Two bedroom stay- advice

[GroguAndStitch]

Hello everyone,
We are planning to take a trip next year for 8 nights in May. My in-laws want to come with us. We like to rent DVC points and stay deluxe, but I'm curious everyone's suggestion. I know OKW or Saratoga would be cheap, but the main thing my family loves about DVC is proximity to parks and avoiding busses. I know my in-laws will be whiney if transportation is really time consuming or difficult.

So i was thinking BWI or maybe AKL (is that any closer than OKW or SS?). Swan and dolphin, get two rooms?
Do I look at getting a 2 bedroom villa or is it better to get two studios and ask for nearby... (can that happen?)

Just thinking out loud and looking for advice on anyone whose done this. We will split the cost with them for the stay, and I want to be as reasonable as possible (Ideally like 3.5 K each)
background: my kids will be 7,9
my inlaws are late 60s and pretty good health, no significant mobility issues but they do tend to be complainers when things are not "Easy"

 

[Mouse Tracker]

If they "tend to be complainers when things are not 'Easy'" they should avoid WDW, especially if first timers. "Easy" isn't an adjective that I use a lot during trips.

I definitely suggest staying close to IG for walking to park(s) option, Skyliner access is a plus and better than a resort bus stop.

Monorail resorts get you "less difficult" access to 2 of the most popular parks.

Park Hoppers allow you to incorporate above transportation options but heading to AK is a bus.

Maybe consider theme park choice during your 8 night stay into DVC pick.

 

[GroguAndStitch]

If they "tend to be complainers when things are not 'Easy'" they should avoid WDW, especially if first timers. "Easy" isn't an adjective that I use a lot during trips.

I definitely suggest staying close to IG for walking to park(s) option, Skyliner access is a plus and better than a resort bus stop.

Monorail resorts get you "less difficult" access to 2 of the most popular parks.

Park Hoppers allow you to incorporate above transportation options but heading to AK is a bus.

Maybe consider theme park choice during your 8 night stay into DVC pick.

I agree. We told them that they may not want to go because it is not an easy vacation but theyre adamant it will be fine.

 

[Travel60]

One consideration - the OKW two-bedrooms are larger than others. We find the busses to the parks are no problem and the boats to Disney Springs enjoyable.

 

[sponica]

We split a 2 BR at Riviera on cash with my inlaws. Definitely not the most economical decision we've ever made, but it gave us space from them but also allowed them to watch the kids when both my inlaws and the kids were tapped out on the parks.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

I agree. We told them that they may not want to go because it is not an easy vacation but theyre adamant it will be fine.

Sounds like you're gonna be their "Plaid".
Eight nights exposed to a daily whine or two would have me definitely booking separate accommodations while at resort.

 

[robinb]

Hello everyone,
We are planning to take a trip next year for 8 nights in May. My in-laws want to come with us. We like to rent DVC points and stay deluxe, but I'm curious everyone's suggestion. I know OKW or Saratoga would be cheap, but the main thing my family loves about DVC is proximity to parks and avoiding busses. I know my in-laws will be whiney if transportation is really time consuming or difficult.

So i was thinking BWI or maybe AKL (is that any closer than OKW or SS?). Swan and dolphin, get two rooms?
Do I look at getting a 2 bedroom villa or is it better to get two studios and ask for nearby... (can that happen?)

Just thinking out loud and looking for advice on anyone whose done this. We will split the cost with them for the stay, and I want to be as reasonable as possible (Ideally like 3.5 K each)
background: my kids will be 7,9
my inlaws are late 60s and pretty good health, no significant mobility issues but they do tend to be complainers when things are not "Easy"

The choice for a 2BR v/s 2 studios is totally up to you.

A DVC 2BR is (usually) a 1BR/Studio lock-off. That is a full studio connected to a full 1BR. The acquisition of the studio is usually the sticking point for cheap view 2BRs, so you should probably not plan for a standard view anywhere. A 2BR will get you a living room with 1-2 pullout beds, a full kitchen and in-room laundry. You have probably already experienced the studio side but the 1BR side has a single king sized bed in the bedroom and a jacuzzi tub in the bath. Your family would probably be more comfortable in the studio side because there are enough sleeping surfaces for you and your kids without sticking them in the living room which cuts into adult time there.

