Various resort questions- help please

[rentayenta]

I am trying to decide on resorts for our December 2011 trip and I have so many questions and I am hoping you all can help.

1. What is the difference between the BWV boardwalk view and preferred view? The points are the same.

2. Do all DVC one bedrooms fit 5? The dvc member site says *most* do, which ones do?

3. We are wanting to do a split stay to be able to do the DDP for only half the trip. 1/2 will be at SSR and the other half who knows. I am not interested in WLV or BLT. I am torn between the others. We have stayed at the AKV though and really want somewhere new but please see next f/u question. Any insights as to where you would choose and why? We have also stayed at the OKW and loved it.

4. Do the AKV Jambo one bedroom Value Views offer the same chance at scoring a Savannah View as the Studios do? Same question for 2 bedroom Values?

5. Swimming in December? We live in Utah and my nutty kids will swim in the Pacific in December but not sure how thw humidity affects air and water temps?

6. Do any Studios sleep 5? OKW has 2 queens and my 3 kids easily fit in one queen.

7. I am thinking about possibly going from a one bedroom to 2 bedroom or vice versa. Insights?

8. Should I forget the whole split stay thing and chill the heck out? If so, all 10 nights will be at SSR.

9. I am thinking of doing the DDP for the 2nd half as we'll be celebrating my middle DD's bday as well as the first night of Hanukkah. As it stands her bday will be a park day but the first night of Hanukkah won't; any clue where we could have a good TS kosher meal for Hanukkah? Also good bday options. Chloe loves Chip, Dale, and Pooh. Chef Mickey's is out. We are adventerous eaters.



I really appreciate any advice. I have figured out all of the point options for all catagories at all of the WDW DVC resorts with the dates 12/12-12/17 and 12/17-12/22.

 

[bobbiwoz]

1. Boardwalk view is the most desired. It's of the Boardwalk itself. Preferred is really just "not standard." Standard is the wing that faces the driveway up to the entrance. Everything else is "preferred/pool."

2. The DVC on site 1 bedrooms that sleep 5 because they have the sleeper chair are all the ones in Kidani, the savannah and standard view in Jambo, BLT's and the ones that are renovated in OKW.

3. I especially like AKV, BCV and BWV. For December, since swimming is possible but not definitely, I would go for AKV, BWV (standard), BCV in that order.

4. Yes, there are only 10 value 2 bedrooms, all lock-offs. These one bedrooms do not have the sleeper chair and only sleep 4.

5. Possible, but probably not whole days spent at the pool. That's the way it is for us. In December, we most often stay at VWL and I love to start the day at the villa pool, for about an hour. Very few people are there then, and it's so beautiful, peaceful.

6. No, you won't get a studio for 5 unless the child is under 3.

7. If you have 5, SSR doesn't have the sleeper chair, so you would need a 2 bedroom. At AKV, in Kidani, the 1 bedrooms sleep 5 nicely, they have the extra bathroom, so I wouldn't hesitate to go from SSR 2 bedroom to AKV, Kidani 1 bedroom.

8. For 10 nights, a split stay for me would be preferable.

9. I don't know.

 

[wdrl]

1. What is the difference between the BWV boardwalk view and preferred view? The points are the same.

Granny has a great photo of the BWV resort and has labeled the locations of the Boardwalk villas, the Preferred/Garden Villas, and the Standard Villas. Here is a link to his photo: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37545876&postcount=2

 

[DenLo]

Bobbiwoz's post has great advice. I would add that you may not get a Standard view villa at BWV at 7 months as it is very popular with BWV owners.

Here's a link to Allears.net regarding Kosher meals. http://allears.net/din/guestkosher.htm

 

[rentayenta]

1. Boardwalk view is the most desired. It's of the Boardwalk itself. Preferred is really just "not standard." Standard is the wing that faces the driveway up to the entrance. Everything else is "preferred/pool."

Another DVC member has been posting amazing shots of the boardwalk and their view and it looks amazing. Of course, I want to spend the least amount of points and still get the best view possible.

