Tell me your favorite 2 bedroom resort and why!

[jolynne28]

Just got back and unpacked, and I couldn't wait to make this post. Please help me, I can't turn off my brain and I'm running way too many scenarios in my head about the best options for us and our future trips.
Apparently we are raising entitled kids, and bed sharing has become a legitimate nightmare. As a family of 5, I don't see a one bedroom really solving this problem. I've always thought the answer would be that we would simply get two studios eventually and split up. But honestly, as much as I hate to admit this, I got tired of the food at Disney, and so did our wallet. Maybe me recently going gluten free finally pushed me in the direction of actually cooking on vacation, b/c I've always balked at the idea until now.
So here I am, having to admit to nearly everyone here that they were right, and actually once you even think about getting a 2 bedroom, you can't really go back.
This has left me wondering where we should buy more resale points. We loved BCV, and would really enjoy a 6-7 night stay in a 2 bedroom the first week of June each year. Would this be possible at the 7 month window for that time of year since it's not a studio? I guess I'm wondering how hard 2 bedrooms across all the resorts are to get? We own SAP at SSR, but the park/skyliner access at Crescent Lake can't be beat IMO. Should we buy more SAP, or suck it up and start BCV hunting? SAP is more affordable, but no guarantee that we'll get what we want. BCV is much more pricey, but we have the guarantee and if we get tired of the mouse one day (gasp!) the points would be easy to rent.
The monorail resorts aren't very appealing to us from an ownership standpoint. VGF isn't for us, and while Poly was nice, we didn't enjoy it as much as BCV. Now CCV, yes, I want to own there one day, but mainly for a December stay and probably not a full week. I know people view it as SAP+, but I'm not sure buying a lot of points there specifically for a Crescent Lake stay makes sense. So long term I hope to own CCV, but it's not an immediate need b/c it wouldn't be our primary vacation like the summer.
Am I an idiot for staying at BCV for a couple of nights and falling in love? And it wasn't the pool, just the laid back vibe of the resort really did it for us. But, there are so many other places we haven't stayed yet. Also, Hubs likes the idea of dues ending in 18 years, so the 2042 end date isn't a major concern, but I do run a lot of numbers when analyzing the cost and I don't like how much more it costs per night. I've considered getting a BCV contract and renting out points until we cover a majority of our up front cost, but yes I realize this gives us less trips on an already short contract. AAAAGGGGHHHH
I will stop here for now, I think I could make this post a novel with everything swirling in my head! Trying to be logical about something you have an emotional attachment to feels impossible.

 

[ptlohmysoul]

We're in the same situation as a family of 5, each kid wanting their own bed. We own at Boardwalk and love it. Own where you want to stay! We also own at Bay Lake, which we also love and usually do split stays, walking to parks as much as possible. Our original contract was with Saratoga Springs, which we are good with staying at, but not our favorite.

Bay Lake and Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani has the advantage of 3 bathrooms in a 2 bedroom. However, staying in a 2 bedroom lock-out with the resorts that have 3 beds in the studio portion allows for no bed being used in the living room area. Best scenario depends on the age of your kids.

 

[CastAStone]

We loved BCV, and would really enjoy a 6-7 night stay in a 2 bedroom the first week of June each year. Would this be possible at the 7 month window for that time of year since it's not a studio?

The way I read the availability chart, there’s always rooms that come available at 7M that time of year, but they go immediately.

I am not sure if it matters where you buy points in your situation if the goal is to combine them with your existing SSR points to use at BCV since you’ll be stuck hoping at that 7 month window either way. You’ll have to be on it.

What would your backup resort be? SSR or OKW for the laid back vibe? (I think AKV is pretty chill too) Or BWV for the location? BWV pool garden at seven months might be a whisper easier that BCV but it will still go the day booking opens; the others should be easy.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Unfortunately, 2bdrms quickly follow studios as most popular and quickest to book up because of the many families in your situation. I think getting a 2bdrm at BCV for more than a day or two here and there at 7mo will be pretty difficult still, maybe just slightly easier than BWV, because those are all lock-offs.

If the expiration doesn’t bother you I’d say definitely buy where you truly want to stay, especially if it’s Beach Club. If you want a little more value but same location get BWV, but again 2bdrms can be a bit competitive even during home resort priority, so be prepared.

I’m not sure I’d really recommend anything else given your specific love for crescent lake. If you want to try some other easier-to-book rooms to potentially try the SSR SAP route, go for AKL like the above poster said. You’ll definitely have availability there at 7mos. Or try to book BLT lake view which will also have decent availability.

 

[jolynne28]

We're in the same situation as a family of 5, each kid wanting their own bed. We own at Boardwalk and love it. Own where you want to stay! We also own at Bay Lake, which we also love and usually do split stays, walking to parks as much as possible. Our original contract was with Saratoga Springs, which we are good with staying at, but not our favorite.

Bay Lake and Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani has the advantage of 3 bathrooms in a 2 bedroom. However, staying in a 2 bedroom lock-out with the resorts that have 3 beds in the studio portion allows for no bed being used in the living room area. Best scenario depends on the age of your kids.

