BLT vs BWV vs AKL

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

We own at Poly and also live 20 minutes from DL. We thought the same thing about planning 11 months out so close to home but studios are so hard to get at VGC that I wouldn't write off that option so quickly.

I would also point out that at PVB you can get 2 connecting studios for the same amount of points (236 in adventure season) as a 1 bedroom at VGC, VGF, and BLT (lake view). Also 2 pvb studios sleep 10 and have 4 showers and 2 bathrooms and you get 1000 sq ft.... the 1 bedrooms only sleep 5 with 1 bathroom (except VGF) and tend to be about 700 sq ft. Finally, Poly is the only resort you can fit 5 so staying in a studio instead of a 1 bedroom is a viable option that can save a lot of points over getting 1 bedrooms, which you have to do to fit 5 at every other resort.

First of all, yay for Disneyland natives Idk about you, but I'm hoping this crazy heat calms down for more pleasant days in DL!

I didn't realize you could get 2 connecting studios to house 10 people, that's actually really good to know. I might have to take another look. The only downside would be the lack of a kitchen, but we don't really plan on doing a lot of cooking anyways and could just book at trips at 1-bedrooms+ at the 7 month window elsewhere if we ever plan to cook during a trip.... now I have to go look at those floor plans again! Thanks!

Also, just for your own planning knowledge, you can actually fit 5 people + 1 kid under 3 in studios at BWV, BCV, Boulder Ridge, VGF. From my understanding, that's new and due to refurbs at each of those resorts. However, I don't think I'd really want to stick 5 adults in those studios

 

[Dean]

Interesting! Okay, maybe I wasn't thinking about this correctly. I thought that since the last day to bank for a June UY is the Jan 31 (correct?) that if I ever cancelled a trip from Feb-May, I would have to rebook in those same four months. Since I have the most flexibility in those months I thought that would be safest. It's sort of hard to know when we'll travel, because we have no real limitations, just preferences. We've considered trips in Jan-Feb, late April-May, late Aug-Sept, early Dec. Knowing this, and per your advice, may a December UY would be the best?

The best UY is one that occurs just before the majority of your trips. If you travel March/April then it's Feb or March and not April. June would be horrible for spring break. Just educate yourself enough that it's an easy decision for you in terms of UY, number of points and home resort.

 

[Disn3yVision]

First of all, yay for Disneyland natives Idk about you, but I'm hoping this crazy heat calms down for more pleasant days in DL!

I didn't realize you could get 2 connecting studios to house 10 people, that's actually really good to know. I might have to take another look. The only downside would be the lack of a kitchen, but we don't really plan on doing a lot of cooking anyways and could just book at trips at 1-bedrooms+ at the 7 month window elsewhere if we ever plan to cook during a trip.... now I have to go look at those floor plans again! Thanks!

Also, just for your own planning knowledge, you can actually fit 5 people + 1 kid under 3 in studios at BWV, BCV, Boulder Ridge, VGF. From my understanding, that's new and due to refurbs at each of those resorts. However, I don't think I'd really want to stick 5 adults in those studios

I know what you mean about the heat.... I'm kind of sad the rainy days have passed as we were able to go on a TON of rides with no waits when those storms were coming through. We will be there at RD this Saturday as that is the only way to beat the crowds (and the heat!) these days.

So you are right, definitely no kitchen or laundry in the room but those are 2 things we do not use on vacation much anyway. There is a kitchenette though. And you are also correct about the other studio options that sleep 5. I was saying that PVB is the only resort where that is a realistic option since the studios are 476 sqft, about 75 more than the next closest option and 125 more than some. It is also the only one with two showers. Having stayed in the PVB Deluxe Villas and having a family of five I don't think it would be feasible or comfortable to fit a family of 5 into a studio any smaller, especially with only one shower. Shoot, even fitting 5 in a PVB studio is a bit tight but it is what we plan on doing the next ten years or so to maximize our time at WDW.

 

[TexasChick123]

We have 2 young kids, and the kitchen is what made us buy DVC. It's so nice to wake up in the morning and have breakfast and coffee in your villa away from all the craziness. It also saves time so that you can hit the parks and just go and not get held up by breakfast. When we were DINKS, it would not have mattered about the kitchen. Now that we have kids, it matters a lot. Midday breaks are soooo much easier when you are staying close by. You'll spend the majority of your time at MK most likely when kids are young. I would vote for BLT. Kids love Magic kingdom. We are only a few years older than you, and any resort with 25 or less years on it doesn't appeal to us because we won't be very old at all when it expires. Good luck with your decision.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

First of all, yay for Disneyland natives Idk about you, but I'm hoping this crazy heat calms down for more pleasant days in DL!

