Resort advice please: AKL vs Y/BC

[dmce]

I am planning a two-week trip for my family in summer 2013 and am trying to decide between AKL and either YC or BC. My concern with AKL is location and transport to parks - I've heard/ read a variety of reviews (some say it's an issue, others say it's not) but would like to hear directly about your real experiences. My gut feel is that it won't be a big deal but the online reviews are causing concern. Thanks!

 

[mariamouse]

to the DIS and congratulations on your upcoming trip!

We absolutely love the AKL and YC/BC for different reasons. Given that you are already booked at the AKL, do you much prefer its theme? If so, I say stick with it and give it a try! The lobby and roaming animals outside are so impressive and unique. We also LOVE the restaurants at the AKL-- Boma and Jiko are not to be missed!

As for the AKL location, it is definitely less convenient than the YC/BC. The resort is close to the AK park, but every single park (including AK) can only be accessed by bus. In contrast, the YC/BC is located within walking distance (or boat ride) to both EPCOT and the Studios, as well as the Boardwalk and Swan/Dolphin resorts-- hence its being more expensive!

During our two previous stays at the AKL, we had no problem with bus service. We found that it was always prompt and did not consider it to be a huge hassle. I will admit, though, that the opening of the DVC resort next door (Kidani) has caused the bus situation to be a bit less enjoyable since both the main house (Jambo) and Kidani now share buses. Some guests have complained about the buses already being nearly full when they arrive at the alternate location, etc. We paid a visit to the AKL for dinner this past December and found it a bit annoying that we had to stop at Kidani before arriving at the main house since it was a bit out of the way. IMO, the AKL should provide separate buses for Kidani and Jambo, but it is what it is. The bus service is definitely not so bad that I would panic and switch resorts, though, and it should be noted that actual wait times for buses will not differ from any other resort. Everything is simply exacerbated by the fact that resort guests have to take buses everywhere. All this being said, we would stay at the AKL again in a second! Just love love love the resort theme, beautiful grounds, activities, and restaurants. And the pool area is great too!

As for the YC/BC, it is popular due to its massive pool (biggest resort pool on property), beach-y theme, variety of dining options, and convenient location. We absolutely love the BC and will be staying there again in January. It is an adults-only trip, though, and parks close earlier in January, so having a resort that was "in the middle of everything" was extremely important to us. Our resort choice just depends on what we want to get out of the trip!

In sum, I would decide how important location is to you and choose whichever resort theme you prefer. The AKL is less $ than the YC/BC due to its more remote location, so you just have to assess whether you prefer cost savings vs location. The AKL theme is so unique, though, that I say give it a try! The buses are truly not that bad as long as you know what to expect and I can assure you that the AKL itself will not let you down.

Edited to add: Just noticed that you are visiting during the summer. Given that it will be extremely hot in Orlando in the summer and you may want to take mid-day breaks, the YC/BC location and pool may be more convenient. Just something to consider if you expect to go back and forth a lot.

 

[madalex]

I have stayed at each of AKL, YC and BC on multiple occasions.

I love everything about AKL, except the location and the buses. Not that the bus service is bad, it's just that you have to take buses to get anywhere and it's a longish bus ride to many places (MK is a 20 minute bus ride from AKL). This is really the only thing about AKL which is somewhat bothersome to me.

I prefer YC over BC, but both are great resorts for the amenities, the theming and the proximity to all the parks (walking distance to two parks, with moderate bus rides to the other two).

All in all, my order of preference would be YC, AKL, BC, but you can't really go wrong with any one of them.

 

[TJA]

We've stayed at all 3. First and most importantly, if you have young kids/strollers, you will probably want to put BC as your front runner. We stayed at AKL when we had a double stroller and 2 babies and it wasn't overly convenient to unload and fold up the stroller for a bus or car every day, 2x a day.

BC is the more family-friendly out of BC versus YC. Mainly because BC has a character meal in the lobby, therefore creating more people and more "buzz" in the lobby area. YC is quieter and more subdued.

If you don't have kids, then AKL would be a great option as strollers/kids are not in the equation. Don't get me wrong, AKL is also loved by kids, but if you're looking for convenience in getting to parks with the little ones, then you might want to wait til after stroller-age.

 

[Heather1979]

I can't speak to the convenience of walking to a park, but my family stayed at AKL and had a great time. We went to and from the parks 2x a day for half our trip and the other days we skipped heading back to the room for naps. Out of all those trips, there was only one trip in the late afternoon that took awhile. We actually had to call Disney to report the issue. We waited about 40 minutes for that one bus. (this was me looking with my watch, not an estimate.) They were very apologetic, and seriously? Every other bus trip was a pleasant one with minimal wait times. And that was a big important thing for us, we have two (impatient) toddlers in tow.

AKL is awesome!

 

[Pakey]

I have stayed at all 4 (if you count AKL and AKV as separate). AKL/AKV is my favorite resort at WDW. While I prefer the Epcot area resorts for the convenience of going into the World Showcase and the many dining options within walking distance, for just the resort experience, I would pick AKL.

Yes, you have to bus to all 4 parks from AKL/AKV but the bus service is not shared with any other resorts and we have never had an issue. The BC/BCV/YC location will still require you to bus to 2 of the 4 parks and we have experienced worse bus crowds there than ever at AKL.

Since you are staying for two weeks, have you considered doing a split stay and experiencing both resorts. It would be like 2 vacations in one. We almost always do split stays anymore with part being at an Epcot area resort and part being another location.

 

[shannonstar]

I had the same dilemma.

We ended up doing a split stay. We are going to stay at BC first and then during the more crowded time of our visit we are going to switch to AKL. We figured that taking buses to DTD and BB from AKL wouldn't be too bad and we wanted to experience both resorts.

Good luck choosing!

 

[Stupid_Judy]

I also recommend a split stay. I've stayed at BC & AKL (Jambo & Kidani) and absolutely love them all. If I HAD to pick a favorite, I'd pick Jambo or Kidani, but BC is a close second. You can't go wrong with a split, you get the best of both worlds!

 

[dmce]

Thank you to everyone who posted - this was really informative and helpful. We are pushing ahead with AKL - I think the kids (and adults!) will love the theme and the transportation concerns seem to be minimal. Very, very, very excited... only 367 days to go!!! Many thanks again for all your advice - much appreciated.