Help picking DVC resort for family of 8

[TIMLEO007]

We are planning a surprise trip for our blended family in Jan 2014 for 2 adults and 6 kids (15, 14, 13, 12, 12, 8). We will be staying ~7-8 days mostly in the parks each day and getting a 2bdrm.

GF and I did a scouting trip in April and stayed at Boardwalk Villas on DVC points which we thought would be nice for the kids to roam the boardwalk by themselves. The only knock against going back there is that GF and I have been there already.....lol. To complicate even more, my fav park is EPCOT, least favorite is AK by far. Not sure which one kids will like the best at their ages now.

I have also stayed at VWL with ex-wfe before (a knock against it with GF for that reason alone...lol)

BLT rooms look decent compared to other DVC 2bdrms, but GF not big on the resort theme.....but love the location

BC/YC we think is comparable to BWV

Ideally looking for a DVC resort with the following:

enjoyment for kids to go roaming around by themselves (if you were their ages which would you have the most fun at)
moderate type dining options (will be eating breakfast in room each day)


Give me a reason to pick one over the others out of the following (even pics to help sway):

BWV
VWL
BC/YC
BLT

thank you in advance

 

[Upon a Star]

I would say beach club. Close enough to the boardwalk area and Epcot. Good restaurants and a great pool for kids that age. Have a great trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are planning a surprise trip for our blended family in Jan 2014 for 2 adults and 6 kids (15, 14, 13, 12, 12, 8). We will be staying ~7-8 days mostly in the parks each day and getting a 2bdrm.

GF and I did a scouting trip in April and stayed at Boardwalk Villas on DVC points which we thought would be nice for the kids to roam the boardwalk by themselves. The only knock against going back there is that GF and I have been there already.....lol. To complicate even more, my fav park is EPCOT, least favorite is AK by far. Not sure which one kids will like the best at their ages now.

I have also stayed at VWL with ex-wfe before (a knock against it with GF for that reason alone...lol)

BLT rooms look decent compared to other DVC 2bdrms, but GF not big on the resort theme.....but love the location

BC/YC we think is comparable to BWV

Ideally looking for a DVC resort with the following:

enjoyment for kids to go roaming around by themselves (if you were their ages which would you have the most fun at)
moderate type dining options (will be eating breakfast in room each day)


Give me a reason to pick one over the others out of the following (even pics to help sway):

BWV
VWL
BC/YC
BLT

thank you in advance

All two bedroom villas at BWV are lockoffs, meaning a one bedroom villa connected to a studio villa. So you would only have one king bed, one queen bed, one double sleeper sofa and one queen sleeper sofa (in the living room).

YC has no DVC villas, only BCV. They have dedicated two bedroom villas, but the majority are one king, one queen sleeper sofa (in the living room), one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa (in the second bedroom). Those were too small to put two queen beds in the villa. There are 25 dedicated with two queen beds in the second bedroom, but my guess is that they are all booked for January. Owners get first shot at them.

A BLT two bedroom villa might be dedicated or lockoff. All dedicated have two queen beds in the second bedroom. They also have an additional bathroom at the entry to the villa. So you would have three bathrooms for your crowd of family. VWL also have dedicated, but no extra bathroom at the entrance to the villa.

You didn't mention OKW or AKV, but OKW will have the largest two bedroom villa with a full sized washer and dryer instead of stackables. AKV-Kidani Village has dedicated two bedroom villas with the extra bathroom. AKV-Jambo does not have the extra bathroom and all two bedroom villas are lockoffs.

SSR might also be considered because of the close proximity to Downtown Disney (an easy walk or quick boat ride or even ride a bus). You could get a dedicated two bedroom villa at SSR, but no extra bathroom.

Forgot to add that BLT, AKV and OKW will have the extra sleeper chair in the living room. It is twin sized when opened up. Gives a little more flexability in figuring out sleeping.

My son has taken a bus to a park by himself, so your kids wouldn't have any problem with grabbing a bus to the parks. At BLT, they could walk to the MK or monorail to Epcot.

As for all the "entertainment" on the BW, I think your kids would be bored. Nothing happens until evening and then the carney games cost extra money.

 

[Pirate Granny]

Um...the updated rule now, are that no kids under the age of 16 are allowed to enter the parks without their parent(s)...Once in the parks they can roam without parents, but you have to escort them in. Unfortunately I really don't like that young age roaming by themselves. We had three young teens taking turns riding an EVC up and down the OKW roads, none of which required an EVC by watching them run along side the vehicle when it wasn't their turn to drive it!

 

[Dean]

We are planning a surprise trip for our blended family in Jan 2014 for 2 adults and 6 kids (15, 14, 13, 12, 12, 8). We will be staying ~7-8 days mostly in the parks each day and getting a 2bdrm.

