Boardwalk villas, Old Key West, or Bay Lake Towers Help me choose!!!!!!!!

[goofytiggerfan]

Hey everyone! I am planning a trip in August of this year and am kind of torn between 3 wonderful resorts, but I have never stayed at any of them. I have a 4 yr old and an 8 yr old which of these three would be best for them. Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West, or Bay Lake Towers, I have always wanted to stay at any of them, but not sure which will be best. Thank you for your help!!

 

[stitchlover]

I have never stayed at any of those resorts. But with the ages of your children I would choose Bay Lake Towers. Enjoy whatever you decide.

 

[noahdove]

Interesting selections...unfortunately I have never stayed in them Can't wait to see what you decide Good luck

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Among those three I only like Bay Lake Tower and the Boardwalk Villas, so I would recommend a split stay between both locations if that's possible. However if not then I would say go with Bay Lake Tower if you plan to spend more time at the Magic Kingdom. Although if you plan more time at Epcot and Hollywood Studios, then go with the Boardwalk Villas.

 

[nolanboys]

Stayed at OKW twice and loved it. You will have a ton of space for your kids to run around. BLT would be great if you plan to mainly be at MK. Also stayed at BWV and loved it - Epcot is our favorite park, so the convenience was great. I know that OKW isn't connected to a park, but it is centrally located and and the busses are great. It is also cheaper than the other two. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Deb & Bill]

What size villa are you planning on getting? How many days do you have planned? Split stays are difficult and require that you pack up and move twice - not my idea of a vacation.

 

[Hibernians]

Like CR mentioned I think location should be considered.

BLT is great choice for being next to MK and your kids might enjoy riding the monrail to Epot as well (or just riding the monorail for the sake of riding it).

BWV is good too for the nearby location to Epcot and Studios. Not sure if you would consider BCV, since the pool complex there might be a big hit with the kids. Our kids have loved BCV for the pool complex.

For this coming summer we had ressies at BLT and just switched them to BWV; we decided we wanted to be closer to Epcot and Studio. BCV was our 1st choice but nothing was available; nonetheless we are very excited to check out BWV for the first time.

About OKW - we have stayed at SSR a couple of times and I think one of its disdavantages , like OKW, is that you are not near one of the parks - thats why I would narrow your choice to BLT and BWV.

With kids, its really nice at the end of the night to be within walking distance to your resort.

+

 

[bumbershoot]

OKW was awesome, and kids from 3-8 loved it during our trip in December.

 

[creampuff317]

I would recommend Boardwalk Villas and Contemporary Resort though I am leaning towards Boardwalk. OKW is really nice, but it's more remote from the parks and much quieter.

At Boardwalk, there's a lot of activities along the Boardwalk at night, and kids love them. At Bay Lake Towers, there's monorail, which is always kids' favorite, and it is close to Magic Kingdom. Boardwalk is a very short walk from Epcot, so if your kids like Epcot, the location would be perfect!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Before you make a decision solely on location, how many do you have going and what size villa are you getting? That, in my opinion, makes a big difference. OKW has the largest villas on site; BLT has some of the smallest, especially the studio - it's a closet with a bed and sleeper sofa that take up all the room in the villa.

Both OKW and BWV have recently been "totally" (though some DVC members, us included will disagree on that) renovated.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I've stayed at OKW and BWV. I'd pick BLT for the proximity to MK and the monorail. But, my kids love the MK and we all enjoy the MK area resort restaurants ('Ohana, Chef Mickey's, Park Fare). If your kids like Epcot and DHS best, I'd stay at BWV. BWV does not have a counter service restaurant though - that was a negative for me.

OKW is nice enough, the rooms are bigger and it's much cheaper than the other two, but I would not stay there in the summer again (we were there in July 2007). I much prefer the "all under one roof" resorts for summer trips ... you are much more protected from the elements (heat, rain, etc.). It's a comfort factor ... but I like the deluxes where you can walk to/from the bus stops in shaded (and rain protected) comfort.

