Best Place to stay...week before Christmas

[Hillary90]

My DH, 4 kids (6yrs and under), Grandma and Grandpa will be taking our first trip as DVC members the week prior to Christmas.
What is the best DVC resort to stay at (in a 2 bdrm) and why?
We do not have a favorite park, we love them all!

 

[PrincessDuck]

What year are you planning on going? What resort do you own at? I would definitely book your home resort at 11 months and then see what is open if you want to switch around at 7 months.

 

[delmar411]

I certainly hope you are talking about next Christmas!

Our personal favorite resort is SSR. We like the condo style rooms over the hotel setup. We also like the pools there and the views.

It's just personal preference though.

 

[whitney6494]

If you are talking about this Christmas 2010...The only thing we found that was avail. was the OKW from Dec 12th on and SSR we managed from the Dec.10th on. GOODLUCK!!!!! Book today!!!!

 

[Hillary90]

2010. As this is our first DVC stay, the DVC rep we are working with is willing to pull some strings, I think. That being said, we want to try to find the best place to stay!

 

[Vickis3js]

I wouldn't get my hopes up too much for 2010 as its pretty booked solid. I've been trying to change a few dates for our trip since 7 months out and there is zero availability except at SSR. OKW didn't even have all the dates.

 

[delmar411]

2010. As this is our first DVC stay, the DVC rep we are working with is willing to pull some strings, I think. That being said, we want to try to find the best place to stay!

I really wouldn't wait. Ask the rep what resort they are going to be able to get you into. There are only so many 'strings' they can pull esp if the rooms have been turned over to CRO and booked already, yk?

 

[Hillary90]

We do plan to book this week.

Assuming that all properties were available, which would be the best to choose (given our family's ages - with 4 young kids) and why?

 

[dzorn]

We do plan to book this week.

Assuming that all properties were available, which would be the best to choose (given our family's ages - with 4 young kids) and why?

First Choice would be VWL but unless you make the reservation a condition of buying you are probably out of luck and your resort choices may not be actual choices but SSR.

Christmas has been booked for months.

Denise in MI

 

[TiaMaria]

2010. As this is our first DVC stay, the DVC rep we are working with is willing to pull some strings, I think. That being said, we want to try to find the best place to stay!

That is known around here as a "sales pitch".

Good luck to you.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We do plan to book this week.

Assuming that all properties were available, which would be the best to choose (given our family's ages - with 4 young kids) and why?

You don't really need to wait much longer. Most likely OKW, SSR, maybe AKV or BLT (if new inventory is still available). But you are not going to get VWL (too small and it gets booked at 11 months out), BCV or BWV. Go with your home resort for this trip.

 

[Connears]

2010. As this is our first DVC stay, the DVC rep we are working with is willing to pull some strings, I think. That being said, we want to try to find the best place to stay!

I do not think your chances for dec 2010 are very good. Most (including me) have made dvc reservations 11 months out..it is peak season!!!! I don't think you will have a choice of "the best" place to stay..My guess would be OKW or SSR if anything at all for that week. I say that because they are large and a bit easier(I am OKW member and still do 11 month for xmas week eadh year). Just wouldn't get my hopes up for BCV, BLT or VWL...in my experience.

Sorry
Connears

 

[Mfgs]

I was able to book a 2 bedroom,SV at AKV (our home resort) at exactly 9:00am at the 11 months mark for 12/19-/12-24. I have 2 waitlists, one at BLT and 1 at BWV. I check them everyday and if (and that is a very big IF) they come through, I would consider it a minor miracle. Hopefully your rep.(guide?) can do something for you.
We recently stayed at OKW and it was great, very spacious and recently renovated. I've not been there during Christmas time but I am sure it is lovely. If your guide is able to offer you OKW, I would grab it. Good luck with your plans!

 

[iluveeyore]

We are at OKW in a 2bdrm for Christmas this year, and we booked at the 11 month window.
If it is available, I would choose OKW because of the amount of children you have - it is the largest of the rooms for square footage at any of the DVC resorts, and you will love the space for all of you to spread out. We especially love the large living room and I enjoy the full size laundry room instead of just a stackable in a closet. And the large patio is awesome for the grown-ups to relax on with a cold drink while everyone else is behind closed doors in the villa!
Whatever you are able to book, enjoy the holidays there. We are sooooo excited and it's coming fast!

 

[PHILCT]

I agree, with the age and quantify of kids, go for OKW, it will be an easier place to handle the kids and roomier. If you rent a car, easier on everyone.

Are Grandma and Grandpa getting the master bedroom?

Have fun !

 

[Deb & Bill]

....Are Grandma and Grandpa getting the master bedroom?

Have fun !

Bite your tongue. Owner always gets the master bedroom. Them's the rules.

 

[brandylouwho]

I don't think there is a "best" resort because everyone has different opinoins about different things. I think they are all pretty awesome in their own way. Since you are looking so late in 2010, don't fret about which is best and honestly, just be really happy your guide is willing to get you something.

A lot of people like VWL at Christmas, very traditional USA woodsy feel.

We love AKL at Christmas, but we love AKL any time of the year,that is why we own there. Jambo house's lobby is dark, warm and inviting which feels more wintery to me (even though we are in Florida). But Kidani has that extra bathroom and a very intimate lobby. And my kids love the Community Room.

I love OKW (never been at Christmas) but the rooms are large and the decor is Floridian. Sometimes it is nice to feel like you are in FL when you are in FL.

Even SSR, probably my family's least fave resort, is still a very nice place to stay. We had a nice time there.

But all the resorts have nice decorations and a very festive feel to them. And the parks cetainly do too at that time of the year.

Have fun!

 

[parlay]

I don't really think there is a BEST place, but.....

AKV has a wonderful number of children's activities (Kidani has a great play area at the pool for kids)

BCV has Storm-a-Long Bay - my children's personal favorite - and we LOVE Epcot the best during the Christmas season - we visit as many "countries" as possible for their special holiday presentations - and of course the Candlelight Processional.

BWV - because its only a boatride to Epcot and DHS (which has those wonderful Osbourne lights)

When we bought in August 2007, we had a Christmas trip planned for 07-08 and our guide flat out told us he would probably NOT be able to get us accomodations for that time (it was the week after Christmas including NYE) - good thing we had already booked CRO elsewhere.

Good Luck! and let us know how you make out.

 

[dzorn]

OP were you able to get anything?

Denise in MI

 

[castle1]

The Boardwalk is fun and festive around Christmas. Plus you are a boat ride away from Epcot and the Studios. There are midway games and surrey bicycle rentals to ride around the boardwalk.