Animal Kingdom or Beach Club? Help me decide!

[Alexsandra]

Hey guys! I'm going to Disney End of February/Early March. I will be traveling with my husband and two boys, 9 and 12 y.o.

I've been to WDW so many times and usually stay either at POFQ or the Polynesian Resort. This time the deals for either of these resorts aren't that great so we decided to try out a new deluxe resort. We are looking at either AKL and BCR which both have up to 25% discount.

My kids are older now so the longer bus rides don't seem to be a big deal for us (no more baby carriages to contend with).

I know my kids would love their experience at Animal Kingdom. They love animals. We would get the pool view room to save a little but I don"t think it will be a big deal. We'll be able to watch the animals from the lookout points at the resort. I've always been excited to try this resort out but never been because of the distance to the other parks but since I cannot get the Poly, I am willing to put up with it. My husband actually prefers AKL to BCR because he loves the theming more at this hotel. He finds BCV kind of stale.

The Beach Club Resort is still on list because of the proximity to HS since we're planning to visit HS twice during out trip because of the new Galaxy's Edge. My boys and myself are huge Star Wars fans. I also like the fact that we can walk to Epcot and we can experience the Boardwalk. I think the rooms are nice at Beach Club but I understand my husband's point of view that the resort is kind of stale. I'm more worried about the size of this resort and the amount of walking we'll need to do to get to the bus stops or boat dock, but that is a small detail. I also am not sure about the food options at this resort. I did book Beaches and Cream for lunch one day already.

Anyway, I guess I am just torn on which resort to pick. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[PollyannaMom]

AKL

We stayed there for the first time last December, and loved it!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If your boys are into the pools, they may love Stormalong Bay at BC. End of Feb/early Mar will get find swimming weather in Florida.

 

[Scubadaddy32]

AKL is a great resort and if it were stand alone from Disney World, there would not be any comparison. The food is great at all the restaurants, it's a zoo, the rooms are newly remodeled and the pool is newly remodeled as well. The architecture of AKL is very unique and you won't stay anywhere like it.
The distance thing is completely over blown. It's about 17 minutes to MK. It's less than 5 minutes from AK and about 10 minutes or so to HS and Epcot. Ha The buses are also way less crowded at deluxe resorts.
The Poly is 15 minutes away from AK. About 10 minutes from Epcot and HS. I kept hearing the same thing and then I did the distance calculations from MK resorts and AKL and realized I can stay at AKL or I can save 10 minutes of time in a day getting to MK where I'll be for 8-12 hours anyway. Ha I get it, it you have strollers and things, but we don't and we Uber most places anyway.
I guess because I'm middle age, walking 5 minutes in the heat to a park just doesn't move the needle much for me knowing I can take a 10 minutes A/Ced bus ride to the same park.

 

[Gehrig1B]

Beach Club for proximity to the parks and ease of visiting so many restaurants, lounges, and activities at Epcot and on the Boardwalk. Access to Skyliner and boats to DHS as well. Both times we were at AKL it changed how we visited the parks due to its 20+ minute bus rides. AKL is a beautiful resort but, unless you plan to spend a lot of time at the resort, its isolation makes it less than a favorite of ours.

 

[Jonfw2]

If they love the zoo aspect of AKL and the pool aspect of BC, go BC for the walkability.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I think the rooms are nice at Beach Club but I understand my husband's point of view that the resort is kind of stale. I'm more worried about the size of this resort and the amount of walking we'll need to do to get to the bus stops or boat dock, but that is a small detail.

A lot of people love AKL and it is a beautiful resort. I can understand why your husband might prefer it.

The Beach Club is all under one roof and walking from any resort room to the bus or boat is shorter than walking around many other resorts, like the Polynesian, for example. Plus, you only have to take buses to two parks from the BC instead four parks from AKL.

 

[val1234]

i think your husband would love YC over BC if he is worried about it being stale. The YC has lovely updated rooms and bathrooms. Much better shape than BC rooms. And its essentially the same hotel. We stayed at AKL one time, BC once and YC now 4 times in a row. YC is picked up first on the bus route also so you always get a seat. Your kids and husband will love the Boardwalk! Great ice cream pallor, ESPN zone, magicians, and carnival games. It's a quick walk or lovely boat ride to Epcot and HS. The pool is also the very best.... but that goes with saying. AKL is nice but isolated. No where to walk to from the hotel, you MUST take bus or uber to go anywhere. I would just plan a dinner at AKL Boma or Sanaa but stay at the YC you wont be disappointed.

