Trying to decide where to try to stay...

[Chuck S]

I'm not necessarily looking for details about the resorts, but more like which would you personally choose, and why. I realize in some respects it is like comparing apples to oranges, as each resort has unique themes and specialties. And of course, final location depends upon what is available when I book....I mean, OKW may be my only option for my dates at 7 months out.

So my question is really for people who have stayed at AKV, VGF and BLT.

Since purchasing in 1992, the only DVC I've stayed at is OKW. It still is my favorite, but I want to try something different. I have some points that are use or lose by June 1, 2017. enough for a week in a studio in early February. A friend is traveling with me. While the two real beds at OKW are tempting, it is time to do something else. My booking window opens in July for non-home resorts.
Trying to decide between AKV, VGF or BLT.

I have been to AKV Jambo & Kidani and VGF for dining, but have never stayed at either. I'm not fully ruling out Bay Lake Tower, but park view studio points are higher than VGF...and prior to 1992, did stay in a Tower room at the contemporary, I really enjoyed it.

It looks like parking is not very convenient at VGF, but is more convenient at AKV and BLT. If AKV, would like a Savannah view....so questions:

Jambo or Kidani:
which has better Savannah views.
which studios are arranged more conveniently.
Advantages/disadvantages of Jambo or Kidani

Compare AKV to VGF and BLT. Besides the obvious advantage of the Monorail to MK and EPCOT, are there other advantages to staying at a monorail resort over AKV. Do the monorail resorts share bus service? (though I'm not opposed to driving to AK park and Disney Studios)

Poll will be open for 7 days.

Thanks for your input and responses.

 

[sleepydog25]

I've stayed at all three, and while I've enjoyed each of them immensely, I will say the lake view at VGF stands out the most. There was something serene and relaxing about the VGF lake view studio that I didn't get from either BLT or AKV, and that's not to take away from either of those two. It's hard to beat the convenience of BLT, and AKV is a lovely resort with superior suites. However, seeing the lake, the Wedding Pavilion, portions of the Poly, the boats, and even the monorail in the distance was a superb experience. We found the parking to be easy, actually, as they have their own lot behind the spa and is a short walk to the VGF lobby. Certainly, the overall vibe at GF (including the Villas) is one of gentility and relative luxury. The monorail is convenient; the restaurants are good; having a short walk to Poly is great (and relaxing); and we even walked to SOG for our Starbucks. It's a close call, but I cast my vote for VGF. After that, it's a toss up between your other two choices.

 

[DVC Doctor]

in my preferred order

VGF lake
BLT lake
Poly standard - you should consider this
VGF standard
BWV boardwalk view or garden view
Jambo savanna
Kidani savanna

 

[Chuck S]

in my preferred order

VGF lake
BLT lake
Poly standard - you should consider this
VGF standard
BWV boardwalk view or garden view
Jambo savanna
Kidani savanna

While the Polynesian is a lovely resort, I was looking for a non-Hawaiian theme. Even though I've lived in Texas for 40 years, I grew up in the Los Angeles area, where everyone had Hawaiian themed parties and I have a friend of Hawaiian ancestry that teaches hula. I want something different.

 

[Granny]

Chuck, since this is your first foray away from OKW, I would vote for the experience that would be as different as possible for you. AKV is a great resort but resembles OKW in that it is a quiet and serene haven removed from the bustle of the parks.

We've stayed at BLT, VGF and AKV (both Jambo and Kidani) and for your trip I think I'd go with the VGF Lake View. Monorails are far superior to buses...run much more often, no delays in loading/unloading and move quickly without traffic. VGF is a high point location...and this may be the only time you talk yourself into staying there. I know that we loved our trip there, but probably will never spring for that many points for a trip again. We had a Standard View at VGF and found it to be very nice, I'm sure the Lake View would be even better.

Enjoy your trip, and congrats on dipping your toe into new waters!

 

[zavandor]

Since VGF is very difficult to get at 7 months and February is a slow time for DVC, I'd try that if it's something you'd like. BLT and AKV will be easier to get other time of the year.

 

[Dean]

All good choices. For us personally it's be Kidani followed by VGF but we'll have a car. If no car, I'd say VGF.

 

[LisaS]

I like all of the resorts you are considering. We are animal lovers so AKV is always high on our list of places to stay for the novelty of having giraffes and zebras wandering around close to the room balcony and because we enjoy all of the restaurants and the atmosphere there. BLT is great because you can walk to and from the MK rather than wait for transportation and for the option to watch Wishes from the outside viewing area of the lounge. VGF Lakeview is great for the view and the plush accommodations. Given it's your first stay away from OKW, I would opt for AKV or VGF, especially if you plan to make time to enjoy the resort as well as the parks.

AKV makes you feel you've been transported to another place. With the African music and art and especially the exotic animals, it's hard to believe you're still in Florida. We enjoy watching the animals and with the moonlight-level lighting on the savanna, you can even watch them at night. The rooms are nicely themed too. Some people find them too dark but it's in keeping with the overall theme of sleeping out on the savanna. The restaurants are some of the best at WDW. You can't go wrong with AKV unless you just aren't into animals. The other thing people mention is that you can't walk to a park and your only Disney transportation option is the bus. This doesn't bother us and probably won't bother you since OKW is the same. Both of the pools at AKV are nice too.

