Disney / Orlando Suggestions

[wolfhound89]

We are planning on taking our young daughter to Disney in January. In looking at all the places that are available to us through SVO I was wondering if the forum could help me narrow down my choices.

We would like to be close to the Disney attractions but also close to an area where we could keep a four year old active and happy.

Thank you.

 

[calgarygary]

We are planning on taking our young daughter to Disney in January. In looking at all the places that are available to us through SVO I was wondering if the forum could help me narrow down my choices.

We would like to be close to the Disney attractions but also close to an area where we could keep a four year old active and happy.

Thank you.

Unless you are exchanging into II, your choices with SVN are the Vistana Resort and Vistana Villages. I don't think you could go wrong with either selection but my preference is the Villages.

 

[LisaRex]

All the SVO timeshares have nice pools and plenty of space for you to relax in. I don't think you'll be disappointed especially if you can book a place with two separate sleeping areas so that your child can sleep in peace while the adults get up early/stay up later and watch t.v./read/sit on the balcony.

My only suggestion is to not be overly rigid with your schedule. Even though you'll be paying big bucks to get into the Magic Kingdom, that doesn't mean you need to stay all day. We've all witnessed the parents who tow around crying, exhausted kids because they are intent on getting every dollar's worth. I think the offering of a Meal Plan exacerbates this problem and for that reason I wouldn't recommend it.

At his age, here are some schedules I'd suggest:

A character breakfast (kids LOVE these - book ahead of time) at one of the parks or hotel restaurants
morning and early afternoon at the park until he loses interest
lunch
nap
early dinner followed by a few hours at the pool

OR

sleep in
breakfast in
morning at the pool
lunch in
nap
head to one of the theme parks in late afternoon for a few hours
dinner
see the fireworks and head home

For 7 days, I get no longer than a 4 day park hopper pass. I wouldn't bother adding on the water parks at his age, unless you're really comfortable with water and crowds (I'm not). That leaves the bookend days for travel and one day for Sea World, which my kids liked more that Magic Kingdom and Reptile World!!

Aside from the character breakfast, if they still do this (we haven't been since 2001), I also recommend taking an IllumiNations cruise to see the fireworks. You board a pontoon boat at Disney's BoardWalk about an hour before sunset and take a nice, relaxing guided boat ride to Epcot. In the dark, from your boat you see the fireworks. Then you beat the crowds home as you cruise on the lake back to Downtown Disney. You can bring food and drinks on board. This has to be booked well in advance. It's expensive but we invited other families to join us (via Pete Werner's Disney site message boards) and split the costs.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/specialty-cruises/
http://www.wdwinfo.com/

And remember that you only need to pay to park at Disney theme parks once per day, even if you park hop. Just save your parking receipt to show the attendant.

 

[clsmit]

I agree with a lot of LisaRex's ideas. Either Starwood property would be fine to stay at. They're both within 15-20 minutes of the Disney parks by car.

If your daughter is a Disney Princess fan, the princess character meal at Epcot in Norway is THE place to go. All princesses, all the time. Check the Disney website for when/how to reserve, and like Starwood, call at the earliest possible time to get in for the day you want to go.

Knowing that we go to Disney World every 12-18 months or so, and being organized to find stuff, we've bought 10 day, never expring, 1 park/day passes. We use them until they are used up then get the next batch. They still work even as my kids graduate from the 3-9 price category to the 10+ category.

The Disney boards/sites, both through Disney (disneymoms, etc) and elsewhere (mousesavers.com and allears.net, among others), have lots of tips and ideas on how to save money and minimize kid meltdowns.

January may be chilly, so be prepared with jackets and sweatshirts. Might not be warm enough for a lot of swimming.

Have a great time!

 

[tomandrobin]

If you have starpoints to burn, try the Swan and dolphin resort.

If you own a Non-Orlando Starwood unit and is affiliated with RCI, exchange into a Disney Vacation Club Resort.

Onsite at Disney is better then next to Disney, if you can get it.

 

[LisaRex]

If you have starpoints to burn, try the Swan and dolphin resort.

If you own a Non-Orlando Starwood unit and is affiliated with RCI, exchange into a Disney Vacation Club Resort.

Onsite at Disney is better then next to Disney, if you can get it.

I'd opt for a villa anyday over a regular hotel room, even an on-site hotel, when traveling with young kids. Nap times are hellish if you're stuck in a single room. If you can exchange into a DVC property for no additional money, then that would be ideal. But if it was SVV vs. the Swan or Dolphin, I'd opt for the former every time.

We paid extra to stay on-site at Old Key West and didn't use any of the perks of staying on site with our young kids except the free parking. They were too exhausted to use either Early Arrival or Stay Late privileges. And we'd rented a car because we wanted to go grocery shopping and do non-mouse activities, so we never even used the internal shuttle system.

If you are able to exchange in, I think the Wilderness Lodge looks like the most fun. My friends always stayed in cabins there and they loved it. They had marshmallow roasts and movies at night, and visits from Disney characters....

 

[vistana101]

I'd say if you want to stick with SVO, go to Vistana Resort if you care more about resort amenities such as pools, mini-golf, etc. If you care more about the look and the condition of the villas, no question go to Villages. I was just there this morning, came back today, and I had a WONDERFUL vacation there.

Or, if it is mainly the kids and disney, exchange with Interval International or I.I. and go to a Disney Resort.

