Need location suggestions for January trip

[deva]

I know the weather in January can be so unpredictable so I am really struggling with resort choices. Right now I am booked at BCV (our home resort) and waitlisted for BW standard (not holding my breath on that one). Main logic being that we are close to parks and boardwalk since we likely won't be swimming as much. I see that BW has a community room (unlike BC). My kids really enjoyed the community room at OKW and Kidani so I'm wondering if I should try for the preferred at BW.

Can anyone tell me what their favorite "possible cold weather" resort is and why?

 

[bobbiwoz]

VWL is our favorite chilly weather resort because we love riding bikes around FW in that sort of weather and it's so easy to do that from VWL. We love the path between WL and FW and nearly always see some deer on the path. I love the springs pool as well as the main pool. I know you probably won't want to bike ride every day, and I admit that VWL is my favorite resort, so it may not be your choice! We're staying there in December in a studio for the second week, and then going back there with the extended family over Marathon weekend in January! Those two trips have wiped out most of 2 years of our VWL points!

Bobbi

 

[Golden Rose]

We've actually got a BWV standard view booked for January... that I'm releasing tomorrow. We've decided to go in May/early June with some good friends, and we want to use the points then instead. That said, we'd already pretty much decided to stay at AKV if we went in January, anyway. There is so much to do at AKL, we just figured we'd spend bad weather days there.


I do understand your logic in being close to parks and the BW. That is what we were thinking about, too. But we decided in favor of animals next time.

 

[DonnaL]

I agree with bobbiwoz on this one.........VWL is by far our favorite for our early January stays and also one of our home resorts. We also like to rent a pontoon boat and cruise around Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon for an hour or so in the afternoon (don't forget you get a DVC discount). And, since the parks close earlier in January we tend to spend more time around the resort in the evening........no better place to do that than the lobbies of VWL or WL on a cooler January evening.........curl up in one of those chairs or a rocker by the fire with a book and a hot chocolate or glass of wine.....the ultimate relaxation!!

 

[deva]

We've actually got a BWV standard view booked for January... that I'm releasing tomorrow...

I do understand your logic in being close to parks and the BW. That is what we were thinking about, too. But we decided in favor of animals next time.

Any chance that standard is a 2BR over MLK weekend?

We were originally planning on the animals for the winter trip too, but took a spontaneous trip to Kidani last month which has thrown off my elaborate "DVC master plan". Loved Kidani, but probably looking to try something new.

I'm intrigued by VWL - it does seem like it would be nice to have the lodge feel for a winter trip. Do you feel too isolated if you are there? I was only at WL once - many years ago to eat at Whispering Canyon and honestly don't really remember much about it.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I know the weather in January can be so unpredictable so I am really struggling with resort choices. Right now I am booked at BCV (our home resort) and waitlisted for BW standard (not holding my breath on that one). Main logic being that we are close to parks and boardwalk since we likely won't be swimming as much. I see that BW has a community room (unlike BC). My kids really enjoyed the community room at OKW and Kidani so I'm wondering if I should try for the preferred at BW.

Can anyone tell me what their favorite "possible cold weather" resort is and why?

Comparing those two, I'd choose BCV. For one thing, you can get CS (at BC Marketplace) without going outside uncovered. If the weather turns cold in Epcot, you can just run back to your room and get a sweater. And most importantly (to me), you can get to Beaches and Cream in the pouring rain without getting wet. I've got first hand experience with all of the above. BTW, BCV is my favorite cold weather resort, not just between there and BWV, but of any one at WDW. I don't swim, so I don't care about swimming in SAB, but I still love BCV best.

 

[Golden Rose]

The timing wasn't far off - the week leading up to MLK weekend, but it was a one bedroom. I just released it, so I hope it will make someone's day to get it. Sorry it wasn't quite what you were waiting on.

I do think you'd be happy at just about any of the resorts suggested. Heck, my DM and DSF were thrilled with SSR in January because all they wanted to do was play golf and hang out at DTD anyway.