First timer looking for lodging opinions

[chris grecian]

Hello all. I'm in the process of a planning my family's first trip to WDW. I've been lurking on these boards for some time and have found the information on here very helpful, but also a bit overwhelming. I'm hoping to get some thoughts from the group on which lodging options you would choose if you were in my situation.

We are going for 8 nights in March 2020. It is me, my wife, my two daughters (ages 12 and 9) and my 5 y/o son. It is our first trip to WDW. I anticipate spending 2 days in MK and 1 day each in the other parks. We will probably rent DVC points for the trip. Arrival day will likely be spent at the resort as we'll arrive in mid to late afternoon. We'll have one scheduled "rest" day and may take breaks during the afternoon if needed. We'll have park hopper.

I'm looking at DVC studio villas for us. As I see it there are pros and cons to each of them, but I'm leaning toward a studio at the Poly (theming, location, food and 2 bathrooms!) We are also considering Bay Lake Tower (theme park view), AKL (savanna view), Beach Club and CCV/BRV studios.

These are all close enough in cost to where that is a small factor, so removing cost from the equation, which would you choose if you were in my shoes? Thanks so much!!

 

[Hopefully]

Poly. For sure. BLT Studios are small.
Poly has 2 bathing spaces but only one toilet

 

[KenHutch]

That's easy the Poly and YouTube Ohana my families favorite restaurant.

 

[Sara_H]

We have stayed at the Beach Club and have enjoyed it. The studio isn't huge but it is big enough considering all we do there is sleep and shower. BC does have a queen bed, pull out couch and pull down bunk (not all have that). We also like being able to walk to both EPCOT and HS.

 

[mrsap]

The Poly DVC rooms are very spacious! Love having the extra bathroom! Actually, one was mine so I could get ready in the mornings without waking anyone lol The Poly is a fun atmosphere, lots of activities for the little ones, should be good for all the kids! Have fun!

 

[crvetter]

Hello all. I'm in the process of a planning my family's first trip to WDW. I've been lurking on these boards for some time and have found the information on here very helpful, but also a bit overwhelming. I'm hoping to get some thoughts from the group on which lodging options you would choose if you were in my situation.

We are going for 8 nights in March 2020. It is me, my wife, my two daughters (ages 12 and 9) and my 5 y/o son. It is our first trip to WDW. I anticipate spending 2 days in MK and 1 day each in the other parks. We will probably rent DVC points for the trip. Arrival day will likely be spent at the resort as we'll arrive in mid to late afternoon. We'll have one scheduled "rest" day and may take breaks during the afternoon if needed. We'll have park hopper.

I'm looking at DVC studio villas for us. As I see it there are pros and cons to each of them, but I'm leaning toward a studio at the Poly (theming, location, food and 2 bathrooms!) We are also considering Bay Lake Tower (theme park view), AKL (savanna view), Beach Club and CCV/BRV studios.

These are all close enough in cost to where that is a small factor, so removing cost from the equation, which would you choose if you were in my shoes? Thanks so much!!

To provide you some comments

Poly: Only has studios but each sleeps up to 5. Queen Bed, Queen Sofa Bed, and bunk sized pull down (under TV). This does have 2 showers in 2 different bathrooms; however, only 1 toilet.
BLT: The studio is smaller than Poly (by about 110 Square Feet) only sleeps 4. If you wanted to do a 1 bedroom they sleep 5 (King Bed, Queen Bed, and Sleeper Chair) and you gain a full kitchen and washer/dryer in room. This would also have 2 full bathrooms
Beach Club: The studio is smaller than Poly (by about 90 square feet) and sleeps 5 (Queen Bed, Double Sofa Bed, and bunk sized pull down). This will give you access to what is the common consensus is the nicest pool at any resort on property. This is probably going to be the hardest for you to find a renter because most owners bought there to stay there.
AKL: There is Jambo and Kidani. Jambo is the main lodge (some cash and DVC) and Kidani is all DVC. All studios only sleep 4 and about 90 square feet smaller than Poly. Queen Bed and Double Sofa. If you did 1 bedroom Kidani gives you 2 full bathrooms (just like BLT) and same sleeping arrangements as BLT is either Kidani or Jambo.
BRV: This is similar size and setup as Beach Club. You will be a boat ride away from MK or Contemporary. It is 1/2-3/4 mile from the campground that has many activities geared towards younger kids that you can utilize.
CCV: This is the same size as BLT but has a Queen Sofa bed instead. The 1 bedroom here does not allow you to sleep 5 only can do that with a 2 bedroom. This is presently the newest DVC resort with only about 1.5 years old.

