WDW!!!
I have stayed at AKL and I also like this resort very much but if you want romance I would defintiely go for an Epcot resort. You can sit on your balcony and watch Illuminations or just the total, beautiful area you are in, take a leisurely stroll over to Epcot or MGM on a lovely walking path or take a boat, come back to BC and sit on the beach, etc., etc. It is heaven!! Try it, you'll LOVE it!!

 

[DemoBri1]

I will chime in for the Beach Club. I have never stayed there, but will be staying at the BCV quite a bit from now with DVC. I have stayed at Yacht Club for my honeymoon back in '98 and let me tell you it was Fantabulous!!

My wife and I could take a nice romantic walk along the beach side of Crescent Lake, or if we wanted to we could stroll over to the Boardwalk for some evening entertainment.

I don't know anyone who has personally stayed at AKL, and while I am sure it is a great resort (it is a deluxe after all), I think it is just so out of the way of everything that it kind of defeats the purpose.

I guess if your goal is to be "isolated" from the hustle and bustle, then I would go for AKL. If you want the best of both worlds go for Beach. One thing you might want to keep in mind regarding BC is when the renovations will finish up.

Just my $.02

 

[nativetxn]

I love the location of the Beach Club. I think it might be more romantic than AKL as wonderful as it is

 

[Michelle]

DEFINITELY the Beach Club!

I just stayed at AKL a couple of weeks ago and while it is a lovely resort it is very secluded and you have to take a bus everywhere. At the BC you are very close to Epcot, MGM Studios and the Boardwalk, and you have tons of dining choices in the area.

Have a great trip, whatever you decide!

 

[adams66]

I think it definitely depends on what you consider to be romantic activities for the two of you. If lounging in the room, hanging out at the pool or poolside bar, viewing the animals together are your idea, then the AKL is the way to go. It is a fantastic resort! We never wanted to leave to go to the parks and such. However, if you are planning to go to EPCOT alot like you mentioned the Wine Festival, and you like moonlit walks along the water or dinner/drinks along the Boardwalk, then I'd go with the Beach Club. We are going to try the YC for January and I can't wait. We are taking our 2 DS's but they love to go to the kid's club. That way my DH and I can take advantage of the "romance"

Either way, I don't think you can go wrong, but ultimately it's personal tastes.

 

[sharoncity]

Both are wonderful resorts. Like everyone else says - what type of vacation are you looking for? If you want a slower pace, lots of down time, relaxation - AKL all the way. We didn't NOT go to the parks because of the transportation or because it was too remote. We chose to stay at the resort instead because it was so wonderful. It was a different type of WDW vacation than we normally have. We didn't plan it that way, it just happened! But if you are the type of people who like to go, go , go, then BC is an excellent choice. You have all the entertainment of the Boardwalk right there. Plus Epcot and MGM are so close! For us, the more romantic spot would be AKL. We are not the type to hit the bars and such. I'd much rather hit the hot tub! It is just a matter of personal preference! Good luck and let us know which you choose.

 

[BadgerBruce]

We love the atmosphere of the Epcot resort area, finding it to be very romantic. Epcot is our favorite park & you just can't beat being able to quickly walk in to the park anytime it's open. Our last night ritual is to watch the performing fountain in Epcot until they turn it off (way after Illuminations is over) & then walking around Crescent Lake until we are too tired to continue. There's so much to see & do in the area-or you can just sit back & enjoy.