We're about to close on a small BWV contract, b/c I thought we could do 5 nights on the cheap in a studio and then add on for another studio. Which we still might do, but I think I want a kitchen. I see what you're saying about the no LR sleeping, that would work for now, our kids are 11m, 8f, 5m. I'm sure in a few short years our daughter will not want to sleep in the room with her brothers.

We walked through BWV on Sunday and liked the lobby, but there's nothing else inside the resort aside from the coffee shop, correct? We'll have 50 pts to use there by end of January, so we'll have to try it out and see if we like it as well as BCV.

AKV is too isolated for us, I don't want to bus everywhere, and I've never been a fan of the non themed BLT. I'm nearly 100%that our MK resort will be CCV one day.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Just got back and unpacked, and I couldn't wait to make this post. Please help me, I can't turn off my brain and I'm running way too many scenarios in my head about the best options for us and our future trips.
Apparently we are raising entitled kids, and bed sharing has become a legitimate nightmare. As a family of 5, I don't see a one bedroom really solving this problem. I've always thought the answer would be that we would simply get two studios eventually and split up. But honestly, as much as I hate to admit this, I got tired of the food at Disney, and so did our wallet. Maybe me recently going gluten free finally pushed me in the direction of actually cooking on vacation, b/c I've always balked at the idea until now.
So here I am, having to admit to nearly everyone here that they were right, and actually once you even think about getting a 2 bedroom, you can't really go back.
This has left me wondering where we should buy more resale points. We loved BCV, and would really enjoy a 6-7 night stay in a 2 bedroom the first week of June each year. Would this be possible at the 7 month window for that time of year since it's not a studio? I guess I'm wondering how hard 2 bedrooms across all the resorts are to get? We own SAP at SSR, but the park/skyliner access at Crescent Lake can't be beat IMO. Should we buy more SAP, or suck it up and start BCV hunting? SAP is more affordable, but no guarantee that we'll get what we want. BCV is much more pricey, but we have the guarantee and if we get tired of the mouse one day (gasp!) the points would be easy to rent.
The monorail resorts aren't very appealing to us from an ownership standpoint. VGF isn't for us, and while Poly was nice, we didn't enjoy it as much as BCV. Now CCV, yes, I want to own there one day, but mainly for a December stay and probably not a full week. I know people view it as SAP+, but I'm not sure buying a lot of points there specifically for a Crescent Lake stay makes sense. So long term I hope to own CCV, but it's not an immediate need b/c it wouldn't be our primary vacation like the summer.
Am I an idiot for staying at BCV for a couple of nights and falling in love? And it wasn't the pool, just the laid back vibe of the resort really did it for us. But, there are so many other places we haven't stayed yet. Also, Hubs likes the idea of dues ending in 18 years, so the 2042 end date isn't a major concern, but I do run a lot of numbers when analyzing the cost and I don't like how much more it costs per night. I've considered getting a BCV contract and renting out points until we cover a majority of our up front cost, but yes I realize this gives us less trips on an already short contract. AAAAGGGGHHHH
I will stop here for now, I think I could make this post a novel with everything swirling in my head! Trying to be logical about something you have an emotional attachment to feels impossible.

Welcome to Team Villa…. we are happy to have you.

 

[jolynne28]

The way I read the availability chart, there’s always rooms that come available at 7M that time of year, but they go immediately.

I am not sure if it matters where you buy points in your situation if the goal is to combine them with your existing SSR points to use at BCV since you’ll be stuck hoping at that 7 month window either way. You’ll have to be on it.

What would your backup resort be? SSR or OKW for the laid back vibe? (I think AKV is pretty chill too) Or BWV for the location? BWV pool garden at seven months might be a whisper easier that BCV but it will still go the day booking opens; the others should be easy.

SSR is our SAP, we are 1.5 hrs away so having some points to book short notice stays is nice for us. So combining isn't really on my mind. I've only stayed at SSR one night, and didn't enjoy it. It was super loud in the morning with housekeeping slamming nearby doors and the transportation is not ideal. I'm sure we'll stay there sometimes, but not on trips where we want to hit the parks hard.

 

[jolynne28]

Unfortunately, 2bdrms quickly follow studios as most popular and quickest to book up because of the many families in your situation. I think getting a 2bdrm at BCV for more than a day or two here and there at 7mo will be pretty difficult still, maybe just slightly easier than BWV, because those are all lock-offs.

That's what I was wondering, thanks. I've been checking studio availability 7 months out for the couple of months I've had access, but not 2 bedrooms b/c it wasn't on my radar. I'm sure we'll try nearly everywhere at some point, but not on the longer summer trip. We did 3 resorts in 5 nights and I'd like to just show up and unpack the next time. And not have to plan so much with our food/snacks and the lack of a full fridge.

 

[jolynne28]

Welcome to Team Villa…. we are happy to have you.

Ha I feel like I'm being inducted into some kind of Disney cult.

