Your Help Please?!?! AKV or BLT

[KYCruiseCrazy]

What would be better for a family of 5. I'll even give some ages to help you what my problem. 2 adults, 2 teens girls (16) and Grandma. The thought is to go during July. Here are a few things we want to do in a 1 Br Villa:

1. Want to visit Universal Studios to visit each park one day. Make use of the dinning plan they have and get 1 refillable mug on both days to share.

2. Spend 2-3 days at both MK and Epcot. 1 day at AK and 1 or 2 days at MGM.

3. Figure on doing 2 or 3 TS OOP. Fantasmic DDP, CP breakfast and Cape May dinner seafood crab leg buffet.


We have the points for either 11 days at AKV or 10 days at BLT, both are standard view rooms. DW and I have been to both resorts on our first DVC trip in 2010. We enjoyed them both.

To us, AKV had a LARGE bathroom, and the living room seemed Large too. And at least if there is bad weather, there is underground parking.

To us, at BLT, it seemed to us that the whole 1 Br was smaller. I know 5 people will work. From BLT we can right the Monorail to both MK and Epcot. Only if we can get the 10 days of 1 Br standard view.

And just like BLT, AKV doesn't have any choices for in resort dinning other then next door, at another resort or at a park. We plan on eating a few days in the room to help save some money.

We want to do more nighttime park visiting since it will be in July after the 4th. We know to hit some of the parks at park opening, we want those who never walking into MK when still empty.

Either resort is best. We have a OL with most of the needed items for in the room. We plan on bringing no more then 5 days worth of clothes. We want to get the most BANG for the buck.



Thank you for your help, ideas or any tidbit of information.

Thanks again,

John


Happy Kentucky Derby Day!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mjkre]

As a family of five as well, we have pondered similar questions. Assuming airfare is not an issue, I would go with whatever resort you can stay at the longest. I mention airfare only to say it may be cheaper on one day vs. another.

One other tibit: I cannot speak for BLT, but AKV and Jambo most certainly have food options: Boma, Jiko, Mara, and limited counter service/ordering at pool at Kindani. I haven't stayed there yet (but will be in November). It is something we checked into. As far as food goes, Jambo is the one with the full counter service so you could, in theory, stay there. We picked Kidani after much discussion. The Contemporary has Chef Mickey's if that is of interest and the other restaurants as well. Again, I haven't stay at BLT, but it seems you have enough food nearby to meet your needs.

1 bdrms in Kindani have the extra bathroom which would be a plus with two teenagers!

I love the idea of walking to and from MK, however. Especially if you are going to be one of those families that is riding Space Mountain at 1 am! Gettting on a bus at that hour would be a bit of a drag.

Split stays are also a possability.....saving on pts by staying at AK for most nights and then switching to BLT for three, for example.

Finally, give serious thought to staying on site at Universal. Their front of the line/ fast past make's it worth it imho.

Have a fantastic time! It sounds like a great trip.

 

[kikiq]

AKV because you can have TWO bathrooms. That trumps walking to MK, transportation issues and whatever other reasons others may come up with. You have a party of 5 with FOUR FEMALES, 2 are teens and 2 mothers. And how many of these people are "early" risers? I mean really "early" risers in order to get the bathroom rotation done by the time YOU would like to leave in the morning.

Just imagine 4 females, one bathroom for 10 days...as my DH would say "When mama's not happy, ain't nobody goin' to be happy".

 

[disneynutz]

You mentioned that you have points so I'm assuming that you are members. If that's the case, why get all worked up? What you don't do this year, you can do the next. In a few years you will have stayed at all of the resorts and you will know which works best for your family and where you need to buy more points!

Bill

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

As a family of five as well, we have pondered similar questions. Assuming airfare is not an issue, I would go with whatever resort you can stay at the longest. I mention airfare only to say it may be cheaper on one day vs. another.

One other tibit: I cannot speak for BLT, but AKV and Jambo most certainly have food options: Boma, Jiko, Mara, and limited counter service/ordering at pool at Kindani. I haven't stayed there yet (but will be in November). It is something we checked into. As far as food goes, Jambo is the one with the full counter service so you could, in theory, stay there. We picked Kidani after much discussion. The Contemporary has Chef Mickey's if that is of interest and the other restaurants as well. Again, I haven't stay at BLT, but it seems you have enough food nearby to meet your needs.

