Best stay for 1st time guests

[catherines_mama]

I'm at a loss at the moment. I'm about a month away from 7-mos and am planning to change at that point.

We are traveling with very close friends and it's their 1st time staying DVC, 1st time going in over 10 yrs. I want this to be a great trip... Where to book? As of now, there is space everywhere.

Total - 4 adults 4 teens 1 10 yo.
We want to spend plenty of park time and "plan" to use Disney transportation. If it lets us down, we will have our cars. As a family we always use the bus but having guests we will do what is best for them.

We are currently at SSR and our initial gut instinct is BCV for location, options in dining and the pool for the kids. BUT I don't want to take 1st time DVC guests there if it is looking shabby. We are taking these friends because the past year + has been very hard for them with losses and illness of their own. They need a break and we want them to enjoy it and just relax.

If I knew the rehab would be done by June, BCV 100%.

OKW and BWV are out due to lack of dining. If it's raining I feel as if you are out of luck. Granted we love OKW and just us, we'd be there in a sec.

I'm leaning to AKV for 2nd bathroom and fun pool, but is that all it has going for it? That and no shared bus?

VWL?

BLT and VGF are too many points required. I'm just going to churn it over and over for the next month or until I feel better about BCV

Help!!!

 

[abthomas]

AKV is wonderful. Kidani is first on bus route and has extra BR. Also the animal viewing areas are fantastic. Restaurants are also good. ( there is no Counter Service at Kidani however). Pool is fun and bar serves food. Long walks but parking is convenient. We always use buses. Jambo house is great too but I haven't stayed DVC there, only regular room.

 

[disneynutz]

Doesn't seem like you need any help, you have a great list read your post and book.

Or are you looking for a scapegoat in case the resort/room has a problem? "I wasn't going to book our room here but those DIS people told me to".

Pretty sneaky of you!

Bill

 

[catherines_mama]

Doesn't seem like you need any help, you have a great list read your post and book. Or are you looking for a scapegoat in case the resort/room has a problem? "I wasn't going to book our room here but those DIS people told me to". Pretty sneaky of you! Bill

No maybe just validation I'm on the right path. Or someone to tell me "trust BCV, it'll be okay". I'm a big girl- my decision is mine. silly Bill

 

[disneynutz]

No maybe just validation I'm on the right path. Or someone to tell me "trust BCV, it'll be okay". I'm a big girl- my decision is mine. silly Bill

I wouldn't count on BCV being completed. One of my issues with DVC is you might get a room that is okay or you might get a room at the same resort that IMO should not be in inventory. Makes it hard to have guests, friends, or family stay with you.

Bill

 

[catherines_mama]

Thank you Bill. I was having that sense as well. Most resorts don't worry me but as much as BCV seems to need it- I think I'll steer clear.

 

[Geomom]

AKV has the animals at the savannah, the community hall at Kidani to do crafts/games, and cultural activities at both Kidani and Jambo. If you're going during a 'rainy' time of year--staying at Kidani is great if you don't want to go out in the rain! The community hall and cultural activities kept our kids occupied when we were driven back to the hotel after being drenched for hours at one of the parks.

With 9 people going, I'd agree with doing AKV 2 bedroom for the 3 full bathrooms and you'll technically have enough sleeping room/towels for 9 people with the sleeper chair which BCV doesn't have.

If you get a 'lock-off' at VWL, it should also sleep 9 with the 'TV' murphy bed, sleeper sofa/queen bed in the studio portion and the sleeper sofa/king bed in the 1 bedroom part....but you're not going to have the extra bathroom that AKV has.

 

[Kidanifan08]

We've done 4 adults, 4 teens and a child in a 2BR; two 9-night trips, in fact. You will definitely need the 3rd bathroom, which means booking at AKV-Kidani based on your post. With 8 adult-sized people in a 2BR, it is tight. Having the third full bath kept our master bath private for us (and our then 7 yo). In addition, the Kidani 2BR is noticeably larger than the BCV 2BR, particularly in the LR/DR/kitchen area.

The pool area at Kidani is great and the bus service to the park is excellent. Since you are driving, you will have the added bonus of under-building parking to keep the car cool.

The rooms and public areas are very impressive at Kidani and I am sure your guests would have a wonderful time there!