Calling all Kentucky Bluegrass DVCers

[mickeyplanner]

BC is the only one we haven't been to yet. But, many of the appeals of BWV apply. You can walk or boat to two parks, all the great restaurants with the resorts in that area, fireworks, walk to mini golf, and the nighttime entertainment on the Boardwalk. i do like the community hall at BWV.

I really want to try SAB. I like the lazy rivers. While the water slide looks really cool at BC, my concern is for my dds to leave the resort to get on the slide. BWV slide is really fast but you don't have to exit to get there. They are getting older now so I'm a little less concerned, but still overprotective dad.

One thing great about owning at BLT & BWV is that we can do 3 theme parks without having to get on a bus. We do MK and Epcot while at BLT and Epcot & DHS while at BWV. If AKL would develop a walking trail to the park or a zip line from resort to park, we might buy over there as well. We have a great water park close to us (Holiday World) and don't do water parks at WDW.

Yes, not having to use the bus is great especially since we have a double stroller. I guess when the kids get older and can ride more rides at AK, we will make our way back to that park.
We love SAB, the sand bottom is awesome. Our kids loved playing in the sand wading pool area and the small slide on the back was perfect for DD. The walk to Epcot is great especially using the back door exit/entrance inside the BC.

 

[AirGoofy]

Yes, not having to use the bus is great especially since we have a double stroller. I guess when the kids get older and can ride more rides at AK, we will make our way back to that park.
We love SAB, the sand bottom is awesome. Our kids loved playing in the sand wading pool area and the small slide on the back was perfect for DD. The walk to Epcot is great especially using the back door exit/entrance inside the BC.

It is probably even shorter than BWV. The other perk of BWV is the standard view booking option. I go for the resort, not really my room at the resort. So, I can get standard view at 11 months for fewer points at the BWV. Still, we try to switch booking to BC at 7 month and just haven't got there yet.

 

[mickeyplanner]

Is BC really that tough to get into at seven months out? I hope not but if it is than we look into BWV.

 

[AirGoofy]

Is BC really that tough to get into at seven months out? I hope not but if it is than we look into BWV.

We haven't been able to get it yet. But, we usually go during F&W and that's a big reason.

 

[mickeyplanner]

We were at F&W last year and I can easily understand why it is tough to get rooms around Epcot. It was insane with people, I think we will try to avoid F&W until the kids are older. How do you manage with your kids?

 

[AirGoofy]

We were at F&W last year and I can easily understand why it is tough to get rooms around Epcot. It was insane with people, I think we will try to avoid F&W until the kids are older. How do you manage with your kids?

We are going to stick with BLT in the October trip for now on. We will do Epcot, but not on the weekends.

Our dds have made 10 trips to WDW and are used to our plans. We do a theme park from RD to close (no hoppers), and now that they are older, we no longer do naps. But, we also plan an early dinner ADR in the park to have a nice meal and give them a break. After that day, we do a day at the resort - swim, community hall, and have a nice dinner. They are 2.5 years apart and while they can be angels at times, they can also fight terribly at times.

 

[mickeyplanner]

We have never done a resort day with our kids, that is a good tip. I don't think they would mind it all especially at the BC, they could have stayed at SAB all day long and ate at Beaches and Cream. We are a RD family too but we don't stay until the parks close, kids need a rest/nap. We bought AP in March so we did park hop a little. We plan to do that more over Labor Day since the monorail will be running. Over March it was closed during the day, so we couldn't use it for MK to Epcot...really changed our plans but the kids were happy with SAB instead of park hopping.

 

[AirGoofy]

We have never done a resort day with our kids, that is a good tip. I don't think they would mind it all especially at the BC, they could have stayed at SAB all day long and ate at Beaches and Cream. We are a RD family too but we don't stay until the parks close, kids need a rest/nap. We bought AP in March so we did park hop a little. We plan to do that more over Labor Day since the monorail will be running. Over March it was closed during the day, so we couldn't use it for MK to Epcot...really changed our plans but the kids were happy with SAB instead of park hopping.

Our dds now are 10 & 7, which makes a big difference. We went to WDW 3 consecutive years before buying into DVC. We did the free dining package. And, since we had package with tickets, I had to get every ounce of money out of them. So, I drug the whole family with me, and we did go back for naps. Now, with DVC, since I know I will be at WDW once, twice, or three times a year for the next 40 years, we go at a much more leisurely pace. The DVC Resorts are deluxe resorts and we take time to enjoy them as well. Our resort day starts with swimming, poolside lunch, community hall play time, pool games, etc. I even do the water slide with my girls. Then, we clean up and enjoy a nice signature meal for dinner, and go up to TOTWL or the bridge at BWV and enjoy the fireworks. BWV also for night shows. Sometimes a night swim, depending on the time. And, a few beers for me and a margarita for DW. Then, we know we can do that again or hit the park the next day. I'm looking forward to the oth activities as my dds get older - Segway tour, keys to kingdom tour, etc.

 

[Bug715]

Our kids have both asked how many points they get to use and we laugh hysterically at the thought that they think we are going to share our points.

My oldest (DD17) asked one time what we would do with our points after they all leave home and don't take family vacations anymore. DH & I just laughed and laughed. She seemed amazed that we said when we retire, we'd be able to go more often.[/QUOTE]

You could always buy a condo close to WDW and your kids could still use the points... I live in Orlando now and my parents are snow birds & I'm using their points to go to DL in December!

