Newbie soliciting opinions and advice . . .

[GeorgiaAristocat]

My husband just gave the go-ahead to plan a trip next Sept-Oct. I'm seriously considering trying to rent points for the next trip. I have the following questions (and otherwise am generally soliciting opinions and advice):

1. I am pretty sure I would like to stay at VWL, but am also interested in BCV. Our kids will be 2 and 4. Opinions about whether one resort is better than the other for kids those ages?

2. I know we will be there during F&W, but with the kids the ages they are, I expect we will actually spend more time at MK or AK (they love animals), should that sway me to VWL?

3. I know that on a normal stay there is no daily maid service (just mid-week towel service). I believe that I also read that maid service is available daily for an extra fee. Does this impact the points needed and how does it work (setting it up - at check-in or earlier?)

4. Since the 11-month window will start next week, should I go ahead and list my request on the rent/trade board?

5. We will actually be arriving on Sept. 29 and staying two nights at POFQ before transferring - when making ADRs, will I still be eligible for the 90 + 10 days since I have a continuing reservation at another resort, or do they count this as two reservations so that I would be out-of-luck trying for the hard to get ressies (i.e. CRT for my DDs birthday)?

Seriously, I am also soliciting general advice about resorts, since I am not totally tied to one resort. I just really love WL and the proximity to some activities.

Thanks for any input!

 

[spiceycat]

1 & 2) I would stick with VWL. you are going to be spending the majority of your time at the MK with kids that young.

Besides this year hearding about the drunks at Epcot. I don't think kids should be seeing that - my opinion.

VWL is a nice place. Small playground on the beach.

there is wildlife right there. You don't have to go look for it. make sure your kids realize that wildlife is wild. Some of the people at WL, actually though these were tame animals. and were letting their children pet the bunnies and squirrels - these animals are wild and will bit!!!

some of the birds will even eat out of your hand there - but again these are NOT tame by any means.

3) when you arrive you order the maid service at the front desk. Hint - try it first without maid service. Some of us like the fact that no one has been in our unit since we left. Everything is as we left it....

You can order maid service any day you are there - $25 per day for maid service in a studio.

4) I would

5) all the DVC resorts are WDW resorts. so the same rules apply. You will lose nothing (okay except for the dinning plan but DVC is working on something)

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Thanks for the response . . .
(and thanks, mod, for moving me, I didn't realize I was in the wrong place, sorry! Please just don't kick me off the board! )
Would anyone else like to weigh in?

 

[poohj80]

1. I agree that you will probably spend more time at MK with your children's ages, but the pool at BCV is definitely worth factoring into the mix. Stormalong Bay has a nice area for little kids with a beach where they can play in the sand, build sand castles, etc plus a water slide for the older/bigger kids (like parents ) plus a slide for the little kids around the back side.

2. If the parents want to experience the F&W festival as adult time, you might consider one of the babysitting servcies or kid's clubs for a few hours. If this might be an option, I'd lean toward the BCV for proximity sake.

4. Couldn't hurt but make sure you know exactly what you want before posting since you wouldn't be able to change until the 7 month window. You might want to ask the person you rent from if they would be open to helping you change resorts at the 7 month window if you change your mind between now and then.

5. I think it would count as two separate reservations.

 

[littlestar]

Love, love, love the VWL. We, too, are going to stay there the 1st week of October for 2006. I'm also going to be grabbing a BWV studio for my daughter at that same time.