HELP! Which resort for teenager?

[MickeyCrazed]

Hello Everyone!
DH and I will be taking a friends daughter with us next January. This girl has had what I consider a hard life and has had to grow up very fast due to circumstances within her family. She has never been away from home, let alone to somewhere as wonderful as WDW.
Anyway, we would like to make this trip as special as possible. We are torn between resorts and would like your opinions. (Keep in mind that we will be renting a one bedroom at either resort and she will be sleeping on the sofa bed.)

We can afford five nights at the WL and would love to stay there for the "WOW" factor. Plus, we think she would love the accessibility and themeing of the pools.
~OR~
We could afford six nights at OKW. Although we don't like the theme there quite as much as WL, it is still a great resort. Plus, the rooms are a little larger, which would give everyone a little more space.

So what would you do? Should we give up the "theme" in order to give this girl a extra "well deserved" day at the greatest place on earth?
TIA for your opinions!

 

[Pa@okw95]

I would say WLV if the choice is just the two, otherwise I might consider BWV whcih is near the action and MGM where a young girl might have the most fun and Epcot also. WL is out of the way but nice as is OKW

 

[Lew]

Having never been to WDW, this young lady will be impressed by any resort you choose.

Since she will be sleeping on the sofa, I'd recommend OKW because the one-bedroom is substantially larger than at other resorts. Also, as you mention, you can stay one day longer at OKW.

If you do choose OKW be sure to request one of the newer units with the second bathroom access door.

 

[sitchu2]

My teens absolutely love staying at the beach club, there is loads of teen activity going on there, they usually meet at the pool, and all make plans to go over to epcot or the boardwalk at night.

We are going to stay at boardwalk this summer because I think it will be great for the teens, but they wish we were returning to BCV.

When we stayed at WL they met friends at the pool and hung out but there was no nightlife there for them. You may prefer it that way if she will be alone.


Have a great trip whatever you decide!!!

 

[jaysue]

I would go with OKW just because of the size of the 1BR - OKW also has the boat to DTD, Basketball court, large main pool and nice themes. Sure it is not in the middle of all the action but you can easily take a bus (that is what DS and I did) to the action.

Think you will appreciate the extra space and since you are at WDW, she will enjoy it

Thanks
jaysue

 

[wdwsos]

Originally posted by MickeyCrazed

So what would you do? Should we give up the "theme" in order to give this girl a extra "well deserved" day at the greatest place on earth?
TIA for your opinions!

What a nice thing for you to do! I'd go with the extra night at the OKW. I'm sure that any of the DVC resorts will impress her, and you can always visit the Whispering Canyon Cafe to get her reaction walking into the WL lobby.

I don't know if you get the All Ears Newsletter but my 15-year-old son just wrote an article on how the OKW is the most underrated WDW resort for teens. It may help you make your decision. ;-)

Have a great time, wherever you decide to stay!

Dotti

 

[sitchu2]

I was just thinking of referring you to Dottis Son's article, I read it today and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I hope to try OKY one day, however I have to wait at least 6 months between trips, so it will be a while before I can recommend it.


(Dotti you must be so proud of your son!!!!!!!

 

[lsyorke]

I can only give you the opinion of my DS15. He loves OKW!! We stayed at WLV which was nice but he loved the extra space at OKW. Themeing didn't really make much difference to him. He loved walking around OKW over the grounds and the boat trip to DD (disney quest!)

 

[Granny]

As much as I love our VWL...and BWV and BCV are right in the thick of things.....I'd vote for the extra day at OKW.

Three reasons. The first is the extra room in an OKW 1BR.

The second is that an extra day at WDW for the first trip will probably outweigh any theming considerations, or even convenience factor to the parks. A whole extra day in what will undoubtedly seem like a surrealistic paradise to the young lady.

The third reason is that you don't have to worry about the "wow factor". If this is her first trip to WDW, she will enjoy that "WOW" at each park, and throughout her stay. And this trip may well be a bit overwhelming for someone who has not travelled or vacationed at all...so you might enjoy the serenity of OKW after a busy day.

I just have to add that this sounds like you are creating a special moment in this young girl's life. God bless you for your kindness and generosity.

