WDW in early February? Which resort?

[belovedgandp]

We were there that exact week this past year. We'd previously gone with kids in September and November (week before Thanksgiving week). I enjoyed that time of year. The weather was fantastic. I did feel like the entire place was under construction and all I saw were fences - nice fences, but still fences - in MK and AK. Some of that massive stuff will be finished, but it took me by surprise.

I've always stayed at value and use the buses for everything. My dream resorts are the ones with walking to Epcot. We love exploring the World Showcase.

They were working on the monorail and it had several long down period during our trip and our two meals that I thought would be super easy since it was MK to poly and grand floridian were awful to get to.

[hellokitty]

We went to WDW almost that exact timeframe this year. We rented a 1 bdrm DVC unit at AKL Kidani and we LOVED it! I know that ppl complain about AKL being, "out" there, but the bussing there is top notch! We stayed at POR Riverside last time and the bussing was really bad, even though the resort is more central, we had to wait so long for a bus, that it was actually quicker from AKL, b/c their busses only cover the two AKL bus locations and that's it. So, don't let the, "it's out there" comments, scare you. It was such a lovely resort, I wish we would have stayed there sooner, b/c it's one that I could see us returning to again and again. The staff there just goes above and beyond and we've stayed at POR Riverside and FQ, and while I loved FQ for its small footprint and quaint feeling, AKL was just better in every single way. I'd like to try an epcot resort too, but after renting a DVC unit, I am spoiled, lol, and I would want to stay DVC again.

[egoldber]

I'd like to try an epcot resort too, but after renting a DVC unit, I am spoiled, lol, and I would want to stay DVC again

Boardwalk and Beach Club both have DVC units, but they can be very difficult to rent because the demand is so high.

[rkold]

We went to WDW almost that exact timeframe this year. We rented a 1 bdrm DVC unit at AKL Kidani and we LOVED it! I know that ppl complain about AKL being, "out" there, but the bussing there is top notch! We stayed at POR Riverside last time and the bussing was really bad, even though the resort is more central, we had to wait so long for a bus, that it was actually quicker from AKL, b/c their busses only cover the two AKL bus locations and that's it. So, don't let the, "it's out there" comments, scare you. It was such a lovely resort, I wish we would have stayed there sooner, b/c it's one that I could see us returning to again and again. The staff there just goes above and beyond and we've stayed at POR Riverside and FQ, and while I loved FQ for its small footprint and quaint feeling, AKL was just better in every single way. I'd like to try an epcot resort too, but after renting a DVC unit, I am spoiled, lol, and I would want to stay DVC again.

As Egoldber said, the Boardwalk and Beach Club both also have DVC units. They're super hard to book during Food+Wine unless you own there, but much easier to book in Jan and Feb. We booked a BC studio 7 months out in Jan 2015. BC is one of the smallest DVCs. Boardwalk has a lot more units so is a little easier to get into. Both have 1 bedrooms as well. Generally, 1 bedrooms are the easiest DVC class to book according to the DisBoards.

I've not stayed at the Boardwalk, but having walked past it to go to the Studios, I'd imagine some of those units out near the tennis courts, while great for the Studios are a longer walk from the boardwalk itself than you would think.

The BC DVC units either are pool view or "woods" potentially Epcot view. We had a terrific view of Epcot from our balcony, except we could never really enjoy it because of all the traffic noise from the road. BC DVC units either have normal size balconies or crazy huge ones. I think the balcony we had was half the size of our studio!) I don't know if this is true of the Boardwalk, but one thing I didn't like about BC DVC was the concierge person left at 4. So if you want help making reservations for something, you need to walk back to the main concierge in the Beach Club proper. It's not a huge deal, but after staying at BLT and VGF was sort of annoying.

Personally, if you're going to spend most of your time in MK, stay in BLT or the Contemporary, both are walking distance to MK. If there is monorail work when you are there, it is incredibly helpful to just be able to walk. The week post the Princess 1/2 there tends to be monorail work too and it's another reason I appreciate my car rental. It was much faster to drive to the Poly drop off DD and then drive to the Contemporary to eat the California Grill, than to deal with the weird monorail paths. (It was GF to Poly to GF to MK on one half and Contemp to MK I think on the other?) We're staying at the Poly in Oct, but there is still some construction there. I'm not sure when it will all be completely done. I know a lot of it is now finished. The main pool is back up, the main building with check in and the restaurants is up, and the DVC units are done) but there will still be some construction. I really wanted to try a studio at the Poly while you could still easily book them since we're not planning to buy there.

All the resorts have pluses and minuses though. It is really about what you want in a room, services and which parks you want to be most convenient to.

[hellokitty]

As Egoldber said, the Boardwalk and Beach Club both also have DVC units. They're super hard to book during Food+Wine unless you own there, but much easier to book in Jan and Feb. We booked a BC studio 7 months out in Jan 2015. BC is one of the smallest DVCs. Boardwalk has a lot more units so is a little easier to get into. Both have 1 bedrooms as well. Generally, 1 bedrooms are the easiest DVC class to book according to the DisBoards.

