Options for a family of 6?

[correcaminos]

I’m leaning toward 2 studios at Poly right now. I’m going on a solo trip to do some recon next month so I can get a better feel for the vibe of each resort. I’d love to do AKL, but the transportation is less than ideal. BCV are cool, and I’m not too concerned about managing the kids in the pool because my wife and I are bothering excellent swimmers, and the older two are strong swimmers. We could divide and conquer no problem I think. I’ll see if I can get a gander at the contemporary pool to see if I hate it or not.

If you do this, request *connecting* studios, not adjoining. Those are two different things. There is a tiny chance they won't be connected as well. Roughly 2 or 3 studios do not connect to another studio.

I will say BCV pool is my least favorite even with strong swimmers. It's too spread out and the slide enters from outside the pool. It's also a small pool itself and quite crowded. That said I love BCV quiet pool.

I do think that BLT pool is much better for kids than SAB. But that's me after living it as a parent of kids of all ages LOL. Actually BCV is on our lower list as a whole. I prefer BWV to BCV.

 

[Pickles516]

If you do this, request *connecting* studios, not adjoining. Those are two different things. There is a tiny chance they won't be connected as well. Roughly 2 or 3 studios do not connect to another studio.

I will say BCV pool is my least favorite even with strong swimmers. It's too spread out and the slide enters from outside the pool. It's also a small pool itself and quite crowded. That said I love BCV quiet pool.

I do think that BLT pool is much better for kids than SAB. But that's me after living it as a parent of kids of all ages LOL. Actually BCV is on our lower list as a whole. I prefer BWV to BCV.

BWV is also on the table. What’s the difference between connecting and adjoining if you don’t mind saying?

 

[correcaminos]

BWV is also on the table. What’s the difference between connecting and adjoining if you don’t mind saying?

Adjoining means next to each other and nothing more. Connecting means next to each other with a door in between. PVB has rooms that connect to another, but they are not in series. So each doesn't connect down the line, only every two connect together.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I’m leaning toward 2 studios at Poly right now. I’m going on a solo trip to do some recon next month so I can get a better feel for the vibe of each resort. I’d love to do AKL, but the transportation is less than ideal. BCV are cool, and I’m not too concerned about managing the kids in the pool because my wife and I are bothering excellent swimmers, and the older two are strong swimmers. We could divide and conquer no problem I think. I’ll see if I can get a gander at the contemporary pool to see if I hate it or not.

Please don't let the "less than ideal" transportation at Animal Kingdom Lodge be the reason you don't stay there if that's where you're otherwise leaning. It's the most overblown non-issue in the world of Disney trip planning. Unless you spend literally more than half of your time at the Magic Kingdom, you're not losing any time on those buses versus a monorail or anything else.

 

[correcaminos]

Please don't let the "less than ideal" transportation at Animal Kingdom Lodge be the reason you don't stay there if that's where you're otherwise leaning. It's the most overblown non-issue in the world of Disney trip planning. Unless you spend literally more than half of your time at the Magic Kingdom, you're not losing any time on those buses versus a monorail or anything else.

To add to this, I will say that bus service from AKL has always been great. I do get the downside of stroller and buses though, but I agree that transportation itself is not bad!

 

[CastAStone]

I’m leaning toward 2 studios at Poly right now. I’m going on a solo trip to do some recon next month so I can get a better feel for the vibe of each resort. I’d love to do AKL, but the transportation is less than ideal. BCV are cool, and I’m not too concerned about managing the kids in the pool because my wife and I are bothering excellent swimmers, and the older two are strong swimmers. We could divide and conquer no problem I think. I’ll see if I can get a gander at the contemporary pool to see if I hate it or not.

Given your requirements, honestly I think this is a great plan for you. The unfortunate thing of course is that Disney won’t guarantee connecting rooms.

 

[Pickles516]

Please don't let the "less than ideal" transportation at Animal Kingdom Lodge be the reason you don't stay there if that's where you're otherwise leaning. It's the most overblown non-issue in the world of Disney trip planning. Unless you spend literally more than half of your time at the Magic Kingdom, you're not losing any time on those buses versus a monorail or anything else.

