What is the best resort for us?

[firsttimedisn]

...Assuming availability...

a little background...we are going on our second Disney vacation Nov 11-16. My inlaws are coming along for the first time and have good friends who we're renting points from. They called last week and it looks like most resorts currently have availability. They recommended an Epcot resort b/c of location. Our son is 3 and she said staying at Boardwalk would be a good choice b/c of lots of action for him and easier to get usually than Beach Club. WL also has availability and I've always thought that looked like a gorgeous place and closer to MK. Based on availability, we are going to try and get either 2 studios or one 2 bedroom. Any suggestions on what our first, second, third choices should be? I don't know why I am so obsessed about where we stay. I know it will be awesome no matter what. Just anal planning I guess and looking for input, pros/cons, etc.

Thanks in advance!

 

[drusba]

Any would be fine; room sizes are all in the same sg ft range. Some factors:

1. Epcot resorts give you the ability to walk (or take a boat) to two parks, Epcot and MGM, although with a 3 year old, the boat would likely be the best option for MGM which is a 20 to 25 minute walk (Epcot is only about a 10 minute walk from BWV and 6 from BCV). You are also, as a result of the parks and having several resorts in the area, able to walk to many restaurants.

2. Beach Club Villas have access to a huge pool/play area, Stormalong Bay, which many consider the best hotel pool on site, although from the villas to that pool is somewhat of a walk. BoardWalk Villas and Villas of Wilderness Lodge also have good pools for all ages. BoardWalk's is closest to its villas because the main pool is directly in the villa area (for the other two it is in the hotel area). BoardWalk has its own evening entertainment. Of the three resorts, Beach Club is the only one that has a buffet style restaurant (Cape May) which families with small children (who often must be fed promptly) consider a plus.

3. With a 3 year old, MK may be the park most visited and VWL is closest to it (a nice boat ride, although you can also take a bus, you bus to any of the other parks). WL has one of the most impressive lobbies of any of the hotels.

In other words, you really cannot go wrong, and, of course, I probably have not helped you to finally pick one at all.

 

[gcoxua]

I have stayed at a lot of resorts and for me and my family we really love the VWL. It has a cozy atmosphere and a boat ride to the Magic Kingdom. You will spend a lot of time at the MK and a quick boat ride back to the resort can definitely make the whole vacation better. IMHO.

 

[disneystick]

All 3 resorts are great choices -- you can't go wrong with any. Even if you decided to stay at BCV vs BWV....it really does not matter because you can still walk over to the BWV side and enjoy all the attractions there.

My family prefers BCV because of SAB and Epcot is a very short walk...since most of my meals are at Epcot. I also enjoy the clam bake buffet at Cape May and of course the milk shakes at Beaches and Cream.

Of course if you like the lodge look then WVL is also a nice choice and close to Fort Wilderness for their evening campfire program.

 

[firsttimedisn]

Thank you guys for your replies. I'm still kind of torn, but at some point we just have to go with something and realize that it'll be awesome no matter what. I think I would like to feel right in the middle of everything near Epcot, but I really wonder how often we'll be walking to the parks with our son. Maybe I'll leave it up to the DVC member making our reservations and just be surprised and go with it! Thanks again!