Help me decide; sorry this is long, but I'm really torn...

[kt_mom]

We just purchased our first set of points (160) at BLT. I cannot explain how excited I am. We are set to sign the paperwork tonight with our friend who is a notary. Our guide told us to call him when we are ready to make our first reservation and he will help us.

We have decided to go with our friends on this trip and probably get a 2 bedroom to share. We have 320 points to work with although I'd rather not use all of them and bank some of the 2011 points into 2012.

The friends mentioned aboveare the family we are going to go with so I wanted to sit down and talk to them tonight about the plans. They are a family of 5 with the kids ages being 9, 6 and 2 at the time of travel. We are a family of 4 our kids will be 8 and 1.

With a 2 bedroom we could put the big kids in the LR on the pullouts and the little ones in our rooms with us. If the LR has the pullout couch and chair. I think most places don't. It is possible that their two boys could also share their room but the original plan will be more comfortable for them.

So the two choices we have is where to stay and when to stay. The two weeks we are looking at are Oct 16-23 or Dec 4-11. I have been at both of these times of year and like them both. Our friends have only been for a day trip in August and he hated it. I think he's only agreeing to go because I'll be planning it. October has F&W that I think they would enjoy and December has all the holiday decorations and DH LOVES going in December. (its farther away though )

Let's pretend I can get in wherever I want....

My first thought is that BLT will be great with two kids in strollers and the monorail. We also like to eat at several restaurants at monorail resorts. If we stay here I would like to try to get a standard view if possible. This would definitley be a 2 bedroom as the studios seemed smaller here.

My second thought is that I've never stayed at BCV and the kids would probably love the pool. I would probably only consider this resort if we went in October. Better chance at enjoying the pool and proximity to F&W. Which I know makes it even harder to get in here at this time, but remember we're pretending that I can get in wherever I want. 2 studios here would be an option for us also.

I also wouldn't be opposed to BWV in October either but don't know much about this resort. Studios would be an option here also I guess.

DH loves the WL but a big reason was our CY view room. He wouldn't get this in the villas, but we could still enjoy the lodge and in December that would be nice. I also like the boats to MK. Again, we're pretending I could get in wherever I want....

I'm pretty sure I don't want to do OKW or SSR this trip although I may at some point. I'm thinking if our guide can help us get a harder reservation this trip then we can get in at BLT on our next trip on our own. If we go in December in 2011 we will get AP's for us because we'll go back the next year in either Oct or Dec. If we go in Oct this trip then we probably won't because we would most likely go back in Dec in 2012 if possible.

I just don't know what to do. I think our friends will probably go along with whatever we reccommend. So any thoughts.....

 

[spiceycat]

BLT or VWL in Dec.

you get the Christmas decorations so everything looks great - plus it is your DH favorite time.

BLT has the chair sleeper and an extra bathroom in their 2-bedroom.

VWL does not have the chair sleeper and only 2 bathrooms - one in each bedroom.

the studios are small at all the DVC resorts - only a queen bed and double sleeper sofa.

so if you go the studio route - would only stay at OKW. it is the only studio with 2 queen beds.

a dedicated 2-bedroom (not lock off) at all the DVC resorts - except BCV it only has 25 and BWV no dedicated - has 2 queen beds in the 2nd bedroom.

 

[kt_mom]

Thanks! DH is pushing for December and we did have a great trip the year we went in December.

Not having the 3rd bathroom isn't a big deal to us as we'll each use the one in our room I think.

When we toured the BLT studio and the AKV studio the BLT seemed smaller and the guide said it was because of the design. Doing 2 studios at VWL would save us on points and our friends on money as they are going to pay us for the points we use for their portion. But it would also be nice to be in the same room. We could sit on the balcony after the kids are in bed. It would also be nice to use up less points.

You know, I really liked AKL when we went over there to look around....

, this is driving me nuts..

 

[kt_mom]

BWV 2 bedroom standard view would only be 227 points for the week in December. That's a big difference from their preferred view and from the other DVC two bedrooms. What's the catch?