 

[Hopefully]

BC for sure. You yourself mentioned proximity to DHS for Galaxy’s Edge. What does “ stale” mean to you? I find AKL WAY too dark.

 

[jerseyduke]

I would say BC (or YC). Walk to Epcot and IG to get on the skyliner for a trip to HS. Or the friendship boat.
I personally do not like the feel of YC, but that is just me.

AKL is great, but if you are doing a lot of parks, I think BC is the choice. Plus you will probably get some swimming weather.

 

[SL6827]

This is a hard one. The pool at the Beach Club is so over the top great, but the AKL is awesome, so awesome. We went once during this time and it was just a bit chilly, but that is not too say it won't be 105 degrees when you go, lol, just kidding. I love both and normally I would say the Beach Club all the way, but what if the temps are on the chilly side? The pools are heated, so I just don't know. I literally can't choose with this one. Any chance you could add a few more days to your trip and do a split stay?

 

[Alexsandra]

BC for sure. You yourself mentioned proximity to DHS for Galaxy’s Edge. What does “ stale” mean to you? I find AKL WAY too dark.

When I say stale, I just means he finds the decor a bit boring. He loves Animal Kingdom Park and loves the whole African inspired theming of AKL. We've been to the Beach Club Resort a couple of times to eat and check out the grounds and he was unimpressed. I thought it was charming but I understand how he can find it a bit boring. We drive down to New England every summer so I guess nothing compares to the "real" New England seaside charm.

He is still open to staying there because of how convenient it is to get to the parks. So basically he is letting me choose but is still votes for AKL.

 

[Alexsandra]

This is a hard one. The pool at the Beach Club is so over the top great, but the AKL is awesome, so awesome. We went once during this time and it was just a bit chilly, but that is not too say it won't be 105 degrees when you go, lol, just kidding. I love both and normally I would say the Beach Club all the way, but what if the temps are on the chilly side? The pools are heated, so I just don't know. I literally can't choose with this one. Any chance you could add a few more days to your trip and do a split stay?

Ha! My kids asked me the same thing yesterday! I would totally do a split stay if I was staying a full week at Disney but we are splitting the trip between Disney and Universal this time. I got a Universal AP last year so we're going to stay on Universal property the remainder of my trip. But I was tempted!

 

[Hopefully]

When I say stale, I just means he finds the decor a bit boring. He loves Animal Kingdom Park and loves the whole African inspired theming of AKL. We've been to the Beach Club Resort a couple of times to eat and check out the grounds and he was unimpressed. I thought it was charming but I understand how he can find it a bit boring. We drive down to New England every summer so I guess nothing compares to the "real" New England seaside charm.

He is still open to staying there because of how convenient it is to get to the parks. So basically he is letting me choose but is still votes for AKL.

We live in New England and we own DVC at BCV. I don't agree with the "real" New England seaside charm thought. We love home and we love the BC. As I said, I find the AKL WAY too dark
But it is an example of why there are different resorts that appeal to different folks.
Enjoy your vacation wherever you decide to stay.

 

[Disneylvr1971]

Have you asked the kids what they would prefer? They might be the tiebreaker. Either way have a great vacation!

 

[Lovetherodent]

Tough one. I'd probably pick AKL over Beach Club. You get a balcony for sure. We thought the bus service was great. I'd agree with your H on the decor at BC. I stayed YC, but had to go over the BC for quick service. Wasn't impressed with the theming. Didn't like Stormalong Bay (and the kids, who were 14 and 11 at the time didn't either). We are trying BWI next time because I also want to walk to parks.

 

[Alexsandra]

Have you asked the kids what they would prefer? They might be the tiebreaker. Either way have a great vacation!

The kids just told me they prefer AKL. It was a hard decision with the mini water park found at BC but they say they would take the view of the animals from their balcony over the pools any day! I guess I should have asked them earlier LOL

 

[Alexsandra]

So that pretty much does it, we are going with AKL this time around. My kids and my husband all want AKL so I lost tis round. But I promise to try BC next time we go to Disney.
Thanks for all the great feedback! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to answer my question.

 

[stephk1981]

BC, by far. Being able to walk is priceless. Every time we stay at AKL the buses always seem to take forever. Whatever you choose, have a great trip!

 

[GovieMom]

You will love AKL! I too was hesitant about staying there, but the whole atmosphere of the place won me over. The lobby has such a cozy feel to it with the fireplace, and there's an outdoor fire pit as well. Their restaurants are amazing, and the bus service is wonderful, too! (P.S. We are going the same time as you and had a room booked at the Poly.....until they came out with their measly 10% discount. Switched over to BWI (because BC is "stale" to me as well.) lol