Help me pick a home resort - pool priority

[NaptownMom]

What do you guys mean, the issues of a 2042 resort? it sorta seems like the perfect length of time from where I'm sitting?

 

[kc51570]

What do you guys mean, the issues of a 2042 resort? it sorta seems like the perfect length of time from where I'm sitting?

It is expensive on a per point basis for a contract that will be 20 years shorter. Even if you weren’t keeping it for more than 20 years, it would be more advantageous to sell a 2061 contract in 20 years vs. just having your contract expire. It’s amortizing your purchase over 20 years vs. 40.
Depending on when your school vacations are, you could have the option of staying anywhere. We are lucky and have a school vacation after everyone else so I will lock in my home resort at 11 months and then have my choices of most every other resort at 7 months. You don’t necessarily have to buy for the pool.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

What do you guys mean, the issues of a 2042 resort? it sorta seems like the perfect length of time from where I'm sitting?

Youngest won't even be out of college when it expires. Limited "use the points for break, kids!" Limited "oh god they are finally gone let's get a studio and have a trip of adults who didn't need to find a place to leave kids!" Limited resale value if they want to sell 10 years in.

 

[sethschroeder]

What do you guys mean, the issues of a 2042 resort? it sorta seems like the perfect length of time from where I'm sitting?

Except I can sell my RIV contract in 2042 for most likely way more than I bought it for. My BWV contracts will be worth $0.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'm also making a great leap of assumption that a couple with two kids and one on the way will still be fairly young in 20 years, for a factor of "fairly young" equal to "not eligible for Medicare under today's age rules."

 

[bobbiwoz]

I love SAB as does my family. I swim in the lazy River usually for nearly an hour at a time. Sure you run into tubes, nothing’s perfect.

We made it through our DGC’s babyhood.

I think the Villa pool at BCV is one of the best villa pools. BLT’s for instance is hardly over 4-5 ‘, and not enough places to swim. So many newer pools are just to shallow for me to enjoy.

I also love SSR’s Congress Park pool. It’s deep enough to enjoy.

 

[NaptownMom]

I'm also making a great leap of assumption that a couple with two kids and one on the way will still be fairly young in 20 years, for a factor of "fairly young" equal to "not eligible for Medicare under today's age rules."

Hahaha... we are 36. so, not quite Medicare eligible in 20 years, but closer than some

I understand about the relative points value. Makes sense.

 

[crisi]

You know, what draws me to this one is, it seems like a pool to grow into. My littler kids are too small to take advantage now, but this seems like one to love through their teen and tween years.

Our experience is that its a VERY SHORT WINDOW where SAB is a cool pool. Actually there are a few, depending on how spaced out your kids are - i.e. if you have nothing but toddlers - which you don't, its a cool pool twice because its zero entry area and little kid slide area are both great.

Once they get to be strong swimmers where you don't need to watch them, it becomes a cool pool....but a year or two later, they REALLY prefer the water parks and SAB is inadequate.

Again, my experience. Also, I greyed more staying at BCV watching kids in the pool than I have at pretty much any other time in my life - and my kids grew up on a lake and were strong swimmers by necessity from the time they were little (because you only jump into a Minnesota lake in late October to fish out a toddler ONCE - and then its year round swim lessons.)

I also really don't like SAB because getting there from the Villas involves walking through the BCV lobby in your swimsuit. That made me really uncomfortable.

I dislike SSR as a resort, but the feature pool there is awesome. We own at BWV and I love it, and the slide is great - but the pool is deep almost all over and there is no zero entry. VAKL has a couple of good pools, with the area over at Kidani having a wide variety of features.

 

[sethschroeder]

"top pool" lists

Unless you are buying BCV for Stormalong Bay then please look at the resort itself and let the pool being a tiebreaker.

Each are a little different and as an example some have nice splash pads for kids but thats only a thing for a couple years before they out grow that anyways while your home resort is forever.

Finally if you really want a great pool day you can always hit up like Blizzard Beach or something.

I would just say focus on the resort, point charts, costs, and location. Then add in the pools last but watch watch watch a bunch of YouTube videos on the pools you can easily get a good feel that way.

 

[kboo]

What do you guys mean, the issues of a 2042 resort? it sorta seems like the perfect length of time from where I'm sitting?

For the price per point and dues, you would get a lot more for your money, over the years, by buying a resort with a later end date. Your kids will still be pretty young in 2042 and you might be wanting to share WDW with your grandkids by then. Obviously a lot can change between now and then, but the conventional wisdom is not to buy at a 2042 resort unless you absolutely looooooooove it and wouldn't be happy staying anywhere else.

You know, what draws me to this one is, it seems like a pool to grow into. My littler kids are too small to take advantage now, but this seems like one to love through their teen and tween years.