 

[Massachusetts]

Recently stayed in 3 different 2 bedrooms. All in Jan 2024. The nicest room was easily SSR. BLT Theme Park was great for the location, room was not beat up at all. Our favorite is AKL Savanna. Dated but not beat up. We are also 5 plus always a grandparent or two. I generally get the living room with my oldest because he up the latest. The little ones do the master with DW. Next trip is August thinking the little ones go with grandparents in the double, oldest in the middle room, and I get to sleep next to DW! TBD.

Going to depend how loud grandpa snores!

 

[Chili327]

Don’t make any decision based on the contract ending in 18 years… unless being too short is the issue. If you buy a longer contract and want to be done in 18 years you just sell it. lol
People always throw it in the mix that the contract ending sooner is plus for them when in reality that’s never going to be an issue. Just sell it… it’s DVC not Marriot, you just sell it.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Ha I feel like I'm being inducted into some kind of Disney cult.

The cult of bathrooms, rooms with doors, and spacious living and dining spaces! We are quite a fun crew!

 

[Coronator]

Unfortunately, 2bdrms quickly follow studios as most popular and quickest to book up because of the many families in your situation. I think getting a 2bdrm at BCV for more than a day or two here and there at 7mo will be pretty difficult still, maybe just slightly easier than BWV, because those are all lock-offs.

If the expiration doesn’t bother you I’d say definitely buy where you truly want to stay, especially if it’s Beach Club. If you want a little more value but same location get BWV, but again 2bdrms can be a bit competitive even during home resort priority, so be prepared.

I’m not sure I’d really recommend anything else given your specific love for crescent lake. If you want to try some other easier-to-book rooms to potentially try the SSR SAP route, go for AKL like the above poster said. You’ll definitely have availability there at 7mos. Or try to book BLT lake view which will also have decent availability.

I think first week of June is definitely difficult, but two bedrooms at BCV are certainly not impossible to book at 7 months. Heck, I was able to book 5 nights the week after July 4th a couple weeks ago with my OKW points (of course, it’s July and there’s no festivals going on at Epcot, but still if you are willing to be date flexible, there’s rooms to be had).

 

[Sandisw]

I am a buy where you want to be if there is such a place. IMO, if that is BCV, then that’s where I’d buy. It seem okay with the end date and prices for it trending down!

 

[CastAStone]

SSR is our SAP, we are 1.5 hrs away so having some points to book short notice stays is nice for us. So combining isn't really on my mind. I've only stayed at SSR one night, and didn't enjoy it. It was super loud in the morning with housekeeping slamming nearby doors and the transportation is not ideal. I'm sure we'll stay there sometimes, but not on trips where we want to hit the parks hard.

Then I’d definitely suggest buying BCV. Good luck!

 

[Massachusetts]

.... Deleted to protect the innocent (compatriots may not be as comfortable with my big mouth)

 

[BuzzLightyr]

I like Boardwalk for it's location on Cresent lake, it's point chart and relatively low buy in per point.

For you, as you already own Beach Club, I would suggest a few more points there to give you flexibility for longer or shorter stays.

 

[NVDISFamily]

The cult of bathrooms, rooms with doors, and spacious living and dining spaces! We are quite a fun crew!

It is the way to go. Mom and dad deserve some vacation time too…..

The more I think about our DVC ownership and stays at WDW I have a hard time not loving AKV and especially the Kidani side for those extra bathrooms.

If you won’t fill it to the max rooms at CCV or BRV are also lovely. Riviera has some of the best rooms on property but then you have to play the direct game.

 

[DVCanadian]

Buy as many cheap points as you can in same use year as your current SSR contract.

We’ve had no problem getting 2 bedrooms wherever we want with our SSR amd OKW points. All two bedrooms are nice but you need points! They are expensive.

Really gonna depend on when you travel and if you are flexible.

Stayed in 2 bedrooms at HHI, VB, Aulani (2x), GCV. GFV, BCV, AKL (2x), OKW (2x)
We choose based on each trip’s goals vs locking in at a single resort for 20+ years.

It isn’t a fun vacation for us if we are all crammed together, each kid getting their own bed is part of our vacation. The kids love it so much!

Good luck!

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

We're about to close on a small BWV contract, b/c I thought we could do 5 nights on the cheap in a studio and then add on for another studio. Which we still might do, but I think I want a kitchen. I see what you're saying about the no LR sleeping, that would work for now, our kids are 11m, 8f, 5m. I'm sure in a few short years our daughter will not want to sleep in the room with her brothers.

We walked through BWV on Sunday and liked the lobby, but there's nothing else inside the resort aside from the coffee shop, correct? We'll have 50 pts to use there by end of January, so we'll have to try it out and see if we like it as well as BCV.

AKV is too isolated for us, I don't want to bus everywhere, and I've never been a fan of the non themed BLT. I'm nearly 100%that our MK resort will be CCV one day.

I can't speak to two bedrooms but I would just add that while not in the immediate building there are a ton of dining options at the Swan and Dolphin that we take full advantage of whenever we stay at Boardwalk - it's really not a far walk at all. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see BWV add more food choices, but has been a non-issue for our stays.