Which DVC resort would be best for this trip?

[RooRach0906]

Ok, in case someone has seen my previous post the last family we were gonna take decided they no longer wanted to... I am getting ready to ask my best friend to come instead with her family, so if she says yes, what would be best for Two young couples with two kids, one being almost 3(Dec 24 bday) and the other being 2 1/2 for Dec 2012, we will be going sometime btw the 1-14. I know its hard to get certain places during that time and if we have to stay at our home thats fine but I want to know what our best option would be with the kids! TIA for any advice as we are new members.

 

[lions1995]

From your previuos posts I see you have points at SSR. So, you should certainly book that at your 11 month window. As for looking for another resort at 7 months, Beach Club is great if the kids like to swim and play in sand. It is also a quick walk to EPCOT and a boat ride to HS. However MK and AK are bus rides. Wherever you stay, request a room near the elevator or frst floor (and in a large resort like SSR near the bus stop). when my kids were very young, they liked to fall asleep just before getting back from the park. And minimizing the walk while carrying them was a plus.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have a Christmas eve DGD!

With the ages of the children, I would love to have BLT or VWL due to the ease of getting to MK.

I don't think December is a good time to plan your resort based on swimming expectations, but who knows?!

Bobbi

 

[tomandrobin]

I would secure a reservation at your home resort, then at 7 months call and see what you might get.

 

[lions1995]

I don't think December is a good time to plan your resort based on swimming expectations, but who knows?!

Bobbi

Agreed. Swimming in December may be a bit chilly (though we have done it in january and February). But if anyone is planning on making a lot of use od the pool, SAB is not only the largest, I think it is the warmest.

 

[com_op_2000]

I would recommend a savanna view AKV either Jambo or Kidani.
With kids, them being able to set on the balcony and watch the animals - great time.

 

[DizGirl20]

Here are my top 3 choices, based on the ages of the kids:

1. VWL - boat ride away to MK, great theme, lots of fun stuff over at Ft. Wilderness
2. BLT - monorail access to MK, Chef Mickey's is close by
3. AKV - Kidani has a wonderful pool play area and the kids will love the animals!

Best of luck getting what you want

 

[arthur06]

I would go with VWL for that time of year as a first choice.

BLT would be very nice as well.

 

[fflmaster]

I would agree with another poster that here are my top 3 choices:

1. BLT: being on the monorail for two very young children is great

2. VWL: very nice lodge and only a boat away from MK

3. BCV: stormalong bay is the best pool in disney and with your kids they would love it

 

[sweetdana]

Book SSR at 11 month.


1st choice BLT (close to MK, and Monorail with 2 strollers. Perfect for naps if needed, and okay pool. Having ability to not fold up stroller is priceless. Close to Chef Mickey a must do. (Also monorail to 1900 affair, and breakfast with Stitch.) All rooms very close as the way it was built and the fire works from your room or TOW lounge would be perfect as kids prolly will not stay up to late most nights.)

2nd choice SSR (They have great kiddie splash areas/pools in Padd, Grand St. and walking to fun one as well in DTD. It is central to all the parks, in case you need a nap, and due to large amounts of people in the resort, there is always a bus near-by. Artists Pallet has crayons and art tables set up to entertain the kiddos while enjoying coffee and the atmostphere is wonderful. They have more activites (at 2 pool areas, and a comm center) than most places because of size.)


3rd choice (If it was anything except Dec-Feb, I would add BC as #1).. but the pool is the real sell there, and not much of a must do in Dec. (Location, but you need hoppers, to walk through Epcot to take monorail back from MK to get to resort. )

 

[RooRach0906]

I have heard from various people that Dec is either cold or warm... based on that we wont be choosing a resort just because of the pools, with that said, I would still like to know if SAB has any zero entry parts??
I noticed there were a lot of BLT and we definately had that one in mind for walking distance to MK and monorial for Epcot. You reenforced my opinion that it is a great choice for toddlers.
Ok I also noticed a lot of BCV is it just because of SAB and its for close promixity to Epcot isnt BWV the same then(w/o SAB) and less points??
I'm just making sure I understand.
Personally, I would love to stay at VWL, I wasnt sure how great it would be for toddlers. At the same time though, I know my sister(Also DVC memeber) is trying to get my parents there for their trip at the same time we are going and I don't want them to feel like I am stepping in on their vacation, so is there a good chance I would or wouldnt see them???
For those of you who said AKV, would you still suggest it, if not doing a savannah view???

