Which DVC resort for 3rd birthday trip??

[RooRach0906]

We are planning on taking DD to the world for her 3rd birthday!!! We will be doing a studio since it will just be the 3 of us. Which resort would you recommend for her birthday trip???

It will most likely be May 12-18th?? so what are the chances at the different resorts??? Also since her birthday is the 16th would need a ticket???

 

[Kidanifan08]

For that week, I would think that you would have a good chance of getting in about anywhere, although perhaps not all of the limited room types.

For a 3 yo, I would vote for BLT. You will probably end up spending a fair amount of time at MK (especially with the new Fantasyland). The studios at BLT are the smallest on site, but it would be really nice to be walking distance to MK to go back to the room for naps and not have to deal with a stroller on the buses very often (other than going to HS, AK and DTD). Plus, you can walk to CR for Chef Mickey, if that is on the agenda. The pool area is nice for little ones, as it is shallow and has a zero entry. The point requirements for BLT are higher than the other resorts, so if you need to conserve points, you may need to look elsewhere.

AKV is wonderful for children as well, but you need to take buses everywhere. AKV is our home, so we love the place and the studios are a decent size. Little ones can spend hours watching the animals on the savanna and they have a great pool(with a zero entry) and water play area at Kidani.

Have fun planning! May is a great time of year at Disney!

 

[ericamcl]

I agree with PP- I think BLT is the way to go.
DH and I have stayed there twice and love how close it is to MK

 

[RooRach0906]

As much as we would love to stay at BLT, I am not sure we have the points. I think we only could if they had a standard room available and that is still iffy.

 

[Kidanifan08]

In that.case, your point will go furthest at OKW. The studios there are large and there are two queen beds, instead of a bed and sofabed. We were able to get an HH studio in Aug 2011 at less than 7 months. The HH villas are close to the pool and restaurants.

You may even be able to get an AKV standard view that time of year, which would be fewer points. There are plenty of areas around the resort to view animals.

 

[RooRach0906]

In that.case, your point will go furthest at OKW. The studios there are large and there are two queen beds, instead of a bed and sofabed. We were able to get an HH studio in Aug 2011 at less than 7 months. The HH villas are close to the pool and restaurants.

You may even be able to get an AKV standard view that time of year, which would be fewer points. There are plenty of areas around the resort to view animals.

I don't think we will have a problem anywhere else just BLT, I looked up the point values at the other resorts and all were fine.

 

[DannysMom]

If your DD is a pool & splash area kind of girl, my almost 3 year old twins LOVED the new kiddies water play area at the Paddock pool area at SSR. Undoubtedly you could get availability there.

 

[SLM]

We are planning to book BCV (our home resort) for our 3 year old grandson's birthday next year. They have a beautiful sandy bottomed pool for the little ones and I can see Grandma and Grandpa taking him for a walk in the stroller around Bay Lake while mom and dad have dinner out by themselves one evening.
Also, since she turns three during your stay you will not need to purchase a ticket for her.

 

[RooRach0906]

If your DD is a pool & splash area kind of girl, my almost 3 year old twins LOVED the new kiddies water play area at the Paddock pool area at SSR. Undoubtedly you could get availability there.

DD loves water!!!!

I could definitely get SSR with no issues at all since its my home resort.

 

[RooRach0906]

Also, since she turns three during your stay you will not need to purchase a ticket for her.

Thank you that is awesome!!!!!

 

[DannysMom]

DD loves water!!!!

I could definitely get SSR with no issues at all since its my home resort.

The Paddock pool pics on AllEars were what sold me on SSR for our last trip.
http://allears.net/acc/g_PaddockPoolSaratogaSprings.html
I requested Paddock section. Next time I would want to be in one of the two buildings on either side of the pool area. We were one building further and it felt like a long walk to the pool & bus stop.

 

[RooRach0906]

We are leaning towards SSR or AKL. Does anyone know when the rehab is supposed to be done at SSR?

 

[spiceycat]

have you consider VWL - since BLT is too many points?

it is pretty close to the MK - much closer than any of the other resorts.

you can boat or bus to the MK - bus is faster.

no offense to anyone - but SSR is just too many points for what you get

 

[333disneymom]

I would pick BCV. It's a great location where you can walk to Epcot and walk/boat to DHS - a huge plus with little ones. But the main reason is the pool. It's a zero entry, sand bottom pool. Little ones usually love it! They can sit in the pool and play with the sand at the same time. The only problem is your little one might not want to leave the pool.

 

[RooRach0906]

have you consider VWL - since BLT is too many points?

it is pretty close to the MK - much closer than any of the other resorts.

you can boat or bus to the MK - bus is faster.

no offense to anyone - but SSR is just too many points for what you get

No I didn't think about it, can you leave the stroller open in case SD would be asleep on the boat.

 

[RooRach0906]

I would pick BCV. It's a great location where you can walk to Epcot and walk/boat to DHS -

That is the reason we are staying at BWV for this December.

a huge plus with little ones. But the main reason is the pool. It's a zero entry, sand bottom pool. Little ones usually love it! They can sit in the pool and play with the sand at the same time. The only problem is your little one might not want to leave the pool.

Might have to relook into BCV. I thought SAB would be more appealing to older kids.

 

[spiceycat]

No I didn't think about it, can you leave the stroller open in case SD would be asleep on the boat.

depends upon the boat. the big one not a problem, so yes you can. the little one not sure

 

[Eliza'sMom]

My 4-year-old is obsessed with "Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge," as she calls it (she picked that up from the buses). We stayed in Jambo House the week before she turned 3 and again shortly after she turned 4. There are some fun activities for kids (she loved playing the drum and marching in a parade in the lobby), the zero-entry pool is great, the playground is nice and, of course, she loved the animals. But perhaps her favorite part was having Mickey waffles for breakfast every morning from Mara. She is really going to miss that when we're at BWV this winter. The only drawback is how far it is. Given the choice, she would choose AKL every time.

 

[michigankevin]

I love the Studios at AKL Jambo House! Great pool, animals and a beautiful lobby!

 

[RooRach0906]

Thanks for letting me know about the boat.

Wow thanks for the great info on AKL. This is going to be a hard decision.