Choosing a DVC to stay at

[mickeysgirl81]

Hi Dis Board,

Hubby and I are planning our next trip to Disney World and need some advice. We are planning on staying at a DVC resort but are having a hard time choosing which one to stay at. Our son will be almost 7 so we are looking for a place that has a great pool and amenities but also great location for getting to the various parks. We have it down to Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and Boardwalk.

Thanks in advance and hope everyone is having a magical day

 

[Moliphino]

I'd pick Boardwalk. Easy access to Epcot and HS. The bus routes for OKW and SSR drive me a bit nuts, it takes so long just to get through the resorts.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If budgeting, do not budget for Boardwalk Standard. Budget for Boardwalk Preferred (Pool/Garden). Standard Studios are often difficult to get, particularly for a renter. Because you're saying BWV, SSR or OKW, I have a suspicion you are basing it off Standard cost. If BWV relies on being able to book Standard, you may be quite disappointed.

 

[mickeysgirl81]

Thanks Moliphino. I thought it was pretty cool that Boardwalk has boat travel for Epcot and HS, especially with Toy Story World and Star Wars will both be pretty new when we go next year.

 

[Bobb_o]

SSR and OKW aren't going to have a great location getting to the parks. Go Boardwalk.

 

[mickeysgirl81]

If budgeting, do not budget for Boardwalk Standard. Budget for Boardwalk Preferred (Pool/Garden). Standard Studios are often difficult to get, particularly for a renter. Because you're saying BWV, SSR or OKW, I have a suspicion you are basing it off Standard cost. If BWV relies on being able to book Standard, you may be quite disappointed.

Good to know! We honestly hadn't gotten that far but I will def. tell the hubby we need to keep this in mind. Thanks

 

[mickeysgirl81]

SSR and OKW aren't going to have a great location getting to the parks. Go Boardwalk.

That's what I was afraid of... I don't want to spend a lifetime of busses to get to the fun. That's why we've stayed at Pop Century so many times-- I like their bus service (for a value resort).

 

[Bobb_o]

That's what I was afraid of... I don't want to spend a lifetime of busses to get to the fun. That's why we've stayed at Pop Century so many times-- I like their bus service (for a value resort).

I felt the same way about AKL. Everyone complains about how far it is but I thought the buses were fine and maybe that's just because they're dedicated. I also feel like everything is far from MK so it didn't bother me that much.

 

[rwdavis2]

Boardwalk for good location (walkable to 2 parks) and pool. AKL for an overall great experience. It's hardly much farther when using buses.

 

[Marionnette]

Hi Dis Board,

Hubby and I are planning our next trip to Disney World and need some advice. We are planning on staying at a DVC resort but are having a hard time choosing which one to stay at. Our son will be almost 7 so we are looking for a place that has a great pool and amenities but also great location for getting to the various parks. We have it down to Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and Boardwalk.

Thanks in advance and hope everyone is having a magical day

Sounds as if you are looking to rent. SSR and OKW will be easier to get. Everyone and their dog will want BWV and BCV once SW:GE opens. Toy Story Land is not as big of an impact on demand. Owners at the Epcot area resorts may be holding onto their points to make reservations for themselves or thru private rentals where they can get more money once SW:GE opens. This could impact rental agencies who have people looking to rent next summer at 11 months out.

As far as convenience to the parks, BWV and BCV beat out all others for their proximity to 2 parks. You can actually walk to Epcot and HS if you like. BWV has a lively nighttime atmosphere and probably the best pool slide of all of the resorts. But if you have an aversion to clowns, it's not the place for you.

OKW just recently had the rooms refurbished and the job should be complete by the winter months of 2019. SSR is next on the list for refurbishment, so if you are going next year, you may end up with a room in sad need of updating. Both resorts have easy access to DS but you will need a bus to all theme parks. They are both very spread out and you may need to take an internal bus to get to the feature pools and dining. However, both are very relaxing resorts and if I were to give preference to one over the other it would be OKW because the studios have 2 queen beds instead of 1 queen + 1 sleeper sofa. The studios at OKW are also much larger than the SSR studios.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

BWV for sure. I have no desire to stay at OKW or SSR.

I was lucky enough to rent points at BWV for the first week of November. I chose BWV because I loved our previous stay at the BC and wanted to stay in the Epcot area. Walking to two parks is awesome, even though we only walk to Epcot and boat to DHS, it's nice to have the option.

