DVC in the heat - proximity or pool?

[wrighter]

We will be taking our first summer WDW trip next year in late June. I must admit I am nervous about the heat - but I was also nervous about crowds before we took an Easter Week trip, and we had an awesome time. And since we can't take our kids out of school for vacations much longer, we need to see if we can handle the summer months.

Which leads me to my current situation. For the first time ever, we will have park hoppers for that trip. (Since we're headed down in October of this year, we're getting APs.) I'd like to take full advantage of the park hoppers - be able to get to RD in the morning, get back to the resort for pool time, then occasionally head back in the evening hours. Currently we're planning on staying at SSR - because it requires fewer points and we'd like to see the new pool. We figure we'll want to be in the pool quite a bit - and with 4 of them at SSR, we'd have our choice of great pool time. But SSR is also sort of a hike from the parks. I can't see myself wanting to go back and forth on the buses all day. Once we got back to the resort I imagine we'd be happy staying put. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing!

Obviously, a resort like BCV would be ideal -except for the fact that it requires more points. And the chances of getting into it might be slim. And I worry that Storm Along Bay would get just packed. BWV would be another option, but the pool is small, and there's really just the clown slide that would impress my kids. Would love to try BLT, but again, not impressed by the pool.

Figured I'd toss out my situtation to see if anyone had unique insight that I might be missing here. Since we're really not considering our home resort (AKV,) we've still got lots of time before our 7 month window opens. But I just can't decide what should take precedent here: proximity to parks for easy back-and-forth? Or good pools for enjoying the sun and heat? Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Brian Noble]

We almost always have a car, no matter where we are staying. That would be the best of both worlds. Yes, it will cost you a little cash, but might better balance your conflicting desires.

Full disclosure: I had my first experience with SAB this past spring. It was not clear to me that it was All That and a Bag of Chips. My kids only have three requirements of any resort:

1: It must have a pool.
2: The pool must have water.
3: The water must be wet.

So, I might not be the right person to ask.

 

[wrighter]

My kids only have three requirements of any resort:

1: It must have a pool.
2: The pool must have water.
3: The water must be wet.

LOL! This is so true!

Perhaps I am putting my own desires ahead of the children. And that desire is for me to lounge in a chair while they play and never get bored. Although, if I think about it, that might preclude SAB - my kids will be 6 and 9 on that trip - not quite old enough for me to allow them to roam free there. Maybe you just helped me answer my own question!

 

[DenLo]

Well you really only have five options to being closing to a/some parks.

BWV or BCV for Epcot or DHS. BWV might be your only real option at this point for a summer trip. BCV is probably already booked. Do the kids really love Epcot? If not then you've lost half of the advantage of these resorts.

BLT - You can also use the pool at CR since the Bay Cove Pool doesn't impress you. You will not save points at BLT. Standard views are definitely gone by now. There also is a marina and you could rent some mouse racers for something different to do.

VWL - It's just a short ferry ride to MK. The main pool does get crowded though. But then there are activities like the mouse racers as an option.

AKV - It's a five minute bus ride from AK. Kidani Village is the first stop for buses leaving for the parks so you can get seat. You have the option of feature pools at Kidani and Jambo House.

Riding the bus isn't so bad, it's air conditioned. I think the worse part of riding a bus is after a park closes or everyone leaves after the parade. Then you have to wait in line for two or three buses. That's when walking to back to a resort really has it's advantage. I think many families at BWV end up riding the ferry back to the resort because the kids don't want to walk anymore so you don't really save a lot of time.

My suggestion is to enjoy SSR and have fun at the new pool. Hopefully it will be open by your trip in late June as that's the expected opening date.

 

[thepops]

Why are you not considering your home resort (AKV)? Are you just looking to try somewhere new or is there some other reason? The pools there are pretty nice and I'm sure you could find a shady place to watch them.

 

[5forDiz]

Given the ages of your kids I'd say Boardwalk; the villas pool is by Community Hall & you can pull up a chair adjacent to these two to easily keep a good eye on the kids and they can enjoy fun at both.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The CMs at the Boardwalk have great activities for the kids. I know our DGC enjoy the pool activities a lot, and the Community Hall is a great plus.

I also do not think that staying at SSR would be bad at all! Two feature pools to chose from, a Community pool and lower points.

At 7 months, it seems to be possible to get into other resorts during the summer. I hope you get what you want!

 

[JimMIA]

Full disclosure: I had my first experience with SAB this past spring. It was not clear to me that it was All That and a Bag of Chips.

I agree. In fact, when we stayed at Beach Club, the second time we started to SAB, my daughter (7 at the time) said, "I want to go to the pool with the sandcastle! (OKW)"

My personal opinion is that SAB is great for sunbathing adults and toddlers who like the sandy beach and don't mind a little duck poop in the water. But for swimming? Naw. And especially "naw" for school-aged kids swimming.

 

[JimMIA]

But SSR is also sort of a hike from the parks.

Suggestion: Go to Google Earth, search for Lake Buena Vista, FL, zoom out to where you have all or most of WDW in the picture. Then locate SSR and reconsider this myth. You will find that OKW/SSR are actually very centrally located. If you were going to spend the majority of your time at Epcot, a BCV or BWV stay would make sense -- as would BLT/VWL if you were going to focus heavily on MK. But if you are going to park-hop, SSR/OKW may work out better for you.

