Best DVC resort for kids

[izzy25]

What DVC resort is best for kids? My daughter will be 8 at the time of our trip next year and I'm trying to figure out what resort is best for kids. I'm willing to splurge this trip because it may be the last one for a while. We did Disney back in September 2014 but stayed off grounds so I want the experience of staying on grounds this time around.

Thank you in advance!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It sounds like you are going through CRo or renting points?

Consider Bay Lake Tower, Theme Park View if you are splurging, Beach Club for the pool there and walking to Epcot, or Animal Kingdom Villas, savannah view, for zebras and giraffes off your balcony.

 

[Schucraig]

It does depend on what you like. I think there are several ranking categories you can use to judge DVC resorts (1 rooms/views, 2 pools, 3 community center). I am a DVC owner and I have been to all of them except for new GF and New Poly Villas.
My kids rate the fun factor usually by the pools and/or the community/recreational center. The view and size of the room usually does not make much of to them difference. If the pool is the most important the winner will be Beach Club first then AK Kidani and Bay Lake Towers, some may even like Boardwalk. If you are looking for Community Center stuff we find either Kidani and Boardwalk, and Bay Lake Towers, to have more pool tables, ping pong tables, video games, and extras.

 

[lovin'fl]

I'd say BLT for the walk to MK. An 8 year old girl might like to spend a lot of time at MK. If she's into animals, though, AKV might be a god choice. And BCV has the best pool if she's really into pool time. Those are the three resorts I'd suggest.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

But, really, it's Disney. All of the resorts will be good for kids. I'm not enamored of the Old Key West theme with kids if it's attached to the term "splurge," but it would still be fun for kids and many other people like it. (I think it gets a bad rap, though, undeservedly!)

 

[kreckl]

Jumping in- we've never even been to a community center- whats there?

 

[rlk]

The community centers have activities for the kids. Some are free, some they charge for. They have movies to borrow, video games to play as well as pool tables and fuseball.
My boys love going to the community centers.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

It kind of falls off people's radar, but SSR is more and more becoming my favorite resort. They have two fantastic feature pools, so two great water slides to explore. Their community hall and available activities are top notch, and the easy walk to Disney Springs is unmatched. My second and third choices would be Beach Club for the pool and amazing location, and the Poly. The new studio rooms are stunning. The pool is fantastic, you can watch the fireworks nightly from the beach, and you are a quick monorail ride from two parks. And let's face it, if you are 8, the monorail is pretty darn cool!
We did not enjoy BLT at all. It was very noisy and we felt like we were living in a college dorm, not staying in a Disney hotel. Even the short walk to the MK couldn't make up for the sterile noisy ambience.

 

[Jfsag123]

We did not enjoy BLT at all. It was very noisy and we felt like we were living in a college dorm, not staying in a Disney hotel. Even the short walk to the MK couldn't make up for the sterile noisy ambience.

This just goes to show that every stay is different. We dealt with no noise issues while staying at BLT, even with a room that was right near the bridge to Contemporary. It was quiet and we had a wonderful stay. The kids absolutely fell in love. The pool, community hall, the monorail, the way we could just pop over to MK if we wanted to - they loved it all. This year, we're returning to BLT after beginning our stay at BCV.

 

[goofy4prez]

You are going to get so many different opinions about which DVC resort is best for kids. Let me add to the opinions and give you which one I think is the best for kids.



All of them are!

I say pick the one you like that has the most appeal to you and enjoy your stay... No matter which choice you make it's Disney and it's absolutely going to be kid friendly no matter the theme, location or how close or far it is to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[KristiMc]

My kids have loved every Disney resort that we have stayed at (from moderates to DVC). Maybe look at the website with her and let her choose the resort that she likes the best.

 

[Chip n Dale's Dad]

My kids have loved every Disney resort that we have stayed at (from moderates to DVC). Maybe look at the website with her and let her choose the resort that she likes the best.

Ditto! We've stayed at all levels, from The Fort, Values, Mods, Deluxe and DVC. Our kids love them all! They have fun because they know they are at WDW!

 

[Ariel8676]

I have 4 children 14,13,10,5.. their favorites were (in order) Beach Club Villas , AKL Kidani Village, Boardwalk, SSR, Wilderness Lodge Villas, they did not enjoy BLT

 

[spiceycat]

which of the theme parks are you and her favorite?

mk - then BLT, Epcot - then BCV, Studios - then BWV, AK - then AKV.

with the exemption of AKV - all of these resorts are within walking distance of their parks. this for me is a big thing. If not for you - then maybe you should go on cost/price - OKW, standard view BWV, value/standard view AKV - are some of the least expensive. if using points.

AK nothing is close enough to walk to it.

believe me any child would be happy at any of the DVC resorts. Heck most kids are really happy at Pop Century - it is a value resort. go look at pictures.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

AKL, by certain definitions, is almost a park of itself!

 

[Dean]

As noted, it does depend on personal preferences. For MK, I'd say BLT or VWL post construction. For EPCOT or DHS, BWV would be my preference over BLT. For largely resort time I'd say BWV, AKV or SSR (paddock request).

 

[tam.daelynn]

It kind of falls off people's radar, but SSR is more and more becoming my favorite resort. They have two fantastic feature pools, so two great water slides to explore. Their community hall and available activities are top notch, and the easy walk to Disney Springs is unmatched. My second and third choices would be Beach Club for the pool and amazing location, and the Poly. The new studio rooms are stunning. The pool is fantastic, you can watch the fireworks nightly from the beach, and you are a quick monorail ride from two parks. And let's face it, if you are 8, the monorail is pretty darn cool!
We did not enjoy BLT at all. It was very noisy and we felt like we were living in a college dorm, not staying in a Disney hotel. Even the short walk to the MK couldn't make up for the sterile noisy ambience.

When you say you can see the fireworks from the beach, is that the beach club? I'm trying to decide between poly and beach club

 

[NancyDVC]

My niece (who joined with her husband after going with us for years) loves SSR. She has 2 kids ages 6 and 9. They love the activities at the pools, the location (close to Disney Springs) and the resort itself. Last year they spent more time at the resort than the parks. The kids had a ball with the activities at the pool. The resorts have a schedule of activities for the week. They may include movies under the stars, campfires (with stories, singing and making s'mores), trivia games with prizes, Goofy Bingo (don't knock it until you play it), "unbirthday" parties and crafts. Those resorts with a community center will have more indoor activities. DVC members can 'rent' movies for free (a definite plus when a strong storm front blasts through with torrential rain for hours or when you want some 'quiet time') I have stayed at stand alone DVC resorts and the ones that are part of a larger hotel property and prefer the activities at the 'stand alone' resorts. I had a blast at VB and HHI participating in some of their activities and I don't have any kids!

 

[Chip n Dale's Dad]

Ditto! We've stayed at all levels, from The Fort, Values, Mods, Deluxe and DVC. Our kids love them all! They have fun because they know they are at WDW!

Ditto, ditto. My kids didn't like POP, but loved the All-Stars. They would stay at POP if it meant going to WDW! They absolutely love the Fort. BLT, BCV, AKV and SSR. If we were splurging with an 8yr old, depending on what is important to you, it would be BLT TPV, BCV or AKV savanna.

When you say you can see the fireworks from the beach, is that the beach club? I'm trying to decide between poly and beach club

DisneyRegulars is referring to the Poly, but we have seen some of the Epcot fireworks from the BC beach area.