Which DVC villa is best for young children?

[ClarkusR]

Hi. We will be making our first trip to Disney in September and have kids 6, 2 and 1. Which place do you recommend for young children to be comfortable and have a great time?

We will be staying in a Studio, as that's really all we can afford.

Appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

[Chellymouse]

The studios at AKV and SSR seem like they are a bit larger and you can sleep 5 at AKV. SSR is a huge resort with many amenities, 2 very large pools and several quiet pools. There are also quite a few activities that are free or very low cost for members including crafts, pool movie nights in addition to bike rentals. AKV has the animals so that may be an attractive factor for your family.

 

[Chic]

I vote for Saratoga Springs. To my knowledge, this is the only Disney Vacation Club resort that has a child's slide at the main pool. Our 18 month old probably went down that slide 150 times during our recent Christmas vacation. They also have bicycles for the whole family to enjoy together. Our daughter got to ride in the basket and loved every minute of it.

 

[crisi]

BCV has a kids slide as well.

I'm assuming you are going to rent points (first trip and which resort question). You should do so fairly quickly if you want your choice in resorts. Also, you need to make sure you understand the difference between renting and going through CRO - particularly cancellation policies. Little kids get sick - and you honestly might be better off with a CRO reservation - particularly with the quantity of deals Disney is currently running.

AKL, BCV and SSR have zero entry pools, nice with tots. VWL is closest to the MK, which is nice with young kids. AKL has the animals - which is a real treat for kids - but is very bus dependant. BCV and BWV let you put the kids in strollers and walk to Epcot or DHS. The rooms (except for OKW - which is a poor choice for young kids unless you will have a car, IMO - no zero entry pool, bus everywhere - the bigger rooms are nice - but the studios aren't really bigger - just laid out differently) have very similar studio layouts - a queen bed and a full pullout.

ETA: We own BWVs. I think BWV and OKW have the least to offer young kids. OKW because of its location, lack of zero entry pool and distance from the far rooms to the hospitality house (its a very nice resort, I'm not bashing it by any means). BWV also lacks a zero entry pool and doesn't have much to offer young kids.

 

[Disneypirate85]

OKW studio's are the largest and they are very very comfy, Pool is very nice has a kiddie pool and a little sand pile for them as well. Very friendly resort with Water shuttle service to DTD and internal shuttle as well

 

[robinb]

I would recommend AKV. The animals are fantastic and the pool is zero-depth. The new Kidani Village will be open by the time you go and the new pool will have special water features for your youngest kids. BCV has a great pool too, but it is too big to keep track of 3 small children. The SSR pool is nice too, but I think the resort is too spead out.

 

[logan115]

SSR also has a little water play area near the feature pool and I think by one of the quiet pools. My DS 5 loved the three places we've stayed in the last two years (POP, BCV, and SSR) and you'll probably find that you'll be more affected by the resort you choose than they will

As others have said, I think as long as you pick one of the resorts that has a zero entry pool you can't lose. We love BCV for the proximity to Epcot and DHS, and DS absolutely loved seeing some of the performers on the Boardwalk at night - of all the things in our 2 trips to Disney this is what made him laugh the most

Chris

 

[alldiz]

My vote is for WL. You can spend quite a bit of time exploring the lodge. Really fun and beautiful. Most beautiful pool area....IMO. and you can keep an eye on all the kids. BCV has to large a pool complex for little ones IMO and it is easy to loose track. The boat ride to M.K and Contemporary for monorail access is quick and fun.
Happy planning.
Kerri

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

I, of course, would recommend BLT. It's the only one in the MK area and is on the monorail line. When our kids were small we always stayed at the Poly. We spent more of our time at MK than Epcot, HS, or AK and when we took the kids back to the room for a nap it didn't seem to take so much time out of our day. I'm sure you'll have a great time whereever you stay.

 

[fers31]

As you can easily see from the previous posts, this is a simple decision. Truthfully, all the resorts are beautiful and you can't really go wrong with any resort you choose. Have a great time and book soon!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

As you can easily see from the previous posts, this is a simple decision. Truthfully, all the resorts are beautiful and you can't really go wrong with any resort you choose. Have a great time and book soon!

Ditto, can't say it any better. It's comes down to a personal preference! All the resorts have much to offer for kids 1 to 99yrs old!

 

[wrighter]

I agree with the most recent posters, who agree that all resorts have pros and cons for young kids. But the bottom line is that you will have an amazing time no matter where you stay.

We just returned from our first stay at BWV, and I have to admit that being able to walk to two of the parks (Epcot and Hollywood Studios) was awesome. No folding up the strollers to load onto the bus. No waiting for buses or boats during naptime or the end of the day. And having an elevator rocked, too! We would literally load everything up in the room, roll out the door and walk right into the park. We loved it.

Just my thoughts on the benefits of BWV. These would also apply at BCV. Good luck with your decision - and have a great time!

 

[cdmickey]

I'm going with the OKW; largest studios available. With three young'ns I'm sure you could use the space.

 

[d-r]

we have a 5 year old and a 1.5 year old.