As far as transportation if you want to do MK the most and a couple days in the other parks Poly might be the best because of the Ferry Boat, Resort/Cruiser Boat, and monorail (resort and TTC) access to MK. You can also walk to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail. The one thing to note is any Monorail hotel will not give you bus access to Epcot. Though sometimes they run buses from TTC when it is busier or the monorail is down.

As far as crowds go you will find the resorts crowded with visitors at Poly and Beach Club the most. BLT is exclusive access to those at BLT but it has no real food options and most would be at the Contemporary which is almost as crowded as Poly in my opinion (sometimes more). The least crowded would be hands down AKL and close to BRV/CCV. BRV/CCV are at a much smaller resort than all the others so it will seem more subdued while being close to MK.

 

[crvetter]

Also to note you will want to get your request in to the rental sites (if using one) ASAP as I think many start taking requests at 12 months at which point puts you in line to find a renter. The rental sites will then ask owners to book for you which occurs at 11 months out. For many of these they won't have access to rooms fairly quickly after the 11 months.

I think Poly, BRV, AKL, and BLT you might find the easiest locating an owner. CCV less likely (since its newer only) and definitely Beach Club will be the hardest to find an owner. At all these resorts studios are most popular but BRV, Poly, and BLT they don't seem to go as quick.

 

[chris grecian]

Thanks everyone for the responses. Sounds like Poly is definitely the first choice and we'll shoot for that!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would go with the Beach Club. We absolutely love it and can't beat walking to two parks. I liked the Poly but the monorail is sometimes down and the pool was boring. Good luck!!

 

[Gehrig1B]

We love BRV, so quiet and peaceful and tucked into the trees. Great amenities and a 7-8 minute boat ride from MK. The grounds are amazing and nothing on property is more than a 5 minute walk.

 

[Miffy]

OP: This is your first trip to WDW? In case you haven't read extensively about renting DVC points, I thought I'd mention the following:
(1) You have to pay the full amount upfront when you make your reservation and except in very rare cases, this is nonrefundable.
(2) You won't get housekeeping every single day. I believe it's every 4 days.
(3) Even though there's some talk on this thread about AKL/AKV, the only DVC properties that sleep 5 in a studio are: Grand Floridian, Poly, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Boulder Ridge.

There are regular WDW resort rooms that will accommodate 5 people. I don't have all the details at hand, but you can look this up. I know for sure that the family suites at All Star Music and Art of Animation sleep 5. Also the cabins at Fort Wilderness. And I think (I'm not 100% sure--someone else will verify) that Port Orleans Riverside, Poly, Beach Club, Boardwalk, and Grand Floridian also sleep 5 in one room.

If you reserve a regular WDW resort room through WDW, then you have cancellation policies working for you. For example, if you book a room-only stay, you can cancel up to 5 days before check-in and receive a full refund of your one night's deposit and you don't pay the full amount of the reservation until you check in. You also get daily maid service as well as control over your own reservation.

Perhaps these things aren't important to you, but I thought I'd mention them. Also there are often general public discounts at WDW resorts, so the rack rates you see are not necessarily what you'd be paying.

 

[Brett Wyman]

100% great call on renting DVC! You'll be staying at the Poly for Moderate Resort room rates. People get scare away but it's such a simple process. We stay via DVC rentals solely.

My thoughts if you fall into some money, upgrade to a 1-bedroom. If not the Poly is a great choice for a studio, as mentioned BLT are much smaller. The fold out couch is serviceable but not great in the studios. I've slept on one for 5 nights straight and survived so your kids will be fine. Your youngest will fit just fine on the fold down bed. As a DVC guest at Poly you can also use the GF pool too, which is awesome!

 

[crvetter]

100% great call on renting DVC! You'll be staying at the Poly for Moderate Resort room rates. People get scare away but it's such a simple process. We stay via DVC rentals solely.

My thoughts if you fall into some money, upgrade to a 1-bedroom. If not the Poly is a great choice for a studio, as mentioned BLT are much smaller. The fold out couch is serviceable but not great in the studios. I've slept on one for 5 nights straight and survived so your kids will be fine. Your youngest will fit just fine on the fold down bed. As a DVC guest at Poly you can also use the GF pool too, which is awesome!

Pool hopping is for the Owners only and not to be passed to the renters. You have to present a DVC membership card to get into the pool area, plus there are a bunch of restrictions to this. So as a renter only the resort pools where you are staying can be used. They wouldn't be charged for parking though because that is something DVC owners pay for in their dues.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Pool hopping is for the Owners only and not to be passed to the renters. You have to present a DVC membership card to get into the pool area, plus there are a bunch of restrictions to this. So as a renter only the resort pools where you are staying can be used. They wouldn't be charged for parking though because that is something DVC owners pay for in their dues.