To add to this, I will say that bus service from AKL has always been great. I do get the downside of stroller and buses though, but I agree that transportation itself is not bad!

Given your requirements, honestly I think this is a great plan for you. The unfortunate thing of course is that Disney won’t guarantee connecting rooms.

A lot of good info here, thanks y’all! You don’t think the AKL busses would be a significant consideration with mid-day breaks and whatnot? This is probably going to be the most lavish vacation we ever go on, and AKL is really cool looking. I just worry about the convenience factor for when the kids get exhausted at the parks. I want to be able to split the party easily if need be. I also plan on getting park-hoppers for most if not all of the days and though being at a more centrally-located spot would be best for that. Am I overestimating the benefit?

also, a quick side question while you’re all indulging my curiosity- do extra magic hours only apply to a park you have a reservation for? Like if I have a reservation for MK, but park hop to Epcot on a day that Epcot has extra magic hours, would I be able to take advantage of the extra time?

 

[nickys]

A lot of good info here, thanks y’all! You don’t think the AKL busses would be a significant consideration with mid-day breaks and whatnot? This is probably going to be the most lavish vacation we ever go on, and AKL is really cool looking. I just worry about the convenience factor for when the kids get exhausted at the parks. I want to be able to split the party easily if need be. I also plan on getting park-hoppers for most if not all of the days and though being at a more centrally-located spot would be best for that. Am I overestimating the benefit?

also, a quick side question while you’re all indulging my curiosity- do extra magic hours only apply to a park you have a reservation for? Like if I have a reservation for MK, but park hop to Epcot on a day that Epcot has extra magic hours, would I be able to take advantage of the extra time?

As long as you have park hopper tickets you can go to the extended evening hours at any park.
For the morning ones you must have a reservation for that park.

 

[correcaminos]

A lot of good info here, thanks y’all! You don’t think the AKL busses would be a significant consideration with mid-day breaks and whatnot? This is probably going to be the most lavish vacation we ever go on, and AKL is really cool looking. I just worry about the convenience factor for when the kids get exhausted at the parks. I want to be able to split the party easily if need be. I also plan on getting park-hoppers for most if not all of the days and though being at a more centrally-located spot would be best for that. Am I overestimating the benefit?

also, a quick side question while you’re all indulging my curiosity- do extra magic hours only apply to a park you have a reservation for? Like if I have a reservation for MK, but park hop to Epcot on a day that Epcot has extra magic hours, would I be able to take advantage of the extra time?

My kid was still napping our first AKL stay and did not stroller sleep. It was very doable to go back for a nap and pool time. Though because of how great AKL was we spent a ton of time there vs the parks.

If you want mostly MK then that's one thing. If so, then do a MK resort. Unless DHS or Epcot and not MK do BWV or the like. Buses to MK were always slow and full from those resorts.

If you have park hoppers you can hop around as desired for after hours. Morning you'd need your reservation and cannot hop efore 2pm

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I also plan on getting park-hoppers for most if not all of the days and though being at a more centrally-located spot would be best for that. Am I overestimating the benefit?

You cannot buy park hoppers for only specific days. It is either all or none when you purchase your tickets. Genie+ can be purchased either for all days, or only for specific days, but not the park hopper option.

My DW and I park hop pretty much every day, but we are also AP holders, it is included in the cost. We love EPCOT, so end up there most evenings, especially during Flower&Garden and Food&Wine to browse the food booths. Since you have younger children, that would probably not be your first choice. I would give serious thought to what you would do at a different park, and decide if the extra money is worth it to you. If it is, then please remember that you have to at least tap into the morning park before being allowed to hop to another.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

A lot of good info here, thanks y’all! You don’t think the AKL busses would be a significant consideration with mid-day breaks and whatnot? This is probably going to be the most lavish vacation we ever go on, and AKL is really cool looking. I just worry about the convenience factor for when the kids get exhausted at the parks. I want to be able to split the party easily if need be.

