Multi-Generational Family Trip Resort Choice

[daneenm]

Hi DISers!

I am planning a trip for May 13-25 2024 for my family of adults. Our group of 7 includes my parents (healthy 80 year olds), hubby and me (50 somethings) and our adult children (23-27 years old). The few times we have been to WDW we have stayed at and loved YC CL. Given our group, however, we think a 2 bedroom villa (or 3 bedroom, which is a long shot) is a good choice for us. We are currently booked in a 2 bedroom Villa at Copper Creek, which looks lovely. Our only concern is transportation. We were not planning to have a car and we are used to being within walking distance of Epcot, so are having a hard time wrapping ur heads around the impact of being at WL.

It comes down to...
• We are hoping to plan at least 5 dinners in the Epcot/YC/BC area
• Don't plan to have a rental car
• We are good using Disney transportation, but prefer it to be direct point-to-point travel
• Uber/Minnie Van for 7 people will need 2 cars $$

So, my question to all of you experts....do you think we are overly concerned with the transportation factor? There is also a 2 bedroom Villa (theme park view) available at Bay Lake Tower, but I HATE the theming of Contemporary/BLT. If it made enough of a difference in transportation I could probably put up with the decor. I do think the layout of BLT is quite similar to Copper Creek. I see no other 2/3 bedroom Villas currently available (we do not want AKL).

What would you do? Other suggestions?

 

[LovesBelle]

Honestly, if you have 5 dinners in the Epcot area in mind, then I would be looking for a 2BR in that area. How about Beach Club or Boardwalk, since you’ve already done YC? We love BC so much—love the quick walk to Epcot and the skyliner (which my family thinks of as a favorite ride). Or Swan/Dolphin?

 

[Tigger's ally]

I would look at The Riviera. We loved the skyliner to both Studios and Epcot. Bus to DS is a short ride as well. Beautiful resort, good food choices. And you can probably get a 2BR and a Studio or tower Studio.

 

[daneenm]

Honestly, if you have 5 dinners in the Epcot area in mind, then I would be looking for a 2BR in that area. How about Beach Club or Boardwalk, since you’ve already done YC? We love BC so much—love the quick walk to Epcot and the skyliner (which my family thinks of as a favorite ride). Or Swan/Dolphin?

I should have included that there is no 2BR availability at BCV or BWV. I continue to watch them in case one does pop up. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[daneenm]

I would look at The Riviera. We loved the skyliner to both Studios and Epcot. Bus to DS is a short ride as well. Beautiful resort, good food choices. And you can probably get a 2BR and a Studio or tower Studio.

Thanks for the suggestion. I had not looked at Riviera before...it looks very nice. Unfortunately no 2/3 BR availability, but I will keep looking there.

 

[Marthasor]

Copper Creek is gorgeous. I would just plan on those lyft/uber/Minnie Vans for your EP meals even if it means taking two cars. I would not transfer to BLT. BLT is really out of date and in need of a refurb. Location is great, but the CCV rooms are much nicer and WL is an overall better resort, IMHO. Have you considered looking for a 1-bedroom and studio? Or even three studios or 3 regular rooms? If you don't mind breaking your group up into separate rooms, you may have more flexibility. We also prefer the location of the EP resorts. Not sure how you feel about the theming, but you could also call the Swan/Dolphin directly and ask to price out a 3-bedroom suite for your group. We've stayed in 2-bedrooms at the Swan and they are much more affordable than similar spaces in WDW resorts.

 

[Babsy]

Have you stayed at the CR or BLT before? It is different staying there from looking at it as a visitor, IMO. I never liked the resort until I stayed there. The convenience and comfort won me over, big time.

So, I just wanted to say a quick word (about our experience) in favour of BLT:

We did a multigenerational trip at the end of 2019. Oldest family member was 67 and youngest was 4, total traveling party 10 people. We booked a two bedroom and another separate studio. (three bedrooms total) Our choice was Bay Lake Tower. I did have some concerns about the lack of theming, but it really wan't an issue for us. The two bedroom villa in BLT was spacious and gorgeous! We had a beautiful view of the MK and fireworks. Walking to the MK and monorail to Epcot was lovely (you do need to change monorails at the TTC, but it was never a problem for us). Transportation was great from there and you can easily get a boat from the CR to either the WL or Fort Wilderness for dining such as at Artist Point or Hoop Dee Doo. WE loved having our home right next to the MK. Plus the CR has lots of dining options right next door. You have lots of space to spread out, your own laundry and a full kitchen. Overall, It was a very luxurious stay and we all really enjoyed it.

All that said, if you really want the Epcot resort area, then that may well be the best place for you to stay. You may get some availability between now and next May. You can book three rooms at one of the three CL's as a backup in case you aren't able to get the two/three bedroom villa. You would still have the lounge to meet up in to plan for the day, have breakfast and relax together in the evening. Not quite as nice as your own villa, but better than three regular rooms.

I haven't stayed at the WL for many years but I just booked a stay there for Jan 2024 for DH and myself. My one concern is, like you, the transportation. The theming is beautiful, but if it isn't convenient I am afraid that we will find it frustrating to stay here. So, I am waffling between the WL CL, the Dolphin or YC CL. (Not staying at CR in Jan because that is where we are staying this coming November - split stay with AKL. ) I like to move around and stay in all the different areas of WDW.

