Which DVC Resort should we choose?

[Uncle Donald Wess]

My Wife and I are looking into renting DVC points and we have narrowed it down to 3 resorts, Beach, Boardwalk, and Bay Lake Tower. I thought I would see what everyone's thoughts were on these. We will be taking our baby girl in March 2017 for her first trip and her first birthday! We do love the location of the BLT since we may spend a lot of time at MK. But we are also EPCOT fans and the thought of walking there from Beach or Boardwalk is pretty exciting too! We look forward to hearing what others think. Thank you and have a Magical Day!

 

[Granny]

I'd go with BLT. Sounds like you will be spending a lot of time at MK and you'll want to be able to get back to the room easily for naps. Also, it is a monorail resort so easy to get to EPCOT as well. Enjoy your daughter's first trip!

 

[n2mm]

I agree, BLT is great with little ones. Keep in mind that the 11 month window is already open for booking that resort, so availability might already be an issue. I wouldn't wait too long.

 

[hakepb]

For a 1br I would lean BLT

For a studio, I would lean BWV or BCV.
BLT studios are smaller than most DVC studios, but I guess you wouldn't be using the pullout couch.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would also budget for Pool/Garden View at BWV, or Lake View at BLT if you consider either option. Standard View is likely already gone.

 

[Mpadovani2]

I would vote for BLT during this age. We have a 7 and 2 year old. Walking back and forth from MK for naps and other things was priceless. And Epcot is accessible from the monorail, although with a transfer. As they are getting older, we have started staying at Beach Club as the studios are quite small at BLT. And we prefer the pool at beach club as well. Surprisingly, we find the older one enjoying Epcot and HS a little more too.

 

[jimmytammy]

You have valid reasons for each place. We love BLT and BWV both. But given your circumstances, with a little one in tow, the proximity to MK, the ease of getting back for the PM nap all lead me towards a stay at BLT.

 

[Uncle Donald Wess]

Thank you all for your replies! Yeah, it's looking like BLT is probably the better option. I would assume it's not that much of a hassle getting from BLT to EPCOT on the monorail right? TTC should be our first stop and we hop on the EPCOT monorail. I guess we just have to make sure we know the schedule for the monorail during our stay. Oh, and yes we were looking at a Studio room since it'll just be the 3 of us. Thank you again!

 

[hakepb]

Thank you all for your replies! Yeah, it's looking like BLT is probably the better option. I would assume it's not that much of a hassle getting from BLT to EPCOT on the monorail right? TTC should be our first stop and we hop on the EPCOT monorail. I guess we just have to make sure we know the schedule for the monorail during our stay. Oh, and yes we were looking at a Studio room since it'll just be the 3 of us. Thank you again!

The monorail transfer at TTC will require you to walk the long ramp down, under the monorail, then back up the ramp...but you don't have to fold up your stroller (like a bus) and you get the cool arrival circle inside EPCOT.

I know it seems excessive, but in a 1BR, having a dish washer for bottle duty and a washing machine in your room for "oops" is really, really nice.

 

[ParkHoppers]

Like others I agree BLT sounds like a great option for your family. I would also look into trying to book now as BLT can fill up very quick at certain times of year.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Just want to present an alternate view point. Our kids liked all the parks (first trip was with a few weeks old baby and a 2 year-old, next trip was exactly a year later) for the visual interest and the sounds and just sooo much to take in. We liked BCV for the ease of travelling with a stroller to both Epcot and DisneyStudios. This was before FP+,so touring strategy a bit different now and BLT wasn't an option yet... BCV also has the "sand" at the zero entry pool to play in - it's large grained and doesn't stick to everything but is fun to dig in and swish around. I thought all DVC resorts had access to a member laundry room, but I know BCV does as we've used while staying in an efficiecy. We've also boiled bottles etc in a hot pot that travels with us - a necessity on our first trip with thrush. Really, any of them should be great. Have fun - watching your little one's expressions will bring an amazing new dimension to your trip.

