Where To Stay with Three Young DD's??

[snicker-doodle]

We're newbies to this!!

OKW is home - we purchased last year and this is our first trip using our points -- we visited WDW in December, 2002 and stayed at the BCV on rented points.

We're planning a vacation for November 29-December 4th (or thereabouts) and I'm second-guessing myself on where to stay. I like option of walking to EPCOT from BWV/BCV -- especially in December. Isn't EPCOT the only park open after 6:00 during this time?? I was thinking we'd hit the other parks, then walk to/from EPCOT during the evening.

However, I keep reading about the space and serenity of OKW. Is the bus ride to/from EPCOT to OKW long? Our DD's are 3, 5 and 7 and I have nightmares of a long, tantrum-filled busride "home".

The pools don't concern me much. IF it's warm enough, my DD's will be thrilled to swim in any pool. Watching the three of them at SAB would give me heart failure!!!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much.

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, your thought for wanting to stay within walking distance of Epcot is a good one...it is the park that's open the latest during that time of year, so you could do another park during the day and wander to Epcot at night. For that reason, I would say the BCV or BWV would be your best bet. SAB is quite a pool, but they do have a fairly well-contained kiddie section, so the 2 younger ones would pretty much be in the same area. It's the older one you'd have to worry about. Maybe you and DH ould split up, with one of you hanging in the kiddie section with the younger girls and one of you hanging with your older DD in the big pool.

OKW has lovely spacious rooms, that's true. However, the room size at the other resorts is very ample for a vacation condo, IMHO. And OKW does require a bus/car to Epcot.

 

[mikesmom]

You may not have to decide! That early December time is SO popular with members that it fills up pretty fast. You may already have less choices. My advice is reserve now before the decision is made for you!

 

[jaysue]

Bus Ride from Epcot to OKW is not too long but the total time depends where you are in OKW since there are a number of bus stops

If central location is desirable but you do not want to have to deal with SAB child watching issues then consider BWV

You may have to book OKW or SSR to get a place to stay and waitlist for BWV or BCV - as noted it is a very popular time of year for DVC

thanks
jaysue

 

[zulaya]

Hey MN neighbor! So glad you enjoyed BCV in 2002!

If you are going, you have to call MS right away and inquire about availability. Early December books up fast due to low points and the lovely Xmas decorations.

Plus, you are approaching the 7 month window when it all opens up to everyone. I'd call and try and get something at OKW. If there's nothing for you, then waitlist for the resorts you want to stay at.

FWIW, keep in mind that there may be construction at the OKW main pool with the addition of the slide. The quiet pools will still be available. As OKW is your home, you have a better chance of getting a ressie there before the 7 month window opens up.

Best of luck! We arrive Dec 3 so we'll just miss you.

 

[snicker-doodle]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I know it's tight this time of year. Am calling today to check availability.

What a suprise hearing from you again, zulaya! (We rented our BCV points from her for our first DVC experience....we loved it so much, we bought our own!!).

Again - thanks for everyone's help.

 

[gopherit]

FWIW, I took my (at that time, aged 6,4,and 8 mos) kids to OKW around that same time frame -- personally, I can't EVER recall a "nuclear" meltdown on any bus ride. But then, my kids think the buses are a "ride" (and that DTD is the 5th park!) And it helped that, at the time, Bug's Life was"big" and the buses were plastered inside with posters... ("Wook, Mommy! A Bug's Wife!")

In any case, the bus rides were NOT a problem, and I think personally the walk I've had from an OKW busstop to my room has been shorter than at any other resort. However -- the main problem I had was getting TO the bus from the parks... I recall the EPCOT walk being particularly looong... especially if I had to carry a kid after a full day! (THose rental strollers are great... but useless once you have to leave them behind at the park!)

If you think EPCOT is a "park of choice" for you, by all means try for an Epcot resort. The luna park pool at BWV is MUCH more manageable than SAB -- you can really see your kids in it from several different vantage points -- much easier to keep track of the little nippers! SAB is a logistical nightmare for those of us with several small children of varying swim abilities!

My kids are now 9,7, and 4, and EPCOT is among their favorite of the parks, which might explain why we are staying at BWV for our next trip! But do know that otherwise, OKW was / is a GREAT place to be as well! (We miss it! So many resorts, so little time... and never enough points / vacation days!)

 

[zulaya]

Sherry--

Let us know how it works out! Hope you get a room with no problems!

 

[snicker-doodle]

Zulaya -

We found a dedicated 2 bedroom at OKW with no problems. The CM that I spoke with on the phone was terrific. I may call BWV at the 7-month point, but after reading several of the threads, will most likely stick with OKW. Are you staying at BCV this year?

 

[zulaya]

Glad you got the 2 BR with no problems. I wasn't aware that they had dedicateds at OKW. Cool. That's the beauty of you having OKW as your home...so many units you can wait until April to get in in December!

We are at BCV. We have family coming with us for part of the time who have never been onsite before.

Have fun in Dec! Now's the really fun part finding decent airfare...

 

[MELSMICE]

I think you will love OKW.

I guess you're in danger of a meltdown regardless of where you would stay only because it could happen on the walk back from EPCOT.

We haven't stayed in the BCV yet, but have stayed at the BWV & the YC & BC and also own at OKW. While I love all the EPCOT resorts, nothing beats the relaxation and peacefulness of OKW.

Have fun regardless of where your final destination is!!!