Grand Villa - Opinions Wanted

[acomasdiaz]

We are planning on staying in a Grand Villa for my son's 3rd birthday next year. We are debating which resort to stay at. We are seriously considering AKL - Jambo House and BWV because they both have one stoy villas which might be easier with five kids.

Would love to hear what people think about them. Which would you pick? If you think another would be best, let me know. I would love to hear all feedback.

Thank you!

 

[spiceycat]

with a 3 year old would go for AKV. He might love seeing the animals.

might consider BLT - MK view - if you have enough points. HOPE wishes would be on his birthday night.

 

[drusba]

If you get a Jambo GV at AKL you will be guaranteed a single story GV because that is the only kind Jambo has (and building you are in is guaranteed at time of reservation). Though BWV has single story, it also has two story GVs and a request for a single story is not guaranteed. In other words there is no certainty you will get a single story at BWV.

Personal view is that the single story GV's are more impressive than the two story (although those are very nice too) because you have a huge combined living/dining/kitchen area which is essentially mansion like. Moreover, having been inside both for a look around, I feel the Jambo GV is the best on site (including because of its interior decorations, inclusion of a pool table and huge porch area).

Now the reality: where do you own? It is very difficult if not usually impossible to get a GV at BWV 7 months out and the same will likely be true for Jambo. In other words, you really need the owner's 11 month window to grab one.

And the alternative: if you are depending on the 7 month window and strike out. Then if you have a fairly large group (to fill a GV), be aware that you can get two 2BR units, preferred view, at BWV for less than the point cost of a GV.

 

[CarolMN]

Not all of the GV at BWV are one story. No guarantee that you would get a one story GV there.

If that is important to you, you may want to reconsider BWV as one of your choices.

 

[Donna M]

We stayed in Jambo and loved it. The pool table was lots of fun. The GV is very spacious and beautiful. Don't know about the BWV.

I would also recomend booking your home resort's GV at the 11th month mark so you have one then try to change to another place at the 7 month mark, that's what we have planned for Feb.

Good luck!


Just reread your post and would add that OKW is very large with a lot of seating in the living room for all the kids. It's two floors but the space is worth it. Check out the floor plans of the different places. SSR felt small, not enough seating in the living room.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are planning on staying in a Grand Villa for my son's 3rd birthday next year. We are debating which resort to stay at. We are seriously considering AKL - Jambo House and BWV because they both have one stoy villas which might be easier with five kids.

Would love to hear what people think about them. Which would you pick? If you think another would be best, let me know. I would love to hear all feedback.

Thank you!

Where do you own points? Because getting a GV at 7 months is difficult, most difficult at BWV since they only have about 6 of them.

 

[acomasdiaz]

I appreciate all of the great feedback. We own at SSR and BLT. We will definitely reserve at SSR at the 11 month mark and then see if we can get something else at the 7 month mark.

 

[acder12]

We stayed in GV for the first time at OKW this past Thanksgiving and loved it. I know this is a 2 story and may not be ideal but to the best of my knowledge it requires fewer points than some of the options you are considering.

OKW is one of our home resorts and we booked at the 11 month window. I don't know how difficult it would be to get a GV at 7 months.

What ever you decide, enjoy!

 

[buzz5985]

You may also want to consider 2 - 2 BR's. I have stayed in a GV with DH family and had one of the most memorable vacations. Last summer we brought my family, to put it mildly - my sister's DH rubs a lot of people the wrong way - so we opted for 2 - 2 BR's, another very memorable vacation, especially since we could get away from "him". LOL

 

[dianeschlicht]

I appreciate all of the great feedback. We own at SSR and BLT. We will definitely reserve at SSR at the 11 month mark and then see if we can get something else at the 7 month mark.

I think that is about your only option at this point. Just don't feel bad if you can't get a 1 story at Jambo or BWV. I'm quite sure the BWV 1 story is not able to specifically be reserved, so the only way to guarantee a 1 story is the GVs in Jambo.