Favorite DVC (Florida) Resort for 1st Timer

[LisaT91403]

Hi all,

I'm trying to plan a graduation trip for next summer. We are experienced Disneyland visitors, but no clue when it comes to the FL parks. That's why I'm starting the process early

We have rented points for Aulani a couple of times, and I'm thinking I might want to go this route for the trip I'm planning. Which DVC resort do you like best, given the following:

- I'm kind of a hotel snob, so having a nice resort is more important than saving money for this trip
- We would plan to visit all of the parks
- My son will be 14, loves all things Disney...and also likes waterslides and arcades (not sure that any of this matters when choosing a resort)

Do people ever do split stays? I think it would be cool to be able to wake up to the Animal Kingdom animals, but not sure it's practical to stay over there for the entire trip. And if you are wondering how long the "entire trip" is...I don't really know at this point. Maybe a week?

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to hearing your favorites!

 

[Nabas]

WDW is many times physically larger than DLR. As experienced DLR visitors but WDW rookies, you might enjoy being close to one or more theme parks.

• The 3 Monorail Resorts (VGF, PVB, and BLT) get to close to the Magic Kingdom, and a Monorail ride to Epcot. (Assuming this is again running by the summer of 2022.) Of these 3, PVB probably has the best water slide. BLT definitely has the smallest and least-themed pool.
• BCV and BWV get you within walking distance of Epcot and DHS. BWV generally is considered to have the best water slide. BCV's pool (Stormalong Bay) is generally considered the best DVC pool. For walking convenience, BWV places you almost in the middle of Epcot and DHS.

AKV is great for the animals, particularly the giraffes, but generally is considered the most remote DVC resort. Neither of the 2 AKV resorts (Jambo House or Kidani Village) have particularly good water slides, particularly for a 14 year-old.

Spilt stays are common among DVC members. It wouldn't be bad to combine any of the above.

Based on what you've written so far, I'd suggest a split stay at PVB combined with either BWV or AKV-Jambo.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I vote for Boardwalk to stay at, and book a lunch at Sana’a one day. I have done split stays before but out of necessity and would prefer not to have to pack / unpack mid trip.

 

[DebLovesPooh]

I think Boardwalk sounds perfect for your son. We just got back from there last week. My DD said it’s the best slide she’s ever been on and the arcade games are now open on the boardwalk. Assuming Boma is open then, that is one of my favorite restaurants and you’ll be able to see the animals at AKL before your meal.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Saratoga Springs has some time pools and is a short walk to Disney Springs (similar to Downtown Disney at DLR). Complete renovation of the villas there were just completed.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

Based on what you've written so far, I'd suggest a split stay at PVB combined with either BWV or AKV-Jambo.

If you are up for a split stay I think Poly and BWV is a great suggestion.

 

[Jperiod]

We are also DLR regulars. It takes a long time to get *anywhere* in WDW compared to DLR except for a couple walkable resorts - and those are only walkable to one of the parks. So I wouldn't fret as much about it and prioritize other features above proximity. We did a 3 resort split stay in 10 days pre-covid last year and it worked very well since we moved on our rest days.

If you really like Grand Californian, BRV felt similar and my fam LOVED it there (we own VGC).

AKV was probably my favorite and most unique because of the animals. The 1 bedroom has 2 bathrooms like VGC (that we're used to). We got a standard view but still had a great room on the end facing the savannah (converted savannah room).

BWV was very convenient to Epcot and even HS.

We weren't fans of SSR. It's not as "themy" and there wasn't really any other perk of staying there that appealed to us. Some people like the proximity to downtown disney, but we rather spend our time in the parks.

We've walked through the other resorts, but the only other one on our bucket list to stay is VGF.

 

[Cabius]

Split stays are definitely a thing! I once did 2 nights each at Grand Floridian, Beach Club, and Animal Kingdom -- it was a bit much. But if you're there for ~ 1 week, it might be a good idea.

Assuming everything is available, I would recommend a split stay between a Magic Kingdom-area resort and an EPCOT-area resort.

The Magic Kingdom resorts have monorail and boat service to MK. Of those, the Polynesian is my favorite (and my DVC home resort) -- gorgeously themed, and a 1971 original. If you wanted something more upscale, the Grand Floridian is the most high-end resort in that area. And while it does not have monorail access, Wilderness Lodge has two DVC resorts (Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek) and is a sentimental favorite of many -- it also has lovely boat service to the park.

