What's the best resort...first time?

[alyssateajac]

I would appreciate anyone's advice on the best resort to visit on our first trip while joining the DVC. We are planning a 3 night cruise, then off to DW for five nights. I want to factor in: rooms / pools / activities / etc. (5 in total -I have three girls). Would you say it is safe to book a 1 BDRM for all the resorts as it has a king, and a queen sofa?

I do realize that we have many more years to experience all the resorts.

Maybe wait until '9 to visit AKV, as they do suit the family of 5?? (my home resort).

This is greatly appreciated!

 

[DeeCee735]

BWV and AKV get my vote. BWV is a great place for a family, with so much around it to do, as well as it's easy access to parks and a GREAT pool/slide. AKV is amazing in its beauty and the animals on the savannah.

Just MHO. Good luck and have a great time!

 

[BroganMc]

I would appreciate anyone's advice on the best resort to visit on our first trip while joining the DVC. We are planning a 3 night cruise, then off to DW for five nights. I want to factor in: rooms / pools / activities / etc. (5 in total -I have three girls). Would you say it is safe to book a 1 BDRM for all the resorts as it has a king, and a queen sofa?

That all depends on the ages of the children and what you're interested in doing. The "fits 5" is really "fits 4 and a baby". Any kid over playpen age is not applicable to baby status. You don't want to run foul of occupancy rules.

As for which resort to go to first, that would depend on what sort of vacation you're looking for. OKW & SSR have more of a home-away-from-home feel to them. They're places you go to relax away from the hubbub and enjoy the pool. You can still get to the parks easily, but you find yourself not really wanting to be in the parks all the time.

BWV & BCV are fabulous if you see yourself trotting off to EPCOT and MGM a lot. BCV gets nods for having a cool mini-waterpark pool but can be a little taxing for a parent keeping tabs on young swimmers.

VWL has the best access to Magic Kingdom and all the Lagoon resorts, also Fort Wilderness. I give it high marks for having a retreaty feel to it as well.

Transportation from BWV, BCV and VWL can be a bit trying if you're going to a park not near your hotel. Reason being that the busses are shared between 5 resorts so can be full and/or run long.

AKV is like OKW & SSR with its private retreat feel yet has many of the hotel amenities of the other resorts. You'll be riding the busses to all the parks, but so far bus service is reported decent. Plus you have that sleeper chair so the official occupancy is 5. And of course there's the animals.

So it really comes to what you're envisioning for your trip.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

My daughter's name is Alyssa! You don't hear it often and I obviously love the name!

If your kids are older, SSR and BWV would be fun. BW has a GREAT pool and a lot of activity around the Boardwalk. SSR has a more laid back feel (closer to OKW) and is really close to DTD.

If they are younger, the pool at SSR is graduated and there's a water spout area that little kids enjoy. I also like the food options better at SSR. While BW has everything at your finger tips, we struggled sometimes for lunch. You can get sandwiches at the pool or pizza at the BW. Most everything else is sit down dining.

I've never stayed at BCV or AKV, so I can't comment on those resorts. While I LOVE OKW, I think your kids would enjoy BWV, BCV or SSR more. IMHO, OKW feels less "hotel" like and more quiet, "get away from the world" like. Hmmmm....did I mention how much I LOVE OKW???

Best of luck choosing. You can't go wrong and will have a wonderful time wherever you stay!

 

[spiceycat]

when are you going?
BCV or AKV - summer
BWV or OKW- fall
VWL or SSR - winter
OKW or BCV - spring

 

[OlderMan]

If you want relaxed, laid back, then try OKW or SSR.

If the animals appeal to you, try AKV.

If you like the hustle and bustle, try BWV or BCV.

If you're into the Pacific NW, try VWL.

It ALL depends on your interests.....

 

[alyssateajac]

Yes, Alyssa is a great name. Our name here (alyssateajac) is part of all three of our daughters names: Alyssa is 7, Téa is 5 (pronounced Taya), and Jaclyn is 2....yes, three girls.

Your advice is greatly appreciated. We are very much looking forward to seeing it all....

Cheers!

My daughter's name is Alyssa! You don't hear it often and I obviously love the name!

If your kids are older, SSR and BWV would be fun. BW has a GREAT pool and a lot of activity around the Boardwalk. SSR has a more laid back feel (closer to OKW) and is really close to DTD.

If they are younger, the pool at SSR is graduated and there's a water spout area that little kids enjoy. I also like the food options better at SSR. While BW has everything at your finger tips, we struggled sometimes for lunch. You can get sandwiches at the pool or pizza at the BW. Most everything else is sit down dining.

I've never stayed at BCV or AKV, so I can't comment on those resorts. While I LOVE OKW, I think your kids would enjoy BWV, BCV or SSR more. IMHO, OKW feels less "hotel" like and more quiet, "get away from the world" like. Hmmmm....did I mention how much I LOVE OKW???

Best of luck choosing. You can't go wrong and will have a wonderful time wherever you stay!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Hmm... Let me see if I can work my way backwords.

W/3 young girls SSR & OKW might be a whole lot of walking (and carrying)added to WDW walking. Might be better a few years down the road.

Might be a little to early for SAB too. Moving water and 2-5 year olds bother me.

I would say BWV or VWL. And if only one has a zero entry pool... I'd go with that one (I don't know which resorts do). If both have one I would say a young family might enjoy VWL a little bit more with the national park type theming. I think of BWV as more like the adults playground.

If neither has one then go with SSR and do the extra walking. I'm pretty sure they do have one.

 

[BroganMc]

I would say BWV or VWL. And if only one has a zero entry pool... I'd go with that one (I don't know which resorts do).

SSR and AKV are the only DVCs currently with zero entry pools. There's a zero entry at Poly and Grand Floridian if you're pool hopping. BCV has a zero entry kiddie pool, I believe. Over on the Yacht Club side of SAB with the sandy beach play area. Rumor from the pool guys at SSR was that VWL would get a zero entry eventually.

With a 7, 5 and 2 year old, I'd expect you'd be practically living at Magic Kingdom. In that case I'd go with VWL my first trip. You have the retreat feeling of being in the woods but can take ferries to Magic Kingdom (for the rides and Cinderella's Castle), Contemporary (for Chef Mickey's) and Fort Wilderness (for the campfire programs and petting zoo). Just don't get your heart set on an early December trip for the Christmas decorations. Everyone does that and it gets booked fast before 7 months.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

SSR and AKV are the only DVCs currently with zero entry pools. There's a zero entry at Poly and Grand Floridian if you're pool hopping. BCV has a zero entry kiddie pool, I believe. Over on the Yacht Club side of SAB with the sandy beach play area. Rumor from the pool guys at SSR was that VWL would get a zero entry eventually.

With a 7, 5 and 2 year old, I'd expect you'd be practically living at Magic Kingdom. In that case I'd go with VWL my first trip. You have the retreat feeling of being in the woods but can take ferries to Magic Kingdom (for the rides and Cinderella's Castle), Contemporary (for Chef Mickey's) and Fort Wilderness (for the campfire programs and petting zoo). Just don't get your heart set on an early December trip for the Christmas decorations. Everyone does that and it gets booked fast before 7 months.

Somehow, I didn't even consider AKV. I agree about the VWL & MK link. We went to WL before we joined DVC and our kids were young. They loved the resort with the geyser and stream running through the restaurant (or was that the lobby?). On the other hand, if AKV has a zero entry pool, that might make the rest time away from the park a lot more restful. Good luck with your decision.