The other suggestion I have is to rent a car. We drive to WDW, and I can be parking my car at any theme park from SSR or OKW in 10 minutes. You won't do that by bus.

So, what I'd do in your situation is to stay at SSR -- or OKW (even fewer points) -- and rent a car.

Go to the parks in the morning, drive back to the resort around noon for lunch/nap/swim time, and then drive back to a park late in the afternoon or early evening. With a car, you're looking at 30 minutes each way from start to arrival -- in other words, walking out the door of your villa and walking through the turnstiles at the park, or vice versa.

A car makes mid-day swim/rest/get out of the heat trips possible.

With buses, you'll get lucky sometimes, but usually it will be significantly longer each way. And if you want to do some character meals or eat somewhere other than the park you are in, the problem is just compounded. That wasted time really adds up

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I'm a Floridian, and because of my son(14) we vacation early June, early August every year! Crowds aren't too bad yet in June, much better than July and August. Of course, since DVC we're not the commando park visitors anymore. Our routine is, am EMH for AK and DHS, I consider these 1/2 day parks and then it's back to the villa, OKW/SSR for pool and then DTD! Even when we do Epcot or MK, we come back around 1pm and don't return to the parks till the the sun has come down, around 4-4:30. For the MK day we like the pm EMH, head to the park late in the day (5pm) and stay till 1am, very little wait, you can ride Space Mountain/Buzz Lightyears over and over, love the park at dark! A must do in summer, we alternate a waterpark TL/BB between each theme park day! When you purchase park hoppers and add water parks and more, you get a waterpark admission for each day you purchased. Or you can substitute the water parks for Disney Quest or the (?) Mickey goonie golf course (can't think of the name).

I've never really had any problems with the bus system~

 

[wrighter]

Our routine is, am EMH for AK and DHS, I consider these 1/2 day parks and then it's back to the villa, OKW/SSR for pool and then DTD! Even when we do Epcot or MK, we come back around 1pm and don't return to the parks till the the sun has come down, around 4-4:30.
I've never really had any problems with the bus system~

Personally, I love the buses. Anything to keep me from having to think too much! But on the days when you're going to the parks twice from OKW/SSR - do you not feel like you're spending too much time "commuting," so to speak? That's really my only concern. I feel like by the time we got cleaned up after the pool and back on a bus, my kids would be falling asleep before we even got there! (They are currently 8 and almost 6.)

Oh how I long for the day when we don't have to put so much emphasis on sleep. Although it has probably helped enormously to make our Disney vacations so great.

 

[JimMIA]

But on the days when you're going to the parks twice from OKW/SSR - do you not feel like you're spending too much time "commuting," so to speak? That's really my only concern. I feel like by the time we got cleaned up after the pool and back on a bus, my kids would be falling asleep before we even got there! (They are currently 8 and almost 6.)

YES, definitely, and there are a couple of other considerations with the bus to park/bus back/bus to park/bus back strategy.

The first is that, if you stay a little late in a park, you are going to have one of two scenarios on that bus ride back -- riding in a crowded bus with someone's kid having a meltdown, or YOUR kid having a meltdown on a crowded bus (and with Murphy's Law being what it is, probably nowhere to sit!).

The second consideration is that you will find bus-bus-bus-bus so daunting that you won't make that second trip you'd planned on because of the hassle.

To me, driving vs. bussing is like 1 BR vs. studio -- once you've tried the good way, you won't ever go back.

 

[hakepb]

I'm the opposite. I drive down, but one of my little vacation pleasures is forgetting about the car (and trams in parking lots..) while Disney takes care of the transportation.

I've never thought SSR or OKW was too far for an afternoon nap, but then again I started on-site @ WDW by staying at values. I prefer the SSR bus stops and crowds over the values.

 

[Tink6666]

We have stayed at SSR many times and have always done the park in am, nap or pool around 2-3 and then back to the park by 5-6 for dinner reservations. We have had crowded buses no matter where we have stayed, all depends on the time of day. The last few times we have been at SSR there has been a cm at the bus stops watching which buses are coming and who is waiting which park, etc. I can't wait for the new pool to open and then there are two major pools to choose from!

 

[micminnieapolis]

We've been going to WDW for over 30 years and have never driven to a park! In fact, we don't understand the problems with the bus. We were there for 2 1/2 weeks last summer with temps at 105 on some days -- much more pleasant to get into a cool bus than a hot car! We even rode the buses just to sit in peace at Grand Floridian in the evening to enjoy the music. We found a nice shady spot to park the car, put up sun visors, and used it only a couple of times to go off property for groceries. Riding the bus is our quiet, cool down time.

For the ages of your children, the pool at OKW is perfect! Haven't stayed at SSR but I think those would be too with more variety! SAB can be crowded and loud. I never think of it as a quiet, lounging pool. It saves having to pay to use the water parks!

 

[Brian Noble]

We've been going to WDW for over 30 years and have never driven to a park! ... we don't understand the problems with the bus.

I'm guessing these two statements are related.

More seriously, if you are happy with the bus system, enjoy it! There's no law that says everyone has to enjoy the same style of vacationing.

 

[lingber]

I vote for BCV's and Boardwalk. Storma-a-long does get crowded but the villa pool is always a nice spot when you want some peace and quiet. Other vote is for BW because the pool there is still fun for kids and IMHO you really can't beat the location