Where we stay .... You decide!!!

[Looby Loo]

...... Well maybe

Firstly, very best wishes for 2012!

I feel like I am going round in circles with our holiday plans! DBF has left all the planning/organising to me and I feel that I am losing the plot a little.

Here's the dilemma - as you can see from my signature, I've been to the world a.k.a my happy place a few times as an adult plus I've also been a few times as a child but DBF has never been and doesn't really get the hype of Disney but we've decided that I will choose 2012's vacation location and he will do the same in 2013 - double

Flights are booked using airmiles 3rd - 20th July, which is exactly when we wanted to go - we both handle heat and humidity surprising well given we live in rainy, cold, wet Manchester but now they are booked I really can't decide where to stay.... So over to you guys

I want to stay at a Disney resort, ideally deluxe but could be swayed (I think) but I have a few niggles

DBF doesn't really want to stay anywhere I've stayed in the past with my ex which I can kind of understand and I've always had a dream to stay as far around "the world" as I could, albeit I think the GF will always be well out of our price bracket With that said I thought I had made up my mind that the BC would be lovely until I saw the room pictures and felt that the rooms looked significantly dated! So I re thought and re researched! Outcome of that was how much I looooovvvvveeed AKL - the decor, the low lighting, Victoria Falls, the free upgrade I received (obviously this would very unlikely happen a second time but still adds to the magic of the hotel ) and I actually like the slightly out of it location.

I keep looking at AKL Kidani Village which wasn't there when I last went and officially I haven't stayed there before which ticks both of our lists but then I feel that a. It's not quite a new hotel for me and b. I have kinda stayed in that location before....

Wow reading this back I think I need to get back to work and reality - the time off and the festivities has done nothing for my sanity nor my grip on normality.

Anyhow where would you stay out of:-

1. BC
2. AKL KV
3. WLv
4. OKW
5. SS

Our Disney fate could lie in your hands xx

 

[Tink2312]

Firstly, what a nice dilemma
Out of the above, I'd definitely pick BC. I'm staying at AKV at the moment and although I like it, I think it's a bit too out of the way and with most eating facilities at Jambo house (which is a good 5-7 minute walk from the lobby) it's not the best for convenience. I wouldn't go for OKW for a couple (unless you have a 1 bed) and you don't get the sofa in the room but 2 double beds instead. I haven't stayed at WLV yet (we're finishing the holiday there soon) so can't comment - we have visited and it looks great but I don't know if I'd want the whole holiday there. We've stayed at SSR twice and that would be my second choice - we especially loved the closeness to DTD and to Lake Buena Vista for offsite restaurants etc. It also has a more laid back and relaxed feel and we found the service and bus transportation to be superb.
Having said that, we love BC - being so close to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, the restaurants on the Boardwalk and all the entertainment there not to mention the fantastic pool! I see what you mean with the rooms but I think rather than being worn it's more that they are themed to be more "homely" or that's certainly the impression I get.
Happy planning

 

[Elise79]

With Kidani are you looking to rent DVC points or book direct with Disney? Personally I wouldn't want to be at Kidani in a studio as there is no CS restaurant to grab a quick bite.

WL is a similar style to AKL so you would probably enjoy that.

Wasn't fussed about BCV when we stayed and probably won't go back.

We are staying at OKW in feb on the room discount DDP offer - we chose it for the large rooms.

Personally I don't like the bedspreads that most resorts have - we prefer the resorts with the duvets. Find them more comfortable and easier to make! The only 2 that meet our criteria are CSR & CT/BLT. Not such as issue with Daily housekeeping but when we stay DVC it can be!

 

[jen_uk]

I would choose BC over AKL every time!! The location at BC is too good to miss, its so much easier being able to walk to EPCOT or DHS, plus with the Boardwalk it means you have other places to go in the evening. The pool at BC is amazing, the pool at AKL is nothing in comparison. AKL is very nice but it is very dark inside and quite gloomy. It is lovely to see the animals but that is about the only benefit there. We are probably going to stay again at AKL this year but only because we can't afford BC!!

 

[Rain]

What about the Yacht club. We stayed there a couple of years ago and they had just been refurbished. Nice white duvets. Blue bits and pieces. Loved the room.

Stayed at BC last year but was not so keen and transferred to GF.

This year we are trying OKW on the discounted rate.

Love GF and Boardwalk but in this climate we are having to cut back like a lot of people. We feel we are lucky to be able to go to OKW this year with so many people out of work.

 

[RudeDogg1]

I actualy dont understand any of the codes on here

 

[Looby Loo]

Thanks for all the replies - I knew you'd have some suggestions

Tink2312 - the location is what originally put me onto BC and you are right, it's a lovely dilemma to be in

Elise79 - yes if we were to go with Kidani then it would be via renting DVC points from the DVC board, if it was available. My reservations with this are, trusting someone I've never met, no mousekeeping (I believe), relinquishing some control of the booking (which is a biggy for me ) and working out the Disney math to work out what the better offer is - renting points or free DDP.

Jenuk - totally agree about the cost, BC has meant that we have forgone any type of holiday in 2011. We've both noticed that, it's been a long slog WL might be an option as then we would save a few pennies, which I could then spend on an expensive pair of shoes whilst I am there and I've only stayed there with my DSIS's for a week in December in 2005 and it was way to cold to enjoy the pool and other such things.