 

[ncurley]

We own at BLT and are very happy with our decision. Check out the floor plans for each resort. BLT 1 BR's have 2 bathrooms and 2 BR's have 3 bathrooms which is fantastic getting ready for parks in the am. They just redid the BLT pool and had a soft goods refurb. The theming is almost nonexistent, but we love being able to walk to the magic kingdom. We were able to book Poly studio at 7 months which also had 2 bathrooms, but as our kids get older I can see that feeling much too small. I have never stayed at the Beach Club but would much rather rent there than own since the BCV contracts expire much sooner than BLT. You could also easily rent your BLT points and rent points from another resort if you have trouble booking 7 months out.

 

[n2mm]

Thank you all for your replies! Yeah, it's looking like BLT is probably the better option. I would assume it's not that much of a hassle getting from BLT to EPCOT on the monorail right? TTC should be our first stop and we hop on the EPCOT monorail. I guess we just have to make sure we know the schedule for the monorail during our stay. Oh, and yes we were looking at a Studio room since it'll just be the 3 of us. Thank you again!

Did you manage to get a BLT studio for March?

 

[robndani]

Beach Club! We like both, but the pool can't be beat at BCV!

 

[Dean]

My Wife and I are looking into renting DVC points and we have narrowed it down to 3 resorts, Beach, Boardwalk, and Bay Lake Tower. I thought I would see what everyone's thoughts were on these. We will be taking our baby girl in March 2017 for her first trip and her first birthday! We do love the location of the BLT since we may spend a lot of time at MK. But we are also EPCOT fans and the thought of walking there from Beach or Boardwalk is pretty exciting too! We look forward to hearing what others think. Thank you and have a Magical Day!

All good choices. As noted, standard view at BWV & BLT are unlikely to be available. If it'll just be the one year old I'd likely go for BWV or BCV rather than BLT as it's closer to 2 parks. For us, BWV over BCV. We don't find the monorail to EPCOT all that convenient comparatively speaking. But it really does come down to what you'll use the most and if it's MK, BLT would move to the top.

 

[Disneypapa]

Just pointing out that the monorail from BLT to MK makes the full circle around the lake via Poly and Grand Floridian and takes about 20 minutes (no transfers). Takes about the same amount of time to walk from BLT to MK. Just things to consider in making your choice of accommodations.

 

[Uncle Donald Wess]

Did you manage to get a BLT studio for March?

So I realize this is a pretty late reply, but we did finally come to a decision. We actually started looking at the BoardWalk and ended up with a BWV Studio Garden/Pool View! We are very excited and I may have to start a new thread about it. Thank you and everyone else for your help!

 

[Elitravelor]

So I realize this is a pretty late reply, but we did finally come to a decision. We actually started looking at the BoardWalk and ended up with a BWV Studio Garden/Pool View! We are very excited and I may have to start a new thread about it. Thank you and everyone else for your help!

We have vacationed at Disney many times but never stayed DVC. We too are looking to rent points for a stay at Epcot area DVC for next year. Who did you rent from? The process looks a bit overwhelming.

 

[Uncle Donald Wess]

We have vacationed at Disney many times but never stayed DVC. We too are looking to rent points for a stay at Epcot area DVC for next year. Who did you rent from? The process looks a bit overwhelming.

That was the same with us. We usually try to book when Free Dining is going on and stay at the Pop. We knew that more than likely there wouldn't be any Free Dining around the time of our daughter's birthday so we originally were looking at AOA and WL thinking Disney might do some room discounts. When we were talking to some friends they told us they rented DVC several times and always had good luck with it. They told us which service they used so we looked into that one, we used The DVC Rental Store. My Wife went to the DVC Rental Store site and filled out a request. The person she has been in contact with has been very quick to reply and very helpful. But yes, it was a bit overwhelming because we always just book through Disney and wasn't sure what to expect. We have been very pleased with the service that has been provided by DVC Rental Store. Hope this helps you!

 

[Elitravelor]

Thanks so much! We have had awesome luck securing codes and pins in the past--but part of our family bought DVC last year and we want to try to be as close as possible as we will travel together. I will check out DVC Rental Store.
Happy Birthday to your daughter! We are celebrating our daughter's 21st birthday in our trip!! Her choice to do Disney for her 21st.