Regardless of the resort you choose, have a magical family trip!

 

[jo-jo]

It does sound as Epcot resorts are the way to go. So I hope some pixie dust comes your way. We usually stay at BLT but we have younger grandkids. But with your plans and ages......Epcot.

Good luck.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Get an EP resort for at least half the trip even if it’s just 3 rooms at Swolphin (which might actually make a nice back half of the trip for some privacy between 3 generations) if you can’t swing BC/YC/BWI. Dragging your rear to the front of EP, through transit and back to the hotel room is a lot of effort. And for FIVE nights? Forget it. I can’t stand park exiting crowds for more than 2 nights on a trip.

As for WL over CR I don’t really see that much difference. It’s an easy boat or bus WL/MK.

 

[Genie+]

Hi DISers!

I am planning a trip for May 13-25 2024 for my family of adults. Our group of 7 includes my parents (healthy 80 year olds), hubby and me (50 somethings) and our adult children (23-27 years old). The few times we have been to WDW we have stayed at and loved YC CL. Given our group, however, we think a 2 bedroom villa (or 3 bedroom, which is a long shot) is a good choice for us. We are currently booked in a 2 bedroom Villa at Copper Creek, which looks lovely. Our only concern is transportation. We were not planning to have a car and we are used to being within walking distance of Epcot, so are having a hard time wrapping ur heads around the impact of being at WL.

It comes down to...
• We are hoping to plan at least 5 dinners in the Epcot/YC/BC area
• Don't plan to have a rental car
• We are good using Disney transportation, but prefer it to be direct point-to-point travel
• Uber/Minnie Van for 7 people will need 2 cars $$

So, my question to all of you experts....do you think we are overly concerned with the transportation factor? There is also a 2 bedroom Villa (theme park view) available at Bay Lake Tower, but I HATE the theming of Contemporary/BLT. If it made enough of a difference in transportation I could probably put up with the decor. I do think the layout of BLT is quite similar to Copper Creek. I see no other 2/3 bedroom Villas currently available (we do not want AKL).

What would you do? Other suggestions?

Theres a good shot to get Beach Club 2BR right now, and BLT 2BR Lake View too.

BCV is the same points as CCV, BLT is higher but not by that much.

I’d try to switch Beach Club before the opportunity passes. Copper Creek 2BR looks super cool and it’s a great resort. But between the time of year and your party considerations… Beach Club seems a great fit. With dinners in that area and older folks to cherish, it could make a big difference getting around. The young adults will love being able to come/go to HS/EP plus maybe even enjoy Boardwalk late evenings. Flower & Garden right at your doorstep. Overall I think it’ll make logistics easier for all of you.

 

[daneenm]

Theres a good shot to get Beach Club 2BR right now, and BLT 2BR Lake View too.

BCV is the same points as CCV, BLT is higher but not by that much.

I’d try to switch Beach Club before the opportunity passes. Copper Creek 2BR looks super cool and it’s a great resort. But between the time of year and your party considerations… Beach Club seems a great fit. With dinners in that area and older folks to cherish, it could make a big difference getting around. The young adults will love being able to come/go to HS/EP plus maybe even enjoy Boardwalk late evenings. Flower & Garden right at your doorstep. Overall I think it’ll make logistics easier for all of you.

We are not DVC and right now BC 2BR is not available for cash payment, unfortunately. Might cave and just do 2 rooms but having to work through the thought of that vs 2BR. Appreciate your input.

 

[Babsy]

We are not DVC and right now BC 2BR is not available for cash payment, unfortunately. Might cave and just do 2 rooms but having to work through the thought of that vs 2BR. Appreciate your input.

you could rent points from somewhere like Davids. It has access to the available villa and is less expensive too!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We've had very good luck with the bus transportation at WL. It is a lovely resort. One way to get to the Epcot resort area by using Disney transportation is to take the bus to Hollywood Studios and then the boat or Skyliner to the resorts. You might want to plan some meals at an MK area resort. If we want to eat at a GF restaurant while staying at the WL, we take the boat to MK and then take the boat to GF. A quick monorail ride back to MK and the boat back to WL makes it a nice trip.

 

[Anthony1971]

I love WL the transportation is fine but if your looking for walk to..........
Since you have not made reservations yet I would consider the MK resorts and if they have restaurants you want to try?
With that WL is fine to get to any in that area. While I am not a big fan of BLT it will offer one thing the other resorts you mention do not..... A 3rd bathroom and with 6 adults I would strongly suggest you consider this.
If you can work with the DVC agency you booked with a 2 BR at BW will likely come true on a waitlist with that I would then suggest staying with WL as the points charts are similar BLT has a higher cost. Keep in mind neither will offer the 3rd bath and I can tell you the 2br at BW are on the smallish side and the master bath will have a door sort of in a hall and a door direct to the master bath so if you need to play the door locking game with that many people.
As far as transportation to EPCOT WK is bus only and BLT is 2 monorails so neither is great. To me the monorail transfer when you have to walk down the ramp and back up on your return to get the resort monorail is much less then ideal.