We like staying at the contemporary so I am sure we will like BLT, the monorail is great for kids. Our son calls it "Chattanooga." You have Chef Mickey's right there, and you can monorail to the MK and back, and you can change on monorail to go to epcot.

Our favorite is probably the wilderness lodge, we like the boat to MK, you can roll the stroller right on the big boat. The pools are fine, there is a lot to do in the lobby. Our son calls it "Humphrey's House."

After that, we like the beach club. Storm along bay is great. And you can walk to epcot and the studios, or roll the strollers on the boat. Our son calls it the "little mermaid house." He loves the kiddie slide there in the little pool. Listen, you just aren't going to be able to beat that pool for kids.

Our son also likes animal kingdom lodge, which he calls "the lion king house," but the bus is a hassle to me with the stroller. With two stroller age/ carrying kids I wouldn't want the hassle of the bus. But you do have the animals right outside, the pool is good and has a zero depth entry, and the kids like the little playground there.

OKW is actually a good alternative, there is a lot of room, you can park right outside, and the pool is OK and there is a good playground area. It is the only studio that you will have two beds.

We haven't stayed at boardwalk since we've had kids, but it would be about as good as beach club, with access to the two parks. The pool wouldn't be as good for the little ones, but there would be the boardwalk to walk around.

If you have a car and are driving to the parks, just go to okw. If you are taking transportation, stay at one of the MK or Epcot resorts. That's just me.
Honestly, if you can swing the one bedroom you'll be glad to have the dishwasher and washer and drier. With three kids and car, an OKW 1-bedroom would be better than a studio at blt in a lot of ways to me, but without a car no.

 

[ClarkusR]

Wow. Didn't expect such great detailed responses. Thanks a lot. Please keep the responses coming because my wife and I are as rookie as rookie can get to the Disney World experience. We are soaking up the info!!!

 

[mybabesuz]

My vote is for SSR...Affordable and Fun...
And with all the Developer Points For rent you could probably
get a whole week in September... 95 points for about...$760
I have seen quite a few people selling their DP's for $8...
That's like the price of a value resort !
Check out the rent/trade board....

 

[Castillo Mom]

Hmm, I haven't stayed at either yet but I'd think that based on amenities, AKV or BLT. AKV because of the animals and BLT due to proximity to MK.

 

[alldiz]

I vote for Saratoga Springs. To my knowledge, this is the only Disney Vacation Club resort that has a child's slide at the main pool. Our 18 month old probably went down that slide 150 times during our recent Christmas vacation. They also have bicycles for the whole family to enjoy together. Our daughter got to ride in the basket and loved every minute of it.

SSR has a childs slide also. It is right behind where you get on the giant slide.....little pool with small slide.

As you can easily see from the previous posts, this is a simple decision. Truthfully, all the resorts are beautiful and you can't really go wrong with any resort you choose. Have a great time and book soon!

You probably won't go wrong with any of them.

Contemporary....ease of monorail....not sure when you are going....check if their is still construction going on. Pool areas maybe?

WL....Is my favorite, just feels so peaceful after a day at the parks, Love everything about it.

BCV...If your kids are the type to stay together...ie hang out in the sandy part of the pool....then go to the slide...etc. It could be great. But if your kids want to usually go in 3 directions.....IMO stormalong bay would be too stressful.

BWV is a nice choice. The pool is nice and contained. You can walk to epcot or hollywood studios. Not such a nice walk when it is 95 though.

AKL...If your kids LOVE animals this is a good choice. But every park you go to you will be folding up strollers.

You will probably want to go to M.K the most.....so WL is my 1st choice.....with BLT as second...for monorail convenience.
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[spiceycat]

with your age children would go with BLT or VWL.

BLT is having a special now - with free dinning thru CRO.

VWL is older but still a nice place.

BLT will have the zero entry pool - but big problem - only one pool. You can go to CR pool. but it won't be as nice. This is strange to me - really think it needs more than one pool.

BLT is as close to the MK as it gets - even closer than CR. BLT you can walk to the MK.

VWL is further - boat ride (or bus) away.

that say - if money is a problem - go with OKW, AKV (standard - value would be too small for 5), or BWV (standard if you can get it - ask for dedicated plus)

 

[brandylouwho]

Choose any resort--you can't lose. They are all nice. I have stayed in several, visited most of the others.

We have a 5 yr old and an 18 month old and they loved AKL this past year. The animals kept their interest, the playground was nice, the zero entry pool was great with the 18 month old, the slide worked great for our 5 yr old. The 5 yr old took part in a lot of the lodge activities.

But I also love OKW. The room size alone (especially if staying in a studio) would be great. The layout is more like a condo village as opposed to hotel, so it is a bit homier (is that a word?). There is a small wading pool and a large sandpit/playground area for youngsters. (We stayed here with an almost 4 yr old and a 4 month old).

But wait, something also to consider, the resprts whose studios have fold out sofas as opposed to 2 beds might be helpful if you plan on spending time in the room. Fold up that couch and have more space for the kids to get their wiggles out.

Maybe I am easy to please, but I don't think any of the resorts would be not good with little ones. I'd pick which theme is most appealing to mom & dad.