Recommendations for 2 bedrooms

[npatellye]

In January 2021, my MIL and FIL will be joining us for my younger daughter’s 6th birthday trip. Since we will have 4 adults and 2 kids (girls under 8), we have booked a 2 bedroom at Riviera for the week where they will be joining us (we will be there a few days ahead of them and are staying in a studio before they arrive). We were initially booked in two studios but we figured it would be more fun for the in-laws if we stayed together. So we switched to a 2 bedroom at Riviera instead.

However, the birthday girl really wants to stay somewhere else. And I kind of want to settle in the day before my in laws arrive so, based on that change, I’m currently seeing availability for the following places to switch at 7 months (and they all are fewer points than what we currently have booked):

• SSR treehouse (her first choice but I’m not sure this is possible with my FIL’s scooter)
• OKW
• AKL both Jambo and Kidani
• BLT
• Boulder Ridge
• Beach Club
• Boardwalk

Which would you recommend and why? I’m just not sure which would be the best option for 4 adults and 2 kids. If it was just us, I wouldn’t hesitate to book the treehouse. Of course, we would also love for them to fall in love with DVC; they’ve stayed at the Beach Club but in studios for the past few trips.

My backup plan is to waitlist a 2 bedroom at Riviera for the night before if, by some chance, all of the ones above are booked by the time the 7 month mark rolls around.

Thank you in advance for any and all input!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are looking at early January, around the marathon time, it might be hard getting some of your choices at seven months out. If you are looking at the end of January, you will have better luck.

 

[Disneykate605]

Well... boardwalk is always my favorite because I love it's feel and location. They only have two bedroom lock-offs though which are a connecting studio and 1 bedroom (not sure if that works for you).
AKL-kidani and BLT have 3 bathrooms in a 2 bedroom which is nice.
I also love Wilderness Lodge so boulder ridge is great too.
OKW has very spacious rooms and relaxing vibe to the resort.
I have never stayed in a treehouse so I can't answer you scooter question.

Actually, I love them all so I'm no help!

 

[npatellye]

If you are looking at early January, around the marathon time, it might be hard getting some of your choices at seven months out. If you are looking at the end of January, you will have better luck.

We are leaving right as marathon weekend kicks off. We are already booked for a 2 bedroom at Riviera through then but now I am thinking of adding an extra night in a 2 bedroom before my in-laws arrive; I want to get us settled in before helping them settle in. I’m totally fine waitlisting one extra night at Riviera but we also would love to try something else since we are already staying at Riviera in May, in November (but are hoping to switch out at 7 months), and the week before my in-laws come.

 

[npatellye]

Well... boardwalk is always my favorite because I love it's feel and location. They only have two bedroom lock-offs though which are a connecting studio and 1 bedroom (not sure if that works for you).
AKL-kidani and BLT have 3 bathrooms in a 2 bedroom which is nice.
I also love Wilderness Lodge so boulder ridge is great too.
OKW has very spacious rooms and relaxing vibe to the resort.
I have never stayed in a treehouse so I can't answer you scooter question.

Actually, I love them all so I'm no help!

Oh yes, I totally forgot about bathrooms! Three bathrooms might be nice, especially with that many people.

I’m not opposed to lock offs; I kind of like that as an option. I almost opted for the preferred view lock-off at Riviera but I hated the idea of borrowing points from my next use year when I already have plans for them.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Marathon in January runs from Jan 6 through Jan 10. If you are there before Jan 6, you are running into NYE. Unless you are only staying a night or two. Its going to be hard to book at seven months out unless you also own at these other resorts and can book them now.

 

[npatellye]

Marathon in January runs from Jan 6 through Jan 10. If you are there before Jan 6, you are running into NYE. Unless you are only staying a night or two. Its going to be hard to book at seven months out unless you also own at these other resorts and can book them now.

Thanks! I know we are bumping up against NYE and marathon but, as of when I posted, that’s what I saw for availability for the 7 nights. I know that will definitely change as we get closer to the 7 month mark.

When I looked at the availability for the same times in January 2020, there were many of those same 2 bedrooms available even at the 1 month mark. In your experience, have you seen those times fully booked for two bedrooms? I’m really curious because I haven’t been part of DVC long enough to have looked at the availability for that time of year over a long span of years. I only looked for 2020 so I could plan for 2021.

I’m hoping that what I saw for January 2020 holds true for the same times in January 2021. If it does and I get something other than Riviera, awesome. If not, I will waitlist the extra night in the 2 bedroom at Riviera; we are already booked for the other 6 nights there in a 2 bedroom. Even if we don’t get the extra night in the 2 bedroom at Riviera, we are already booked for that night and the week before NYE in a studio at Riviera.

