Help me decide!!!

[smithvemickey]

My head is going to explode, I need "professional" help LOL,
I am using my father in laws points for a Disney Vacation in either march or may
We share them amongst our siblings. Last time we stayed at the Boardwalk and it was just "ok" for me. I want to try another resort, Please help.....
I have an 8 year old and and I will also have our 24 year old as well. Him I am not worried about. Can you please suggest resorts that you have stayed in that you just love and why? I am looking at BCV and Saratoga Springs any others you recommend?
Also... March or May?? crowds? weather? swimming?

 

[SimmerBaggins]

If it's between those 2 resorts, I've stayed at BCV, and it was really nice; had you tried the pool there? Pretty awesome for an 8 year old, but if you stayed at Boardwalk, you might be familar with Stormalong Bay. BCV is a beautiful resort, more peaceful than Boardwalk, but there are similarities with the rooms for DVC.

For the 24 yr old, you'd still have the bars close by if he's into that.

If I had to choose between the 2 months, I'd go with May. You'd skip the Spring Breakers in March, and school isn't out until June, so the weather would be nicer for swimming, etc.

Good luck with what you choose -- either way, you can't go terribly wrong!

 

[smithvemickey]

Simmer, its not so much between those two, those are just the ones that I am more familiar with, mainly because our home resort is BCV and when we stayed at Boardwalk we did some exploring there and Saratoga because my sister in law is actually heading there next week so it was fresh in my mind.

Any other resorts will be considered

 

[kikiq]

Guess I have to ask why BWV was just "ok" for you? We stayed there last summer and our family is split on whether we will return. My DH doesn't care for it despite the fact that it's close to his favorite parks. My DDs and I would stay there again. If you haven't stayed at your home resort, give it a try in May...good swimming time as well as the Flower and Garden time at Epcot. Our home resort is SSR. It's a different "vibe" than BWV and BCV. More of a condo feel and open grounds. We like being close to DTD. Rent bicycles and ride all over even over to OKW. If you like animals, you have to consider AKV.

Whatever your choice, you will be at WDW.

 

[smithvemickey]

"just ok" I guess because we went 2 years ago my daughter was smaller, there was a lot of walking from pool area, boardwalk and bus stop to our room, the room seemed "older" I guess is a good word for it. Not alot of restaurants etc...

How was the animal Kingdom? I would like to stay there too? or the treehouses at Saratoga?
From the sounds of it May is the preferred month over march?

 

[kikiq]

We went in May of this year, turned out hotter than then predicted. Beautiful weather.

I can understand your "ok" about BWV. My DH's biggest issue was not the walks but the lack of CS. And JFYI, Boardwalk did just go through renovation.
Check out the pictures of the AKV. There is a CS in Jambo House but not Kidani. 3 nice restaurants, Sanaa, Boma and Jiko's. The DVC rooms in the Jambo House are not far from the elevators, pool or restaurants. Haven't convinced my DH into staying at AKV but working on it. He does love those Red River Hogs

 

[mickey&minniealways]

None of the dvc resorts have alot of counter service options. Our favorite is OKW. But it might not be for you. The food options are not abundant there either. However it is just a short bus ride to DTD. We prefer to take the boat there though. It is so relaxing. OKW has one of the best bus systems and they do not share with other resorts. It is currently going through renovations and should be done by May. That is when we are going. If asked both my sons prefer it there. In May they will be 22 and 24. It is also one of the few resorts with a basketball court. DD is 15 now but when we go she likes the sandcastle slide. The doors to the villas are on the outside so there are no long corridors for kids to run up and down to drive everyone crazy and the units there are the largest. If you are getting a studio you will have 2 queen beds as opposed to 1 queen and a sleeper sofa at the other dvc resorts.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

We stayed at BCV, BWV and AKV this past summer with our 8 year old girls. One said, "Beach Club has a cool pool. Animal Kingdom looks very nice inside. Boardwalk had a nice view of the Epcot Ball."

Other's response: "Animal Kingdom or Beach Club. BC has really nice pool and the ice cream place."

Mixed conversation between two: If they like to go swimming Beach Club; if not Animal Kingdom. Two different pools at Animal Kingdom; Kidani's pool is better. (They really enjoyed the pools at AKV and honestly, didn't seem at the time to enjoy Stormalong Bay as much.)

So, here are my thoughts: We stayed at Jambo, so Mara was right there. We thought the food was very good. Beach Club does have Hurricane Hannah's for a bite at the pool.

DH and I thought the pool area was too much at BCV. Our girls had to stay in a specific area and one of us had to walk with them to the pool slide. BCV pool is great for a day, but not a place where I could relax while my little ones swam.

The overall theming at Animal Kingdom makes for a grander "experience." The bus service was wonderful and even though it is only close to AK, it didn't take long to get anywhere (except Downtown Disney b/c I think it always takes too long to get to DTD.)

We plan on trying OKW this summer...Will know in ten days where we will stay in Jan. Hoping for BLT, but not expecting it.