You will be able to book 2 studios if you want. You can request that they be near each other, but (AFAIK) the only resort where they can actually be connected is the Polynesian. So, most DVC resorts as sets of studios/1BRs next to each other. They will try to get you close, but it's really only a request so you may not be as close as you want. If you want some more autonomy from your in-laws, I would go with that. It's also approximately 1/3rd cheaper as a 1BR is approximately twice the number of points than a studio and a 2BR is slightly less than a booking a 1BR and studio separately.

 

[Coronator]

One consideration - the OKW two-bedrooms are larger than others. We find the busses to the parks are no problem and the boats to Disney Springs enjoyable.

Yea I actually think OKW is perfect for in-law (or parent) trips.

Large rooms and quiet atmosphere are typically much more tolerable for a first timer or those that can panicky about crowds.

The busses are easy and convenient - they just take time is all. If you are planning on just one park a day, I don’t see any issue with the busses. If your plans include leaving a park and going back and forth to your room for naps, pool time, etc, then yea either monorail or crescent lake is a better option.

 

[gopherit]

I've taken grandparents of different ages/ stages, lol. A 2BR is lovely because if they DO discover it's "too much", they have a nice place to retreat that doesn't just feel like they are stuck in a hotel room. I love AKL but I usually only stay there at front end or back end of a trip, while I'm planning to visit AK park... because that's about ALL it is close to. I also love OKW and SSR... but tend to stay there when my focus is OUTSIDE the parks (i.e., a "no parks" trip, perhaps playing golf or doing other things in the area). It's very relaxing there, OKW can't be beat for villa space, and your car is readily convenient. We stayed at OKW on one trip wherein my mother planned to just stay at resort on the 2-3 days (out of 6) that we went to the parks. One of the days, our youngest daughter (about 9 mos old) stayed with her. My mom loved being in the villa, watching golfers from the patio. And at night we would all get together and have a nice meal in D Springs. or Olivia's. In contrast...on a different trip, my MIL insisted she was "park ready!" but overdid it and by Day 3, my DH and I took kids to water park with FIL while she stayed back at villa to recover. (We were staying at BWV for that trip) It's great when grandparents want to be "part of your world", some awesome memories to be made for sure - but sometimes they can't grasp just how taxing or possibly out of their element that might be (weather, crowds, transportation all can play a factor, too); having back-up options that allow you to be together at different levels is a huge plus. With a 2BR villa, you get a great kitchen for morning coffee, full fridge for storing left-overs or late night snacks, a nice little sitting area to chat, spend family time or just read a book. Washer and dryer access so no one needs to pack heavily. As for what resort is best... I'd consider BWV or BCV. A 2BR at BWV will automatically be a lock-off (meaning, a studio and 1BR combined) so they even have their own "front door" to come and go as they please. Rooms there are slightly larger than rooms at the newest DVC resorts. At BCV - resort is smaller, hallways are shorter, and they do have dedicated 2BRs (which are easier to obtain than lockoffs due to popularity of studios @ BCV). Both of those resorts benefit from VERY close proximity to 2 out of 4 parks, and multiple options for transportation (you can walk or boat to Epcot; walk, boat or skyline to HS; bus to MK and AK and DSprings). There's lots of other amenities in that area (restaurant options, surrey bikes; activities at pool or on Boardwalk or BCV's "beach") so no one should feel like not being at a park means they have been left behind. And these two resorts TEND to be a slightly lower price point than say Grand Floridian, Poly and Riviera (which are all awesome... just usually most costly - and on the downside, don't have quite as much immediate walking proximity as BCV/BWV do to each other as well as Swan, Dolphin, and 2 parks. May-June can be very popular for both resorts (for proximity to Epcot flower festival and HS Star Wars, as well as BCV's reknown pool, Storm Along Bay) so you're wise to get your planning started now. Good luck!

 

[GroguAndStitch]

Sounds like you're gonna be their "Plaid".
Eight nights exposed to a daily whine or two would have me definitely booking separate accommodations while at resort.