1 bdrms in Kindani have the extra bathroom which would be a plus with two teenagers!

I love the idea of walking to and from MK, however. Especially if you are going to be one of those families that is riding Space Mountain at 1 am! Gettting on a bus at that hour would be a bit of a drag.

Split stays are also a possability.....saving on pts by staying at AK for most nights and then switching to BLT for three, for example.

Finally, give serious thought to staying on site at Universal. Their front of the line/ fast past make's it worth it imho.

Have a fantastic time! It sounds like a great trip.

Ww did a split stay back in 2010 with 5 days at AKV and 4 at BLT. Maybe I can talk DW into another split stay.

AKV because you can have TWO bathrooms. That trumps walking to MK, transportation issues and whatever other reasons others may come up with. You have a party of 5 with FOUR FEMALES, 2 are teens and 2 mothers. And how many of these people are "early" risers? I mean really "early" risers in order to get the bathroom rotation done by the time YOU would like to leave in the morning.

Just imagine 4 females, one bathroom for 10 days...as my DH would say "When mama's not happy, ain't nobody goin' to be happy".

We had 2 bathrooms at BLT. It was room 8025. 10th floor lake view. Is there a difference between 1 Br villas at BLT?

If we are lucky, the teens might get up around 8. Granny is an early riser. So is DW and I. With 2 bathrooms in both AKV and BLT it shouldn't be too much. Doesnt take much for Granny or DW to get ready. I can't speak for the teens.

Thank you everyone for your help. Any other info/ideas anyone have?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think you have a much better chance of getting the standard at Kidani rather than at BLT, unless you own at BLT, so you may not have the choice.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I think you have a much better chance of getting the standard at Kidani rather than at BLT, unless you own at BLT, so you may not have the choice.

Agreed.

And all the BLT 1 Br's have 2 baths - the same as Kidani.

Kidani does have Sanaa for sit down dining, has room service and also has food items at the pool so it's not completely without dining. Depending on the location you might get at Kidani and the location you might get at BLT the distance to go to counterservice and other table service dining could be almost identical.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

I think you have a much better chance of getting the standard at Kidani rather than at BLT, unless you own at BLT, so you may not have the choice.

Agreed.

And all the BLT 1 Br's have 2 baths - the same as Kidani.

Kidani does have Sanaa for sit down dining, has room service and also has food items at the pool so it's not completely without dining. Depending on the location you would get at Kidani and the location you might get at BLT the distance to go to counterservice and other table service dining could be almost identical.

Thanks everyone. When is the busy time of the year and the slowest time of the year for BLT?

Again, Thanks for your help,

John

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don't know about BLT, but it is true that availability at different DVC,s is pretty good during much of the summer months. From what I've read here, many BLT owners own because they Want to book standard. So, you could get standard at BLT,but it would be easier to get standard at Kidani. If it turns out you want BLT, I do hope you get it!

 

[kikiq]

8025. 10th floor lake view. Is there a difference between 1 Br villas at BLT?

If we are lucky, the teens might get up around 8. Granny is an early riser. So is DW and I. With 2 bathrooms in both AKV and BLT it shouldn't be too much. Doesnt take much for Granny or DW to get ready. I can't speak for the teens.

Thank you everyone for your help. Any other info/ideas anyone have?

OOPS, my bad. For some reason I blanked on the BLT having 2 bathrooms and I have to admit I've only seen the BLT models. We visited a family friend at AKV in her one bedroom, so that's what's imprinted in my mind. It just seemed big enough. We have 2 DDs, so I know how it is getting 3 females out of the room when my DH wants to leave.

Have you considered the "atmosphere" of your stay at each resort? BLT is a little more in the mix, while AKV is out of the way. Also how independent are your teens? Will they be out and about by themselves? If so, which resort would you be more comfortable letting them just go?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks everyone. When is the busy time of the year and the slowest time of the year for BLT?

Again, Thanks for your help,

John

I don't think there is a slow time of the year for BLT. There used to be lots of slower times at WDW, but all of those seem to be getting filled up with events and stuff. I think you'd have an easier time getting lake view at BLT at seven months out.

DVC has slower times in general around early February, early March (unless Easter comes early and with it an early Spring Break), early May and mid-September. And these are very short time frames.