The four theme parks and Disney Springs are all very spread out. Some resorts will be more convenient to a particular park, but I wouldn't say any of them are meaningfully more convenient than others to ALL of the parks. People often think of Animal Kingdom (Park) as being off by itself, but really the park that's most separated from everything else is Magic Kingdom. Therefore, the resorts that are *most* convenient to Magic Kingdom are usually *least* convenient to everywhere else. Some families with young kids are VERY HEAVY on Magic Kingdom, so this makes sense for them, but my family has always spent our time roughly equally in the four parks.

One other important factor is whether you'll have a car. If so, drive everywhere *except* for Magic Kingdom. The most convenient resorts if you'll have a car are Old Key West and the Ft. Wilderness Cabins. At those two resorts, you can park right outside your front door. No waiting for a bus or walking a mile to try to remember where you parked.

 

[correcaminos]

The four theme parks and Disney Springs are all very spread out. Some resorts will be more convenient to a particular park, but I wouldn't say any of them are meaningfully more convenient than others to ALL of the parks. People often think of Animal Kingdom (Park) as being off by itself, but really the park that's most separated from everything else is Magic Kingdom. Therefore, the resorts that are *most* convenient to Magic Kingdom are usually *least* convenient to everywhere else. Some families with young kids are VERY HEAVY on Magic Kingdom, so this makes sense for them, but my family has always spent our time roughly equally in the four parks.

One other important factor is whether you'll have a car. If so, drive everywhere *except* for Magic Kingdom. The most convenient resorts if you'll have a car are Old Key West and the Ft. Wilderness Cabins. At those two resorts, you can park right outside your front door. No waiting for a bus or walking a mile to try to remember where you parked.

SSR too for cars. At least mine was pretty darn close and I even picked a further away shady spot.

 

[nickys]

The four theme parks and Disney Springs are all very spread out. Some resorts will be more convenient to a particular park, but I wouldn't say any of them are meaningfully more convenient than others to ALL of the parks. People often think of Animal Kingdom (Park) as being off by itself, but really the park that's most separated from everything else is Magic Kingdom. Therefore, the resorts that are *most* convenient to Magic Kingdom are usually *least* convenient to everywhere else. Some families with young kids are VERY HEAVY on Magic Kingdom, so this makes sense for them, but my family has always spent our time roughly equally in the four parks.

One other important factor is whether you'll have a car. If so, drive everywhere *except* for Magic Kingdom. The most convenient resorts if you'll have a car are Old Key West and the Ft. Wilderness Cabins. At those two resorts, you can park right outside your front door. No waiting for a bus or walking a mile to try to remember where you parked.

At Kidani the parking is underground, and we always found it easy enough to park near the elevator nearest our room. Although if you are in the middle of a block then it could still be a hike.
The parking lot at BLT is OK though and also SSR.

 

[correcaminos]

At Kidani the parking is underground, and we always found it easy enough to park near the elevator nearest our room. Although if you are in the middle of a block then it could still be a hike.
The parking lot at BLT is OK though and also SSR.

SSR like OKW has lots of little lots. You may not be right by your door but it's close.

BLT isn't bad but some of it is quite far away. Much like BCV if you are on the far end of the resort you might be close to parking. It can all be hit or miss.

I should say PVB has a small lot just for DVC parking. It is really handy. Furthest from Tokelau but not far either. I drove a lot my last stay and plan to do the same in March when going from PVB to DHS to WL and back again.

 

[Phonedave]

Ok I’m following now. There’s a few resorts with an occupancy of 5 but sleeping surfaces for 4 where you can bring an air mattress, yes. I can’t imagine why you’d pick one of those resorts over one with sleeping surfaces for 5 provided, but you technically can.

We used to do this quite frequently. My oldest found an air mattress more comfortable than the chair bed. We used to give the kids the option - we can stay at resort XX that has 4 surfaces and one will be on an air mattress, or we can go to YY that has 5 beds. Many times they chose the air mattress because they liked that resort better.

