VWL or Yacht Club

[SunnyKate]

Hello
I am new to this Forum and would really appreciate some advice on our lodging options. We have a 4-day July trip planned and currently have the option of a stay in a Junior Suite at the Yacht Club or a 1-bedroom Villa at the Wilderness Lodge. We have twin 3-year olds and would like the most convenient lodging to the Parks. I have already booked character meals at Chef Mickeys and Crystal Palace and one meal at Le Cellier. We don't really want to spend too much of our short vacation planning commutes to restaurants and parks. I have read that the EPCOT /Boardwalk area has much to offer but I am not certain if it will all appeal to 3-year olds.

Grateful for some help.

Thank you.

Karen

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I say take the Yacht Club...much as I LOVE the WL...Yacht Club has a really awesome pool and kiddie pool...just can't be beat!!

KIDDIE POOL AT YACHT CLUB

 

[JohnnyB2]

Welcome to the Disbords. My vote would be the YC. Best pool,you have the Boardwalk to walk around,Epcot is right there,you can take a bus or the epcot mono-rail to MK, or a walk/boat to MGM.Have a great trip.

 

[CPer'sMom]

As much as we love the YC I would probably say that VWL would be the best for your family right now. The 1-br villa has a door between the bedroom and the living area ~ you may like to have that during naptime or in the evening for your twins. The YC Jr Suite does have a sitting area with a sofa-bed but it is just an extension of the room, not a separate room.
With 2 3-year olds I would think you'll probably be spending much of your time at the MK, so the boat transportation from WL to MK would be very convenient. You'll also find it easy to get to the CR and Chef Mickeys from there.

When your twins are older I would definitely recommend you stay at the YC!!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Honestly..the bus from YC takes about the same time as riding the boat from WL to the FW Campgrounds...the pool at WL is not a zero entry..the YC has a beach that goes into the kiddie pool...much shadier at YC too

I am a HUGE fan of WL...see my tag..I am a WL Vet..but YC pool is much better for small kids

 

[SB in KY]

Here's the differences...VWL...has a seperate bedroom so you can put the twins down to nap or sleep and still have a LR . The villas also have a washer and dryer in the unit, DVD player in the LR, a large whirlpool tub and a full kitchen (I am not suggesting you want to cook dinner everynight on your vacation, but it can be really handy to be able to let everyone have their cheerios as soon as they get up and not have to dress and get to a restaurant before they can eat, and to have the juice boxes and some toddler friendly favorite foods handy when the twins have had enough fun and just couldn't hold on for 1 more sit down meal). Also considerably more space. You are a short boatride from the MK and could bus it the other parks. The bus service is reliable and efficient. The pool area at the WL is nice, but not amazing. The kids will like it though.

The YC has a sitting area but no divider. It will be some bit smaller. The main advantages here are Stormalong Bay (the amazing pool area) and proximity to Epcot (a 10 minute walk from the YC). You could take the boat to MGM also but would bus it to MK and AK. IMHO bus service from the YC can be less than optimal because a lot of the time they share buses with BC, Swan and Dolphin and Boardwalk.

The YC is a beautiful resort and now tht my children are teens it is a great place to stay, but if I had 3 year olds again I think I might opt for the VWL. It is a beautiful place, convienent to the MK and thevillas have some great features for families. Save the YC for a time when it is just you and your spouse!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

We have a 4-day July trip planned and currently have the option of a stay in a Junior Suite at the Yacht Club or a 1-bedroom Villa at the Wilderness Lodge. We have twin 3-year olds and would like the most convenient lodging to the Parks. I have already booked character meals at Chef Mickeys and Crystal Palace and one meal at Le Cellier.

Karen
While I agree that the Yacht Club and Stormalong Bay are wonderful.

You already have several meals located in and around Magic Kingdom. As you stated you would like the most convenient resort as your trip will be mostly in the Magic Kingdom area the Villas @ Wilderness Lodge is the most convenient.

I have found that the bus routes to the EPCOT resorts to be very crowded, we have had to wait for a second bus several times then had to stand on the second bus.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Karen
I have found that the bus routes to the EPCOT resorts to be very crowded, we have had to wait for a second bus several times then had to stand on the second bus.

don't argue with me, missy!! LOL

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

don't argue with me, missy!! LOL

I knew you would say something.... But last time we stayed or at BC we really had to stand several times. On the bus to the Parks, as the buses always pick up at Wilderness Lodge first I have never had to stand go to any of the Parks.

 

[tnkrbell]

I completely agree with DisneyDmbNut!!!! You will LOVE the kiddie pool at the yacht and I assume the jr suite is club level at the yacht?? VERY NICE!!

 

[DrmWvr1299]

OK, my 2 cents. As far as transportation goes...VWL would be better for "me" if I had 3 year old twins. The MK is just around the corner.

 

[SunnyKate]

Thank you for all of the helpful responses. So torn between all of the space at VWL and the proximity to Magic Kingdom vs the Concierge Level of Yacht Club and the EPCOT/Boardwalk atmosphere and range of restaurants.

 

[tnkrbell]

You will really enjoy the convience of the concierge lounge having a young child. Very convient to go in the Am to grab a quick breakfest and in the evening it is a nice place to unwind.
How many days are you planning to go to the MK?? Are you planning on going to all the parks?? If so Yacht and Beach is really more convient since you can walk to epcot take a nice boat ride to Mgm and then you can take a bus to MK. Beach club has a really fun character breakfest that is really low keyed.
Staying at WL you will have to take a bus to all the parks except MK you can take a boat or bus. Hope this helps.

 

[ycnan]

Thank you for all of the helpful responses. So torn between all of the space at VWL and the proximity to Magic Kingdom vs the Concierge Level of Yacht Club and the EPCOT/Boardwalk atmosphere and range of restaurants.

As a mom of 7 year old twins I can see a ton of advantages to the Concierge Level of Yacht Club....just grabbing a fruit or anything even in the evening same with the morning. You don't have to worry about anything incuding some juice or whatever.

That being said, I have never been to wdw we go in a couple weeks, but I can honestly say I think the convience of the Concierge level would be awesome with 3 year olds.

My friend did the Poly with concierge level she is a single mom to 2 boys 9 and 7 and loved the availability of stuff she did not have to look for or go get.

Have a great vacation!!

 

[Cordonmac]

Having stay at both properties; YC prior to having kids and VWL with our two oldest kids, I would agree the VWL would be the better options with kids. It is conviently located near MK and out of the congestion of the boardwalk. Our family liked the fact that VWL was somewhat removed from this congestion and felt like a vacation outside a Disney vacation. Our kids loved the Electrical Water Pageant that went on every night in the bay, which they watched from the beach and somenights from our room balcony.
Either way both resorts are top notch.