Thank you for all the suggestions and reasons, I will be passing this on, so we can all discuss and decide... Anymore information and suggestions are always apperiated.

We will also be booking at 11 months out at SSR, to make sure we have somewhere to stay, if we can only stay here, we will be happy... just want opinions, in case we have other options at 7 months of where might be best with our group. Thank you again for all your help!!!

 

[lions1995]

SAB sorta does have a zero entry part. There is an area that is all sand and then slips into the pool. There are really three pools in SAB, the sand bottom pool which I do not think is that deep, then there is the lazy river which is VERY deep (intended to ride intertubes around) and then there is the more traditional pool area which may be a bit deep for toddlers.

 

[Golden Rose]

With little kids, I would totally recommend AKV, either Jambo or Kidani. Honestly, at that age, you don't want to plan on spending all your time in the parks. Yes, BLT and VWL are better for location to MK, but AKV is a destination in itself. It really feels like a visit to another world.

Even if you don't get savannah view, there are places to view the animals all over the place. Plus, there are multiple really good restaurants in the resort. Boma is a great destination for a large group, and we've found that everyone can generally find something on the buffet that they enjoy, even if they are picky eaters. (And adventurous eaters love the African influence.) Sanaa has a great view of the savannah, so our kids will put up with the relaxing sit down meal.

If your weather is good, the pools are great at AKV. My son loves watching the movies in the pool, then going over to look at nearby animals, then climbing back in the pool. Both the Kidani and Jambo pools are zero entry and great. I don't know think the wonderful play area in the Kidani pool is open when it's cold, but when it is open, it is my son's favorite of all the resorts. (He loves BCV, too.)

Honestly, AKV has been my son's favorite since his first trip. Even when we aren't staying there, we have to plan at least one meal there, because my son wants to visit it.

 

[zawisza]

I would try to get either BLT or AKV at 7 month window after protecting your stay with booking SSR at 11 months.

BLT is great for getting youngs kids to and from MK and having Chef Mickey next door doesn't hurt.

Getting into AKV is also great with a savanna view being the best but even walking to or from a room might give you a window view of the animals. My three yr old daughter lovedddddd staying there.

 

[wdwgreg]

You do not have to ahve a savnnah view room at AKV, but it does make it that little bit more special

However if you dont have a savannah view, you will still see plenty of animals.

As we were cheking in at the lobby we could see giraffes zebras and "those birds with the weird hats" (as they came to be known). walking along the corridors on all the 'corners' there are large windows looking out onto the savannahs that allow you to see it from all the diffrent corners of teh resort, even if your room view, is the bus stop.

There is a lovely balcony by the lobby with rocking chairs that is great for early morning or late evening relaxing and viewing, and an outside area that extends into teh savannah that you can walk along to see een more. Plus the view from Sanaa restaurant.

However the thing that sways it for me, is being able to wake up pull back teh curtains and see bufaloo outside your window, go itno the kitchen and make a coffe, go sit outside and watch the animlas going about their daily routine, all before getting changed from your pjs

 

[RooRach0906]

Unfortately my DH refuses to stay at AKVs so that is not an option.
I asked this earlier and no response... I am really trying to learn as much as I can while exploring are possible options.
Ok I also noticed a lot of BCV is it just because of SAB and its for close promixity to Epcot isnt BWV the same then(w/o SAB) and less points??
I'm just making sure I understand.

 

[a742246]

I would do BLT, you will probably be doing MK more than the other parks.
The walk to BLT will be a blessing after wishes.

 

[LPnerd]

you will have many choices if you book that third week, from like the 10th through about 17th? or so... and you will have no waiting in the parks either. Young families seem to do very well at Old Key West, they seem to be greaed for little ones more than others. IMO. as does Beach club and wilderness lodge. I would be 1st choice Wilderness,2.BLT 3rd choice, OKW. I have traveld with kids, and grandkids, and those work the best IMO, for many reasons.