I've not stayed at the Boardwalk, but having walked past it to go to the Studios, I'd imagine some of those units out near the tennis courts, while great for the Studios are a longer walk from the boardwalk itself than you would think.

The BC DVC units either are pool view or "woods" potentially Epcot view. We had a terrific view of Epcot from our balcony, except we could never really enjoy it because of all the traffic noise from the road. BC DVC units either have normal size balconies or crazy huge ones. I think the balcony we had was half the size of our studio!) I don't know if this is true of the Boardwalk, but one thing I didn't like about BC DVC was the concierge person left at 4. So if you want help making reservations for something, you need to walk back to the main concierge in the Beach Club proper. It's not a huge deal, but after staying at BLT and VGF was sort of annoying.

Personally, if you're going to spend most of your time in MK, stay in BLT or the Contemporary, both are walking distance to MK. If there is monorail work when you are there, it is incredibly helpful to just be able to walk. The week post the Princess 1/2 there tends to be monorail work too and it's another reason I appreciate my car rental. It was much faster to drive to the Poly drop off DD and then drive to the Contemporary to eat the California Grill, than to deal with the weird monorail paths. (It was GF to Poly to GF to MK on one half and Contemp to MK I think on the other?) We're staying at the Poly in Oct, but there is still some construction there. I'm not sure when it will all be completely done. I know a lot of it is now finished. The main pool is back up, the main building with check in and the restaurants is up, and the DVC units are done) but there will still be some construction. I really wanted to try a studio at the Poly while you could still easily book them since we're not planning to buy there.

All the resorts have pluses and minuses though. It is really about what you want in a room, services and which parks you want to be most convenient to.

Sorry, I know they have DVC at Epcot. We are a family of five. I'd have to get a 2 BDRM DVC at Epcot. At akl I was able to get a 1 bdmr DVC.

[rkold]

Sorry, I know they have DVC at Epcot. We are a family of five. I'd have to get a 2 BDRM DVC at Epcot. At akl I was able to get a 1 bdmr DVC.

There are rumors that they're going to refurbish the Epcot DVCs so that they can accommodate 5 guests just like VGF, AKL, and BLT.

[123LuckyMom]

I really don't feel the need to go DVC unless it's less expensive than a regular room. We spend so little time in the room that it's unnecessary for us. For us Disney is all about the parks and rides. We never even go in the resort pools. I'm reassured that, for us, February will work as a good time to go. Weather in FL can be variable. We were there in March last time, and it was in the 30's, so we know that can happen. Anything FL can dish out will be better than what we'll be coming from at home. What we can't abide is humid heat!

We like to have the resort be themed (so we walk in and immediately feel the Disney magic), have access to decent counter service food (though that's not absolutely necessary), and have easy access to the parks. It's really wonderful to hear good experiences from Animal Kingdom Lodge (which I think is truly beautiful and would love to stay in at a time of year when the animals might be more visible) and Wilderness Lodge. I'd be concerned about those hotels due to park access issues, but if a rental car will solve the problem, we might try Wilderness Lodge this trip. We can take the boat to MK and the car everywhere else. If that would work, I think we could save a lot of money and have a new experience. Right now I think my choice is between Wilderness Lodge and the Contemporary. I'd like to see what the price difference would be, and I guess I still need reassurance that the rental car from WL will be faster and less of a nuisance than the monorail/busses from the Contemporary to EPCOT, DHS, and AK. Will the rental car really solve any potential transportation concerns?

[WatchingThemGrow]

We do not like driving around the property with all the crazy loops, not super-clear signage, and parking lots. Hopping on a bus that doesn't stop a million places is way better.


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[egoldber]

I think people either hate driving at WDW or think it's no big deal. We have rented a car almost every trip. DH hates the busses with a passion and I also like being able to run to the store and even having the option of non-WDW food. After about 3 days of WDW food, I'm sick of it.

The great thing about the busses is that it makes it easy to split up and even go to different parks if we want.

The MK is definitely the most challenging park to drive to, so the busses make the most sense there. The other parks are very driveable IMO.

[WatchingThemGrow]

I think people either hate driving at WDW or think it's no big deal. We have rented a car almost every trip. DH hates the busses with a passion and I also like being able to run to the store and even having the option of non-WDW food. After about 3 days of WDW food, I'm sick of it.

The great thing about the busses is that it makes it easy to split up and even go to different parks if we want.

The MK is definitely the most challenging park to drive to, so the busses make the most sense there. The other parks are very driveable IMO.

LOL - So I think part of me likes the buses/monorail/boats so much because all of our trips to WDW come during our "we've been in the car for 12 hours driving to grandma's house - we are sick of carseats" week and we're only there doing park food for 1-2 days. We come with all our own snacks, some sandwiches premade from grandma's house, etc. And we know we've got another 10-12hr drive as soon as we leave.