Help with balconies

[J. Galt]

We just found out that we can't get a 2 bdr. villa at the Beach Club (or at WLV or at BWV - don't want Saratoga or OKW) for our upcoming Dec. trip. Right now we are booked at standard rooms at the Beach Club, but I was reading that not all have "full balconies". We put in the room request for a "full balcony", but my sister is a little concerned, because she has three kids and would like somewhere to escape while they are napping, etc.... We are considering switching to a hotel where we would be assured a balcony. It seems to me we only have a few options: GF (although they aren't all "private" apparently, and I'm not sure what that means), AKL, YC (which is booked for our time frame, but I could try to get), and maybe concierge at WL (although this is the most expensive option we are considering and we probably wouldn't use concierge enough to make it worthwhile). We don't want to do Contemporary, and Poly rooms don't all have balconies.

I'm I missing something? Is my sister making a mountain out of a molehill (or a "full balcony" out of a "half balcony")? Am I even spelling "balcony" right? I'm so tired of trying to plan this trip for my family. We have too many cooks over here.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[spiceycat]

I would reconsider and go with OKW - with 3 kids believe me they will definitely need their own room - with a 2-bedroom villa at OKW - you will have the room to allow the children to sleep.

the bus service at OKW has greatly improved in the last few years.

most of the other resorts don't have private balcony - you are right next to your neighbor. they is generally room for 2 people to sit.

how about the FW cabins?

 

[twocat]

Some of the balconies at BC are standing room only and some rooms don't have one at all. Poly DOES have balconies on the 3rd floor in all the buildings and 2nd floor in the new buildings. A patio (1st floor would be nice to.)

My fav resort is the YC so keep trying there.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I agree with OKW. Rooms are huge. The balcony is huge (two entrances from the villa), plus you have a full sized table and four chairs on the balcony. A great place to eat breakfast or have a cup of coffee. OKW is the most relaxing place I know at WDW. Plus you will have a great escape while the kids are napping. The living room or the balcony.

 

[TammiMcMan]

We're from New England and stayed at the Yacht Club in early December. We had a full balcony and I can honestly say that we didn't use it once. It was too darn cold to just sit out there for an extended period of time. I would really reconsider OKW, SSR or as another poster mentioned the Fort Wilderness Cabins. If the primary purpose is to have some privacy for the kids while they take naps, then at that time of year, I'd prefer to have an additional bedroom as opposed to taking my chances with weather and a balcony. Have you checked over on the DVC rental boards to see if anything was available at your first choice vacation villas?

By the way, I totally understand being the primary planner for a family trip. Ours is still over a year away and so far my sisters have changed their minds 3 times. Once more and I'm going to take my travel agent hat off and they are going to be on their own .

Tammi

 

[sotoalf]

We are considering switching to a hotel where we would be assured a balcony. It seems to me we only have a few options: GF (although they aren't all "private" apparently, and I'm not sure what that means), AKL, YC (which is booked for our time frame, but I could try to get), and maybe concierge at WL (although this is the most expensive option we are considering and we probably wouldn't use concierge enough to make it worthwhile). We don't want to do Contemporary, and Poly rooms don't all have balconies.

Here are the deluxe resorts that offer full balconies: Poly (1st floor patio, 3rd floor balconies; balconies in Tahiti, Rapa Nui), while the GF, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Lodge offer a 1st floor patio, and a balcony on all other floors.

The Beach Club and Polynesian are the only hotels you book wherein you might face the standing-room-only balcony scenario.

 

[BCV23]

Tokelau, Tahiti and Rapa Nui all have second floor balconies at the Polynesian. There really aren't any "standing" only balconies at the Polynesian as the older buildings don't have balconies at all on the second floor...just sliding glass doors and a railing. But at the Polynesian if you request a balcony or patio, I would think you have an excellent chance of getting it if that is your only request. Tahiti and Tokelau are very large longhouses and all the other buildings do have them on 1st and 3rd floors.

The standing room only balconies at BC are very small indeed.

I didn't think AKL had any first floor rooms at all? But I think all rooms do have balconies there.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Are you trying to get the 2 bdrms from Disney? Have you considered renting points from a DVC member for any of the places you mentioned? You would save some money and perhaps get your first choice. With your group, I think you would be better off in a 2 bedroom with the kitchen and washer and dryer then 2 regular rooms.

If you do wish to try renting, I would explore it asap as Dec. dates go fast.