GF and I did a scouting trip in April and stayed at Boardwalk Villas on DVC points which we thought would be nice for the kids to roam the boardwalk by themselves. The only knock against going back there is that GF and I have been there already.....lol. To complicate even more, my fav park is EPCOT, least favorite is AK by far. Not sure which one kids will like the best at their ages now.

I have also stayed at VWL with ex-wfe before (a knock against it with GF for that reason alone...lol)

BLT rooms look decent compared to other DVC 2bdrms, but GF not big on the resort theme.....but love the location

BC/YC we think is comparable to BWV

Ideally looking for a DVC resort with the following:

enjoyment for kids to go roaming around by themselves (if you were their ages which would you have the most fun at)
moderate type dining options (will be eating breakfast in room each day)


Give me a reason to pick one over the others out of the following (even pics to help sway):

BWV
VWL
BC/YC
BLT

thank you in advance

Renting, BWV has the standard view but ALL 2 BR have a King, Queen, pull out full and pull out queen. You'd be very crowded. BCV, getting 2 queens in the second BR will be almost impossible. Assuming you want to stay with one 2 BR, I'd say BLT first (monorail to EPCOT) and SSR second with proximity to DD. Personally I'd go with a 2 BR plus studio at BWV standard view. For a 2 BR only I'd go with SSR.

 

[Minniesgal]

For a two bedroom I would go with BLT for the three bathrooms with the size of your group

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The 2bedroom at the GF will sleep 9 and you will be on the monorail line.

The treehouse villa at SSR sleep 9 and its an easy walk over to SSR where there are 5 pools to pick from. They can rent bikes over there and ride all around SSR or ride along the path that goes to OKW. There is a pool table in the Turf Club restaraunt. Tennis courts at SSR. Basketball court. Lots of daily activities for the kids.

 

[jakenjess]

I would go with BLT for the extra bathroom, pullout chair in the living room, and walking access to MK and a monorail ride to Epcot.

I think the new age requirement to enter the parks alone is 14, if I remember right.

 

[LSchrow]

first, consider the sleeping options (as listed by PPs). fyi, we have used an aerobed in BWV and BCV 1 bdrms (fits in a carry-on with linens, inflates & deflates in seconds with built-in pump - and fits easily in the LR).
EPCOT area: both BCV and BWV are both short walks/friendship rides to EPCOT, and a bit longer to DHS.
BCV has a fun pool (which can get very crowded tho), and is more "little kid" friendly. BCV villas to the BW is about 15 minutes.
BWV has nighttime entertainment (magicians, surrey bike rental, carny games - we've never been "bored" by the myriad of options ). the bakery has yummy fresh goodies, there is an ESPN as well as other restaurants and food kiosks/pizza window.
community hall has ping-pong, video games, crafts, bike/tennis/DVD and book rentals (free for DVC members), etc.
fyi, starting about 12yo, our kids and nephews have picked up pastries from the bakery, gotten ice cream from seashore sweets, went to CH, etc - with cel phones, "check-ins", and clear plans, of course. they loved the (limited) freedom, having deep conversations and developing bonds that would've been difficult with mom & dad there constantly (btw, they are still very close, have divulged much of those "secret conversations", and often say how those walks were some of their favorite memories ).

BLT is perfect for more sleeping options, an extra bathroom, and proximity to MK. the bathroom alone is a huge plus for that many ppl - like most other resorts however, the nearby, non-park options are limited.

i also like the SSR treehouse option as shellyf stated: lots of room, and activities for everyone.

 

[TIMLEO007]

BLT seems to have a slight lead due to the option for the extra bathroom and bed situation, but the dedicated 2bdrm isnt guaranteed either is it? or is this something I can book?..........or if we get a 2bdrm at BWV, what are the options for an extra bed? do they offer additional bed/cot type options...

 

[dmunsil]

Just to throw another idea into the mix, you might consider a grand villa at OKW. Huge amount of sleeping space, with no one on a cot or pullout. And it's in the same ballpark in cost as a 2 bedroom at BLT. The location is nothing special, but your kids can walk to Downtown Disney and Saratoga Springs (on walkways, no wandering along the road), so there's a lot to explore when you're not at the parks.

We did a grand villa at OKW and had a blast with a similar size group. If you get online right on the 7-month mark, you have a decent chance of snagging one.