Rain - Great idea re YC but when I search our dates on Disney.co.uk it doesn't come up as an option We are actually doing Disney 3rd - 15th and then tying it in with a beach visit - but I am sure that will be another post

RudeDogg1 - it can be a bit like but as a quick guide for the codes in my post, which may help in others

BC - Disney Beach Club Resort
AKL - Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort
YC - Disney Yacht Club Resort
GF - Disney Grand Floridian
OKW - Disney Old Key West Resort
SS - Saratoga Springs Resort
BCV - Disney Beach Club Villas Resort
DVC - Disney Vacation Club
DHS - Disney Hollywood Studios
DBF- Darling Boyfriend (cheesy I know )
DSIS- Darling sister (as above)
CS - Counter Service

Now I have done my good deed for they day and hope I haven't been patronising

Update on dilemma - it will now be either AKL DVC KV, BC or WL - with the addition of YC if it is actually now available and the price is right

 

[heatherbelle]

Book the Yacht club and ask for a garden room overlooking Epcot. There are a few of these and if you are very lucky you might also get a view of the water too. Those rooms near the wedding gazeebo.

BC, YC and the Boardwalk have the best location in my opinion. Think of all those romantic walks you can go on around the lake and by boat too, plus its not Disney in your face.

 

[irenep]

It would have to be BC for me as its a fantastic location and its great being able to walk to Epcot and DHS.

Kidani is nice but just a bit too far away for me especially as we relied on buses when we were there.

Haven't stayed at WL but have visited the resort - it looks lovely but again, it's the location of BC that wins out over WL for me.

 

[Invisable89]

Yes i agree with Tink2312 - what a lovely dilemma to have!

Right, i think breaking all the Resorts down that you want to stay at will be a good start!

AKL KV - It's a beautiful Resort, it's intimate & laid back. The villas are a good size & if you were to stay in a 1 bedroom you'll have a small kitchen area with a cooker, fridgefreezer etc, living & dining room area & a big master bedroom with a master bathroom that has a big whirlpool bath, seperate shower etc.. so basically plenty of space for the nearly 2 weeks you're there! But you'd need to look into renting point ASAP as it's only 7 months away. Savanna View will obviously be the best way to go. But like others has said - KV does have it's downsides. No Counter Service so that means you'll have to walk no longer than 10 minutes over to Jambo House for it (also for Boma & Jiko, Sanaa is the only restaurant at Kidani). If you don't like African style food then AKL probably won't be a good option. The pool area (forgot the name!) is really good also but you could always walk over to Jambo House & use that pool if you wish. But i do think there's a small shuttle bus that can takes you over to AKL however. & If you're relying on Disney Transportation then the location of AKL in general isn't exactly ideal but i do think some people exaggerate the time it takes to get to the other Parks at times. But seeing as you're going in July the Transportation situation will be pretty chaotic anyways. Have you thought about renting a car?

BC - Again another beautiful Resort! It's fresh & bright. & It looks even more beautiful at night! The grounds are big & gorgeous & you can't beat Stormalong Bay! But like Kidani, BC doesn't have a 'proper' Counter Service option, only the Marketplace unless you'd count Beaches & Cream as a good alternative. But luckily Boardwalk Inn (just over the Lake) has a lot of dining options. & Ofcourse you can't beat the location - just a short walk to EPCOT & short boat ride to HS.

YC - Next door to BC but decor-wise it's very different. Darker & more formal. YC & BC basically share everything, you'd just have to do a bit more walking as most things are located at the BC side. Chosing between the two i'd say is down to what decor you prefer.

WL - This is the Resort i'm less familiar with. Like AKL it's a bit out the way but very close to MK. Again (ofcourse) the Resort is beautiful, very detailed & there's alot to look at. IMO i find the Rooms a bit bland, the decor is quite dark like AKL. Has really good dining options, Roaring Fork is it's Counter Service restaurant, it has a really good selection.

But bare in mind that if you stay at BC, YC or WL you'll be staying in room with a small bathroom area, so by the end of the nearly 2 weeks you'll be staying there you might start feeling cramped. Unless you change Resort after a week or so.

There's some great pictures of the Resort's on the Resort section on the DIS!

So overall.. i'd personally go with Kidani (1 br villa) or BC. My two favourites.

 

[flortlebap]

Hi

Just had to say we were in the same position, he left all the planning to me

We chose CSR over AKL in the end for various reasons even though I was dead set on a deluxe.

Anyway, if all else fails, you could always say "nooooo, I never stayed there before.... Honest!" lol

 

[Looby Loo]

I've finally done it, after lots of um-ing and mind changing, I've booked the BC today so the proper planning can commence......

..and I've already stumbled

I've got the booking confirmation, with a 6 digit booking reference but when I am putting that into the WDW.co.uk website to book an ADR it's saying that the number isn't recognised ???

Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?

 

[wideeyes]

I would pick AKL KV. We have stayed at AKL and I think it is an amazing resort. I didn't mind being futher out, it was like having 2 seperate holidays.

 

[wayneg]

I've finally done it, after lots of um-ing and mind changing, I've booked the BC today so the proper planning can commence......

..and I've already stumbled

I've got the booking confirmation, with a 6 digit booking reference but when I am putting that into the WDW.co.uk website to book an ADR it's saying that the number isn't recognised ???

Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?

Try following the link & insturctions in this thread, try your 6 digit number, if that doesn't work you have to get your US 12 digit number but the UK does usually work. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2864940

 

[Looby Loo]

Thanks Wayneg - had a go but when I put the 6 digits in to the retrieve booking field it says it should be an 8 or 12 digits so looks like I need the US number Very frustrating!!!

On a separate note, does anyone know what time we are likely to arrive at the resort, delays permitting? We are on the afternoon flight from Manchester.

 

[darthtatty]

I actualy dont understand any of the codes on here

heres a thread from the welcome section, with most the abbreviations in.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660743

 

[jen_uk]

I've finally done it, after lots of um-ing and mind changing, I've booked the BC today so the proper planning can commence......

Great news!!! I'm so jealous, the BC is amazing!!