 

[goofytiggerfan]

Before you make a decision solely on location, how many do you have going and what size villa are you getting? That, in my opinion, makes a big difference. OKW has the largest villas on site; BLT has some of the smallest, especially the studio - it's a closet with a bed and sleeper sofa that take up all the room in the villa.

Both OKW and BWV have recently been "totally" (though some DVC members, us included will disagree on that) renovated.

We are a family of 4 and getting a studio.

 

[Stitch2244314]

We've only stayed at the BWV, and we really, really enjoyed it there! It's absolutely one of our favorite resorts. The room looked newer and updated, and we had a nice view of the pool (we had a studio). The location is probably the best thing about the BW area-- to be able to walk or boat to Epcot and DHS is an awesome perk. The CM's we encountered were very friendly, and unlike a lot of people, we didn't find the clown pool to be scary! It was fun.

Then again, with the ages of your kids, maybe you'll be spending most of your time at the MK? If so, maybe BLT would be a better choice (although again, I've never stayed there.) You can walk to MK from there. I've also heard some positive reviews of OKW, and I know that there are two queen beds in the studios there (as opposed to the 1 queen and double sized pull out couch at BWV and BLT-- which still worked fine for us and we were a group of 4.) OKW doesn't have the perk of being walking distance from any of the theme parks though.

Good luck deciding, and have a great trip! I'm sure you'll enjoy any of these resorts.

 

[goofytiggerfan]

Thank you all for the tips! My husband is no help when it comes to choosing a resort so this decision is solely on me. I have decided not to go with OKW I want proximity to parks especially for at night. We want to be at the parks but we also want to spend time at the resort and Downtown Disney.

 

[k_null81]

My husband and I have stayed at OKW & BWV is the past...If I had to chose from those 2 I would pick BWV...we personally like the Boardwalk atmosphere plus enjoyed being able to walk to Epcot..the Studios was more of a hike then a walk if I remember correctly. Now if I had to chose between BWV or BLT I would pick BLT. Just because I have never stayed there and I like trying new resorts plus the convience of Magic Kingdom and the monorail...even though the monorail can sometimes be slow.

We're going on a big family trip this May 12+ people and my mother in law has DVC and she turned her nose up to BLT...and has chose AKV...I'm super excited to stay there as well though since we have never been there so not upset by anymeans...just hope to stay at BLT on one of our other trips when it is just my husband, the boys and I.

 

[NandK]

I agree with Bay Lake. As you can see by our ticker that is our choice partly because the kids will wake up to the Magic Kingdom. Plus the monorail is convenient.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are a family of 4 and getting a studio.

Then do not stay at BLT. The studio is very small, too small for a family of four. When the sleeper sofa is opened up, there is no room to walk between the sleeper sofa and the bed, nor between the sleeper sofa and the window. If you really want to stay at BLT, get a one bedroom villa at a minimum.

OKW has the largest studio with two real queen sized beds, no sleeper sofa. BWV has one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa. Both were renovated in the last year. OKW has boat transportation to DTD. BWV has boat transportation to Epcot and DHS (and you can walk to both theme parks).

You will not be able to get a rollaway or cot if your kids won't sleep together. DVC resorts do not provide them.

 

[goofytiggerfan]

I talked to Disney Reservations today and found coming in on a monday instead of sunday I can get a 1 bedroom at the Boardwalk so I booked it!! We are officially coming to Disney on August 15th to the 22nd in a one bedroom at the Boardwalk Villas!!! I think that with all the activities the Boardwalk has to offer in the resort and on the actual Boardwalk my kids will enjoy it more. Maybe our next Disney Vacation we can do BLT MK View which would be much more enjoyable for us. Thank you all for your tips!! Disney Here We Come with a & a !

 

[MayJacob]

To be honest I've never stayed at any of these resorts but I've been in all of them. If your kids like MK I'd stay at BLT (haha! Bacon Letuce and Tomato Only joking that wasnt even funny).Ok no-more of that, If you like quietness and bigger studios stay at OKW. If you and your kids like Epcot stay at BoardWalk Villas. I hope that helps. Bananas

 

[Reberella]

Boardwalk!!