 

[mickeyplanner]

Our dds now are 10 & 7, which makes a big difference. We went to WDW 3 consecutive years before buying into DVC. We did the free dining package. And, since we had package with tickets, I had to get every ounce of money out of them. So, I drug the whole family with me, and we did go back for naps. Now, with DVC, since I know I will be at WDW once, twice, or three times a year for the next 40 years, we go at a much more leisurely pace. The DVC Resorts are deluxe resorts and we take time to enjoy them as well. Our resort day starts with swimming, poolside lunch, community hall play time, pool games, etc. I even do the water slide with my girls. Then, we clean up and enjoy a nice signature meal for dinner, and go up to TOTWL or the bridge at BWV and enjoy the fireworks. BWV also for night shows. Sometimes a night swim, depending on the time. And, a few beers for me and a margarita for DW. Then, we know we can do that again or hit the park the next day. I'm looking forward to the oth activities as my dds get older - Segway tour, keys to kingdom tour, etc.

It is funny how after becoming dvc members we have eased up and are doing more leisure things like using the pool. When our kids get older we will have to look more into the community hall things. I need to get more info on TOTWL.

 

[AirGoofy]

You could always buy a condo close to WDW and your kids could still use the points... I live in Orlando now and my parents are snow birds & I'm using their points to go to DL in December!

That's my plan, and I also want to be a boat captain on the MK, poly, gf route.

It is funny how after becoming dvc members we have eased up and are doing more leisure things like using the pool. When our kids get older we will have to look more into the community hall things. I need to get more info on TOTWL.

The TOTWL is amazing. But, if you aren't much into buying drinks and hanging in the lounge, you can go on the terrace outside the TOTWL on top BLT. There are tall, solid walls so you won't have to worry about your children falling off. In fact, they are so high tht my 10 year old had a hard time standing next to them and seeing over them. My youngest was scared of the fireworks when she was younger, and how I wish I cold have stayed outside on the TOTWL terrace and watched Wishes and Hallo-Wishes. They pipe in the music so it's just like being at MK, miles away and above the crowd.

 

[mickeyplanner]

AirGoofy, thanks again for all the information. How can I find TOTWL hours? Can the kids stay in the lounge and get fun fruity drinks? What time do you usually go before the fireworks? Do I just show my DVC membership card?

 

[AirGoofy]

AirGoofy, thanks again for all the information. How can I find TOTWL hours? Can the kids stay in the lounge and get fun fruity drinks? What time do you usually go before the fireworks? Do I just show my DVC membership card?

I'm not sure where the hours are posted, but your children can go into the lounge with you and they have non alcohol drinks, although I'm not sure of their selection. They have a bar but other places to sit. They have finger food you can order as well. When it opens, you have to be staying at BLT, and you show your KTTW card to CM at front desk and then ride the one designated elevator in the set opposite the skybridge. Sometimes you can skip the front desk and just show it to the CM at elevator.

 

[mickeyplanner]

I'm not sure where the hours are posted, but your children can go into the lounge with you and they have non alcohol drinks, although I'm not sure of their selection. They have a bar but other places to sit. They have finger food you can order as well. When it opens, you have to be staying at BLT, and you show your KTTW card to CM at front desk and then ride the one designated elevator in the set opposite the skybridge. Sometimes you can skip the front desk and just show it to the CM at elevator.

We will be staying at BLT over Labor Day, do I just ask at check in about TOTWL and will they show me the elevator?

 

[AirGoofy]

We will be staying at BLT over Labor Day, do I just ask at check in about TOTWL and will they show me the elevator?

It may online somewhere. There will be a sign that points to the designated elevator when TOTWL opens. It is only in the set opposite the sky bridge. It is east to find. We went in October and would go up 5 minutes before fireworks started. It is that easy.

 

[mickeyplanner]

It may online somewhere. There will be a sign that points to the designated elevator when TOTWL opens. It is only in the set opposite the sky bridge. It is east to find. We went in October and would go up 5 minutes before fireworks started. It is that easy.

Cool, sounds like it doesn't get that crowded and a great place to check out.

 

[AirGoofy]

Cool, sounds like it doesn't get that crowded and a great place to check out.

We went the week after Labor Day a few times. And, while it is really hot, the park capacities were really low - very few wait times. That has been 5 years now, but I think that Sept is still in the Adventure season so it shouldn't be as crowded. Have a great trip.

 

[mickeyplanner]

We went the week after Labor Day a few times. And, while it is really hot, the park capacities were really low - very few wait times. That has been 5 years now, but I think that Sept is still in the Adventure season so it shouldn't be as crowded. Have a great trip.

Please don't remind me of the heat, this will be our third labor day trip. The low crowds make it so appealing for us plus we are trying to get the most out of our AP.

 

[AirGoofy]

Please don't remind me of the heat, this will be our third labor day trip. The low crowds make it so appealing for us plus we are trying to get the most out of our AP.

We've talked about going back then. The heat is just as bad here in KY, except you get to add in the humidity and allergies. I'll take WDW at Labor Day week anytime.

 

[disney212]

went to HHI for the first time this week, sorry to say we didn't like the resort. Room was way to dark, like being in a dungeon. Luckily we had good weather so we were not in the room very much. Cast members were nice and every think was clean it just wasn't our cup of tea. This was the first DVC resort that we didn't care for. Sorry for all those who love it. We did have a good time but found ourselves avoiding the room.