Impart your wisdom on which DVC!

[team-o nemo]

Hi! We are almost yearly visitors to WDW, but are staying at a DVC resort for the first time this May. Based on budget and availability, we have narrowed it down to:

BWV
AKV
WLV
OKW/SSV (These seem interchangeable to me. Tell me if I'm wrong.)

We have five children, ages 11 to 2. It will just be me and my husband, no other adults with us to help with the kids. We welcome the fun and challenge, but for this reason (and others), I prefer a quieter, less busy resort. (This is relative, I realize.) For this reason, I was thinking of narrowing it further to:

AKL (Kidani)
OKW
SSV

Am I correct in thinking this? BWV seems like the most beautiful in terms of theming, but I imagine it's rather bustling with all the shops and activity nearby. Is that correct?

We visited WL for lunch a couple of years ago and it was packed everywhere! The pool, the courtyard, the lobby, the restaurants. It was beautiful, but it turned me off. Is that typical? Perhaps the more spread out resorts are just naturally more quiet-feeling.

Also, we will have our own car, so bus transportation is not a concern.

AK is our second favorite park, behind Mk, so I think we would love AK. Is it a similar feel?

Do you prefer OKW or SSV? They seem very similar to me.

For reference, in the past we have stayed at Coronado, Port Orleans and Caribbean Beach. I did not like Caribbean. It seemed tired and dated, but this was in 2011. We loved the updated rooms at Coronado and the food court and overall feel of Port Orleans, which is our favorite of the moderates.

Thanks for any thoughts you have!!

 

[RAD]

We were at BWV Christmas week, aka a very busy time, and never felt like the Boardwalk was bustling. In the evening there would be small groups around the performers on the boardwalk but not like they were blocking anything.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Wilderness Lodge is under significant renovation, so it is likely best to avoid it. It's not packed right now, but there are large dirt pits and construction.

I prefer Saratoga to Old Key West, but that's a matter of theme. I would suggest you consider what theme most appeals to you -- beach Florida, equestrian, or "hey, a zebra!" (AKL)

 

[crisi]

How do you know what is available? I'm assuming you are renting? I doubt BWV Standard View will be available for May at this point in time, if you are looking at Disney's web site (not the DVC site), the availability that you see is not the availability for points.

 

[com_op_2000]

IMHO, you are correct that OKW/SSR are more quite overall due to the spread-out nature of the resorts.
I 2nd, the PP questions about where you are "seeing" the availability? You are well within the 7 month booking window for all DVC resorts, so the availability for rooms is very questionable.

 

[disneynutz]

It might be book what you can get.

Bill

 

[Granny]

It might be book what you can get.

Bill

I agree with this. In the DVC world, 3 months advance booking is pretty much a "last minute" reservation. If it is available, I'd book an OKW 2BR villa for a group your size. Largest villas of all the DVC resorts, and very quiet in general.

 

[hakepb]

For 2BR, OKW is the largest units at one of the lower point totals.
Kidani 2BR is 2nd in space, plus it gives you a 3rd full bathroom.

Deluxe resorts are quite lacking when it comes to food courts. If you don't mind the extra walk / shuttle, AKL Jambo QS is about as good/varied of any deluxe. SSR has 2 QS locations which helps. OKW is probably at the bottom when it comes to QS dining.

Overall, we've learned to never plan on more than 1 QS in the DVC resort, and instead eat QS in the parks, supplemented with in room snacks (since villas have a kitchen)

 

[hakepb]

FYI, most buildings at OKW do not have elevators. 2nd and 3rd floor rooms can involve steps.
I guess that's not hugely different than my POR experience...but it matters to some.

 

[robinb]

If you enjoy a more laid back choice, I would go with OKW. It's like CBR's big brother in theme and you can park right outside your door condo-style. My second choice for you would be AKV because of the animals. It is also very laid back.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Because of your mention of dates rooms I'd have a tiny bit of concern about OKW - they were updated in 2010 but some of the more dating qualities of it - kitchen cabinets and the tile in the bathrooms - still remain. However I don't know what Caribbean looked like at the time you were there and exactly what you found dating or run down about it. Otherwise OKW is a beautiful and very laid back resort. SSR has more featured pool options if you plan on time swimming and is a more quiet resort. VWL itself is normally what I consider a very peaceful, quiet resort - the Villas building itself is tucked back off of the main resort but there would be the construction there so crossing that off your list this time may not be a bad idea.