2. The DVC on site 1 bedrooms that sleep 5 because they have the sleeper chair are all the ones in Kidani, the savannah and standard view in Jambo, BLT's and the ones that are renovated in OKW.

Thanks!

3. I especially like AKV, BCV and BWV. For December, since swimming is possible but not definitely, I would go for AKV, BWV (standard), BCV in that order.

Why BWV standard and not boardwalk view?

4. Yes, there are only 10 value 2 bedrooms, all lock-offs. These one bedrooms do not have the sleeper chair and only sleep 4.

So would I request a Value lock-off? Of course there is not guarantee.

5. Possible, but probably not whole days spent at the pool. That's the way it is for us. In December, we most often stay at VWL and I love to start the day at the villa pool, for about an hour. Very few people are there then, and it's so beautiful, peaceful.

We just stayed at the GCV which is very similar to the VWL so I am looking for a different vibe. Bummer about no full pool days. DH is really wanting to chill out. Any other ideas?

6. No, you won't get a studio for 5 unless the child is under 3.

Okay. Good to know.

7. If you have 5, SSR doesn't have the sleeper chair, so you would need a 2 bedroom. At AKV, in Kidani, the 1 bedrooms sleep 5 nicely, they have the extra bathroom, so I wouldn't hesitate to go from SSR 2 bedroom to AKV, Kidani 1 bedroom.

Do the Jambo one bedrooms sleep 5 as well? I haven't stay at Kidani or checked the points but will need to look into the Jambo/Kidani point difference.

8. For 10 nights, a split stay for me would be preferable.

Me too for dining. Why do you prefer?

9. I don't know.

Granny has a great photo of the BWV resort and has labeled the locations of the Boardwalk villas, the Preferred/Garden Villas, and the Standard Villas. Here is a link to his photo: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37545876&postcount=2

Bobbiwoz's post has great advice. I would add that you may not get a Standard view villa at BWV at 7 months as it is very popular with BWV owners.

I was afraid of that. Why are standards so popular?

Here's a link to Allears.net regarding Kosher meals. http://allears.net/din/guestkosher.htm

Looks like I will need to contact Disney dining to find my options. Glad to know the following:

Kosher meals not offered at Garden View Afternoon Tea, Teppanyaki Dining Room, Gulliver's Grill, Palio, House of Blues, Planet Hollywood, Fulton's Crab House, Portobello Yacht Club, Yak & Yeti, Rainforest Cafe, Shula's Steakhouse, Todd English's bluezoo, and Fresh Mediterranean Market. However, call several days in advance to inquire.

 

[Sandisw]

The points chart are the same for both Kidani and Jambo. When you book, they will tell you which ones are available and you will know which one you got.

We love split stays for several reasons. We get a chance to explore different resorts and allows us to customize the dining plan.

We leave Friday for 3 nights at BCV, with the DDP and then 3 nights at BLT in a 1 bedroom with the QSDP.

if you want one of the value 2 bedrooms at Jambo, you only have to ask for that. There are no dedicated 2 bedroom values.

Good luck!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Why BWV standard and not boardwalk view?

Probably b/c of the lower points.


So would I request a Value lock-off? Of course there is not guarantee.

The Value rooms are a category so you must book them. They are not requests. Also, Values are only at Jambo house and all the 2BR's are made up of lock-offs so no request for a lock off is needed.




We just stayed at the GCV which is very similar to the VWL so I am looking for a different vibe. Bummer about no full pool days. DH is really wanting to chill out. Any other ideas?

If SSR is your first part of the stay then I'd say try BCV or BWV or AKV. BTW - although VWL was done by the same architect as VGC and you can get the same vibe in the lobby it is also not like VGC. Location, amentities, boat ride to MK. For me VWL would be my first recommendation also but it's very hard to get in there in Dec if you don't own there.



Do the Jambo one bedrooms sleep 5 as well? I haven't stay at Kidani or checked the points but will need to look into the Jambo/Kidani point difference.

Yes, all except the Value category. But, only 1 bathroom compared to 2 at Kidani. And, no separate shower and tub. At Jambo they are all jacuzzi tub/shower combos.

