Curious as to what most dvc'ers would do...

[BWV2001]

We have a std view 2 br villa at BWV for 4 nights in October for our family of 5. (Staying 2 nights at HRH at Universal at start of trip.) Originally, my sister-in-law was going to join us, now she thinks she can't. We've stayed at BWV many times (it's our home resort), but not since Oct 2008. Question---now that our party has shrunk, should I try to get BLT 1 br for the same time, or just stick with what I've got? I know I'd have to waitlist it, so there are no guarantees, just curious as to what the audience says.

 

[thedon3]

I would stay with what yo got. The BWV are so convenant. You will not be sorry, but, you also might consider the WL, it just a different experiance
Bobby

 

[daisyduck123]

My family likes to try different resorts. We would go for BLT (which we happen to be trying out this summer)!

Btw, Kidani is fantastic as well!!

 

[Sandisw]

If you are there for Food and Wine, then staying at BWV will be a bit more convenient.

If that isn't your only reason, and want to try someplace else, I would try for BLT and save yourself a few points.

But, I am a huge BLT fan (and not a huge BWV fan) so I am a bit biased in my answer!!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree that since this is during F&W, I'd stay with BWV.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

I would downsize it and try to save the points.

BLT is gorgeous (I'm biased too as that's where I own)......if you keep the 2BR and the extra space sits largely unused, it will engender bad feelings towards your sister-in-law for backing out.

Another choice is you could have your kids invite a friend or two.

 

[zalansky]

What would the difference in points be for the stay? I am thinking not too much (too lazy to go look at the charts) because you have a standard view at BWV. As others have said the convenience of BWV is the best. It may not be an issue since BLT seems though to get into anyway. If it were me, I'd keep the BWV reservation.

 

[dvcdisney]

If I was in this situation, I would do it in the following order:

1. 1br BCV
2. 1br VWL
3. 1br AKV Kidani Standard
4. 1br AKV Kidani Savannah
5. 1br AKV Jambo Standard
6. 1br AKV Jambo Savannah
7. 1br BLT
8. or if none of these were available, I would keep BWV, but try to get a 1br

 

[dianeschlicht]

Wow, I am amazed at how many of you would cram yourselves into a 1 bedroom with 5 people. If I already had the 2 bedroom booked, I'd stick with that and enjoy the space. Frankly, we reserve a 2 bedroom any time we have more than 2 people.

 

[CNPHILLY]

if you keep the 2BR and the extra space sits largely unused, it will engender bad feelings towards your sister-in-law for backing out.

Seriously? I laughed out loud when I read this....I would think it is impossible to determine this without knowing the people involved and a bit of group therapy with them.

 

[wdrl]

As others have said, BWV is convenient if you plan on spending a lot of time at Epcot for the F&W Festival. But, if you are planning on attending MNSSHP at MK, or are thinking of spending more time at MK in general, then BLT is far more convenient than BWV. Do you have any dining plans set up for this trip? If you plan on eating on the Boardwalk or at Epcot, then BWV is the preferred location. But if you are planning on eating at the Contemporary Resort, the Poly, or GF, then BLT and its access to the monorail is far more convenient.

If you have never stayed to BLT but have stayed at BWV many times, then I would recommend you try to make the switch. You won't know until you try it whether BLT suits your taste. It might become your favorite resort.

Good luck on your decision!!

 

[dvcdisney]

Wow, I am amazed at how many of you would cram yourselves into a 1 bedroom with 5 people.

Actually, when I posted, I was under the impression there would only be 4 guests. The OP said that they were a family of 5 booked and now one person may not be going.

So, if I misunderstood, then my post should be different since 5 guest cannot fit into 1br BCV or 1br VWL. However, I would still recommend in that case to go to a 2br BCV or 2br VWL - it may not save the points, but I prefer these resorts over BWV.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

5 people in a 1BR is not a bad fit. We just got back from BLT and we had 5 people in 1BR with no problem.

