Trying to Decide on resort

[TeacherDL]

Hello all. My family of four (including husband and two daughters ages 16 and 10) are going back to Disney spring break (first week of April). We go to Disney a lot, and we are going to try staying at a one bedroom villa to see if DVC is a real possibility for us. We usually stay deluxe and go to Disney every year or every other, but we have never stayed at a villa. So, now, I'm trying to decide between a one bedroom at Animal Kingdom, Beach Club, or Wilderness Lodge. We have stayed at Beach Club. We love the pool and being able to walk to Epcot at night. We have stayed at Wilderness Lodge. We love the beauty of the hotel and the boat ride to MK. We have not stayed at AK, but I think it looks beautiful. I'm just not sure about the distance from the parks.
Do you have a recommendation between the three?
Thanks so much!

 

[rlovew]

If you stay in the 1 bedroom at Kidani Village you will have 2 bathrooms instead of 3 and each of your daughter can have their own pullout. Only you can decide if that matters. If you already know you like the other resorts but are thinking about buying at AKV then I would definitely try there. My suggestion would be to get a 1 bedroom at the resort you feel you would most likely buy to see if you actually like that resort- especially if you haven't stayed there. If you already know you want to buy Beach Club or Wilderness Lodge than you can try something else to see if you like another resort.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'd also suggest trying AKV - assuming the three resorts are the ones that are interesting you in DVC. We love AKV and find it very relaxing although there is plenty to do there. You are closest to AK which will be a very short bus ride. MK takes the longest but when you compare to other resorts with multiple stops it doesn't take that much additional time. Jambo has a unique DVC layout with 1 bathroom with a combo jetted tub/shower where as most have a separate walk in shower and jetted tub. The Kidani layout has 2 bathrooms - one in the master and one out in the living area and also a sleeper sofa and sleeper chair in the living area.

 

[disneynutz]

BCV, great location and pool, VWL may be under construction and AKV is too remote IMO.

Bill

 

[suebeelin]

^^ I agree with bill. We are not fans of AKL, especially since we do not rent a car

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I'm not a fan of AKL. Never stayed at the Beach Club (yet) but considered it. WL is our home resort and we usually stay there. I've read several threads about WL building more villas on the lake. Similar to what DVC just did to the Poly. Also read about some of the hotel rooms converting to DVC rooms. And even doing something to the pool, which I thought they just did? Anyway, I'd do some research before to make sure you're not there in the middle of all that construction.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

My family really enjoyed eating at Boma - we've done it twice. We have stayed at both Jambo and Kidani. Both are really nice, but we had a car to get to the parks, although we have taken the bus as well. Both have nice pools, although Kidani has the better slide. Sanaa is also really good. And watching the animals is fun. But the biggest reason we ended up buying points at AKL was the two bathrooms and three beds in a one bedroom.

 

[DreamerWDW]

BCV, great location and pool, VWL may be under construction and AKV is too remote IMO.

Bill

Very well said, I completely agree with this.

 

[Nanajo1]

If you don't have a car the bus service from BC and WL is not much shorter than AKL. There are only two stops at AKL not the five at BC. The trip home after a day in the parks seems much shorter. I would stay in the resort before you buy. Kick the tires so to speak.

 

[myrheille]

I think AKV is a good value on the resale market (generally cheaper per point), so you might want to try it to see if you'd be interested. I only visited (and ate at Sanaa), but it is a magnificent resort. We're planning two trips there. Yes, not being able to walk to any park is a strong negative, but the bus system was flawless, particularly compared to the shared routes of the Epcot resorts.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

We stayed at Kidani 3 years ago, and the thing I remember most is the length of the hallways. It seemed to take as long to get to the room as it did the parks . Having said that, the rooms were quite nice, the CMs friendly and interesting to talk to, and the environment was relaxing. Having said all that, by the time Day 3 rolled around we were over the animals and our savanna view, and we really didn't spend any extra time in the room or on the patio that justified the points. Would I stay again, yes, but not in a savanna view.

 

[bnk1120]

Since you've already stayed at the other two, try Kidani. The rooms and pools are beautiful. The bus ride to MK seems far, but the ride to the other parks isn't bad.

 

[eliza61]

There's something to like about all three. when we stayed at AKL it was in the main building.

Pros: We got the Savannah view. absolutely awesome.
Balcony: had the biggest balcony we ever had. all 4 of us could sit comfortably spread out
Resort: In your face theme.

Cons. far from parks