I have two kids, almost 10 and almost 6. Both are pretty decent swimmers now, and my generally fearless 5.5 yo still refused to try the big slide back in March 2021, and she goes down ALL the water slides at all the other resorts, and has been for the last couple of years. We were last at BCV in 2017, when my little one was under 2 and my older one was 6 - DD1 did try every aspect of SAB but didn't want to do the big slide. The little slide is in a tiny pool across the walkway from everything else, near the stairs to the big slide. There is an all-deep lazy river that my DH and I love (we swim against the current for exercise, lol), but every single time we are in the lazy river, we have rescued some kids who fell off their tubes or got in without realizing what it was (DH and I are water polo players and I also lifeguarded long ago - yes the lifeguards are great there, but clearly this happens a lot). When my DD2 was there back in 2017 and a toddler, the water in the sandy beach area was chest deep and her favorite thing was to toddle in there - and fall down. So I was scooting along in 2' deep water with the little one while DH was with the 6yo going down the little slide across the way.

This past spring break, at least my older kid was able to do the big slide by herself, and we parents traded off time in the little pool with the little one did the little slide, and the big slide with the big kid. And sometimes they just played in the other part of the pool with and without us. Definitely an improvement. I think in another 1-2 years we will all be ready to hang in the same parts of the pool.

Hot take: For littles, trying to keep track of 3 at SAB is horrifying and I'd rather be at VGF where it is easier to do, and can be done with a delicious adult beverage in hand. It's my vacay too!

I think they could try BCV while traveling in off season, especially if they're willing to go 1BR, without the issues of a 2042 resort.

This, 100%. SAB was *NOT* fun in 2017. We were in a 1BR this past spring break, and hope to do it more on our late summer trips, when most of the US is back to school, but before fall frenzy.

We own at BLT, VGF, and Riviera. DH and I probably like Riviera the best (quiet pool is long enough for laps), but both kids proclaimed the slide in the feature pool "too small" a year ago! That said, I think the feature pool and splash area are great for the under-6 set *and* their parents, the pool is small enough to do pool games and hang out. However, our favorite pool+resort combo is VGF, still. The splash area is super fun for little kids, and its very close to the feature pool and water slide, *and* these are the pools that are closest to the villas. There are seats in between the splash area and feature pool, the pool bar is right there, with lots of shade from palm trees and umbrellas, and you can see the monorail going by. And now the walking path to MK (still my kids' favorite park) - it really checks all the boxes. (One of our recent trips we ended up in a ground floor room despite asking for a high floor, it turned out to be down the hall nearest the lagoon, where there is a door that pretty much puts you right at the pool. We loved it!)

BLT pool: meh. On the plus side, it's rarely crowded.
AKV: Kidani pool is lovely, fun slide, Jambo pool is also great (great location, and it's huge)
BWV: I really like the pool there too; an added benefit is a little playground nearby (maybe closed due to covid right now?) and a real, separate kiddie pool.

Caveat: we haven't tried OKW, SSR, CCV or Poly yet. But Poly isn't a great home resort for your family of 5 anyway.

 

[kboo]

Again, my experience. Also, I greyed more staying at BCV watching kids in the pool than I have at pretty much any other time in my life - and my kids grew up on a lake and were strong swimmers by necessity from the time they were little (because you only jump into a Minnesota lake in late October to fish out a toddler ONCE - and then its year round swim lessons.)

yikes!! I was also very stressed staying at BCV in 2017! I found it a lot more fun in 2021, but even so didn't get to go on the pirate slide or the lazy river as much as I wanted to.

*We had just bought BLT resale in 2017, and then stayed at BCV. The first day we got there, DH walked by SAB and looked at it, and came back to the room and told me we *HAD* to sell our BLT to buy BCV, because of the pool. Then we spent 1-2 pool afternoons there and the reality with a toddler was ... not fun. The next 2 years may be a little wacky because of so many banked points in the system etc, but we probably won't be planning to go back again for a few years anyway. Need to try Poly and CCV too.

I also really don't like SAB because getting there from the Villas involves walking through the BCV lobby in your swimsuit. That made me really uncomfortable.

Oh god I had forgotten about that part. It is a hike.

 

[NaptownMom]

I really really love this community. I almost didn't post this thread because I thought everyone is probably sick of being asked this/similar questions but you guys are just so helpful <3

 

[robinb]

After over a year of hemming and hawing we have decided to take the DVC plunge. We have an 8 yr old girl, a 3 yr old boy, and are expecting another boy any day now. My biggest priority is pools! I've looked up a couple "top pool" lists but they left a lot to be desired in terms of specifics, so I thought I'd ask the experts for opinions.

Thank you!

The problem with suggesting a DVC resort for its pool is that your needs are currently varied and they will change as your children get older.

Your 8-year old will want a pool with a great slide while your younger kids will want something with a fun splash now. BUT ... your youngest will transition to slides even sooner as they watch your oldest have fun. Stormalong Bay is the gold standard for pools at WDW. Yes, it's spread out but one parent can take care of the older child and the other can play in the sand with the younger ones.

