VWL, BLT or BWV for a week in September?

[MinnieinMA]

My DH and I are going to Disney this September for a week with my mom and our 8 year old son, to attend my cousin's wedding at the Boardwalk. We had originally wanted BCV, but I have to borrow points and have a March use year, so I won't be booking until next week. BCV is booked for the week we want. This is only our second trip as DVC members and we have only stayed in a studio in the Poly. We are looking to book a 1BR, as my mom is okay on the sleeper sofa, and we will probably bring an air mattress for DS. Assuming we will be in the parks over half of every day, what resort would you pick? DS is okay with any pool as long as their is a slide...so the pool isn't a big deciding factor.

 

[CarolynFH]

Well, I'm partial to BWV, being an owner there, but I've stayed at all three. I love the easy access to Epcot and DHS from BWV (walk or boat to either one). But with an 8 year old, access to MK might be more important, and of course BLT (walk) and VWL (now Boulder Ridge Villas or BRV) (boat) have better access to MK than BWV does. Of the two, I like the decor and surroundings of BRV much more than BLT. The new pool at BRV is supposed to open this summer, but I'm not sure how much construction will still be going on at BRV in September, if that's a consideration for you. I haven't used the pool at BLT but have enjoyed the pool at BWV (the clown doesn't bother me a bit) - the slide is a lot of fun. One factor in BLT's favor - the 1 bedroom units have both a sleeper sofa and a sleeper chair. My dad slept on the chair when he was 84 years old and said it was quite comfortable! So if you stayed there you wouldn't need to bring an air mattress for your son.

 

[Cyberc1978]

.... We had originally wanted BCV, but I have to borrow points and have a March use year, so I won't be booking until next week. .

Why do you need to wait until next week before you book?

I'm aware that during next week it will be 1st of march, but your UY has nothing to do with WHEN you can make your booking. With a march UY any booking for vacations between 1st of march 2017 - 28th of feb 2018 will be your 2017 UY and points will be taken from that UY, unless ofc you have banked points from 2016 or you need to borrow from 2018.

That also mean IF you wish to go on a trip sep 2018 you could book it as early as oct 2017.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

For a trip with 3 adults in a 1BR, I would absolutely go for BLT.

You get two bathrooms. Your other options are 1 bath units. Bonus: BLT has a sleeper chair for your son.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Because of the two bathrooms and sleeper chair, I would consider Kadani as well.

 

[MinnieinMA]

Why do you need to wait until next week before you book?

I'm aware that during next week it will be 1st of march, but your UY has nothing to do with WHEN you can make your booking. With a march UY any booking for vacations between 1st of march 2017 - 28th of feb 2018 will be your 2017 UY and points will be taken from that UY, unless ofc you have banked points from 2016 or you need to borrow from 2018.

That also mean IF you wish to go on a trip sep 2018 you could book it as early as oct 2017.

I have to borrow points from 2018...I'm 50 points short. Wasn't thinking and didn't realize we were going to be there the same time as Food & Wine....so of course everyone wants BCV!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I have to borrow points from 2018...I'm 50 points short. Wasn't thinking and didn't realize we were going to be there the same time as Food & Wine....so of course everyone wants BCV!

You don't have to wait to borrow. You can book based on the 11/7 window. Points borrowing is based on date of stay, not date of booking.

 

[MinnieinMA]

Well, I'm partial to BWV, being an owner there, but I've stayed at all three. I love the easy access to Epcot and DHS from BWV (walk or boat to either one). But with an 8 year old, access to MK might be more important, and of course BLT (walk) and VWL (now Boulder Ridge Villas or BRV) (boat) have better access to MK than BWV does. Of the two, I like the decor and surroundings of BRV much more than BLT. The new pool at BRV is supposed to open this summer, but I'm not sure how much construction will still be going on at BRV in September, if that's a consideration for you. I haven't used the pool at BLT but have enjoyed the pool at BWV (the clown doesn't bother me a bit) - the slide is a lot of fun. One factor in BLT's favor - the 1 bedroom units have both a sleeper sofa and a sleeper chair. My dad slept on the chair when he was 84 years old and said it was quite comfortable! So if you stayed there you wouldn't need to bring an air mattress for your son.

Thanks for the input. My mom finally decided to give her two cents, and she doesn't like the theming at BLT. LOL My sister who is going to try to book through RCI (she owns into the Hilton timeshare system) likes BRV, and we have extended family staying at BWV and BCV. At this point I think I might just throw a dart at a board and see where it lands. Big family vacations are nice, but stressful in the planning stages.

 

[MinnieinMA]

You don't have to wait to borrow. You can book based on the 11/7 window. Points borrowing is based on date of stay, not date of booking.

Really? I learn something new everyday! This is my 8th Disney trip, but my first real trip staying DVC and I feel like a Disney newbie all over again.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Really? I learn something new everyday! This is my 8th Disney trip, but my first real trip staying DVC and I feel like a Disney newbie all over again.

Yep!

Borrow is based on the UY the stay is in, not your booking date. Otherwise, anyone who had to borrow would suffer at 11-month windows!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for the input. My mom finally decided to give her two cents, and she doesn't like the theming at BLT. LOL My sister who is going to try to book through RCI (she owns into the Hilton timeshare system) likes BRV, and we have extended family staying at BWV and BCV. At this point I think I might just throw a dart at a board and see where it lands. Big family vacations are nice, but stressful in the planning stages.

She'll probably get SSR or OKW with an RCI trade. And a one bedroom villa.