Where to stay - studio in May 2021?

[dledger]

I should start with I’m on a fact finding mission to make the best possible choices for my family of 3 (me, dh, and ds - will be 2.5 at travel). We’ve never stayed DVC. We did stay cash at BC a few years ago, pre-kid.

We are hoping to go May 2021 (flexible with specific dates) and stay 5 nights. Currently pricing out May 2-7, tentatively. We are planning to rent from one of the bigger renting vendors. I would prefer to stay under 95 total points. From my research, it looks like we’d basically have MOST studio options to choose from in that range, minus basically the lake/theme park views.

We typically stay at POR and use all disney transportation. Last trip was our first with our son and we spent a lot more time at the resort than ever before. We decided swimming and bedtime was more important than nighttime entertainment.

With all that said, where are my best chances to get a studio? And where would you choose? I’ve read the month by month breakdown that’s posted somewhere on the boards... and currently my list is 1) BWV garden/pool 2) copper creek standard 3) AKL savanna 4)Saratoga springs preferred

Am I crazy? Should I be considering somewhere else? We really are Epcot/MK people. We rope drop. But, we also want to be realistic with what we are asking for. I’m feeling overwhelmed with all the choices and need guidance!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

If you are thinking most of your time will be EPCOT and MK, BWV is the only one that gives you ad advantage to walk into EPCOT (if that's important). But to be honest, you probably have mostly pros and a couple cons with each of your choices. Our favorite among your list would be AKL savanna view. With a child (if they are interested in the animals), the view from your balcony can be quite entertaining for them! They also have 2 really nice pool areas at AKL.

We find BW can be a bit noisier (especially at night) than some other resorts, but that's just personal experience, and probably depends on where your room is located. Copper Creek is beautiful, and Saratoga gives you easy access to Disney Springs, if you might like to hit a restaurant or do some shopping.

I think you could be quite pleased with any of your choices, though. Have a great trip.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

If you are MK/ Epcot people, your BW choice would put you in walking distance to Epcot and also HWS.

Aside form all that, i cant tell you how much I lOVE LOVE LOVE AK! Animals on site....wonderful pools, great dining options, authentic African art......Yes - it is a little further out but for me it is so worth it! AK just adds a whole other level of uniqueness to our trips.

If you are die hard Epcot /. MK people, staying at the Poly or BLT would put you on the monorail. THe Poly studios are SOOOOOOo nice....large and well laid out! THe BLT studios are awfully small and I really dislike them for that reason and Im not super picky. LOL


SSR is nice but its getting a refurb right now and it is much needed. Id wait to stay there till and the renovations are done nad it just started a few months ago so wont be done for a while

Ive had good luck with booking studios in your time frame. As always with DVC, put in your request as soon as you can...that helps a lot

 

[CarolynFH]

BWV is our much-loved home, but with a 2 1/2 year old, I'd go for AKL savanna view. AKL is my next favorite resort after BWV, mostly because of the savanna views. I haven't seen the splash pad at Kidani, but from photos it looks like it would be much more enjoyable for your son than the one at BW is.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you've been content with POR, you are also candidates to be happy at OKW.

 

[dledger]

If you've been content with POR, you are also candidates to be happy at OKW.

I was wondering about this but I second guessed myself thinking, if we are going to go DVC - should we do like one of the BIG resorts everyone always talks about. Like the dream scenario type stuff. I might have to reconsider. We’ve had friends rent there that love it!

 

[dledger]

Aside form all that, i cant tell you how much I lOVE LOVE LOVE AK! Animals on site....wonderful pools, great dining options, authentic African art......Yes - it is a little further out but for me it is so worth it! AK just adds a whole other level of uniqueness to our trips.

If you are die hard Epcot /. MK people, staying at the Poly or BLT would put you on the monorail. THe Poly studios are SOOOOOOo nice....large and well laid out! THe BLT studios are awfully small and I really dislike them for that reason and Im not super picky. LOL

Okay so, how small is small? Like I said we usually stay at POR and we were okay there? I’ll have to look at the sq foot comparisons because BLT would be amazing. But, also wasn’t sure of the likelihood of a standard or lake view studio as a rental. Also, not sure likelihood of poly standard?

I’m glad to hear you say the distance doesn’t bother you with AKL because that was my ONE drawback to it and the only reason it’s not #1 on my list!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Okay so, how small is small? Like I said we usually stay at POR and we were okay there? I’ll have to look at the sq foot comparisons because BLT would be amazing. But, also wasn’t sure of the likelihood of a standard or lake view studio as a rental. Also, not sure likelihood of poly standard?

I’m glad to hear you say the distance doesn’t bother you with AKL because that was my ONE drawback to it and the only reason it’s not #1 on my list!

So, a BLT studio is about the same size as a room at POR, but because the BLT studio has a kitchenette taking up space, the way the space is used is less efficient. When the sofa bed is out, you will absolutely feel it.

