Curious about your experienced opinion

[smwf71]

Put these resorts in order of what would be best for DH, DD 7 and DD 20 months:
Old Key West
Yacht and Beach Club
Saratoga Springs
Boardwalk Villas

My MIL is a member of Interval Exchange Thing - I don't know what they're really called and these are supposedly available options. I don't even know how likely the availability will be for Pres week 2006, but we're going to try.
We have always considered DVC and want to check it out by staying there

Hopefully you guys can help us out. Thanks!

 

[DisneyPhD]

We just got back from BCV and I think it is great for small kids. I love the pool, storm along bay and the close walk to Epcot (and the boat to MGM). I also love the theming of the resort.

Next I would say Wilderness lodge. Close to MK (but far from everywhere else) and good theming.

I think OKW wasn't as good for us. Too much of a walk to the room, (not good in the rain) and no elevators to the room. This ment carrying the stroller up the stairs. We were only in a studio. I might feel different if we had a one bedroom and a car (close parking).

Not sure about SSR since I have not visited there yet. (was too busy this trip to even make it to DTD.)

Bordwalk is good like BCV, but the pool isn't as great so I always go for BCV instead.

 

[smwf71]

Thank you - I am anxious to hear what others say - the SAB sounds so neat for my seven year old. the SSR pool looks pretty cool though, too. I hope this all works out - were you able to swim in Feb - how was the weather? That concerns me a little just because I could stay off property somewhere with an indoor pool - swimming isn't everything, I know.

 

[Alexander]

President's week is a very, very busy week. My suggestion would be that if there is something available at ANY of those resorts that you take it now! We tried for 2 months to get a ressie during President's week this year and could not get a room at any of the DVC resorts (this was directly through DVC and not an exchange). If something is available, jump on it now! They are all great, they are all wonderful for kids. They each have a different theme, but all are truly Disney and have fabulous swimming facilities.

 

[DisneyPhD]

The weather wasn't the best, but the whole week wasn't a wash out. We did swim 3 or 4 times, but it wasn't as warm I would of liked. The kids didn't seem to mind too much.

It was really great weather for weeks before we got there, and is expected to be from now on (since we left yesterday) but there was a cold front and some rain (even then it we had a few LOVLEY days (sunny and high of 72).

The pool was open the whole time (it was just rehabed) and my 13 year old niece loved the slide.

The weather was good for the parks, not too hot. I would of liked it warmer for swimming and since we were at BCV I really did want to swim. Still it was a great time. All the DVC resorts have good pools. The kids really liked the SAB sand bottom. For little ones it is really the best. There isn't any other place like it.

 

[Caskbill]

My MIL is a member of Interval Exchange Thing - I don't know what they're really called and these are supposedly available options. I don't even know how likely the availability will be for Pres week 2006, but we're going to try.
We have always considered DVC and want to check it out by staying there

Hopefully you guys can help us out. Thanks!

Are you saying that nobody owns DVC, buy MIL owns some other timeshare and DVC is listed as one of the exchange options?

If that's the case, forget about it. Your chances of getting Pres week 2006 through an exchange are probably less than zero.

 

[Alexander]

The weather wasn't the best, but the whole week wasn't a wash out. We did swim 3 or 4 times, but it wasn't as warm I would of liked. The kids didn't seem to mind too much.

It was really great weather for weeks before we got there, and is expected to be from now on (since we left yesterday) but there was a cold front and some rain (even then it we had a few LOVLEY days (sunny and high of 72).

The pool was open the whole time (it was just rehabed) and my 13 year old niece loved the slide.

The weather was good for the parks, not too hot. I would of liked it warmer for swimming and since we were at BCV I really did want to swim. Still it was a great time. All the DVC resorts have good pools. The kids really liked the SAB sand bottom. For little ones it is really the best. There isn't any other place like it.

Geez, we were there Saturday through Wednesday of President's week and it was low 80's and sunny everyday. I know that it rained at the end of the week, but to have 80's and sun for many days in a row in February ain't nothin' to complain about! The average high temp for Feb. is 73, so I considered it to be an excellent week of weather! I have to think that if you truly want it to be warmer, you need to go later in the year.

 

[CarolA]

For President's Day week, take what you can get on an exchange. All of them are very nice and that is a VERY busy time for DVC. The one time I did it, I booked day by day on the 11 months in advance to make sure I got what I wanted.

 

[smwf71]

Thank you all for your help - we don't know availability at all, just trying and have other options if these don't work out. Thanks!

 

[OneMoreTry]

My opinion:

BCV first due to close to Epcot and GREAT POOL!!
BWV. Pool not as nice as BCV.
OKW. Bigger villas but not walking distance from any park. This would be my top choice for frequent visitors.
SSR. This would be top choice for someone who wants to spend several evenings at DTD, Pleasure Island, etc.

 

[WDWJWEB1]

Shawn

My 9 year old DS was reading your post and said he would like to give you his opinion, so here it is...

1-Yacht and Beach Club
2-Boardwalk Villas
3-Saratoga Springs
4-Old Key West


Jason

 

[smwf71]

As a former fourth grade teacher, I am very glad to hear from a nine year old! I will put my request in in that order and will also add Marriott's Grand Vista and Cypress something - if we don't get Disney we'll survive, but Disney is our first choice by far - esp a villa because we usually just stay at a value resort. Thanks so much!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

I agree, grab whichever DVC becomes available!

The Marriotts - Grande Vista and Cypress Harbor are very nice also. I always try to stay there when not using my DVC.

Good luck!

 

[IsAreWasWereAm]

Put these resorts in order of what would be best for DH, DD 7 and DD 20 months:
Old Key West
Yacht and Beach Club
Saratoga Springs
Boardwalk Villas

DH = OKW
DD 7 = VWL
You and DD 20 months = BCV
MIL = HHI

... Sorry, I couldn't resist! Especially since you've already gotten some excellent advice!

 

[murcor]

SSR has a great pool for kids. Your 20 month old could splash in the zero entry area, your DD 7 would like the slides and both would enjoy the kids area with Donald Duck. This will be were we will stay for the next few years for these exact reasons

Angela

 

[MrTerrorChair]

Because of the small kids, I believe that convenience to location should be the biggest concern. You want to be close to entertainment, eateries, and maybe most importantly, shopping. You have enough to lug around as it is. Shorter walks are always better. Therefore, BCV and BWV would be my suggestion for many of the reasons already listed. SSR is nice, but not convenient to many locations. VWL is a good choice as well because there's lots right there. OKW is also nice, but has the same problem as SSR.

 

[smwf71]

isarewasweream - so true about MIL - Ironically we are spending a week in HHI with them this summer - I think Barony Beach - don't know really - This is the first time they've invited us in three or four years, so wish me luck!