AirGoofy
DIS Dad#341
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2009
Right then, an ACTUAL disney question. We are coming back in August. Some of will be at Poly (probably the back part of the trip), what's better Animal Kingdom Lodge or Bay Lake Tower? And if AKL, Kidani or the main part? This is on DVC points.
I've stayed at every wdw DVC resort except GF. My two favorites are BLT & BWV. I like the hotel style more than the resort style. So, you see where my recommendation would be slanted. Since you are now a DVC member, whenever you stay at wdw on points you can access TOTWL at BLT. I've been up there numerous times, and prefer the fireworks there than the Poly Beach. Even though they aren't centered at the castle, you are closer and over the smoke so you can still see everything. The music is pumped into the resort. With BLT, the rooms are smaller, but designed to be space efficient. The theming is amazing, decent community hall, and you can use the pool there and at CR. CR has feature pool and huge round quiet pool. BLT is a short walk to CR where you can catch the monorail, bus, or boat. Plus, you have all the convenient restaurants & bars on the monorail loop. You have access to the fake beach, and can boat over to WL for their really big fake beach if you want. As others mentioned, it is a short walk to MK to go there or bus to other resorts.
We stayed at the Kidani Savannah view. It was really nice, and the animals were right outside. You have Sanaa at Kidani, and everything else at Jambo. Kidani had a fun splash area, water slide, and the pool bar had the coldest Mickey Ice Cream sandwiches anywhere on property. Jambo has the large relaxing pool & restaurants. Jiko was one of our favorite signature dining places, but we don't want to ride a bus over to it. You get a view of the animals at Jambo, and a nice area outside to view them. I would want to try the Jambo side if we did AK again. AK Lodge has the amazing theming as well. The main drawback is that you have to bus everywhere. I struggled with a deluxe DVC resort only having bus transportation. I thought they should have done a ski lift or Gondola system from AKL to AK park first. You will never get the cheap value rooms there as they are gone at 11 months, but you could save some points with standard view.
Good luck with your decision.