Where to stay when planning alot of time at the resort..

[4our4kids]

We are going the end of August...........crazy maybe....but it was the only time that fit our schedules......I know it will be HOT. "The sun is different in Florida" friends have warned. I expect we will do some parks very early some days, and other days not do the parks at all (we were there in early Feb) and just hang at the resort pool. Our delima is where to stay for 9 nites. What resorts could entertain 3 teens, a preschooler, my parents and DH and myself. We are considering splitting our stay, and haven't decided wether or not to rent a van.

 

[PamOKW]

You might want to consider any of the Home Away From Home resorts. They will offer you more space to spread out and they all have excellent facilities at the resorts. It sounds like you have 8 people. A 2-bedroom would work but you might want to consider a 2 bedroom and then a studio for your parents so that everyone has their own space.

If that doesn't fit the budget, just about every WDW resort offers plenty to keep the whole group happy!

 

[MELSMICE]

As PamOKW said - considering a Home Away From Home. You can rent points from a DVC owner & get a 2BR. I am sure you would be very comfortable in it. Good suggestion on finding out whether your parents would like a separate room.

I know there are many companies that rent homes off-site, but you get the "whole Disney experience" when you stay on-site. JMO

 

[4our4kids]

Thanks for the responses.
We rented pts and stayed in a 2 bdrm and a studio (for my parents) at the BCV in Feb. Loved it!! This was our first choice to do again, but there is no availability at the BCV or the BWV for our time frame, Aug 16 - 25. That leaves WLV and OKW. We went to WL for dinner during our last stay and I'm not sure about staying there. How is the transportation from WL? The pool? Have never been to OKW but I think we'd prefer to stay somewhere with a little more action for the teens. That's why we are now considering 3 rooms at a resort hotel.

 

[skiwee1]

I would choose the Poly. The pool is great for all ages and especially a preschooler. My 3 y/o DD loved it as she could walk right in. So did my 65 y/o mom who hasn't got the greatest knees! LOL! There is also a large arcade for the teens and the monorail for easy access to the MK. The teens could hop on it and go to Epcot if they weren't interested in the MK. I've stayed at the WL and I prefer the Poly. Though the WL is absolutely beautiful, I think the teens would be bored. Also the WL pool has a kiddie pool but it was nasty and hot and way too crowded. We went in October and that tiny kiddie pool heated up like a hot tub then! LOL! The main pool was also overcrowded and small. The transportation at the WL wasn't to my liking at either. It shares tranportation with FW. At least it did when I was there last October. Until they change it, I won't be staying there again.

 

[mrsltg]

I'd go with the AKL. We went last year on a baby-free trip and loved it. In fact, we loved it so much that this year we're taking our 3 year-old with us and staying there for 12 days. We're not planning on being in the parks constantly, so we wanted a resort with lots to do.

Enjoy your vacation!

Erin

 

[MELSMICE]

Even though our home resort is OKW, of the choice between WL or OKW with teens I'd pick WL. The pool has a slide (OKW doesn't). Also, they can take the boat to MK from WL or they can take the boat to the Contemporary & hop on the Monorail to EPCOT. Of course, I'm assuming your teens are old enough to spend a few hours alone without an adult - but I don't know if this is the case.

If they can be alone for a while they could always take the bus from OKW to the parks. The rooms at OKW are the largest of all the DVC resorts. Also, you can take boat to Downtown Disney from OKW - very convenient. Do you have any shoppers in your group?

Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Both places have different things to offer. I have never had a bad stay at any Disney resort. Some I like better than others, but I would never "snub" my nose at any of them. If it's Disney I love it.

 

[ead79]

I have two suggestions:

--the YC/BC: these resorts have a lot to offer for hot August days; the pool at the resorts is incredible and truly elaborate and I think would amuse everyone for quite a while; plus, you can go over to the BoardWalk during the day to shop, eat, rent surrey bikes, etc.; the theme is very summery at both resorts, and the rooms are nice and were very recently redecorated/refurbished

--the AKL: this resort would enable you to see animals directly from your room if it's too hot to go out (if your room is savannah view); however, there might not be as many animals out in the hot parts of the day (I'm not sure though); this resort also has a lot of personality and is very well themed; it can be a somewhat long bus ride to the MK and Epcot though; the restaurants here are good too (we've eaten at Boma several times and also at the Mara quick service place)

Hope this helps!

 

[jwfla422]

May I suggest the FW cabins? They usually have some good rates going that time of year. You would probably need 2 cabins to be comfortable but there are a lot of things to keep everyone busy there! (We met db and his family last month from a Thursday to a Monday, hardly enough time to enjoy everything!) Our cabins were next to each other.

They have a lot of amenities, everything you would need that's normally in a home away from home resort, full kitchen, separate bedroom (there's a full bed and bunk beds) and a murphy bed in the living room. There's a deck with a picnic bench and a outdoor grill to cook on. They're not as luxurious as the WLV or BWV or BCV but they make you feel like you're in the mountains away from the real world yet all the conveniences of being at WDW are there.

