More help with deciding on resort

[mrsp1030]

Okay, after more thinking...these are some of the characteristics we would like to help in making the determination of a resort:

1. Access to a kids club ( we still have very young children)
2. A variety of suites available: which ones have grand villas in case we ever want to bank and borrow for a larger group to come along?
3. best pool areas
4. good variety of eateries

Thanks again for any and all info! We see this as an investment for ourselves and our family down the line and one we hope can be filled with many years of family fun!

Also, we are going in October for a quick trip so curious if anyone knows of current incentives when doing the tour at WDW? We are staying at WL. Thanks.

 

[Sandisw]

I believe that the only WDW resorts without grand villas are BCV and VWL. I know that BLT, AKV, OKW, BWV, and SSR have grand villas. I am not sure how many are at each.

As far as eateries, it depends what you are looking for. All of the resorts have places to eat but they are different.

I have stayed at BLT, VWL, BWV, and BCV so can only talk about those. Both BLT and VWL have quick service options in the attached hotel. To get there from the villas, it is about a 5 minute walk--very easy. What I like about both of these in terms of sit downs, they have easy access to other places as well.

For example, from BLT, you can take a boat to Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness as well as take the monorail over to Poly and Grand Floridian to eat.

Because both BCV and BWV are close to Epcot, there are lots of choices within a short walk. BCV has a small quick service option in the Marketplace but not as extensive as VWL or BLT. For BWV, you really have no quick service location within the resort, but you do have the Boardwalk bakery within a short walk. Even though we are in the process of buying BWV to add to our DVC membership, it is probably one of its biggest drawbacks for us--not enough not to buy there because we know we can quickly walk to Epcot to get variety if need be.

Good luck!

 

[chalee94]

Okay, after more thinking...these are some of the characteristics we would like to help in making the determination of a resort:

1. Access to a kids club ( we still have very young children)
2. A variety of suites available: which ones have grand villas in case we ever want to bank and borrow for a larger group to come along?
3. best pool areas
4. good variety of eateries

this sounds like AKV to me...opinions may vary.

the downside is that you are kind of a long way from the MK - might not be ideal for parents of small children for a few years.

might want to try breakfast at boma when you go in october...check out the savannas while you are there...

incentives for the tours change all the time. you might get small gift cards, you might get a few fast passes, you might just get ice cream. hard to say...i wouldn't count on incentives.

also, here is a thread for more info about choosing a home resort.

 

[Granny]

1. Access to a kids club ( we still have very young children)

Just a comment that things like this probably should not be a huge consideration in picking a home resort. How many years will your children be using the kids club...1j0? And most contracts have 31-50 years left on them. So most of your ownership years will be when your children are older, or even grown up!

I think that almost any resort would fit your needs as described. Which one seems to fit your family's personality? Are you into theming? Or location? Hotel style or free-standing condo buildings?

Overall, I think BWV might fit your family very well. Not only does it have a Community Hall and Grand Villas, but it has the additional advantage of Standard View rooms to save on point usage. And it has the most restaurants within the shortest walk (not to mention all the ones in EPCOT). And a very good main pool with kiddie splash area and a nice quiet pool.

But as I said, it really should be about where you and your spouse feel most at home. Trust me, the children will find ANY DVC resort to be fun and magical.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I am thinking SSR.

1. it has 5 pools.
2. It has a lot of rooms so availability is pretty high.
3. They have grand villa but not sure how many.
4. It also has the Treehouse villas which sleep 9 people.
5. There are two onsite restaurants plus you are across the water from DTD so your eating options are increased.
6. The other good thing is if you visit without a car and want to go to another resort all you need to do is go to DTD and hop on the bus to whatever resort you want to visit. which is so nice to have that option so close by.
7. They offer a lot of kid activities through out the week.
8. As the kids get older there are tennis courts, bike rentals, pool table, and I think a basketball court to keep them busy. If you hubby is a golfer there is a onsite golf course.
9. YOu can take a bus, boat or walk to DTD.
10 Its a very quiet resort.

 

[majortom1981]

AKV has the value rooms which the other dvc resorts do not have which can be a perk.

 

[CMOORE185]

I am thinking SSR.

1. it has 5 pools.
2. It has a lot of rooms so availability is pretty high.
3. They have grand villa but not sure how many.
4. It also has the Treehouse villas which sleep 9 people.
5. There are two onsite restaurants plus you are across the water from DTD so your eating options are increased.
6. The other good thing is if you visit without a car and want to go to another resort all you need to do is go to DTD and hop on the bus to whatever resort you want to visit. which is so nice to have that option so close by.
7. They offer a lot of kid activities through out the week.
8. As the kids get older there are tennis courts, bike rentals, pool table, and I think a basketball court to keep them busy. If you hubby is a golfer there is a onsite golf course.
9. YOu can take a bus, boat or walk to DTD.
10 Its a very quiet resort.

And you can't beat the buy in price! MF's are one of the lowest also.

 

[crisi]

Just a comment that things like this probably should not be a huge consideration in picking a home resort. How many years will your children be using the kids club...1j0? And most contracts have 31-50 years left on them. So most of your ownership years will be when your children are older, or even grown up!

This. Don't pick a resort for today. And don't buy DVC for 30 years from now thinking "we will take the grandkids." Think ten years out. Today is too short sighted and thirty years - well, a lot changes. Over the next ten years, how much are you going to use the kids club? How much will you be in the MK? How much will you be in Epcot? How much will you be using the pool? What fits for you in terms of theming? Do you have a sentimental attachment to anything? What fits into your budget?

