Saratoga Springs or Boadwalk Villas for family of 5?

[Lori in Austin]

Hi all,

We're never stayed at either resort. We are a family of 5 (with 3 kids from age 10-5). Need a place with a full kitchen because the kids are picky eaters.

If you had to choose between Saratoga Springs and Boardwalk Villas - which would you prefer?

 

[Deb & Bill]

While both will allow a fifth person in the villa, neither one has a bed for the fifth person. You need to bring your own air bed or whatever you plan to sleep on, plus sheets. You probably can just swipe a pillow off the master bed and maybe find a blanket in the closet. Both only have one king bed in the master bedroom and a queen sleeper sofa in the living room.

 

[hakepb]

If you are also using the resorts QS, then SSR by a landslide because BW’s QS options lack the plain basic items (like chicken strips and burgers)
SSR’s Paddock feature pool is probably more fun for the kids.

But as mentioned, why not consider OKW or AKV (standard or better) 1Br as they also have the sleeper chair for the 5th. And Kidani 1BR has (2) full bathrooms.

 

[Brett Wyman]

• Bay Lake Tower
• Grand Floridian
• Kidani Village (AKL)
• Old Key West

Those are your options we 1 bedroom villas to truly sleep five, although the 5th surface is a "sleeper chair"

Are there no 1 bedrooms with the pull down bed under the TV? Seems odd the Poly studio has more sleeping surfaces than most 1 bedrooms.

 

[Deb & Bill]

• Bay Lake Tower
• Grand Floridian
• Kidani Village (AKL)
• Old Key West

Those are your options we 1 bedroom villas to truly sleep five, although the 5th surface is a "sleeper chair"

Are there no 1 bedrooms with the pull down bed under the TV? Seems odd the Poly studio has more sleeping surfaces than most 1 bedrooms.

The only one bedroom with the murphy bed under the television at WDW is Grand Floridian. Not odd at all about Polynesian studios. No one bedrooms there and the only other type villa to book is the points high bungalows with only two real beds and the rest fold outs. BWV, BCV, BRV all have the murphy bed in the studio, but only beds for four in the one bedroom. No room for the murphy bed or the twin sized sleeper chair. As for the sleeper chair, it's twin sized while the murphy bed is only bunk sized (shorter and narrower).

CCV only sleep four in the studio and one bedroom.

BLT also has the sleeper chair in the living room of the one bedroom and the extra bathroom just off the entrance to the villa.

 

[Minniesgal]

• Bay Lake Tower
• Grand Floridian
• Kidani Village (AKL)
• Old Key West

Those are your options we 1 bedroom villas to truly sleep five, although the 5th surface is a "sleeper chair"

Are there no 1 bedrooms with the pull down bed under the TV? Seems odd the Poly studio has more sleeping surfaces than most 1 bedrooms.

Grand Floridian has the pull down under the TV in the 1 bedroom

 

[LittleFishy101]

Based on those two, I would take BW personally. The location is great and convenient being in walking distance to two parks, but as we have never been there with kids (only teens), I’m not sure if which would be better in that aspect.

 

[Abby Jacobson]

Tough call!

 

[DizneyLizzy]

SSR for better quick service and more/better pools. Both important when traveling with young kids.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Riviera will sleep 5 in a 1BR with a bed, after its December open.

 

[mamaofsix]

The only one bedroom with the murphy bed under the television at WDW is Grand Floridian. Not odd at all about Polynesian studios. No one bedrooms there and the only other type villa to book is the points high bungalows with only two real beds and the rest fold outs. BWV, BCV, BRV all have the murphy bed in the studio, but only beds for four in the one bedroom. No room for the murphy bed or the twin sized sleeper chair. As for the sleeper chair, it's twin sized while the murphy bed is only bunk sized (shorter and narrower).

CCV only sleep four in the studio and one bedroom.

BLT also has the sleeper chair in the living room of the one bedroom and the extra bathroom just off the entrance to the villa.

I must be missing where the OP said they wanted a studio or a 1 bedroom? I don't see that in their original question, so I'm assuming they'd be fine with a 2 bedroom. And the fact that they mentioned a full kitchen means they aren't looking at studios...

If cost isn't an issue I would choose Boardwalk, just for proximity to the parks.

 

[Lisacast71]

BWV! Also all the others. SSR is my least favorite dvc resort. Although if I had a choice between SSR and a non dvc resort I would choose SSR.

 

[CarolMN]

BWV studios have sleeping spaces for 5. You'll find one queen bed, one full size sleep sofa and a pull down Murphy bed under the TV.

Just a kitchenette in the studios, though.

 

[BillPA]

Boardwalk Standard Studio:
Deluxe Studio – Standard View
View Floor Plans- Modal
Views of Resort Grounds or Parking Area
1 queen-size bed, 1 full-size sleeper sofa, 1 single pull-down bed (29" x 67")

 

[Shellyred8]

BWV would be my choice, due to proximity to two parks.

 

[Hoosier John]

OP needs larger than a studio (for full kitchen).
Assuming 1 bedroom (for economy) I would say:

1st    Animal Kingdom, Kidani     Sleeps 5     2 Bath
1st    Bay Lake Towers               5            2
3rd    Old Key West                  5            1
3rd    Villas at Grand Floridian     5            1
3rd    Animal Kingdom, Jambo         5?           1
6th    Boardwalk                     4            1
7th    Saratoga Springs              4            1

Assuming the kids will find some place to sleep, I would choose Boardwalk over SSR because of the fun atmosphere at night and proximity to two parks.
If the kids are picky sleepers, then I would consider AKK or BLT because not only do they sleep 5, but have 2 baths.
If you were looking at 2 bedrooms, then anything will fit the bill, so I would choose Boardwalk again over SSR for the same reasons.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I'd do a 2 bedroom at BWV. If there are food concerns you can get typical kid fare at one of the carts on the Boardwalk.

If you want a 1 bed I'd go with AKV because of the 2nd bathroom.