Help me w/ resort Choice

[caroline7238]

Hi All, based on my budget/availability it looks like for around the same price I can get a family suite at art of animation, standard room/standard view at boardwalk or a deluxe studio at the boulder ridge villas at the wilderness resort.
I am leaning toward the boardwalk room, but we are a family of four, is that just too cramped? It will be my husband, me and 4 and 7 year old. I assume one kid can sleep on the "day bed"? And is there always a balcony at the boardwalk inn? My kids go to bed pretty early, it's nice to have some space my husband and I can hang out after they go to sleep.
Also, we will want to spend one day at the resort going to the pool, exploring so hoping any of these have a lot to offer. Thanks!

 

[disneymama2019]

I would pick the family suite at AoA or the studio at Boulder Ridge. Having the little extra space to spread out and the kitchenette is always worth it to me with kids. Is a studio at Boardwalk not an option?

 

[caroline7238]

I would pick the family suite at AoA or the studio at Boulder Ridge. Having the little extra space to spread out and the kitchenette is always worth it to me with kids. Is a studio at Boardwalk not an option?

Thanks! The studio at boardwalk is just outside my budget for this trip. Is the kitchenette in both the family suite and boulder ridge sufficient for coffee making and light breakfasts? Also, how is transportation to the parks from those resorts? My big plus for boardwalk is walking to two parks.

 

[gorkt]

With kids that age, do the family suite. Or if you are really set on Boardwalk, look at renting DVC points for a 1 bedroom.

The bus service at AoA is really good, in my experience, plus you have skyliner to the same resorts that the Boardwalk will get you quick access to.

 

[charissemp]

We love, love, love the Wilderness Lodge!

 

[brevebelle]

I would pick the family suite at AoA or the studio at Boulder Ridge. Having the little extra space to spread out and the kitchenette is always worth it to me with kids.

This! We've always stayed in the values or basic rooms because we spend most of our time at the parks, but our last trip, we did a family suite, and it was a game changer. Our kids are 8 and 9, and after they would go to bed, my husband and I could still be up in the bedroom off the kitchenette, unwinding, catching up, and talking. The kitchenette was awesome, too. We were able to grab some groceries from Target when we got into Florida, and that was a huge convenience in the mornings before we headed to the parks.

 

[Sunshine11]

Wilderness Lodge or the Boardwalk. The balcony is solid! And with a deluxe resort you have the ability to boat/walk to one or two parks. I would choose a deluxe resort over a value resort hands down. Enjoy the planning.

 

[Marthasor]

Hi All, based on my budget/availability it looks like for around the same price I can get a family suite at art of animation, standard room/standard view at boardwalk or a deluxe studio at the boulder ridge villas at the wilderness resort.
I am leaning toward the boardwalk room, but we are a family of four, is that just too cramped? It will be my husband, me and 4 and 7 year old. I assume one kid can sleep on the "day bed"? And is there always a balcony at the boardwalk inn? My kids go to bed pretty early, it's nice to have some space my husband and I can hang out after they go to sleep.
Also, we will want to spend one day at the resort going to the pool, exploring so hoping any of these have a lot to offer. Thanks!

Boardwalk. No, IMHO, you won't be cramped as the deluxe rooms are fairly large. The EP resort area has so much to offer and the pool at BWI is great - you can sit on the pool deck and see your children the whole time they are heading up to the slide, waiting and then going down, so quite easy to keep an eye on them. The Boardwalk is also a great place to explore and there will be entertainment and carnival games in the evenings. Yes, you will have a balcony. WL is lovely, but BRV is in need of a refurb. The BRV villa would be my second choice, though. AoA was a one and done for us - the beds were incredibly uncomfortable and the walls are paper thin. It was the loudest resort we ever stayed in at WDW and we won't be back.

 

[caroline7238]

Thanks all! I am leaning toward BWI. I have always wanted to stay in that area it looks so fun. Are the carnival games open? I am going first week of June. I am hoping it's pretty normal by then!!

