Need help choosing resort

[Drea2500]

Next year, I'm planning a trip for the food and wine festival (so sometime in September-October). I am planning on renting through DVC request a studio villa for myself, husband, mom, and two children (2.5 and 10-11 months at the time of the trip). We were planning on doing the Poly since it sleeps 5, but since then, I've noticed other villa studios can sleep 5 as well. I was wondering which ones you guys would recommend (out of beach club villas, boardwalk, grand Floridian, Poly, and boulder ridge). I would like some insight as pros and cons to the certain resorts since I've stayed mostly at the value resorts and don't know much about the villas or the deluxe resorts. Thanks in advance!

 

[disneyvoice]

I don't have experience with the DVC studios but if you are specifically going for Food and Wine you should absolutely stay at either the Beach Club or Board Walk so you can just walk to Epcot. We have stayed at the Beach Club several times, specifically because we typically spend most of our time at Epcot, and we have loved every stay we have had there. We haven't stayed at the Boardwalk but there are MANY people who always stay there because they love it so much.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I second the previous poster and it would entirely depend on where you plan on spending most of your time. I personally like the Epcot resorts because you can walk to 2 parks and if going during the F&W festival that would be best location; however, know that those resorts will be the first to go with DVC members as the F&W is popular among DVC. Also, with 2 little ones, you may want to be closer to the MK; however, it may be better to be able to walk to 2 parks in case of any cranky or fussy kids.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Next year, I'm planning a trip for the food and wine festival (so sometime in September-October). I am planning on renting through DVC request a studio villa for myself, husband, mom, and two children (2.5 and 10-11 months at the time of the trip). We were planning on doing the Poly since it sleeps 5, but since then, I've noticed other villa studios can sleep 5 as well. I was wondering which ones you guys would recommend (out of beach club villas, boardwalk, grand Floridian, Poly, and boulder ridge). I would like some insight as pros and cons to the certain resorts since I've stayed mostly at the value resorts and don't know much about the villas or the deluxe resorts. Thanks in advance!

We are going this September. At the time we booked OKW was available. Our favorite and a one bedroom there is one of the biggest on property. It is also very quiet so nice for the little ones to unwind. There is also a sandy playground for them. I know it is not on your list but this is our favorite and a lower amount of points. Only thing lower would be a Value at Kidani and that is looking at the dumpsters and parking lot.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Next year, I'm planning a trip for the food and wine festival (so sometime in September-October). I am planning on renting through DVC request a studio villa for myself, husband, mom, and two children (2.5 and 10-11 months at the time of the trip). We were planning on doing the Poly since it sleeps 5, but since then, I've noticed other villa studios can sleep 5 as well. I was wondering which ones you guys would recommend (out of beach club villas, boardwalk, grand Floridian, Poly, and boulder ridge). I would like some insight as pros and cons to the certain resorts since I've stayed mostly at the value resorts and don't know much about the villas or the deluxe resorts. Thanks in advance!

If you are planning on F&W in 2019 and you want an Epcot resort (or almost any other), you need to be ready to book at 11 months out. That time of the year isn't called "Fall Frenzy" by DVC members for nothing. And if you book through a broker, you'll need to pay in full when you book it.

 

[Marionnette]

Next year, I'm planning a trip for the food and wine festival (so sometime in September-October). I am planning on renting through DVC request a studio villa for myself, husband, mom, and two children (2.5 and 10-11 months at the time of the trip). We were planning on doing the Poly since it sleeps 5, but since then, I've noticed other villa studios can sleep 5 as well. I was wondering which ones you guys would recommend (out of beach club villas, boardwalk, grand Floridian, Poly, and boulder ridge). I would like some insight as pros and cons to the certain resorts since I've stayed mostly at the value resorts and don't know much about the villas or the deluxe resorts. Thanks in advance!

Every time I read that someone wants to pack 3 adults and (very young) children into a studio, I cringe. It will be very crowded and there is no privacy. But if you insist on doing it, I would actually avoid the Epcot DVC resorts and choose the Poly. BWV and BCV were built to have 4 in a studio and then were retro-fitted to have a 5th, fold-down bed that is smaller than a twin bed. There's very little storage space and almost zero floor space when you have the sofa bed and the Murphy bed open. Poly's studios were once hotel rooms that were meant to sleep 5. It's still a little crowded and they also have the smaller fold-down bed but they are 100 sq. ft. larger than BCV or BWV studios. The bathroom is split so that you have one part with a shower stall and the other part with a tub & shower. Much easier for 3 adults to get ready in the morning! The Poly DVC building is a close walk to the TTC, where you can catch the Epcot monorail. For the MK, you have the option of a boat or monorail.

However, as @Deb & Bill said, if you want ANY DVC studio during Fall Frenzy, get in touch with an owner or a rental agency BEFORE the 11-month booking window opens and be prepared to pay the full amount at the time of booking.

 

[thelegacy27]

Just fyi, I'm trying to rent points for May through David's and have been put on a waitlist for the studio at the boardwalk. They essentially told me that I wouldn't get beach club as the queue was LONG... and this was putting the request in at 11 months.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you are specifically going for F&W, I would consider BWV or BCV. Third on my list would be Poly as at least you can walk to TTC and get the monorail from there. GF is less convenient to EP and BRV isn't really convenient at all unless you don't mind taking buses everywhere.

I, personally, would not want to stay in a studio with 3 adults and 2 babies.

 

[Sue M]

I would consider a studio in OKW, as it has the largest studio with 2 queen beds. They have one crib or pack n play in closet according to allears.net and you can request another or have 2.5yr old share a bed with someone. Or bring a small child size inflatable mattress. It’s pretty close to Epcot and DHS but you’d be taking a bus. Having the extra room may be worth it. I’ve seen the BCV studio when a friend was staying in one, and with bed down there isn’t any room.

Poly studio as mentioned does have the advantage of 2 bathrooms and pull down Murphy for 2.5yr old. But still only 1 real bed, the other is pull out sofa. And has the advantage of a short walk to TTC. It’s also fun watching the MK fireworks on the beach. AllEars.net has a nice video tour. Poly studio may have more sq Ft but it’s taken up by extra bathroom.

 

[Disneypapa]

I'm with Sue on this one. I would consider OKW, just because the rooms are larger and would more easily accommodate your group of five. The Poly works too. Because of the two bathroom areas and is larger studio than most DVC. Another advantage is the monorail that can be used to get to EPCOT.

 

[SharonZ]

With your group, I would do OKW for the sleeping surfaces. You may be limited by availability and your list of choices may be reduced because of F&W festival.

 

[ears2BWV]

I am a DVC member, home resort BWV. I loooove the Epcot resort area for the convenience of walking to 2 parks, F&W, the activities on the boardwalk, walking to Epcot for a quick meal,etc. However, the BWV studios IMO are not meant for more than 2 adults. It's one thing 2 parents in the queen, their 3 kids dispersed amongst the pullout queen and the Murphy bed, but 3 adults just adds a twist that is too tight for us. This might work for some, but for us it doesn't. There are videos of all the villas and their layouts that might help you with your decision.

 

[tommygunn]

Agree that putting 5 into a studio is very tight. The DVC studios are actually smaller than a typical hotel room because of the room that the kitchenettes take up. I agree with the other posters that if you do want to so a studio, to Poly or OKW to give you a little more room. But if you can swing it go for a one bedroom.

 

[king&queen53]

OKW will give you the most room and bang for your buck. We just stayed at the DVC Polynesian studio with 2 adults and 3 children. It was doable but tight. However the view! Amazing. We watched the fireworks every night from our room. I OKW too... relaxing, large rooms.