Resort Choice, Dec 2015

[JaySwash]

It looks like our next Walt Disney World trip will be next December(WOO!), since the first week is usually one of the slowest plus the weather is usually pretty nice.

We have also decided to stay at a DVC resort, since it is our plan to possibly join within the next 3 or 4 years, but my wife wants to make sure she really does like the 2 bedroom suites.

the part where having a hard time deciding though, is whether to plan on staying at old Key West, or Wilderness Lodge. The bigger rooms and casual atmosphere of old Key West is attractive, but I also heard that the lodge is really nice at Christmas time. So what does everyone else think?

It will be the DW and myself and our 4 boys.. Ages 16, 14, 4, and 2. The 4 year old has figured out just what WDW is and asks me "Visit Mickey" every morning while we watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

 

[jekjones1558]

It looks like our next Walt Disney World trip will be next December(WOO!), since the first week is usually one of the slowest plus the weather is usually pretty nice.

We have also decided to stay at a DVC resort, since it is our plan to possibly join within the next 3 or 4 years, but my wife wants to make sure she really does like the 2 bedroom suites.

the part where having a hard time deciding though, is whether to plan on staying at old Key West, or Wilderness Lodge. The bigger rooms and casual atmosphere of old Key West is attractive, but I also heard that the lodge is really nice at Christmas time. So what does everyone else think?

It will be the DW and myself and our 4 boys.. Ages 16, 14, 4, and 2. The 4 year old has figured out just what WDW is and asks me "Visit Mickey" every morning while we watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

I will leave the recommendations to others. I think you have identified the most important positive for each resort. I just wanted to post that you should make up your mind soon so that the DVCer whose points you will use can be ready to book exactly 11 months out. The first week of December is the most popular of the year for DVC owners and some room categories will fill up within hours. This will be especially true for VWL because it is such a small resort and is so very popular at Christmas. Good luck!

 

[Msmithmd]

Wilderness Lodge, for two reasons:

1. With the two young boys, the quick ferry trip to MK is great. And VWL is much less point expensive than the other MK area DVC's.

2. Wilderness lodge at Christmas time is truly magical. Far and away the best place to be for the holiday season. It's the reason I picked it as my home resort.

Not to bash OKW, for it is great as well. I really like their huge rooms and their main pool. But you just cannot beat VWL for Christmas.

By the way, if you don't know this already- line up a rental owner and be ready for them to book VWL for your trip right at eleven months out from your December travel dates. This time of the year, it will be as difficult to book as trying to get in to BWV for F+W festival. Pretty much the entire rest of the year, the lodge is easy to reserve. But there are an awful lot of VWL home members who own there for the precise reasons that I'm describing above. The likelihood of getting a VWL December reservation at seven months is low.

 

[lovin'fl]

Having stayed at OKW (and then AKV) for Xmas, I vote for VWL. We haven't stayed there at Xmas but ate at Artist Point last year during our Xmas trip and it was a beautiful resort. When we arrived for our ADR, they had a choir singing in the lobby. It was stunning. ANd with your 2 little ones, you can easily boat over to the MK...plus the 2 older ones might be interested in the extra late hours at MK and can easily boat back after (my teens and their teen cousins just LOVE the extra magic evening hours at MK...around Xmas time they are until like 2am).

 

[JaySwash]

Thanks for the advice, it helps a lot. We will be doing a normal reservation instead of renting points, I know renting is cheaper but my wife freaks out at the thought of renting from a person, and she won't budge on that issue.

 

[Msmithmd]

Thanks for the advice, it helps a lot. We will be doing a normal reservation instead of renting points, I know renting is cheaper but my wife freaks out at the thought of renting from a person, and she won't budge on that issue.

Consider renting through a broker. David's DVC rental is a board sponsor and is well regarded. Not quite as cheap as going direct through a member, but they will escrow your payment and reimburse you if anything happens to the reservation. You could still save over a thousand dollars versus a cash stay booked via Disney. That would pay for a whole lot toward theme park tickets. Worth considering and investigating, at least.

 

[DenLo]

I would suggest Bay Lake Tower as it is walking distance to MK. Also unlike OKW or VWL, the 2 BR at BLT has three bathrooms, which might come in handy with teens.

If you are only considering OKW and VWL, I go with VWL. It is beautiful at Christmas. It reminds me of a Colorado Lodge. And is so lovely in December.

 

[JaySwash]

I would suggest Bay Lake Tower as it is walking distance to MK. Also unlike OKW or VWL, the 2 BR at BLT has three bathrooms, which might come in handy with teens.

If you are only considering OKW and VWL, I go with VWL. It is beautiful at Christmas. It reminds me of a Colorado Lodge. And is so lovely in December.

BLT is more points/cost then we are looking to spend (I would only want lake or park view) but once we are in DVC I want to make that our "two year points" Resort to book when we want to miss a year at WDW.