Yay, I love talking about DVC. Just keep in mind, getting to the Parks quickly is usually not on our agenda. You will learn more about this when your kids are older. We did try to get to AK at opening on our one day park visit before the cruise. Even so, we were at the back of a long line to go through the turnstyles, and Pam's family was at the front. Actually, you will find that as a DVC member with APs, the parks are not the entire focus of your trips, believe it or not.
I love BCV, love the location, love the easy access to two parks, love the decor, the pool, love the scenery there. Remember how thrilled I was to be given a water view over at BC last time? All the benefits, none of the drawbacks. Two big cons about BCV, the air conditioning is fickle, and the beds are horrible. You have to be really tired to sleep well on them, usually not a problem! Still, it is always my first choice. And if you have a car, you can park quite close to your room.
We have stayed at BWV twice, and neither stay was a good experience. Lots of little naggy problems at check-in, getting our luggage, things not working. We just figure that we have bad luck there, lots of people LOVE it. Especially if you own points there and can book a Boardwalk view at 11 months out. I;m going to trade some points one of these days and try to book it, that would be special. Our last stay was in a preferred view, and we could see....some bushes. Not really worth the extra points, but still in the Epcot resort area! Alicia has been to the clown pool twice, the last time only because her cousin wanted to go. She thinks it's lame, so she usually does a water park day from there. You CANNOT park close to your room here, in fact, you usually have to use valet (free except for tipping) to park at all.
We spent two nights at VWL before a December 2003 Celebrity cruise. Since Kevin doesn't really like MK, we don't tend to stay in that area. But it was lovely, our room was really big for some reason. Wilderness Lodge is gorgeous, but it was December and we didn't go swimming, so can't comment on the pool. Transportation by boat is very slow, even by our standards. I'd take the buses from there. Parking is not close, but is usually available.
Old Key West is vacation land, la la land. The rooms are beautiful and spacious, the grounds are gorgeous. Lots of lake views, and lots of different kinds of birds. Kevin loves it there. The kitchens in the 1 and 2 BR are amazing, as you know, the bus service is good, you can park your car by your room. The parks seem far away, but that can be kind of nice. Alicia and Lisa Burt tried the new slide last time we stayed there, and came back pretty quickly. Not much of a thrill, I guess. Beds are better than BCV, and they have wonderful new sleep sofas like the ones at SSR.
Which we have stayed at too! The studio we had at SSR was very big, and the beds were the best of the DVC resorts. Pillow tops! I would stay there again just for the bed. For some reason, Alicia really liked this resort. The DTD view is kind of cool, and we liked the restaurant. We didn't try the pool (December, after the 2004 cruise), and I don't remember taking the bus, we had a car. I have heard differing opinions on the bus service, but I think it is similar to the service at OKW. Sometimes you wait, sometimes you don't. Like OKW, you can park near your "condo", though for some reason the lot was quite full when we stayed there.
We just stayed at Vero Beach, so now we've tried them all! Vero Beach is quite nice, too. Good option if you have a lag between APs sometime, or just want a couple of beach days.
I think I'm the only one in my family that still really enjoys the parks. Kevin will tolerate them, especially if there's something new to try, or DISers to meet up with. Alicia likes them, but is never in any hurry to go. If she is in the middle of a good book, forget it. I think I need a park buddy that wants to go off season and enjoys hanging out at Epcot. Any takers?
Awesome!! Yep! Definitely requires a DO-OVER!!!
(that's the best I could come up with!!!!
)
I don't know *when* is a good time to go anymore!!
Good morning cruisers 
