Where to stay in January 2011 with small children?

[marieNJkitty]

We will be at Disney for the first time in January (23-30) in a 2 bedroom villa. I'm not sure where to stay at. My DH and I will be traveling with our DS, age 5, DD, age 3, 6 month old baby and my mother and father-in-law. We will not have a car. We have enough points to stay at AKV and BWV, but need to borrow points to stay at BLT or VWL, which is ok if needed. We have not stayed at any of these resorts and would love any opinions or suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Audray]

We are traveling to Disney World on the same exact dates with our two girls (almost 5 and 2). We're planning to stay in a 2BR at either AKV (booked right now) or BLT (possibly at the 7 month window). I'll be interested to see the feedback you get. Let us know if you want to arrange a DIS playdate at one of the resort playgrounds.

We stayed at the WL last year around the same time with the girls, and had a great time (despite the cold weather).

I'm voting for BLT due to its proximity to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[GoofItUp]

I voted for VWL, although it was a toss up between that one and BWV. I would be hesitant about BLT because I've heard the rooms are smaller (maybe that's just the studios?) but I would want lots of space with that group. BWV and VWL have better transportation options than AKV, so that's why I would choose one of those.

 

[Disneypubgal]

I voted for BWV... but I really think if you are going to be spending a lot of time at MK you should choose either BLT or VWL... More time at Studios and Epcot then BWV! If you in-laws are willing to babysit one night BWV has a lot of options for dinner and there is Jellyrolls!!

 

[spiceycat]

I would be hesitant about BLT because I've heard the rooms are smaller (maybe that's just the studios?) but I would want lots of space with that group.

BLT has bigger 1, 2 bedrooms than most of DVC - only OKW and AKV are bigger.

it is just the studios that got cheated of space.

would go with BLT - your park (especially with kids that age) will be MK.

It and AKV are the only ones with an extra bathroom - so for a 2-bedroom you will have 3-bathrooms. which can come in handed.

you can walk to the MK from BLT - so when the melt down occurs you can get the kids (or grandparents) back to the hotel fast.

 

[GoofItUp]

spiceycat -- Thanks for the info on room sizes. BLT 1-bdrm may be on our to-do list. (We have a 3 yo & 1 yo.) But the points cost!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I voted for BLT, but VWL would be good too! Sorry to pick the ones you would have to borrow for, but that's why add ons were invented!

Bobbi

 

[marieNJkitty]

Thank you all for the great information!

We are traveling to Disney World on the same exact dates with our two girls (almost 5 and 2). We're planning to stay in a 2BR at either AKV (booked right now) or BLT (possibly at the 7 month window). I'll be interested to see the feedback you get. Let us know if you want to arrange a DIS playdate at one of the resort playgrounds.

We stayed at the WL last year around the same time with the girls, and had a great time (despite the cold weather).

I'm voting for BLT due to its proximity to the Magic Kingdom.

We are currently booked at AKV too. You'll have to let me know where you'll be staying at the 7 month window. I guess where we stay has a lot to do with what is available that week. I hope we get our first choice. I'm not sure where to go yet, but I know it would probably be easier with a baby to stay at BLT.

Did you get to use the pool in January or was it to cold?

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

I voted "other."
The first time we went to Disney our kids were 2 and 4 and it was mid January 2007. We wanted BCV but some things happened, a pregnancy and miscariage, that led us to reschedule and we had to go to SSR. I was so bummed but it worked out so well. The pool has zero entry and a cute little Donald Duck that my kids loved. My 2 year old at that time was afraid of water so he could go up to his littel ankles and was very happy.
It was nice to go to parks and then come back to a resort that was a bit quieter and let the kids unwind. We loved being able to walk to Downtown Disney with them and look and the water there. We even saw an otter. It has become my familys favorite resort.

In January 2009 we stayed again at SSR. Both Januarys we swam every day. But this last January, 2010, was so cold I am sure you wouldn't have been able to. So I guess it is a crap shoot.

