Resort Choice for 21st Birthday Celebration!?

[Elizhodge13]

Hello all! In 2018, my friend and I will be going to WDW to celebrate our 21st birthdays (we were born on the same day). It will just be her and I on the trip and we will be using my mom's DVC points. I am absolutely torn on where to stay though. I am debating between studios at VGF, Boulder Ridge Villas, BLT, BWV, and BCV. Home resort is Poly but would rather not stay there because my mom and I just stayed there and would like to switch it up. Plus, I'm not a huge fan of the outdoor walkways to get to all rooms.

Since we will be by ourselves, I think I would feel most comfortable if the rooms were close to the "parent resort". That's why I like the idea of staying at BWV because the lobby of the Villas is the same as the Inn so there would be no isolated path to get to the Villas like at the other resorts. With that being said, if we get home from the parks at like 12am, are the paths to the villas at the other resorts spooky at all or am I being ridiculous?

Obviously I know that the Grand will be close to impossible to get but if I could get it I feel like that would be like a once in a lifetime sort of thing so I would jump on it (plus I love having 2 bathrooms).

Based on studio size/layout, transportation/convenience of location, and safety for two young females, where would you recommend? I will leave a poll but reply with your opinions and reasons as well!

Thanks! This is my first "no parents" trip and I am super excited! I appreciate all responses.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Question: What time of year?

Realistically, if you are trying to book between October and December, you need to book home resort and have low expectations of switching, especially to any of your listed options.

VGF doesn't have two bathrooms in the studio.

 

[Elizhodge13]

Does Grand Floridian have a shower and a tub though?
We will be traveling first or second week in Jan. Major issue with the timing is marathon weekend.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Does Grand Floridian have a shower and a tub though?
We will be traveling first or second week in Jan. Major issue with the timing is marathon weekend.

VGF Studios are much like Poly studios. The bathroom is divided. One side has the toilet and a bathtub. The other side has the Shower and the sink. At Poly there is a physical wall between them. At VGF there is a slider door between them.

I say go for VGF, but realize that that is a popular time of year, and also a lower point cost time of year so VGF is difficult. There are only 47 studios at VGF, but there are about 360 at Poly.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If your trip includes marathon weekend, assume you will need to book Poly for that weekend, and may be able to pull off a split stay. Possibly.

 

[Granny]

Since we will be by ourselves, I think I would feel most comfortable if the rooms were close to the "parent resort". That's why I like the idea of staying at BWV because the lobby of the Villas is the same as the Inn so there would be no isolated path to get to the Villas like at the other resorts. With that being said, if we get home from the parks at like 12am, are the paths to the villas at the other resorts spooky at all or am I being ridiculous?

I have never felt uneasy at Disney at any time of the night, however WDW is not the "safety bubble" that some people seem to think. I think that if you and your friend use common sense and stay together you won't have any issues.

Based on studio size/layout, transportation/convenience of location, and safety for two young females, where would you recommend? I will leave a poll but reply with your opinions and reasons as well!

I voted for BWV. For a couple of 21 year olds, the proximity to EPCOT is excellent (as is the walking distance to DHS). If you're interested in those adult beverages that you will finally be legal for, EPCOT has a wonderful number of choices in that area. Also, you have easy access to the Boardwalk itself with its entertainment including Jelly Rolls.

BWV also has a nice quiet pool which may come in handy on some mornings if you've been out late.

 

[shannonstar]

I vote Boardwalk. The nightlife in that area is fun for celebrating as an adult. Proximity to Epcot (Drinking around the World Showcase) is prime as well.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Be certain to book Poly as your backup because marathon weekend is going to cause issues moving elsewhere. If you can move right at 7 months it may be decided for you just because of availability. It's most likely will be that you'll be waitlisting and can pick out the 2 you'd most hope for and see what happens.

 

[Elizhodge13]

Be certain to book Poly as your backup because marathon weekend is going to cause issues moving elsewhere. If you can move right at 7 months it may be decided for you just because of availability. It's most likely will be that you'll be waitlisting and can pick out the 2 you'd most hope for and see what happens.

I have decided to definitely book Poly at 11 months (which is next week... EEK) because I would hate to get "stuck" at SSR or OKW (although I do love those resorts just not for this specific trip). At exactly 7 months I will see if I can get anything better and I won't be too picky. Now the question... do I book online at the 7 months or call MS?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I have decided to definitely book Poly at 11 months (which is next week... EEK) because I would hate to get "stuck" at SSR or OKW (although I do love those resorts just not for this specific trip). At exactly 7 months I will see if I can get anything better and I won't be too picky. Now the question... do I book online at the 7 months or call MS?

Online. Calling MS, people booking online get a jump on you unless you are extremely lucky in terms of hold time. 7 month switches around marathon are about how fast your computer communicates with Disney, and even then, a lot of resorts just won't have availability anyway.

