Resort Selection Help - Need Teens & Hubby Happy

[Jazzerfan]

Will be booking next trip soon and very torn on what resort to book??? We've stayed at the ASMu Family Suites and really like the private bedroom and the two bathrooms. My kids are older and my husband wants to stay somewhere nicer.

What resort would you stay and why?

Are the Villas really out of reach pricewise?

I was thinking about FW Cabins, but afraid it will be too far from everything?

Someone recommended OKW Villa, but there's no food court? Is this true?

 

[disneypunch]

My favorite vacation out of 11 visits was our stay at the FW cabins but it was at Christmas time and it was so awesome how everyone decorated their sites. Some sites had walk through Christmas displays. I didn't feel like it was far from everything, but I also wouldn't stay there if I couldn't afford the golf cart rental I am pretty the rest of my family would say that it was half the fun.
We stay mostly value resorts though, but visited all the resorts except 1 of the moderates.
Our last visit 8/13 was 5 days at Pop and 2 magical days at AKL CL (1st time at a deluxe) we didn't do anything except enjoy the resort pool and activities. Not sure how old your children are they may not even be interested in resort activities. We learned to feed to animals and play the drum. It was myself, husband, 13 yr old, and 19 month old.
Our stays:
All the values- definitely a value especially with free dining-love their food court choices and that it's opened to 12am, and it's a lovely place.
Old Key West- wouldn't stay again too quiet, too far from main bldg, no quick service really...received this as an upgrade from Disney and wished I stayed back at the value resort tried to switch back but they were full. We had 3 links reservations.
CBR- nice pool, value sized beds, we were lucky to be close to main house, but wouldn't pay the difference over value again
FW cabins loved so much just switched our reservation for 12/13 from here to Pop couldn't see or afford paying $2000 more :-(
AKL loved it but got an awesome deal to stay here rented dvc points and was lucky enough to stay club level boy were we spoiled.

 

[bumbershoot]

We adore OKW, and the 2 bedrooms are huge. You're right, though, no food court. Not an issue for us, but if it is for you then it is for you!

Perhaps Saratoga Springs might be good? They have Artist's Palate (or whatever it's called) for counter service.


Renting points CAN be a great deal. Many people rent through the rental board on the DVC forum here, but others use sites like David's. But you want to know everything about rentals before you do one; biggest issue for some is not having daily housekeeping (unless you're willing to pay Disney extra). Not a problem for me, but might be for others.


How many are in your family?

 

[Jazzerfan]

We adore OKW, and the 2 bedrooms are huge. You're right, though, no food court. Not an issue for us, but if it is for you then it is for you!

Perhaps Saratoga Springs might be good? They have Artist's Palate (or whatever it's called) for counter service.


Renting points CAN be a great deal. Many people rent through the rental board on the DVC forum here, but others use sites like David's. But you want to know everything about rentals before you do one; biggest issue for some is not having daily housekeeping (unless you're willing to pay Disney extra). Not a problem for me, but might be for others.


How many are in your family?

There's (4) of us and kids are ages 12 & 16. My biggest issue is the hubby, he needs his space, likes the private bedroom and would prefer his own bathroom. It just seems that ASMu is for us. Cabins, I'm just not sure about. He'd prefer to stay at Deluxe, but just too expensive. Decisions, decisions???

 

[herb102211]

The rooms at OKW are great! I would highly recommend getting a 2 bedroom villa for your family. If you rent points from a DVC member, the costs will be similar to the suites at AoA or the all Stars, depending upon what time of year you go.

There isn't' a food court at OKW, but there are several quick service options at DTD which is only a boat ride away from OKW.

We are DVC members and are favorite resorts to stay at are the Boardwalk Villas, and Beach Club Villas due to the convenience of being able to walk to Epcot and HS, but we love the rooms at OKW because they are bigger and the resort is very tranquil too.

 

[Sheilby]

There's (4) of us and kids are ages 12 & 16. My biggest issue is the hubby, he needs his space, likes the private bedroom and would prefer his own bathroom. It just seems that ASMu is for us. Cabins, I'm just not sure about. He'd prefer to stay at Deluxe, but just too expensive. Decisions, decisions???

The cabins wouldn't really give you privacy. The bedroom has a double and a set of bunks and there is a double fold out in the living room. Unless the kids were going to share the double in the living room you would be sharing the bedroom with at least one of the kids.

OKW has the most inexpensive villas and they are pretty darn big. However, the one bedroom villa only has one bathroom and the 2 bedroom villa gets pretty pricey. One the plus side it has a full kitchen so eating breakfast in your room before you head out can save you money, plus you can always rent points which would bring the cost down considerably.

 

[dwfanatic]

I am assuming you want to stay on property, but we always get a vacation home now- we like the multiple TV's, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and private pool! Our boys are 10 and 17- we are a close family, but face it- this is supposed to be a vacation, and I don't want to spend it crammed in a hotel room with 1bathroom- but I do understand if off site is not for you. Some people like Disney transportation but even when we stayed onsite, we always rented a car. Just some food for thought. I'm sure you will be happy wherever you decide, you'll be in Disneyworld!

 

[LisaCM614]

What about the AoA family suites for somewhere different? They were super nice. We stayed in LK so not too young of a theme for your older kids. But maybe they love Cars or Nemo!

I would look into renting points and get a 1 br villa at BLT or AKL.
This way you get 2 bathrooms and the private bathroom.
I think paying cash is a little pricey but maybe not for you or your time of the year?
I love BWV and maybe you would too but there is only one bathroom in the one bedroom.

Fun problems to have ! happy planning

 

[ParrotBill]

What about the AoA family suites for somewhere different? They were super nice. We stayed in LK so not too young of a theme for your older kids. But maybe they love Cars or Nemo!

I would look into renting points and get a 1 br villa at BLT or AKL.
This way you get 2 bathrooms and the private bathroom.
I think paying cash is a little pricey but maybe not for you or your time of the year?
I love BWV and maybe you would too but there is only one bathroom in the one bedroom.

Fun problems to have ! happy planning

This is good advice.... after that I have to say offsite offers a lot of condo places at bargain prices. We got a HUGE 2 bedroom 2 bath condo at WorldQuest just outside of WDW for $104 for one night, plus a cleaning fee of $39 because we were there less than 5 days. It was a wonderful place.

 

[sazzifrazz]

Renting point for a DVC is a good deal...but a one bedroom is a lot more than a studio. We are staying in abeach Club Villas studio for about the same price as a moderate resort room cost.
We rented a townhouse from Windsor Hills one year...that was a nice price and lots of space.