 

[dizfan]

I would go for BLT or VWL because of the proximity to MK and young children.

Depending on how many points your short...
I forget the details, but I heard Disney will sell up to 24 points for a single trip. I don't know what they charge per point, but it may be an option if you don't want to borrow points.

 

[Audray]

Thank you all for the great information!




We are currently booked at AKV too. You'll have to let me know where you'll be staying at the 7 month window. I guess where we stay has a lot to do with what is available that week. I hope we get our first choice. I'm not sure where to go yet, but I know it would probably be easier with a baby to stay at BLT.

Did you get to use the pool in January or was it to cold?

We were there from Jan 3 - Jan 10th last year, and it was really cold (and we are from Maine!). We actually saw snow that Saturday in the early AM. We'd promised our oldest that we could swim before we left for the trip, so she and I did actually venture in the pool one day. She loved it, but it was just me and about ten kids of various ages in the pool. All the other parents were sitting around the pool on the chairs in sweaters. I can't say that it was fun, but I didn't want to break that promise and she was game. Looking back now, it is one of those funny vacation memories.

I think we will probably end up at AKV next year (and hope for warmer weather). With younger kids, we want to try and have a slower paced vacation. Being so close to the Magic Kingdom is a real plus for BLT, but it also puts us right in the middle of the action. Mabey naptime and bedtime won't be so hard to accomplish if they can't see the park from the bedroom window (?).

PM me if you want to compare planning notes - we are in the process of deciding about the dining plans.

 

[MinnieGi]

I voted for BWV and here's why. By the way we have stayed there many a time when our kids were baby/preschooler ages. Anyway you are going in January and all the parks close early EXCEPT for EPCOT. We have done several Jan./early Feb. trips and usually reserve EPCOT touring for evenings. I'd rather be closer to my night park and just boat or walk back to my villa with three kids in tow than wait for transportation to get you back to another location. Just a little something to think about it.

 

[RedSonya]

I voted for VWL. In Jan it might be too cold to swim, but I like the pool/gyser area, the beach, walking path, and easy boat ride to MK and FW. My 2nd vote would be for AKV, Kidani.

 

[momtotinkerbell]

Totally agree with BWV for the same reasons. At the end of a long day, it is so much easier to push the strollers on to a boat rather than unload and fold it up.

 

[cseca]

I put BLT because of the stroller/tired baby consideration. To get on/off the monorail you won't need to wake up the babies and fold up strollers. And BLT should work for both MK and EPCOT. Yes, you'll have to transfer monorail but it's not so bad really.

When your babies are so small you will probably spend more time in MK than any other parks. BLT is the most convenient location. Also with little ones, it's more likely for you to go back to the room during the day and to end some nights early.
So late night parks or late EMHs might not be too beneficial for you.

That's just my opinion of course.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I went with AKV and here's why--

As you can see from my screen name, I have 3 kids, too. And while they are a bit older now, we were in the parks when they were the same ages is yours are now. And when your kids are that little, well, you don't do all day in the parks. You just can't. So your resort becomes a bit more important. Location is one thing, sure. And BLT is the closest to MK (which will be the main park for your crew).

BUT--AKV will be great because of the animals and the pool. The 5 and 3 year olds will be so into looking at the animals, I would think, that it will help with the down time. Also, since you will want naps and quiet time, AKV is more out of the way. BWV (which I adore) is so much in the heart of everything that I think quiet time will be harder to come by. With kids that small, you might like the remoteness of AKV.

And there is the pool. Nothing beats a zero entry pool when you have little ones. How wonderful for them to be able to walk in to where they are comfortable (and where you as the parent are comfortable). They can just sit in 6" of water and splash happily. Or if capable, can go deeper, etc. Not sure if the new BLT pool is zero entry or not.

But again, since I think you will be hanging out at the resort a lot, you might want to think about which resort has the best "hang out" factor, as opposed to which one is closest to the parks.

Like others, this is just my opinion. Truly, I don't think there is such a thing as a bad choice when you are choosing among DVC resorts.