Please tell me the best things about the Wilderness, BLT and Key west resorts

[vinmar4]

Hello to all,
This is going to be our third visit as DVC members and out 4th to DW. Our home resort is AKV which we love. This time we are staying 13 nights so the initial plan was to stay 8 nights at Jambo house and 4 at the Board walk resort as we want to try one where we can walk to Epcot. Well now, I'm thinking that maybe we should try another one for about 3 nights so we can do different stuff and be closer to other parks like MK. My kids want to try BLT then my DH wants the Wilderness and I'm wondering about the Key west resort. We may get a one Bedroom for those 3 nights as we can do our laundry and have more space for a while since at Jambo and the Boardwalk we have a studio. We were able to get the value at Jambo so that's why we have some extra points. I figured we can wait until we get the one bedroom and do our laundry. My children are 9 and 15 and my daughter always wante to go fishing so I'm thinking the Wilderness but then my son likes modern stuff so then its BLT. I need some help in hearing the best things about those 3 different resorts.
thanks much

 

[backyardponder]

VWL is beautiful. We love the theme of a lodge in the Pacific NW. It is a quick boat ride to the MK. They use the small launches which are fun to ride. We also like to walk over to Ft. Wilderness and wander around the camp ground. That's where I'd stay.

BLT is an easy walk to the MK.

OKW is close to DTD. You can walk there, but it is a long walk.

 

[childsplay]

We like OKW for the easy parking, laid back feel and larger rooms.

 

[Anal Annie]

Trying BLT on our spring break trip for the first time....thinking the ability to walk during one of THE busiest times of the year will be worth the extra points that BLT sucks down. The time we stayed at VWL we LOVED it. It is a beautiful relaxing resort and I can't wait to stay there again. (We're taking a turn staying at a diff. resort on each trip before we start repeating...this summer will finish us up & then we can go there again.) OKW was our first DVC stay and we were not fans at all (our unit was dirty and in bad need of a reburb). Now that they're doing refurbs there we may like the units better but until they have improved the bus service there then you wouldn't catch us staying there again. It was the worst bus service on property IMHO.

Of course your choice may be made for you simply by what's availablle when you call. But I would try for VWL first then BLT.

 

[wildernessDad]

We love the theme of WL and VWL. It was designed by the great architect Peter Dominick. He also designed Animal Kingdom Villas and Grand Californian.

With the decorations out at Xmas time, it really looks spectacular. I also love the boat ride to the Magic Kingdom.

Roaring Fork quick service is great. WL also has Artist Point, a great signature restaurant.

While the views are mostly of the pine trees, go for the general theme and feel of the place. It will impress nearly everybody who steps into the lobby.

 

[sleepydog25]

Another vote for VWL here. (Full disclosure: it's my home resort) The theming is perhaps the best on property (AKV a close second), and we love the intimate feel of the resort. As others have noted, the boat to MK is a wonderful benefit, or you can hop a smaller boat and head over to the Contemporary and walk. AP has been one of the top signature restaurants over the years, and the trails and walkway to FW (about a mile one way) are often a great place to see wildlife.

On the flip side, if you want convenience to MK and easy access to the monorail, it's hard to beat BLT. The rooms are fine--and certainly newer than the ones at VWL--but it's not quite home. Still, CG is there (which has been better than AP my last two visits), and there's a lot to be said for walking to MK on any given day.

Have fun deciding!

 

[YankeePrincess]

Definitely the ability to take a short walk to MK is the best feature of BLT. I mean I love lots of other things but that is the best.

 

[vinmar4]

Thank you all for all the responses. I'm now thinking that maybe 3 resorts are to much for one trip and we may just get the one bedroom at the boardwalk.

 

[com_op_2000]

OKW - can not beat the size of the rooms and laid back atmosphere (Think Jimmy Buffet style).

 

[spiceycat]

okw - you might need a car - sometimes the bus transportation is wonderful like during the food/wine - other times it can be a little slow. Plus stopping at all the stops can get tiring. there are 4 stops spread out over the resort.

BLT - walking to the MK - it is much faster to walk to the MK than to ride the monrail. now coming back riding the monorail and walking are just about equal - but a few minutes goes to the monorail.

going to Epcot - ride the monorial.

VWL is a lovely place - you would either ride the bus to mk (closer to VWL) or ride the boat (closer to WL).

if you go this see Epcot and DHS at BWV - and the MK at BLT or VWL. but you know that.

get mad at some of my relativies - tell them what resort is near which park - and for some reason when they stay at AKV they go to Epcot and MK. when they stay at BLT they go to AK & AKL/V. BWV yea MK.

then they fuss about how long everything took.

 

[MEK]

OKW is definitely the most laid back of the three mentioned resorts and it is also the most spread out, but the rooms are big and a 1 BR would certainly be a treat. The pool area is nice and the hot tub is big. I loved being near the hospitality house. The boat to DTD is a plus.

VWL & OKW are very different from BLT. VWL has a very rustic feel to it. The lobby of the villas is fascinating and there are all types of hidden carved animals in there. There is even one of Walt's trains from his old house in there (larger than a model train). There is a lodge tour most days of the week and it is really fascinating. Tons are great info and tidbits. Definitely recommend it. VWL has the fewest of all the DVC units so be aware of that.

