New DVC Owner-Resort Options for June 25' Questions

[Spamcastle]

I recently purchased DVC Poly resale and we currently have 2 Deluxe Studios booked at the Polynesian for mid June 2025.

We have only stayed at All Star, Port Orleans, and the Caribbean in the past so we are new to the more "upscale" resorts. My family is not new to Disney but my in-laws have never been. We have also never ventured to a park with a toddler before. Our "trip" family consists of 4 adults and 3 kiddos aged 14, 6, and 2. No mobility or other health issues preventing standing/walking/waiting/etc.

With that said I am thinking of trying to adjust our resort stay at the 7 month mark to save some points so that my wife and I may be able to swing a solo couples trip later in the year.

Does anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, or general advice between Boardwalk, Beachclub, Boulder Ridge, or the 2 AKL options?

By switching we will save between 50 and 90 points. Our family isn't quite old enough to need the 5th sleeper as we will have a P&P for the toddler.

We have never rode the skyliner or the monorail. We have never had a pool/relaxing day which we will plan on doing this trip. We usually bring groceries and eat breakfast and lunch in the room and dinner in the food court areas. We do not plan to do any of the fancier sit down restaurants or character meals.

Thanks in advance for all the tips. It's easy to look at pictures and maps but I find it easier to get an idea from like minded travellers.

 

[CastAStone]

I would suggest saving some points and staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The pools are great at either building and the animals themselves are a huge attraction.

If you later become addicted to skyliner or monorail, you won’t want to “downgrade” to a bus only resort, but since you’re coming from bus-only resorts, AKL will feel like an enormous upgrade.

Great dining too.

Why 2 studios and not a single 2BR? Your two studios could wind up half a resort apart from each other.

 

[Spamcastle]

Why 2 studios and not a single 2BR? Your two studios could wind up half a resort apart from each other.

I’d love to but it’s “cheaper” to do 2 studios. It’s my in laws so they’ll be staying in the second room.

DVC MS seemed to think it wasn’t an issue getting connecting rooms being booked so far out. Is that not the case?

 

[DeeBee3]

Have stayed at all of those options. I believe the Beach Club main pool, Stormalong Bay, will be under refurb. Check the dates on that.

Staying in the Boardwalk area is amazing, IMO. Access to 2 parks and lots to choose from with regard to dining. They have the boardwalk activities at night which is fun just to stop and enjoy. You can take a boat to either Epcot or HS, or just walk. Walking in through International Gateway is a dream. Also easy for you if someone has to bring back the toddler for rest or other reasons.

The Wilderness Lodge complex is great too. Compact, quiet, lovely amenities. Boulder Ridge has been refurbished so it's Newish. Covered walkway to the main building where dining is located. Also a fun splash pad for the little. Boat ride to MK was always fun with my little ones. The lobby is wonderful and cozy to sit and relax with drink or snack.

AKL is going to be refurbished so that is something to look into as far as construction.

I would definitely look at saving points - any of those alternates are amazing.

 

[CarolynFH]

I’d love to but it’s “cheaper” to do 2 studios. It’s my in laws so they’ll be staying in the second room.

DVC MS seemed to think it wasn’t an issue getting connecting rooms being booked so far out. Is that not the case?

There are no connecting studios in DVC resorts except for the Poly longhouses, which were converted from regular resort buildings, and they left the connecting doors. So MS was right, there shouldn’t be an issue getting connecting studios if you leave your reservation at Poly. If you move to another resort, the best you’ll be able to hope for is to be on the same hallway or floor, and that doesn’t always happen.

 

[CastAStone]

I’d love to but it’s “cheaper” to do 2 studios. It’s my in laws so they’ll be staying in the second room.

DVC MS seemed to think it wasn’t an issue getting connecting rooms being booked so far out. Is that not the case?

For Poly, you will *probably* get your connecting room request filled but it’s not guaranteed. Every once in a while we see a post here or on FB from someone upset they didn’t get their connecting rooms.

The other resorts don’t have connecting rooms.

 

[Middle of Main Street]

I recently purchased DVC Poly resale and we currently have 2 Deluxe Studios booked at the Polynesian for mid June 2025.

We have only stayed at All Star, Port Orleans, and the Caribbean in the past so we are new to the more "upscale" resorts. My family is not new to Disney but my in-laws have never been. We have also never ventured to a park with a toddler before. Our "trip" family consists of 4 adults and 3 kiddos aged 14, 6, and 2. No mobility or other health issues preventing standing/walking/waiting/etc.

With that said I am thinking of trying to adjust our resort stay at the 7 month mark to save some points so that my wife and I may be able to swing a solo couples trip later in the year.

Does anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, or general advice between Boardwalk, Beachclub, Boulder Ridge, or the 2 AKL options?

By switching we will save between 50 and 90 points. Our family isn't quite old enough to need the 5th sleeper as we will have a P&P for the toddler.

We have never rode the skyliner or the monorail. We have never had a pool/relaxing day which we will plan on doing this trip. We usually bring groceries and eat breakfast and lunch in the room and dinner in the food court areas. We do not plan to do any of the fancier sit down restaurants or character meals.

Thanks in advance for all the tips. It's easy to look at pictures and maps but I find it easier to get an idea from like minded travellers.

I agree with CastAStone. I would argue that Jambo House is the most impressive resort on property to walk into. It will make everyone's jaw drop. Since you've never done any other deluxe resorts, or that level of transportation, it's perfect for you. My personal favorite resort is Beach Club, but you don't want to do that this June since the pool is still under refurbishment according to the website. Boardwalk is lovely as well and the location is great. My knock on Boardwalk is that the pool always feels overcrowded until about 10:15 at night. People could argue they all get crowded. If you aren't from the Northeast or Northwest, Boulder Ridge might be really cool to try. It's also very well themed like Animal Kingdom. I agree, save some points and go back another time!

 

[kgou]

I would pick Boardwalk or Boulder Ridge if it was me. I love both of these resorts, and each resort has been recently refurbished. The pool at Boardwalk is underrated IMO. It has a great slide and is big enough for your older kiddos to have some independence. Can't beat the location with two parks in close proximity. The Boulder Ridge refurbed rooms are excellent and the theming at Wilderness Lodge overall is awesome. We found it fun to take the boat to MK and didn't mind the bus transportation to the other parks.

Admittedly, I've never stayed at AKV and it's low on my list until the refurb is complete. The reviews of the sofa bed are enough to put me off until then. Beach Club is a great resort, though as others have said Stormalong Bay may still be under renovation during your dates.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

My vote is Boardwalk. Since you mentioned having never traveled to WDW with a toddler I would try to avoid a bus-only resort if you could. Collapsing the stroller can get old quick…

 

[drusba]

Be aware of the likelihood of availability of studios for mId-June at 7-months out: BCV seldom has studios available for multiple nights that time of year: BWV standard and boardwalk view will likely not be available, and pool/garden view is less than a 50% chance; BRV may be possibile but could have some of the desired days filled; Jambo standard view studios will likely have days filled. savanna view has some risk that some desired days will be full, and there is no chance for value or club level studios; Kidani standard view studios have a risk of missing at least some of the nights you want, while savanna view has a high chance of being open.