Totally. My mother in law is like ," oh you will figure it all out for me, I trust you. "

 

[GroguAndStitch]

Yea I actually think OKW is perfect for in-law (or parent) trips.

Large rooms and quiet atmosphere are typically much more tolerable for a first timer or those that can panicky about crowds.

The busses are easy and convenient - they just take time is all. If you are planning on just one park a day, I don’t see any issue with the busses. If your plans include leaving a park and going back and forth to your room for naps, pool time, etc, then yea either monorail or crescent lake is a better option.

I guess I'll have to consider this more closely.
My family tends to be an in-and-out of the parks family, but perhaps with them, we would do less of that anyways

 

[GroguAndStitch]

The choice for a 2BR v/s 2 studios is totally up to you.

A DVC 2BR is (usually) a 1BR/Studio lock-off. That is a full studio connected to a full 1BR. The acquisition of the studio is usually the sticking point for cheap view 2BRs, so you should probably not plan for a standard view anywhere. A 2BR will get you a living room with 1-2 pullout beds, a full kitchen and in-room laundry. You have probably already experienced the studio side but the 1BR side has a single king sized bed in the bedroom and a jacuzzi tub in the bath. Your family would probably be more comfortable in the studio side because there are enough sleeping surfaces for you and your kids without sticking them in the living room which cuts into adult time there.

You will be able to book 2 studios if you want. You can request that they be near each other, but (AFAIK) the only resort where they can actually be connected is the Polynesian. So, most DVC resorts as sets of studios/1BRs next to each other. They will try to get you close, but it's really only a request so you may not be as close as you want. If you want some more autonomy from your in-laws, I would go with that. It's also approximately 1/3rd cheaper as a 1BR is approximately twice the number of points than a studio and a 2BR is slightly less than a booking a 1BR and studio separately.

That's a really good take. Thanks for typing that all out. Maybe we just do two studios at the same resort and hope they are close, but oh darn, if they're not Save us money and I really do not plan to be cooking full meals with them. I think they'll want their autonomy as well.

 

[CarolMN]

IMO, OKW is NOT a good choice if you will be dependent on buses and want to spend a good share of your time in the parks.

Again IMO, there are so many bus stops around the resort that it seems to take forever to get anywhere. My advice is to skip OKW this trip unless you will have a car.

Stay in the EPCOT resorts area. BWV lock offs are a good choice if you can get one.

 

[jo-jo]

When we traveled with kids/ grandkids, and stayed in two bedroom suites, we were not shy of grandma and grandpa had enough fun today and closed the bedroom door. See you tomorrow.

Although once we had 6 grandkids and 4 adults. They took the 2 bedrooms and we slept down the hall in a studio.
For those counting, one grandkid was under three.

If you can swing the extra cost, the 2 bedroom would be great for the kitchen and laundry.

You can't beat BCV/BWV for getting into two parks so easy.

 

[DisTravels]

Again IMO, there are so many bus stops around the resort that it seems to take forever to get anywhere. My advice is to skip OKW this trip unless you will have a car.

Car is a good point. If you have a car and staying at a DVC property - parking at the parks is free.

IMO - Busses are fine as long as expectations are set - they will have multiple stops and other people will be on the bus. If they need personal space and/or can't occupy themselves on the bus (talking, planning on the park activities, phone, reading, etc) then the bus may not be a great option.

 

[CraigInPA]

Cranky guests who are complainers about transportation? I think your primary motivation here should be which resorts can you walk to one or two parks! That puts you at BLT (easy walk to MK) or GFV (a longer walk to MK), BCV (easy walk to Epcot, longer walk to DHS), and BWV (not a bad walk to either EPCOT or DHS).

Now, add in a 7 and a 9 year old, and I think you'll want to spend more time at MK due to the rides there. So, BLT or GFV. I think you'll find BLT cheaper...

Definitely a 2 bedroom. That'll give you the master suite, the kids the living room area, and the in-laws the other bedroom. Lots of space to spread out.