I would also recommend VGF. We just returned from our first stay there. As sleepydog stated, the parking lot for the villas is very convenient. It's not as close as BLT's parking but it's not far. If you do online check-in and get a text with your room number you can drive over to VGF, park in the villas lot, and roll your luggage straight to the room rather than use Bell Services or pull up to the front entrance and let them take your bags if you prefer. We had a lake view 1BR and enjoyed watching all of the boat activity. We could see the large ferries going between the TTC and the MK, as well as the launches used by the GF/Poly to/from the MK. At 9pm we could see the high fireworks from Illuminations (not all of the lakeview rooms can see Illuminations, however) and the water pageant at the same time. We could not see Wishes at all but we could definitely hear it! We spent more time than usual at the resort this trip and appreciated having a plush room with a great view and two nice pools within a short walk. In addition to the monorail you have the option to take the launch to the MK if the weather is warm enough for a cruise around the lake.

 

[hakepb]

Jambo has the big, impressive lobby and more dining options.
All DVC savanna rooms are 5th floor

Kidani has a smaller lobby, fewer dining options (no breakfast) but does have rooms on lower floors (2-5) so you might be closer to animals. It also has more convient underground parking. (For a 1BR I would choose Kidani over Jambo every time)

I would always choose Jambo for studios for the lobby and amenities. It would be completely different from your OKW experience.

BLT has the smallest studios and the building shades the pool in the afternoon (which may not be good in Feb)

It's nice boating or monorail-ing to the MK. The monorail resorts are also about ease of dining at other monorail resorts for more services. With a VGF stay, you could visit TOWL then monorail back to your resort.

For the change of pace, I'd say VGV, Jambo, BLT, Kidani.

 

[robinb]

I would chose, in order:

(1) VGF, lake or standard view. I enjoyed the view from our standard view 1BR. I really enjoyed being on the monorail and I liked that the DVC villas were away from the snootiness of the GF.
(2) AK Jambo. We own at AKV because we love the resort and the animals. I have never stayed over at Kidani because we really like Jambo that much. The main pool is there with 2 hot tubs, Mara is there, Jiko and Boma is there and the lobby is amazing. Request the Kudu trail.
(3) AK Kidani. I would stay here over BLT because of the animals.
(4) BLT. The rooms are very small. We were very cramped when we stayed there.

I would personally add BWV (my other home resort) or BCV in at (2b). I really love walking to Epcot!

 

[ludari]

I would definitely select BLT park view. I like the convenience of to the Magic Kingdom, monorail and boats which make it very convenient to explore and/or dine at the other resorts/parks. My second choice would be AKV Jambo house because of the convenience of the lobby, restaurants, shopping, bar, etc. The downside to staying at AKV it's away from the other resorts/parks which is why it's my second choice. Good luck with your choice.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Since you've had a taste of the MK view at CR I'd place that last. If VGF LV is available I'd do that for a couple of reasons - it's difficult to get so nice to book when it's available and it's also a very nice resort - in some ways although not as removed from the hustle as OKW I feel a similar vibe. And the parking is quite convenient - better than Jambo. That said AKV is a place we often stay at and love watching the animals. We gravitate more towards Jambo for the hotel and the bathrooms there will have the more normal studio arrangement of toilet/shower room and 2 sinks outside of that so it's nice for 2 people if getting ready at the same time. Kidani will be a little quieter and you can get some better savannah views because you can be on a lower floor than the 5th that is Jambo DVC. The bathroom layout is different though with a single room for sink/tub/shower and within that room is the water closet so ok for very friendly friends but not so much otherwise. And the walks there can be tremendous if at the end of a wing. Jambo can be long too but Kidani a little longer.

MK monorail resorts do share buses. AKV will only be Jambo and Kidani.

 

[CarolynFH]

I'd choose VGF Lake View because we haven't stayed there yet. But I love AKL savannah view!! Have always had 1-bedroom villas there (both Jambo and Kidani) so can't advise between the two studios. We did stay at BLT for a week in a 1-bedroom and one night in a studio, and despite the lovely views and easy walk to MK it's not one of my favorites.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I like AKV Jambo. The studios there have 2 sinks in the dressing are and I enjoy the food choices at the Mara.

I would rather see animals from my balcony than a theme park or a lake.

Bobbi

 

[jimmytammy]

I voted BLT Park view. I cant speak towards VGF or Jambo as I have never stayed in either one. I have stayed in a Kidani Savannah studio and loved it. Love the extra little bath area, allows for more to get ready at one time. Stayed in a 1 bed at BLT twice, so not a studio, but here is my reasoning. BLT affords great proximity to MK. Also, love all the amenities that Contemporary provides, plus the other monorail resorts, boat ride to WL and FW. I would have no issue staying at AKL Kidani if BLT became unavailable