Need help choosing a resort

[ChristineLynne]

Hi all!

Thanks so much for all the pointers as we decided whether to buy. We are in the midst of purchasing a new SSR interest, whoopee!

Now the difficulty:

We are going to WDW 10/22-10/29. My parents are coming, and had their hearts set on BCV. They hate using the bus system, so they were really into using the boat from BCV to Epcot. Of course, BCV is sold out. It's a huge family reunion, so the dates are not flexible.

We have 180 points, and plan on borrowing up to 100% from next year. Actually, I'm kind of glad about BCV, since at other resorts we can afford a 2BR plus a studio for my parents, which gives our toddler an actual bedroom rather than the living room.

So what would be some good alternatives that make it easy to get to the parks?

 

[CarolMN]

The obvious alternative is the BWV - if it isn't sold out already, too.

FWIW, taking hte boat from the BW is faster than taking the boat from the BCV. You have to walk away from EPCOT to get to the BC/YC dock and the boat goes from there across Crescent Lake to the BW dock and then to EPCOT.

Best wishes -

 

[sheryl0521]

Hi all!...Actually, I'm kind of glad about BCV, since at other resorts we can afford a 2BR plus a studio for my parents, which gives our toddler an actual bedroom rather than the living room.

From one Mom to another - putting your toddler in the 2nd bedroom by him/herself may scare the child. It is the size of a hotel room and it will be quite "far away" from M&D in their eyes.

My toddler has slept on the pull-out couch in the 1-bedroom villa for over 3 years now and he loves it. Considers it "camping."

The 2-bed villa may be just the fit for the entire family.

Just my .02

 

[Disney Doll]

Hey!!!!!! We are going to be there the same dates!!!!!!!!

I would second the nomination for the BWV if BCV is sold out. You also have the option of waitlisting at the BCV, but they don't guarantee that. The time of year you are going to be there is during Epcot's Food & Wine Festival, so it would be nice to be within walking distance to the World Showcase. But of course, because of the F&W Fest, those Boardwalk resorts (BWV & BCV) fill up fast!

What I did was to book the whole thing at OKW at my 11 month window. OKW is our home resort. When I got to the 7 month window, I called up and asked to get waitlisted for both the BWV & the BCV. A couple of days later, they called ot tell me that the waitlist had come through for some of our stay to be at the BWV. So now, we are at OKW for October 22-26, then moving to BWV for October 26-29. We are in a 2BR. I also asked to be kept on the waitlist to either the get the 1st 4 nights at BWV, the first 4 nights at BCV, or the whole week at BCV. During the F&W Fest, it is wonderful to be able to stroll in and out of Epcot at will.

Good luck and we'll see you there!!!!!!

 

[ChristineLynne]

OK, here is what we've been tossing around:

Try for Boardwalk (I'm not holding my breath, though). Also, is the Boardwalk very noisy? I seem to recall hearing that.

If BW is full, maybe get a reservation at SSR (at least they can walk to Downtown Disney).

Is it feasible to stay at Wilderness, take the boat to MK, then get to other destinations from there?

Anyway, thanks Disney Doll - we will try getting on the waitlists whatever we do. Can't wait to bump into you, LOL.

Oh, and Sheryl, my MIL is coming too, so she can bunk with Chloe if need be, but it would be nice to have the option of shutting her away from distractions. At home her room is on the opposite end of the house and a floor up from us, so she is used to no distractions when she's trying to fall asleep.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Why are your folks so afraid of the buses? It is so easy to do the parks with the buses. Much easier than the boats, I think. If I would stay at BCV or BWV, I would walk to the parks, because we have noticed we can always beat the boats by walking. Many times, we have walked from MGM through BWV, past BCV and into the international gateway at Epcot. Several times, we left the parking lot area of MGM the same time the boat was leaving the MGM dock. By the time we got to Epcot, the boat was just getting to the BWV dock and still had to go to the Y/BC dock. Besides which, walking to the dock at BCV/YC must be farther than walking directly to the International gateway entrance. It seems counterproductive to me. I much prefer hopping a bus and arriving at the front of the park in about 10 minutes, no worries and no walking.

 

[jaysue]

I would go with OKW to get the extra space and I agree on the buses being easy to use and might work better for your party

Enjoy!

Cheers
jaysue

(we tend to stay at BCV and OKW whilst at WDW and enjoy both)

 

[Stitch 626]

If you can not get into BWV, I would try SSR and OKW in that order. Assuming that you are going to multiple parks, SSR and OKW may be the best bet overall. If you are planning EPCOT/MGM only, BWV would be the first choice. MK only you may want to put VWL at the top of the list.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

All of the parks are easy to get to via the Disney Transportation buses that service each resort.

I would consider Old Key West. It always has the largest rooms. Wait until you see the 2-bedrooms in this resort!

And usually, it has the lowest point usage structure which will help you save on points!