My kids (15,13,12) and I are traveling in February. During this time, most of the parks close earlier than we are usually ready to call it a day (Who needs sleep at Disney )
So my question is, of these resorts, AKL, POR, BW, or Y&BC, where would you stay?
The only one weāve not stayed at is AKL. From what Iāve read it will be pretty quiet there at night? Will the allure of the animals wear off after a couple days? We LOVE the convenience of walking to Epcot and HS from those deluxe resorts and know that there will be activity and ice cream (hello ample hills) there after the parks close, but then PO will have Ye Haa Bob the piano man for night time entertainment!!
Iām seriously at a loss!! Iām trying to sneakily involve the kids input, but itās going to be surprise. (Their Dad is deployed )
I would choose AKL since you have not stayed there yet. We love the Epcot resorts and missed them only slightly when we stayed at AKL for 7 nights over spring break this year. AKL was just amazing for us, we booked standard but had great views of animals from our room. I loved seeing the animals outside our room every night, 2 giraffes were always there as well as many other animals. I hated to leave after 7 nights! My kids are 14 and 16 and they too loved everything about it.
AKL also has great dining options! Sanaa, Jiko, Boma. If you donāt mind eating late, those would be a great way to spend an evening IMO We loved AKL!
I have stayed at and love all your choices. I do think POR might feel a bit tight with 3 teens. We have stayed at AKL more than any other resort. Itās fabulous!! Awesome dining options. I find AKL relaxing. I must admit though that the boardwalk area has a lot more going on at night.
Weāve stayed at AKL twice now and they have night time safari watch with night vision goggles, smore making etc. So there are some late night activities going on. I think its a beautiful resort and Iām very fond of animals and raised orphaned chimps in w.africa so maybe that is why it appeals to me so much, but we canāt get enough of it.
You of course know your kids the best and if they have the personalities of wanting to be entertained all the time, I think boardwalk would fulfill that.
I booked the HEA after party today for my February trip. HEA is scheduled at closing. I donāt think they have the dessert party a half hour after closing?
AKL is my favorite and I never get tired of the animals. WL has been on my list for years, and Iāll be staying there for the first time next trip. The BW area would definitely have the most interesting after hours activities.
If youāre out at the parks all day it will be dark when you get back to your resort and youāll only be able to see the animals with night goggles. Iām sure your kids will love AKL but I think there will be more going on around the Broadwalk at night. Maybe save AKL for when you are there over the spring/summer
It is very low light but one of my favorite memories is a trip I took with my sonās ex girlfriend and her two year old. He woke up in the middle of the night. Instantly, he saw the giraffes outside on the savanah. It was a magical moment.
A lot of truth to this. I would only get a savanna room at AKL if I had some planned āresortā days. Even on āparkā days, itās still pretty cool to have a cup of coffee and watch the animals. The only problem is you sometimes have a hard time leaving the room to get to RDā¦
Thanks everyone! I sneakily brought it up to the kids, and it was an overwhelming majority for AKL. Now, I just need to see if they are going to offer the Military Salute for 2019. That will play a big part in which room type we can get.
Military Discounts were released today and I was able to get a standard view room!! YAY!! There is a potential to upgrade savannah view, but it is a BIG difference in price. Anyone have experience with Standard View rooms?
That would be amazing! If they are bunkbed rooms that would be a bonus. I was able to put in a request for that, but there are no guarantees. Unfortunately, bunkbed availability will trump view with two teenage boys (LOL)
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We loved AKL!