Opinions please! Choosing between AKL pool view and YC standard view for Jan 2025

[Babsy]

So, we have the AKL booked with pool view for our 12 day trip in Jan. I LOVE the AKL, but we stayed there for our last trip and I wanted to stay somewhere different this time. DH is not as fond of the Epcot resort area, but says to do what I want, so.....I'm having a difficult time deciding. He does agree that walking to Epcot and DHS is a huge plus for that area. Also, the rooms are bigger and dining options with Epcot next door are better overall at YC. We really enjoy Jiko and Boma, but we ate there on our last visit and may still take the trip over to AKL for a meal or two. There really are a lot more nearby dining choices at the YC. Should I change? What would you do? The cost is about $600 more for the trip.

 

[Skippyboo]

The pool at Yacht and Beach is going to be closed for renovation the 1st part of 2025. Probably not a big deal in January. Could you maybe do a split stay between the two or what about substituting Wilderness for AKL in a split with Yacht . Wilderness was designed by the same people who did AKL.

 

[Mommb]

If the trip were just a few days, I would say you should stick with AKL, because it’s a pain to go from anywhere else to AKL for dinner. Since you have a long stay, though, losing a few hours in transit isn’t as much of an issue, and you might appreciate having more dining options close by. $600 for 12 nights is $50 per night. That might be worth it if it means getting back to your hotel more quickly after dinner most nights, and being able to walk to 2 parks rather than waiting for buses.

 

[brockash]

So, we have the AKL booked with pool view for our 12 day trip in Jan. I LOVE the AKL, but we stayed there for our last trip and I wanted to stay somewhere different this time. DH is not as fond of the Epcot resort area, but says to do what I want, so.....I'm having a difficult time deciding. He does agree that walking to Epcot and DHS is a huge plus for that area. Also, the rooms are bigger and dining options with Epcot next door are better overall at YC. We really enjoy Jiko and Boma, but we ate there on our last visit and may still take the trip over to AKL for a meal or two. There really are a lot more nearby dining choices at the YC. Should I change? What would you do? The cost is about $600 more for the trip.

OMG hands down not a second thought YC...ANY view. We love YC and really are not fans of AKL. - Among other things it just seems so in the middle of nowhere compared to the Epcot and MK resorts (I get why, but we're not fans).

 

[Babsy]

The pool at Yacht and Beach is going to be closed for renovation the 1st part of 2025. Probably not a big deal in January. Could you maybe do a split stay between the two or what about substituting Wilderness for AKL in a split with Yacht . Wilderness was designed by the same people who did AKL.

I am reconsidering a split stay. It is harder to get the ADR's that I want with two shorter stays though.

If the trip were just a few days, I would say you should stick with AKL, because it’s a pain to go from anywhere else to AKL for dinner. Since you have a long stay, though, losing a few hours in transit isn’t as much of an issue, and you might appreciate having more dining options close by. $600 for 12 nights is $50 per night. That might be worth it if it means getting back to your hotel more quickly after dinner most nights, and being able to walk to 2 parks rather than waiting for buses.

It is less convenient than doing at your own resort or walking distance, but we will have a car. So getting to the AKL won't be too hard.

OMG hands down not a second thought YC...ANY view. We love YC and really are not fans of AKL. - Among other things it just seems so in the middle of nowhere compared to the Epcot and MK resorts (I get why, but we're not fans).

I know, right? that is my problem. I really want to stay eat the YC. BUT we did stay there once before when there was construction and could not use our balcony because of the noise during the day. We were also woken one morning with some worker outside on our balcony! We moved that same day and I decided that I would never stay anywhere with construction again. But I definitely agree with you - the YC is one of my very favourite resorts in all of WDW.

 

[Lewisc]

11 night stay. I'd split

 

[Babsy]

Are dining reservations tied to your resort reservation? What about if I kept the single reservation until after the 60 days. Then book my ADR's while I have the one reservation for the entire time. Then change to the split stay a few days after booking dining so that both room reservations are within the 60 days. Would that work or would all my dining reservations get cancelled when I changed the resort reservation?

 

[focusondisney]

Are dining reservations tied to your resort reservation? What about if I kept the single reservation until after the 60 days. Then book my ADR's while I have the one reservation for the entire time. Then change to the split stay a few days after booking dining so that both room reservations are within the 60 days. Would that work or would all my dining reservations get cancelled when I changed the resort reservation?