 

[caroline7238]

Boardwalk. No, IMHO, you won't be cramped as the deluxe rooms are fairly large. The EP resort area has so much to offer and the pool at BWI is great - you can sit on the pool deck and see your children the whole time they are heading up to the slide, waiting and then going down, so quite easy to keep an eye on them. The Boardwalk is also a great place to explore and there will be entertainment and carnival games in the evenings. Yes, you will have a balcony. WL is lovely, but BRV is in need of a refurb. The BRV villa would be my second choice, though. AoA was a one and done for us - the beds were incredibly uncomfortable and the walls are paper thin. It was the loudest resort we ever stayed in at WDW and we won't be back.

Thank you! Do you have any opinion on upgrading to a garden view vs standard at BWI? It would be an extra $100 for the whole trip.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks all! I am leaning toward BWI. I have always wanted to stay in that area it looks so fun. Are the carnival games open? I am going first week of June. I am hoping it's pretty normal by then!!

When we were there in January, yes, the carnival games were open, and they also had performers on the Boardwalk. Life is returning, little by little!

 

[Sarahslay]

Hi All, based on my budget/availability it looks like for around the same price I can get a family suite at art of animation, standard room/standard view at boardwalk or a deluxe studio at the boulder ridge villas at the wilderness resort.
I am leaning toward the boardwalk room, but we are a family of four, is that just too cramped? It will be my husband, me and 4 and 7 year old. I assume one kid can sleep on the "day bed"? And is there always a balcony at the boardwalk inn? My kids go to bed pretty early, it's nice to have some space my husband and I can hang out after they go to sleep.
Also, we will want to spend one day at the resort going to the pool, exploring so hoping any of these have a lot to offer. Thanks!

The balcony at BWI is pretty small, while I like the resort and the location (can't be beat!), the most room and configuration would be a family suite at AOA. Multiple fold out sleeping surfaces in a different room to yours, and skyliner access to both Epcot and HS. I like the pool there, and you can always explore more by way of the skyliner over to the boardwalk area in the afternoon to get ice cream and resort hop. We did that when staying at Riviera last May, my kids really enjoyed it.

 

[sweetmama17]

While I almost always go for space for vacations I tend to pick location and pool for Disney. This might seem silly but it's a big deal for our family....but there are no big kid "slides" at the value resort pools (including AOA) and by the time my oldest was 4 or 5 it was his favorite part of the trip. The location of BWI is best location IMO but Wilderness lodge pool and ambience is nicer. As long as we have a balcony to sit on when the kids go to sleep we can make do in a studio.

 

[ktink]

I would prefer BWI. This is my favorite resort so far. The convenience to 2 parks and all of the eating options makes it a winner for me! I think the rooms are large enough for 4.

 

[JoJoGirl]

Hi All, based on my budget/availability it looks like for around the same price I can get a family suite at art of animation, standard room/standard view at boardwalk or a deluxe studio at the boulder ridge villas at the wilderness resort.
I am leaning toward the boardwalk room, but we are a family of four, is that just too cramped? It will be my husband, me and 4 and 7 year old. I assume one kid can sleep on the "day bed"? And is there always a balcony at the boardwalk inn? My kids go to bed pretty early, it's nice to have some space my husband and I can hang out after they go to sleep.
Also, we will want to spend one day at the resort going to the pool, exploring so hoping any of these have a lot to offer. Thanks!

No worries - the rooms at the Boardwalk are plenty large enough for a family of four. The balconies all have two chairs and a small table, and plenty of space for two while the littles are resting. The pool is great fun too, especially now that the clown head is gone, lol! Also lots of fun stuff to do on a resort day, with lots of good restaurants in walking distance around Crescent Lake, mini-golf very close by, and evening entertainers on the Boardwalk. If you are leaning toward BW, you will probably be very happy with the resort.

Thank you! Do you have any opinion on upgrading to a garden view vs standard at BWI? It would be an extra $100 for the whole trip.

For $100 for the trip, I would upgrade. The garden views at BW are quiet and beautiful - a much better upgrade than say at YC/BC. Some even have a view of the high fireworks from Harmonious. Or you could request a Village Green view for sideways view of the Boardwalk and Crescent Lake - if you are lucky!

 

[Marthasor]

Thank you! Do you have any opinion on upgrading to a garden view vs standard at BWI? It would be an extra $100 for the whole trip.

Yes, especially if you plan to use the balcony, I would spend the $100 for the upgrade. Garden view is our favorite category at BWI.