For a family of 3, I prefer Poly, because you can use the queen bed and the murphy bed and never touch the sofa to pull it out, just to sit on or stack laundry on.

Renting, you should be able to get BLT Lake View or Poly Standard. I would never count on BLT Standard, as that category is quite small and popular. Poly Standard is a huge category - 300+ units.

 

[dledger]

So, a BLT studio is about the same size as a room at POR, but because the BLT studio has a kitchenette taking up space, the way the space is used is less efficient. When the sofa bed is out, you will absolutely feel it.

For a family of 3, I prefer Poly, because you can use the queen bed and the murphy bed and never touch the sofa to pull it out, just to sit on or stack laundry on.

Renting, you should be able to get BLT Lake View or Poly Standard. I would never count on BLT Standard, as that category is quite small and popular. Poly Standard is a huge category - 300+ units.

Thanks for all this info! Poly has always been my dream stay but I always feel like I can’t understand the availability so this helps!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thanks for all this info! Poly has always been my dream stay but I always feel like I can’t understand the availability so this helps!

Availability is often about size of the category. BLT Standard is a small category and cheap, so it tends to go fast. But at some resorts, "Standard" means not much, TBH. At Poly, it mostly means "is not Lake View," and the overwhelming majority of the units at Poly are classified that way. At BRV and CCV and even BCV, all of the units are Standard, because there are no bookable views.

DVC is inconsistent.

 

[dledger]

Availability is often about size of the category. BLT Standard is a small category and cheap, so it tends to go fast. But at some resorts, "Standard" means not much, TBH. At Poly, it mostly means "is not Lake View," and the overwhelming majority of the units at Poly are classified that way. At BRV and CCV and even BCV, all of the units are Standard, because there are no bookable views.

DVC is inconsistent.

That’s what I’m starting to figure out and i think that’s what is throwing me. I want to have the best shot at what I decide on - but we truly don’t need more than a studio so trying to narrow down the list seems near impossible!

 

[BcIcemen]

Poly hands down for studios. You are on the mono rail to get to MK and you can walk to TTC if going to Epcot.

 

[5kidsmommy]

We rented for the first time this year. Originally I wanted Copper Creek but it’s just hard to get into especially as renters. I liked the idea of BLT but decided they were just too small. So we settled on either BWV or Poly. We love Epcot so both of those have good Epcot access, either by walking or the monorail. Talking to the rep at the rental company we chose Poly due to the amount of rooms and the waitlist. We were able to get the room after about a month on the waitlist. That’s seriously the worst park of renting points.

We haven’t had our stay yet. My son is looking forward to the pool and easy access to his two favorite parks. I’m looking forward to the large rooms and the two showering spaces.

 

[dledger]

Talking to the rep at the rental company we chose Poly due to the amount of rooms and the waitlist. We were able to get the room after about a month on the waitlist. That’s seriously the worst park of renting points.

This is exactly my worry/thinking. I’m already planning this trip before I’ve even paid for or taken our family vacation this year. I have anxiety so I don’t like the not knowing if I’m going to get it.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Copper Creek studios ain't much bigger than BLT mostly, although some argue better space use. With the sofa pulled out in the standard configured studio (not the Alt, which isn't bookable as such anyway), still tight.

 

[5kidsmommy]

This is exactly my worry/thinking. I’m already planning this trip before I’ve even paid for or taken our family vacation this year. I have anxiety so I don’t like the not knowing if I’m going to get it.

How I eased that worry was by backing a backup room through Disney. It's only a $200 fully refundable deposit. We happened to have a FD package at PORQ but it was not my preferred dates. I booked a resort I knew I would be happy at and that helped. Once our reservation at Poly was secured, paid for and verified I cancelled the POFQ booking. So I would suggest once packages become available booking a backup room. I would also say get your request in before the 11 month window if you are using a rental company. Good luck!

 

[tpskult]

You should have no problem booing a studio at Poly for that time period.
Also ll of the preferred category renovations will be complete at SSR by May 2021 so the rooms will be nice and new. Pools are great at SSR as is the access to Disney Springs.

 

[Deb & Bill]

IMPORTANT - You may get private messages offering you either points or a reservation since you indicated you might rent points. Ignore these messages and notify the webmaster. This is one of the ways that unscrupulous people try to get your money.

 

[dledger]

IMPORTANT - You may get private messages offering you either points or a reservation since you indicated you might rent points. Ignore these messages and notify the webmaster. This is one of the ways that unscrupulous people try to get your money.

Thanks! Definitely not looking to do this without a third party so wouldn’t even entertain the messages!

 

[jerseyduke]

I also vote Poly. (Though BCV and BWV make the list)
Poly studios are the biggest.
Obvious proximity to the MK. Walk to the TTC and get right on the Epcot monorail (and you will have flower and garden going on at that time if that is of interest.)
Poly has the split bath rooms.

Probably be star wars weekend (May 4th is in your date range)

Or course the points are high, but you also have a shot at 7 month availability on those dates as well.