Resort as a destination advice

[Anek0618]

We haven't been to Florida yet (we are new owners at Aulani and heading there in April ), but I am already starting to plan a trip to WDW. I know we'll spend some time at the parks, but it looks like we are going to end up there during one of the busier times due to kids being in school. I'm not great with crowds so I thought maybe we could pick a resort that offers lots to do. Which would you choose if you wanted to spend more time at the resort?

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

By "not great with crowds", do you mean you have panic attacks?
Is it an issue like that, or just the usual, "I avoid crowds if given a choice."
I'm taking you are talking about a trip booked with DVC points.
AKV is a beautiful resort, and more remote.
OKW feels remote, but is not beautiful.
BWV has lots to do in the area, but is a very busy, crowded area, so that would not fit the bill.
All the resorts will have pools. Most have a walking trail, bikes to rent, tennis courts, a community hall with a few activities for kids, movies at night out by the pools at some.
I have done BWV as a destination resort, and AKV.
But as stated above, BWV is very busy and crowded, so would not suit your needs.
I don't know how long you are going, or what your party is comprised of, but you mentioned kids. With 4 parks there, they will certainly want to go to the parks.
Could your husband, or other traveling companion, stay with the kids if you are having crowd problem, and you go back to the resort alone?
Is your traveling party just you and the kids?

 

[papas4]

Well not knowing exactly what your looking for in activities it's just a guess.I would say you probably can't go wrong with Saratoga Srings.You can catch a boat ride to OKW and POR.You also can walk to Downtown Disney.You can also catch buses to anywhere at Downtown Disney.

 

[bookwormde]

Everyone's thoughts are different. If you want a quite uncrowded place to relax then OKW, If you wan to be close enough to the parks to walk then BWV or BCV.

 

[Anek0618]

It is not a panic attach situation, more a loss of patience I know we will spend some at the parks, but I am hoping that if the resort has lots to offer we can deter the kids from wanting to spend every moment there! They are currently 8 & 4.

I am drawn to AKV at the moment, it looks stunning. Is there enough to do there that appeals to younger kids? Is transportation to MK doable? Odds are we'll have a rental car (my husband hates not having a car!), does that make it more manageable? Is a week there too long? Should I consider a split stay?

So many questions! I love all the great info I get off these boards, by the time we are ready to book I know I'll feel prepared

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The resorts that we end up spending much more time at rather than rushing off to the parks is AKV and VWL. They are they 2 I would select if spending less time at the parks.

AKV offers many activities, has 2 nice pools and the animal watching can take up hours - at least for us!

At VWL we love the quiet and the location on Bay Lake with all of it's activities as well as the proximity to Fort Wilderness which can take up a lot of our time visiting.

The food service at a resort is also important when spending time there and AKV and VWL offer some of our favorite options. VWL has the benefit of having easy access to CR and FW for dining also.

 

[cjnix29]

I was going to second the suggestion for VWL. The pool is nice, you have the boat transportation to the MK, but it also gets you to the Contemporary if you want to check that out, and for additional dining options. Plus, you have access to Fort WIlderness, which can be fun, and offer a bit to do.

 

[crisi]

Some hints -

Go when your kids have a break but other schools don't - i.e. Jersey week is "crowded" with people from New Jersey, but its still a lot less crowded than Christmas.

About half the country starts in August and gets out in late May. About the other half starts in September and gets out in mid-June. Because of this - and because few people travel right before starting school or getting off school, early June and late August tend to be less crowded than many other "schools out" options. Hot, but less crowded.

Spring breaks are also staggered. If yours is the week before or the week after Easter - avoid Disney. If its offset from Easter (ours was last year and will be again this year), Disney is busy, but not shoulder to shoulder.

 

[Anek0618]

We have a week off in Nov, over Nov 11 which is Remembrance Day for us, and a week off in February (3rd Monday I believe). So, those are my two options for us. I know each still encompasses a US holiday, but would one be better than the other? How about the weather?

 

[crisi]

We have a week off in Nov, over Nov 11 which is Remembrance Day for us, and a week off in February (3rd Monday I believe). So, those are my two options for us. I know each still encompasses a US holiday, but would one be better than the other? How about the weather?

I'd do November, February weather is iffy. Both will have manageable crowds. There are no uncrowded times at Disney, but there are times when crowds are impossible and times when they are "not too bad."

 

[bookwormde]

If you go the AKV route, If you are doing a studio them since you have never been there before I would suggest Jambo SV with a "near the pool elevator" request (keeps you near the lobby also.