 

[kwdw]

I would have said family suite at AoA. The theming there is kid awesome, having the separate bedroom allows you and hubby some private time, kitchenette is great for breakfast and more. Two bathrooms allows you cope with bathing two littles at the same time, which can mean faster, calmer bedtimes. The Murphy bed table conversion fascinates kids and with three sleeping surfaces, you can easily make sure everyone has their own sleeping space. Even my partner and I love these because if one of us can’t sleep, we can separate and give at least one of a good night sleep. We have never had noisy neighbors, but that is possible anywhere.

 

[Shellyred8]

Hi All, based on my budget/availability it looks like for around the same price I can get a family suite at art of animation, standard room/standard view at boardwalk or a deluxe studio at the boulder ridge villas at the wilderness resort.
I am leaning toward the boardwalk room, but we are a family of four, is that just too cramped? It will be my husband, me and 4 and 7 year old. I assume one kid can sleep on the "day bed"? And is there always a balcony at the boardwalk inn? My kids go to bed pretty early, it's nice to have some space my husband and I can hang out after they go to sleep.
Also, we will want to spend one day at the resort going to the pool, exploring so hoping any of these have a lot to offer. Thanks!

AoA family suite will give you the most space and allow you to have separate sleeping spaces so once the kiddos go to sleep, you can hang out in the other room. There isn't really an outdoor place for you to hang out in once the kiddos have gone to bed. The theming of AoA is the most immersive of the options you listed and the kids would probably love it. Also, two bathrooms. As long as your kiddos like the Skyliner, you would be in good shape transportation wise. The biggest issues with the Skyliner are if you are trying to get to a park for rope-drop and if you leave a park at park close you will be waiting in some fairly long lines (they usually move pretty decently though) and if there is inclement weather (lightening or really high winds) the skyliner shuts down until it passes. They do start up buses at that point, but then you've lost the convenience factor of the skyliner.

BWI - We stayed in a room that had 2 queen beds once. If you can get that, it should be sufficient space for your family if the two kids are ok sharing a bed (it's like being in an average hotel room, so if your family can handle that, you can handle this). I love being able to walk around the Boardwalk area at night. The way it's lit up just feels magical. I also love being walking distance to the Fantasia mini golf course. We do this on almost every trip when we stay here. I like all of the food options around the boardwalk too. I'm not crazy about the Boardwalk Bakery, so we usually walk to the quick serves at one of the other resorts for breakfast. The Swan/Dolphin also have decent options for a quick morning breakfast. There is also a convenience store on the other side of the parking lot from the BWI that you can easily walk to and grab some beverages and quick snacks at a more reasonable prices (they have decent donuts in the morning, if that's your thing). Also, there is a hot tub at the BWI by the pools.

BRV at Wilderness Lodge - I like the pools at WL. There is a nice splash area for the little kiddos too. I really like the relaxed vibe at this location. If the weather is decent, I enjoy sitting out on the balcony here. The rooms are starting to feel a bit worn, and BRV is slated for a refurb in the near-ish future (though Disney won't give us a date yet), but I stayed in one last year and it wasn't horrible. The deluxe studio comes with a queen bed and a sleeper sofa. The sleeper sofa's don't always get the best reviews, so that would be my only hesitation in recommending this room.

In summary, my recommendation would be AoA if you want more space and more immersive Disney theming and BWI if you are ok with a more traditional "hotel room" feel but want really easy access to all that the Boardwalk area has to offer.

 

[Lumpy1106]

No question, AoA family suite. We moved to one from CBR and never looked back. Your DH and you will get your own room AND your own bathroom. AoA food court is great, plus Skyliner and the buses are surprisingly good. We were disappointed in the Big Blue Pool. Too crowded and it doesn't have a slide. That was fine for us - we usually go during the summer and the pool gets shut in the PM due to storms most days anyway.

The REAL only danger is you will never want to stay in a studio again. I speak from experience, that's what happened to us.

 

[DizKids2]

This is a tough choice. How much time do you think you will spend at the actual resort and pool?
The AoA pool is amazing, the rooms are a lot of fun, but we did hear a lot of noise from the hallway when we were in the main part of the room.
I have not stayed at BWI, but we have stayed at Yacht and Beach and I love the convenience of staying in that resort area. The pool at BWI doesn’t look all that much fun compared to AoA, but if you are just going in it to get a break from the parks I would select BWI.
I have not stayed at Wilderness Lodge to comment on that option.