BLT is my least favorite because the rooms are the smallest (although the balconies are big). It's just not my type of furniture (too Ikea), but the location and the views can't be beat.

If you do a split stay between all three of those resorts you will certainly get a nice variety.

 

[vinmar4]

okw - you might need a car - sometimes the bus transportation is wonderful like during the food/wine - other times it can be a little slow. Plus stopping at all the stops can get tiring. there are 4 stops spread out over the resort.

BLT - walking to the MK - it is much faster to walk to the MK than to ride the monrail. now coming back riding the monorail and walking are just about equal - but a few minutes goes to the monorail.

going to Epcot - ride the monorial.

VWL is a lovely place - you would either ride the bus to mk (closer to VWL) or ride the boat (closer to WL).

if you go this see Epcot and DHS at BWV - and the MK at BLT or VWL. but you know that.

get mad at some of my relativies - tell them what resort is near which park - and for some


reason when they stay at AKV they go to Epcot and MK. when they stay at BLT they go to AK & AKL/V. BWV yea MK.

then they fuss about how long everything took.

thanks,
that's funny
I'm just starting to wonder if doing 3 resorts in 12 nights would be to much

 

[vinmar4]

OKW is definitely the most laid back of the three mentioned resorts and it is also the most spread out, but the rooms are big and a 1 BR would certainly be a treat. The pool area is nice and the hot tub is big. I loved being near the hospitality house. The boat to DTD is a plus.

VWL & OKW are very different from BLT. VWL has a very rustic feel to it. The lobby of the villas is fascinating and there are all types of hidden carved animals in there. There is even one of Walt's trains from his old house in there (larger than a model train). There is a lodge tour most days of the week and it is really fascinating. Tons are great info and tidbits. Definitely recommend it. VWL has the fewest of all the DVC units so be aware of that.

BLT is my least favorite because the rooms are the smallest (although the balconies are big). It's just not my type of furniture (too Ikea), but the location and the views can't be beat.

If you do a split stay between all three of those resorts you will certainly get a nice variety.

Thanks,
actually right now I have 8 nights at a value studio at Jambo and 4 nights at the BW in a studio, but I was thinking of staying 5 nights at AKV and then 3 at one of the other resorts and keep the 4 nights at the BW.When we stayed in a 2 bedroom at Jambo before, not once did I use the stove because we get the DP and the kids love to be at the pool when we are back from the parks. I loved the space and having the w/d in the room so that's why I would want to get the 3 nights in a one bedroom at either the Wilderness or another one, just to try another resort, or maybe I can get a one bedroom for the 4 nights at the Boarwalk and stay the 8 nights at Jambo for some many little points.

 

[vinmar4]

OKW is definitely the most laid back of the three mentioned resorts and it is also the most spread out, but the rooms are big and a 1 BR would certainly be a treat. The pool area is nice and the hot tub is big. I loved being near the hospitality house. The boat to DTD is a plus.

VWL & OKW are very different from BLT. VWL has a very rustic feel to it. The lobby of the villas is fascinating and there are all types of hidden carved animals in there. There is even one of Walt's trains from his old house in there (larger than a model train). There is a lodge tour most days of the week and it is really fascinating. Tons are great info and tidbits. Definitely recommend it. VWL has the fewest of all the DVC units so be aware of that.

BLT is my least favorite because the rooms are the smallest (although the balconies are big). It's just not my type of furniture (too Ikea), but the location and the views can't be beat.

If you do a split stay between all three of those resorts you will certainly get a nice variety.

Thanks,
actually right now I have 8 nights at a value studio at Jambo and 4 nights at the BW in a studio, but I was thinking of staying 5 nights at AKV and then 3 at one of the other resorts and keep the 4 nights at the BW.When we stayed in a 2 bedroom at Jambo before, not once did I use the stove because we get the DP and the kids love to be at the pool when we are back from the parks. I loved the space and having the w/d in the room so that's why I would want to get the 3 nights in a one bedroom at either the Wilderness or another one, just to try another resort, or maybe I can get a one bedroom for the 4 nights at the Boarwalk and stay the 8 nights at Jambo for some many little points.

 

[Daisy5115]

Just back from BLT. We could only get a one bedroom MKV so maybe I am spoiled! Loved the room, free laundry in room, wine glasses! We had an obstucted view on 3rd floor! nothing else available. Food at TOTW, pass! Pool shaded by the BLT building after 3pm and very buggy. BUT, kids lOVED the slide. Music better at Contemperary pool but couldn't convince family to stay. Any info here on music at pools? I had the music from Katy Pery and GLEE for a full afternoon. looking for beach boys! OK, the walk from BLT to MK is not quick, I wish I had taken the monorail, more scenic and my poor feet! It was day 4.

Enjoy!

 

[Daisy5115]

FORGOT to mention the Fire pit at BLT. So, nice, and no fire pit at SSR, not sure which other resort has one.

 

[Stitchmistress]

FORGOT to mention the Fire pit at BLT. So, nice, and no fire pit at SSR, not sure which other resort has one.

Explain Fire Pit. Where is it and how do you access?