DVC resort for teens?

[4chickadees]

Hi all!
We have a resv at BWV (our home resort) for Thanksgiving week. However, my husband & I thought it would be fun to try BLT (we can wait-list for BLT starting tomorrow). We have stayed at all DVC resorts but BLT, VWL & SSR.

We have 6 children, ranging from age from 17-9 yrs. We plan to tour the parks with the younger children & let the older ones do their own thing, sticking together & with their cell phones close at hand.

After reading some of the comments about BLT, I am 2nd guessing our decision to try BLT.

Which resort would you recommend for teenagers? I want to make it as easy for them to get back & forth using Disney transportation, plus fun things to do close by (& places to eat) in case they sleep late & don't want to venture out.

I am not too worried about us & the younger children as I know the younger children are looking forward to the vacation (the older ones are giving us the "Disney again.... " whine.... seriously, that is a first world problem!!). One of our younger children is adopted from Ethiopia, so this will be her first Disney experience.

Any advice you can give for teens is very much appreciated!!!!
Laura

 

[DMKEDM]

When my DS was a teenager his favorite resorts were Beach Club and Boardwalk...largely because of the walkability to Epcot (his favorite park) and all there is to do in the Boardwalk area...He also loved Saratoga because of its quick access to DTD, which he also loves--but we didn't experience Saratoga til he was in college, which was very late in his teenage years...

From the time he was about 12, he was not particularly interested in the MK resorts (or, after a day or so, in MK itself)...I love it over there--and I must emphasize that DS (and I) would be happy anywhere in DisneyWorld!--but BCV and BWV were far and away again his favorites...

Now, in his mid-twenties, he's a big fan of AKV, too...but he'd still pick BCV over any other resort if he had his choice...

Hope this helps...

 

[Sarah Millar01]

Oh wow, we r in the same boat - i have 6 children ranging from 18-4 years and most definitely the Beach Club and the Boardwalk are the 2 resorts I favour! It gives my older bunch the facility to do "their own thing" (within reason) and we keep the little ones with me n my husband! We have been to WDW over 30 times and feel totally safe with these resorts and the options my kids have while staying here!

 

[whamma]

I vote to give BLT a try. My DS is 16 and the closeness to MK has been great. If he is with DH, DD 10 and me and wants to head back to BLT, no problem--he just goes. It's a short walk from MK to BLT--or and easy monorail ride from/to EPCOT. We were there two weeks ago and he went down to the pool at night by himself. You also have the Contemporary pool right next door. Depending on their interests--Contemporary has a decent sized arcade too. BW is a really neat area but I think you will be happy you tried BLT. Plus depending on the size villa you are getting (I assume a 2 bedroom)--you have an extra bathroom (even in the 1 bedroom). Plus the living area has a full sized sleeper sofa and a single sleeper chair. The decor of the room is SO different too--plus the views no matter where you are are spectacular. Waitlist BLT!

 

[ITGirl50]

We love BLT for our DD (16). At spring break she brought a friend and they went back and forth by themselves to MK. They also took the monorail to the other resorts to go shopping and eating at the restaurants. It was perfect for them. MK stays open later than Epcot, so more to do later at night. One night they met another friend for dinner at MK and then they all walked back to BLT to view wishes from the Top of the World Lounge. They really enjoyed the freedom and we felt good about them being close by.

 

[dbs1228]

We have 3 DD's 18, 20 and 22 and MK is there favorite park and they LOVE BLT! With that being said my 22 year old stayed in a 2 bedroom at BWV last summer with friends thru a RCI exchange and LOVED BWV and the location - which has made us decide to add on at BWV. I personally love the location of BLT and the walk to MK monorail to Epcot and all the other resorts in between! You will have a ball no matter where you end up - I know we do!!!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Id say BW because it is so close to Epcot and HWS...My 15 yr old son loves HWS because of the 2 thrill rides.

 

[supersuperwendy]

My teens LOVE LOVE LOVE Saratoga Springs... they love the choice of pools and proximity to DTD. They aren't huge fans of Bay Cove Pool at all. They much prefer High Rock Springs at SSR

 

[thepops]

I would say BC. You have the same closeness (relatively) as BW but you get Stormalong Bay.

 

[tjkraz]

If you're really willing to structure your plans around the whims of the teens, easiest thing to do is ask them. Sounds like you've stayed at the BW before so they should be familiar with that part of WDW.

If the teens are whining about a Disney trip, I don't see where close proximity to Epcot (BW, BC) or Magic Kingdom (BLT) will be particularly meaningful to them. All resorts have restaurants, pools and other recreation.

In my opinion, Saratoga Springs probably has the greatest variety of non-park activities immediately at hand. Multiple restaurants...multiple pools...sports (tennis, basketball, golf). Downtown Disney is an easy walk, which adds even more restaurants, shopping, movie theater, bowling, marina, DisneyQuest arcade and so on.

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

Another thing to keep in mind if you want to give them independance. The bus depot at Magic Kingdom is a short walk from BLT and allows them to go practically anywhere on Disney property.

 

[gojoe]

Our girls love Boardwalk. Walk or boat to Epcot or Hollywood but they love the Boardwalk. They can come back from Epcot or Hollywood check in with us then head down to the Boardwalk to play games, see the Boardwalk performers, shop, eat and just hang out (without us) then just head up to our villa. Don't tell them but we'll sit on our veranda and keep an eye on them.