I didn't realize you could get 2 connecting studios to house 10 people, that's actually really good to know. I might have to take another look. The only downside would be the lack of a kitchen, but we don't really plan on doing a lot of cooking anyways and could just book at trips at 1-bedrooms+ at the 7 month window elsewhere if we ever plan to cook during a trip.... now I have to go look at those floor plans again! Thanks!

Just know that connecting studios is a room request not a guarantee. It's seems to typically happen now but I don't know that I would want to gamble that in the long term especially if it meant splitting parents to have adults in both rooms.

 

[Disn3yVision]

Just know that connecting studios is a room request not a guarantee. It's seems to typically happen now but I don't know that I would want to gamble that in the long term especially if it meant splitting parents to have adults in both rooms.

Also know that since Poly has 360 studios, and I believe all of them connect except one or two, you are virtually guaranteed to be able to get connecting rooms. There has not been a single report yet of anybody being denied a request for connecting rooms at PVB. This is an astronomically bigger concern for all other resorts as compared to Poly.

 

[Shellyred8]

I like BLT and BWV/BCV for your situation. I would buy at BWV/BCV first so you can use that while you are still without kiddos. If you want to stay here during F&W or Christmas, you will most likely need the 11-month window to get a spot here. We own at BWV and we like going down in early December to see the Christmas decorations. It was a challenge booking a studio during that time frame, even in the 11 month window.

When the kiddos start making an appearance, then look at adding BLT. As others have mentioned, I agree that BLT is a great location if you have little ones in a stroller.

Good luck!

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

I like BLT and BWV/BCV for your situation. I would buy at BWV/BCV first so you can use that while you are still without kiddos. If you want to stay here during F&W or Christmas, you will most likely need the 11-month window to get a spot here. We own at BWV and we like going down in early December to see the Christmas decorations. It was a challenge booking a studio during that time frame, even in the 11 month window.

When the kiddos start making an appearance, then look at adding BLT. As others have mentioned, I agree that BLT is a great location if you have little ones in a stroller.

Good luck!

Thanks! I actually have a quick question regarding the 11 month window at BWV. I can definitely understand the studios being difficult even at the 11 month window. What about 1 bedrooms? Are they just as difficult? Do they have any availability at the 7 month?

 

[kboo]

We have 2 young kids, and the kitchen is what made us buy DVC. It's so nice to wake up in the morning and have breakfast and coffee in your villa away from all the craziness. It also saves time so that you can hit the parks and just go and not get held up by breakfast. When we were DINKS, it would not have mattered about the kitchen. Now that we have kids, it matters a lot. Midday breaks are soooo much easier when you are staying close by. You'll spend the majority of your time at MK most likely when kids are young. I would vote for BLT. Kids love Magic kingdom. We are only a few years older than you, and any resort with 25 or less years on it doesn't appeal to us because we won't be very old at all when it expires. Good luck with your decision.

I think you pretty much sold me on BLT again. When we were DINKS, we went to WDW once, but most of the time were traveling all over the world in places that you really couldn't take a kid under 10. I mean, you *could*, but you wouldn't get to enjoy very much... Now, having spacious bathrooms, a kitchen and w/d on vacation make me swoon. LOL.

 

[kboo]

Thanks! I actually have a quick question regarding the 11 month window at BWV. I can definitely understand the studios being difficult even at the 11 month window. What about 1 bedrooms? Are they just as difficult? Do they have any availability at the 7 month?

I think on my thread, someone said that it was quite possible to get 1BR at BWV at the 7 mo window because the have the same occupancy rate but cost 2x the points. I guess it's the 2x the points that is the bummer. I'm still unsure about BWV and BCV due to the 2042 expiration date, that just seems too close for us, even though we will be old by then.

 

[TexasChick123]

I think you pretty much sold me on BLT again. When we were DINKS, we went to WDW once, but most of the time were traveling all over the world in places that you really couldn't take a kid under 10. I mean, you *could*, but you wouldn't get to enjoy very much... Now, having spacious bathrooms, a kitchen and w/d on vacation make me swoon. LOL.

