Where would you stay?

[Pluto4Pres]

I am not a totally clueless DVCer. I've never lost a point since '92, but I never gave much consideration to staying at any other resort than OKW. That is until I was told about the DIS boards by someone at the main OKW pool last Christmas. Since January I've learned a lot from this board about point stategy and read some great trip reports from all the other resorts. So...

My next trip will be in March 2005. DW & I will almost be alone. DS & 2DDs will be on their HS Band trip and will be performing in the parade at MK. They're staying at the All Star Something or Other and we're FREE! It will be a short trip (3 nights Sat, Sun, Mon) and we only plan on going to MK on the day of the parade performance. Because it's a short trip I think it might be OK to burn points like a drunken sailor. College is looming over us so I don't know if we'll be getting back much for the 5 years following this trip. So I think I would choose a 1BR or maybe splurge and try a Concierge Level at a deluxe.

All right so my choices are: (DVC points calculated by Tagrel. Thanks - great site - http://tagrel.com/dvcCompChart.shtml )

DVC: BCV - 140pts.
BWV - 140pts.
SSR - 126pts.
VB - 146pts.

Concierge: GF - 304pts.
YC - 247pts.
AKL - 224

Of course this all depends on availability at the 7 mo. window.

Right now I'm leaning towards BCV or BWV. DW and I like to walk for exercise and either of those are great locations for that with a lot of action. SSR might be right behind in that respect and might give us an opportunity to explore PI which we haven't really done with the kids around. Heck, it might even give us the motivation to stay up past 10pm. VB could be a nice getaway since we are only going to MK 1 day. We would have to get a rental car and look for advice on the best place to park when you visit from VB.

What kind of perks do you get at the Concierge Level? Is it worth all those points?

What do you think? What would you do in my situation?

 

[yasuern]

I know nothing of the Concierge perks so can't help you there. I am an OKW snob I love it there! However I own at VWL and OKW - stayed at VWL = and very nice themeing just gorgeous! Still love OKW! Okay we are staying at BWV for the ist time this summer and I feel it is going to give OKW a run for my affections! I love the BW atmosphere - able to walk to Epcot and MGM - all the wonderful places to eat all walking distance! And the Kiester Coaster pool! I love this pool! So my vote would be BWV!


Sue

 

[FLYNZ4]

I have stayed in WDW concierge level rooms before (several times) and IMHO, I would not spend very much extra money to stay there.

I have been upgraded for free several times to a concierge floor at WDW. One trip we spent over 2 weeks in a concierge level room at the Yacht Club. I was the exec of a conference we were holding at the convention center... and I learned that Disney treats you very well when you bring 700 people to "the world". Each day when we would return to our room... we might find some little treat. Sometimes it was a carafe of milk and a plate of cookies... other days it was a fruit basket. They also have the concierge lounge down the hall with coffee, cokes, deserts, finger foods, etc, all day long.

It is a nice touch... but way overpriced IMHO. If it was $20/night extra... it would be a good deal... but as we know... it is quite expensive. I would rather have a full kitchen of a DVC condo, and choose my own snacks to have on hand.

BTW... back in the late 80s/early 90s.... the AP rates worked differently than they do now. The AP rate was generally a fixed price for a resort (often $99) but they would not offer you the choice of a "room type" (ie: lagoon, water, pool, garden, etc). However... even though you could not pick the room type... your reservation did have a room type code... so, for example if you had a "lagoon view" code... you would be assigned a "lagoon view" room on check-in... as if you had booked it explicitly at the higher price. By learning the system... and getting a cooperative CRO CM (who would let you pick the room code)... you could secure a concierge level room at the $99 rate. We did this at the Poly, Beach Club (before they closed the concierge floor), and at the Yacht Club. I am not 100% sure (since we only stayed there one night)... but I think the top floor of the Contemporary was a concierge floor too.

/Jim

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Right now I'm leaning towards BCV or BWV. DW and I like to walk for exercise and either of those are great locations for that with a lot of action.

I agree with you. According to Caskbill, the distance around Crescent Lake at the BW/BC/YC area is .79 of a mile. A few trips around that during the day is a great walk. It is an especially nice walk after dinner. It's also nice to be able to walk to MGM and EPCOT.

HBC

 

[MJTinNH]

You stated that you and your wife like to walk for exercise. BWV would be my choice. A little different atmosphere than BCV. IMHO it's geared more toward adults and older children. (However, there are also little ones there enjoying themselves!)

You can walk to Epcot or MGM. If your feet can't take another step, you can also boat over to the two Parks. Boardwalk has lots of activities on it's own especially at night. Jellyrolls with the dueling pianos might be a great evening for you both.

You would also have all the dining options at Epcot and the resorts area. Maybe a trip to Yachtmen’s Steak House at the Yacht Club would be something you two would enjoy. Then there are all the restaurants around WS.

I always enjoy watching Illuminations at Epcot and then waiting for the crowds to thin for the walk back to BWV. I enjoy walking through WS with the buildings still lit and across the lagoon Spaceship Earth is lighting the sky.

What ever you decide, I am sure you will enjoy yourselves. Have a great trip.

 

[anniet]

I can't believe VWL didn't even make the short list!

