Which one? AKV or BCV - 2bdr resort only stay

[KalamityJane]

As the title says, we will be at WDW for a resort only stay for a week before our cruise. I've got 3 kids, 4, 6 and almost 9 at the time of the trip. My parents and younger brother (16) will also be with us and I'm sure family will come to visit (they are all from Orlando).

As of now, we don't plan to get park tickets, so I'm torn between SAB at BCV or all the cool stuff to do at AKV (oldest is totally into animals). They all love to swim but are happy as long as there is a slide. We will have our own cars.

I'm looking for the wow factor, my mom LOVED SSR when we stayed there last. I'm leaning toward AKV but I'm not sure if I should keep BCV because it's harder to get. Not really wanting to do a split stay, hubby dislikes them.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

For a non-park visit I'd go AKV and I've switched from getting an elusive BCV reservation to stay there. It has wow and if your family enjoys the animals you just can't find that anywhere else. You'll have slides at either pool and a nice water play area at Kidani.

 

[Dean]

As the title says, we will be at WDW for a resort only stay for a week before our cruise. I've got 3 kids, 4, 6 and almost 9 at the time of the trip. My parents and younger brother (16) will also be with us and I'm sure family will come to visit (they are all from Orlando).

As of now, we don't plan to get park tickets, so I'm torn between SAB at BCV or all the cool stuff to do at AKV (oldest is totally into animals). They all love to swim but are happy as long as there is a slide. We will have our own cars.

I'm looking for the wow factor, my mom LOVED SSR when we stayed there last. I'm leaning toward AKV but I'm not sure if I should keep BCV because it's harder to get. Not really wanting to do a split stay, hubby dislikes them.

Of the 2 I'd say BCV because of the restaurants and Boardwalk nearby. For AKV, I'd do Kidani. Personally I'd put SSR and BWV above in this situation because of the BW activities and community center for BWV and Disney Springs for SSR. You're family will not be able to visit and use the pool in all likelihood in general but for BCV and AKV it's very unlikely you'd have this option, you might have some options otherwise. I'm assuming you're going during warmer weather so you might want to do a couple of water park days or even possibly a water park yearly pass or after 2 pass.

 

[CarolMN]

I'd go with AKV - in addition to the animals, the Community Hall staff at Kidani is wonderful. Your children will love it. Your family can swim in either the Kidan pool (which has a great play area for kids, plus two slides, one suitable for the pre-school set) and the Jambo pool. IMO, there's just more for families in that area.

I love the EPCOT resorts, but that said, SAB is very large and it will be tough to monitor 3 young children there. As I recall, you have to leave the gated pool area to access the slide.

 

[KalamityJane]

For a non-park visit I'd go AKV and I've switched from getting an elusive BCV reservation to stay there. It has wow and if your family enjoys the animals you just can't find that anywhere else. You'll have slides at either pool and a nice water play area at Kidani.

Good to hear I'm not the only one in this quandary

Of the 2 I'd say BCV because of the restaurants and Boardwalk nearby. For AKV, I'd do Kidani. Personally I'd put SSR and BWV above in this situation because of the BW activities and community center for BWV and Disney Springs for SSR. You're family will not be able to visit and use the pool in all likelihood in general but for BCV and AKV it's very unlikely you'd have this option, you might have some options otherwise. I'm assuming you're going during warmer weather so you might want to do a couple of water park days or even possibly a water park yearly pass or after 2 pass.

We stayed at SSR for a resort only stay last Sept, and loved it. Looking to branch out and try other resorts. I do want to check out BWV eventually but I'm a little worried with any of the resorts in that area due to being able to see the EPCOT ball, BCV included. My kids have been to Disneyland multiple times but not to WDW, and they know that that means rides If they can see the ball, they may be too tempted to want to go there.

I am totally interested in a water park pass though! I don't think we qualify for the after 2 pass as we aren't FL residents, I moved away. We are going in May so it will be warm enough, and honestly, we are in -14 and 17 inches of snow right now, so my kids would be swimming if it were north of 60 degrees.

I'd go with AKV - in addition to the animals, the Community Hall staff at Kidani is wonderful. Your children will love it. Your family can swim in either the Kidan pool (which has a great play area for kids, plus two slides, one suitable for the pre-school set) and the Jambo pool. IMO, there's just more for families in that area.

I love the EPCOT resorts, but that said, SAB is very large and it will be tough to monitor 3 young children there. As I recall, you have to leave the gated pool area to access the slide.

