Adding a 1 resort night to our existing reservation: Same resort or try something new?

[DisneyFave]

Hi! I'm looking at resort options to add 1 night (will be our first night) to our existing DVC Grand Floridian studio stay of 2 nights. The group is me, my sister, and our 3 total kids (ages 3-6). DVC Grand Floridian studios are sold out for the night we need.

What would you choose?

1. Grand Floridian resort room for $600
2. Boulder Ridge Villas DVC studio rental for $275
3. Contemporary or Beach Club or Yacht Club for $550

I'm leaning toward GF because of our kids ages and the simplicity of staying at the same resort location and not getting in a car (plus my kiddo gets VERY carsick even on short rides).

Also the day we switch resorts is the day of the Halloween Party so I don't want to tire out the kids with schlepping around. MNSSHP will be our only park time for the whole weekend trip.

BUT Boulder Ridge is so cheap! and it could be fun for them to play in a different pool that day. I'm torn!

 

[RoseGold]

Depends on what category of GF DVC you booked. You might be able to get someone to waitlist it. Some categories have more rooms than others.

 

[DisneyFave]

Oooh how does that work? We have only ever used DVC Rental Store and I don't see that as an option with them.

Depends on what category of GF DVC you booked. You might be able to get someone to waitlist it. Some categories have more rooms than others.

 

[RoseGold]

You will know which category of VGF you booked in MDE.

If you booked a theme park view, hearing accessible room, that's going to be one room, and it's booked. It depends on the category if this is even a good idea.

 

[DisneyFave]

You will know which category of VGF you booked in MDE.

If you booked a theme park view, hearing accessible room, that's going to be one room, and it's booked. It depends on the category if this is even a good idea.

Thanks!! It just says "Deluxe Studio - Standard View"

 

[RoseGold]

There are only 30 of those rooms, and it's the cheapest (highest demand) point category at VGF. So, even if you found someone willing to waitlist it, it's not likely to fill.

For a resort pool day, I would actually go AK Kidani savanna view. This isn't a hard room to book and it's pretty magical at that age. Take the bus back, Disney transfers luggage (or someone Ubers) the next day.

I'd also be willing to stay next door at Poly, which is also easy to book. Completely different vibe, just take the TTC ferry back home late at night.

 

[TikiRob]

We have the same predicament... We currently have 2 nights at Copper Creek and one night up in the air before (currently have Boulder Ridge).

I like the idea of trying something different and that pricing for Boulder Ridge is awesome! I'd also agree that for a resort/pool day with kids, a savanna view at AKL-Kidani is awesome. The water play and pool area is really cool.

 

[glocon]

Agree with above posters about AKL.
It is an amazing resort. So beautiful!

But out of your choices, I’d go the money saving route.

If you’re going to be hanging around a pool anyway, just drop your stuff at bell services and enjoy.
You probably aren’t bringing a lot of stuff for a short trip, so it won’t be hard to drive over from WL to GF since they are so close, drop your stuff at bell services (or even leave it in your car) and go hang at the pool there.

I know your child gets car sick easily, I was the same as a kid, but I would still go for saving more than $300.

Plus it’s an adventure to see another resort!
You can try the restaurants at both resorts and the pools at both resorts that way.

 

[NicoleLarson]

Since you'll most likely be homeless for awhile no matter which choice you make I would save money and do boulder ridge. When you switch to GF, just take the boat from WL to MK and then MK to GF. That will be much more fun for the kids to arrive to their new hotel via boat vs an Uber and no car sickness. You can have WDW just transfer your luggage to GF.

 

[jlnten17]

Of your choices I would select Boulder Ridge. The Wilderness Lodge pool has a nice splash pad for the littles. I would not recommend Beach Club or Yacht Club because we found the pool to be too large with kids that age.
Outside of your suggestions - THE POLYNESIAN hands down. It has the best pool in all of WDW in my opinion and a great splash pad for kids that age. My kids also enjoyed the many resort activities and just playing in the sand at the beach.

 

[jimmymc]

100% Boulder Ridge. The new rooms are really nice, the resort as a whole is spectacular, and moving from there to GF is not very difficult. You can give your bags to bell services, take the boat to Magic Kingdom, and walk/boat/monorail to GF.