Resort as a destination advice

[disneydreamingdebby]

My girls are 9. They really enjoyed community hall at BWV. BWV also offers the boardwalk area, mini golf nearby, and a great pool. We love AKV too. Their pool activities are wonderful and they have multiple options to learn about the animals.

We travel in the summer (and a short trip in the winter). The crowds aren't a problem. We go early and head back to resort if the parks get crowded. You alos have the option to pool hop as a DVC member (restrictions, of course) so that might be a fun option for a non-park day.

 

[Anek0618]

Such great info I think it may end up being AKV! I've had a facination with it since we bought our points and it looks like an amazing place for a first Florida visit!

I think we will definitely plan a trip over to VWL for dinner though, it looks amazing as well! Being Canadian there will be no stopping my kids from hitting the pool so perhaps a pool hop will also be in order! So many options! I keep reminding myself that it is the first of many trips so we don't have to do it all, but it is all so tempting

Now, I will simply have to wait until that seven month mark and cross my fingers. It sounds like I should be hoping for a 1 bedroom savanna view in Kidani...any input on the difference between Kidani and Jambo?

 

[JimMIA]

To answer another of your questions -- YES, having a rental car will be a huge advantage...especially at AKV because of its remoteness. Driving around WDW is not difficult once you get into the habit of paying close attention to the directional signs, and even if you miss a turn you'll find another route quickly enough.

Driving will get you wherever you're going quicker and with less stress, will allow you to come back to the resort mid-day for pool/nap breaks, will open up a world of good dining and shopping opportunities offsite, make it easier to go to Universal, Sea World, Discovery Cove, etc. Just WAY better than Disney transportation (which is pretty good), IMHO.

 

[Anal Annie]

While we have enjoyed just about all of the resorts equally I would only just say that the only resort we felt was a destination in itself was BCV. We spent the entire day at the pool once - which we've never done anywhere else as none of them equal Storm Along Bay.

 

[starbox]

While we have enjoyed just about all of the resorts equally I would only just say that the only resort we felt was a destination in itself was BCV. We spent the entire day at the pool once - which we've never done anywhere else as none of them equal Storm Along Bay.

We BCV - it's tied as my favorite DVC. SAB pool is AWESOME.

BUT - other than SAB (which is AWESOME) there in not much to do and the didning (especially CS) is blah. There is REALLY nothing to do there if it rains (and we've been several times when SAB was closed for hours and hours at a time due to a bolt of lightning 2 miles away!) The beauty of BCV to me is the SAB/you-can-walk into World Showcase combo. That makes it perfect.

Without any park visits, would not want to spend more than a day at BCV.

 

[crisi]

We BCV - it's tied as my favorite DVC. SAB pool is AWESOME.

BUT - other than SAB (which is AWESOME) there in not much to do and the didning (especially CS) is blah. There is REALLY nothing to do there if it rains (and we've been several times when SAB was closed for hours and hours at a time due to a bolt of lightning 2 miles away!) The beauty of BCV to me is the SAB/you-can-walk into World Showcase combo. That makes it perfect.

Without any park visits, would not want to spend more than a day at BCV.

I think this is a problem with any of the "you can see the park from here" resorts. I wouldn't want to take kids to BLT and not spend a lot of time in the MK. Or seeing Tower or Terror at BWV and not riding it.

AKL is, I think, the best resort for limited park time because there is a lot to do and look at - and no park "RIGHT THERE"

 

[hakepb]

Such great info I think it may end up being AKV! I've had a facination with it since we bought our points and it looks like an amazing place for a first Florida visit!

I think we will definitely plan a trip over to VWL for dinner though, it looks amazing as well! Being Canadian there will be no stopping my kids from hitting the pool so perhaps a pool hop will also be in order! So many options! I keep reminding myself that it is the first of many trips so we don't have to do it all, but it is all so tempting

Now, I will simply have to wait until that seven month mark and cross my fingers. It sounds like I should be hoping for a 1 bedroom savanna view in Kidani...any input on the difference between Kidani and Jambo?

Having just done a split stay 1BR in Kidani and Jambo, I don't think I would ever do a family 1BR stay in Jambo again. (I still recommend Jambo for studio and their GV looks awesome) The bathroom is detached from the master and there is no separate vanity in the master like the "older" DVC's so getting ready takes a little longer...

 

[Brian Noble]

it looks like we are going to end up there during one of the busier times due to kids being in school.

This doesn't need to be a problem if you have a plan. Get to the parks before they open. Leave shortly after lunch. Enjoy your resort during the afternoon, and return in the evening. You'll easily miss the worst of the crowds this way.

 

[kendzee94]

My vote is also for Kidani. If you are staying in a 1BR, the 2nd bathroom is a plus. My children 14 and 12 love the pool there. Lasy year, when we were at the pool opening they got to "save" the animals (plastic inflatable ones!) My DD learned how to play pool at the community hall. They told us that the Aulani community hall is based on Kidani's. As a parent, you can go outside on the balcony and watch the animals while the kids are playing. We walked over to Jambo and they decorated cookies. I see others already discussed watching the animals at night with the night vision goggles, fun!

 

[Anek0618]

This doesn't need to be a problem if you have a plan. Get to the parks before they open. Leave shortly after lunch. Enjoy your resort during the afternoon, and return in the evening. You'll easily miss the worst of the crowds this way.

This will definitely be our plan. We've done this at DL before and it worked well. Now I just have to figure out which parks to visit! DL is much simpler, but WDW looks like it will be amazing! It seems that we'll hit the 7 month mark right when we return from Aulani, perfect timing!