I'm definitely leaning that direction. It seems pretty ideal for a resort only stay. I didn't realize you have to leave the gated area for the slide :O

 

[bobbiwoz]

Our DGC loved Community Hall activities at Kidani. Plus the Savannah view balcony is perfect for adults who have to be there.

 

[ckb_nc]

One plus to SSR is you can walk to Disney Springs which is has so much to do now. AKV is a great place and feels miles away from the world

 

[sleepydog25]

Tough call, but for a more tranquil and transformative vacation without parks, I'd do AKV, likely Kidani since you have cars. Personally, like the rooms better, as well. BCV does sit in a hub of activity, but I'd prefer the animals, the theming, the quiet at AKV before doing a very activity-filled cruise. Still, hard to go wrong either way.

 

[KalamityJane]

Our DGC loved Community Hall activities at Kidani. Plus the Savannah view balcony is perfect for adults who have to be there.

Totally getting Savannah View!

One plus to SSR is you can walk to Disney Springs which is has so much to do now. AKV is a great place and feels miles away from the world

We did love love love SSR, we did a stay there last time and spent a lot of time at DS and at their pools. I was hoping to try another resort this time to branch out

Tough call, but for a more tranquil and transformative vacation without parks, I'd do AKV, likely Kidani since you have cars. Personally, like the rooms better, as well. BCV does sit in a hub of activity, but I'd prefer the animals, the theming, the quiet at AKV before doing a very activity-filled cruise. Still, hard to go wrong either way.

This is a good point. It's a longer cruise, but definitely going to be busy. Quiet and peaceful is a good thing.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

. I didn't realize you have to leave the gated area for the slide :O

You leave SAB and walk across the main walkway going around Crescent Lake over to the stairs to the slide. It's very awkward IMO dodging carts, other guests walking to Epcot, convention guests in suits etc. And the only slide is that one. I also don't find that slide to be all that fun either - we far prefer the Keister Coaster at BWV if comparing Epcot resort slides. SAB is a nice pool but as Carol mentioned it has lots of areas and you can't see all of them from any single spot.

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you're going with AKV, I'd pick Jambo over Kidani. For one thing, at Kidani some of the rooms are too far out for those little legs to walk, and also, at Jambo the quick serve is nearby. I love BCV, but I hear that Stormalong Bay is really too big for keeping an eye on small children. Let me know which you choose, please-we're going to a 2 BR, and having the same dilemma, but we're leaning towards AKV-Jambo.

 

[DenLo]

There are so many activities for the kids to do at Kidani and Jambo House and most are free. Many are posted in the activities guide which should be in your room. When staying at one you can do the activities at the other resort. Plus there is the Community Hall. And don't forget viewing the animals. There is a check list for all of the animals on the savannas and the kids can go around looking out the windows or going to viewing and looking for each animal. The kids can even ask the African Cultural Representatives to where they can find the animals and they will direct them to the right viewing area.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you're going with AKV, I'd pick Jambo over Kidani. For one thing, at Kidani some of the rooms are too far out for those little legs to walk, and also, at Jambo the quick serve is nearby. I love BCV, but I hear that Stormalong Bay is really too big for keeping an eye on small children. Let me know which you choose, please-we're going to a 2 BR, and having the same dilemma, but we're leaning towards AKV-Jambo.

All Jambo House two bedroom villas are lockoffs. And the master bedroom doesn't have a separate shower and tub.

 

[AnnaS]

Tough decision. Are they both available?

 

[Simba's Mom]

No tub, shower for the master bath like OKW? Seems I did hear that, thanks for the reminder.

 

[kniquy]

If you didn't mind moving you could do a split stay, but i would be hesitant to do that with that many kids. We did a slip with out 9 yo twins, it worked out fine because we packed up, had bells services pick up our luggage by 7am and then we headed off to the parks for the day. In you case it does make it a little more difficult with no park plans. If anything you would be homeless from checkout until 4pm. that could be taken up by some pool time or a trip to disney springs.

I would lean towards AKV. The pools are nice, there is so much to see there with the animal viewing.

If you are staying a week I would consider pool hopping to some of the other resorts which allow it.

 

[BestDadEver]

Idk AKV is what I am leaning towards it's pretty cool resort . But then you can access the boardwalk at BCV but is that really something little kids want to do . To me I feel BWV and BCV are kind of more a place adults want to be .

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

No tub, shower for the master bath like OKW? Seems I did hear that, thanks for the reminder.

Jambo has a whirlpool tub/shower combination but no walk in shower. Kidani has both tub and walk in shower in the master.