 

[holden]

I'd say BLT or Kidani for the extra bathroom.

 

[jscottnc]

Not BWV and not SSR Treehouse. BWV 2bdrm is lockoff only and will likely be unavailable (and my DD hates sofa-bed). SSR Treehouse is viable IF you have a car and don't mind driving on property. BLT gets my vote for the extra bathroom and walking distance to MK.

 

[npatellye]

I'd say BLT or Kidani for the extra bathroom.

Thank you! I was leaning towards those also but the laid back vibe and space at OKW was also appealing. I think the extra bathroom definitely wins out!

 

[npatellye]

Not BWV and not SSR Treehouse. BWV 2bdrm is lockoff only and will likely be unavailable (and my DD hates sofa-bed). SSR Treehouse is viable IF you have a car and don't mind driving on property. BLT gets my vote for the extra bathroom and walking distance to MK.

Thank you! We will have a car but my husband does not love driving around to parks. We’ve done it when the kids were younger but, since our younger one hit 3, we’ve been relying on Disney transportation.

I’m thinking I’ll have BLT as first choice, Kidani as second, WL as third, OKW as fourth, SSR preferred as fifth, and her desired treehouse as last.

Do you think all of those will book up for two bedrooms before the 7 month mark?

 

[jscottnc]

Thank you! We will have a car but my husband does not love driving around to parks. We’ve done it when the kids were younger but, since our younger one hit 3, we’ve been relying on Disney transportation.

I’m thinking I’ll have BLT as first choice, Kidani as second, WL as third, OKW as fourth, SSR preferred as fifth, and her desired treehouse as last.

Do you think all of those will book up for two bedrooms before the 7 month mark?

BLT Lakeview (there are very few standard view) and Kidani Savannah view (standard view might be available but why) will likely be available at 7 month mark. OKW and SSR will very likely be available (these resorts are huge). WL is on the small side (compared to others on your list) and may be a challenge.

 

[bookwormde]

I will take the other side on staying at THV. There are 4 HC accessible villas with ramps so that issue can be manged Also THVs typically have good availability and might be one of the easier reservations around the marathon.
Yes the buses do take longer due to the overall size of SSR but I did not find it a deal breaker.
The tree houses have a special feel, sort of like a scaled down GV so are great for a family gathering

If you like being in middle of the excitement 24/7 then THV would not be for your family

 

[npatellye]

I will take the other side on staying at THV. There are 4 HC accessible villas with ramps so that issue can be manged Also THVs typically have good availability and might be one of the easier reservations around the marathon.
Yes the buses do take longer due to the overall size of SSR but I did not find it a deal breaker.
The tree houses have a special feel, sort of like a scaled down GV so are great for a family gathering

If you like being in middle of the excitement 24/7 then THV would not be for your family

Thank you! Usually, we like to take breaks and be away from the “excitement” and hectic pace of the parks once we leave. I didn’t know the THVs had ramps so that’s very helpful! Are they extremely isolated from everything? I was talking to a friend who was down there for the princess marathon and she said she thought she recalled them being extremely far from pools and food. I am pretty sure my in-laws will skip the parks some days and will want to just sit by the pool.

 

[sethschroeder]

Looking at a map almost closer to OKW lol.

Treehouse Villas
Orlando, FL 32836
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QbFeDbTLoAyVaVwo9

 

[bookwormde]

THV has a nice quiet pool

We enjoy walking in nature so the walks to DTD, SSR main buildings and OKW we part of the draw

We also prepare most meals in our villa so having a charcoal grill right next to the villa is also a plus

 

[npatellye]

THV has a nice quiet pool

We enjoy walking in nature so the walks to DTD, SSR main buildings and OKW we part of the draw

We also prepare most meals in our villa so having a charcoal grill right next to the villa is also a plus

That sounds so peaceful!!! Is it a super long walk to OKW and the main area of SSR?

 

[bookwormde]

about 10 minutes to SSR main buildings

OKW and DTD are about 15 to 20

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Any of those choices would be great but the treehouses are awesome. We’ve stayed in the treehouses several times over the years (going back to when they were Disney Institute) and we love them. They’re so different from anything else at Disney. But it does take a while getting anywhere.

 

[Afabena]

BLT lakeview and request an even numbered room. I just did your exact scenario in Nov and we had a dedicated 2 bedroom at BLT. It was so easy to walk to MK (and there is separate security on the walkway). We gave my parents the master bedroom and we took the 2nd bedroom. My kids ended up mostly using the hallway bathroom and that was definitely convenient when trying to get ready. Switching at the TTC for the monorail to Epcot wasn’t a big deal. If you are high enough up in a LV room you can see Epcot’s fireworks and the MK fireworks can be seen from the bridge that connects BLT to Contemporary.