It's closest to the MK (the only park you'll be going to) and it has a great path to Fort Wilderness! GREAT WALK. Not to mention, great theming, great dining and wonderful fireplaces for when the March weather is less than what you expect in Florida.

I think you should consider it!

 

[WDWLVR]

Come try my Boardwalk home. The walk to Epcot and MGM is great as is the whole Boardwalk area. You have a great choice of resturants and nightly entertainment.

If you like Pleasure Island why not try the new SSR - very convenient to Downtown Disney and all it offers.

 

[Candlemaker]

Our home is BWV and we has a 2 bedroom at OKW this July...so I am afraid that OKW will "steal" me away from the BWV lol...with no kiddies with you, I would say the BWV...the location is fabulous, I love the walk over to Epcot...and the boat ride to MGM (we haven't walked yet)..The BC is great in its own way, but the pool is very crowded and there are tons of kids (it is Disney, of course)...I LOVE the BW!

 

[stc1223]

I'm another Boardwalk Villas fan. If you get a boardwalk view, you could spend much of the day on your balcony and get tons of entertainment. Some of my favorite moments are spent on my balcony. The sun rising over Spaceship Earth, piano/bicycle man playing music along with Illuminations fireworks. Magic Kingdom fireworks in the distance. ESPN, Jellyrolls, Flying Fish, water mice, mineature golf at Fantasia Gardens, so much to do but the best is just watching what's going on.

I love it there and can't wait for my next trip. We had planned on trying every Disney Resort until we found our home at the Boardwalk. I've been there 6 times in the past 4 years and not even slightly bored with it yet.

I'm sure wherever you end up you'll have a magical time. Good luck.
Susan
1973 - Fort Wilderness Campgrounds
1978 - Contemporary Tower
1986 - Contemporary Garden Wing
1989 - Grand Floridian
1994 - Beach Club
2000 - Old Key West / Boardwalk Villas
2000 - Boardwalk Inn
2001 - Boardwalk Villas 2 bedroom
2002 - Boardwalk Villas 2 bedroom
2003 - Boardwalk Studio
2004 - Boardwalk Studio
July 11, 2004 - Boardwalk 2 bedroom

 

[Pluto4Pres]

Thanks for the advice. BWV has the most votes. I think I'll move that to the top of my list. Sorry about VWL. I didn't mean to offend anyone. I think it's beautiful, but DW has an irrational bias against it. She somehow connects it to FW and "camping." I've tried to explain. We've been to WL before. I know it makes no sense but, I'm not going down that road for this trip.

We are still most likely to be only going to MK for 1 day. We don't have APs and even though they don't expire, I would rather not buy a multi day hopper pass. There is plenty to do outside the gates. Do you need a park pass for Epcot if you do an Illuminations cruise?

VB was high on my list. Has anyone done a one day park visit from there? Is it warm enough there in mid March?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Since no one answered your question about conceirge level I wanted to tell you about it. I have only splurged once, and I actually rented the points, and then paid cash for the two nights, which is more cost effective, since I paid $405 per night for conceirge. I stayed at AKL, and they have a special room for their guests, and your room is automatically either pool or animal view. You also have the option of booking a sunrise safari, which is only available for the conceirge level, and costs about $50 with a huge breakfast after you see all the animals brought out at AK. Now, the conceirge lounge has food:

7-10 AM--expanded continental breakfast with rolls, juice, cereal, coffee, etc.
11-2 Snacks
3-5 PM--afternoon tea
5-7 wine and cheese
7-10 cordials

pop and bottled water is available all day long. There were always cookies and fruit when we visited, too. There is a person in the lounge who will assist you with any reservations you might want for meals, or anything else. We spent our time chowing down in the lounge, so we didn't need reservations anywhere else. What fun!!!

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Pluto4Pres
Thanks for the advice. BWV has the most votes. I think I'll move that to the top of my list. Sorry about VWL. I didn't mean to offend anyone. I think it's beautiful, but DW has an irrational bias against it. She somehow connects it to FW and "camping." I've tried to explain. We've been to WL before. I know it makes no sense but, I'm not going down that road for this trip.

My "vote" goes to the BWV as well, with SSR coming in second. I agree with your DW re VWL. I know it's gorgeous and I enjoy visiting the resort, but it's too much like Northern Minnesota. When I go to Florida, I'm not interested in things that remind me of the cold, snow or camping, either, LOL. It's not logical, but it's the way I feel about it.

We are still most likely to be only going to MK for 1 day. We don't have APs and even though they don't expire, I would rather not buy a multi day hopper pass. There is plenty to do outside the gates. Do you need a park pass for Epcot if you do an Illuminations cruise?

Nope! You don't need park admission to enjoy an Illuminations Cruise.

VB was high on my list. Has anyone done a one day park visit from there? Is it warm enough there in mid March?

Thanks for your help.

IMHO, VB is a bit too far for a day trip - takes about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to drive (depending on traffic and construction).

VB is usually a few degress warmer than Orlando. We've been in early December and in mid-February and found it OK for swimming. I would think you'd find warmer weather in March, but of course, you never know. (Keep in mind that we are from Minnesota and think anything over 50 is shorts and swimsuit weather).


Average Monthly Temps in VB

Enjoy the trip!