Now that we've narrowed the choices, I want a final decision- darn family ;)

[rentayenta]

Just looking for some help in deciding where to stay our final 5-6 nights at WDW. Our first 6-7 nights will be at SSR in a 2 bedroom, not sure which section to request but that's another story.

This will be a 13 days trip for DD's bat mitzvah gift but my family of 5 cannot come to a concensus on where to stay the second half of the trip.

As of now we have narrowed it down to:

• THV
• OKW
• AKV
• BWV
• stay at SSR (don't move)
  
  
  Mind you, we've stayed at AKV and OKW before and loved them both. The kids will be 15, 13, and 11 at the time of travel so walking and naps aren't issues. They love to swim, sleep in, stay up late, and are not picky eaters. We may do a water park day and DH will golf for sure. A pool day (or 2) is also on the agenda. The trip is scheduled for Oct 2012 ( I know, I know but I am a planner). I am thinking a fun pool as well as community hall would be nice.
  
  
  for any help.

 

[Chuck S]

Well, the THV would be a fun location because of the villa design, but I think the nearby pool is basically the same as when the treehouses were originally built...so not a "fun pool" by most peoples standards today.

Maybe ask the kids, and see if they can agree where they'd like to stay. Barring an agreement, maybe do something fun, like draw straws or roll dice. That way no child feels like their pick was "discounted" but it was simply luck of the draw.

 

[rentayenta]

Thanks Chuck.

This is after collected opinions- haha!

It seems like we agree on where not to stay as VWL, BLT, and BCV got no votes.

DH doesn't want to split stay- says it's a pita for him I like to completely unpack so I semi-agree.

Chloe (bat mitzvah girl) wants OKW or THV. She says no to AKV to spite her sister- good times.

Gabby (oldest DD) wants AKV again.

Joshua (DS) doesn't really care.

I would like the THV or BWV.

 

[LauraLea]

If your first 6-7 nights are in a 2 br at SSR, why not change that to a THV (same # of points). Keep the 2nd half of the trip in the THV. DH, bat mitzvah girl, and yourself are happy (no moving). DS and other DD would have to just deal with it. lol

Laura

 

[rentayenta]

If your first 6-7 nights are in a 2 br at SSR, why not change that to a THV (same # of points). Keep the 2nd half of the trip in the THV. DH, bat mitzvah girl, and yourself are happy (no moving). DS and other DD would have to just deal with it. lol

Laura

Great rationale. I really like that idea. I'm dying to try all of the WDW DVC resorts and with such a long trip, splitting seems like a good idea. I think DH has mental scars from having to move twice last trip.

I think staying at the THV will seem like a totally different experience aside from the dining options.

And they can just deal with it

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Ugh. I'm going to be the party-pooper, because I hate split stays. I just don't like to move. Once I'm there, I like to unpack, settle in, and enjoy my stay. We've done a split stay, and I felt like I lost time packing back up, moving and unpacking again. Granted, it's not a big deal and if it meant going or not going, I'd change resorts 3 times if I had to! Plus, knowing that I'll be traveling to WDW again soon, I know we'll have the chance to visit different resorts. If I knew this was my once or twice in a lifetime trip, I may feel differently.

Have fun planning! We're going to BCV for 10 days in July, and it can't come fast enough!!!

 

[LauraLea]

Depending on your home resort, you have 30+ years to try other resorts. We hate moving. A long relaxing vacation in one spot is great.

Laura

 

[JimC]

Another vote for THV for the entire trip. Roomy, same points, no relocation and not a far walk to SSR's fun pools.

 

[rentayenta]

Ugh. I'm going to be the party-pooper, because I hate split stays. I just don't like to move. Once I'm there, I like to unpack, settle in, and enjoy my stay. We've done a split stay, and I felt like I lost time packing back up, moving and unpacking again. Granted, it's not a big deal and if it meant going or not going, I'd change resorts 3 times if I had to! Plus, knowing that I'll be traveling to WDW again soon, I know we'll have the chance to visit different resorts. If I knew this was my once or twice in a lifetime trip, I may feel differently.

Have fun planning! We're going to BCV for 10 days in July, and it can't come fast enough!!!

10 days? SAB looks like a total blast!

Last trip we moved from OKW to AKV to POR. DH wanted to throttle me. It was a good plan on paper but in reality = dumb! That's the trip we purchased DVC though.

Depending on your home resort, you have 30+ years to try other resorts. We hate moving. A long relaxing vacation in one spot is great.

Laura

Good point. Our home is SSR. We'll eventually get to try them all. I guess I'm just antsy.

Another vote for THV for the entire trip. Roomy, same points, no relocation and not a far walk to SSR's fun pools.

Unfortunately, THV is not an option for the entire trip as DH wants to stay at SSR- we haven't stayed there yet. The deal was, the next trip to WDW, would include SSR.

He would love to not relocate though.




On what day does the full cleaning happen at DVC? I think day 4 is trash and towel service, correct?

 

[rentayenta]

I think the Boardwalk area looks fun; how are the BWV? View options? CS? The clown pool looks scary but I guess you slide out of the mouth and not in.

 

[dbs1228]

THV are SSR. LOL Do you have points at BWV for part of your trip, if not you may have a problem getting a room there if your dates are during F&W. If you are there during F&W BCV, BLT and BWV will be real iffy at 7 months. If DH is set on SSR villa's and you do decide to do a split stay I would go with BWV for the location, walking distance to DHS and Epcot. (if you can get it) My teen DD stayed there with 3 friends and LOVED the location and she said there was so much to do.

