Please Help Me Decide Where to Stay

[mjaclyn]

We have a few days in WDW before our Eastern Caribbean Cruise on the Magic in January and I'm having trouble deciding where to stay. Our home resort (BLT) is not available for the dates we are going and I'm super disappointed because I LOVE being on the monorail...especially when it's cold. Here are my options:

Stay 6 nights in a one bedroom at Animal Kingdom Lodge (Standard View), OKW, SSR, or Boardwalk Villas (Standard View)

OR

Stay 5 nights in a one bedroom at Beach Club Villas, Wilderness Lodge Villas or AKL (Savannah View)

I like the idea of BCV because we love it there and it's very close to Epcot and the Studios...but it's one night less because the first night is not available.

I love AKL but not sure about staying there with a standard view, plus we'd have to take buses everywhere and it's farthest from everything.

I like WLV because we have never stayed there before, but again, buses everywhere unless we want to hike it to the boat which will probably be freezing in Jan.

I like OKW because this resort has the largest rooms and we have also never stayed here. I'm just worried about the size of the resort.. not sure where to request to be close to the main building or buses. Also, buses everywhere again.

Where would you stay?

 

[DVCconvert]

Of your options, personally, I'd pick OKW, then BWV

 

[NicoleLarson]

I would pick BWV, like you said it will probably not be pool weather so whats the point of BCV if you can't use the pool, you might as well stay @ BWV since its the same area and get an extra night. On another note, we stayed @ WLV last jan. and took the boat several times and where never cold. So I guess it really depends on what parks do you feel you will spend the most time @? MK or Epcot and HS.

 

[Granny]

Given your choices, I'd probably stay at BWV standard view. It seems that you dislike taking the bus, and that would get you walking to two parks. If you really dislike the bus, you could even walk through EPCOT and take the monorail to MK, though that would probably take longer than the bus.

I like WLV because we have never stayed there before, but again, buses everywhere unless we want to hike it to the boat which will probably be freezing in Jan.

Although it is possible that it will be freezing in January, it is highly unlikely. Average high temp in January is a little above 70 degrees, with lows about 50 degrees. That's really more like autumn weather, and makes WDW a great winter destination since you can walk around and not get drained by the heat.

 

[Gmouse]

ANIMAL KINGDOM without question. the others don't even compare. It's our fave right along with WLV. but you'd be on a boat in the cold wind (if it is cold) getting to and from MK. It's usually really nice weather in Jan.
AK is the ONE Although I HAVE wanted to try BLT! Just takes too many points for us.
AK standard view is what we have every time. In the right side of the Jambo house. It's usually a pool view and if you've ever been to see-it's beautiful! We just walk around the corner to see the animals. I can't see paying/using exess points for something I can take a 2 min. walk to see.
Boarwalk villas was a nightmare for us....I won't even get into...too much to tell. We'll never stay there again. After years of wanting to it was a HUGE letdown.
Bus trips to and from AK- a breeze. They are non stop. We've never waited more than 10 mins for a bus either way...and that was only once. They only stop at Jambo and Kidani. BWV stop at 35 different places and are slow as Christmas. The rooms were the worst ever...it was like a cheap 80's motel.

 

[mjaclyn]

Does anyone know how many stops the AKV bus will make before going to the park now that Kidani is sharing the buses with Jambo House?

 

[nocruisecontrol]

Sorry you couldn't get into BLT. We couldn't either in the Spring - so we stayed at OKW and really liked it there. Our building was very close to the Hospitality House. I think buildings 11-14 and 23-26 are now a separate category and have to be requested. All the buses stop at the Hospitality House - however, in leaving the resort the hospitality house stop is the last stop.

If I had to choose between AKL and WLV - I'd pick WLV - but only because I've never stayed there and want to.

I wasn't completely impressed (gasp) with BWV - but that's just me - and our stay was short so maybe I needed more time there.

When I was freaking out over our last trip when we gave up our one bedroom at BLT for a 2 bedroom at OKW to accommodate my daughter and family everyone told me to calm down - because it's Disney and all the resorts have something special about them. I'm thinking they're right.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[thepops]

Does anyone know how many stops the AKV bus will make before going to the park now that Kidani is sharing the buses with Jambo House?

Buses going to the parks go to Kidani and then Jambo. The ones going to Downtown Disney stop an Jambo first and the Kidani. So only two stops and you're off and running. When you figure in all the stops you're NOT doing with the other buses, it's almost the same time to get around.

 

[thepops]

I'd go with AKV standard, but see if you can squeak in one night on the Concierge level and then do the sunrise safari. It is a blast. We did ours in December, and it was a little chilly, but they had blankets for everyone (and warm beverages also as I remeber).