We currently own at VGF and are waiting on ROFR for a BLT contract. The issue we have with the Epcot resorts is the impending expiration dates. We may buy there if they end up building a DVC resort at CB with all the rehabs. It won't be until a few years after it opens on the Resale market.

We LOVE VGF and just stayed there in January. We are adding on because of the fact that you can walk to MK from BLT sounds amazing to us. We will probably do split stays when we go. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Shellyred8]

Thanks! I actually have a quick question regarding the 11 month window at BWV. I can definitely understand the studios being difficult even at the 11 month window. What about 1 bedrooms? Are they just as difficult? Do they have any availability at the 7 month?

1BR's do seem to be a little easier to get at the 7 month window, even during some of the busier times.

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

I think on my thread, someone said that it was quite possible to get 1BR at BWV at the 7 mo window because the have the same occupancy rate but cost 2x the points. I guess it's the 2x the points that is the bummer. I'm still unsure about BWV and BCV due to the 2042 expiration date, that just seems too close for us, even though we will be old by then.

That's good to know. We may just buy a few more points, then, at a resort with a longer contract. Thank you!!

 

[Nie0214]

We have 2 young kids, and the kitchen is what made us buy DVC. It's so nice to wake up in the morning and have breakfast and coffee in your villa away from all the craziness. It also saves time so that you can hit the parks and just go and not get held up by breakfast. When we were DINKS, it would not have mattered about the kitchen. Now that we have kids, it matters a lot. Midday breaks are soooo much easier when you are staying close by. You'll spend the majority of your time at MK most likely when kids are young. I would vote for BLT. Kids love Magic kingdom. We are only a few years older than you, and any resort with 25 or less years on it doesn't appeal to us because we won't be very old at all when it expires. Good luck with your decision.

YES! The kitchen is everything. We have gone to WDW enough (moderate resorts, renting points for studios, etc.) but we stayed in a 1BR for the first time in January and now we're under contract for BLT, so that's how much DH loved it!

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

I think you pretty much sold me on BLT again. When we were DINKS, we went to WDW once, but most of the time were traveling all over the world in places that you really couldn't take a kid under 10. I mean, you *could*, but you wouldn't get to enjoy very much... Now, having spacious bathrooms, a kitchen and w/d on vacation make me swoon. LOL.

How funny that you mentioned this! So, I grew up being fortunate enough to do A LOT of international travel. I've got a mean wanderlust bug and really enjoy seeing the world. My husband's family, on the other hand, sees zero benefit to leaving the US and, to be honest, doesn't even understand why one would want to fly across the country for any other reason but to see family. Thankfully, he doesn't agree and we've enjoyed a trip to England together, did WDW for the first time for both of us last year, and are planning a trip to Costa Rica this year. That being said, the concept of vacations is new to him, and he's sometimes outside of his comfort zone with my more "adventurous" travel style. Part of the push to buy DVC is the fact that while he's up for being my travel buddy, he also likes knowing we're "locked in" to a "safe/easy" vacation we can both 100% look forward to especially down the line with kids! I think 1 bedrooms will be our goal, even if we only start out with enough points for studios.

YES! The kitchen is everything. We have gone to WDW enough (moderate resorts, renting points for studios, etc.) but we stayed in a 1BR for the first time in January and now we're under contract for BLT, so that's how much DH loved it!

Along the lines of what I said just above, my husband is REALLY excited for DVC, and part of that is because he knows we'll be at "nice hotels" instead of the backpacker hotels I try and get him to stay at in other places He definitely likes the creature comforts in life and I'm pretty sure the moment we step into a 1 bedroom, we won't be turning back! It helps that he loves to cook and would appreciate an actual kitchen.

 

[Halefamilyof6]

My husband and I have gone back and forth about what to do regarding where to buy next. We live in Northern California and our home resort is VGC. I'm definitely glad we bought there! When we went to WDW last year, we debated where to stay. I love the idea of Animal Kingdom, and really wanted to stay there. But, our youngest, who was 6, has heat sensitivities and we weren't sure about the idea of having to drive everywhere.

We ended up staying at BLT. We loved, loved, loved the convenience of walking to and from Magic Kingdom, the park we ended up going to the most. Sometimes we would go back later in the evening if we felt like it, something we wouldn't have done if we had to drive.

We are planning on a return trip in 2018 if we are lucky. Our youngest will be 8. I think we will return to BLT for the location. I love being on the monorail, I love being able to walk to MK. But, I want to try another resort in hopes of figuring out where we want to buy next.