 

[DenLo]

5 people in a 1BR is not a bad fit. We just got back from BLT and we had 5 people in 1BR with no problem.

Especially since you will still have two bathrooms at BLT. I too vote for getting a WL at BLT for a 1 BR. If you are lucky you might get a standard view 1BR at BLT and save some points.

However, I agree with the above post by wdrl that if you have multiple dining ADRs set up near BWV, Epcot or BCV then that would affect the decision on whether to move, same thing if you plan to spend a lot of time at F&W.

Let us know your decision and thoughts. Good luck if you go with a wait list.

 

[CNPHILLY]

Wow, I am amazed at how many of you would cram yourselves into a 1 bedroom with 5 people. If I already had the 2 bedroom booked, I'd stick with that and enjoy the space. Frankly, we reserve a 2 bedroom any time we have more than 2 people.

Agree completely. Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should. I would stick with what you have.

Further, I am not sure how many posters here have actually considered the points involved. It's really hard to guess based on the info you have given, but 4 weekday nights in a 1BR LV at BLT for October would be 120 points (didn't use standard view because it is hard to get). Meanwhile a 2BR SV at BWV for 4 weekday nights would be 112 points for the same period. What are you really saving by downsizing? In this scenario, you actually save points by keeping what you have. To me, that's a no brainer.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would prefer to stay at BWV in the 2 bedroom with 5 people. If now there are only 4 people, I would WL for BLT or Kidani.

Bobbi

 

[BWV2001]

Hello...OP here. For the record, we started with 6 (including sister-in-law) and are now down to 5 (myself, dh, ds16, dd13 and ds6). And as far as point savings, unfortunately, that wouldn't be the case with a lake view at BLT. As another poster noticed, it would actually be more points---120 vs. the 112 we currently have. However, the small point difference is nothing, really. I just wonder if I should keep what I've got 'cause it's so big, or should I jump on BLT since we've never been there.

I appreciate everyone's comments, but let me also state that there will never be hard feelings toward the sister-in-law for backing out. And if we keep our 2 BR BWV reservation, I'm sure that the room won't go unused---ds16 will have someplace to stay up late without disturbing the sleeping ones.

But keep the opinions coming. I find them all interesting.

Thanks.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Thanks for the update.

You're right there is a tangible benefit to having the extra space for the 16yo.

 

[Dean]

Hello...OP here. For the record, we started with 6 (including sister-in-law) and are now down to 5 (myself, dh, ds16, dd13 and ds6). And as far as point savings, unfortunately, that wouldn't be the case with a lake view at BLT. As another poster noticed, it would actually be more points---120 vs. the 112 we currently have. However, the small point difference is nothing, really. I just wonder if I should keep what I've got 'cause it's so big, or should I jump on BLT since we've never been there.

I appreciate everyone's comments, but let me also state that there will never be hard feelings toward the sister-in-law for backing out. And if we keep our 2 BR BWV reservation, I'm sure that the room won't go unused---ds16 will have someplace to stay up late without disturbing the sleeping ones.

But keep the opinions coming. I find them all interesting.

Thanks.

There are 2 separate questions in my mind. One is whether to stay with the 2 BR or go for a 1 BR esp at resort that truly sleep 5 (AKV/BLT). The other is which resort independent of unit size. It sounds like you'd have enough points either way. With that family group I'd stay with the 2 BR and BWV will be your cheapest option since you have standard view. From a location standpoint BLT is obviously closer to MK and BWV closer to EPCOT thus considerations for where you'll spend most of your time and whether you'll let the teens go off alone and under what circumstances and rules. Personally I'd say with what you have but you're not me and may have different resort ideas and preferences. If you'll have a car you might consider SSR or OKW as well.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I tried last week for October for 4 nights in a row in almost any size unit (did not check Grand Villas) and there was absolutely nothing in any DVC resort. There was a two bedroom for a single night once or twice. I was looking at second week of the month so not sure about the rest of October.

So the speculation on what to do may be a moot point. I would hold on to what I have.