Which resort would you choose????

[tink4146]

If points wasn't an issue and you were a family of 4 with twin 6 year olds and were bringing another family of 4 with a 7 year old and an almost 5 year old, which resort would you choose for a 2 bedroom?

My first choice is OKW b/c of the space. Second choice is AKV, but I have no clue when it comes to kidani or jambo house, etc, etc. Do I need a Savannah view to make the stay all the way out there worth it?

and keep in mind, we will both be driving our own cars and my family will have annual passes.

[idratherbeinwdw]

With kids that age I think BLT and it's proximity to the MK, and AKV with it's animals would be the top two choices. Do you spend a lot of time at the resort? If so I'd lean towards AKV. If you're in the parks a large majority of the time, then BLT.

OKW has that size advantage you mentioned, but I don't know if that makes that much of a difference if you don't care for the resort itself. Not saying you don't, perhaps you love it. Just saying I'd go more for what theming appeals to everyone, especially since you have a car.

Have you considered THV at SSR? I hear such great things about them, never stayed in one myself, but that might be nice for your group.

ETA: To see animals constantly yes, you'll need a savannah view. (Although I hear you can be lucky and see animals in some non savannah rooms). But there is a viewing area for everyone where you can go and see animals, no matter what view you have at AKV.

[tink4146]

My concern with AKV is the lack of food choices. I've never been there so therefore never been to any of the restuarants, but to be honest I don't know if the food even appeals to me let alone little kids. I'm probably so wrong, b/c I do hear so many people say they love it.

I guess I'm also thinking of pool/water days for the kids, that's what appeals to me most of AKV.

[Sparrowsprincess]

Hi,

I love AKV but for a pool, you can't beat Beach Club Stormaway bay!!!
Going to AKV Savannah Veiw is the best!
Good luck!

[denlo]

Saana is the restaurant at AKV Kidani Village. Here's a link to Allears which shows the children's menu. It's a pretty typical Disney Kid's meal. Disney is trying to include more healthy choices on the kids meals so it's a little different this year than in past years--the grilled fish is new.

Here's a link to Allears' and the other menus for Disney restaurants. All the resorts are included.

Personally we don't eat that many meals at the resort. We often eat at the parks instead. And for breakfast we usually eat in the room. This time I brought my own cereal and we picked up milk at the resort's market. If you'll have a car you can always go grocery shopping for snacks, breakfast items, lunch items and beverages.

If neither BLT nor AKV are acceptable you could consider SSR. One thing I like about SSR over OKW is that all the buildings have elevators. The resort now has two feature pools, High Rock Pool at the Springs and the Paddock Pool at the Paddock. We are currently staying at SSR at the Paddock and have a TR going right now. Here's the link SSR in the Summertime. For dining in addition to the resort you can boat over to Downtown Disney.

[mboone]

IMHO: Love the pool area at Kidani. We just made breakfast in our villa. Maji pool bar has food items you can order for both adults and kids. For kids, there are things like cheese pizza, uncrustables, turkey sandwich, and cheeseburgers. You get an extra bathroom at Kidani too.
I would not spend the extra points on a SV if you are looking for ways to save points. You can go to the viewing area and see out the huge windows as you are walking from your villa to the main area. While it is neat to look out and see animals, there are other ways to still view them.
Kidani is very spread out though. I would request a room close to the center.
Jambo is very beautiful as well but busier, no 3rd bathroom and no big water play area for kids. Does have the QS Mara and Boma is wonderful. Can take internal shuttle to get and forth b/t Kidani and Jambo if you don't want to walk.


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[kristenry]

We stayed at AKV (Jambo House) and did have a savannah view room, which was great. I absolutely recommend springing for that if points aren't an issue. You will see animals through all the windows in the hallways, and once you're outside, there are observation points, but nothing beats seeing them from your room. I will say bus transportation only was a major turnoff for us. We went in November, so maybe buses weren't running efficiently then. I would not go back there to stay though, I don't think.

Food choices are fine at AK, but again, we stayed in Jambo House. It's a good 5+ minute walk from Kidani to Jambo. Pool is great at Kidani.

If points were no object, I would stay at BLT due its proximity to MK and being on the monorail. Maybe with the kids being older, though, you won't be spending as much time in MK.

I guess I would just make sure you get a dedicated 2 bedroom, as the lockoffs don't have 2 separate beds in the 2nd bedroom. It's one bed and a pullout sleeper couch. Again, maybe not an issue with children, though.

What about BCV? Stormalong bay might be a lot of fun for kids that age. Boy, there sure are a lot of great options.

[goindowntofla]

I really like OKW of the two, and I have stayed at both with same age kiddos. I like it because you have the surrey rides, shuffleboard and the sand in addition to the pool/playground. I just feel like there is more to do there for the down time.

If you have a child really focused on animals, that may be different. My kids aren't more into animals than the average kids, but I have some friends whose children are obsessed with animals. So, AKV would be great for them.

But my favorite for this age is BWV or BCV. There is so much to do and to entertain, to walk to - awesome pools. And the food options are just everywhere. I feel the Boardwalk area suits adult and child entertainment at the same time best. You both are entertained. We find they are entertained enough to give us a chance to look around and enjoy the view. And then we enjoy our vacation, too, because the scenery is so soothing and beautiful and the entertainers at night can't be topped for kids and grown-ups - and they are FREE!!

And having DHS and EPCOT to walk or boat to minimizes any traveling drama that may arise from cars or buses in getting to those parks.

But if points are prohibitive, I say OKW. We feel we get the best family time there, because whatever we do there we have to do TOGETHER. Resort-based entertainment happens by being TOGETHER in the above-mentioned activities.

Have a great time!

[tink4146]

39 days and counting we check into BWV for the first time for a 10 day stay with the kids. Sooo looking forward to it. And right now our goal is to try each resort out at least once before we decide our favorite. Bay lake is our home and we stayed in a 2 bedroom last year and will be staying there again from 12/31 to 1/5

[goindowntofla]

39 days and counting we check into BWV for the first time for a 10 day stay with the kids. Sooo looking forward to it. And right now our goal is to try each resort out at least once before we decide our favorite. Bay lake is our home and we stayed in a 2 bedroom last year and will be staying there again from 12/31 to 1/5

Sooooo excited for you!! So glad you chose BWV. Our favorite! You will LOVE it! We own BLT as well and do our best to try all of the resorts, like yourselves. Enjoy your time back "home" at BLT for New Year's. But just feel BWV makes sure you are not "stuck" at the hotel with only the pool to entertain those squiggly ones! Pools are great, don't get me wrong. But, if you don't want to get wet or be worried with non-swimmers in the pool all the time or whatever, BWV gives you a place to stretch out, stroll, watch the lake eating ice cream, ride the surrey bikes, dine al fresco, watch the entertainers when you are too tuckered out at the end of the day to entertain anyone anymore! LOL...who can beat that!?? ENJOY!!