 

[mmmcq]

I have to add my 2 cents because my two teens don't care how much space they have, they only care that they are at Disney.

Like other posters have said.....this lucky young lady will care not what you decide because you have been so amazingly generous in taking her with you.

Unlike my friend Dotti (Hi Dotti!!!) I haven't stayed at OKW so I can't compare it to the other resorts although I know Dotti's kids love it there. But.....if you want to make deciding "what to do" easier on you all (less awkwardness with teens) then I would stay shorter nights at BCV which is closer to Epcot restaurants, has the Storm Along Bay pools (lots of teens hanging out) , Beaches N Cream restaurant and just all in all makes for nice atmosphere swimming or walking at night with the lights of the Boardwalk in the background.

I bet if you post closer to your stay you'll be able to meet up with some other DVC'ers with teens sometime during your stay.....

What a wonderful thing to do.

 

[trishy]

I just asked my dd13 about this and her opinion was WL because of the ability to take the watermouse out on the water, ride the bike to FW, the pool is really nice; as well as the overall atmosphere of it being like a "camping type place" as she refers to it. She's been to BWV, OKW, and VWL and if the choice is between OKW and VWL, that's her opinion. Another nice thing is watching the "light" parade on the water at night at VWL and having dinner at Whispering Canyon. The waiters are hysterical!!!

 

[jmminarik]

This is tough to answer because we know nothing about this girl and her tastes, habits and personality. BCV and BWV do have 'more' to do for someone who is not going to the parks, but I'd have loved going to WL or VWL as a boy...much more of an adventure than going someplace that looked like my summer house.

All things being equal, I'd opt for more room and an extra day. However, as long as this isn't a surprise vacation, why not show her the pictures of the resorts and describe the ammenities and let her cast an opinion?

Hope this helps,
Joe

 

[Duckielucky]

A teenager will love the Boardwalk. There is activity right there as well as being a 5 minute walk to the World Showcase and a 15 minute walk (for a teenager) to MGM.

A word of caution. Teenagers don't get up as early as adults. When you get up, quietly go down to the bakery for a cup of coffee while she gets a little more beauty sleep.

 

[Snowgod]

BCV have stormalong bay, the Boardwalk area (how's that for wow factor) with Epcot steps away and MGM just a boatride away. So much to do with so little time.

 

[yesdisneyfool]

I have a 15 yr old DD and she just loves being with the Disney boundaries. She love OKW because of the open space in the 1br and being able to just walk around the grounds. Although we have stayed at VWL & BCV, she never roamed around by herself. When we have a friend along, she has been to Disney enought to ride the bus, monorail, boat to get around.

With this being the first trip for your guest, she may not want to venture off by herself. Read the article by Dotti's son, see if this helps. Either way, she'll be excited no matter where you stay.

Oh, my vote is "One Extra Day".

 

[sgtpet]

My guess would be SSR. Only kidding. I would say BWV or BCV would be preferred by teens.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

for the suggestions.
I am still so torn between the resorts, I think I will allow her to see some pictures and make her own decision based on our descriptions.
I don't think she will be spending much time away from us because of all we have to see and do in such a short time. Also, even though she is 13, I will be a little hesitant for her to go off on her own because she is not our child.
We don't have children of our own, so I am a little nervous about the situation anyway. Wouldn't want something to happen while she is in our care and so far from her family. (Can you tell I worry too much?)

 

[jaysue]

No you are not worrying too much - you are in effect the guardian of a minor (under 18) during her first trip to the largest family destination amusement park in North America.

I think it great you are going to involve her in the process

Thanks
Jason

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

I wouldn't say that you are worrying too much. i would say that you are being responsible for a decision that you have made. You are doing a wonderful thing for this young lady. I am sure that she is going to grateful either way. That said, thinking back to my first trip (and mind you that I stayed offsite), I would take the extra day EVERYTIME!!!!! Go OKW, and don't think twice. This coming from someone who just 5 wonderful nights at the Lodge (you can never stay enough days.....)

 

[PhillyKid83]

i am a teen(19). i have been staying at okw since i was 16 and love it. the space is great, and there is a lot of stuff to do. basketball, tennis, and its right next to downtown disney. perfect for me. we meet new friends just about every time we go there its a good time. thought it would help to hear from a teens point of view.