Best DVC Resort For Small Children (Ages 1-3)

[hardingk]

My 4 yr old LOVES to sit and play in the sand at SAB. The kiddie lunches come in buckets with shovels and that is all my DS needs.

That is so neat! Can anyone eat at Hurricane Hanna's?

 

[Honest John]

Just return to this thread. I want to thank all of you for your wonderful responses!

We stayed at BWV last november when our son was 8 months old, we spend most of our time at Epcot so it was great to walk there. Not having to take the bus was great-especially when he had fallen asleep.

That's what we're thinking, too -- that if our kids fall asleep in our stroller, for instance, getting back to the room would be a breeze at the BWV or BVC if we were at Epcot or the Studios.

 

[Honest John]

BLT!!! The ability to walk to MK is by far the greatest plus.

We were thinking the same thing about this being BLT's greatest asset. Thanks for the response!

 

[Honest John]

We took our DGD(6) to BLT early Dec last year - and have no clue. When she let us spend time at BLT we were grateful to just sit and relax But I research in my spare time for future trips, and I would reccommend that if you stay at BLT or VWL, search out info on the Electric Water Parade. I'm adding that to a must-do list for next time.

Good advice! I forgot to mention that was one of the perks of a BLT/VWL stay. Would be nice to see the EWP right from our resort.

 

[Honest John]

BCV can be very noisy (we had multiple stays there, and consider it the noisiest - loud and constant - DVC).
hth

I remember this too from our previous stays; especially the ground floor, it seems like there was always a lot of noise on the grounds. Another variable to consider...thanks.

 

[lucyem]

I remember this too from our previous stays; especially the ground floor, it seems like there was always a lot of noise on the grounds. Another variable to consider...thanks.

I never thought of BC as noisy. Are the BCV just busier and noisier then the main resort? Our last trip there was so quiet.

 

[Honest John]

We had a boardwalk view last time and the kids loved all the nite time activities, magicians and jugglers. Some of them were chosen as assistants. In fact after we thought all the kids were asleep we found one 5 yo on the balcony watching a show!

Sounds nice. Thanks!

 

[Honest John]

For me, being able to watch the fireworks from our room every night (with piped in music from the TV) is awesome.

I didn't realize they piped in the Wishes soundtrack into your room. Outstanding -- looks like I might have to spend the extra points for the MK view rooms...if I can book one.

 

[princessbride6205]

We stayed at both AKV Kidani and BCV with our 2 year old.
She LOVED AKV. We didn't even visit the pool or the playground. But the animals were a hit. The negative to Kidani with a little one would be lack of counter service and that the resort is huge - I read on here that it's almost a quarter mile from the lobby to the farthest room at the end of the hall! But staying at Jambo could remedy that. (We didn't mind the walk personally, but others might.) We had excellent bus service, despite being further from the parks. We actually had a worse/slower experience with transportation when we stayed at BCV.

BCV is great for the proximity to Epcot and the amazing pool. We also liked the Marketplace area which had a good selection of food, some souvenirs and free coloring pages & crayons. Taking the coloring sheets back to our room each night was the perfect way for DD to wind down after each crazy park day.

MK isn't a favorite park for any of us (it's a must do, of course, but we don't spend the most time there) and BLT theming isn't our style. That said, we haven't stayed there, so I can't comment on if we'd be converted.

 

[Honest John]

I happen to love VWL, so take my comments with a big grain of salt.
- it's a quiet resort, overall. . perfect for napping kids (having had that experience not that long ago)
- there are beaches, nature trails, and a walking trail to Fort Wilderness
- the Hidden Springs pool is small but rarely crowded. . .it has no slide (if you want to use the main pool, you can and it does have a slide) but does have several areas where bubbles float to the top continuously as if springs were underneath your feet (thus, the monniker for the pool)
- Roaring Fork is an above average counter service eatery; Whispering Canyon Cafe might be a bit rowdy for the 1-yr old but your 3-yr old would probably love it
- easy access to FW via the walking trail (you can rent trolley bikes, too) or bus system, and as mentioned, they have a petting zoo, stables, and a buffet restaurant (though I've not eaten there)
- I've never had a problem with the bus system, and the Villas are close to the bus stop
- the boat ride to MK is a real pleasure, especially given the times you'd likely be traveling. They tend to get crowded later at night going to and from MK, however. But, the boats do give you a second travel option.
- the Electric Water Parade is cool for smaller kids, and can be seen from many locations at the WL, including the beaches
- you can see the MK fireworks from either the boat docks or from a couple of strategic beach locations. . .obviously, you aren't up close and personal with them, but they're still cool to see, anyway

Okay, that might be info overload, but that's my take on VWL. I'm sure wherever you stay, you'll enjoy it, however.

Thanks! VWL sounds great too...decisions, decisions...

 

[Honest John]

AKV is great also. The bus ride is not that long and you only have 1 stop at Jambo if you are at Kidiani. The pool area is amazing. Zero entry and a whole area of stuff for kids. The animals are great (even if you just have a std room - you can seem from the windows in the hallway and when you go outside).

We really want to stay at AKV at some point while our boys are still young because of the animal appeal. It would be a huge hit with them.

