Best DVC for value & kids

[marykay]

Hi all, we want to book our DVC points (160) for my nephew who has 2 sets of twins. Kids will be 5 & 7 when they go. Because I only have 160 points available i'm looking for good value but also good kid environment. I see old key west or the value rooms at AKV are less expensive. Member Services tells me that a 2 BR is mandatory due to fire regulations with 6 people. They will be driving from Texas and will have limited budget for extras. Any thoughts on which DVC resort would be best? (We have actually never stayed at DW DVC ourselves)

 

[smnslc]

I have stayed at AKV in Kidani village and we had an awesome time with our DD(7). The community hall is awesome, we spent a lot of time in there. There are all kinds of games and activities. We did not get a chance to use the pool because we were there in December, but I know the pool area is wonderful as well. There has been great reviews on the kids water play area.

I have never stayed at OKW so I can't give any positives or negatives. I have a friend who owns at OKW and she has always said that is one of her favorite places she, does not have young kids though.

I do highly recommend AKV.

 

[marykay]

I understand the value rooms at AKV are in Jambo not Kidani, any knowledge of differences? Either way, want to get the most nights possible even with no view. Thanks 4 your reply

 

[treehugnmama]

My kidS are 4 and 6 and we love okw. We stayed at akv kidani last time and it was great too. Kidani has a beach entry pool which is nIce if your kids Arent swimmers but either is awesome our fav beeNg okw

 

[Kidanifan08]

The value rooms at AKV do book up quickly because of the points savings. Depending on what time of year you are talking about, it may be difficult to get a value room, unless this is your home resort. Unfortunately, in the 2BR inventory, 160 points does not get you a very long stay. You may want to consider trying to do 2 studios for the length of the stay. Each parent would have to take 1 set of twins, but it would maximize the amount of time you can get for your points. If AKV is your home, two value studios would probably get you the biggest bang for your buck.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When are they going? That will be an important factor.

Also what is your home resort? If you own at BWV, you might also be able to get the BWV standard view. If you own at AKV, you would want to book the AKV value two bedroom. At OKW, you could book any two bedroom.

All have nice pools.

 

[rentayenta]

My kids love both AKV and OKW. Both pools are great too. OKW throws a really fun pool party where my kids won a bunch of stuff. The CMs kept them very engaged.

AKV have the animals which kept the kids entertained too.

 

[marykay]

Thanks everyone. My home resort is SSR. They had hoped to go next Spring however with the September savings I might see if that works. Do u know if you can get adjoining studios? Also,when is it too cold to swim in Florida?

 

[marykay]

Hey guys, what about Halloween? Oh, it would probably be too hard to get in.

 

[kmccl]

Hi all, we want to book our DVC points (160) for my nephew who has 2 sets of twins. Kids will be 5 & 7 when they go. Because I only have 160 points available i'm looking for good value but also good kid environment. I see old key west or the value rooms at AKV are less expensive. Member Services tells me that a 2 BR is mandatory due to fire regulations with 6 people. They will be driving from Texas and will have limited budget for extras. Any thoughts on which DVC resort would be best? (We have actually never stayed at DW DVC ourselves)

I would try to book a 2 BR at Kadini! You can get 5 nights, not sure if that is enough time for you, for 150 points if you go Sun-Thurs in a standard view room. We stayed there last July and I can't imagine a nicer place than Kadini. The atmosphere is amazing and the pool is awesome, especially for the kids! I have only stayed at SSR and Kadini, but will stay at OKW and BLT this July. Hopefully they compare to Kadini. Although it may be expensive, you should check on the rate you can get through MS to add a night or two on cash. We have done that two times at HHI and it was well worth it. Good Luck and have fun!

 

[Alexander]

Two studios will go further with your points than a 2 bedroom.

However:

• they don't have connecting studios
• there isn't a full kitchen to eat meals in the room thus saving money
• there isn't a washer/dryer in the room which is great with kids

With 4 little ones, I would probably say, get them a 2 bedroom. Any of the resorts are great for a family. They all have pools, playgrounds and Disney theming. OKW actually has the biggest rooms and most pools and playgrounds. AKV has amazing theming. Boardwalk location can't be beat. You can't go wrong no matter what you can get them.

Your best bet is to look at low point seasons to get the most for your points. It gets pretty cold by December and stays cold into early Feb. It is honestly hit or miss however, as some Decembers have been 80. All of the pools are heated though and warm enough to swim. Getting out is the cold part!

 

[Kidanifan08]

Thanks everyone. My home resort is SSR. They had hoped to go next Spring however with the September savings I might see if that works. Do u know if you can get adjoining studios? Also,when is it too cold to swim in Florida?

If SSR is your home, then I would suggest booking that at 11 months and then looking at other options at 7 months. Switching their plans to Sept is a good idea, if they are comfortable with pulling the kids from school. I don't think there are any adjoining studios, and I am not sure you can guarantee getting two close together, but you can try. You could probably get two 6-night studios in Sept for Sat-Thur with your 160 points.

Keep playing with the points charts. . .

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you go with two studios, mom and dad will have to split up. One with two twins in one studio, the other parent with the other two twins in the other. Not a great way to spend a vacation.

You need to book a two bedroom at SSR now for Spring time. Then when you are seven months out, see if you can change to OKW or AKV Standard view two bedroom. That's about the best you can do.

For OKW for a week in the spring, you are looking at about 296 to 396 points for a week in two bedroom. You'd need two years worth of points to get the cheaper time. A week in Sept would be 217 points.

For AKV-standard, you'd need 220 for Sept and 287 for Spring (not Easter).

 

[marykay]

Thanks everyone, I don't quite understand when you say book now at SSR and then 7 months out switch out. Do you have to switch for the same exact dates?

I am not opposed to borrowing from the next year but it gets very complicated as we booked Aulani with another family for Christmas and that family now owes me their 2010 points that they banked into next use year. We didn't realize that once banked they can't be transferred. So I have used most of "my" 2012 points as well (only have 9 left) so would have to borrow from my friend and pay them back...

It honestly might just be better to add on since we always need a 2 BR and 160 points doesn't go very far.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

I understand the value rooms at AKV are in Jambo not Kidani, any knowledge of differences? Either way, want to get the most nights possible even with no view. Thanks 4 your reply

We have stayed with our family of 6 in the 2bedroom value room at AKV Jambo house. It is penty big for us. The +++ for Jambo house is Mara for food, but we do a lot cooking in our room. The +++ for Kindani are the community hall, but it is about a 10min walk or take a bus over. My kids like the pool better at Kindani. We always try and book the value room to get the most bang for our points. The room is about 3ft shorter in length then the typical 2bedroom. It doesn't bother us at all. The great thing about the value is you have a shot at a Savanah view with out paying the points. We have been fortunate to get it once in 4 trips.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

Also,when is it too cold to swim in Florida?

According to my kids it is never to cold to swim in Florida. The pools are heated to 80degrees all winter long.

 

[Alexander]

According to my kids it is never to cold to swim in Florida. The pools are heated to 80degrees all winter long.

I agree 100%! It is getting out that is too cold!