We really enjoy AKV and mostly stay at Jambo but Kidani is lovely too and more quiet. Most of the Deluxe resorts will have large lobbies that are noisy and pools that tend to be undersized IMO but Kidani has a smaller, more intimate lobby and because it's a bit off the beaten path it doesn't get a lot of visitors who aren't staying there. If you're kids like animals, and you're ok with the thought that you might have a longer, indoor walk if you're using bus service then I'd take a good look at Kidani. If you are driving then the parking is under the building and you can get relatively close to most rooms. And when staying at Kidani you have full use of all the amenities at Jambo too.

 

[Anal Annie]

SSR is our home resort and we much prefer it over OKW. The grounds are beautiful and I think the pool areas at SSR are better too. SSR has decent restaurants too (Turf Club and Artists Palatte). Having said that tho we've probably stayed at AKV (in std. view studios) more than any other resort and prefer Jambo House to Kidani (the lobby, restaurant options and store are much larger (grander if you will) at Jambo than at Kidani. We also like the layout of the studio villas better at Jambo (although with the size of the OP's family that's a non-issue for them - it's just 1 reason why we like Jambo better). The exterior of Kidani looks like a warehouse or something and the store is about the size of my kitchen at home. Whenever we wanted something we schlepped over to Jambo House. We LOVE eating at the Mara at Jambo - we think it's one of the best CS places within the entire Disney property. Much more convenient to stay at Jambo if you want to utilize a CS option. The lobby at Jambo is jaw dropping the first time you see it. And the wonderful smells waffing up from Boma are mouth watering. I just love walking through that lobby.

OP - AKV is a "hotel style" resort with interior hallways and 1 bus stop each for Kidani and Jambo House. Meanwhile, both SSR and OKW are "condo style" resorts - both are spread out and have many buildings and multiple bus stops within the resort (similar to how Coronado & Caribbean Beach are set up). Think about which style resort your family enjoys most then see what's available. I don't consider any of these resorts to be noisy but I think the condo style ones are probably quieter than the hotel style ones. Just the nature of the layouts.

 

[msjprincess]

With 5 kids I would probably go with OKW because of the bigger living room area. But, I'm not sure you would like the feel of the resort if you thought CBR was tired and dated.

 

[Brancaneve]

I vote for AKL and especially Kidani. You really feel like you are in Africa and can enjoy the peace and quiet of the grounds and pool area. Also with Kidani you get an extra bathroom which is nice for your five kids Since you have your own car you can park directly underneath your villa in the underground parking garage, which makes it nice and easy. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Dean]

Hi! We are almost yearly visitors to WDW, but are staying at a DVC resort for the first time this May. Based on budget and availability, we have narrowed it down to:

BWV
AKV
WLV
OKW/SSV (These seem interchangeable to me. Tell me if I'm wrong.)

We have five children, ages 11 to 2. It will just be me and my husband, no other adults with us to help with the kids. We welcome the fun and challenge, but for this reason (and others), I prefer a quieter, less busy resort. (This is relative, I realize.) For this reason, I was thinking of narrowing it further to:

AKL (Kidani)
OKW
SSV

Am I correct in thinking this? BWV seems like the most beautiful in terms of theming, but I imagine it's rather bustling with all the shops and activity nearby. Is that correct?

We visited WL for lunch a couple of years ago and it was packed everywhere! The pool, the courtyard, the lobby, the restaurants. It was beautiful, but it turned me off. Is that typical? Perhaps the more spread out resorts are just naturally more quiet-feeling.

Also, we will have our own car, so bus transportation is not a concern.

AK is our second favorite park, behind Mk, so I think we would love AK. Is it a similar feel?

Do you prefer OKW or SSV? They seem very similar to me.

