Single Parent (multiple trips) taking DS (8 and 5) - which DVC?

[bsmcneil]

Hi - I've been a number of times but this trip will be different and I'm having trouble deciding (normally I'm traveling with adults, who can offer their input easier). I plan to go for about a week in early December (just my usual preferred time) 2021. Water options will be great (but any pool will be as good as anything else). I've been to AKL (took the oldest when he was 3 - he doesn't remember much, obv) - so, it's on the radar. Others that seem like a good fit for us might be BV and something at WL (I've stayed at Poly and Contemp and I just don't think the kids would prefer them necessarily - and the cost leads me to AKL, BW, CCV/BRV, and/or Riviera. Any suggestions/tips?

 

[Marthasor]

Which parks will you visit most? With two younger kids in tow and only 1 adult to wrangle them, I would pick the resort that will offer you the most convenient access to your preferred parks. If it's MK, I would do CCV. It it's DHS/EP, I would do BWV (though RIV is gorgeous - it's just easier to walk to EP/DHS than take the Skyliner).

 

[bigAWL]

AKL (theming and animal viewing) and BWV (walking access to parks and lots of restaurants) sound like good choices for kids. Really you can't go wrong with any of these, I think.

My choice would be Beach Club Villas. With a fantastic pool, fastest walk to Epcot, and easy access to many restaurants between BC/YC, BW, Swan/Dolphin (including Beaches and Cream ice cream shop).

 

[kylenne]

I would go BCV over Boardwalk just for the pool, but either are good for park proximity. AKL if they like animals and you have your own transportation, otherwise buses everywhere gets old fast. If pricing is a consideration RIV is nonsense and not even on the table imo

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I guess I'd ask if you've checked availability. First week in December 2021 is pretty booked up on points for studios. If it's cash, ignore this statement.

But studios have been gone on points since roughly February anywhere but OKW and Saratoga.

 

[Best Aunt]

Some adults find that Stormalong Bay at YC/BC/BCV causes anxiety because it is hard to keep an eye on the kids while they are swimming. I don't know you or the kids, so I don't know if that would be an issue.

I don't know if you are aware that DVC owners can book their home resort at 11 months out, and any resort at 7 months out. If you are trying to book on points, keep that in mind. PP mentioned that availability for booking with points is already limited for the time you want.

 

[wilbret]

AKL w/ Savannah view. They will really remember it from this age, you can do the other resorts when they are older.

Biased, we are DVC AKL people, lol. I just remember clearly the first time our kids saw a giraffe out the window, and they'd just sit on the balcony and watch. We brought night vision so they could look at night, too. They provide them on the patio (or at least they did) if you don't have access to a set. Going back for the 50th!

 

[Anthony1971]

At that age they remember the pool the most. and truthfully any pool is fun. I would stay away from BC at that age as it is very easy to lose site of your kids.
If slides matter -- more for the 8 YO but I have seen 5YO on them as well.. if he is brave and most are Poly has the best slide as it is in the dark and fast. BW has the fastest slide. a few of the slides at SS are fast Paddock being the best. OKW slide is also fairly fast Kadani slide is also fast. The rest are OK with AKL being the slowest but the AKL pool is nicer than the rest of the standard pools.

 

[VH103428]

We are doing OKW in December. We love it there. The pool and the atmosphere just suit us well. Our kids are 12 and 13 and love the pool. The rooms are bigger and I feel like I am.at a resort.

 

[buzzrelly]

Sorry, I vote for BLT. With young kids, the location and transportation options can't be beat.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

BWV - can’t beat being able to walk to two parks. Especially if you’ve got a sleeping kid in a stroller.
Second choice is BLT (or any of the ones around MK that is walking distance to the park). Same reason.
AKL is fantastic, no argument, but I find that going to Sanaa for lunch once a trip and exploring the resort + having a day at AK park gave us our fill of the animals.

 

[Marionnette]

I wouldn't choose based on the pool alone. Early December can be hit or miss when it comes to temperature. I've been to Disney several times in early December and I recall wearing sweatshirts, hats and gloves on more than one visit.

With two young kids and a single adult, I would look to stay at a MK resort because you're most likely to be going there the most. BLT is a convenient walk to the MK and VGF's walking path just opened late last year. I would choose either of those if there's availability for your dates.

 

[Blondie58]

I would choose Wilderness Lodge as just a short boat ride to MK. Bay Lake was not on your list but that is a short walk to MK. (I am assuming most of your time will be spent at MK.)

 

[glocon]

Those aged children would love to wake up and see animals off their balcony, so special! And you can't get that anywhere else. Otherwise, I say WL for ease of transport on the boats to MK and the beautiful atmoshere.

 

[bsmcneil]

Thanks everyone! I had not realized availability would be so limited (my past few trips were always in the first 10 days of December as it was usually a calm period + weather I liked). So ... we'll see if I can find something!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thanks everyone! I had not realized availability would be so limited (my past few trips were always in the first 10 days of December as it was usually a calm period + weather I liked). So ... we'll see if I can find something!

For DVC, the first two weeks of December are the highest demand periods of the year.

 

[bsmcneil]

Found a time that worked for us earlier in the fall (whew).

 

[bsmcneil]

Found a time that worked for us earlier in the fall (whew).

lol - oorrrrrrr not. The rental process through David's is driving me batty (I should've expected it given how many points people have not used in the past year)

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

lol - oorrrrrrr not. The rental process through David's is driving me batty (I should've expected it given how many points people have not used in the past year)

That combined with the 50th anniversary celebration starting in October plus add to that Oct-Dec is a busy time for DVC bookings. You may have better luck pushing the trip out to early 2022.

 

[Marionnette]

lol - oorrrrrrr not. The rental process through David's is driving me batty (I should've expected it given how many points people have not used in the past year)

You're already behind for fall DVC reservations. Owners can book their home resorts 11 months in advance and non-home resorts at 7 months. Since David's and other DVC rental agencies do not have their own points or a secret way to book high-demand resorts, renters are subject to whatever is available, most likely SSR and OKW (the two largest resorts).