The EPCOT-area resorts are close to EPCOT, but really between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, so you can walk or take a boat (or Skyliner) to both parks. Beach Club and Boardwalk Villas are closest to EPCOT, and both have great water features -- Beach Club has by far the best pool on property with Stormalong Bay.

Riviera Resort - DVC's newest - is not within walking distance of either park, but does have Skyliner access and is very new, and very beautiful.

I do dearly love Animal Kingdom Lodge as well, if you don't mind driving a few extra minutes rather than taking boats/skyliner/walking to the parks. If you don't end up staying there, you should at least go for a meal or two!

All that said -- availability at all of those resorts may be limited depending on when/how you're booking and what type of room you're looking for. If you're booking with your own points at the 7-month window, studios may be hard to come by at many of those resorts. If you're looking for a 1BR or 2BR, or renting points in the 11-month window, it's much easier to find options.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[HairyChest]

Polynesian

 

[LisaT91403]

Wow, so much great info! Poly, BWV, Riviera, and Grand Floridian all seem like contenders. I definitely need to do more research and figure it out. Even though there are only 3 of us, I want at least a 1 BDR. We don't do well sharing a room together! Although, I don't think my teenager is going to dig a sofa bed so much. Lots to figure out!

I will definitely come back and post once I've narrowed things down/made some decisions. Starting to doubt the early June timing because of the heat/humidity, but I'm sure a December trip will be harder to get reservations for.

Thanks again!

 

[JFDIS]

I vote split stay between Poly and (BCV or BWV). I would show you son videos of the pools/slide at BWV and BCV and let him pick.

edit: I just read you need a one bedroom, that means Poly is out. I’d pick GF in that case although the studio villas at Poly are large with two bathrooms.

 

[Jperiod]

Wow, so much great info! Poly, BWV, Riviera, and Grand Floridian all seem like contenders. I definitely need to do more research and figure it out. Even though there are only 3 of us, I want at least a 1 BDR. We don't do well sharing a room together! Although, I don't think my teenager is going to dig a sofa bed so much. Lots to figure out!

I will definitely come back and post once I've narrowed things down/made some decisions. Starting to doubt the early June timing because of the heat/humidity, but I'm sure a December trip will be harder to get reservations for.

Thanks again!

My 6'3" 16 year old always sleeps on the sofa beds and finds disney's to be more comfortable than most other timeshares. However, I hear the murphy beds are even better, so you might consider a 1 bedroom that has one of those instead of the old sofa bed. We liked January for weather the best. Our first two trips in December and November both ended up being record-breaking heat waves and the humidity felt like it added 10 degrees.

 

[Cabius]

Even though there are only 3 of us, I want at least a 1 BDR. We don't do well sharing a room together!

While the Poly studios are very large, they don't have any 1BRs or 2BRs (except the shockingly expensive Bungalows) so that may rule it out.

 

[LisaT91403]

Good to know about Poly. I like the idea of 2 bathrooms!

Does anyone happen to know if there are resorts that have 1 bedrooms with a Murphy bed and an extra bathroom? I'm assuming the studios all have sofa beds and not Murphy beds. Thanks!

 

[shoegal9]

While the Polynesian studios have 2 “bathrooms,”, only one has a toilet. One bathroom is a sink and shower. The other is a tub, sink and toilet. But- It’s very spacious.

Bay Lake Tower and Kidani Village one bedrooms have 2 full bathrooms. And Saratoga Springs one bedrooms have a shower and separate tub, but only one toilet as well.
Edit: Boardwalk 1BRs also have a shower and tub (but one toilet)

 

[Jperiod]

Looks like only SSR and Riviera have the murphy beds currently?

 

[LisaT91403]

Okay, got it. Thanks again!

 

[The Jackal]

Good to know about Poly. I like the idea of 2 bathrooms!

Does anyone happen to know if there are resorts that have 1 bedrooms with a Murphy bed and an extra bathroom? I'm assuming the studios all have sofa beds and not Murphy beds. Thanks!

None. Only ones with 2 bathrooms are AKV Kidani and BLT. Only RIV and SSR have the queen Murphy bed in the living room. IMO this was a huge error by DVC when they built RIV. The rooms are some of the largest in DVC and they didn’t put in a second bathroom in 1 bedrooms, or a third for 2 bedrooms or a fourth for the Grand Villas.