Which resort?

[CVTmarie23]

I know this question is very personal, but I am hoping to get some different opinions. We just came back from a stay at Kidani villa studio savannah view and LOVED it so much. We have a 2 year old who is obsessed with giraffes and she loved being able to see them at the resort. I also loved how quiet it was and the wonderful food options. The pool and splash area were also a big hit. The only negatives was the long walk and bus ride to MK and I wish we could have seen a bit more animals from the room balcony, but worth it for the great food and beautiful resort.

We would like to stay somewhere different in the fall. I am thinking somewhere on the monorail or something with easier access to MK. Our 2 year old doesn't handle the heat well, so being able to get the park early for the little rides and then go back to the resort for the pool/nap time is ideal. We would likely head back to a park in the evening as well. Should we stay at Kidani again or try a different resort?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Where is your home resort? What part of fall?

Many studios are already booking up for fall, especially Standard views and Epcot-area resorts.

 

[MrPTato]

Just came back from the Poly...right on the monorail and the walk wasn't bad. You can watch the fireworks and water pageant from the beach.

 

[CVTmarie23]

Where is your home resort? What part of fall?

Many studios are already booking up for fall, especially Standard views and Epcot-area resorts.

We rented from a friend this time and they own at AKV. We are flexible on dates, thinking late Sept/Oct.

 

[goofylovers]

I agree. Poly is great. The studios are very nice and have 1 bathroom with a sink and shower stall and the other with the toilet/sink/tub/shower. Very nice and your daughter will love the little pull out bed from under the TV stand. My 13 year old even loved it. The pool there is very nice and great restaurants all right there. The monorail is just a short walk from the room also which is a huge help with a toddler. Enjoy your trip/.

 

[JWigs]

We home at BLT in FL & GC in CA. We personally love BLT for the ability to walk to MK & being able to watch the fireworks from a different view (and less crowded) from the Lounge.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If they own at AKV, their 7-month window opens soon.

Your best chances will be a non-standard studio at BLT, or a studio at the Poly if you want a monorail resort. Studios at Grand Floridian are a fantasy, especially for a multi-day stay, and you can expect Epcot studios to book up pretty tight within days of 7-month windows opening (and some room types already have limited availability).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I know this question is very personal, but I am hoping to get some different opinions. We just came back from a stay at Kidani villa studio savannah view and LOVED it so much. We have a 2 year old who is obsessed with giraffes and she loved being able to see them at the resort. I also loved how quiet it was and the wonderful food options. The pool and splash area were also a big hit. The only negatives was the long walk and bus ride to MK and I wish we could have seen a bit more animals from the room balcony, but worth it for the great food and beautiful resort.

We would like to stay somewhere different in the fall. I am thinking somewhere on the monorail or something with easier access to MK. Our 2 year old doesn't handle the heat well, so being able to get the park early for the little rides and then go back to the resort for the pool/nap time is ideal. We would likely head back to a park in the evening as well. Should we stay at Kidani again or try a different resort?

BLT would be closer access and has a little splash area. Because of the construction at VWL I'd skip that although I might otherwise think it would be a great option. A nice boat ride to MK, a peaceful Villas section and they added a nice splash area at the main pool last year. But the construction might make nap times a problem depending on where they are at during the fall. It might be something for your list in another year or two though.

 

[suebeelin]

Stayed at akl once and felt isolated. Transportation was tough for us with a 3yr old (at the time). A 2yr old is probably more MK focused. I would think poly or BLT.

We just got back from poly. The walls are thin so bring a white noise machine. However, the blackout shades are great and the resort is really peaceful but convenient to Epcot and MK. Monorail to both parks plus two boat accesses to MK. The small boat that goes to Vgf and MK is really cute.

Poly also has a splash pad (be careful my 6yr old bumped his head there and has a huge noggin now) and a 0 entry pool, which is nice. It was a very self contained and enjoyable resort.

BLT has tiny studios (vs huge rooms at poly). However, you can't beat walking to MK.

 

[Chip n Dale's Dad]

Having stayed at almost all the resorts,though not always DVC, I would choose BLT. A quick walk back "home" for an afternoon escape from the heat and a nap! No waiting for the monorail or a boat. My wife loves the Polynesian, but after staying at BLT TPV she requires that we stay there at least part of our stay. Her reasoning? Location, location, location. This is such a positive, especially when traveling with small children. The walk to and from MK and the ability to watch the fireworks from the resort and room. Another plus is being able to use all the Contemporary amenities and the ease of visiting the other monorail resorts, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. Going around the monorail loop is like having a mini-Epcot experience.

 

[drusba]

DVC members can book a room at the resort they own at 11 months out from arrival. They can book a room at DVC resorts they do not own at 7 months out from date of arrival. It is now Feb 5, well past the 11 month window for late Sep/early Oct and the 7 month reservation window begins late February, so for you to even meet the 7 month window you will need to act quickly to get a member in place to reserve for you because if you wait beyond 7 months, you may find nothing left at monorail resorts. At 7 months out for that time of year, you will likely not be able to get a studio at Villas at Grand Floridian. You will also be unlikely to get low cost standard view studios at BLT. BLT could be a problem for Theme Park vierw (highest cost) and even for lake view (most of the rooms; middle cost at BLT but still about 15% more than the point cost you had for that recent AKV trip) but you may have a chance for either of those, more so late Sep than early Oct and more so for lake view. The monorail resort that will most likely be open at 7 months out is Poly but a standard view studio is going to cost you about 30% more in points than that AKV trip you just had. In making a choice be aware that the BLT studio at about 340 sq ft is smaller than what you had at Kidani (360 sq ft), and the Poly studio is close to 450 sq ft.