Which DVC for no parks trip?

[JJsmama]

Hi,
I am considering booking for a no parks trip for spring break. We wanted to go to the beach but I cannot believe how slim all the options are already two months in advance! (Of course, our break is Easter week. Ugh!!) Especially since there are 5 of us and we do want a kitchen, so back to considering a villa and a pool holiday.

I have pretty much narrowed it to Kidani, SSR, OKW or a cabin at FW.
Priorities are: good pool, relaxing. The cabin might be fun but I am worried as I hear they are quite small inside.

I have seen kidani and OKW 1 bedroom available and SSr 2 bedroom. Would the 1 bedrooms be cramped? How about options for other activities? kidani scenery seems interesting but it also might be nice to walk to DTD for more dining options.

I have never stayed in any of these and we have never done a non park trip. Thanks for advice.

 

[DenLo]

Square footage for DVC villas.

AKV Kidani 1BR - 807
OKW 1BR - 942

SSR 2BR - 1075 (two bathrooms)

Ft Wilderness cabin - 504 Sq. Ft. - http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/hotels/fort-wilderness-resort-cabins#

Note the 1BR at OKW has only one bathroom, whereas the AKV Kidani Village 1BR has two bathrooms, one which is off of the living room. OKW has a split bathroom that you can enter from the living room. Both OKW and AKV-Kidani sleep five as they each have a sleeper chair in the living room. In SSRs two bedroom you have two beds in the 2nd bedroom so two of the boys will have to share or one sleeps in the living room.

The 1BRs can be crowded if the beds in the living are not folded away during the day.

I would take a two bedroom over a 1BR so the teens can have a private room away from the family.

Truthfully I am surprised any 2BRs are available this late for Easter week, so you might want to be quick and get your reservation made ASAP. One bedrooms are the last villas to book so you might have more time to decide with them.

Good luck and have a great vacation.

 

[davedmaine]

Hi, I am considering booking for a no parks trip for spring break. We wanted to go to the beach but I cannot believe how slim all the options are already two months in advance! (Of course, our break is Easter week. Ugh!!) Especially since there are 5 of us and we do want a kitchen, so back to considering a villa and a pool holiday. I have pretty much narrowed it to Kidani, SSR, OKW or a cabin at FW. Priorities are: good pool, relaxing. The cabin might be fun but I am worried as I hear they are quite small inside. I have seen kidani and OKW 1 bedroom available and SSr 2 bedroom. Would the 1 bedrooms be cramped? How about options for other activities? kidani scenery seems interesting but it also might be nice to walk to DTD for more dining options. I have never stayed in any of these and we have never done a non park trip. Thanks for advice.

This spring break? Your options are going to be a lot more limited

 

[gray52]

In my opinion, OKW doesn't have an over-the-top Disney feel to it. You can park right outside your unit... Beach theme. Relaxing atmosphere. I think the reason is because of Disney's intention for the resort when it was built. The 1-bedroom units feel huge. You won't be disappointed.

 

[daisyx3]

If I were at FW, I think it would be too much temptation to be that close to MK! I would choose SSR. We did SSR for spring break in 2009 and it was very relaxing, plus you have DD right there for dining and shopping, DQ, etc.
Daisyx3

 

[NedsTJ]

My vote would be for SSR. There are a number of pools, including a few "quiet" pools for just relaxing and reading. The proximity to Downtown Disney gives you other options for entertainment as well.

I'd probably go with the 1 bedroom - although 5 adults might find it cramped after a few days (I didn't see what the makeup of the group is). If points are not an issue, go with the 2BR unit.

 

[nemo998]

If you are looking for relaxing, OKW can't be beat. Each unit feels like your own vacation home and you can park right by your door. They are big and roomy, have water recreation and since you're not going to the parks, the boat to DTD might be nice.
If going with younger kids I would say Kidani. The only benefit I think that it has over OKW for you would be the extra bathroom. Just my 2 cents.

 

[MommyMK]

We are doing AKV for our no parks trip. I wanted to be far from the parks - no temptations, I think being so close to see or walk to them would be too hard, too tempting. AKL has two feature pools, the safaris and lots of activities during the week. I'm excited!

 

[jerseyduke]

I would give into temptation no matter what!

OKW is nice and relaxing, a little secluded. It really has a beach community feel, and no real disney feel to it)

SSR does have downtown disney access.

AKV has the animals.

How can you go wrong at any???

 

[Minniesgal]

Hi, I am considering booking for a no parks trip for spring break. We wanted to go to the beach but I cannot believe how slim all the options are already two months in advance! (Of course, our break is Easter week. Ugh!!) Especially since there are 5 of us and we do want a kitchen, so back to considering a villa and a pool holiday. I have pretty much narrowed it to Kidani, SSR, OKW or a cabin at FW. Priorities are: good pool, relaxing. The cabin might be fun but I am worried as I hear they are quite small inside. I have seen kidani and OKW 1 bedroom available and SSr 2 bedroom. Would the 1 bedrooms be cramped? How about options for other activities? kidani scenery seems interesting but it also might be nice to walk to DTD for more dining options. I have never stayed in any of these and we have never done a non park trip. Thanks for advice.

Are you staying as a cash guest as the DVC units are pretty much fully booked for this Easter.

 

[bellablue2]

i love okw, the best for relaxing, beauty.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would pick the 2 bedroom to have the living room open for everyone 's use. Kidani, OKW and SSR all have well stocked Community Rooms.

 

[Brian Noble]

Unless you have DVC points that you can't use otherwise without letting them expire, I would not do any of these things. I would rent a home with a private pool. You can find tons of them at e.g. VRBO It will be (much) less expensive, and more functional.

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/florida/central-disney-orlando

 

[AnnaS]

I went one year with my daughter and her friend. They hit the parks but I did not. Stayed at SSR. It was perfect. I think SSR, OKW or AK are great choices.

 

[a742246]

My choice would be SSR for a no park trip, DTD is a nice option.

 

[marx]

There is so much to do at FW including biking, canoeing, motor boats, horseback riding and the nightly movie. I always spend a day there no matter where we stay at WDW.

Anyway, I would pick FW or the AKV which also has lots to do.

 

[JJsmama]

Are you staying as a cash guest as the DVC units are pretty much fully booked for this Easter.

I am not an owner but the ones I listed came up as available on the regular WDW reservations page. They were offered to me to book.

Still haven't decided though as we would prefer to go to the beach but can't find nice accomodations. Planning for disney this summer which is why I don't want to turn this into a parks trip.

 

[Travel60]

If you want Disney but not the parks, consider Vero Beach. It might not be as booked up.

 

[gdrj]

I am not an owner but the ones I listed came up as available on the regular WDW reservations page. They were offered to me to book.

Still haven't decided though as we would prefer to go to the beach but can't find nice accommodations. Planning for Disney this summer which is why I don't want to turn this into a parks trip.

Not sure if my kids when they were that age would have enjoyed being so close yet so far away from parks. Since you are planning Summer trip you may want to just check to see what Annual Passes would cost vs. Park Hoppers for summer only. It may be worth the add'l expense, especially if you end up renting boats, or mini golf, splitsville or other non-park activities

 

[Castillo Mom]

As hard as it was, for the very first time we didn't go to any parks this last October. I decided that I just wanted us all to relax for a few days prior to taking a Disney cruise. We were a group of eleven and stayed in a Grand Villa at Jambo House. There were plenty of activities to participate in around the resort and it was so nice to just sit on the balcony and watch the animals during the day.

I highly recommend AKV in a savannah view room for a non park stay. It's such a unique resort and an experience that you can't really have anywhere else.