Help! VWL,BCV or SSR?

[kerickson]

We have an 8 night trip in Jan booked at SSR - 2 nights in Studio and 6 in 2BR. (our home resort and our 1st trip to WDW)
At the 7mo mark I was thinking of switching to another resort, but ended up not wanting to pay higher pts at VWL, BCV...phew, I didn't have to worry about planning a 7mo switch!

Now, looks like my DH's brother and family won't be able to join us, so that leaves just 4 of us (me, DH, DD(4) and DS(2). I called MS to see if there were any 1BR available. I asked them to look at SSR, VWL and BCV. There was availability at all 3! Now I feel pressure to try VWL or BCV. What would you recommend? I still plan to stay at SSR in a studio the 1st 2 nights (we get in really late the 1st night and they didn't have availability at the other resorts those nights anyway). Should I then move to VWL or BCV? Given my kids ages, I think we'll spend most of our time at MK, but BCV seems very convenient being close to 2 parks. What would you suggest? Or should I just stay put at SSR? I think the rooms at SSR are going to be very nice given it is a newer resort, will the other resorts then seem old in comparison?
HELP!

 

[bookwormde]

A 2 and a 4 year old, proximity to MK trumps everything else.

bookwormde

 

[bobbiwoz]

OK, I'm a huge VWL fan, a groupie We have 3 DGC now ages 3, 4 and 5and they've been to WDW 3 times, each time at VWL and they have been wonderful times. This past June, the kids went to the coloring activity at the Bear's Den, which was fun in the afternoon, as we were resting from the morning at the park. VWL is a small resort, and if you can get in, try it.

I'm sure you'll love the amenities at SSR, but I do think that given the opportunity to move this time, I would.

Bobbi

 

[mr. figment]

I am not an owner at VWL, but I'd like to be....the main lobby, the villas lobby, the rooms, a great place!

 

[vicki_c]

I've only stayed at SSR (my home) and VWL so far for DVC properties. Between those 2, I would pick SSR, but it is not close to the MK, definitely. Do you have a car? If not, I would do VWL over SSR. If you do, I might still pick SSR.

BCV is great in its own right I'm sure (I'll be there for 8 nights in December). It's really a tough call -- I've always loved WL, but I was SO impressed with SSR. I'm actually a *little* bit disappointed that we got all our nights at BCV for Christmas (ok, less than a little - a smidge) because I loved SSR way more than I thought I would.

Rambling here ... with little ones, and no car - VWL definitely. I did find the room at VWL to seem a little claustrophobic vs. SSR (both studios) - they're probably the same size, but it might be the difference between the darker furnishings and the lighter furnishings.

Like the other poster said, though, you should always be able to book at SSR - it's your home and big -- VWL is tougher to get into, so you might want to do it for that reason alone.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I voted for SSR solely because of DTD and the zero entry pool. Don't know if you'll be able to swim in January or not, but my kids love DTD. We easily go 2 or 3 times per trip.

My second choice would be VWL. The lodge is incredible! As many times as I've been there, I'm still in amazement every time I walk into the lodge.

No matter where you choose to stay, you will LOVE it! I hope you and your family have a wonderful vacation and a very special first trip home!

 

[kimberh]

I voted for VWL but you won't go wrong with BCV's. What are your taste? They are so different. One reason for VWL, you are so close to MK, you can bring the kids back to the Lodge for a nap, then right back over. You can ride the boat or take a bus. It is so easy. If you want to eat at Chef Mickey's, take the boat to Contemporary. There are two boats, one to the left goes to Contemporary, one to the right to MK.

 

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

Our home resort is SSR and we just stayed there the 1st time in April and we really liked it. VWL is still our favorite and we stayed there for two weeks in 2005 (DD was 5) and she really enjoyed the proximity to MK, where we spent most of our time! However, we would still love to try BC because of storm along bay......Personally, I would do VWL because it is harder to get into and we are wait listed for it for December. (We have ressies at SSR) Goodluck and enjoy your vacation!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I voted to stay at SSR because I love it! Now being close to the MK is very nice, really nice. But since WL isn't on the monorail, to me that proximity isn't as big of a deal as it would be if it was on the monorail because you are still looking at a boat or bus to get over to the MK vs. a walk or short monorail ride.

I agree that SSR's zero entry pool is a very nice thing and being close to DTD is also a plus. And being newer, the units are still in very pristine shape.

Being close to Epcot is great but bear in mind that you boat or walk to MGM. The boat ride is long and loses its novelty very quick. That walk would be long for kids the age of yours, unless they are still in strollers. As for Epcot, you are very close to the World Showcase, but again, its a lot of walking involved if you want to get to Future World.

To me in spite of how most people feel about busses, there is something to be said for having a bus take you to the front of each park vs. having to walk or boat. And there is also something to be said for the multiple building set up of SSR (and OKW) in that you can park right at your door or you have a bus stop very close to your door. No long hallways and lobbies to trudge through. And SSR doesn't share busses. BCV will with other resorts when you go to MK or AK. That can get old.

But they are all lovely with equal pros and cons. You just have to decide what your pros are and what resort will best suit them!

And one final note, its not easy to get availablity at other resorts at the 7 month mark. So if you can do that, it would be nice. You know with SSR being your home resort you'll be going there lots of times through the years. But the opportunity to branch out to other resorts isn't always that easy. So you might want to take advantage of that.

But me being me and loving SSR for so many reasons, I'd still stay there!

 

[kerickson]

Thanks for all your advice! I just switched a portion of our stay to VWL and am so excited to try both resorts (1/24-27 SSR, 1/27-2/1 VWL). I ended up having to waitlist for VWL on the 26th, but extended my SSR portion for that night, so if the waitlist doesn't come through it will be fine. We have Chef Mickey's ADRs for the morning of the 26th and magic hours at MK are that day too, so I hope the waitlist does come through...

Thanks again!

 

[vicki_c]

I'm sure you will have a great trip -- just like our last trip reversed -- VWL, then SSR.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Good choice. To me BCV isn't useful when its too cold to get in a comfortable swim. The end of January can be a real toss up when it comes to that.

If your trip was early in January hands down VWL would be the better option because most of the Christmas decorations would still be up in the MK resort area. Late Jan less likely but the gingerbread houses might still be around.

 

[gingermouse17]

I votedd for BCV because in Dec one day a week DVC has their merry mixers right near the international gateway at Epcot. It's less than 2 minute walk from BCV. We stayed at BCV in July and really enjoyed it.

VFW are also harder to get in DEC but if you get a chance the lobby has a great holiday feel.

 

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

Thanks for all your advice! I just switched a portion of our stay to VWL and am so excited to try both resorts (1/24-27 SSR, 1/27-2/1 VWL). I ended up having to waitlist for VWL on the 26th, but extended my SSR portion for that night, so if the waitlist doesn't come through it will be fine. We have Chef Mickey's ADRs for the morning of the 26th and magic hours at MK are that day too, so I hope the waitlist does come through...

Thanks again!

Yayyyyyy..... We are going to Chef Mickey's for the first time this trip! We finally were able to get in for lunch