 

[kboo]

I really really love this community. I almost didn't post this thread because I thought everyone is probably sick of being asked this/similar questions but you guys are just so helpful <3

I have pretty strong feelings about this because back in 2016-2017-2018 there were a lot of posts looking for the best pool/contract and recommending BCV because of SAB (and that was when BCV prices actually kind of reflected the 2042 end date) and having been there with little kids, it was SO not relaxing! I would have been really upset as a parent of young kids if I'd bought BCV based a lot on the pool without having experienced it.

Yes, it's spread out but one parent can take care of the older child and the other can play in the sand with the younger ones.

um. It really depends on the kids. OP will soon have 3 kids and 2 parents. There will be crying when they want to be in 3 different areas and someone has to not get their first choice. Plus, the grownups want to play in the pool too!

 

[crisi]

I really really love this community. I almost didn't post this thread because I thought everyone is probably sick of being asked this/similar questions but you guys are just so helpful <3

We tend to have strong opinions about pools. (And resorts). But here is the thing. There are people who LOVE SAB. And there are people who HATE it. So use the stories to get a feel and measure it against yourself. I don't like SAB (its a really really cool pool, it is just as far from relaxing as it gets if your kids require watching), but I don't think the people who love it are crazy - they just have a different style than mine.

Also, our experience was that when kids were your age, they were fish who grew gills - and in my experience, your eight year old is about to age out of that probably by the time the baby is swimming. Mine are both young adults now, (mine are only 13 months apart, so you have a different problem than I had), but pools stopped being an issue when they were tweens - a day at the waterpark was nice, but spending hours in the pool every day - they'd rather be in the parks or napping.

 

[Nabas]

Lots of videos on youtube of each resort including the pools to help you out as well.

I agree with this. Yes, lots of YouTube videos. These are probably the best way to decide between them.

We have been to all of the pools at WDW.

As already mentioned, Stormalong Bay at the Yacht and Beach Club usually is considered the best.

But points at Beach Club Villas (BCV) are expensive and expire in 2042.

I consider the second best pool area to be at the Polynesian. We have found that the Poly pools appealed to our children when they were young, and they still appeal to our children as adults.

Studios at the Polynesian Villas and Bungalows (PVB) sleep 5 and have 2 separate showers.

PVB puts you close to the Magic Kingdom and PVB have many decades left before they expire.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

CCV and Poly both have issues for a family of 5 - CCV is a 2BR requirement, and Poly is studios no matter what (or bungalow$), and when the kids are all teenish, ow.

I am not a fan of "parents split up at the pool and have to be constantly vigilant" which is currently about an 8 year timeline for OP, or 40% of the remaining run time for a BCV contract. Now, sure, with 3 kids you're already signed up for a lot of divide/conquer activity, and vacations may not be natively relaxing, I just feel like there is more relax potential at several other pools, and I'd never recommend buying BCV as sleeparound points at this date and with the current pricing.

 

[Nabas]

CCV and Poly both have issues for a family of 5 - CCV is a 2BR requirement, and Poly is studios no matter what (or bungalow$), and when the kids are all teenish, ow.

I am not a fan of "parents split up at the pool and have to be constantly vigilant" which is currently about an 8 year timeline for OP, or 40% of the remaining run time for a BCV contract. Now, sure, with 3 kids you're already signed up for a lot of divide/conquer activity, and vacations may not be natively relaxing, I just feel like there is more relax potential at several other pools, and I'd never recommend buying BCV as sleeparound points at this date and with the current pricing.

Right but getting 2 connected Studios will still require less points than a 2-bedroom villa.

Don't get me wrong - we used to do 2BR exclusively. But we have 4 children.

Just saying 2 connected rooms might be something to consider, and gives the OP more bathrooms than most 1BR.

 

[crisi]

Right but getting 2 connected Studios will still require less points than a 2-bedroom villa.

Don't get me wrong - we used to do 2BR exclusively. But we have 4 children.

Just saying 2 connected rooms might be something to consider, and gives the OP more bathrooms than most 1BR.

But no washer dryer or kitchen - which turned out to be far more important to us than we though those things would be before we bought. When we bought, I thought the kitchen would be nice because we could store a gallon of milk for cereal instead of having a little tiny dorm fridge (or no fridge at all) - and the washer dryer would be useless. Now I can't imagine how we'd have done Disney not throwing in a load of laundry every day or two - or without the kitchen just for morning eggs and pancakes and a freezer big enough for two frozen water bottles per person every day.

 

[TCRAIG]

I think VGF has a great splash pad area for little ones but their actual pools are pretty small - for the best mix of both - I’d go with Animal Kingdom Kidani - plus there’s 2 bathrooms in the 1 bedroom