No, they are separate systems & don’t get cancelled if you cancel your resort stay. As of today, it’s a loophole useful for split stays. Don’t ask me how I know. Some people have also reported being able to call & a CM can make reservations for the 2nd stay but I have no personal experience with that.

 

[Dave006]

Are dining reservations tied to your resort reservation?

No they are tied to you and your Credit card.

Would that work or would all my dining reservations get cancelled when I changed the resort reservation?

Yes it will work and no your ADR selections will not be cancelled.

Dave

 

[GADisneyDad14]

There are room renovations occurring at YC in early 2025. While Disney usually does a good/OK job isolating current guests during renovations, it’s too risky IMO - I’d be inclined to steer clear, if this were me.

 

[Babsy]

There are room renovations occurring at YC in early 2025. While Disney usually does a good/OK job isolating current guests during renovations, it’s too risky IMO - I’d be inclined to steer clear, if this were me.

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yes, it is a lot to worry about. AKL is pretty good with pool view. The distance can't be too far from the lobby and all the rooms have balconies. I really wanted to move to the Epcot area for part of our stay, but it doesn't look like a good choice for us after all.


Thank you , everyone, for your helpful input!

 

[kiford]

Ugh - such a hard decision. We love AKL and have decided that we prefer the pool view to even the savannah view. Our last trip there in January was on the first floor, close to an external door that exited right in front of an entrance to the pool. It was also so convenient to cross the courtyard to get to Jiko/Boma and the stairs to the lobby. That will be my go-to location in future.

But for 12 days, the dining options around YC are hard to beat. No pool (or at least not the main pool) is a bit of a downside. Very convenient location. Larger rooms than AKL with really good storage.

If you're okay with only the quiet pool, YC might be better for a longer stay because of the location and dining options, but I can see why you're having a hard time. How do you choose between two great options.

 

[Dave006]

If you're okay with only the quiet pool, YC might be better for a longer stay because of the location and dining options, but I can see why you're having a hard time. How do you choose between two great options.

Well @Babsy would have 3 pools to chose from while SAB is down. The Tidal, Admiral and Dunes Cove leisure pools will all be open.

Dave

 

[winnieforme]

12 days is a long trip-perfect for a split stay. we split for every trip. AKL and YC are wonderful, so enjoy them both!

 

[jenjersnap]

I would split (we always split stay) and try to upgrade to garden view at YC. IME, standard views at YC and BC can be terrible. I vowed never to book standard at either again.

 

[NickC]

For us, the resorts are for 1. sleeping 2. being close to the parks and 3. theming/amenities. We've done the YC/BC several times and love being so close to Epcot and DHS. We also like The Contemporary so we can walk to MK. There were many nights where we would squeeze a few extra hours in the parks just because it was so convenient. We wouldn't do that if it took over an hour travel time round trip. We would gladly sacrifice theming to be close to the parks. But, luckily, the theming at YC/BC is amazing. And I know that The Contemporary doesn't get much love for theming, but it's a classic staple of WDW.
Then again, I know families who spend a lot more time at the resorts than us. So, if the parks aren't a priority, then my point isn't as valid for them.

 

[focusondisney]

I would split (we always split stay) and try to upgrade to garden view at YC. IME, standard views at YC and BC can be terrible. I vowed never to book standard at either again.

There are no standard or garden views anymore. WDW combined those into the Resort View category last year. At Y & B, there are only Water or Resort views. So when you book that, you could get either a pretty garden view or the crappy dumpster view. Very much a gamble.

 

[jenjersnap]

There are no standard or garden views anymore. WDW combined those into the Resort View category last year. At Y & B, there are only Water or Resort views. So when you book that, you could get either a pretty garden view or the crappy dumpster view. Very much a gamble.

Oof, good to know. It’s been two years since I stayed at regular BC resort (by regular, I mean not BCV).

 

[focusondisney]

Oof, good to know. It’s been two years since I stayed at regular BC resort (by regular, I mean not BCV).

Oh, I forgot to add.. that is for deluxe resorts only. Moderates & values still have the different standard & garden view categories. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[Carolynleanne]

I would 100% be doing a split stay with that many days.