1st trip home - On site Universal & BWV?

[WDWorld2003]

We'll be taking our first trip next spring to BWV as DVC owners and can't wait! I have reservations for a Saturday to Saturday in a 2 bedrm. Boardwalk view in late March. We were at Disney World for a week last March for the first time in 9 years - spent 5 days in the parks, 1 day at Sea World at 1 at Typhoon Lagoon and of course, didn't feel like there was enough time.

My DD's will be 13 & 16 and would probably enjoy Universal (we've never been there) so I'm considering spending 2 nights at Universal for FOTL and 5 at BWV - or should we just spend the whole time at BWV and not move and maybe do Universal for a day? Is the FOTL really worth the hassle of moving? Is Universal worth doing?

Of course, this would also save some big weekend points if we stayed at Universal...... but we do want to enjoy our first time at BWV.

Would welcome any advice - thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

if you are planning on during IOA at spring break time (and you are) - then I would stay at US.

they have very nice hotels - and your kids will love walking to IOA and US - you can also walk to City Walk if you would like after the parks close.

Otherwise you drive over there - then you have walk 1/2 miles (no I am not joking) to the parks - we walk the first time with CM who told it was a 1/2 mile.

the hotels are a whole lot closer....

FOTL is nice,too.'

I don't think your kids would enjoy us - IOA they will love - especially if they like Rollercoasters. and if you stay at a US hotel you and your wife can take a break and your kids can go and come as they want (if you trust them on their own).

otherwise just stay at WDW.

you are going during Spring break time - so crowds can be bad or not - just depends upon how many schools have Spring break at that time, and how many go to WDW - instead of the beaches.

schools are highschools as well as the colleges. So you may not trust your daughter out alone....but I am they are proper young ladies

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by WDWorld2003
Is the FOTL really worth the hassle of moving? Is Universal worth doing?

in a word, YES.

We always include IOA and US in our bi-annual WDW trips. Love the hotels, enjoy the benefits of staying on site.

 

[disneyberry]

FOTL is definitely worth it!
also, the USF hotels are extremely nice!

as pretty as OKW is, we were very sad to leave PBH when we switched for our Jun trip this year...

PBH was better than any WDW resort we've stayed at...
(i know... blasphemy!)

oh, and there are usually great room rates w/ an Entertainment card. plus sometimes you can win the USF hotels on Hotwire.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We often split our stays between DVC and US. This December we will be at the VWL from Sunday through Thursday then moving over to the HRH for the high point Friday and Saturday, then moving back to the BCV. We love doing it that way and having front of line access is the best.

HBC

 

[JohnathanS]

Originally posted by Happy Birthday Cat
We often split our stays between DVC and US. This December we will be at the VWL from Sunday through Thursday then moving over to the HRH for the high point Friday and Saturday, then moving back to the BCV. We love doing it that way and having front of line access is the best.

HBC

Yes! Yes!

As long as your budget affords it, I agree with H.B cat. Especially during peak time, FOTL passes would be excellent at Universal and would help you get past the weekend crowds...so, you could go to Universal on the weekend (saving those expensive Friday and Saturday stays as well as avoiding busy weekend Disney days) and not be so affected by weekend crowds with your FOTL pass. Then you could enjoy coming home to BWV with the more moderate weekday Disney crowds. The points you save could mean a short getaway later down the line!!

 

[DeeP]

I agree with all of the rest, if you are going to Universal then stay there. It will be much easier than traveling back and forth and their hotels are very nice. If your kids like thrill rides, they will love Universal and IOA! My kids love Disney for the resorts, restaurants, parks, etc but for thrill rides Disney can't even hold a candle to IOA. The added plus of saving the high weekend pts even makes this nicer! Enjoy!!

 

[perdidobay]

I've stayed at HRH before in March and the FOTL was worth every penny we spent on the room. Your kids are the right age to really enjoy not only the parks but the hotels.
Hard Rock Hotel is great with the pool and the dive in movies

 

[bjakmom]

We're doing just that - again - because we loved it the first time! Last trip spent Fri/Sat at the Royal Pacific - then to BWV on Sun. for the week. Now that my youngest is a teen - Universal is almost a must!

This trip we're reversing order - checking into BWV on a Sat (using only one night of dble points) - checking into Hard Rock on Friday and through the MLK holiday weekend - having FOTL makes USF very doable on busy weekends and holidays - much better than trying WDW on a weekend or holiday, IMHO - it's an awesome perk!!

I say try it ... you'll like it!

 

[WDWorld2003]

Thanks everyone - I'm convinced! I'm not fond of thrill rides but my teens and husband are so we'll do Universal IOA and stay on site (not sure which hotel) for a day or two and save some DVC points for another trip

 

[Lexxiefern]

We did just that on our trip last week. We stayed at Portofino Bay for 2 nights then switched on sunday to BWV. I would definately do universal first though. Portofino rooms (especially the beds ) are very nice, but they do not even compare to a 1 bedroom at BWV. And you will be in a 2 bedroom!! I got a great rate at hotelkingdom.com. And we only booked a week in advance. I would definately do this again. Have fun!!