Which resort should I book?

[Gizmo74]

I am so excited. We just recently bought at Poly and had our first trip this past July 4 week. I am now on a mission to try different resorts. I just booked Poly for my 11 month window for a trip June 3, 2018, just to secure a room.

My resorts I am thinking about, BLT (one bedroom), Grand Floridian (One bedroom) or Beach Club (two bedroom). There are only 4 (2 adults, 2 Kids) of us but like having our own bed so the Poly Studio worked for us. On our next trip, I want a bigger room but the Beach Club forces me into two bedroom since the one bedroom makes my kids share a bed.

We have stayed at Beach Club in the hotel section and that is our favorite resort. Love the location and the pool. This next trip we plan on doing a water park so the pool isn't as important. The Grand Floridian rooms look awesome. I also love BLT for the location. We stayed at Contemporary on our first trip so that place always has a special place in my heart.

Is my 7 month window - November 3
Is my 180 day window - December 5

Please let me know if I have my 7 month window correct and which hotel I should put on top of my list. Not sure if I will even be able to switch since these are popular resorts and I heard booking at 7 months is getting harder.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

There is a handy date calculator for your 11 month and 7 month dates on your dashboard in the DVC website. Also, use this linkhttp://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/pscalc/dispscalc.html to calculate your 180 day.

 

[hakepb]

Actually the studios in BCV, BWV, VGF and BRV also have the Murphy bed (for an extra sleeping surface) but no studio has (2) sinks like Poly's bathroom arrangement. (VGF has 2 showers)

BLT 1BR would give you (2) full bathrooms, like BCV 2BR.

Obviously, none are a wrong choice when you want the variety.
Since 2BR are more difficult than 2BR to book, I'd say BCV 2BR as plan A and BLT Lake View as plan B.

Summer 7mo availability is much easier than the peak Oct-Jan marathon time. 1BR usually fill up last.

 

[skippytx]

You should be able to get a 1Bedroom Lakeview at BLT at the 7 month mark pretty easily.

I guess it depends on how you like to vacation. We spend the majority of our time at Magic Kingdom so BLT made the most sense for us, and I prefer the styling over VGF. I'm a more laid back kind of guy that grew up poor, so I don't really feel comfortable at a fancy place like VGF. I never feel like I 'belong' when I'm there. That's just me though, and probably a discussion best saved for the therapist .

For a more relaxing trip though I do plan on checking out OKW or SSR someday when we have more time to relax and the trip isn't just GOGOGO at the parks.

You can't really go wrong which is the great part.

 

[Gizmo74]

You should be able to get a 1Bedroom Lakeview at BLT at the 7 month mark pretty easily.

I guess it depends on how you like to vacation. We spend the majority of our time at Magic Kingdom so BLT made the most sense for us, and I prefer the styling over VGF. I'm a more laid back kind of guy that grew up poor, so I don't really feel comfortable at a fancy place like VGF. I never feel like I 'belong' when I'm there. That's just me though, and probably a discussion best saved for the therapist .

For a more relaxing trip though I do plan on checking out OKW or SSR someday when we have more time to relax and the trip isn't just GOGOGO at the parks.

You can't really go wrong which is the great part.

Lol! My husband's feels the same way as you. He would feel like he didn't belong at VGF. Magic Kingdom is my favorite and that is why I am leaning towards BLT.

We have been at SSR twice and I like it there. It is relaxing as not much hustle and bustle.

I appreciate everyone's thought on the resorts. I'll have to see how I feel on the 7 month mark and what's available.

 

[Gizmo74]

Actually the studios in BCV, BWV, VGF and BRV also have the Murphy bed (for an extra sleeping surface) but no studio has (2) sinks like Poly's bathroom arrangement. (VGF has 2 showers)

BLT 1BR would give you (2) full bathrooms, like BCV 2BR.

Obviously, none are a wrong choice when you want the variety.
Since 2BR are more difficult than 2BR to book, I'd say BCV 2BR as plan A and BLT Lake View as plan B.

Summer 7mo availability is much easier than the peak Oct-Jan marathon time. 1BR usually fill up last.

I didn't realize those studios had the Murphy bed. I must have been looking at old room layouts.

I did like the one bedroom at BLT gave me two bathrooms. It was nice at the Poly having the two bathrooms even though having a second toilet would have been even better.

 

[Gizmo74]

There is a handy date calculator for your 11 month and 7 month dates on your dashboard in the DVC website. Also, use this linkhttp://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/pscalc/dispscalc.html to calculate your 180 day.

I used the DVC calculator and it seemed off to me. I found another one on the web that I used.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I used the DVC calculator and it seemed off to me. I found another one on the web that I used.

I've always used the DVC date calculator on my dashboard. It's never been off for me.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm one of those people who believes that your first stay after buying DVC should be at your home resort. Something about doing that makes it more magical to me.

 

[Gizmo74]

I'm one of those people who believes that your first stay after buying DVC should be at your home resort. Something about doing that makes it more magical to me.

Me too! We bought at the Poly in March and did our first stay in July. Since we tried out the Poly, I am ready to try another for the next trip

 

[DenLo]

I'm one of those people who believes that your first stay after buying DVC should be at your home resort. Something about doing that makes it more magical to me.

The OP must have felt the same since they stayed at the Poly for July 4th. We did the same at our home resort when we joined too.

As to the resort for the OP's second visit, I would consider if you want to stay at the MK or the Epcot area. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at VGF. It is a DVC resort and no different than any other DVC resort. Also the CMs at GF are just a nice as all the Disney hotels. There just is more marble on the floors.

As to getting a 2BR at BCV, why not consider bringing an air mattress and sheets for one child to sleep on? Then they each get their own bed and your can still get a 1BR.

 

[TinkandGoofy'sMom]

If you think you will spend a lot of time at MK then I would book BLT. It's so nice to walk to MK and be on the monorail. We love all the resorts for all different reasons which is what is so great about DVC!

 

[lisaviolet]

Lol! My husband's feels the same way as you. He would feel like he didn't belong at VGF.

He would get over that quickly, trust me. I used to think that as well. Over it. Now I order room service.

The one bedrooms, and the studios, are exquisite. A one bedroom booking at VGF would be a vacation to remember forever. It's not even my style of furnishings, but there is no denying the workmanship that they put into that place. The shower in the one bedroom is worth the entire vacation! Well let's call it the shower room!

 

[lisaviolet]

Plus, I don't know the ages of your children but the water play area at VGF is the best!

Great pool slide and pool bar. Perfect duo.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We thought the one bedroom villa at GFV was divine. We would stay there again when we have loads of points. We only stayed six nights because it ate up our points. We're used to booking OKW one bedroom villas.