BLT - GFR - BRV - which one?

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

This will be my DD6’s first trip to WDW, so keeping her wowed is the first priority for this trip. Right now, it looks like these are the three resorts we can choose from for our Sept/Oct trip.

We’re doing a split stay - 3 nights at the Swan, and then 5 nights in a DVC. We’ll do Epcot, AK, and Hollywood Studios on the first days, and then a resort day, water park, and then MK and Epcot for the rest of the trip.

We have to use at least 70 points, so these are the three that make sense for us.

So which resort would you recommend?

I’be been leaning towards the BRV - I think it has more of a kid friendly atmosphere, and we definitely want to do the Story Book Dining, and probably the Hoop De Doo Review. But I’m concerned about getting to/from Epcot, and Disney Springs.

My wife wants to do the Grand Floridian - but I think it won’t be as much fun for the little one.

I wish the Polynesian were available, but looks like nothing’s open at this point.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

VGF. She is at a princess age and there is no better resort for that.

Don't overlook the Alice splash pad for kid-friendliness.

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree with above, the GF splash pad looks like so much fun I wish I had a kid that qualified me to play in it with them!

Re BRV and getting to Epcot and DS, they’re both just a bus ride away, maybe sharing with CR/BLT. DS is also a bus ride from VGF, sharing with Poly, I believe. To get to Epcot from BLT or VGF you’d take the monorail to the TTC and transfer to the Epcot monorail (we found that to be kind of annoying from BLT, given the walk from BLT to CR followed by the escalators to the monorail platform).

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

Thanks! VGF will definitely keep the wife happy as well. Hopefully there are still reservations available next week.

How long is the bus to DS? I’m not a great passenger in vehicles so we’ll probably take a Lyft, but would be nice to know if that’s a viable option.

 

[Princess Merida]

Looks like you've decided, but I wanted to agree with the others. VGF is beautiful, but is still so much fun for the kids. My girls loved the Alice splash pad when they were small enough and the main pool has one of our favorite slides on property. If your daughter is into Mary Poppins at all the DVC resort studios are Mary Poppins themed, but you'll have to weigh out whether your family would prefer those or the deluxe studios(assuming you are doing studios).

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Thanks! VGF will definitely keep the wife happy as well. Hopefully there are still reservations available next week.

How long is the bus to DS? I’m not a great passenger in vehicles so we’ll probably take a Lyft, but would be nice to know if that’s a viable option.

You're looking at a 10-15 minute ride between VGF and DS. It's probably similar for your other potential choices. Lyft is probably a similar time, if that matters.

 

[Lumpy1106]

All things being equal, VGF. It has the monorail, you can walk to MK, and its own buses. BLT shares buses with Contemporary and that can get messy. I also think the pool is nicer at VGF. Point demand is also higher there, so...all things really aren't equal.

 

[CarolynFH]

its own buses.

Doesn't GF share buses with Poly?

 

[Princess Merida]

Doesn't GF share buses with Poly?

Yes, but I don’t know if the bus sharing issue will apply to the original poster since they will be going to MK and Epcot for the VGF part of their stay. They will likely be using monorail, boats, or walking path.

 

[CarolynFH]

Yes, but I don’t know if the bus sharing issue will apply to the original poster since they will be going to MK and Epcot for the VGF part of their stay. They will likely be using monorail, boats, or walking path.

Okay, I was confused by the earlier poster’s statements that VGF has its own buses, but BLT shares with CR, as making a difference in choosing between them. For Epcot and MK, the difference between VGF and BLT would be that BLT doesn’t have a boat!

 

[Princess Merida]

Okay, I was confused by your statements that VGF has its own buses, but BLT shares with CR, as making a difference in choosing between them. For Epcot and MK, the difference between VGF and BLT would be that BLT doesn’t have a boat!

That wasn’t me, but I understand.

 

[CarolynFH]

That wasn’t me, but I understand.

Yes, I just realized that and edited my post. Sorry!

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

Thanks for the additional info everyone! I think we’ll do the VGF. It will be perfect if the construction is all completed by September, and they have the Tea Room and 1900 PF open again. It’ll be an even more expensive trip, but perfect!

We took my DD to the Napa Rose Princess Breakfast when she was three. After we got home, we went for buffet brunch at the Hyatt, and she asked us “when are the Princess’s coming out?”

Hoping we can add some similar memories for her this trip.

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

You're looking at a 10-15 minute ride between VGF and DS. It's probably similar for your other potential choices. Lyft is probably a similar time, if that matters.

Thank you! That’s not bad. And as long as there aren’t many stops, it’s probably doable without taking Dramamine beforehand. I hate spending the entire trip not being able to have a drink!

Lyft is usually my go to option in situations like this, but the budget for this trip is quickly approaching that of a moon shot! Any little savings will help.

 

[sethschroeder]

It will be perfect if the construction is all completed by September

I don't think that walking path over to the TTC will be done by then so you will have to do the longer route to get there when going to Epcot or ride the resort monorail all the way around then move to the other monorail that goes to Epcot at the TTC.

One big negative for us with VGF was that ability to easily get to Epcot especially if its super hot (no shade half the way) or raining (at which point you really have to take the monorail but going between them still means you get wet.