I was afraid of that. Why are standards so popular?

Low point cost.


If you need Pooh characters I think Crystal Palace is you best bet. I don't know if they can do Kosher meals though so you'd have to contact and see.

Have fun with all the planning!

 

[rentayenta]

The points chart are the same for both Kidani and Jambo. When you book, they will tell you which ones are available and you will know which one you got.

Awesome. It seems Kidani is more popular. We stayed at Jambo and loved it. I like having a CS close by.

We love split stays for several reasons. We get a chance to explore different resorts and allows us to customize the dining plan.

I feel ya. I have gone a little overboard with changing resorts 3x during a trip which DH is burnt out on, which is totally understand. We have stayed at AKV, OKW, and GCV but I am dying to try the BWV.

We leave Friday for 3 nights at BCV, with the DDP and then 3 nights at BLT in a 1 bedroom with the QSDP.

Good planning, never thought about doing the QSDP. What are the parameters?

if you want one of the value 2 bedrooms at Jambo, you only have to ask for that. There are no dedicated 2 bedroom values.

Good luck!

 

[rentayenta]

Have fun with all the planning!

I am! Good info on the VWL- I will reevaluate the VWL. Boat ride to MK sounds perfect! MK is my favorite park. We own at SSR so my plan is to book all 10 nights there and then try to switch for half. Looks like some pixiedust will be needed as December is popular for DVC.

 

[DebbieB]

Awesome. It seems Kidani is more popular. We stayed at Jambo and loved it. I like having a CS close by.

The big plus for Kidani is the one bedrooms & up are larger than Jambo. They also have an extra bathroom. A one bedroom has 2 bathrooms, 2 bedroom has 3.

 

[rentayenta]

The big plus for Kidani is the one bedrooms & up are larger than Jambo. They also have an extra bathroom. A one bedroom has 2 bathrooms, 2 bedroom has 3.

Okay, having extra bathrooms is a huge selling point. Do Kidani Values have chances at SV like Jambo does?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Okay, having extra bathrooms is a huge selling point. Do Kidani Values have chances at SV like Jambo does?

Kidani doesn't have value villas.

 

[rentayenta]

Kidani doesn't have value villas.

Bummer from a points perspective!



So I talked to the kids and their choices for the second part of the trip are:

• OKW- Chloe
• THV- Joshua
• AKV- Gabby

They can be easily swayed though. I am still leaning towards the BWV though.


From the info and from a smart points perspective we should stay at a 2 bedroom at SSR and a 1 bedroom at AKV.


Please keep the info coming. This trip will be a biggie and I want to be well informed.

 

[Sandisw]

Awesome. It seems Kidani is more popular. We stayed at Jambo and loved it. I like having a CS close by.



I feel ya. I have gone a little overboard with changing resorts 3x during a trip which DH is burnt out on, which is totally understand. We have stayed at AKV, OKW, and GCV but I am dying to try the BWV.




Good planning, never thought about doing the QSDP. What are the parameters?

We like the QSDP because we don't want to spend every day at a TS restaurant. With this plan, you get 2 CS, 2 snacks, and the refillable mug. It is plenty of food.

But, by splitting our stay and getting DDP for part, we get a few TS meals, which we like, but the rest of the trip can be more easy going in terms of meals.

The only hard part is the check out/check in day if you still have credits left from the first stay. You end up with both to use and have to be careful to use those up before you start on the new ones. I just bring a Sharpie with me and mark the card.

 

[rentayenta]

We like the QSDP because we don't want to spend every day at a TS restaurant. With this plan, you get 2 CS, 2 snacks, and the refillable mug. It is plenty of food.

But, by splitting our stay and getting DDP for part, we get a few TS meals, which we like, but the rest of the trip can be more easy going in terms of meals.

The only hard part is the check out/check in day if you still have credits left from the first stay. You end up with both to use and have to be careful to use those up before you start on the new ones. I just bring a Sharpie with me and mark the card.

