Head Exploding, First Visit!

[_19disnA]

If your first trip to disney, I would pick the one hotel that suits your needs/budget and stay the entire time. Packing/moving frequently on vacation is a pain especially with a child and the logistical issues mentioned above regarding check-in/out. Decide the park(s) you mostly want to visit and pick the resort best suited to that based on your budget.

 

[happymommy]

I agree about not splitting. You can visit other resorts, but moving is a total PAIN. Plus you'll have a kitchenette, so likely drinks and snacks stocked in it. If you move, you have to be out by 11am, and wouldn't get a new room until likely after 4pm (then you'd have to wait for your luggage, and unpack, not fun).

My favorite area is the Epcot area, and Boardwalk villas would be ideal. For that amount of time, a one bedroom would be nicer for the washer/dryer and extra space (full kitchen).

By "buying points" I assume you mean you're renting points.

 

[Babsy]

Oh, sorry! I thought that you were buying DVC points, rather than renting points. Sorry for the confusion - you can disregard what I wrote before. Renting points from someone else is a somewhat different situation.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks for the info! Still flip flopping between two and three resorts at this point. Called the booking company, they said no problem, just list it on the separate booking requests and they will take care of it. I am planing for November of 2019, will submit the requests as soon as possible (11 months out I hear). Don't think we will use the pools too much, we typically hit the parks as much as we can. 9 nights is starting to feel too short, darn those budgets!

I am hearing a lot about how awesome AK is. A little reluctant to book an extended stay there because of the distance from the other parks. If I do, maybe towards the end of the trip would work.

I think that a three way split is going to be more work than you are expecting during a very busy time of year. Fall 2019 may be more crowded than normal, and when you consider the size difference between WDW and DLR, along with the size of all the parks, the differences are magnified.

Personally, on a first trip to WDW I would want something that is entirely different than what I could find in DLR, so I would choose Animal Kingdom Lodge for one of my resort stays. (I would not move, however I know you want to) and a monorail resort for the other. If you only need a studio I bet your 11 YO will like the Poly, and the DVC units there are actually in longhouses that are part of teh entire Polynesian Village, and not parked in the back. I also would consider BLT in the Contemporary. Stunning views, and you can walk into the MK. Transportation to Epcot is convenient as well, a monorail ride away.

AS far as location, there is not one resort convenient to all four parks, and AKL is not as remote as some people seem to feel, IMO. It is a stunning resort that offers a real respite from the parks and the over stimulation that is part of a WDW stay. While this lovely resort is a destination for visitors for meals, etc, it is nto the magnet the Beach/Yacht Club and the monorail resort tend to be, especially during the Holidays.

Whatever youi decide, please keep inmind that a first trip can me overwhelming on it's own, so adding a lot of logistics in regards to packing and moving may be a bit stressful. Or not.I pick one and stay, so I am biased.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I will also recommend, strongly, not to get your heart set on a particular DVC resort. You are booking in the highest demand period of the year for DVC (which is not to say the highest demand weeks, but demand is high the time you're looking at), and may be aligning with the open of Galaxy's Edge. I think there will be a lot of spec bookings based on GE and most studios will go faster than in prior years.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you are looking for ultimate convenience in travel time from resort to parks, I would consider the MK/EP/AKL split. Plan MK and MVMCP for the nights you are in the MK resort, EP and DHS for the nights you are in the EP resort and do AK from AKL. If you pack light, it's really not a hassle. Simply hand off your luggage to bell services on your transfer day, head to a park and pick up your luggage at your new resort when you are done in the park for the day. If you aren't really going to use the resort amenities, I, personally wouldn't do GF. Why pay the upcharge when you won't be utilizing what the resort has to offer, other than the monorail. I would go with Copper Creek or BRV (whichever is cheaper) and take the boat to MK. It's super convenient. For the EP leg of the trip, both BCV and BWV are fantastic (with our theming preference going to BWV). I wouldn't hesitate booking either.

If it comes down to only staying at one resort and you will spend most of your time in DHS and EP, go for the EP resort. You can also take lyft/uber/Minnie Vans to cut down on transportation times to the other parks.