Resort help: SSR vs BWI vs AKL

[Mkid451]

My friends and I will be heading down to Orlando for a convention in January. We want to spend an extra 3 days/3 nights at Disney after we get done with convention over at the other set of parks across town. Two out of the 4 of us have never been to WDW before, and I am the only one who has stayed on-site. Originally we were looking into Pop or All Star Sports, but my roommate's family owns DVC, and has 60 points that will expire in February, so they are willing to rent them to us for $10 a point, which brings the cost of a studio villa down to what we would pay at a value. Now we have the problem of where to stay. Their home resort is SSR, which seems nice enough, and it close to Downtown Disney, and has nice big rooms, but I don't know much about DVC, so I don't know if the home resort makes a difference. SSR is the most expensive option for the time we are looking at, but only by about $60. BWI also fits into our price range, and seems nice enough, but we don't plan on going to Epcot. AKL is the cheapest when we look into a value studio (by quite a bit actually) and we do plan on spending a day over at AK (the other two will be at MK.) I was hoping that I could get some input from all the DISers out there as to which resort might offer the best option for 4 twenty-something student pharmacists, who are looking for a relaxing trip before we start the hardest semester of our entire time in pharmacy school. We will get a studio as a one bedroom is a little too expensive for us (we don't mind being a little close for a few days if we get to be at WDW!), and while cost is a concern, if SSR offers the best option we are willing to cough up the extra $30 each it would take to stay there vs. AKL or BWI.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mickeynut1]

My friends and I will be heading down to Orlando for a convention in January. We want to spend an extra 3 days/3 nights at Disney after we get done with convention over at the other set of parks across town. Two out of the 4 of us have never been to WDW before, and I am the only one who has stayed on-site. Originally we were looking into Pop or All Star Sports, but my roommate's family owns DVC, and has 60 points that will expire in February, so they are willing to rent them to us for $10 a point, which brings the cost of a studio villa down to what we would pay at a value. Now we have the problem of where to stay. Their home resort is SSR, which seems nice enough, and it close to Downtown Disney, and has nice big rooms, but I don't know much about DVC, so I don't know if the home resort makes a difference. SSR is the most expensive option for the time we are looking at, but only by about $60. BWI also fits into our price range, and seems nice enough, but we don't plan on going to Epcot. AKL is the cheapest when we look into a value studio (by quite a bit actually) and we do plan on spending a day over at AK (the other two will be at MK.) I was hoping that I could get some input from all the DISers out there as to which resort might offer the best option for 4 twenty-something student pharmacists, who are looking for a relaxing trip before we start the hardest semester of our entire time in pharmacy school. We will get a studio as a one bedroom is a little too expensive for us (we don't mind being a little close for a few days if we get to be at WDW!), and while cost is a concern, if SSR offers the best option we are willing to cough up the extra $30 each it would take to stay there vs. AKL or BWI.

Thanks in advance!

We've never stayed at SSR or BWI, but have stayed at AKL and loved it (regular room, not studio/villa). Since you will be spending a day at AK, I'd go with AKL. Getting to MK from any of the resorts will require taking a bus, so I'd go with the resort that will get you close to at least one park. With that said, we find AKL to be a very relaxing resort. It is sort of isolated from everything, but I find that to be a positive thing as it makes the resort quiet and peaceful (IMO). Also, since the buses only service AKL and Kidani, there's no sharing with any other resort(s), so getting to parks other than AK takes maybe 5 extra minutes compared to other resorts. AKL also has great dining options as Mara has a lot of variety for quick CS meals/snacks and Boma is a good buffet with a nice atmosphere (can't comment on Jiko as we've never eaten there). Good luck.

 

[robndani]

We've stayed at all 3 and I think you would like BWV. I know you said you're not going to Epcot, but World Showcase is awesome! Cool places to eat and fun shows to watch at many countries. You should reconsider!

Also, being on the boardwalk gives you some more night time options, as well as GREAT ice cream sundaes right across the way at Yacht/Beach club. You can boat to Hollywood Studios as well. There are no restaurants IN the hotel, but lots right along the boardwalk.

SSR is our least favorite of the 3. It's fine, but nothing extra awesome about it. The QS restaurant is good and you are right across from DTD.

AKL is our DVC home resort, so obviously we LOVE it! If it was a warmer time of year and you were planning on lots of pool/relax time, I would suggest this one over the other 2. The animals are awesome and there are great restaurants there as well! It's just a little further from Magic Kingdom and other parks.

HAVE FUN and good luck with school!

 

[TeamSy]

I've stayed at all 3 and our favorite out of the ones you mentioned is BW. Even if you're not going to Epcot or HS it's a great place to stay. There's a ton of restaurants, shopping, and things to do on the BW. Second choice would be SSR. We didn't love it, but the access to Disney Springs makes it a great option for adults. AKL, while it shares a bus between Kidani and Jambo, was just too far from everything for us. We felt stuck at the hotel, which isn't a bad thing, but we were coming from a previous stay at YC where the access to everything was amazing.

Also, you should reconsider and definitely go to Epcot

 

[mmackeymouse]

My first response would be to check the availability tool, if you haven't already, because that may be able to make part of the decision for you. For 3 days, availability may not be too much of a problem. We looked at a January trip just a couple of weeks ago, and found that availability was pretty hard to find, but we were looking at an entire week. Also, you might learn that the only available rooms at one resort might be "preferred rooms" and you can get value at another.

That said, if all things were equal, I would still go with the Boardwalk. Even if you aren't planning on Epcot, you would still be a stone's throw from the Studios. It is also a little more centrally located than either of the other two. You have access to lots of restaurants and shops between all three of the nearby resorts. There is the dance hall and the piano bar if you are interested in late night frivolity.

However, as cliche as it may sound, it is ultimately up to you guys. If you think you will prefer to spend a lot of your time at Downtown Disney, going to the clubs and restaurants, hit Splitsville, all that jazz...Saratoga is for you. If you aren't though- Saratoga is a bit higher than the other two, so the practical side of me would say, "Why spend the extra money to stay there if you really aren't going to be doing much near there?" Animal Kingdom has pros and cons as well. It is out in the boonies, for sure, but with a singular bus servicing it, it doesn't make it much different than riding through 3+ bus stops at some of the other locations. It would definitely be a change of pace. If you are in town for a Convention, you may prefer the remoteness and theming of AKL. Also, if restaurants and clubs aren't really a concern for you, and you would much rather just have relaxing, by-the-pool downtime, AKL would be a perfect fit.

 

[magicaldisney]

We have stayed at all 3 multiple times.

A value room is smaller, that's why it's a value. For 4 adults, I'm not sure I would consider that AND it very likely is not available. Value rooms are usually reserved at the 11 month mark. If you want to stay at AKV, you will probably need to look into a standard studio instead of a value. This will take more points. That being said, if you will be going to AK park, AKV is definitely convenient.

However, being 4 young adults, I would think BWV or SSR would be a better fit.

 

[magicaldisney]

Also, remember you will not receive daily housekeeping with a DVC room.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For a bunch of twenty-somethings would be BWV! There is so much to do in the area. As another PP stated, I would definitely reconsider EP. WS is such a great place to stroll around. Personally, I would stay at BWV and consider springing for park hoppers.

My second choice would be AKV. The resort is gorgeous and you will be close to AK.