Which GV for October 2016?

[amym2]

Yes, I know we're a long way out from October 2016, but DD11 is driving me crazy with her obsessive Disney planning (wonder where she gets that from? ). I'll book a GV at SSR in Nov since that's our home resort, but DD is insistent that she doesn't want to stay there. She wants to stay at BLT. I keep telling her to keep an open mind because it really all just depends on what we can get. It will probably be the week of Columbus Day since that's our fall break week when sports are on moratorium.

We'll be traveling with another family, so we'll have 4 adults and 4 kids: boys 16 and almost 15 and girls both 12. Both families will probably drive so we'll have cars. We're doing a combo WDW/Universal trip, so likely 4 nights at WDW with base tickets, visiting 3 parks (not DHS). We're Disney pros, but the other family hasn't been since their kids were little. DS is most excited about F&W (which we did this year) and DD is most looking forward to a day at the resort (which she may or may not get).

Given those parameters, which GV would you choose if you could have your pick? And which ones do you think we'd actually have a shot at getting?

 

[Nanajo1]

If you are going during W&F BWV may be hard to get. What does dd want to do at the resort?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I don't know if BLT will be an option for that time. AKV (Kidani) might be. Since you're not going to be real Disney park intensive that could be a good option. And if the Jambo GV was available that's what I would go for - actually it's the only GV we've stayed in. The VGF GV's are wonderful also. Both Kidani and BLT have sleeper sofas in the alcove area upstairs which gives more options for sleeping arrangements. And VGF has the sleeper sofa in the media room which in essence gives you 4 bedrooms but are very point intensive.

 

[amym2]

If you are going during W&F BWV may be hard to get. What does dd want to do at the resort?

The pool, of course! We've been to the Paddock and Springs pools at SSR, and she loves both of those. She also loves the pools at OKW and AKV, and the BLT pool was fine but crowded. Really as long as the pool has a slide, and I think all the DVC villa pools do, she'll be happy. I agree that I won't hold out hope for BWV due to F&W. That's one resort where we've never stayed (would like to but we usually travel in Oct).

 

[amym2]

I don't know if BLT will be an option for that time. AKV (Kidani) might be. Since you're not going to be real Disney park intensive that could be a good option. And if the Jambo GV was available that's what I would go for - actually it's the only GV we've stayed in. The VGF GV's are wonderful also. Both Kidani and BLT have sleeper sofas in the alcove area upstairs which gives more options for sleeping arrangements. And VGF has the sleeper sofa in the media room which in essence gives you 4 bedrooms but are very point intensive.

We stayed at AKV- Kidani last October (in a 2bdrm) and really enjoyed it. DD's friend is an animal lover (giraffes especially), so it would be a great fit for her. Just not sure we want to stay in the same place. And not sure we could stay there and not eat at Boma, but I don't think we'd want to pay buffet prices, especially since the other family is mostly vegetarian. Definitely something to keep in mind, though, if it's available.

We may end up bringing air mattresses for DD and her friend anyway so they can sleep in the same space but not have to share a sleeper sofa. DS's friend is almost 6ft, so the boys will get the 3rd bedroom. I'm thinking the little loft area at SSR might be big enough for their air mattresses. At Kidani and BLT, would there be enough space in that alcove to put an air mattress next to the sleeper sofa?

Yep, as beautiful as VGF villas are, I'm not sure I could spend the points for it. I'd love to stay there in a studio or 1 bedroom sometime!

 

[drusba]

For time around Columbus Day, one of DVC's extremely high demand times of the year, you will be lucky to get a GV anywhere except possibly SSR. At seven months out for the time period in 2015 beginning the Thursday before Columbus Dasy and ending the Wednesday after, all GVs at WDW were missing at least three to four nights at 7 months out (BLT more, BWV all). And note that GV's are not your only issue for that time, as everything at any near park resort was missing nights around Columbus Day and even AKV standard and savanna view and OKW studios and 2BR lock-offs had some issues for a couple nights. Also be aware that the weekend after Columbus Day, beginning with the Thursday before it is another extremely high DVC demand time and thus if you want the Thursday, Friday or Saturday of that weekend, you will have similar issues.

 

[amym2]

For time around Columbus Day, one of DVC's extremely high demand times of the year, you will be lucky to get a GV anywhere except possibly SSR. At seven months out for the time period in 2015 beginning the Thursday before Columbus Dasy and ending the Wednesday after, all GVs at WDW were missing at least three to four nights at 7 months out (BLT more, BWV all). And note that GV's are not your only issue for that time, as everything at any near park resort was missing nights around Columbus Day and even AKV standard and savanna view and OKW studios and 2BR lock-offs had some issues for a couple nights. Also be aware that the weekend after Columbus Day, beginning with the Thursday before it is another extremely high DVC demand time and thus if you want the Thursday, Friday or Saturday of that weekend, you will have similar issues.

We've traveled around the same time the last few years and have been able to get what we wanted (sometimes with a waitlist), but I realize GV are limited. I'll certainly book SSR at exactly 11 mos and will see what if anything is open at 7 mos. I'm not sure yet if we'll do WDW or Universal first.