 

[Elizhodge13]

Online. Calling MS, people booking online get a jump on you unless you are extremely lucky in terms of hold time. 7 month switches around marathon are about how fast your computer communicates with Disney, and even then, a lot of resorts just won't have availability anyway.

Does online open at 7 am Eastern?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Does online open at 7 am Eastern?

They open at the same time, 8AM, but the thing is just that calling in you lose control of when your call is answered and the phone queue.

 

[Elizhodge13]

They open at the same time, 8AM, but the thing is just that calling in you lose control of when your call is answered and the phone queue.

And when doing it online, I will have no issue making my name the primary on the reservation even though it's my mom's points?

 

[WDWNY]

BWV or BC so you're close to Epcot to drink around the world

 

[_auroraborealis_]

And when doing it online, I will have no issue making my name the primary on the reservation even though it's my mom's points?

I assume you'll be logged in on her account or are an associate?

No problem with that. It's how owners who rent do it all the time.

 

[Anal Annie]

Studios during the marathon week are super hard to switch out at 7 months. We went that week the last 2 years and there was nothing open to switch to for the entire week. The Thurs-Sun is especially hard to find.... Book your Poly for sure then you won't be surprised or shut out if there's nothing else available...

(BTW I voted Beach Club becuz of the proximity to Epcot and becuz I prefer it over Boardwalk but it's so small the odds are not high you can get it.)

 

[Elizhodge13]

I assume you'll be logged in on her account or are an associate?

No problem with that. It's how owners who rent do it all the time.

Yes I will be on her account and am an associate. Thank you!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

They open at the same time, 8AM, but the thing is just that calling in you lose control of when your call is answered and the phone queue.

Online opens at 8am eastern and calling opens at 9am. That gives online an hour advantage.

OP - you should learn about how to do an online switch if you need to use the points that you'll have tied up in the PVB reservation. If not, then it's easy to just book the new reservation and cancel PVB as soon as you've secured the othe resort. Otherwise if you need to use the same points the way I've done it is to have the DVC site open on 2 completely different devices. What you can't do is just have 2 windows of the same browser but others have reported you can use 2 different browsers on the same device. I prefer my 2 device system just to be safe. So, at 8am you search for the location you want to move to and select it for booking until you get to the screen asking what contract you want to use. That's when you go on your second device and cancel the original reservation. Switch back over to where you're booking and refresh the page and the points will show up for you to use on the new reservation.

 

[Elizhodge13]

Online opens at 8am eastern and calling opens at 9am. That gives online an hour advantage.

OP - you should learn about how to do an online switch if you need to use the points that you'll have tied up in the PVB reservation. If not, then it's easy to just book the new reservation and cancel PVB as soon as you've secured the othe resort. Otherwise if you need to use the same points the way I've done it is to have the DVC site open on 2 completely different devices. What you can't do is just have 2 windows of the same browser but others have reported you can use 2 different browsers on the same device. I prefer my 2 device system just to be safe. So, at 8am you search for the location you want to move to and select it for booking until you get to the screen asking what contract you want to use. That's when you go on your second device and cancel the original reservation. Switch back over to where you're booking and refresh the page and the points will show up for you to use on the new reservation.

I was wondering about that! Thanks for the tips. Do you have any input on if that will work with one laptop open and an iPad open at the same time? Or do you think it best to use two laptops/desktops?

Also side question I just thought about that has been making me nervous: August use year. I got back from a trip last week using 2016 points. We have an upcoming stay in May using borrowed 2017 points. Will I be able to book next week for this Jan 2018 trip using 2018 points?

 

[Granny]

I was wondering about that! Thanks for the tips. Do you have any input on if that will work with one laptop open and an iPad open at the same time? Or do you think it best to use two laptops/desktops?

I would use two laptops or desktops simply because my iPad internet connection is never as fast as my desktop or laptop. Also, I'm faster at clicking and typing rather than touch screens, but that's just me.

Also side question I just thought about that has been making me nervous: August use year. I got back from a trip last week using 2016 points. We have an upcoming stay in May using borrowed 2017 points. Will I be able to book next week for this Jan 2018 trip using 2018 points?

Yes, your 2018 points will be available for borrowing for your January 2018 trip. Keep in mind that your January 2018 trip is actually in your 2017 Use Year. So you can use any available 2017 points (first) and then borrow what you need from 2018.

Also, if you are booking PBV first as your home resort you will almost certainly be using less points if you book somewhere else. That means that when you cancel your PBV and make a new reservation, you will want to be sure to use any borrowed points first. That way, your original 2017 points that may be available can be used either in your 2017 Use Year or banked into 2018 UY. Make sense?

Good luck!