2 Adults in October

[QueueCT]

We've been itching for a trip and finally decided to go in October. I've been down a number of times for business conferences but have never stayed on property. Since it's just the two of us, we thought that one of the Epcot resorts would be nice so we could access the Boardwalk restaurants easily. Anyone have any opinions on that?

If it is the Epcot area, what do you think of Boardwalk vs. Yacht Club vs. Beach Club? If it helps, we're going for 6 days/5 nights with one day at each park plus some time to relax by the pool, hit a park on a second day if we like, maybe take a boat out on the lake or even a round of golf.

Restaurants are key with V&A and Flying Fish planned with California Grill a strong possibility . . . plus a view of the fireworks. Is it worth heading over to Jiko at AKL?

 

[spiceycat]

some people love Jiko - I like Boma...just depends.

I would go with BWV - you can rent points from a DVC member - just don't say fri or sat - too many points...

or since the other restuarants you mentioned are in the MK area - maybe VWL?

but you say you definitely wanted to stay in the Epcot area.

there is also a BCV - but it is very hard to get a studio here.

I am assuming studios - it has a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa (great for TV watching).

 

[QueueCT]

We didn't even consider a DVC property, primarily focused on a hotel. I know that booking through central reservations gives me a studio at approx the same price as a hotel room. I've never done the points thing. How does it stack up against the cost of going through central reservations? Also, pros and cons of, say, BWV vs. Yacht Club?

Also, we're focused on the Epcot resorts only because we can get out and about at night without transporation. A trip to CR is pretty easy from there even though we have to transfer at TTC.

 

[spiceycat]

all the WDW resorts have something to do at night...

even the value have lounges and pool bars....

but if you want to be there for the food/wine - bwv or bcv would be the best choice.

BCV is 12 points - so around $120 to $156 ($10 to $13 per point)

BWV is 12 points for preferred like BCV - but it has a standard view (very, very hard to get and you are probably too late) 9 points - so $90 to $117.

Now you might not be able to get either - the food/wine festavial is hard to get at a DVC resort - because DVC members love it too....

but I would try it!!!!

 

[mouseRD]

We've stayed at BWI once (really liked it - room size was great!) & once each at the Swan & Dolphin because of the substantial discount we were able to get. Would like to try Yacht Club one day (because of the pool!). We might be going for a trip this Sept/Oct also & will probably focus on the offerings at the F & W festival. On previous trips, we've eaten at FF & loved it; also recently ate at the Blue Zoo at the Dolpin & it was also fantastic. I can't say enough good things about Jiko's at AKL & AP at WL; both were favorites of ours. We have not tried V & A or CG yet!

 

[QueueCT]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. We're probably going to stay at the Swan given the discounts being offered. We may miss the full experience by not staying at a Disney property (towel animals, funky soaps, etc) but we'll be heading back in the spring with our 4yo nephew. Definitely an MK resort for that one.

This will be the last chance to experience DW w/o kids before our adopted daughter arrives in the winter. Ugh . . . DW with a 15mo and 4yo. Plenty of people do it, I know, but it changes the whole experience. Some for the good, some for the bad.

 

[QueueCT]

We ate at V&A for our 1st anniversary back in '99. Definitely worthwhile. Not the best meal we've had at that price but ranks highly. Next time you're there you should give it a try. Be sure to bring an adventurous palate since you may encounter sweetbreads, various game dishes, foie gras, etc. I love all of that and don't consider it to be particularly unusual but my sister-in-law, for example, would have a fit.

 

[spiceycat]

We ate at V&A for our 1st anniversary back in '99. Definitely worthwhile. Not the best meal we've had at that price but ranks highly. Next time you're there you should give it a try. Be sure to bring an adventurous palate since you may encounter sweetbreads, various game dishes, foie gras, etc. I love all of that and don't consider it to be particularly unusual but my sister-in-law, for example, would have a fit.

hey I have food allergies - so I can definitely understand your sil....



the Swan is a good choice - it and the dolphin has places to eat as well...

 

[QueueCT]

Has anyone been during the golf tournament in October? Our trip will probably overlap and I'm curious what the impact might be.

 

[WDWguru]

We go in October every year, usually staying at our BWV home. The golf tournament has rarely impacted anything - spectator crowds and WDW crowds don't generally overlap so you wouldn't even know it was going on unless you researched it.

Dining advice to the OP - definitely make it a point to go to Jiko! It's our absolute favorite restaurant on property, and one of our favorites period anywhere. Very inventive and different but with familiar ingredients and a fabulous wine list! We MUST eat there every trip!

 

[spiceycat]

Has anyone been during the golf tournament in October? Our trip will probably overlap and I'm curious what the impact might be.

I would be more concern with the food/wine festavial plus MNSSHP - both going on in the parks.

food/wine does attract more people to Epcot.

 

[QueueCT]

Spicey--F&W is a major attraction for us so we can tolerate the crowds. We may couple MNSSHP with our day at MK, trying to decide whether it's worth it. Having an excuse to dress up in costume would be a kick, though.

WDW--Thanks for the info on the golf tournament, glad to hear that we really won't be impacted. Although, with all of the restaurants we'd like to hit (particularly if we add Jiko) we'll need to extend just to have enough meal times to hit them all. We'll have to start whittling down our selection. Ah well, better too many choices than too few.

 

[grumpy.uncle]

If the Swan is offering a good discount, that might be an incentive. Plus the pool area that the Swan and Dolphin share is really very nice. You can go on either of their websites and take a virtual tour of the pool area. You are still very close to the Epcot resorts and can go to restaurants there of even go into Epcot to eat at the restaurants inside the park. The bakery at the Boardwalk is very good as is the food at ESPN zone. Beaches N' Cream is a great ice cream parlour located at Beach Club Resort. In World showcase, we have eaten at the fish and chip takeout in England, the Biergarten in Germany, the bakery in France, and the bakery in Norway and all were excellent. It's my opinion that all the pastry chefs employed by Disney know their stuff. The biergarten is a german buffet. I tried everything and there was only one item I didn't care for but overall it was very good. Plus you can order a beer sampler for around $10. You definitely want to check out the club Jellyrolls @ the Boardwalk. It is a dueling piano bar and very fun. The staff there is great, very friendly. I'm a non-drinker but managed to have such a good time there that I went back the last 9 days of our trip. Have a blast. When you are at WDW how can you not?

 

[NHmomof2boys]

CT: when will you be there? DH and I are going for a long weekend Oct 5 - 9. We have ADR's for Cali Grill to watch Wishes, Spoodles and Restaurant Marrakesh. I really want to try Jiko and Boma. We haven't made our way to either one yet, but we are planning a longer trip next spring, so maybe then.

Enjoy your "grown up" trip!

 

[QueueCT]

We'll be there the third week in October (roughly). Still need to firm up the dates and make reservations. I might as well do it since reservations are easy to change.

 

[aclov]

If you stay at the Swan you will still be in very close walking distance to the Boardwalk and YC&BC. You'll have plenty of dining options, I usually stay at the Boardwalk and love the location. The Boardwalk bakery and Spoodles are great. Have fune

 

[braban06]

its a lot of work going with 2 under the age of 5 but the first time you see the look on their faces when they encounter Mickey or one of the other characters you will definitely forget about all the work ....