Which would be the best 1 bedroom for us?

[brazzledazzler]

So, I'm thinking about our 5-day trip in September and really struggling to figure out what 1- bedroom would suit our needs. We're a family of 4 ( 2 adults and 2 kids ( 2-year-old and 5-year-old.)) We're all APs and go regularly, but I wanted to have a larger room for this stay.

We've narrowed it down to:

1. Bay Lake Tower
2. Boulder Ridge
3. Copper Creek
4. Riviera

I've excluded the other one-bedroom resorts for various reasons (point value (VGF), distance to parks (AKV, SSR, OKW), renovation schedule (BWV), and BCV because we were there 2x this past year).

We're considering the Halloween party during this trip, so an MK resort would be ideal...but we love Riviera and the Skyliner!

Pros and Cons of each of my Top 4:

1. Bay Lake Tower: BLT rooms don't do much for me (we've stayed in the studios 2x) and are on the edge of a refurb. This resort is truly just a tower, and it's a haul to get to dining or bars. I'm trying to rationalize the point of splurging on a Theme Park view... but not sure I can. But---it's walking distance to MK and on the monorail.
2. Boulder Ridge: New refurb looks amazing!! The lake view looks relaxing. We love Wilderness Lodge and would love to try the pools there. But... the buses there are unreliable, and we'll have to drive to all the parks besides MK.
3. Copper Creek: Mostly the same reasons for Boulder Ridge, except the one-bedroom looks tiny compared to other resorts.
4. Riviera: It's our home resort, and the one bedrooms are spacious and luxurious. The downside is going to Magic Kingdom. I have no familiarity with the buses to MK from Riviera, but coming back from a late night at a Halloween Party doesn't sound fun with our young kiddos. I might skip the Halloween Party if we booked here...

Anyone with young kiddos/stroller-life and experience in these resorts—I really appreciate your input. We used the buses at Wilderness Lodge in January, and they took FOREVER.

Thanks!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

What parks will be your focus? I sorta go to the little ones and MK, but is that true? Or will you be spreading out and enjoying all 4 parks? For us, park focus would come into our decision.

 

[pinkxray]

I would pick Bay Lake tower followed by Riviera. We spent most of our time at MK with kids those ages so usually picked a monorail resort. We stayed at Copper Creek, which was amazing until we had to deal with a double stroller on the boats to MK. You can roll right on the big one but you never know which boat is coming. We missed the return boat after an MK night bc it was a small boat and there wasn’t room for us and the stroller. Once the big boat came there were so many ecv’s waiting that we still had to fold the double stroller. It was so much easier just walking back to GF or BLT, or strolling to the monorail for Poly.

Either way you will take a bus somewhere so if you prefer the skyliner to the other parks, and spend more time at those than MK, Riviera might work better.

We stayed at Copper Creek again this year without the stroller and it was so much better than our first experience. Maybe wait for that one until after you have a single stroller? Even after the Xmas party we walked right up and got on a small boat quickly. Night and day from the previous experience we had with the double.

 

[brazzledazzler]

I would pick Bay Lake tower followed by Riviera. We spent most of our time at MK with kids those ages so usually picked a monorail resort. We stayed at Copper Creek, which was amazing until we had to deal with a double stroller on the boats to MK. You can roll right on the big one but you never know which boat is coming. We missed the return boat after an MK night bc it was a small boat and there wasn’t room for us and the stroller. Once the big boat came there were so many ecv’s waiting that we still had to fold the double stroller. It was so much easier just walking back to GF or BLT, or strolling to the monorail for Poly.

Either way you will take a bus somewhere so if you prefer the skyliner to the other parks, and spend more time at those than MK, Riviera might work better.

We stayed at Copper Creek again this year without the stroller and it was so much better than our first experience. Maybe wait for that one until after you have a single stroller? Even after the Xmas party we walked right up and got on a small boat quickly. Night and day from the previous experience we had with the double.

This is really helpful! I forgot about the boats (small vs. large) being inconsistent. Convenience may win out in this circumstance.

Did you walk to VGF? How long is the walk? I'm not sure how the transportation is there.

 

[brazzledazzler]

What parks will be your focus? I sorta go to the little ones and MK, but is that true? Or will you be spreading out and enjoying all 4 parks? For us, park focus would come into our decision.

Our kids really could care less. We do like to do one day in MK, but our daughter has been to the parks enough that we go wherever. Our 2-year-old goes with the flow. Mostly, I'm thinking of the Halloween Pary convenience (if we decide to go).

 

[pinkxray]

We did the walk back from MK. I started my watch as soon as we walked past the security checkpoint (for those coming into MK at the end of the walkway) and stopped it as soon as we hit GF property. That took us 14 minutes. So you will have a few extra minutes to get wherever you are going on GF property.

We are always heading to MK super early so we haven’t had issues taking the monorail to MK. We are usually heading to the parks by at least 8 with early opening at 830. If you wait until later it can be tough sometimes taking the monorail to MK since they tend to fill up at CR, TTC and Poly.

