I need help choosing a resort

[dhardawa]

We were going to take a big group down in November, but now I think it will just be me and my daughter. She'll be 12 when we go. We were going to do a value, but since the overall cost will be dropping dramatically, I thought maybe this would be a good time to rent points and stay at a deluxe. So, I'm trying to choose from:

Animal Kingdom Villas (What is a value studio and how does it differ from the standard?) The downside here is that it is a long bus ride to everywhere except Animal Kingdom.

Boardwalk Villas (Again, is "standard" just a view?)

Old Key West

Here are the things that are important to me.

1. Good food court
2. Relatively short bus rides to the parks (although this isn't SUPER important)
3. Nice rooms
4. Overall nice resort
5. Able to get two beds in a room
6. Updated (i.e. not run down and in need of refurbishing)
7. Interesting with a lot of things to do

I'm leaning toward Boardwalk, but I really don't know a lot about the others. I have been to AKL and have wandered around, but I've never been to OKW.

Thank you in advance!

 

[robert@dvcstore]

The only DVC resort available to you with 2 beds in a studio is Old Key West. All other DVC resorts have a queen bed and pull out sofa bed in the studio.

Old Key West will meet all of your other requirements except that it has a sit down restaurant, walk up food counter (no food court).

I don't think you can go wrong with an Old Key West stay.

Robert

 

[lilpooh108]

Boardwalk Villas will be hard to get for November since its Food & Wine.

What about staying at Saratoga Springs so you're walking distance to DTD? Tons of food choices there.

 

[amypetecar]

If you can get over not having a food court, OKW would probably be A. your cheapest option, and B. easiest to get

BWV, you will probably be forced to rent a preferred view, thus costing more but the location is ideal being a short distance to Epcot and DHS

My vote with a 12 year old would be animal kingdom lodge. Best theming, the most interesting, and would most feel like an "escape".

Honestly though, they are all good choices

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are talking about this November, you might have a hard time getting a reservation. Most members book 11 months out or 7 months out not at their home resort. You have already passed the 7 month time frame.

 

[MrShiny]

Note that Food & Wine ends November 13. After that, barring Thanksgiving, availability should be better, especially around Epcot.

Saratoga Springs will be the best bet for availability. As mentioned, the rooms have a queen and sleeper, but that's not that big of a deal. The sleepers are generally nice (IIRC SSR has the better ones without a bar across them).

Animal Kingdom Villas - yes, the bus rides are longer, but it is a great place. Standard views have no real view of anything interesting - they do tend to book though as there are only a few of them and they are cheaper.

Boardwalk Villas - a standard view is generally the parking lot. Preferred is usually something green or the pool and Boardwalk is of course the Boardwalk.

Good food court - The DVC resorts tend towards restaurants and away from food courts. AKV's MARA is pretty nice though for quick service. Note Boardwalk's dining choices are all out on the Boardwalk itself, but do offr good variety.

SSR's is a bit undersized and combines a store with counter service, so it can get crowded. I'd say AKV would be my favorite.

Relatively short bus rides to the parks - BLT and VWL best to MK; BWV, BCV best to Epcot and DHS; OKW, SSR good central location (DTD, Epcot, DHS). SSR busses seem to be getting better - that was a sore spot IMHO.

Nice rooms - I would say all DVC would qualify. All are pretty up to date. OKW I think is in the midst of a renovation. BLT is of course the newest.

Interesting with a lot of things to. All qualify, but I think AKV probably has the neatest activities in resort. BCV has the best pool. Each has a series of activities every day (most free, some for a small fee for materials). SSR pobably has the least right there for 12-year-old friendly activities, but still has a number of them.

If you are open with dates and resorts, you can probably find a member renting that can get something for you. Good luck!

 

[rocketriter]

Also consider BCV. The food market is OK (but not fabulous). But the location is great--you'll love strolling home from Epcot in 5 minutes after the fireworks. And your daughter will be old enough to safely use all of the terrific Stormalong Bay, which is the best pool in the park system.

 

[dhardawa]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm still undecided! The pool really doesn't play any part in my decision because it will be November and I highly doubt we'll be swimming anyway. Since there is no dining plan, I want to keep food costs low so I'll look at prices in the different restaurants of the resorts. We're flying so cooking in the room a lot isn't going to happen.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with Deb & Bill, you may have trouble getting a reservation this November.
I would try to make a decision ASAP, having several choices, and then try to contact a member

 

[crisi]

Good food court - none of the DVCs have a good Food Court. AKL Jambo house probably has the best. BWV has the worst.


Relatively short bus rides to the parks (although this isn't SUPER important) That depends on the parks you want to get to. With the parks spread out, all the resorts have some distance. But VAKL is probably the farthest

Nice rooms
Overall nice resort - All DVC resorts are nice


Able to get two beds in a room - Only OKW for a studio. Otherwise, a one bedroom has a King and a full pullout at all the resorts. Studios have a queen and a full pullout.

Updated (i.e. not run down and in need of refurbishing) All DVC rooms are hit or miss, most are either a few years old or went through a refurb in the last few years, but DVC rooms tend to get used hard.


Interesting with a lot of things to do - VAKL here.

Honestly, I think you aren't a good fit. As Deb said, you likely won't have much choice for this November at this point, and your expectations aren't really in line with what DVC is. Renting DVC points is not getting a Deluxe at a good value - its getting a good deal on a timeshare.


I'm leaning toward Boardwalk, but I really don't know a lot about the others. I have been to AKL and have wandered around, but I've never been to OKW.

Thank you in advance!

 

[crisi]

[*]Good food court - none of the DVCs have a good Food Court. AKL Jambo house probably has the best. BWV has the worst.


[*]Relatively short bus rides to the parks (although this isn't SUPER important) That depends on the parks you want to get to. With the parks spread out, all the resorts have some distance. But VAKL is probably the farthest

[*]Nice rooms
[*]Overall nice resort - All DVC resorts are nice


[*]Able to get two beds in a room - Only OKW for a studio. Otherwise, a one bedroom has a King and a full pullout at all the resorts. Studios have a queen and a full pullout.

[*]Updated (i.e. not run down and in need of refurbishing) All DVC rooms are hit or miss, most are either a few years old or went through a refurb in the last few years, but DVC rooms tend to get used hard.


[*]Interesting with a lot of things to do - VAKL here.

Honestly, I think you aren't a good fit. As Deb said, you likely won't have much choice for this November at this point, and your expectations aren't really in line with what DVC is. Renting DVC points is not getting a Deluxe at a good value - its getting a good deal on a timeshare.