Recommendations on where to stay

[Zoe's Dad]

We'll be returning to WDW in May 2006 for the first time as DVC owners. Myself, wife, daughter and both sets of grandparents. We own at SSR and I am thinking of booking a 2 BR and 1 studio. Perfect plan would be for a Grand Villa to be available at OKW at the 7 month window. I am also deciding between BWL and VWL.

My thoughts about each include:

SSR - We own here and like the location close to Downtown Disney
OKW - Afforability of grand villa using points so we can all stay in the same unit
BWV - Proximaty to Epcot and MGM. ESPN Zone. Like the Boardwalk atmosphere.
VWL - Have previously stayed in the WL (regular hotel room). We love the pool and the Whispering Canyon Cafe. Like the lodge theme.

Any recommendations on likes/dislikes from those who have stayed at one or more of the above would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Lesli54]

On our first time back as owners we ended up staying at 3 resorts. BWV, BCV and SSR. Of course, our vacation was long enough to accomodate this arrangement. It wasn't planned that way, but since we were late in booking (due to unforseen circumstances) we ended up not getting exactly what we had originally hoped for which was to stay at BCV the entire time. But it worked out well, since we were able to get a taste for some other resorts and figure out better where we will probably stay in the future.

So my suggestion is to stay at a couple of resorts on this trip and see where you feel most comfortable for future reference. My personal opinion, I would pick BWV from your list.

 

[tigger002]

I think it would be nice to have everyone together in a Grand Villa if you can get it. You have no guarantee how far apart you may be with separate accomodations.

 

[robinb]

Welcome to the DIS and Welcome Home!

I have booked a 2BR and a studio and a Grand Villa. The 2BR and studio worked very well for us at OKW and everyone had a key to the 2BR which was the main meeting place. Both units were in the same building cluster. The Grand Villa is awesome, but it's a lot of points. In addition, you may run into problems if the grandparents have mobility problems with stairs. At OKW, the majority of the GVs span the 2nd and 3rd floors buildings with the master bedroom is on the bottom floor and the other bedrooms are up another flight of stairs. There are handicapped GVs, but they might be assigned to people with wheelchairs.

IMO you should stay at your home resort for your first trip.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Why aren't you interested in just booking a 2 BR? You mentioned there were 7 people with you. 2BRs accomodate 8. DId you just want extra privacy? If you aren't spending that much time in the rooms, maybe you should save the points and stay in a 2 BR.

 

[robinb]

Why aren't you interested in just booking a 2 BR? You mentioned there were 7 people with you. 2BRs accomodate 8. DId you just want extra privacy? If you aren't spending that much time in the rooms, maybe you should save the points and stay in a 2 BR.

I can't speak for the OP, but I know there is no privacy if you're sleeping on the couch. It's not fair to ask one set of grandparents to sleep on the couch while the other gets a bedroom with a private bathroom.