Another What would you do? scenario

[eeyoresmom]

This is our first trip home and I am driving myself nuts with indecision! We have been to WDW many times and we all LOVE POR. Cast:me solo Mom for this trip, DD,18 easy to please,likes to take it easy on vacation,(nap in afternoon,a little shopping,nice dinner out....) DD,15,huge Jimmy buffet fan,likes when there's lots of people(BOYS around the pool. DS,9,typical 9 yo boy.I'm relly hoping to plan this right since thet were all disappointed that I bought DVC and we wouldn't be staying at our beloved POR as much.We are going end of Aug for 9 nights.The first FR-Su nights we are staying at POR with free dining.Right now I have BWV studios(2) for the next 4 nights but a different view room almost every night.(I won't keep this unless the waitlist comes through and we don't have to move so much) Then off to the BC ,regular rooms at AP rate. I really want to stay here for SAB and B&C,the kids don't really want to PROS:everyone loves POR,I think the BW would be great for teens,I will finally get to stay at BC when I know we will use the pool(we usually go in Feb) CONS:don't know if I'll want to move twice in 9 nights,Spending a lot of $ for that last weekend at BC......Maybe I could get a 1 bedroom at OKW or SSR and stay through the week(we won't cancel the first 3 nights at POR)..I don't know If SSR and OKW have as much appeal to older kids???? We do have a car BTW. Thanks for your help

 

[1000th happy haunt]

OKW plays Jimmy Buffett music in the Hospitality House area, and it's a very laid back resort. And the rooms are huge.

 

[thelobstershanty]

If your kids love POR, they will go nuts over the DVC resorts. We like POR very much also, but it can not even begin to compare to any DVC resort.
If it was our trip, we would book the whole trip at a DVC resort and not move. Or at least only move once for the last 3 nights to BC. BC is a wonderful resort and the kids will adore the pool. If you can get a villa at either OKW or SSR for the whole first part of the trip without moving, that is the way we would go. If you can get a 1 br at either OKW or SSR, I would pick OKW. The OKW 1 br is much larger than a 1 br at SSR.
Your kids may be disappointed at not staying at POR now because they do not know just how wonderful the DVC resorts are. They will quickly change their minds once they stay in a DVC resort. And if they don't, it will be the first time I have ever heard of someone preferring a moderate resort room over a DVC villa.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree, keep the POR ressie for the first weekend, then move to OKW 1 or 2 bedroom for the space, not having to move and the laid back feel your 18 YO will love. The 15 YO can go to the main pool to check out the boys and listen to the Jimmy Buffet music, and the 9 YO will love the slide! We used to like POR pre-DVC too, but we stayed there 2 nights in March, and believe me, after 9 years of staying at OKW, I couldn't wait to get out of POR and get back to OKW!

 

[mello]

Maybe just do BCV instead of both BWV and BCV? That way you'll have access to both the boardwalk activities and SAB without having to move.

Here's an idea to convince them about DVC - do POR last - go from a 1 or 2 bedroom DVC room to a POR standard room! LOL. Kidding aside, it sounds like the atmosphere is pretty similar at OKW, so they'll probably love it too.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thank you so much for the replys(I really like the idea of moving back to POR after DVC!) I'm considering the POR with free dining then the rest of the trip in a 1 bedroom at OKW.Are there activities for the kids at OKW?(we are no longer park commandos I guess when we hear how laid back OKW is the older kids think...BORING..They actually like lots of people around the pool,etc.(we live in a semi rural area so this is probaly exciting to them

 

[Slakk]

We love POR as well....I think OKW or SSR would be great choices! I like SSR the best because it is so close to DTD but any POR lover I have met loves these two as well!

 

[thelobstershanty]

eeyoresmom,
I agree there is a lot more activity and action right outside your door at BWV or BCV, then there is at SSR or OKW. However, with the BWV reservation that now stands you are moving EVERY night! No way would we do that, and we are BWV/BCV lovers--they are our 2 favorite DVC resorts. Also we do not mind moving resorts once during a 10 day trip, but we would not even consider moving every day. Half of your vacation will be packing and unpacking, especially with 3 kids in tow! At this late date it is most liking impossible to get a solid week, with no moving, at BWV or BCV. Your chances are much better at the bigger resorts, and even that may be tricky with OKW. SSR, I think you have a better chance at.
Personally if it was our trip, we would cancel POR and stay 1 week at OKW and then finish up the vacation at BC with the free dining.
POR is nice but BC is much, much nicer. Don't listen to your kids, they are just going with what they are familiar with. They will be thrilled with both resorts. OKW will give you plenty of room to spread out, and with 3 kids you will appreciate this. Also they are only as far as the nearest bus or boat stop to get anywhere on WDW property. BC will awe them just for the pool alone, and also they will then be right outside MGM and Epcot's gates and the boardwalk, so they will see plenty of action and activity.
Have a great trip and stop stressing yourself out. Call MS and get your DVC reservations firmed up and then decide about POR/BC. Then relax. Believe me the kids will love the DVC resorts and the deluxe resorts. Tell them to be adventurous and try new things. That is part of DVC membership!