The Valley of Indecision: Which Villa 4 Me?

[1313WEBFOOTWALK]

Hello all! I'm new to the boards and happy to be here.

We are planning our first trip to WDW since 2004 and now we have two more children to add into the mix! The trip is scheduled for the first week of Oct in 2008 and my boys will be 8, 4, and 1 year at the time. We are renting points from my sister in law and since the youngest will be a baby, have been assured that a studio is our best bet. Now which Villa should we choose?

My initial choice was the BCV because I love SAB but my sister inlaw advises against it because she says they went during Oct last year and both BCV and BWV were packed due to the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT. She said it was actually uncomfortably crowded and even SAB was too busy to enjoy.

Of the rest of the Villa choices, the only one that's out of the running is the VWL. We stayed there in 2004 and though I love the setting, I found the boat-ride tedious, the bus service dodgy, and the decor a little too 'smoky mountains' for my taste (I'm from Tennessee so I'd prefer to have something a little different at Disney). Also, I don't like the distance from the other parks.

Here's my current take on the other options:

OKW seems a little 'retirement community' from the pictures I've seen and the pool looks kind of bland but I like the lovely waterfront setting, the picket fences, and the fact that the studios are large w/ 2 beds instead of a bed and a foldaway. Also it seems ideally located and has a dedicated bus service.

AKV has the added bonus of being attatched to the Lodge, which is stunning, and the magic of the surrounding Savannah. The rooms are darling from what I've seen and the pool is nice. But the proximity to the other parks has me concerned as does the reviews I've read about the transportation service altogether. This could be a potential deal-breaker since I'm sure I'll be traveling back to the resort quite often w/ the baby.

SSR looks almost perfect from the outset. 'Saratoga Trunk' is one of my favorite books so the theming is right up my alley and the pictures I've seen of both the decor and the pools are impressive. I also love the proximity to DTD and PI since that will make resort-to-resort traveling much easier. But I'm a little turned off by the sheer size of the place and overwhelmed by how much walking might be involved (though we ARE young and peppy). Also, I've read a few reviews that declare the place a little lacking in the 'disney magic' area, which is a pretty big deal to me.

SO that's my shpiel...let me know your feelings, your pros and cons, etc. I'm going to let ya'll decide for me this time so I'm keeping running tabs on your choices...

 

[bobbiwoz]

I honestly think that a 1 bedroom would be best for you, and I don't see any harm in going to BCV, since that's the pool you like the best.

We have been to AKV and the animals would be a big draw for the children. We found the bus service to be excellent from AKV. There are the special categories of "value and standard." Value are smaller, but again, you would have 2 rooms, a place for the little one to nap, while the rest of you could be in the living area...or however you choose.

I hope you have a great time, whatever type of accomodations you pick.

Bobbi

 

[dbprimeaux]

We are a family of 5, and we LOVE SSR 2 bedroom. We had tons of room, so no one got on each others nerves.... The kitchen is a good size to prepare "easy" meals. The kids loved it!! The whole resort it beautiful!! The spa was great!! I had a hour massage - that was sooo great !! We stayed at the Grandstand. Grandstand is the first bus stop at the resort, which was a HUGE plus for us with small kids. Have a great trip!!

 

[Muushka]

These boards are so funny. The OP stated

have been assured that a studio is our best bet. Now which Villa should we choose?

And my first thought was "studio is not big enough, get a 1 or 2 BR!!"

You sound like you have a good grasp on all the DVC resorts.
Good luck with the hunt!

 

[AKV707]

It depends upon how many points you have to use. If a studio is what you need, and you would like to avoid the BCV BWV area, I would say OKW or AKV. OKW is beautiful , friendly and relaxing. And the studio has the 2 beds. It does not feel like a retirement community at all.

AKV has the savannas and I hear that the bus service is excellent. If you have a few more points, you could look at the 1 br value as stated above. That would give you 2 rooms. What is your SIL's home resort? October is busy and the 11 month booking advantage could play a large role in your decision.

Have fun planning!

 

[mule714]

I'd suggest a 2br (1br minimum) at BWV. Your 4 and 8 yr old boys will love the Boardwalk. If you want to save some points go for OKW.

 

[hematite153]

I like all of the resorts for different reasons.

I also love SAB, although I have heard many parents complain that it is difficult to keep children at different swimming levels safe.

I suspect that you will enjoy whichever one you choose--sorry, no help there.

As to the size of the room...

Obviously, cost is a factor--the 1BDR are about twice the price of the studios.

When will your DS1 go to sleep relative to the rest of you? Will DS4 and DS8 stay up until you are going to sleep? Will he/they sleep with the lights/tv on and people moving around?

If your sons need quiet/dark space to sleep you may well prefer a 1 BDR.

In order to accommodate different bedtimes I have heard of both of the following for 1BDRs:

- put the pack & play in the walk-in closet (it would have fit easily in the ones we've had) or the bath section of the master bath (means that you have to walk via the living room from the master bedroom to the toilet/sink/shower).
- put the older kids in the king bed in the master bedroom to keep the kitchen and DVD player accessible to the adults later in the evening. (If you decide on this option, I recommend SSR or AKV because they have the newer model sleeper-sofas which are very comfortable.)

