Best DVC resort for 3 year old

[Tootsietoo]

I'll be taking my 3 year old granddaughter to WDW. Which DVC resort would be best, and why? I was thinking VWL because it's close to the MK. Also, which DVC resort has the best kiddie pool? Thanks!!!!

 

[AFMom]

That's a tough one! If you'll be going to MK the most, and want to be able to go back to the room during the day for naps, etc, VWL might be your best bet for closeness. Not sure about their kiddie pool, though! I think all of the DVC's have nice kiddie pools - so you won't have to worry about that. SSR has a zero-entry large pool, which would be fun - and the Donald splash area, and also a small slide for young children in addition to the large slide. So that could be a consideration. From OKW it only took us about 15-20 minutes to get to any park using the busses, and I know the new pool area, kids play area, etc are very nice! The rooms are also larger which is always a plus. I'd say you'd have a great time anywhere unless you have more specific requirements - but maybe try SSR or WLV (pool area or closeness to MK).

 

[Beca]

VWL has "hands down" the closest location to MK, and the transportation is really cool...my dd LOVES taking the boat.

BWV has the cute kiddie area with the elephants shooting water (although our dd is scared of the clown face), and SSR has the donald figure, but my dd loves the kiddie area at BCV best. It's this "sand dunes" area where the water is really shallow, and littered intermittently by sand dunes. The water is shallow enough that she can pick up sand with her hands and let it run thru her fingers. She also likes to build sand castles there (although we have never figured out how to really make them stick). There are a lot of good choices....pick the one you think your child would like the best.



Beca

 

[pumpkinboy]

For your 3 yr old, I'd go for SSR with its imaginative and fun kids water play area. Also the zero-depth entry pool is great for small ones too, since it's shallow and only descends gradually into deeper water; it's a great way for little ones to get used to the big pool.

Now I love VWL, but truthfully, it's not all that convenient to MK. In my experience it's maybe 10-15 minutes from MK compared to 15-20 from SSR. Admittedly, that distance is by boat, which is really cool and much more interesting to most 3 yr olds than a bus.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I think BCV, where the little kids can play in the sand looks like so much fun, especially with a pail and shovel. I always wondered-do you have to bring your own or can you borrow one at SAB?

 

[Beca]

I think BCV, where the little kids can play in the sand looks like so much fun, especially with a pail and shovel. I always wondered-do you have to bring your own or can you borrow one at SAB?

We stopped by Walmart and bought her a shovel and pail...but, there were SOOO many lying around the sand that our dd never played with her own. I'm not sure if SAB provides them, or if they are just ones that get left by other guests....but there were always a lot of sand toys not being used on the beach (and, we were there right at closing every night, and were often the only ones in the kiddie pool).

My dd STILL talks about that place....I am SOOO glad we own there!!



Beca

 

[DisneyKidds]

When are you going?

If it will be during the warmer months and you'll be using the pool a lot I have to say that in our experience (having kids ages 2, 4, and 7) the BCV is a great choice. Stormalong Bay is incredible for young kids. One entire section is dedicated to the little ones, with a zero entry sand beach and sand bottom pool that is only a few feet deep. It is wonderful for the really young kids to play in without having to worry about them too much. It also helps that the BC is an incredible resort. There is also the creek by the BCV quiet pool where you can spy fish and turtles, and if you are lucky even an alligator! BCV has direct access via boat to Epcot and the Studios.

Second choice would be VWL, especially during the cooler months when you won't swim as much, or if access to the MK is your top priority. Not to say that the pool at WL isn't very nice, it just isn't as exciting for the kids as SAB. There is a huge kiddie pool at the WL main pool. Also, the Hidden Springs pool area over by the villas is THE most relaxing place in all of WDW. Great quiet pool for the kids, but even better for the adults. Ahhhhhhhhh. The WL has a bubbling spring in the lobby with a bridge over it, and kids LOVE to run over that bridge........again, and again, and again, and again.......you get the idea. The brook goes out of the lobby, outside and down a waterfall, ultimately into the main pool. Very cool, as is the guyser. There are lots of activities scheduled for the kids as well, like duck races, games on the beach, etc. There are always real ducks swimming in the pool and kids get a kick out of that. There is a playground on the beach, and renting Sea Raycers on Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon is a lot of fun for the kids and kids at heart in the family. There is a ton to do. The boat to the MK is wonderful. Yes, it can take anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes depending on how long you wait, but the boat ride is entertainment the kids love in and of itself. You can't go wrong with the WL any time of year.

SSR is nice, and the zero entry pool and Donald play area (small but nice) is great for the kids. However, lacking direct access to the park and being as spread out as it is I can't recommend SSR over BCV or WVL.

FWIW, we love BCV and VWL so much that we no longer decide between the two........we just split the stay. We get the best of each resort, and plan days in the parks according to which resort we are in.

 

[tamu91]

VWL if you plan on doing several days of MK. If not, BCV for the pool.

 

[dianeschlicht]

OKW has a wonderful play/sand/wading area for a 3 year old. The huge sandbucket and sandcastle are very nice, and the smaller pools all have swing sets and sand too. I would prefer that to the crowded swiming area at BC when you are trying to watch a 3 year old. VWL will be nearer to MK, but there is still a wait for the boat and the boat ride itself, which takes aproximately the same time as a bus to OKW or SSR, so that's a wash. On the other hand, I have not heard very good things about the bus service from the BC and BW to MK, So I guess I would choose OKW, VWL or SSR this trip.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

I love BCV because it is so nice to walk into Epcot...doing the KidCot stations is always a hit and the Living Seas is all Nemo themed now and it is great. You can go to MK in am enjoy the pool and stroll the World in the eve. DD loved the lights at night and the strolling back and falling asleep is great too! Also, the Boardwalk bakery has one of the best treats for kids...a "single" serving mickey cake - sprinkled yellow cake covered with chocolate and mickey sprinkles...$3. It is our DD favorite treat. She still talks about the time she and grandma ate their mickey cake by the store entering Epcot in the rain.
It is all good everywhere...have fun Karen

 

[gracelrm]

My vote is for VWL. I've said it many times, but being able to roll the stroller right on to the boat and not having to fold it up to go to the MK was worth a great deal to me. I know I had to fold it up to go everywhere else, but when we spend most of our time at MK - it only makes sense. Also, when my DS was that age, he was a bit timid around the water and he adored the quiet pool at VWL. The stairs were wide enough he could play on those and not keep others from being able to step down. He also loved the "bubbles" in the middle of the pool.

 

[Kadorto]

another VWL vote here

 

[Tootsietoo]

Thank you all for your responses!! I ended up booking OKW and requesting a room near the HH so we could be near the kiddie pool. The trip is last minute so it was SSR or OKW unless I switched resorts or wanted to be on the wait list for the one night I needed at VWL. We'll be going the beginning of August. It sounds as though the kiddie pool at OKW is fine. We've stayed at OKW before and loved it, but I never paid attention to the kiddie area. I can't believe my son and his wife are letting me take her!! It involves a 2 1/2 hour flight so I'll need some tricks on the plane. My daughter will be joining us in Orlando, and she'll be a huge help. Would you believe this trip is a reward for my granddaughter going on the potty!!! Times have changed - my kids were fine with M&M's........

 

[AFMom]

She'll love OKW! We loved the resort, and even though people are now rewarding potty training with WDW - kids still aren't that hard to please! We had no problems at all with the bus service - never took us more than 20 minutes to get anywhere - so MK will still be a piece of cake for you! Have a wonderful trip! Oh - bring extra bread - my kids had a wonderful time feeding ducks off of the patio - a treat there if you are on a ground floor!