There are campfires and movies everynight. They have a great restaurant, Trail's End Buffeteria. There's a petting farm and lots of trails to walk around. There are 2 pools, ok they're not themed, kinda ordinary but I just can't explain how peaceful yet fun the campground is!

You can either rent a golf cart to get around the campground (which is convenient and makes for some nice site seeing) or take the internal buses to the front of the campground or to the marina where you can pick up the boat for MK. You can check out the activities & restaurants at the WL & CR as well. They are also just a boatride away

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by jwfla422
May I suggest the FW cabins?

I just can't explain how peaceful yet fun the campground is!

The FW cabins are great. It is hard to explain what a great place FW is unless you experience it. I think it is Disney's best kept secret. They are a special treat.

 

[Lisa BC]

I would suggest the Swan - Dolphin resort, its a great deluxe resort, but less money than the Beach Club. The pool area is large with a waterfall. I suspect that you could get jr suites for about the same price as a regular room at the BC/YC, which would give you some extra space.

The Epcot area resorts are so nice for those hot days, commuting back & forth to the parks is really easy, and the Boardwalk is also great fun. While I've never stayed at the BC/YC I've read on this board that the pool can get pretty full on hot days. But, I must admit that pictures of Stormalong Bay look really cool.

 

[kda]

If you're considering splitting your stay, did you check to see if the BCV of BWV were available part of the 9 days?

 

[4our4kids]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. A DVC member checked last wk when I inquired about renting pts (did this in Feb. - great!). No availability at either BCV or BWV for any days during our stay.

The Dolphin is a possibility since I can get the nurses rate. Does the Dolphin qualify for EE? I know it didn't back in '94.

We'll be making our choice in the next wk or so. Thanks again, you all have some great ideas.

 

[peachgirl]

You've probably already done this, but did you check on the villa's reserving through WDW rather than renting points?

If not, you might want to give it a shot. We reserved at OKW through WDW and with the discount we have, it's actually costing less than if we rented points.

Good luck with your decision. It's hard of enough for us to decide on a resort when we don't have to worry about any more than 4 people!

 

[kdibattista]

AKL!!!!!!

We stayed at AKL in October and our only complaint was that we did not get to spend enough time at the hotel. We won't make that mistake this time around!!!

 

[jwfla422]

Yes the Dolphin does qualify for mostWDW perks (except package delivery or charging back to your room)...it includes EE (if there is EE during your visit).

As I menitoned on my earlier post the FW cabins are at the top of my list for an extended stay (home away from home resort) with a lot of friends and family but if you're looking for a resort (hotel) atmosphere then I'd have to definitely go with the S/D. They are my favorite deluxes (but definitely very different than FW).

The grotto pool is awesome, now that's a themed pool! There's a kiddie pool attached to it! We like hanging at the Cabana grille for a nice lunch by the pool (or Splash Grille at the Swan).

They have a little beach area with a playground. You can rent water mice and surrey bikes over at the BW. EPCOT and MGM are within walking distance. There is an arcade at the Dolphin as well.

 

[A1A1]

As others have posted:

AKL or YC/BC


Stayed at AKL on one of those stays that I wanted to spend alot of time at the resort. It was absolutely wonderful. It was so relaxing. The pool has a zero entry just like that of the Poly. There are two hot tubs outside with views of the animals close by. It is just a wonderful place. There is so much to see and explore right there at the resort, you don't really need to leave. The food is great. There is a storyteller around the firepit, tours of the lobby, artifacts everywhere! It is great. You can spend a day just looking out the window at the animals, or sit and read on your balcony. I would request a savannah view. We had one, and I loved waking to giraffs outside the window. It is amazing! I can't say enough about this resort. It is underrated, IMO.

I have never stayed at the YC/BC, but stay across the lake at BWV. It seems that the pool alone is the main attraction there. You certainly could spend a lot of time there. Also, with the Boardwalk across the way, there would be lots to do. Only thing is that I find the hustle and bustle of the BW area and its resorts not as relaxing as the AKL would be. I often feel I need a vacation from my vacation when I leave there. However, things like miniature golf and lots of restaurants are only a short walk away.

 

[Lynn CC]

We rented 2 cabins at FW for 14 nights 9 adults, 3 kids....

We had enough room and it was out of the way of everything. A fun experience. Almost like camping if you would like to use the grills and picnic tables. We didn't, but we did cook breakfast one morning and left all the dishes and pans because we were in a hurry. It was all cleaned up when we got back that evening!
Housekeeping and everything is the same...just a lot of room for everyone.

Have you thought of getting 3 or 4 rooms at All Stars...preschoolers and teenagers would love it,and you would have more bathrooms and privacy than any other option I can think of. The bathroom was the "issue" with us and all those people trying to share 2 bathrooms.

Have fun and let us know where you decide to stay!