 

[spiceycat]

BLT seems to have a slight lead due to the option for the extra bathroom and bed situation, but the dedicated 2bdrm isnt guaranteed either is it? or is this something I can book?..........or if we get a 2bdrm at BWV, what are the options for an extra bed? do they offer additional bed/cot type options...

dvc members get nothing extra - so you would have to bring an air bed.

as had been there are no 2-bedrooms at BWV - only 1-bedrooms and studios that can connect making a 2-bedroom.

so getting a 2-bedroom at bwv is iffy in the first place. Especially if you are going during a holiday or marathon - your chances are not good.

nothing at WDW is guaranteed - less you can pay extra for it. so views are generally guaranteed. 2-bedroom dedicated or lock out is never guaranteed. they use to guaranteed them - but that stopped when some members were guaranteed a dedicated and ended up in a lock-out.

so you generally don't know until you arrive.

that say would go with a dvc resort had has 2-bedrooms like BCV - vs bwv.

with that many people - you will need the extra bathroom - unless you want fights.

only (so far) AKV and BLT have the extra bathrooms - not sure about GFV.

the GFV is not open yet - they are still building it - it will open this fall.

 

[Minniesgal]

The 2 bedroom dedicated at BLT is a booking category so if that is what you book that is what you will get.

 

[floribr1]

nothing at WDW is guaranteed - less you can pay extra for it. so views are generally guaranteed. 2-bedroom dedicated or lock out is never guaranteed. they use to guaranteed them - but that stopped when some members were guaranteed a dedicated and ended up in a lock-out.

so you generally don't know until you arrive.

Is this true? If it is, it is a major change that must have occurred very recently... When you book a room, there are separate categories for "lock-off" and "dedicated." If you book dedicated, you get dedicated (and therefore two queen beds in the second bedroom except at BCV). At least that is always the way it has been. Please tell me this has not changed...?

The 2 bedroom dedicated at BLT is a booking category so if that is what you book that is what you will get.

Again -- I don't think this applies just at BLT, but (I think) at all DVC resorts that have dedicated 2 bedrooms, i.e., all but VWL and BWV.

 

[nyck]

To answer what you really asked, I would say BCV would be the best for you guys based on the criteria you listed, especially location. Mainly because the kids can roam there and have plenty to do in the area. They can go to the pool, arcades, beaches and cream soda shop, wander to boardwalk, rent a bike, go to the ESPN arcade, and the carnival games. Plenty of non park stuff to do.

Since you said you already stayed at BWV that is why I didn't suggest this one as it seems you and the GF want to try something new, but it would definitely be the 2nd choice. You can still enjoy stuff over there and stay at the BCV. The kids will like the pools at BCV better anyway unless they love the clowns and BCV has 3 pools.

To me, all the other resorts are too remote for what you are looking for. SSR is way to remote and I think the kids would be bored unless you took them to Downtown Disney. Same with OKW. BLT there is still not much for them to do on there own unless you take them to a park. AKL is too remote. WL doesn't have much either.

 

[nyck]

Is this true? If it is, it is a major change that must have occurred very recently... When you book a room, there are separate categories for "lock-off" and "dedicated." If you book dedicated, you get dedicated (and therefore two queen beds in the second bedroom except at BCV). At least that is always the way it has been. Please tell me this has not changed...?



Again -- I don't think this applies just at BLT, but (I think) at all DVC resorts that have dedicated 2 bedrooms, i.e., all but VWL and BWV.

I don't think this is true. When you book you book by the dedicated/lockoff categories, even the waitlists are done by this and I have never been given a lockoff. I always book dedicated with 2 queen beds in the 2nd bedroom at BCV, which is why I love that resort

 

[ThumpersWorld]

To answer what you really asked, I would say BCV would be the best for you guys based on the criteria you listed, especially location. Mainly because the kids can roam there and have plenty to do in the area. They can go to the pool, arcades, beaches and cream soda shop, wander to boardwalk, rent a bike, go to the ESPN arcade, and the carnival games. Plenty of non park stuff to do.

Since you said you already stayed at BWV that is why I didn't suggest this one as it seems you and the GF want to try something new, but it would definitely be the 2nd choice. You can still enjoy stuff over there and stay at the BCV. The kids will like the pools at BCV better anyway unless they love the clowns and BCV has 3 pools.

To me, all the other resorts are too remote for what you are looking for. SSR is way to remote and I think the kids would be bored unless you took them to Downtown Disney. Same with OKW. BLT there is still not much for them to do on there own unless you take them to a park. AKL is too remote. WL doesn't have much either.

Agree with this poster. Your kids are going to love Stormalong Bay at the BCV and the Boardwalk in the evening. Lots more to do over by the EPCOT resorts for their ages.

 

[Dean]

gain -- I don't think this applies just at BLT, but (I think) at all DVC resorts that have dedicated 2 bedrooms, i.e., all but VWL and BWV.

Unless something has changed, this is a booking category at all resorts. VWL does have dedicated 2 BR. BCV has dedicated but 1/3 have 2 queens and 2/3 have a queen and pull out queen. However, here's the issue. NOTHING is every truly guaranteed. Something could happen to the room they have planned for you and you might get shuffled around. It's happened even requiring some to be moved to other resorts, different unit types, etc. Technically there is no requirement they give you what you booked no matter how much you yell or scream or what your confirmation says.