Best Home Away From Home Resort?

[Annette_VA]

We're planning a trip to WDW in Sept 04. We'll be staying on-site for 4 nights. I'm looking at staying at a Home Away From Home resort, as we'll have or 2 boys w/ us (ages 1 & 3) and the idea of a kitchen, w/d, separate bedrooms is very appealing!

I was wondering if someone could help me pick which HAFM resort to choose? Are there any huge pluses or minuses to any of the resorts? Which is your favorite & why? Least favorite?

TIA!!

-Annette

 

[zurgswife]

I'm a DVC member and I love BWV...you can walk to either Epcot or MGM if you chose. The pool has great themeing. Though thinking about the ages of your kids BCV would be better in the pool aspect as Beach Club Villas has use of the Stormalong Bay pool which has a zero entry sand pool...

Either of these 2 resorts are my personal favorite..

 

[blanq]

I have only been to two of the DVC properties: OKW and BCV. Of those two, BCV has been our families favorite. We love the location and Stormalong Bay is the best pool on disney property, IMHO! Also, I really like the relaxed beachy theme at the BC and the BC villas.

 

[spiceycat]

the cheapest if definitely FW - it does not have 2 bathrooms - otherwise - it is fine.

I happen to love OKW - but it is not close to a park - so bus transportation to the theme parks and water parks. there is a boat to DD. It has the biggest 2-bedroom.

BCV and BWV are within walking/boating of both Epcot and Studios plus the other Epcot resorts and BW area- and are very popular because of that. All other transportation is by bus.

VWL - this because of your children ages is probably your best bid. You can boat to the MK, Cont or FW. All other transportation is by bus. This is one resort where is helpful to learn the bus schedule. One of their buses goes to the T/T - you can use it to get to both Epcot and MK.

I really love them all - favorite is OKW - but that is probably more to due to the fact that when I joined it was it - the others were built later. Very relaxing...

my least favorite is probably BWV - if you love action you will adore this place - if you want to relax and feel miles aways from the action you will hate it - just a matter of personality.

VWL is one of the most beautiful resort at WDW - but people who like in the western pacific mountains don't like it - because it is like home to them (on the whole).

go look at the pictures - only you can decide what is best
www.dvc-resorts.com

You can rent from a DVC member and save you some money - but even then a 2-bedroom is expensive. Go back to the disboards - and go almost to the bottom - click on DVC rental/trade for more information about renting points - read Doc's FAQ first.

I would go with FW just on price.

 

[DVC@BWV]

We stayed in a cabin at Ft. Wilderness before we bought DVC and we loved it. Like Spiceycat said, it's probably going to be the least expensive of the HAFH resorts, if you're on a budget. There are other things to do at Ft. Wilderness like the petting zoo, evening campfire movie with Chip and Dale, "fishing" in the little lake; etc. However, the bus transportation to the parks (especially with two little boys) may be iffy; you can't drive your car once you get inside the campground (except to stop briefly for supplies at the Meadows Trading Post store). We rented a golf cart to get around the area so we never used the buses.

 

[chainkid]

Frankly I think it is very relaxing at the BWV especially the quiet pool area and in the morning the path around crescent lake is so peaceful when I take my walk. Sometimes I like to be be where the action is and sometimes the I don't . BWV offer both options.
if you get a standard view room it is much more peaceful as a rule then boardwalk or pool view but then I find them all perfectly fine.

 

[Annette_VA]

Stupid question time:
~ Do the villas have Mousekeepng services?
~ Can I get packages sent to my room, like w/ othrer resorts?
~ Can you do concierge w/ the villas?


TIA! Sorry I forgot to ask these in my original post.

~Annette

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by Annette_VA
Stupid question time:
~ Do the villas have Mousekeepng services?
~ Can I get packages sent to my room, like w/ othrer resorts?
~ Can you do concierge w/ the villas?


TIA! Sorry I forgot to ask these in my original post.

~Annette

Annette, if you're paying cash for your room vs. staying on points like us members do, you get normal full mousekeeping services. Yes, you can have packages sent back to your resort. You'll need to pick them up at the resort's gift shop. I don't think you can do concierge with the villas, but you don't need to either. You'll have a frig and can bring in your own concierge!