Like the Sharpie idea! So on check out/in day you basically have double the credits if you have used them evenly each day? Good to know. I guess you could do a 2 TS day on the last night of the DDP so you don't lose them. So you have to use all of the only ones before you can use the new ones? I wonder how many people lose their credits?

The QSDP sounds like plenty of food for sure. We tend to share anyway as I hate to waste. Can you still still cash in a CS for 2 snack credits? Can you still sub a salad for dessert on CSs?

I am thinking we'd do the QSDP for the first 5 nights as we have 2 celebrations during the last half.

 

[SLM]

We did the QSDP for the beginning of our stay last summer-lots of good places to eat, plenty of food-because of the heat we found ourselves still sharing a lunch and using the extra credit for pastries and fruit for breakfast meals. I only had a hamburger once (because I wanted one!) and had some great meals (Epcot and Animal Kingdom have great choices). We stayed in a 2BR at AKV for a week and then downsized to a 1BR at SSR for the last three days. I would start out in the smaller villa next time-it was hard giving up the space!
Isn't it fun planning? I've already got 2012 planned and we haven't taken our 2011 trip yet!

 

[rentayenta]

We did the QSDP for the beginning of our stay last summer-lots of good places to eat, plenty of food-because of the heat we found ourselves still sharing a lunch and using the extra credit for pastries and fruit for breakfast meals. I only had a hamburger once (because I wanted one!) and had some great meals (Epcot and Animal Kingdom have great choices). We stayed in a 2BR at AKV for a week and then downsized to a 1BR at SSR for the last three days. I would start out in the smaller villa next time-it was hard giving up the space!
Isn't it fun planning? I've already got 2012 planned and we haven't taken our 2011 trip yet!

It's totally fun to plan!

Love that you have 2012 planned and still have a 2011 trip!

The more I read about the QSDP, the more I like it. Originally we were going to do half DDP only but maybe we'll do the QSDP for half and the DDP for the other half. What are some of your favorite CS places?

I agree about moving up vs down with regard to villas. On our May 2009 trip we started at the OKW in a GV, moved to a 2 bedroom at AKV, and spent the final 2 nights at the POR This was the trip we bought DVC and stayed with friends. The POR seemed like a shoe box and interestling enough seemed perfectly fine during our first trip to WDW in 2007. We sure get spoiled with DVC.

 

[SLM]

We loved the places in the lower level of the Land building-I had a wonderful salad with roasted beets, goat cheese, pecans-I remember my daughter and her husband having something like a stir-fry. My husband loved the bakery where you selected your dessert options! France's quick service place was good-my daughter and her husband liked the Mexican place. Downtown Disney has Wolfgang Puck's (we liked the one near the Earl of Sandwich-also good!) and we shared our meals from there, they were huge! Pizzas are easily enough for two although described as personal sized. Chicken dinners also enough for two people. We're honestly not cheap-I'm 50 something and staying at a healthy weight is not as easy as it used to be! If I ate full portions for 7 to 10 days for a week it would not be a good thing! Columbia Harbor House in MK was also a pleasant surprise.

 

[rentayenta]

We loved the places in the lower level of the Land building-I had a wonderful salad with roasted beets, goat cheese, pecans-I remember my daughter and her husband having something like a stir-fry. My husband loved the bakery where you selected your dessert options! France's quick service place was good-my daughter and her husband liked the Mexican place. Downtown Disney has Wolfgang Puck's (we liked the one near the Earl of Sandwich-also good!) and we shared our meals from there, they were huge! Pizzas are easily enough for two although described as personal sized. Chicken dinners also enough for two people. We're honestly not cheap-I'm 50 something and staying at a healthy weight is not as easy as it used to be! If I ate full portions for 7 to 10 days for a week it would not be a good thing! Columbia Harbor House in MK was also a pleasant surprise.

We sound similar as we like to share and I don't need 3 full meals with dessert and drink other than water. I find the portions huge too, most meals are easily enough for 2. Thanks for the recommends! We aren't cheap either, I just hate to feel stuffed and despise wasting food.

 

[rentayenta]

bumping for further insights.