Also, think carefully about heavily weighing issues like "availability of GVs" if the reason there is "we will bring the family." Bringing family turns out to be a more complicated thing than the enthusiasm of a considered DVC purchase takes into account. And sometimes, with family, multiple rooms are really better anyway - its the only thing that kept my brother in law from being at the bottom of Bay Lake with an anchor attached to him. (Dear man that he is, seven days in the same room with him would make me or my husband homicidal).

Also remember that things do change. The ink wasn't dry on some of those SSR contracts bought for DTD fireworks and the Adventurer's Club before Disney stopped doing fireworks and closed the AC. A kids club that is there today might be a counter service restaurant in two years. When we were looking we passed on OKW because it didn't have a slide in its pool (well, the situation was more complicated than that) - two years later, it had a slide.

Also, don't get TOO hung up on "buy where you want to stay." IF you are flexible and don't have your heart set on something, the vast majority of situations are available seven months out for most of the year. (Those GVs are an issue - specialty rooms in general are an issue - GVs, specialized views, treehouse villas). I really prefer "buy where you won't mind staying." i.e. book home at eleven months - see what else is out there at seven.

The last thing - with the exception of SAB and room types (Standard View, Boardwalk View and Grand Villas), BWV and BCV are close enough that the amenities are pretty easily used by guests at either resort. Want to see the BW entertainment while staying at the BC, not a problem. Want to go eat at B&C - its a longer walk, but the walk isn't THAT long for Disney. I think Kidani and Jambo are similar (but I haven't stayed out there since Kidani was built).

 

[sweetdana]

1. Access to a kids club ( we still have very young children)
AK, BCV, also BVW and BLT both have one reasonably close (walking (at swan and dol or BC) or monorail at the Poly). I agree with PP, really put this on the low scale, may be super important, but for maybe 5-8 yrs. Also if you only use it 2-3 nights a trip, I wouldn't plan a 10K purchase around this.

2. A variety of suites available: which ones have grand villas in case we ever want to bank and borrow for a larger group to come along?

I think SSR is a great choice for this, has TVH, along with everything else. If they limit resale to home resort it has most choices and available. If going direct, I would say any but BC and WV have no GV.

3. best pool areas
Toughy.. everyone's diff.
Best pool is BC, but it is better with 2 parents per kid. It is spread out and everywhere. Also only 2 other quiet pools both with no features. Even 2 Adults for 1 kid, is just a lot of work. ..FUN, but scary at times.

2 other pools would be SSR with 2 fantastic pools, 2+ splash areas for little once and a quiet pool. IMO with more than 1 kid, SSR would be the best pool, Kiddie slide, adult slide, splashing Donald, movies by the pool.
AK too. GREAT at kidani, with fun splash area too.

4. good variety of eateries
I think BLT/SSR, cause your on monorail, or can walk to DTD in like 5 mins.
BC has a few, but B and C is always an hour wait, and YM is 2 TS, so we walk to Epcot when there, but only if you have APs, or park hoppers.

Good luck.

 

[DenLo]

Most of the deluxe villas offer a babysitting service either in your room or at Kids Club. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/search-results/?searchString=babysitting&goSearch_event_Id=Go

Most of the DVC resorts (except BCV and VWL, but they have a child care center that does some activities and including babysitting) have a Community Hall which provide a multitude of activities for children.

AKV has quite a number of restaurants but they are spread between Jambo House and Kidani. Kidani like most DVC resorts is short on a quick service restaurant even though there is one at Jambo House (Mara). Much of food at AKV is mainly African/Indian influenced and not everyone likes those seasonings.

The Epcot resorts do give you a lot of choices but Epcot is not a kid magnet park until kids reach school age or even the tweens. Even then there might only be a few attractions the kids really enjoy or at least that is they way it is with our families. The SAB pool at BC/YC is like having a water park at your resort with the crowds to go with it. There are tons of restaurants to choose from between the boardwalk resorts, Epcot, DHS and Swan/Dolphin.

BLT is located at the Contemporary Resort so the decor is very modern, but there are still Hidden Mickeys and Disney related artwork throughout the resort. There are several restaurants located at CR and the QS, the Contempo Cafe has a nice selection including some healthy options, the Wave also serves a healthy menu and the California Grille is a favorite for many. And you are a monorail or ferry ride away from restaurants at Ft. Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, the Poly, the Grand Floridian or even the Magic Kingdom.

I haven't stayed at SSR yet, but have gone there several times, I love the Turf Club. There QS restaurants at the main resort and at the Paddock pool. The Paddock pool has recently been remodeled into a smaller feature pool. And a real plus is being a ferry ride to DTD (or even 15 minute walk) where there are more places to dine, shop or be entertained. SSR's spa is highly rated by travel magazines. And there's the THVs which are the same price as a 2BR villa.

Others will have advice about OKW of which I know very little. I'll be staying there for the first time this October.

Good luck on choosing your home resort.

 

[mrsp1030]

Thanks so much for all the advice! Such a decision to be made b/c honestly, we love everything about Disney! One question....can you book at your home resort at 11 months out and then call at 7 months out to see if any availbility? Does it have to be at the 11 month mark on the day you plan to arrive?

 

[chalee94]

One question....can you book at your home resort at 11 months out and then call at 7 months out to see if any availbility?

yes. this is very common.

Does it have to be at the 11 month mark on the day you plan to arrive?

you don't "have" to book at 11 months out...it just gives you the best shot at booking exactly what you want.

but the current rules allow you to book your home resort as early as 11 months ahead of check-in date (for up to a 7 night stay), yes.