Second Best Pool?

[wendydarling826]

We are booked at AKV for the last week in August and waitlisted for BCV. When BCV wasn't available, I picked AKV because of the savannah view, but I'm wondering if I made a mistake. Will we be very disappointed in the pool after being accustomed to Stormalong Bay? What do you think is the next best pool to SAB?

 

[DVCconvert]

SAB pool is unique, but, the pool at AKV is very nice...so long as you're open to a nice experience, but not an identical one to BCV...you'll be fine!

 

[tkillini99]

My girls LOVED the pool at AKV-Kidani. The splash play area is great, and the pool is a good size with zero entry and a nice slide. It isn't BCV, but I think it is a great 2nd option for the kids, and I actually prefer it myself! Have a great trip!

 

[juncker]

SSR now has 2 feature pools. Choices....

 

[lakohls]

We really enjoyed SAB 2 trips ago, but last trip were at Kidani pool. DD10 & DD8 say they loved the slide at SAB, but overall want to go back to Kidani pool for this year & so that is where we are booked! And honestly, for DS3 I believe Kidani will be much better with the splash area as well.

Either way, have fun!

 

[cj9200]

No other pool can compare to SAB but AKV has two great ones. Kidani has a superior children's play area to I think any other pool on property including SAB. Younger kids love it.

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

we like akl pool but its not like sab its the best

 

[TheWho]

I just came back from 3 nights at 1 bedroom at Jambo and 4 nights 1 bedroom at BCV. As previously said, SAB is not to be duplicated.
The pool at Jambo House is pretty big and of course w/ zero entry.
The Mara food court is close by which I miss (being a BW owner) and every night at 9pm they played a movie at the pool. They also has plenty of games (hoola hoop, water ballon toss, basketball in the water,etc) all throughout the day.

 

[Arthur27]

I just got back yesterday from spending 3 nights @ Kidani and the pool there is very good especially with the kids splash area. I do consider Kidani's pool a second to SAB but better than the Jambo house pool.

 

[missycj96]

Ssr has a great main pool - zero entry, good slide, nice hot tubs - pool bar with mug fill and good activities

 

[Scraper]

I would have to say next best would be Saratoga. We love SAB and are at the BCV last week in Aug. I love the AKV but hate that it is so far away from everthing.

 

[Hunclemarco]

I'd say either Saratoga or AKV.
Saratoga has the movies nightly as well. I'm not sure if AKV does.
As said, now there are 2 options at SSR now

 

[maciec]

My kids (7&10) vote would be for SSR after SAB and we have stayed and played at AKV-Kidani. They didn't like the slide at OKW because they said it was dirty. Can't tell you why, but they don't like the clown slide either at BWV. Never been to BLT or VWL

 

[ShuisFan584]

What do you mean next best to SAB? I don't think SAB is the best pool. I would say that SAB is probably the second best pool in my opinion - to Kidani's pool! I love love LOVE the pool at Kidani. The slide at that pool is the best on Disney property. And the water play area is so much fun. I just love everything about that pool. Anytime we stay at AKV, we make sure to leave enough time everyday to be able to spend at the pool.

 

[wendydarling826]

I'm glad to hear that many really like the pools at AKV. We won't have any children with us this trip, so the play area is not important to us. It's the lazy river that makes SAB so enjoyable for us. I can spend all day with my noodle floating around and around. I guess this trip I'll just have to propel my own noodle

 

[jade1]

We would never stay at AKV, but if a pool is the most important thing-I think AKV pools look to be about 2nd in line as well.

 

[tjkraz]

If you have kids under 10, I'd lean toward AKV.

If no kids or over age 10: SSR

There are no age limits but IMO the Kidani play area is nice but it's best suited for younger kids. If there are any toddlers and parents wandering the water play area, kids age 8+ are likely to get dirty looks from the parents as they're blasting each other with water cannons.

The Kidani pool itself is a bit under-sized. Jambo is huge, though.

SSR now has two feature pools with slides & toddler play area, a tweener pool with water guns & fountains and a "leisure pool" overlooking Downtown Disney. Something for everyone.

 

[spiceycat]

like OKW pool slide - it is shaped like a melt sand castle with Mickey's face on it.

no zero entry

both AKV and SSR do have the zero entry