Ah thats too bad. I was told differently. Sad to hear that.

 

[Nancyg56]

I want to chime in on what @Miffy began in regards to renting DVC points. I am all for savings, however I would cost out what a room that sleeps 5 costs and then make some decisions from that point. The stay is different, and studios are not huge, and you usually do need to pay upfront. The rental is non refundable, and your dates are set in stone. I would weigh all the options and. Then make a pros and cons list.

Personally for a first visit I would not rent points, but would opt for a cash stay at a resort I could afford. CBR is nice as are the cabins at Fort Wilderness. I am probably in the minority, but I would want to be in control of my reservation for a first time visit.

 

[LovesTimone]

For us I would go with more room, being together for 8 days all in one room is alot for any family and space is sometimes what you need when the kids start to get on your nerves and each others, I raised 2 DD's this age is lets say challenging at best, and the little guy will want to get away from his sisters... I would look at a family suite that sleeps 6 - the "master bedroom does have a door which is nice if you some privacy or want to watch TV after the kids are asleep, the pull out couch and the pull down are both very comfortable , 2 bathrooms will make you life much easier, and this will help you get out the door quicker than with one bathroom, as well it has a kitchenette...

Being your first trip... I would lean toward booking with Disney for your stay... this way if you need to cancel, or change plans or want to go the package route, tickets and DDP included in the reservation you can modify it yourself... once you book with a DVC there is no wiggle room...

 

[Nancyg56]

For us I would go with more room, being together for 8 days all in one room is alot for any family and space is sometimes what you need when the kids start to get on your nerves and each others, I raised 2 DD's this age is lets say challenging at best, and the little guy will want to get away from his sisters... I would look at a family suite that sleeps 6 - the "master bedroom does have a door which is nice if you some privacy or want to watch TV after the kids are asleep, the pull out couch and the pull down are both very comfortable , 2 bathrooms will make you life much easier, and this will help you get out the door quicker than with one bathroom, as well it has a kitchenette...

Being your first trip... I would lean toward booking with Disney for your stay... this way if you need to cancel, or change plans or want to go the package route, tickets and DDP included in the reservation you can modify it yourself... once you book with a DVC there is no wiggle room...

Oh that space issue! We travel as extended family often and there is still no way that I would book any room that needed to use the pull out sofa as a sleep surface in one room. I looked at a poly DVC room and the lack of a second queen bed overruled an extra bathroom.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I want to chime in on what @Miffy began in regards to renting DVC points. I am all for savings, however I would cost out what a room that sleeps 5 costs and then make some decisions from that point. The stay is different, and studios are not huge, and you usually do need to pay upfront. The rental is non refundable, and your dates are set in stone. I would weigh all the options and. Then make a pros and cons list.

Personally for a first visit I would not rent points, but would opt for a cash stay at a resort I could afford. CBR is nice as are the cabins at Fort Wilderness. I am probably in the minority, but I would want to be in control of my reservation for a first time visit.

I agree that the studios are not huge at all. We did BWV with just DD12 and myself. I couldn't imagine getting a family or four in there. Nevermind a family of 5. Especially if you have a stroller or any extra stuff. The rooms are small and once you pull out the sofa there's not much room to walk around.

 

[crvetter]

I agree that the studios are not huge at all. We did BWV with just DD12 and myself. I couldn't imagine getting a family or four in there. Nevermind a family of 5. Especially if you have a stroller or any extra stuff. The rooms are small and once you pull out the sofa there's not much room to walk around.

The studios at DVC are roughly the same size as any of the (non-suite rooms) at their partnering Cash resort. In terms of the Polynesian Studios (450 square feet) the only real standard rooms that are bigger are the Art of Animation Family suites (520 square fee). The biggest concern express is the lack of a second queen size bed and the inflexibility of renting points. I think size issues if their other options are cash rooms (in a non-suite) then they are roughly the same. However, when they bump up to a suite they might find renting a 1 bedroom through DVC to be roughly equivalent in cost perhaps less by a margin.

 

[Nancyg56]

The studios at DVC are roughly the same size as any of the (non-suite rooms) at their partnering Cash resort. In terms of the Polynesian Studios (450 square feet) the only real standard rooms that are bigger are the Art of Animation Family suites (520 square fee). The biggest concern express is the lack of a second queen size bed and the inflexibility of renting points. I think size issues if their other options are cash rooms (in a non-suite) then they are roughly the same. However, when they bump up to a suite they might find renting a 1 bedroom through DVC to be roughly equivalent in cost perhaps less by a margin.

I found them to feel cluttered. It may have been y imagination, however the thought of 5 people stuffed into that space was pretty awful when I looked at it. WE typically share a deluxe room, however that studio would not have worked.