 

[tmagg]

I would recommend the BWV as I stayed there several times with young children. It is sefl contained. The pool is the best. Get a first floor walkout next to the activity/play room and you will be all set. Only issue is that it is a bus ride to the Magic Kingdom (or walk to Epcot and take the Monorail).

 

[cseca]

We have a 15mo old and here are my pref:

BLT
pro:
- As you said... proximity. If you will mostly live in MK then this is the resort for you.
I never thought about how we would love the convenience of the monorail and the option to walk until we stayed there with a 1yo. Before it was just 2 adults and we could hoof it anywhere or wait for transportation no problem. With a 1yo everything changes.
- Great food options: Restaurants, Food court, within monorail ride away to other resorts with even more options.
- splash pool for the little ones

con:
- The room decor is very very contemporary. And the furnitures are not doing well so far... I'm dreading the next MF increase.
- If you're planning to mostly stay in a studio here - Don't. It's TINY!!! Seriously... And this comment comes from someone who used to think there is absolutely no reason to waste more points to stay in a 1br.
- Bus transportations to other parks stops at other monorail resorts as well (GF, Poly and sometimes WL I think)

BWV
pros:
- Less points for standard rooms
- Great grounds: I love the boardwalk atmosphere during the day and night. Everything is so beautiful.
- Dining options abound between EPCOT, BW, BC/YC and Swan/Dolphin
- Walking/boat distance to EPCOT and Studios, BC/YC, Swan/Dolphin
- Weekend entertainment on the boardwalk
- Community hall
- Surrey bike rental

cons:
- Not a big fan of the scary clown pool
- No food court at BW area: Only burger/hotdog stand on BW or BW bakery, or you go to BC for Beaches & Cream (YUM!) or to BC marketplace.
- Bus transportation is crappy, stops at way too many places (BC, YC, Swan/Dolphin, BW)
- 1br accommodation only has 1 bathroom

WLV
pro:
- Wonderful atmosphere, gorgeous lobbies (both of them), beautiful grounds.
- Decent dining options between WL, Contemporary and FW.
- Convenient transportation to MK, Contemporary and FW.
- Some outdoor activities connected to FW (horse riding, carriage ride? not sure if it's still there, biking, etc.)
- Neato pool...
- Cub's Den childcare

Cons:
- People say the rooms are dark, but I love it.
- Small resort so availabilities at times are difficult.
- Points requirement is on the higher end.
- 1br accommodation only has 1 bathroom

Good luck!

 

[Pig Pen]

I would just try them all if I were you.

 

[tdsangell]

Our home resort is SSR. We took our boys at 4 and the playgrounds are nice and if you request to be close to the main pool the busing is great. It offers a small water slide for the little ones, which was a big hit. They do offer free life jackets there for your stay.
This last time we stayed at BLT: It was truly magical but there is no playgrounds. the pool is very nice. The best part of our stay is that we could have the kids in their PJ and watch the fireworks from our window It does take quite a while on bus to get anywhere other than Magic Kingdom. You might want to save that one for when they are just a bit older
Happy planning.

 

[JenG]

I have taken my kids to Disney 2x a year since my DS was 2.5. Our favorites are BC and SSR.

BC - walking to Epcot is the biggest draw. SAB is awesome but a bit tricky for my 6yo as you can't see them from the sand pool when they go down the slide or in other areas of the pool. The pool is too spread out to watch 3 kids at once! The QSR isn't great either.

SSR - Great QSR, great main pool. I can watch all 3 at once in the pool. Buses to every park is a drawback but my kids actually love the bus for some reason - it's like a ride! SSR also has a great pool near the Grandstand with a splash park that my older kids LOVE. I like being able to take a day off parks and go to DTD too - kids like the shops and I like the margarita stand!

We are not park commandos - hang by the pool most mornings then to a park for 3-4 hours in the late afternoon. So, buses aren't really a problem for us.

Have a great time! I will be there with my party first week in October - 11 adults and 16 kids under age 6!! SSR for us this time!

 

[cseca]

...
Have a great time! I will be there with my party first week in October - 11 adults and 16 kids under age 6!! SSR for us this time!

WOW!!!
You've got to post a TR when you get back... what a wonderful get together opportunity.

 

[lkhenrie]

We have been owners of OKW for years. We traveled with our family when they were young and continue to vacation there with them as grown ups. I feel the convience of parking right outside your home is great as well as it's location to Downtown Disney. We have stayed at BWV but still felt OKW offered a home away from home atmosphere!! I agree the bus service could be better at times!

 

[Coach81]

1. AKV.. they will LOVE seeing the animals!!!
2. BLT.. they will love seeing the fireworks!!!

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Okay I may be the odd man out hear but I am an OKW lover.
1st. OKW doesn't share the bus with any other resort. So it doesn't really take alot or time to get back to your resort for a midday swim. Second my dd an nieces and nephews love the sandcasle pool and the giant sandtoys at OKW. Love the boat ride to DTD. We have been known to take the boat from another resort( went there for dinner), to DTD then to OKW. DD just loves seeing the lights at night on the water. Then there is the fact that it is so relaxing there and so nice to come back to after the chaos of the parks. DD and oldest DS both have some dissabilities so we need that calm sometimes inorder to decompose and avoid a meltdown at the days end. The others resorts are all great and the proximity to the parks is wonderful. But don't count out OKW for the little ones. You would be suprised how many stay there.