DVC resort with children

[huey duey & luey]

We are planning a trip next Nov with 3 small children plus friends and 2 small children I cant make up my mind where to stay. My home resort is BWV so i will be booking a t 11 monyh window should I change at 7 month to BCV or VWL. We have stayed at OKW and would like to try something new. We were thinking BW b/c has places to go if we swap babysitiing duties and maybe could get a view of illuminations if luck, BCv for SAB and both for location to MGM (kids love disney movies and playhouse disney) VWL for location to MK. Any advice would be great thanks

 

[huey duey & luey]

sorry didnt mean to post 2x

 

[Disney Doll]

I would say either BWV or BCV would be your best choice, given what you've outlined. They are both essentially located in the same area, so you'd have access to the BW nightlife from either, for babysitting swapping that you indicated. About the only thing that might sway me toward the BCV would be the pol...SAB is second to none as far as hotel pools go. The clown slide at the BWV isn't too shabby either though. But it doesn't compare to SAB. VWL would be great for proximity ot the MK, but there's not as much nightlife there, and you said all the kids like a few things that woudl be offered at MGM as well. The MK is only a bus ride away from BCV/BWV!!!!

 

[Synonymous]

I agree with Disney Doll, but I don't think you can go wrong at any of them. Most families with kids spend more time at MK, so VWL has a big advantage there. And the nightlife, at BW or PI, isn't hard to reach from any resort.

 

[betslinc]

It also depends on how much you want to relax. SAB is a completely awesome pool, we love it, but my kids are 7 and 12. It is huge, and with 5 small kids, it will be a LOT of work keeping an eye on them. VWL would be more low key, with easy access to MK and laid back things like watching the electric light parade or the petting zoo or campfires at Fort Wilderness, bike riding... When my kids were little they tended to get very overstimulated and cranky, and we found it more enjoyable to take things down a notch. If the kids were older I'd say definitely BCV, but with littler kids I'd lean towards VWL.

 

[roserae]

I asked the same question about a month ago and was told by many that VWL would be better with our two year old. But this trip is totally about her and we have no plans for a sitter, so nightlife isn't an issue for us.

In your case, if going out at night is important, than I would stay at BWV or BCV, simply because of the proximity to everything. Someone posted that it is not hard to reach the BW from other resorts if you are not staying there. Not true! At least in my experience. If you don't have a car then the BW is not the easiest place to visit if you are not staying there. Buses don't stop at the BW specifically...like DTD. So if you stay there late you will have to take a bus from BWV to DTD then to the resort you are staying at. Not worth the time in my opinion.

If you have a car, are you allowed to park at BCV or BWV to go to clubs and restaurants on the boardwalk? Not sure about that.

Just some things to think about. If I had a sitter, though, I for sure would be staying at BWV or BCV!!!!

Please note that I have not stayed at any of the DVC resorts yet...but can't wait to try VWL in January and BWV in Sept '04. So as far as which is best for kids, I don't know. But I have visited the BW while staying elsewhere and it was a bit of a hassle...maybe I was missing something.

 

[gracelrm]

I've never stayed at BCV or BWV, but have stayed at VWL with three children. We really enjoy it. The pool is nice, although I'm sure not as entertaining as SAB, but it would be much easier to watch the kids at VWL. My kids like the guyser, bike riding, the electric light parade and the animals they see around the resort. We spend a good part of our time at MK, and I really like the boat in that I don't have to fold up the stroller. After several days of folding and unfolding that stroller - I really appreciate just rolling right on to the launch and rolling off. I guess that may sound like a minor thing to most - but it just makes me smile to see the boat approaching and not have to worry about closing up and holding on to the stoller!

 

[Synonymous]

Someone posted that it is not hard to reach the BW from other resorts if you are not staying there. Not true! At least in my experience. If you don't have a car then the BW is not the easiest place to visit if you are not staying there. Buses don't stop at the BW specifically...like DTD. So if you stay there late you will have to take a bus from BWV to DTD then to the resort you are staying at. Not worth the time in my opinion.

Yes, taking a bus from resort to resort is usually a big mistake. But cabs are available all over the property and take you directly to where you want to go in only a few minutes and for not much money. So, it's really no big deal to get from VWL to BW, PI, or anywhere else. Just ask at the bell services desk outside and they'll get you a cab within a few minutes.

Of course, BWV and BCV are the most convenient if you really want to go to the clubs at BW, but I don't think you should let that limit your choices if VWL is more to your liking for other reasons.

 

[DeeP]

I just got back from BCV's 2 days ago and there were a ton of families staying there with young children and all the kids seemed like they were having a wonderful time.
I think any of the 3 resorts would be just fine and the kids would love it but I agree with the others for adult night life you will have more choices and it will be much more convenient at either BWV or BCV.

 

[TDC Nala]

Sounds like this decision would entirely depend on how much time you want to spend at Magic Kingdom. If you know you'll be spending most of your time there, go with VWL. If you're going to have it pretty evenly split with other things, you can decide between BWV and BCV. BWV is closer to MGM if you want to walk there. If you want to take the boat it doesn't really matter. BCV has that huge pool.