Space v Location

[nixieh]

I am really sad because the Beach Club (my fave resort) has no availability for our dates next July other than Club level which I don't want as my family are from the UK and we have free dining already. We love the pool and location at Beach Club. There is no room at Yacht Club either..

We are now considering a few options:

1) Spending a few days at Universal first then moving to Beach Club later in July when rooms are available.

2) Staying at Boardwalk instead for location and free dining but no Stormalong Bay

3) Staying at OKW with free dining at a better price than the Beach Club which would give us more space for my family of 5 (teen girls) in a 1br villa.

We will have a car if that makes any difference but I love the convenience of walking to Epcot and the Studios.

What would you do?

 

[ready2vacation]

Is staying at BWI and moving to BC when rooms are available an option?

 

[jcjen519]

Is staying at BWI and moving to BC when rooms are available an option?

this would be my suggestion. Personally we love BWI though so I'd stay there for the entire trip

 

[jd65]

We have stayed at two of those resorts (BC and BWI) and will be trying the other one in 3 days (OKW). We are a family of four.

You have a car which is a plus for OKW. A car will kind of be idle if you stayed at BC or BWI which is walking distance to HS and Epcot. OKW is huge and has drive-up parking, so you park right outside your room which is great. OKW also has lots of space in the rooms.

Pools: People underestimate Luna Park Pool at BWI. "No Stormalong Bay," yes, SAB was great, but we found it to be super crowded and could never find a lounge chair. BWI has 3 pools, one in the Courtyard area, one near Community Hall by the villas and Luna Park, which by Disney means may be a small pool but has an AMAZING slide. We always got lounge chairs at the main pool and it was never crowded (August). It is also right near the boardwalk if you want to grab a bite to eat. OKW also has a great pool and slide near the Hospitality House, although the pool is far if you are at the other end of the resort.

In your situation, I would not spend the extra money at Universal and just scrap BC. I think you should do BWI or OKW, no brainer.

 

[nkereina]

I would go with Option 1. I really think Universal is worth spending 2-3 days at, and their resorts are just as nice as Disney's. Very competitive. If you're Potter fans at all (and hopefully you are being from the UK!), you will be blown away by Wizarding World. Even those who are not Potter fans can surely appreciate the theme and detail. Then, you'll be able to move to your beloved BC when its available.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I would stay at Universal for a few days and explore that area (Royal Pacific Resort or Portifino Bay resort) and then move to BC.

I really enjoy Universal and totally think it would be worth spending a few days there.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would go with Option 1. I really think Universal is worth spending 2-3 days at, and their resorts are just as nice as Disney's. Very competitive. If you're Potter fans at all (and hopefully you are being from the UK!), you will be blown away by Wizarding World. Even those who are not Potter fans can surely appreciate the theme and detail. Then, you'll be able to move to your beloved BC when its available.

Absolutely!
The onsite perks for a deluxe resort there are well worth it.

 

[ldo]

I have 3 tweens/teens. We like OKW--great Key West pool area playing Jimmy Buffet music softly--makes me feel very tropical. OKW has a sleeper chair--so your teens can have their own beds. VERY big space and VERY big patio with table for 4 persons. Just stayed again in Aug and LOVEd it---we drove sometimes, but also just took the bus many days--OKW is centrally located and very convenient driving--around the corner from DTD, Typhoon Lagoon, quick to Epcot.
However, if you stay onsite at Univ, most places get you front of the line passes and early access to Harry Potter--something to consider.

 

[clapton]

I would just stay at BWI, you will love it! Like a pp said the pools are never that crowded and you still will be in a great area near everything. Having never stayed at OKW I really can't comment on that, but we just stayed at the BW this past April and loved it! Whatever you choose have a great tip!

 

[TravelMommy]

I would go with Option 1. I really think Universal is worth spending 2-3 days at, and their resorts are just as nice as Disney's. Very competitive. If you're Potter fans at all (and hopefully you are being from the UK!), you will be blown away by Wizarding World. Even those who are not Potter fans can surely appreciate the theme and detail. Then, you'll be able to move to your beloved BC when its available.

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If you stay at one of the three original Universal Resorts, You are going to love express pass!!!!

 

[nixieh]

Thanks for all the advice. I did consider BWI but it says on the Disney UK website that there is 2 queen beds and a day bed that is not suitable for someone more than 5ft and I have 3 teenagers so we have had to count it out. In the end we have decided on the following:

5 nights at OKW to begin with the free dining then 6 nights at Sheraton Vistana as we can rent for nothing through my mum's RCI then because we would have saved money on that part of the holiday we can then do 3 nights at Universal (prob Cabana Bay even though no FOTL as kids want to stay there) and finally end with 3 nights chilling at the Beach Club. That way we all get what we want.