Maybe one of the factors was that we usually had free checked bags, so it was no issue for us to pack an air mattress and sheets along

 

[i<3riviera]

as @CaptainAmerica mentioned 2x studios ≈ one bedroom but also 3x studios ≈ two bedroom; not trying to up sell you on your stay but you might find that some two bedrooms at some resorts (like Old Key West or Saratoga Springs) are not that different than 2x studios at more expensive resorts (like Polynesian); further complicating it, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs resort points can also rent for less per point making the difference even less

if you're staying for a while, you might consider a split stay at both AKV and PVB (sounds like your top two); that way, if you hate one or the other for whatever reason, you only have to deal with it for half your trip; because both are decently easy to book, it shouldn't be terribly difficult to find an owner willing to book you a split stay

I know it is weird but several resorts have more sleeping surfaces in deluxe studios than one bedrooms; so for your 5 + infant family, you would want to avoid one bedrooms at those resorts

5 + infant in deluxe studio

• BCV Beach Club Villas (queen + double sleeper sofa + single pull down)
• BWV BoardWalk Villas (queen + double sleeper sofa + single pull down)
• BRV Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge (queen + double sleeper sofa + single pull down)
• PVB Polynesian Villas and Bungalows (queen + queen pull down + single pull down) only resort with adjoining studios
• RVA Riviera Resort (queen + queen pull down + single pull down)
• VGF Villas at Grand Floridian (queen + queen pull down + single pull down)

5 + infant in one bedrooms

• AKV Animal Kingdom Villas (Jambo main lobby or Kidani DVC building) (king + queen sleeper sofa + sleeper chair)
• BLT Bay Lake Tower (king + queen sleeper sofa + sleeper chair)
• BCV Beach Club Villas (king + double sleeper sofa, no fifth sleeping surface!)
• BWV BoardWalk Villas (king + double sleeper sofa, no fifth sleeping surface!)
• BRV Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge (king + double sleeper sofa, no fifth sleeping surface!)
• OKW Old Key West (king + queen sleeper sofa + sleeper chair)
• RVA Riviera Resort (king + queen pull down + single pull down)
• SSR Saratoga Springs Resort (king + queen pull down + single pull down)
• VGF Villas at Grand Floridian (king + queen pull down + single pull down)

here's more detail on the rooms if you're interested ...

DVC Rooms - Charts with detailed room info

I have been working on pulling together information about the various DVC Rooms and all the "numbers" for them. It all started with me wanting to learn more about which rooms were better for 5 people, and then it grew from there. Please let me know if you see any issues or things that need...

easywdwforums.com

good luck with planning! you sound like a future DVC owner

 

[Pickles516]

as @CaptainAmerica mentioned 2x studios ≈ one bedroom but also 3x studios ≈ two bedroom; not trying to up sell you on your stay but you might find that some two bedrooms at some resorts (like Old Key West or Saratoga Springs) are not that different than 2x studios at more expensive resorts (like Polynesian); further complicating it, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs resort points can also rent for less per point making the difference even less

if you're staying for a while, you might consider a split stay at both AKV and PVB (sounds like your top two); that way, if you hate one or the other for whatever reason, you only have to deal with it for half your trip; because both are decently easy to book, it shouldn't be terribly difficult to find an owner willing to book you a split stay

I know it is weird but several resorts have more sleeping surfaces in deluxe studios than one bedrooms; so for your 5 + infant family, you would want to avoid one bedrooms at those resorts

5 + infant in deluxe studio

• BCV Beach Club Villas (queen + double sleeper sofa + single pull down)
• BWV BoardWalk Villas (queen + double sleeper sofa + single pull down)
• BRV Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge (queen + double sleeper sofa + single pull down)
• PVB Polynesian Villas and Bungalows (queen + queen pull down + single pull down) only resort with adjoining studios
• RVA Riviera Resort (queen + queen pull down + single pull down)
• VGF Villas at Grand Floridian (queen + queen pull down + single pull down)

