Home resort is booked up, which resort now??

[Disgirl2011]

So I finally got my bf to agree to go to Disney World with me!! WOOOOOO!! Highlight of my year...anyhoo when I went to go check availability for my home resort VGF for Feb 8th the 13th there was only partial availability for both views

So I started trying to make a list of backups to try to reserve on July 8th when my 7 month mark comes up. I really wanted to try a Poly Studio, the poly resort has always been a dream resort for me but I just heard people saying the rooms are really dark.

I want to stay either at a Magic Kingdom or Epcot resort. So I was kind of toying around with BLT but the design doesnt seem as magical to me, seems cold and unwelcoming. (I'm hoping others can point out how awesome it is to sway me I will be able to afford a Magic view there...not sure if thats worth it or not though.

I've also heard good things about BCV but the rooms looks crazy dated and while the pool is amazing I'm kinda worried about how many crazy kids will be running around haha and not sure how much we would use it, but I do love the location!!

I hope you guys can give me some input in what resorts you would recommend! Thanks!!

 

[Nanajo1]

When I can't get all of my days I wait list at 11 months. At 7 months I see what's available and go from there.

 

[disneynutz]

Just pick one, you will stay at all of the DVC resorts many times over. Start a diary on your likes and dislikes for each resort, years down the road it will help you when planning your vacations.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

Realistically, I think you should wait to see what is available before getting your heart set on one. Have you wait listed one of the views at VGF?

We are staying 5 nights at the Poly DVC in August. I think it's a beautiful resort, and I was glad to get the reservation.

 

[nalajms]

If you really want VGF, I'd wait list now. What I usually do is create a ranking list. Then on the day of 7m, I try for my first choice then go down the list.

BCV - won't have that many kids in Feb. You'll deal with more kids in MK Have you seen the pics of the renovated BCV?
BWV would be another good option for a couple, lots of night life stuff around.

 

[DizBub]

We own at both BLT and BCV so I am a bit biased. BLT is really nice because you can walk to and from the MK and have easy access to the monorail (when it's working ). Studios are small but very nice, the balconies are large though. I would not waste the points required to get a MK view though because they are quite high and it's mostly a parking lot view.

BCV is currently undergoing a refurbishment so by the time your trip happens the whole resort should be finished. SAB is nice but in mid-Feb it may or may not be warm enough to swim. Location is terrific for access to Epcot and DHS.

Good luck with your decision!

On second thought if it were me I would book SSR to have easy access for DTD. The new Disney Springs should be coming together by then and it looks like it will be amazing! The parking and buses are a nightmare though. On the other hand the park bus service to and from SSR is surprisingly good, better than at the Epcot resorts.

 

[jerseygal]

I would also wait list at home resort, you never know..it is 11 months off and there are always cancellations/changes. BOOK exactly at 7 mos on line and have alternatives if necessary! GOOD LUCK; HOPE that your waitlist comes through!

 

[Disgirl2011]

I did waitlist at my home resort so no worries there. My plan is to make a list of which ones to try and reserve first when my 7 month mark comes.

I am glad to hear that there wouldn't be as many kids at BCV in February and that the resort is being refurbished because those were my two major concerns about that resort.

I think right now my order for preferences if my home resort won't come through is: Poly, BCV and BLT.... that could always change. I've spent all morning looking at BLT views and trying to get a better position on it but still doesn't seem as magical to me and the views seem pretty hit or miss haha

Anyone know where I can see pics of BCV renovated? Thanks!

 

[DizBub]

Anyone know where I can see pics of BCV renovated? Thanks!

There was a picture of an artists' rendering of the refurb but I can't seem to find it on this site anymore. I did find it on another site that will be blocked if I try to show the link. Maybe you can look around for it.

 

[JJSWDW]

never underestimate the magic of bypassing the crowds waiting for transportation at park closing and just walking a few minutes to your villa. If you were set on GF then I'd look at BLT.