If you are doing a 1 or 2 bedroom then I would suggest Kidani, with again a near the pool request. The underbuilding parking is a great extra at Kidani, since you are typically just a quick elevator ride away form your car and it is not superheated by the sun, plus if you do not want to drag pool supplies back to the room you can drop them in the car (there is a back way to the pool through the parking area if you have a room close to the pool

bookwormde

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you want a true "destination" resort that you could spend a lot of time at other than parks, I'd recommend AKL/Kidani. The cultural exchange things available there from the African exchange students is incredible, and I found myself spending less time in the parks and more time at the resort taking advantage of their programs.

 

[AnnaS]

I vote for AKVs too. I think this is a great destination resort.

 

[moredisneyplease]

not too sure the ages of the kids but i have a 4 and 6 year old (both boys) and they love, love, LOVE BWV and AKL. lots do to at both resorts. AKL is a great stand alone resort with loads of activity and BWV has a great theme and is easy access to the night life of BWV and the fun of BCV (my kids LOVE hanging on the beach/bay edge digging in the sand)

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

I'd do November, February weather is iffy. Both will have manageable crowds. There are no uncrowded times at Disney, but there are times when crowds are impossible and times when they are "not too bad."

I agree with the above. November is one of my favorite times to go. I like the week right before Thanksgiving, as it is "less" crowded, but like the above mentioned, there are no uncrowded times. That is a thing of the past. November, IMHO, has the best weather. You can use the pool, but the humidity/heat are gone. It is just right! The week you mention, will probably encompass F&W, which makes Epcot crowded.
With regard to destination resort, I would have to say AKV. We have stayed there on a resort only trip, and never felt bored. First off, you feel away from it all, very remote feeling. The dining options are many. And the pools at both Kidani and Jambo are very relaxing. The music, the smells and just the overall ambiance at Jambo is simply amazing!

 

[starbox]

We've stayed at all the resorts and, without a doubt, AKV!!!

AKV has two pools with activities, multiple savannas with different animal experiences (including night viewing), really cool educational programs to earn beads throughout the day andy evening, super cultural representative CMs, an impressive collection of African art, three awesome TS restaurants, a great CS restaurant.

No other resort on property comes even remotely close as a destination resort.

 

[burnsoc]

I'd go with VWL. The proximity to the other MK area resorts and FW are great. In particular we really enjoy heading over to FW for the campfire and movie. If you get a chance try the segway tour they have at FW, it was one of my favorite things I've done at WDW.

 

[jade1]

I'd go with VWL. The proximity to the other MK area resorts and FW are great. In particular we really enjoy heading over to FW for the campfire and movie. If you get a chance try the segway tour they have at FW, it was one of my favorite things I've done at WDW.

Also did Bass fishing from there-super peacefull and private and entertaining, with the MK background, recommend.

 

[ToddyLu]

I would agree with the others and think the VWL and AKV are the best "destination" reosrts. I have participated in the Drum Cafe and cultural exchanges at AKV as well as enjoyed the Community Hall and movie by the pool. They also have a pool party everyday at 2 or 3. There is always a listing of these activities. At Jambo there are different activities like watching animals at night and doing rubbings of some of the art work at the resort.

We love dinner at VWL becasue of the Great West Cowboy atmosphere. It is on the same scale as the African Theme at AKV. There is a geiser (sp?), great pool, small beachy area, boat trips to the places the PP mentioned. To me the other resorts are more like a nice Marriott or Hilton, lovely pool, nice lobby, close to parks --within walking distance actually for BWV, BCV, BLT and SSR for Downtown Disney--it is just that the two I mentioned are over the top with detail and that emotional vibe I want from a Disney Resort.

We have never used our car at AKV. THe buses for that resort are very good and we never really have to wait to get to a park--maybe a 15 minute wait twice per trip. Now getting back from a park is different due to the crowds leaving at the same time when the park closes.

You have to understand that the bus transporatation system at Disney almost gets you to the gate. To get to the Magic Kingdom from AKV--you would take the bus to the gate. To drive to the MK you have to go through a toll, park the car, get on a tram riding it to the TTC to catch the monorail or boat, then you arrive at the MK gate. You can not park the car near the gate at MK. So I would take the bus to MK always.

Look at the different videos on You Tube to get an idea of what you like about each--then plan a meal at the others--so you get a taste of all of them.

 

[cj9200]

Love Boardwalk but maybe not with your age kids as much. If the kids are pool rats, BCV is the place. That and if they swim in the winter (from Florida so I don't). Plus great restaurants including Beaches and Cream. If not AKV is a great place. Make sure you get a Savanna View. Lots of activities at the resort including talks by CMs. Wherever you stay, check out the Community Hall at the resort. Fun things for the kids, games and DVDs to rent.

As far as time of year, I would pick November. Crowds are not to bad early in the month, the weather will probably be better and you will have either Halloween or Christmas stuff to see and do.