Don’t think we have used the boat yet.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thoughts:

• I'd say no to CCV, because some of the 1BR layouts there are truly awkward, and you're really putting 6 in there.
• I'd say no to BRV 1BR, because to date it looks like the 1BR will continue to be BYOB for guest #5. So you'd have two adults on the king, possibly with a kid (or BYOB), two on the new pulldown, and then a kid in a PnP.
• I say these things loving VWL.

BLT has a good layout for what you need, and that sweet sweet second bathroom in a 1BR. I'd prioritize that with 4 adults, for certain. Food access is good, walk with a stroller to MK is good, pools are suitable for the smalls and have good pool bars.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Bay Lake Tower. That second bathroom plus proximity to MK given the party wins out for me.

 

[brazzledazzler]

We did the walk back from MK. I started my watch as soon as we walked past the security checkpoint (for those coming into MK at the end of the walkway) and stopped it as soon as we hit GF property. That took us 14 minutes. So you will have a few extra minutes to get wherever you are going on GF property.

We are always heading to MK super early so we haven’t had issues taking the monorail to MK. We are usually heading to the parks by at least 8 with early opening at 830. If you wait until later it can be tough sometimes taking the monorail to MK since they tend to fill up at CR, TTC and Poly.

Don’t think we have used the boat yet.

This was useful! Thank you for the timing. I've noticed the monorail at VGF fill-up quickly. But, at the end of the night, a walk is much better than waiting in the monorail line (We did that for the Christmas Party to get back to Poly—not fun).

 

[brazzledazzler]

Thoughts:

• I'd say no to CCV, because some of the 1BR layouts there are truly awkward, and you're really putting 6 in there.
• I'd say no to BRV 1BR, because to date it looks like the 1BR will continue to be BYOB for guest #5. So you'd have two adults on the king, possibly with a kid (or BYOB), two on the new pulldown, and then a kid in a PnP.
• I say these things loving VWL.

BLT has a good layout for what you need, and that sweet sweet second bathroom in a 1BR. I'd prioritize that with 4 adults, for certain. Food access is good, walk with a stroller to MK is good, pools are suitable for the smalls and have good pool bars.

Thanks for the feedback. We have four people, not 6. (2 adults and two kids). But, I do agree with the statements about the size of the CCV rooms being less desirable. They look "cozy."

 

[pks_domer]

We just did a 2br at BLT with our kids (also 5 and 2) and my parents. Doesn't get much easier for MK than that... there are also other great places at BLT to watch the fireworks if you don't want to splurge for that view from the room.

 

[brazzledazzler]

Bay Lake Tower. That second bathroom plus proximity to MK given the party wins out for me.

I see this as a very likely option. Hard to beat the proximity.

 

[brazzledazzler]

We just did a 2br at BLT with our kids (also 5 and 2) and my parents. Doesn't get much easier for MK than that... there are also other great places at BLT to watch the fireworks if you don't want to splurge for that view from the room.

Where do you recommend watching the fireworks at BLT? Yeah, the ease and convenience of that resort is winning me over. I'm just not impressed with the amenities and theming. I'd love to watch the fireworks without leaving the resort though!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thanks for the feedback. We have four people, not 6. (2 adults and two kids). But, I do agree with the statements about the size of the CCV rooms being less desirable. They look "cozy."

I can't read today.

Still, beyond the coziness in some of those CCV layouts where to put the youngest will be a struggle.

BRV 1BR would be better at that point, so I would put that back on the table. Layout is more consistent.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Where do you recommend watching the fireworks at BLT? Yeah, the ease and convenience of that resort is winning me over. I'm just not impressed with the amenities and theming. I'd love to watch the fireworks without leaving the resort though!

I am assuming with home resort RIV and an ability to book elsewhere, you're blue card. TOTWL may be an option. Otherwise, 4th floor viewing deck at Contemporary works well.

 

[brazzledazzler]

I am assuming with home resort RIV and an ability to book elsewhere, you're blue card. TOTWL may be an option. Otherwise, 4th floor viewing deck at Contemporary works well.

4th Floor viewing could be nice. Thanks for the recommendation. I forgot about TOTWL! Hmm... it might be a good idea.

 

[Mle8308]

4th Floor viewing could be nice. Thanks for the recommendation. I forgot about TOTWL! Hmm... it might be a good idea.

I believe you can watch them from the walkway that connects BLT to the Contemporary, too.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

I go more for the resort and less for the park ….. so i would say the resort you like the most……
but if I’m going to spend a lot in the MK i stay at BLT….

 

[VicarJT]

BLT is great for the proximity, but I would have a hard time choosing it over Riviera. Have you considered getting a Minnie Van for the trip “home” after the party? Yes, it’s on the pricey side, but so much fun and a lot nicer at the end of a long night.

 

[drusba]

Personally, I would consider any of the ones you list as fine, with BLT likely having a slight advantage. However, if you are considering BLT theme park view, which has rooms from which you can see the fireworks, you should also request high floor (although it is not guaranteed if requested). If you get one of the lower floors, 6 or below, you are likely to conclude that paying the higher point cost for theme park view is a rip-off of your points because your supposed "great" view.will consist mainly of a large parking lot and a monorail track.