As a mom, the difference between a hotel room (even a very nice one) and a villa....is the ability to RELAX!!! It is so much more relaxing to have the space to spread out in. If a little one wants to eat something, there's a full kitchen with a real plate and glass, a fridge with food in it, and a proper table to sit at (highchair included if necessary). The jacuzzi tub (and extra large bathroom) is icing on the cake.
Rainy day? We've had our share of monsoon type weather at Disney, and there's nothing nicer than coming back to the villa, popping a tray of cookies into the oven, watching a movie (one that the kids checked out downstairs) stretched out in the living room area and enjoying our family time together. Staying in a villa takes all the stress out of vacationing! If a toddler wants to run around a little bit, there's room. If mom wants to sit out on the balcony drinking coffee, there's room. Oops, an outfit gets spilled on, no big deal, pop it in the wash. And when you want to experience the resort amenities, head on down to the lobby and hang out. No vacation could be nicer.
Our decision to buy DVC came as an epiphany. We were meeting up with old friends at WDW. There were DVC, staying at a 2 b/r in VWL. We were on Marriott points at the Courtyard Marriott Village. A nice enough hotel, but I was so on edge staying there. All of us (5) in one room, a toddler I was constantly trying to control, having to pick up spilled cheerios from the floor, all of us trying to utilize one small bathroom. Then we visited our friend's room a dedicated 2 b/r at VWL---they were a family of 6, plus our family of 5. It was rainy day but all the kids found something to do (with 3 tv sets, a huge walking closet where their little girl had her dolls laid out, plus 3 different rooms to hang out in). The 4 adults sat around the kitchen table drinking fresh made coffee and playing a board game. It was heaven! We purchased DVC a couple of months later, because we wanted to relax and enjoy our vacations like that. And now we do! Have fun!