 

[1313WEBFOOTWALK]

I guess I should have said that we are on a budget so that's why the studio was suggested. The points are double for the one bedroom, though I'm sure it would be preferable. We would like to pay about the same ammount that we would if we were to stay at a moderate resort in one room. My sister in law is renting the points to us for 9.00 each. What do ya'll think? Can we do a one bedroom somewhere for that?

AKV707, my sister in law's home resort is VWL. And we have been to WDW several times in Oct w/ very few crowds. Is Oct a busier time now? It's still considered Value Season, right?

hematite, I'm not sure what my 1yr old's schedule will be like by then, of course...he's only 2 months old now though and has proven to be really laid back thus far. He can sleep through anything. I'm sure it will be a crap-shoot though. I would love to do a one br but the cost is probably not going to be in my budget and also, I don't know if my sister in law was planning to rent that many points out. But you've got some great ideas there.

 

[Keara'sMom]

If I have it figured correctly, you could stay in an AKV value 1 bdrm for approx. $153/night (Sun-Thurs). The price jumps considerably for Friday and Saturday night stays...

 

[1313WEBFOOTWALK]

Yes, I noticed that. We're doing six nights and I need to keep it under 1000 total so I don't guess it will work. Darnit!

 

[spiceycat]

okay how do you feel about taking out that sofa bed every night when you are tired from the parks?

also the 2 beds at OKW are both queen beds - the sofa bed is a double (full)

so with your family I would go with OKW just because of more room in the beds.

besides how much time are you going to spending inside the room. I hope not a lot because they many people in a studio would drive me crazy....

your nerves are definitely in better shape!

there is also more room for air mattress (twin) at OKW.

 

[1313WEBFOOTWALK]

okay how do you feel about taking out that sofa bed every night when you are tired from the parks?

also the 2 beds at OKW are both queen beds - the sofa bed is a double (full)

so with your family I would go with OKW just because of more room in the beds.

besides how much time are you going to spending inside the room. I hope not a lot because they many people in a studio would drive me crazy....

your nerves are definitely in better shape!

there is also more room for air mattress (twin) at OKW.

Actually, I don't mind taking it out every night. We have had to do it every time we've stayed at the villas because we've always had more than two people. I like the idea of two beds but Also like having the sofa-bed because if you do so happen to be at the resort during the day (and we usually arent'), you have some moving around space in the room for eating and stuff.

We will still consider the OKW. It's not out of the running anymore. I'm making a pro-con list. The pool at OKW just doesnt look as nice as the other two. And the pool is pretty important for us.

Keep the comments coming!

 

[hematite153]

And the pool is pretty important for us.

I'd recommend SSR then. There are 2 fantastic play areas for younger children (one at the main pool and one at the grandstand pool).

Also, just an fyi, you can't get 6 nights at a moderate for under $1000 anymore.

 

[spiceycat]

have you seem the new slide?

if not - here are some pictures
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/545

with the new slides most of the kids want the main pool - so the quiet pools are lovely (my opinion)

 

[1313WEBFOOTWALK]

I'd recommend SSR then. There are 2 fantastic play areas for younger children (one at the main pool and one at the grandstand pool).

Also, just an fyi, you can't get 6 nights at a moderate for under $1000 anymore.

Wow, I guess haven't looked recently. Anyway, we're going to be able to stay six nights at the Villa of our choice for just over 100/per night so we're definitelydoing well...we spend so little time inthe room anyway, I really don't think the Studio will be problem. Might as well take advantage of it while we can, before the baby grows up and we HAVE to get two rooms or a larger villa.

 

[dianeschlicht]

An OKW studio with two real beds and a larger area would be 61 points for 6 nights. The 1 bedroom would be 131 points, so it would be more than double, but in my estimation well worth the extra $118 added to your room budget of $1000. BCV would be 83 and 167. If it was me, I'd take the extra room of the OKW 1 bedroom. You will even have a full sized laundry room that makes a great baby bedroom, not to mention the convenience of the full sized washer and dryer for those baby clothes! OKW has great bus service too, where BCV service to MK is so-so at best.

 

[1313WEBFOOTWALK]

It's going to be tight but it's definitely worth the savings of over 400.00 for me. I did some research and found that it's only going to be slightly over 100.00 a night for us to stay in the Studio. My sister in law said if we get a corner studio there is a large entryway that would be a great place to put the crib too.

 

[dianeschlicht]

It's going to be tight but it's definitely worth the savings of over 400.00 for me. I did some research and found that it's only going to be slightly over 100.00 a night for us to stay in the Studio. My sister in law said if we get a corner studio there is a large entryway that would be a great place to put the crib too.

And what if you don't get that?

 

[snowbunny]

My initial choice was the BCV because I love SAB but my sister inlaw advises against it because she says they went during Oct last year and both BCV and BWV were packed due to the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT. She said it was actually uncomfortably crowded and even SAB was too busy to enjoy.

I don't know about Stormalong Bay, but we were at BWV last year during Food & Wine and it was fine. Busy but not nearly so much as during spring break.

Also - you might spend more time in your room than you think, especially with young children who need some naps and down time. They're not going to able to do WDW dawn to dusk. IMO that studio is going to be very very tight.

 

[1313WEBFOOTWALK]

And what if you don't get that?

The corner studio, you mean? We can still make it work. We'll just have to find a spot for the crib elsewhere.

In between the bed and couch probably, or at the foot of the bed.

Since my family lived in a 400 sq foot cabin for two months prior to our house being completed, I'm kind of handy w/ utilizing small spaces.