DVC and Toddlers

[lundve]

In your opinion, what is the best DVC resort for a 18 month old boy traveling with his parents?

 

[melk]

Considering how much time you'll most likely be spending at the MK, I would go with VWL. It's the closest to MK and has the boat directly there. There is a small playground by the beach and a kiddie pool at the main pool, also.

 

[canwegosoon]

I was thinking VWL or BCV since you will be close to a park, and can get back to a room easily or sit by the pool with the baby in a stroller...But if you are bring a car...you might want to consider SSR. Beautiful to walk around, and the zero entry pool is great on little kids. ALso although the rooms are bigger at OKW ,but I figured you probablly will be using a pack and play...so space shoudn't be an issue.

 

[MinnieGi]

Honestly - all of them!! Whatever makes you as a parent happy will make your 18 month old happy. They all have fun things for little ones. They all have nice pools.

We were at VWL in Jan. with our 17 month old and he had a great time exploring our villa and the lodge. We enjoyed the boat ride over to MK and the closeness to CR for CM's and also FW to do the petting zoo and pony ride for DD who is 5.

We have also stayed at BWV when DD was a toddler and loved it also. Of course the close proximity to Epcot and MGM are awesome. DD loved the entertainment on the boarwalk in the evenings and we loved the options of restaurants and nice walks around the boardwalk.

Also while DD was a toddler we did a stay at OKW that was also great. We were right next to a quiet pool and playground area that was perfect for DD. Whenever we stay at OKW we make sure we have a car and its so nice to just roll out of the room and get on our way in the car.

In July when DS will be 23 months old we will be staying at BCV and I know SAB will be a big hit with both DD & DS.

Go where you'd like to stay!

 

[tigger2on]

We love to take a before bed walk on the boardwalk. There is so much to look at. Also the villas are all in one building and are in close walking distance to lots of things... also close to bus/ boat transport. And they have a great kiddie pool and ducks in the little river in front!
BCV has the best pool and has the ice cream parlour. Also a single building but quite a walk to main pool but a nice quiet pool that is rarely busy.
SSR has the baby waterslide.. haven't stayed here but did the tour. Nice new resort but again very spaced out. However, I am still considering purchasing SSR or BWV.

 

[crazywig]

i've stayed at BWV, SSR and VWL with my kids (ages 3 and 1) and hands down i prefer BWV, coincidently our home resort . better playground (not on sand like at VWL), access to 2 parks, which someone mentioned makes it easier to just bolt out of epcot should the kid be having a meltdown. and they will. places to walk around at night etc.

second choice would be VWL. i loved this resort and we did spend a lot of time at MK but i don't really like the boat that much.

 

[jorodopo]

We stayed at OKW at 24 mths and BWV at 30 months. Biggest difference we saw was bus vs. boat/walking. Folding the stroller to get on buses at OKW greatly affected our lives. Not having to do so on the boats or just walking to parks was a beautiful thing. If you will be at MK most of the time go for VWL just for the boat. If you will be at Epcot and MGM more aim for BCV or BWV.

Have a great trip

 

[J and R's mom]

Honestly - all of them!! Whatever makes you as a parent happy will make your 18 month old happy. They all have fun things for little ones. They all have nice pools.

We were at VWL in Jan. with our 17 month old and he had a great time exploring our villa and the lodge. We enjoyed the boat ride over to MK and the closeness to CR for CM's and also FW to do the petting zoo and pony ride for DD who is 5.

We have also stayed at BWV when DD was a toddler and loved it also. Of course the close proximity to Epcot and MGM are awesome. DD loved the entertainment on the boarwalk in the evenings and we loved the options of restaurants and nice walks around the boardwalk.

Also while DD was a toddler we did a stay at OKW that was also great. We were right next to a quiet pool and playground area that was perfect for DD. Whenever we stay at OKW we make sure we have a car and its so nice to just roll out of the room and get on our way in the car.

In July when DS will be 23 months old we will be staying at BCV and I know SAB will be a big hit with both DD & DS.

Go where you'd like to stay!

Well, you beat me to it, MinnieGI. I have a 15month old and a 2.5yr old and for the reasons listed choose VWL, BWV, BCV, in that order. VWL is great because it's close to MK and FW and has fun theming. My DD (2.5) LOVED the BWV. And I liked how close BCV is to EPCOT.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We're picking VWL for our first with DGC ages 3,2,1. Proximity to MK and the sand actually are the reasons we picked it. BWV would have been our second choice for this trip. We are planning to pool hop to BWV if it's in an allowed period, for the water animals and the BW activities. We will have a van.

Bobbi

 

[pbharris4]

It depends on what you want. They are all great really. I'd prefer BCV, BWV or VWL. BCV or BWV because it's close to 2 parks and has a lot of food choices. Next would be VWL because of MK and lastly OKW or SSR. When DD was 13 months we stayed at BWV. The following year when she just turned 2 we were at SSR. We drove everywhere because getting our stroller on/off the bus was a major pain! (We use the stroller with the big compartment under it for all our stuff!) This year dd will turn 3 and we are staying at BCV for 6 days and getting out all the parks etc while we are there and then we are headed to OKW to relax and recoup after the parks so convienence isn't that much of an issue. It is great when you can just walk back to the room when your child needs a nap or some rest time.

 

[k_k_100]

A Boardwalk view at BWV is our first choice w/ dd. We can put her to bed a little early some nights then sit out on our balcony w/ a glass of wine & enjoy the view - it's great seeing the fireworks from Illuminations

The view never mattered much to us before children - now it is one of our top priorities.

 

[tber]

I would vote for BCV or BWV. Our [then] 2 year old LOVED the stormalong bay at BCV. So close to epcot and mgm and lots of resturant choices over at BWV. Also, a great character breakfast right on site so we didn't have to
'rush' over to the MK to get there for a character breakfast.
While our son loved MK, he also loved the other parks and attractions at ALL the parks. BCV is just a great location for entertainment, great food, epcot fireworks! The 1BR are a lifesaver so he can nap/sleep while dad and I enjoy quiet time/tv/fireworks in the other room without disturbing him!

 

[mom2alix]

VWL! Took DD at 18 months and she loved it. The boat to MK is great and we also used the boat to the Contemporary for Chef Mickeys as well as catching the monorail to 'Ohana and the GF. DD also liked the little bridge in the lobby that goes over the creek and the Disney character totem pole. I think the atmosphere at VWL is also great for little ones because it is so serene. We never had any problems getting DD calmed down for a nap.

DS will turn 19 months old on our trip next month and I'm sure he'll love VWL too. It's a great age to take them, you'll have a wonderful time no matter where you stay. Have a good trip!

 

[jlieblaw]

We stayed at SSR with my ds last year when he was 18 mos. old. We are staying there again this year b/c of the pool area. It takes him a really long time to be comfortable with the pool so the zero entry is a big deal for us. Neither of my kids like the kiddie pools for some reason. My dd4 loved the kiddie slide at SSR as well. We also liked how quiet the resort was. My kids love to walk around and it's a great place to do that. We would have tried BCV but it requires more points so we're sticking with SSR this time. We have also stayed at BWV and we did enjoy the proximity to the parks but we aren't as crazy about their pool area. However, being able to see the fireworks from the boardwalk was great. The hallways there were a bit noisier, I think due to more people staying there. I think all the resorts are great though and you can't really pick a bad one for kids.