Which resort for June stay w/out parks?

[jillk]

We have decided to stay for 3 or 4 days in June and not go to the parks. (We're going to Universal beforehand this time.) We have 4 kids, ages 17 to 11. We want to enjoy the pools, play tennis, basketball, maybe golf, get ADR's for dinner, etc. We will have a car, so having convenient parking would be helpful. We have stayed mostly at OKW and BWV. Thought about the Treehouse villas, but didn't know if I could get them at 7 months? I know alot of it is personal preference, but just wondered if anyone could share their experiences. Thanks.

 

[nolanboys]

I think the THV is a great option or even a SSR 2 bdrm. You can enjoy the resort and be walking distance to SSR. AKV would be another good option. We stayed at Kindani and loved it. They have a lot of activities and the animals are fun to watch. Just a side note - we noticed the basketball courts are kind of out there on the property at AKV. Not sure about SSR- we stay there for the first time in March. Part of the reason we loved OKW was that the basketball and tennis courts are right by the pool and playground. Our 4 kids wanted to do different things, but they were all close by so we could supervise easily. Your kids are older, so that might not be as big of an issue for you.

 

[ldo]

We like OKW b/c it is a short ride to Ft W, where the kids like to do archery (thur-Sat for $25), ride bikes, rollerblade, rent boats, roast hotdogs on the FtW campfire and watch the nightly movies. They can also take the boat to DTD, ride bikes on the trail to SSR and go to the community hall over there. I also like the set up of OKW with the recreation right by the big pool. But, since you have stayed at OKW a few times before, you might try VWL, as you can take the boat, or ride bikes on the trail to FtW.

After staying for a few days, we found AKV was not as condusive to kids recreation as OKW, and found that OKW suits us better (though I love the decor of AKV. Because foe the great pools, BCV might be fun. Plus, you are right at the Boardwalk and they have the nightly movies outside.
So many choices---that's what I love about DVC! have fun. Elaine

 

[BEASLYBOO]

OKW is my favorite resort. Since we visit in summer due to school schedule we go in June and Aug every year. I've tried to get THV for June several times at the 7 month mark but have yet to be successful.

OKW/SSR are both near our favorite water park, Typhoon Lagoon, it's so much fun and cool(love the wave pool). We really enjoy Downtown Disney, we go to the movies there too. You can walk there from SSR/OKW or better yet take the boat to and from, at night it's really beautiful. My son loves tennis and I love to walk so OKW fits us quite well! We bicycle, June is still a bit less humid and hot than Jul, Aug, & Sep. This year we went to FW, the boys love to fish and they also did archery. There's really a lot to do in that area.

We drive in so having a car let's you experience other things non-Disney. I never get to shop other then when on vacation, so we hit the outlet mall, just a right at Crossroads intersection and head to Vineland. Great way to spend an afternoon! We also like to eat outside of Disney as well, Timpanos Italian Chop House is one of our favorites.

As far as Disney dining, we love Olivia's/OKW, Turf Club/SSR, Wolfgang Pucks Cafe/T-Rex/DTD. We are hoping that the new Pollo Campero is open in DTD this Nov, it's replacing the Macdonalds that was there.

As Floridian's we've gone to Disney so many times that now the resort and it's surrounding are just as important if not more so than the theme parks!

 

[DisneySJB]

We did a non-parks trip to AKL and LOVED it. They have activities throughout the day - the night vision animal watching comes to mind. The pool is fantastic and AKL has wonderful quick service and Boma (our favorite).

I would also stay at SSR for a non park trip due to the proximity to DTD. And, because of DTD, easy access to other resorts.

 

[eva]

You might try BCV. There are a lot of great activites at or near the resort like SAB, boats to rent, the BW, etc. I don't think your kids will be hurting to find things to do there. The parking is not bad at all. You park just at the end of the villas and can walk there easily. It is not like the parking at BWV.

 

[Alexander]

I would say definately not AKV for a non-parks trip. It is very far away from everything and to be honest, watching the animals is great, but not all day everyday especially for teens. We did a non-park trip to AKV and after 3 days we were bored.

I would recommend BWV because of the boardwalk, BCV because of SAB if they like to swim, and SSR because of being the proximity to DTD and golfing.

 

[jillk]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! I've got 3 weeks until my 7 month booking window, so I have a little time to think about it.