 

[MartyParty]

Hello everyone,
We are planning to take a trip next year for 8 nights in May. My in-laws want to come with us. We like to rent DVC points and stay deluxe, but I'm curious everyone's suggestion. I know OKW or Saratoga would be cheap, but the main thing my family loves about DVC is proximity to parks and avoiding busses. I know my in-laws will be whiney if transportation is really time consuming or difficult.

So i was thinking BWI or maybe AKL (is that any closer than OKW or SS?). Swan and dolphin, get two rooms?
Do I look at getting a 2 bedroom villa or is it better to get two studios and ask for nearby... (can that happen?)

Just thinking out loud and looking for advice on anyone whose done this. We will split the cost with them for the stay, and I want to be as reasonable as possible (Ideally like 3.5 K each)
background: my kids will be 7,9
my inlaws are late 60s and pretty good health, no significant mobility issues but they do tend to be complainers when things are not "Easy"

Not sure on your dates but I did a quick check on one of the DVC rental sites. You can rent some points and cost wise it's about $7k for a two-bedroom standard/lake view at BLT. At least I think that's what you were targeting for budget. BRV and CCV are also in about that price range for a two-bedroom. Not as expensive options for a two-bedroom, as others have said, will be OKW and Saratoga. For an eight day trip being close to Downtown Disney might be a nice option for spending some time away from the parks.

Alternatively for pricing and perhaps some separation, you could consider two studios (or one studio and one bedroom).

Good luck!

 

[bookbabe626]

If you are going to be reliant on Disney transport, then I’d do Boardwalk or one of the monorail resorts. Two studios at Poly might work well, or a 2 bdrm at BLT or Boardwalk. GF would be good, but it’s pricier, even on points. And BCV has sucky availability a lot of the year, and it’s generally a lot more chaotic than first timers might enjoy. (We own at BCV, and love it, but it wouldn’t be our first choice for where to take first timers.)

Have you considered renting a car? CostcoTravel tends to have great prices on car rentals, and then you could do someplace like OKW, where the 2 bdrms are HUGE and the resort is quite peaceful for when the in-laws are “done” with the parks. Less convenient WDW transport isn’t an issue if you have a rental car, and you could do some off-site shopping and eating to balance out the trip for the in-laws (or they could go off to a mall or movie while you head to the parks by bus).

 

[GroguAndStitch]

If you are going to be reliant on Disney transport, then I’d do Boardwalk or one of the monorail resorts. Two studios at Poly might work well, or a 2 bdrm at BLT or Boardwalk. GF would be good, but it’s pricier, even on points. And BCV has sucky availability a lot of the year, and it’s generally a lot more chaotic than first timers might enjoy. (We own at BCV, and love it, but it wouldn’t be our first choice for where to take first timers.)

Have you considered renting a car? CostcoTravel tends to have great prices on car rentals, and then you could do someplace like OKW, where the 2 bdrms are HUGE and the resort is quite peaceful for when the in-laws are “done” with the parks. Less convenient WDW transport isn’t an issue if you have a rental car, and you could do some off-site shopping and eating to balance out the trip for the in-laws (or they could go off to a mall or movie while you head to the parks by bus).

My inlaws will have a car of their own with them, but I am worried about them parking at the TTC and having to monorail in with a big crowd, parking far away in any parking lots and taking trams, etc. I think they'll hate that and complain. Sensing a trend? So I think WDW transport to parks is the goal, but it will be nice if they want to leave and get out on their own on pool days or if they need a break. I think we will look at BWV, BLT or poly. Thanks

 

[MartyParty]

My inlaws will have a car of their own with them, but I am worried about them parking at the TTC and having to monorail in with a big crowd, parking far away in any parking lots and taking trams, etc. I think they'll hate that and complain. Sensing a trend? So I think WDW transport to parks is the goal, but it will be nice if they want to leave and get out on their own on pool days or if they need a break. I think we will look at BWV, BLT or poly. Thanks

Yep concur. I think based on your price range and needs BLT, Poly, and BWV are two excellent choices. Narrowed down to 3. If you don't mind, let us know which one you select. No bad choices there. Each resort has its pluses (location, amenities, cost, etc.).