I would love to check out the AKL villas or Wilderness Lodge villas, but there's just something to be said for being on a monorail resort. It was so convenient.
ETA: We had a 2bd at BLT and it was more than enough room for all of us.
BLT is a much more convenient location, but I'm just not a fan of the hotel itself or it's "theme." But it's great to be able to walk to MK.
For theming and resort time, I'd choose AKV. We're actually staying there next month. I love it, and really enjoy spending time at the resort itself. We spend a lot of time at the pook, and AK has amazing pools. DS love doing the African storytelling and drum circles.
I picked Bay Lake because that's where we are staying in 2016. I've stayed at Contemporary before when younger and it's my mom's favorite hotel. She said her favorite memory is when my eyes lit up when the monorail pulled into the hotel.
We chose it this time because of the proximity to Magic Kingdom and restaurant choices. I did not enjoy cafeteria style dining when we stayed at a value resort.
I am going with a 2.5 yr old and 8 month old. I doubt I'd go on this trip if I was paying because I know how much work it's actually going to be but because of the closeness to MK I can dip out when the kids get cranky.
If cost isn't prohibitive, Bay Lake Towers. Monorail access is HUGE with a toddler.
Something to take into consideration--I've read on Disney groups that if you book Wilderness Lodge during construction, and then call to complain about the construction, they will give you perks. My friend did this and they offered her her choice of $100 off per night, free Park Hopper for the whole party, or extra FastPasses.
Post by Ashley&Scott on Aug 6, 2015 13:15:36 GMT -5
BLT - I can update about our experience in 2 months. Also - you can watch the fireworks from the hotel (either from your room or other areas, which will be nice with a 3.5yo)
Also, 3/4 of your options are Deluxe resorts. For that reason alone I would take Art of Animation off the table.
I like Wilderness Lodge because its just a short boat ride to the MK.
Even with the renovations going on?
Are you going to be spending a ton of time at the resort? One of the pools will still be open, so I guess consruction at the resort wouldn't automatically make it a no.
BLT - I can update about our experience in 2 months. Also - you can watch the fireworks from the hotel (either from your room or other areas, which will be nice with a 3.5yo)
Also, 3/4 of your options are Deluxe resorts. For that reason alone I would take Art of Animation off the table.
I know. I feel like our party size makes Moderates and Values non-options. We do all want to stay together but definitely need the space of a 2 bedroom.
And I'm guessing with seniors & a 3.5yo you will be spending a decent amount of time in the hotel.
Seriously the only thing E remembers from Disney at 2 is the monorail. Thanks for the memories kid, lol.
There were 6 of us. We had a ton of room in our 2bd, we had some groceries/snacks delivered. The pool at BLT is for guests only and has 2 water slides (1 little, 1 big), a "beach" walk-in part where E loves to play, plus a splash pad.
You could also go over to the contemporary if you wanted. The contemporary has Chef Mickey's, the Cafe for QS, and we had a really good breakfast downstairs in the restaurant our last park day morning before heading to Epcot.
Also with BLT you can see the fireworks and the light parade around the lake.
Post by kittycatlove on Aug 6, 2015 13:38:52 GMT -5
I don't have any advice on hotels but for your FIL, would he be willing to get a scooter? We ordered one had it delivered and picked up at our hotel front desk, it was so easy.
My FIL has bad knees and we knew he wouldn't be able to walk all day. At first he fought it, but was so grateful to have it. Also if you have to take bus transportation he will get priority boarding, as will everyone with him which sometimes came in handy.
We are renting points and staying in a two bedroom at Bay Lake Tower so that we can have easy access to MK and the monorail.
Unfortunately I can not let you know how it goes until October.
I think DD would like a savanna view room but we decided to save that for a future trip.
When you rent points, is the whole balance do at the time of booking or X # of days before your trip?
We used DVC rental store. My understanding is they take a deposit and the rest is due 45 days before. However I was not the one in charge of that reservation so I might be slightly off on the details.
I assume it would depend on the person/company you use.
Seriously the only thing E remembers from Disney at 2 is the monorail. Thanks for the memories kid, lol.
There were 6 of us. We had a ton of room in our 2bd, we had some groceries/snacks delivered. The pool at BLT is for guests only and has 2 water slides (1 little, 1 big), a "beach" walk-in part where E loves to play, plus a splash pad.
You could also go over to the contemporary if you wanted. The contemporary has Chef Mickey's, the Cafe for QS, and we had a really good breakfast downstairs in the restaurant our last park day morning before heading to Epcot.
Also with BLT you can see the fireworks and the light parade around the lake.
Does it come with a complete kitchen or just a kitchenette? Eta: how many bathrooms?
Full kitchen and 3 full bathrooms. E actually slept in the PNP in the bathroom in our room and we used the full bath in the main living part.
Can someone explain this language to me? This from the D.VC.RENT.AL website:
"Please note that due to the fact that a Disney Vacation Club member’s points expire on a annual basis any cancellation can threaten the use of those member’s points. For this reason all payments are non-refundable."
What does that mean? Like if a member cancels there DVC membership(?) that I can no longer use their points? I'm confused.
Basically you cannot get a refund if you cancel. That's because if you cancel the owner is kind of up a creek.
As someone who has rented out points before I can tell you that the " owner" get's like 70 percent of the money UP FRONT the day you pay. Then the company holds the other 30 percent so the owner doesn't cancel your reservation or change the name ( both of these things ALMOST NEVER HAPPEN and are DUMB to do as an owner since you signed a contract. ) The owner gets the other 30 percent AFTER you check in.
I have only heard of ONE case that went bad through a broker site. The owner owned a bunch of DVC points in different member numbers and paid their dues on the WRONG points. Then didn't notice. DVC then canceled all of this persons trips under the account that was well past due.
David's refunded them and helped them get an alternate reservation, I just don't think at the same resort ( it wasn't possible due to availability.)
Post by ilikedonuts on Aug 6, 2015 14:31:35 GMT -5
I mean the best way to book any DVC resort is to rent points. Its not guaranteed that you'll be able to get a room booking through Disney at a DVC resort. It very much depends on if members are trading out and then the rooms are going to the regular reservation system. inventory can come and go so fast because their aren't that many rooms for non-dvc people in the inventory pool.