 

[csharpwv]

The BLT rooms are among the smallest on property.

If you really want to get the most bang for your buck with that many people - stay at Old Key West!

I thought we would never stay there because we thought it was 'old' and just not as nice as other DVC resorts -
However we booked a last minute Labor Day weekend trip and we had a choice of OKW or Saratoga Springs.

Wanting to try some place new - we had stayed at Saratoga before - so we went with OKW and decided to 'risk' it.

It wasn't a risk at all - we LOVED OKW. It was just the two of us in a 1BR and it was HUGE! Plus the resort is just beautiful! With all the water, the beautiful landscaping, and the privacy - OKW is a hidden gem!

The rooms at BLT are pretty cramped. We stayed in a studio last December and it was very very small. Especially considering that we spent one night in a studio at VWL the night before checking into BLT - the room size is much smaller in comparison. The studios at AKV have twice the floor space as BLT.

While we look forward to staying at BLT again sometime - we wouldn't with a group that large unless we had the points for a Grand Villa. It's a matter of floor space - and not feeling crowded.

Our first DVC trip was to Saratoga with 6 adults in a two BR - and it was cramped, but livable. Have you considered trying to get a Tree House villa???

 

[spiceycat]

blt 2-bedroom is pretty big.

the 1-bedroom is a heck of alot bigger than the BLT studio. so it looks like they sold some of the studio room for the 1-bedroom. expect that to happen at any other DVC resorts at WDW.

so the hint is if you want room at BLT stay in a 1-bedroom not a studio.

 

[DebbieB]

BWV 2 bedroom standard view would only be 227 points for the week in December. That's a big difference from their preferred view and from the other DVC two bedrooms. What's the catch?

That's going to be very difficult to get if BWV is not your home resort. The 2 weeks you mentioned are very popular for BCV and BWV and fillup at close to 11 months. I would book the week you want at BLT and then see if anything is available elsewhere at 7 months.

The BWV standard view rooms face the front driveway and are a great value.

 

[kt_mom]

Thanks for all the advice. When we call our guide back to help us book, I'd like to be able to give him the dates we want to go and the what we would like to book in order of preference and see what he can do. Then I could always keep trying later on if we don't get exactly what we want.

I don't really have my heart set on anything at this point. I will have a great time wherever we stay because I'll be in Disney. I really want to help our friends have a great time and their kids. They have never done a big family vacation so this will be really special for their kids and hopefully encourage them to take more.

I'll have to do some more research on OKW. I'm not sure what DH would say about staying there.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would get a dedicated 2 bedroom standard view at BLT. That's your home, that's beautifully decorated at Christmas and it's on the monorail for your strollers and convenience to MK.

Bobbi

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks for all the advice. When we call our guide back to help us book, I'd like to be able to give him the dates we want to go and the what we would like to book in order of preference and see what he can do. Then I could always keep trying later on if we don't get exactly what we want.

I don't really have my heart set on anything at this point. I will have a great time wherever we stay because I'll be in Disney. I really want to help our friends have a great time and their kids. They have never done a big family vacation so this will be really special for their kids and hopefully encourage them to take more.

I'll have to do some more research on OKW. I'm not sure what DH would say about staying there.

Since you bought at BLT, you will only be able to book there at 11 months prior. Any other resort will be 7 months prior. I don't think your guide will be able to override the home resort booking window.

 

[kt_mom]

Since you bought at BLT, you will only be able to book there at 11 months prior. Any other resort will be 7 months prior. I don't think your guide will be able to override the home resort booking window.

No but he may be able to help us later on. I just want to be prepared.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Here's what I do when booking a trip. I ALWAYS book at my home resort for whatever trip we are taking at 11 months. Then, at 7 months if I want I call to see if there is availability elsewhere.

So, I would book BLT and then, see what is available at 7 months.

I don't see how the guide is going to do anything different than that. But I would definitely make sure you have a room at 11 months out so you can arrange airfare, car rentals, time off from work etc.... Then, if you do a get to switch at 7 months then, go for it.

