Stormalong Bay/BC vs. AKL

[SydsMommy]

Is SB good for little ones (3 and 6)? Trying to decide between BC and AKL for our next trip this fall. We want to spend a few days just enjoying the resort since we're splurging for a deluxe We like the idea of being closer to the parks with BC but love the atmosphere at AKL. It's so hard to decide! Any advice?

 

[vassar36]

We stayed at both, and the good news is you can't go wrong with either choice.

SAB is hands down best pool on property, but the really long slide might be intimidating to a 3 year old..and some 6 year olds too...the "beach area" is great, my kids loved playing in that alot and the slide was a big hit, but they were older 9 & 7 at the time. Walking to Epcot is really great, bus service to the MK is just Ok, and sometimes you share buses with YC and BW. The BC theme might not Wow kids of that age group, as compared to seeing the animals at AKL will.

AKL has a smaller pool area, which has its pluses, if you stay with the younger one while the older one goes to the slide and swims, its more doable at AKL than at SAB. Also I thought the thrill of seeing the animals at AKL would get "old hat" after a while, but it was always exciting. There were also a lot of little things for the kids to do at AKL more so than I had thought.

Both are great resorts have fun with whatever you decide.

 

[ThumpersWorld]

We stayed at the BC a couple months ago and our boys (6 1/2 and 4 years) loved SAB. We spent more time at that pool than we normally do on a WDW trip. Yes, I agree with the other poster that the big slide may be too much for a 3 year old but they have a small verson of it which was a ton of fun for my 4 year old. He did try the big slide. Wasn't afraid at all. The lifeguards will allow it. But my 4 year old got turned around coming down on his 3rd try and we stopped after that. Just not safe. That said, even besides the slides the main pool had a big sandbar in the middle where they can play with their sand toys and also a lazy river where they can ride in inner tubes which my kids loved. My 4 year old slid through the inner tube so he sat on my lap in the tube and loved it. I would totally recommend it. Best pool ever!

 

[MMrules]

My kids are similar in age. BC has a fantastic kiddie pool. There are many food options between BC/YC and Boardwalk. I love the walk to Epcot with the kids and fireworks can be seen from the hotel/beach etc.

AKL is an absolute dream too. They have great pools and a great kiddie splash area. It is very laid back and peaceful which is nice if you need naps. No fireworks to be heard so if your kids are in bed before them that won't be an issue. THere are less food options to choose from but enough options for the kids to be happy (I feel). If your children are huge animal lovers it is a great choice!


Many people complain about the buses from AKL but I have never had a problem with them. The buses can get long at BC returning from the parks. My suggestion is to get off at the Swan/Dolphin stop and walk to the resort. It is much quicker than the bus.

Good luck=either resorts are good choices~

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed at both and I agree that you can't go wrong with either one as they are both great places to stay . The BC is great as it's within walking distance to Epcot and DHS, with the boardwalk just across the lake for nightly entertainment. With that said, AKL is also a great choice as I think your little ones would enjoy seeing animals every day. One negative thing that seems to get reported about AKL is the transportation, but we didn't have any problems with the buses during our stays. Good luck deciding, but you really can't make a bad choice .

 

[YCFAN]

We've done both in the same trip and are doing so again. Three nights at BC and two at AKL.

 

[BellasDad]

My wife and I were HUGE AKL fans, but decided to try BC for the pool and the proximity to Epcot. Our kids, 2 and 4 at the time, loved SAB. Hanging out at the sand bottom pool while the kids played in a huge area that is really geared for them was awesome. We found it a lot more relaxing than the AKL pool.

Both are great but we are headed back to BC in about a month because it is such a good fit right now.

 

[Couchy]

SAB is awesome. It is also very safe... tons of lifeguards closely monitoring the pools. Kids will have a blast playing in the sandbar and floating around the lazy river

 

[babyberger]

We haven't stayed at either, so I cannot speak from experience. However, after deciding to splurge on a deluxe for a few of our upcoming visits, we have decided that BC & YC are going to best for us. My kids LOVE the beach and being in the water, so the choice was really made for us. When I showed the kids pictures of SAB they went nuts! I think if you are planning on just relaxing at the resort for a bit, then BC is really the way to go!

 

[MissionMouse]

We have stayed at both and think each are nice resorts. AKL does provide a unique experience, but is isolated. Limited transportation option. AKL is also one of the deluxes where you cannot walk or take water transportation or monorail to get a park. Savannah room category should be considered to create a unique experience. Lots of non-resort guest come here to dine in the evenings and see the animals. Pool is not controlled, so pool hopping is possible.

Beach Club is in an ideal location. 5 minutes to Epcot and 15-20 to DHS. It a resort I recommend park hopper tickets to allow you to adventure over to Epcot for a snack, lunch or dinner. Enter Epcot or DHS just to see Illuminations or Fantasmic with PH ticket. SAB is ideal and you will most likely spend more time here than you think. It does provide a relaxing break from the parks that makes for a memorable vacation. Access to the pool is controlled. Presenting your room cards is required to get your wristbands. I think this is a real plus, that the monorail resorts shuld implement year round. Boardwalk across the way is also a plus, along with the Epcot resort TS options. The only downside experience we have is the buses which are shared by all the resorts that include the two non Disney resorts.

Out of these two resorts we would go to the BC

 

[moobar25]

Having stayed at both - BC wins hands down! Especially great for little kids - they'll love the sand pool at SAB. AKL pool just doesn't compare.

 

[SydsMommy]

Thank you so much for the feedback everyone! Think we're going to go with BC! The kids do love animals but we like all the other options available at BC because of the pool and it's location.