 

[Granny]

Buses going to the parks go to Kidani and then Jambo. The ones going to Downtown Disney stop an Jambo first and the Kidani. So only two stops and you're off and running. When you figure in all the stops you're NOT doing with the other buses, it's almost the same time to get around.

I think you might want to add that the bus stops at Blizzard Beach both going and coming to AKV. That stop is like sharing with another resort. Occasionally the bus skips BB but we found that we usually had to swing through there on most bus trips to and from AKV.

 

[kristenrice]

I'm always partial to AKV, but at this point, I think you may want to see what resort(s) have 5 consecutive days available in January.

The beauty of DVC is that you really can't go wrong with any of the resorts. Good luck.

 

[mjaclyn]

So I went ahead and booked a 1 bedroom at Jambo House in AKV. After reading a few AKL threads I'm starting to doubt my choice. We plan on using the buses to get around and I've read about how terrible the bus service is, especially at Jambo House. Since the buses stop at Kidani first, we will probably always have to stand (which isn't easy when holding 2 kids under 5, bags and double stroller...if we even fit on the bus at all). I'm wondering if I should call and change our resort, or at least switch to Kidani so we can get on the bus first. I'm worried...

 

[MErnst]

So I went ahead and booked a 1 bedroom at Jambo House in AKV. After reading a few AKL threads I'm starting to doubt my choice. We plan on using the buses to get around and I've read about how terrible the bus service is, especially at Jambo House. Since the buses stop at Kidani first, we will probably always have to stand (which isn't easy when holding 2 kids under 5, bags and double stroller...if we even fit on the bus at all). I'm wondering if I should call and change our resort, or at least switch to Kidani so we can get on the bus first. I'm worried...

Don't doubt your choice. We spent 9 days at AKL-Jambo end of Aug/beg of Sept and never had to stand. Bus service was excellent. DH and I just bought into DVC and AKV is our home resort....love it there!! I read so many threads about AKL being so far from everything....it's less than 5 minutes from AK. Your furthest point is Downtown Disney which i timed at 17 minutes...big deal! Other stops like EP, HS and MK are approx 10-12 minutes. Sorry to get off topic, but don't doubt your choice....remember you are on vacation, enjoy!

 

[GoofItUp]

If you want to have a quick-service dining option, stay with Jambo. If that's not a big deal for you, switch to Kidani. We stayed at Kidani this summer and loved it. The feel of the resort was really fabulous. We had 2 standard view rooms and 2 savannah view rooms in our family group. I found the savannah view to be a really neat option. We would send the kids out to eat breakfast/watch the animals on the balcony while we got ready each day. I like the easy feeling of Kidani. Jambo feels a little busier, but I'm sure would also be nice for a stay.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would pick AKV or VWL because I love those two resorts. However, since BWV standard is available for you, and standard often isn't, I would go with that for this trip. You have an easier trip to two parks, and that seems to be important to you.

Bobbi

 

[LSchrow]

BWV stop at 35 different places .

i guess we slept through our BWV vacations and just missed all those stops
if you are visiting for only a few days and going to the parks, BWV or BCV would be the best alternative (we prefer BWVs for all there is to do at the resort itself, among other reasons).
OKW might be a nice change of pace, but the transportation time/options aren't great imho (ditto for AKV and VWL). a shorter visit can be the perfect time to try a new resort though.

you can also book one of the others, and waitlist for BLT

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think you might want to add that the bus stops at Blizzard Beach both going and coming to AKV. That stop is like sharing with another resort. Occasionally the bus skips BB but we found that we usually had to swing through there on most bus trips to and from AKV.

I don't think BB is open in January, so there would be no stops there.

 

[dianeschlicht]

So I went ahead and booked a 1 bedroom at Jambo House in AKV. After reading a few AKL threads I'm starting to doubt my choice. We plan on using the buses to get around and I've read about how terrible the bus service is, especially at Jambo House. Since the buses stop at Kidani first, we will probably always have to stand (which isn't easy when holding 2 kids under 5, bags and double stroller...if we even fit on the bus at all). I'm wondering if I should call and change our resort, or at least switch to Kidani so we can get on the bus first. I'm worried...

Buses at AKV have always been very good for us. In our trips, only once did we have a lengthy bus wait, and that was because a bus broke down in the morning, and someone 'forgot' to add another to the route.

Since you are at Jambo, I'd probably take the short 5 minute walk to the Kidani bus stop to make sure you get yourself and the giant stroller on.

 

[Granny]

I don't think BB is open in January, so there would be no stops there.

Point well taken....I stand corrected. Thank you.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Point well taken....I stand corrected. Thank you.

Don't they still make the loop for the mini golf?