Our home resort is VWL and we love it but we rotate between many of the resorts so things don't get stale. Some you'll like more or less than others but I think they all have their brig

 

[Geomom]

Some Feb. vacations (MA, some parts of NY state, etc) start on 2/13, so there shouldn't be too many school age kids until that date. We book at 7 mths often and I make a priority list as well--1st, 2nd, 3rd choice, etc. As your home resort is VGF and in the future you can get it at 11 mths, this might be a good time to try out one of the Epcot resorts vs. a Magic Kingdom resort. Our favorite is BWV. They're currently undergoing renovations and should be completed by the end of the year. The Boardwalk has a few restaurants on it, and a couple of night clubs (we love Jellyrolls--dueling piano bar, when we can get someone to watch the kids). BWV is easy walking distance to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. We did stay at BCV once, fun to try out Stormalong bay and it's a short easy walk to Epcot, longer walk to Hollywood Studios though. We prefer the energy of the Boardwalk vs. the Beach Club.

 

[CMNJ]

Currently staying in a lake view BLT studio-view straight out is of contemporary and marina-if you sit on right side balcony you see the lake pretty well-but we are very close to the sky bridge to contemporary so really quick to access the amenities there
Walk to MK is awesome-only a few minutes further than the furthest bus shelter lol
Bus to DHS stunk for rope drop yesterday but if you really want to be close to MK I think it is a good choice-studio is a little small -the walkway near kitchenette and bath is narrow and it always seems like DH and I are getting in each other's way

 

[drusba]

You own at VGF and were trying for a studio which are now becoming more difficult to get even for owners unless you book 11 months out (and even then there can be issues some times of the year). Though the time you want includes part of Presidents Day weekend, you should still find many things open at 7 months out such as BLT lake view and potentially theme park view, BWV pool/garden view, VWL, and potentially BCV. I also believe you should have a decent chance for Poly.

Personal view is that BLT is a great place to stay, particularly if you request high floor and get it, but I personally would not do it in a studio because of size -- they are smaller than all DVC studios except AKV value studios -- but many, including those who are only two, are likely fine with it. Also, most of the lake views are excellent if you get high floor, and theme park view will feel like a serious point rip-off if you request and do not get high floor, so you should consider not doing TP view because of risk of being stuck in the mostly parking lot view rooms on the 5th and 6th floor. You can walk to MK and California Grille is one of the best table service restaurants at WDW, and Chef Mickey's a good character restaurant.

BWV, and BCV if open, give you the ability to walk to two parks and have walking access (parks and Epcot resorts) to about two dozen restaurants. BCV offers the best pool and Boardwalk nightly entertainment. Either would be a good choice.

 

[freediverdude]

I would first wait a while and see if the waitlist comes through. But in the meantime, the first choice I would make is whether you want to stay in the MK area or the Epcot area. Then that narrows down the choices.

 

[DieHardJoe]

I agree with the suggestions to Wait List. It can't hurt. That said, and someone mentioned, the value of the BLT location can be priceless.That is our (my wife and I) home resort since it first opened. We have stayed in Lake View Studios 3 or 4 times (yes, they are small) but loved it. And we stayed 4 or 5 nights in a Lake view GV for a family reunion and everyone thought it was fantastic. Not a single somplaint. Last year we stayed 4 nights at the VGF studio (loved it) and 4 nights in a BWV 1-BR and loved that as well. But in the end, I still think the location of BLT trumps a lot of the other niceties at the other resorts, so don't discount BLT too quickly.

 

[suebeelin]

Currently staying in a lake view BLT studio-view straight out is of contemporary and marina-if you sit on right side balcony you see the lake pretty well-but we are very close to the sky bridge to contemporary so really quick to access the amenities there
Walk to MK is awesome-only a few minutes further than the furthest bus shelter lol
Bus to DHS stunk for rope drop yesterday but if you really want to be close to MK I think it is a good choice-studio is a little small -the walkway near kitchenette and bath is narrow and it always seems like DH and I are getting in each other's way

It's good to know that the rope drop at HS is tough to get to via BLT. And that the studios at BLT see tiny . Helps us with our planning.

 

[Disgirl2011]

I think that my top 3 are in order

1st Choice- Poly studio, despite being scared away from boat horns, not so fantastic views and possible construction, its still the poly and its sooo beautiful

2nd Choice- Beach Club, While I don't know how much I will use the pool and the views are definitely not something I've heard great things about but the location cannot be beat and it seems like a fairly decently themed resort which might be relaxing.

3rd Choice- This was the most difficult I have been going between BLT and BWV and trying to way the pros and cons. So I think I will go with BLT either Lake view Studio or I might splurge and go for a 1 bedroom since I know that the studios have been small. But really as long as the view is great and the balcony is great I don't think I will care lol