5 + infant in one bedrooms

• AKV Animal Kingdom Villas (Jambo main lobby or Kidani DVC building) (king + queen sleeper sofa + sleeper chair)
• BLT Bay Lake Tower (king + queen sleeper sofa + sleeper chair)
• BCV Beach Club Villas (king + double sleeper sofa, no fifth sleeping surface!)
• BWV BoardWalk Villas (king + double sleeper sofa, no fifth sleeping surface!)
• BRV Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge (king + double sleeper sofa, no fifth sleeping surface!)
• OKW Old Key West (king + queen sleeper sofa + sleeper chair)
• RVA Riviera Resort (king + queen pull down + single pull down)
• SSR Saratoga Springs Resort (king + queen pull down + single pull down)
• VGF Villas at Grand Floridian (king + queen pull down + single pull down)

here's more detail on the rooms if you're interested ...

DVC Rooms - Charts with detailed room info

I have been working on pulling together information about the various DVC Rooms and all the "numbers" for them. It all started with me wanting to learn more about which rooms were better for 5 people, and then it grew from there. Please let me know if you see any issues or things that need...

easywdwforums.com

good luck with planning! you sound like a future DVC owner

Your lips to God’s ears! I’d love to be able to afford DVC. Hopefully some day! Thank you for all of this great information. Do you think a week’s stay would be long enough to make a split stay worth it?

 

[i<3riviera]

Your lips to God’s ears! I’d love to be able to afford DVC. Hopefully some day! Thank you for all of this great information. Do you think a week’s stay would be long enough to make a split stay worth it?

I would think so, 3-4 days in each location with only one transfer doesn't feel too bad

you probably just want to figure out a plan for the transfer day; we go for a late breakfast / early lunch reservation at the resort we're going to; that forces us to get out of the resort we're leaving on time and burns some of the gap time before check in at the new resort; you have access to both resort's amenities (pools!) the day you transfer so you could just make it a resort day at the new resort and lounge at the pool until check in

there's always the caveat that check in can be late which can throw a wrench in your plans; I think that's less frequently a problem at AKV and PVB because of the number of rooms at both

 

[Pickles516]

I would think so, 3-4 days in each location with only one transfer doesn't feel too bad

you probably just want to figure out a plan for the transfer day; we go for a late breakfast / early lunch reservation at the resort we're going to; that forces us to get out of the resort we're leaving on time and burns some of the gap time before check in at the new resort; you have access to both resort's amenities (pools!) the day you transfer so you could just make it a resort day at the new resort and lounge at the pool until check in

there's always the caveat that check in can be late which can throw a wrench in your plans; I think that's less frequently a problem at AKV and PVB because of the number of rooms at both

This is totally something I’m considering now, thank you! We’re not a frequent Disney family. This is my first trip to WDW in 27 years, and my family’s first trip. Do you think it would be disorienting for us to switch up mid-week? I just worry that we’d be moving just as we got the lay of the land so to speak.

 

[i<3riviera]

This is totally something I’m considering now, thank you! We’re not a frequent Disney family. This is my first trip to WDW in 27 years, and my family’s first trip. Do you think it would be disorienting for us to switch up mid-week? I just worry that we’d be moving just as we got the lay of the land so to speak.

sure thing! I'd say it's all about perspective / attitude ...

1. some people prefer to open up and spread out as soon as they get on vacation and have no desire to change resorts; they want one home base to operate out of because the travel to Walt Disney World was already quite sufficient
2. some will hop once or twice a trip to get a change of atmosphere or to be closer to different theme parks; to them the transition may still be an inconvenience but the benefits outweigh it
3. then you have the certifiably insane that will hop around every other night, spending 1-2 nights per resort; they may view the moves as adventures and / or want to experience as many resorts as possible

different strokes and all; chat it through with your partner and / or kids, if you're still open to it then give it a try; worst case, you have one bad transition day and know not to do it ever again! but at least you still get to experience two pretty neat resorts