Let's talk walking distance at resorts!

[starsaber25]

While I'm still a DVC novice, I have stayed at Kidani, BLT, VGF and BWV. Kidani was my first DVC stay and it was a I have points I have to use contract purchase trip. It was fine but it would not be my first choice in the future. The hallways are LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG. However, I didn't mind the buses from there as most people do. I actually like them better then the buses for BLT by far.

As far as walking goes, BLT is so convenient. I can't tell you how many times during that trip I was in the hotel room relaxing with the kids and I would check the MDE app for MK wait times. Kids! Tron is 30 min! Quick lets get walking! And we would be on the ride before you know it.

I only stayed at Boardwalk for one night but we walked over to EPCOT. I can definitely say that I cannot wait to stay there again. That walk was super easy. The walk back to VGF was definitely convenient at the end of a MK day when the monorail line was down the ramp and sidewalk. It wasn't as easy as BLT or BWV. But it was certainly easier then fighting for a spot on probably the 5th monorail.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Sometimes it's the luck of the draw on your room assignment, too. There are long walks for some rooms at AKV, BCV, OKW, SSR, and others. And sometimes the walks are short! We don't tend to mind a slightly longer walk to the room as it tends to have less people traffic around the room during our stay. We also prefer a walk over situations in the 'tower' resorts where the elevators can get quite busy and full during certain times (and the elevator is the only realistic way to get to the upper floors!). Pros and cons.......

 

[atthebeachclub]

There are long walks for some rooms at AKV, BCV, OKW, SSR, and others

I had the longest possible walk at BCV, and it was still much shorter than my walk at Kidani where I split stayed next. It wasn’t usually an issue except when they called me to meet my grocery delivery and I basically jogged the whole hallway to keep them from waiting too long (still long!).

 

[RickNJane]

BWV location cannot be beat. Walk to 2 parks or take a boat. but the hallways can be long especially if you have a Boardwalk View. BLT is fantastic. Easy walk to MK. Very short walk to the Contemporary for dining, monorail, etc. We were spoiled at AKV Jambo house. Our room was close to the elevators and the lobby. Super immersive theming. Great Cast Members. My grandkids wanted to finish the Bead Activity instead of doing a park day! Ok my DD was right there with her kids. I am a die hard BWV fan, but I think Jambo is now my favorite.

 

[Boopuff]

We stayed at OKW and got Miller road. We were not thrilled, but one morning we saw the MK bus pass by, we were able to walk over to the Hospitality House and catch the bus there. So that ended up being a nice benefit! When we stayed at Turtle pond, we were stuck until the next bus.

 

[muppets3d]

I have had good luck getting rooms reasonably close to the elevators at Kidani and Jambo. But I do know the walk can be long, especially at Kidani. I couldn't imagine having a room at the far north end of the building and needing to use the buses much. That would make me hate the resort if it happened more than once.

When I'm staying at Kidani and don't have a car or just plan to use the buses a lot, I always request to be near the Timon elevators. That elevator is right by the bus lot entrance to the building.

 

[Sweettears]

I never understand the argument against spread out resorts. You’re already walking 10 miles a day what does a few extra steps take. Also it’s a lot more peaceful when the rooms are spread out.

 

[Brianstl]

I never understand the argument against spread out resorts. You’re already walking 10 miles a day what does a few extra steps take. Also it’s a lot more peaceful when the rooms are spread out.

I think the argument against them all depends on the purchaser and is why DVC has turned to the tower model. Over the the last 20 years it is becoming an older crowd looking to make memories with their grown kids and their grandkids who are making these purchases and paying for the vacations. They won't be logging multiple miles walked at the park. When it comes to spending their money compact resorts are far more attractive and in some cases the only option.

 

[zackiedawg]

It's also just the way some people look at it - it's easy enough to rationalize about walking miles and miles through the parks all day and figuring 'what's another 1/2 mile of hallways after that?'. But some people look at it as 'I've walked miles and miles around the parks, I'm tired and can't wait to get back to my room to rest, I get off the bus thinking I'm finally back at my resort, yet I still need to walk another 1/2 mile to get to my room'. It generally doesn't bother me, but I admit I'm a little happier when my room is close after a long day of walking around the parks. I generally take long routes back to my resort from the parks anyway, just because I'd rather take a boat and a walk than ride a bus, so if there are circuitous ways to get back and mostly avoid or reduce time spent on a bus, I'll take it.

 

[Maleficent's Dad]

For straight-out walking distances, it would be difficult to compare any resort to the BCV, IMO. It's a small, compact resort and mere steps away from a theme park. I agree with @atthebeachclub on this point.

Walking is inevitable in Disney! And everyone knows that our nation needs more exercise! We are over 20,000 steps at Disney every day, and often hit 30,000. DW figured that we often average 10 miles of walking a day!
We've stayed at all the DVC resorts with the new Poly tower and FW being the exceptions. (Will probably never stay at either as we have no desire.) Every resort will have its positives and negatives, and they will all require some degree of walking / scootering, etc. My MIL has bad arthritis in her knees, so the distance thing is very real for us. With some luck, some requests, and some pleading with the front desks, we've had plenty of positive situations at all the resorts - including the spread out locations. OKW always seems to bend over backwards to help. Several times now, we've had elevator buildings when the MIL had a scooter. You cannot beat the location of those three buildings! Every building in SSR has elevators, and we usually try to get close to a bus stop. BLT is an interesting place - the monorail can be tricky on a scooter (getting to it) and it's quite a walk to the monorail depending on room location. The only resort that we probably would not stay at again is AKL (both houses). Kidani has some long walks, sure but that's not our reason. It's just too far removed from everything. It takes quite a long time travel-wise to get anywhere.

We're all fortunate to be discussing and debating walking distances. First world problems, right? DVC's growth in the past 30+ years is nothing short of amazing to me. I don't love the direction that they're heading with towers (Poly, Riviera, Lakeside Lodge), but understand that it serves many needs. I've said it before, but one of the nice things about DVC is that there seems to be something for everyone (resort-wise, that is).