Need Help and Advice, First time with the in-laws

[DougandBeth]

Hi everyone,

We are going to surprise my in-laws for their 60th birthdays by bringing them to Disney. We are going to pay for their flights and park tickets and ultimately use our DVC.

We are going to be joining them but only really hanging around the resort as we will have a 4 month old with us and our 3 year old as they visit the parks. The were there about 4 years ago

Here are my questions:
We are shooting for July 20th for 5 days, which resort do you think we will be able to get into?

Which resort would you recommend for their first DVC experience? They will be in the parks most of the time.

Any other tips regarding taking in-laws would be greatly appreciated

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We take DM and DsF on trips . They will be joining us this trip for half of it.

I would try for BWV or BCV ( I have had no problem getting into a Studio the past 2 trips with this one during July 4th) this will give quick access to Epcot and MGM.

Just let them know that it's everyone vacation and neither should be obligated to run with the pack ( DsF only does waterparks and nights with us and shows then stays at the Pool all day long). This is a 2 way street and can be traveled with no problems.

We live with them as well all in one multi-level house so we are use to being with them so that helps.

Also don't feel bad about asking for some alone time for you and DH even if it's just for a bite out for an hour or so. That location makes that real easy as well.

 

[eliza61]

I would start with checking out your home resort first and then maybe try the WL. This is based on my preference not the liklihood of availability. Are they active adults? Can they do a lot of walking? If yes then BCV's or BWV's would be great because they can walk right to Epcot. Would you guys like some thing a little calmer to return home too. Remember July is very, very busy. Then OKW is a great choice and it has larger rooms which may be nice. Each one has it's pros & cons

 

[Granny]

We are going to be joining them but only really hanging around the resort as we will have a 4 month old with us and our 3 year old as they visit the parks. The were there about 4 years ago

Here are my questions:
We are shooting for July 20th for 5 days, which resort do you think we will be able to get into?

I think you'll be able to get into most resorts if you move quickly (you are within the 7 month window already).

Which resort would you recommend for their first DVC experience? They will be in the parks most of the time.

Personally I'd probably look at an OKW 2BR set up. That way they have their own bedroom and OKW provides a lot of elbow room. But really any 2BR would do the trick. I guess it depends on whether they want to have a hotel-like setting or the condo style.

Any other tips regarding taking in-laws would be greatly appreciated

No other tips really, other than I agree that it's a good idea to have expectations of how the days will be spent in general, and if there is to be alone time for them, etc. Just avoids some awkwardness that could come up during the vacation. That's a really nice gesture on you and your spouse's part to invite the in-laws. I'm sure they'll really enjoy the time with their grandchildren!

 

[mikesmom]

Maybe think about whether they are folks that would like "rides", or prefer the touring countries feel of Epcot, watching the animals at AK, or whatever. Also, think about what they are leaving at home. Do they have the kind of high stress or high activity jobs where they might want to "chill" at the end of the day at someplace like OKW?

Sixty is not that old for the baby boomer generation - most people that age aren't even close to elderly. I am 57 and can run my 25 year old son into the ground at WDW. (darn near killed him at a large trade show we went to a couple of years ago - 14 miles a day on concrete).

Bet you all have a great time!

 

[DougandBeth]

Will Beach Club be overly packed in July. Beach Club is going to be great for our kids but I am wondering if it will be too crowded for their liking? Thoughts anyone? They do like the parks but will want to come back during the day and hang around the pool.

Thoughts?

 

[crisi]

Pools all over will be overly packed in July. They will have troubles finding a lounge chair near the pool coming back from the park pretty much anywhere (best bet might be OKW). The nice thing about BCV is that there are lounge chairs by the community pool and out on the beach as well. (They may wish to try the Inn pool at BWV if they stay there - I've never seen the Inn pool crowded - its like the secret pool.)

A few years ago we took my mother in law and her sister and stayed at BWV - they really enjoyed walking in and out of Epcot, since they filled their days poking through the countries. Also, not having been to Disney before, I wanted to limit their dependance on buses. With two seniors new to Disney every bus ride is a risk that they'll end up somewhere they didn't intend to - a little confused about how to get back. They did fine (and made it to the MK on the buses by themselves at least once).

So

1) How comfortable are they with buses or will they drive - if you are very comfortable with buses, SSR and OKW and VWL are good options - less comfortable - BCV and BWV are a little less bus dependant.

2) What do you think they'll want to do? Spending a lot of time in the MK, and VWL looks really attractive. Likewise VAKL if they are going to spend a lot of time at AK. DTD - SSR. Hanging around the resort? Look for a resort that appeals to them.

They may want to spend more time with you than you think they will. Seeing WDW through your grandchildren is likely to be very special. I'm assuming you will be taking your kids into the parks at least a little.

With your little ones, VAKL, SSR and BCV are the only resorts with zero entry pools.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Will Beach Club be overly packed in July. Beach Club is going to be great for our kids but I am wondering if it will be too crowded for their liking? Thoughts anyone? They do like the parks but will want to come back during the day and hang around the pool.

Thoughts?

BCV is one of the smallest of the DVC Resorts. You may have trouble getting a 2 bedroom for July at this point.