I am going through a similar situation next Feb I have 7 nights at THV and 4 ni at BLT std but I am really thinking about trying to get the full 11 nights at THV even though the last 5 nights may only be 3 of us because college DD's need to get back to school. I am waiting for our resale add on for SSR gets loaded into DVC and see if it is even available.

Good luck

 

[TisBit]

I vote for staying in THV's instead of the 2 bedroom then move over to BWV's. Your kids are old enough that they can go down to the boardwalk and grab something to eat, etc. I really liked the BWV's....I am actually an SSR fan because of DTD and BWV's has the same kind of thing. I like having food options, people watching, etc.

 

[rentayenta]

THV are SSR. LOL Do you have points at BWV for part of your trip, if not you may have a problem getting a room there if your dates are during F&W. If you are there during F&W BCV, BLT and BWV will be real iffy at 7 months. If DH is set on SSR villa's and you do decide to do a split stay I would go with BWV for the location, walking distance to DHS and Epcot. (if you can get it) My teen DD stayed there with 3 friends and LOVED the location and she said there was so much to do.

I am going through a similar situation next Feb I have 7 nights at THV and 4 ni at BLT std but I am really thinking about trying to get the full 11 nights at THV even though the last 5 nights may only be 3 of us because college DD's need to get back to school. I am waiting for our resale add on for SSR gets loaded into DVC and see if it is even available.

Good luck

I know SSR and THV are the same resort but they have completely different feelings to me. All of our points are at SSR.

I'm leaning towards the BWV for location to Epcot during F&W too.

Good luck on the resale. I can't wait to add on one day.

I hear it's hard to get the THV if you don't own at SSR.

I vote for staying in THV's instead of the 2 bedroom then move over to BWV's. Your kids are old enough that they can go down to the boardwalk and grab something to eat, etc. I really liked the BWV's....I am actually an SSR fan because of DTD and BWV's has the same kind of thing. I like having food options, people watching, etc.

DH won't budge on the 2 bedroom for at least part of the trip. It was part of the let's-buy-DVC-negotiations.

I agree about the Boardwalk area for the kids. They'll easily be old enough to split from us for a few hours. The proximity to DTD from SSR is good thing for us too- love shopping and having a drink here and there.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Since the trip is Oct 2012, I would book THV at 11 months and then try to get BWV at 7 months. The teens/tweens would love staying on the boardwalk, and the walk to Epcot and HS is a great feature. It will be tough to get something for F&W, so if you really want a guaranteed resort switch, then you may want to go with AKV or OKW. If the room type you want at BWV is not available, then you could WL. We are going this year during F&W, and I was amazed when our WL for a BLT studio came through, so miracles do happen!

Good luck!!

 

[TwinsFan]

I picked AKV because you had mentioned pool time and they have nice pools there.

I was going to pick BWV until you mentioned October, it would be really hard to book BWV for October at 7 months I think.

 

[crisi]

IF you get BWV, you will MOST LIKELY get a preferred view and not have a choice on views. I would really recommend that if that IS a priority choice for you, set the expectation for your family that it won't be available, but you will try and see if you get lucky.

Since you aren't opposed to moving, and SSR is "home" I'd go with SSR then THV at eleven months - then at seven months see if you can switch to BWV (or somewhere else, whatever floats your boat, but my priority would be BWV, VAKL, THV, OKW, SSR. But I'm not a condo style resort fan and BWV is home for us).

 

[rentayenta]

Since the trip is Oct 2012, I would book THV at 11 months and then try to get BWV at 7 months. The teens/tweens would love staying on the boardwalk, and the walk to Epcot and HS is a great feature. It will be tough to get something for F&W, so if you really want a guaranteed resort switch, then you may want to go with AKV or OKW. If the room type you want at BWV is not available, then you could WL. We are going this year during F&W, and I was amazed when our WL for a BLT studio came through, so miracles do happen!

Good luck!!

So book the THV at 11 months then decide during that time? Should I book the 2 bedroom at SSR too? I'd hate to not get our 2 bedroom.

Good insight on possibly not being able to get the BWV at 7 mos due to F&W. I would be perfectly happy with SSR and THV the entire trip but love the idea of the kids being able to cruise the BW. Seems a little safer than cruising DTD.

Congrats on your wait list coming through!!

 

[rentayenta]

I picked AKV because you had mentioned pool time and they have nice pools there.

I was going to pick BWV until you mentioned October, it would be really hard to book BWV for October at 7 months I think.

The pool at Kidani is a blast! We love Boma too.

Hmmm....looks like BWV will be difficult to get.

 

[rentayenta]

IF you get BWV, you will MOST LIKELY get a preferred view and not have a choice on views. I would really recommend that if that IS a priority choice for you, set the expectation for your family that it won't be available, but you will try and see if you get lucky.

Since you aren't opposed to moving, and SSR is "home" I'd go with SSR then THV at eleven months - then at seven months see if you can switch to BWV (or somewhere else, whatever floats your boat, but my priority would be BWV, VAKL, THV, OKW, SSR. But I'm not a condo style resort fan and BWV is home for us).

Thanks for the plan- it's a good one. I prefer a condo style villa. The only thing I didn't love about AKV and GCV was the hotel like feel. Good thing we have so many choices.

I have read more about the BWV and they are so appealing to me.

 

[Kidanifan08]

So book the THV at 11 months then decide during that time? Should I book the 2 bedroom at SSR too? I'd hate to not get our 2 bedroom.

Right. 2BR SSR + THV at 11 months. Book or WL BWV at 7 months.