I rented from a private owner on the DIS and lined her up 12 months out. At the 11 month mark she got me a standard view studio. I did budget for preferred/boardwalk since I knew standard can be difficult to get.

 

[nkereina]

I agree that ease of getting to the parks isn't great with OKW or SSR, however being able to walk to Disney Springs is nice. I feel like I'd take advantage of more of the great dining options at Disney Springs if it were convenient to our resort like that. OKW has the boat, but we find walking faster.

Have you considered Animal Kingdom Villas? They are relatively easy to book, a fair price point when renting, and the animal factor is very cool for kids. We think they have great pools there as well. We prefer Jambo House but Kidani is fine too. Less than 5 minute drive to Animal Kingdom - a little further to the other parks, but no worse than the commute from OKW and SSR IMO.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Thanks Moliphino. I thought it was pretty cool that Boardwalk has boat travel for Epcot and HS, especially with Toy Story World and Star Wars will both be pretty new when we go next year.

One thing though - based on your signature you are going in July. Star Wars won't be open until Fall, likely late Fall (October/November). It opens at Disneyland in the summer.

For cost, you may also consider that renting points at Beach Club is the same as Boardwalk preferred. In the summer, it may be very nice to have the awesome Stormalong Bay.

 

[EdmondD]

Is there a reason you'd consider the Boardwalk and not Beach Club? They're very close to each other and the Beach Club has the best pool area on property.

 

[10CJ]

If those are the only three you are considering I would go with Boardwalk. That is only one that seems like a good location. I would also consider Beach Club, Bay Lake Tower or Animal Kingdom.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

With a 7 year old, of those choices, Boardwalk would be my favorite. We are also considering options for DVC with our 2 young girls and are also considering Kidani house. I think they’d love seeing the animals, and the amenities are great! OKW is lovely, gives more of a quiet, isolated, spacious resort feel than middle of the action. I prefer it for relaxing trips as opposed to the rope-drop-to-park-close-everyday trips.

 

[Nancyg56]

With a 7 year old, of those choices, Boardwalk would be my favorite. We are also considering options for DVC with our 2 young girls and are also considering Kidani house. I think they’d love seeing the animals, and the amenities are great! OKW is lovely, gives more of a quiet, isolated, spacious resort feel than middle of the action. I prefer it for relaxing trips as opposed to the rope-drop-to-park-close-everyday trips.

I am hoping my family feels the same way with OKW. I have a 2 bdrm booked for December and it was a second choice. I was too darn cheap to pass FD up for our first choice, the BC. It does look lovely, and we are going to appreciate all teh room, but I am a tad worried about transportation, other than the water taxi to DS.

 

[jerseygal]

Is there a reason you'd consider the Boardwalk and not Beach Club? They're very close to each other and the Beach Club has the best pool area on property.

Both Boardwalk and Beach Club would be great, so convenient to Epcot and HS, but my absolute fav is Beach Club(stayed at both)! Stormalong Bay is such an awesome pool.. Enjoy whatever you decide.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

I am hoping my family feels the same way with OKW. I have a 2 bdrm booked for December and it was a second choice. I was too darn cheap to pass FD up for our first choice, the BC. It does look lovely, and we are going to appreciate all teh room, but I am a tad worried about transportation, other than the water taxi to DS.

The 2 bedrooms are so roomy, you’ll want to move in. You’ll feel like you’re living in someone’s home and not a hotel. And wih the setup, the master suite is so separate from everything else, you will truly feel like an escape. I stayed at OKW in December (it was during the busy Xmas-new year week though) and in the mornings we never waited more than a few minutes for a bus. And the busses were fairly empty. (FYI, I have waited longer mid-day on other trips.) It was my dh’s first time at Disney and he was actually impressed by the transportation if that’s any indication of anything!

 

[Nancyg56]

The 2 bedrooms are so roomy, you’ll want to move in. You’ll feel like you’re living in someone’s home and not a hotel. And wih the setup, the master suite is so separate from everything else, you will truly feel like an escape. I stayed at OKW in December (it was during the busy Xmas-new year week though) and in the mornings we never waited more than a few minutes for a bus. And the busses were fairly empty. (FYI, I have waited longer mid-day on other trips.) It was my dh’s first time at Disney and he was actually impressed by the transportation if that’s any indication of anything!

Thank you! Just the reassurance I was looking for!