For reference, in the past we have stayed at Coronado, Port Orleans and Caribbean Beach. I did not like Caribbean. It seemed tired and dated, but this was in 2011. We loved the updated rooms at Coronado and the food court and overall feel of Port Orleans, which is our favorite of the moderates.

Thanks for any thoughts you have!!

Obviously much is personal preference. IMO SSR and OKW are the same in some ways, not in others. Since you can reserve either currently very easily for most options owning either doesn't give you much usage advantage. SSR will be cheaper long term due to lower dues and the OKW extension situation scares me so I couldn't support buying there for most situations right now, esp for extended RTU of 2057. SSR also has the standard view option going forward so it will be a little cheaper in some cases than it was before. BWV only has lockoff 2 BR with no second regular bed in the second BR, a big negative for 7 total IMO. I'd only buy AKV if planned to stay there most trips, decent up front price but high dues comparatively speaking.. For your situation I'd either do SSR or BLT if finances are a large part of the issue, they are the 2 best long term deals that give you an 11 month WDW reservation option. BLT is currently the cheapest dues and I expect them to stay low that possibly not lower than SSR.

 

[Chip n Dale's Dad]

I've stayed almost all of these, except OKW, but have visited OKW many times. (I used to live in Key West and will stay at OKW eventually.) All of the resorts are very well themed and great places to stay. Having said that, there are a lot of variables to consider.

WLV has lots of construction going on.

BWV, is remodeling some of the boardwalk area, but is walking distance to two parks. Being able to get little ones back to the room fairly quickly is a huge plus, especially when they need a nap! As stated before, 2br are lock-off only. A fun theme pool area. Our kids love the coaster themed slide , despite the freaky clown!

AKL is amazing. educational, interesting and relaxing. Two themed pools, but isolated. Felt like living at the AK.

SSR is spread out, but close to DS. Has 2.5 themed pools. I consider Grandstand pool a half themed pool. We have had very positive experiences at SSR. Love walking around the resort. Very peaceful.

OKW has a definite romantic version of Key West theme to it. One themed pool with a definite sea-side feel to the main area. The shops and food areas are quaint and cute. The big negative, for us, is the lack of sidewalks around the resort as you get a way from the Hospitality House area. Safety issue.


Personally, as someone who travels with a large brood , I would look at BWV for location and theme or AKV, since you're partial to AK. After that I would choose SSR, OKW and then WLV (due to construction).

In reality, you can't go wrong. You are at WDW! You might even find out you like a particular resort more than you thought. Good luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

In your case, I'd skip BWV because you cannot get a dedicated two bedroom villa at BWV. They are all lockoffs. So the second bedroom will have a door to the hallway and a kitchenette. I'd try to get a dedicated at any other resort. OKW doesn't have elevators in most of the buildings. And the three that do are usually reserved for medical needs. So if you are hauling strollers up the stairs, that will get old quickly. But at OKW, you'll have a larger kitchen table where you can seat all the kids around the table (using chairs from the porch). You'll get a full sized washer and dryer at OKW versus stackable units at all the rest. And the jetted tub at OKW is probably the largest of all. You could get three or four smaller kids in one jetted tub in the master bathroom.

Have you considered BLT? With younger children, you don't have to drive to the park (and then hop the tram and then the monorail or ferryboat). You can just walk over to the MK in about ten minutes. And you can still drive to the other theme parks.

Villas at SSR will be similar in size to VWL and BWV. But they have a lot more water fun areas at SSR than they do at the other resorts. The Paddock pool has a real fun water play area (similar to the Alice in Wonderland one at GF), a water play area at the Grandstand and at the main High Rock Springs pool. In May, you could use all of them.

 

[Donna M]

My vote is OKW. The living room is the only one that will be comfortable for a family of 7. It is a beautiful resort. You can park right outside your unit. Ask for the first floor.

 

[wdwfan1]

We booked BWV for Dec 2016 in January. I tried to change things around but availability is sparse and I was not able to change. I don't think there will be much at the 7 month mark.
Having a back up is a good plan.