looking for advice

[Gracesmom]

My family is planning on going to Disney in November. My friend is making reservations for me in her DVC. She asked me where my preference is for resort location. I will be staying in a 2 bedroom villa. I'm not sure what the best location would be for 4 adults and 2 preteen girls. Any advice on Wilderness lodge, saratoga springs, beach club/board walk areas would be appreciated.

 

[jekjones1558]

You may not have as much choice as you think. Have your friend call and see which resorts are available for your dates. Believe it or not, some of the DVC resorts will probably already be booked for your dates! Nov. is a popular time for DVC members.

 

[ChelleinNC]

There are a lot of things to consider:

Which park do you plan to spend the most time at?
Do you plan a lot of resort time or more park time?
Will you be spending a lot of time at DTD?
Do you prefer the "hotel" feel (interior hallways) or "condo" style (park next to building, outside entrances)
Would you like to feel like you're in the Great Northwest, the beach or at the track in upstate NY?

We spend most of our time at Epcot & DHS, so BCV/BWV are great for that. When we like to have more relaxing down time, we love being at SSR.

 

[disneynutz]

As stated above, it depends on availability. Have your friend call first, then choose. What does your friend recommend?

 

[Gracesmom]

We plan on going to all the parks. Her home DVC is wilderness villas so that was what she was trying to get me in...She told me that I am wait listed for the wilderness, but she has me in either saratoga or beach club (I think)
Not ever having stayed at any of those, I was just curious about the benefit of each. I have stayed at POR and the cabins at the wilderness. I know you can take a boat to MK or downtown disney, but I didn't know if there was an overall concensus about the resorts. I'm just so thankful that I get to go! (I'll sleep in the parking lot in a tent if I have to!) I've read alot about the benefit of staying near Epcot, but I know nothing about the DVCs there. If it sounds like any one place is as good as the other, I'll ask my friend just to leave me wherever she has me and take me off the wait list. Thanks for all of your responses.

 

[Caskbill]

If your friend's home resort is VWL, then that's the ONLY resort she can book at right now, and it appears even that resort is full since you say you're waitlisted.

As you probably know, she can't use VWL points to book at any of the other DVC resorts until the 7-month window. For a November reservation, that's April. The exact date in April depends on your vacation dates. So I don't think she has you already book at one of the other resorts, unless of course she owns at more than one resort (has two home resorts) and still had the 11-month window somewhere other than VWL. You should really clarify if she does indeed have another home resort and you are booked, or she was just saying she would try to book one of the other resorts.

Keep in mind that at 7-months, all members can book anywhere they want regardless of home resort. So even if BWV, BCV etc might have availability today, it could disappear completely very quickly when that 7-month window opens.

The fact that you're already waitlisted at her home resort gives you an idea of the popularity of the November timeframe.

Truthfully your chances at BCV, AKV, or BWV are very slim. Chances at getting into SSR or OKW are a lot better, but no guarantee.

 

[Gracesmom]

Thank you for your response. This makes me nervous! I guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Each resort has its own strengths and weaknesses...and its own fans as well as those who are not so crazy about it. Way too much info. for one post (sorry!)...BUT...since you don't have familiarity with any of the resorts, I would just say let the chips fall where they may. You will be in a fantastic and spacious villa in Walt Disney World and it will be fabulous. Period.