Personally, I would go for BLT since it is your home resort. But if you are trying to save points then, you could always try for another resort at 7 months like VWL, AKV, etc....

 

[kt_mom]

Thanks! I don't think he would be able to do anything different at 11 months then book our home resort also. But he may be able to help us at 7 months or I may be able to luck out on my own and get something different at 7 months also. Who knows. That's why I said in my first post that we were pretending I could get in wherever I want.

I'm being realistic and won't be disappointed at all if we end up at BLT, quite the opposite. BUT if I have an opportunity to get in somewhere that might be more difficult on my own in the future or use less points on this trip, well that's okay too.

The proximity of BLT to MK and the monorail is a big pull for us. That's why we wanted to buy there. And will probably be where we end up staying. But I want to explore other options as well.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We booked our very first DVC trip in our favorite home, VWL. I just think the first trip is special and I know we wanted it in the resort we loved enough to buy!

 

[twinboysmom]

OP, on our first booking our guide could only help us with our home resort. We were trying to go during December around the same times as you and as you will find out if you don't know already, this is an exttremely busy DVC time. I believe your expectations are a little high if you are expecting your guide to help you change resorts at the 7 month window if what you want is not available, pretend or not.

Quite honestly, I believe your home resort of BLT is the perfect place to stay for your group. The proximity to MK is wonderful, especially for having a baby/toddler. There is also something to be said for staying in your new home for your first trip home. I believe you will appreciate the 3rd bathroom and sleeper chair. Good luck with your planning!

 

[toniosmom]

Count me as a vote to a 2BR at BLT. With the small kids (and strollers), you will totally appreciate being able to wheel them right onto the monorail. Folding the stroller for the bus can be a real pain, especially when the bus is crowded.

It's unlikely you will get BCV or BWV in October due to F&W. You really have to be an owner with the 11 month booking window. As a previous poster already stated, December is very popular for DVC, so you really need to book at your home resort at 11 months. You can try to switch at 7 months, but it is very difficult. I've been on a waitlist for a few days at BLT in early December and at 30 days, it still hasn't been filled. I went on the waitlist at around the 9 month mark.

Good luck with whatever you decide and have a great trip!

 

[DebbieB]

Guides can sometimes arrange to pull a room from developer inventory to close a sale. BLT still has some developer inventory because all the points are not sold. That's not the case at BWV or BCV, I wouldn't count on your guide being able to do that at 7 months for a popular time of year.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Neither BWV nor BCV have the sleeper chair in the living room.

 

[alldiz]

If you go at F&W time....I would stay at the boardwalk. With that many young kids I think it would be very stressful at the pool(BCV). Way to spread out....Everyone wants to go to a different spot and CHAOS.

I love the Boardwalk...fun pool.....walk to Epcot and studios.


Xmas time.....If you can get WLV....thats my 1st choice....after that I would pick BLT for the monorail and extra sleeper chair.

While OKW is great very large rooms....with all of the kids....I think the option of the monorail/boats is much more fun.
Happy planning.
Relax....planning is fun right
Kerri

 

[kt_mom]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm not counting on anything and we will probably choose to stay at BLT first anyway as I've wanted to stay at the Contemporary for a long time. it will also be the most convenient with two strollers. We did Polynesian this year and it was great to just hop on the monorail. I hate to use up all our extra points but we really want to go with our friends on this trip and stay in 2 bedroom together. It would be nice to use a few less points but, like I said we'll most likely end up at BLT regardless.

I was just playing with different scenarios and getting opinions on staying in different places. I realize that some places are extrememly difficult if not impossible to get at 7 months especially during certain times of the year. I know that the guides can help some but that they can't make a room available that isn't available. But I'm also a firm believer that it never hurts to try either. So I just wanted opinions on all the options. I won't be unhappy anywhere because I'll be in Disney with my family and friends.

I think I mentioned earlier that when I had originally talked to him in August and we had talked about rooms if we bought then, he would have been able to get us in at either BLT or BCV. I think he was quite surprised with the BCV though and he said that would have to be that day or would probably be gone.

Anyway, thanks again.