Even with an extra bathroom, I don't think I'd like five adults in a one bedroom. A two bedroom villa would really be more comfortable.

You are looking for July 2012, right?

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

I don't know about BLT, but it is true that availability at different DVC,s is pretty good during much of the summer months. From what I've read here, many BLT owners own because they Want to book standard. So, you could get standard at BLT,but it would be easier to get standard at Kidani. If it turns out you want BLT, I do hope you get it!

Ok, if I understand you, Better odds of getting a standard 1 Br at AKV then it is a 1 Br standard at BLT right?

OOPS, my bad. For some reason I blanked on the BLT having 2 bathrooms and I have to admit I've only seen the BLT models. We visited a family friend at AKV in her one bedroom, so that's what's imprinted in my mind. It just seemed big enough. We have 2 DDs, so I know how it is getting 3 females out of the room when my DH wants to leave.

Have you considered the "atmosphere" of your stay at each resort? BLT is a little more in the mix, while AKV is out of the way. Also how independent are your teens? Will they be out and about by themselves? If so, which resort would you be more comfortable letting them just go?

Granny will love either resort for the feeling. The teens will like either since the pool at BLT is in the shade by 1 pm. No sunburn At AKV there would be 2 pools to choose from, and since we are dvc member's, can we pool hop the monorail resorts?

I don't think there is a slow time of the year for BLT. There used to be lots of slower times at WDW, but all of those seem to be getting filled up with events and stuff. I think you'd have an easier time getting lake view at BLT at seven months out.

DVC has slower times in general around early February, early March (unless Easter comes early and with it an early Spring Break), early May and mid-September. And these are very short time frames.

Even with an extra bathroom, I don't think I'd like five adults in a one bedroom. A two bedroom villa would really be more comfortable.

You are looking for July 2012, right?

We are stuck with July due to school. DD is in some advanced classes, Spring break is too short and winter is too unpredictable.

A 2 Br, Hmmmmmmm, this could be an idea. Could have to move to a lower cost 2 Br. Who has low cost 2 Br? SSR, OKW or what?

July 2012 or 13. Not 100% sure on the year, but it will be one of them.

 

[kmccl]

Check on the Kadani 2 Br standard. We stayed there last July with 9 and it was awesome. Never felt crowded. Point costs may be the lowest of any resort, although I am not positive on that. It had 3 bathrooms! Loved the resort! Got it at about 5 1/2 months, we own at BLT. Haven't been there yet (going this July), so can not compare. What I do know is that 2Br's are waaaaaayyyyy more expensive at BLT. Good luck, but you probably can't go wrong.

 

[kmccl]

Just looked it up 287 pts for week in standard at Kadani vs. 352 at BLT. If you get lucky and get a value (at Jambo) it is only 243 for a week.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Just looked it up 287 pts for week in standard at Kadani vs. 352 at BLT. If you get lucky and get a value (at Jambo) it is only 243 for a week.

5 people at Jambo 2 Br?

 

[kmccl]

Had some extra time here, so looked up SSR 2 br for a week it is 315, OKW is 296. Looks like standard at AKL is the cheapest. KYCruiseCrazy, I'm not what you would call the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I didn't understand what you meant.

 

[HayGan]

Kidani is my home so I am biased and I can't think of any reason not to recommend it! We haven't stayed at BLT yet but we love the room that AKV has. Plus I love my nice, HUGE bathroom there!

As a side note, since you are thinking of doing US/IOA and you will be going in the very busy time of July, have you thought about staying one night there to get the Express Pass for unlimited access for your two days there? That is what we do and I wouldn't do US/IOA without it.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Had some extra time here, so looked up SSR 2 br for a week it is 315, OKW is 296. Looks like standard at AKL is the cheapest. KYCruiseCrazy, I'm not what you would call the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I didn't understand what you meant.

as in 5 people fitting in a 1 Br value at Jambo?

 

[kmccl]

I was giving the op points for 2 br's as their last post said that they were thinking about changing to a 2 br.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

I was giving the op points for 2 br's as their last post said that they were thinking about changing to a 2 br.

I am the OP. I'm looking at 2 Br incase there is more room needed for 5 people or just stay with a 1 Br which we will do just fine in. This will all just depend on who all is going, and what type of room we want with the points we have without going to far into 2013 points.