Personally, I think you should go to Sheraton Vistana Villages. It is only 4-5 miles from disney, and it is on I-Drive so it has a complimentary shuttle to Disney. It is also right in the middle of everything with grocery stores, restaurants, mini-golf, shopping centers, malls etc. Also, Vistana Villages is wonderful with amazing villas, great outdoor amenitites, a restaurant and grocery store on site, tennis courts, ping-pong,shuffleboard, basketball, air hockey, arcades, pool and more.

 

[CeeWoo]

I'd say if you want to stick with SVO, go to Vistana Resort if you care more about resort amenities such as pools, mini-golf, etc. If you care more about the look and the condition of the villas, no question go to Villages.

Are you including those at SVR that have been refurbished recently?
I ask as I stayed in Fountains a few months ago (they were really nice), but I'm going to Villages next month.

Also SVR was just getting ready to open a few dining options (in addition to the restaurant already there) when we were visiting. I think it was like an A&W, PizzaHut Express, KFC-again I think express. Seems there was a 4th one but I can't recall what it was. They are in the Fountains Rec Center

 

[vistana101]

Are you including those at SVR that have been refurbished recently?
I ask as I stayed in Fountains a few months ago (they were really nice), but I'm going to Villages next month.

Also SVR was just getting ready to open a few dining options (in addition to the restaurant already there) when we were visiting. I think it was like an A&W, PizzaHut Express, KFC-again I think express. Seems there was a 4th one but I can't recall what it was. They are in the Fountains Rec Center

No, the villas at SVR are beautiful with the refurbishements.

 

[pointsjunkie]

i just called to book at SVR in the area that was just invited into the SVN and was told we can not trade into these units yet, they are not in the SVN systems yet. thought that was strange.

 

[vistana101]

i just called to book at SVR in the area that was just invited into the SVN and was told we can not trade into these units yet, they are not in the SVN systems yet. thought that was strange.

Are you sure the refurbishments are done there?

 

[calgarygary]

I'd say if you want to stick with SVO, go to Vistana Resort if you care more about resort amenities such as pools, mini-golf, etc. If you care more about the look and the condition of the villas, no question go to Villages. I was just there this morning, came back today, and I had a WONDERFUL vacation there.

Or, if it is mainly the kids and disney, exchange with Interval International or I.I. and go to a Disney Resort.

Personally, I think you should go to Sheraton Vistana Villages. It is only 4-5 miles from disney, and it is on I-Drive so it has a complimentary shuttle to Disney. It is also right in the middle of everything with grocery stores, restaurants, mini-golf, shopping centers, malls etc. Also, Vistana Villages is wonderful with amazing villas, great outdoor amenitites, a restaurant and grocery store on site, tennis courts, ping-pong,shuffleboard, basketball, air hockey, arcades, pool and more.

That would be a difficult option, there might still be the occasional II sighting but you really need RCI do exchange into DVC.

 

[Redrosesix]

We are planning on taking our young daughter to Disney in January. In looking at all the places that are available to us through SVO I was wondering if the forum could help me narrow down my choices.

We would like to be close to the Disney attractions but also close to an area where we could keep a four year old active and happy.

Thank you.

You should also take a peek at Dis Forums -- I'm a member there too and it has a wealth of information for anybody planning a WDW trip.

Here's the link:
http://www.disboards.com/index.php

 

[jamstew]

If you are able to exchange in, I think the Wilderness Lodge looks like the most fun. My friends always stayed in cabins there and they loved it. They had marshmallow roasts and movies at night, and visits from Disney characters....

You're thinking of Fort Wilderness, not Wilderness Lodge. The DVC property is Villas at Wilderness Lodge. IMO, it's the best DVC with small children, primarily because of its proximity to Magic Kingdom.

 

[jamstew]

Personally, I think you should go to Sheraton Vistana Villages. It is only 4-5 miles from disney, and it is on I-Drive so it has a complimentary shuttle to Disney.

I have an exchange confirmed at Sheraton Vistana (not the Villages). Does it have a complimentary shuttle? I was thinking that Bonnet Creek was the only one.

 

[BradC]

Does anyone have any preferences between the different phases at Vistana Villages (other than how new each phase is)?

I'll be staying there for a few days next month, and wasn't sure which SVV phase to request.

Thanks!

 

[tlpnet]

i just called to book at SVR in the area that was just invited into the SVN and was told we can not trade into these units yet, they are not in the SVN systems yet. thought that was strange.

Which phase did you request? You should have been able to book into Lakes and Cascades or Fountains I and II. The next two phases to join SVN are Falls and Springs and they don't join SVN until 2010.

-tim

 

[vistana101]

Does anyone have any preferences between the different phases at Vistana Villages (other than how new each phase is)?

I'll be staying there for a few days next month, and wasn't sure which SVV phase to request.

Thanks!

Key West-no question. It is less crowded, the villas are beautiful, it has a pool right there, and it is away from the construction site. It is perfect! We were there last Friday and stayed in Key West. We had a great time!

 

[amanven]

Which phase did you request? You should have been able to book into Lakes and Cascades or Fountains I and II. The next two phases to join SVN are Falls and Springs and they don't join SVN until 2010.

-tim

Most of the Falls section is under renovation right now and thus unavaliable. Springs has not begun the renovation. If you are looking for a refurbished unit you need to get into the Lakes, Fountains or Cascades but as word has spread about Vistana's improvements, everyone requests refurbished units so getting one already done is pretty iffy when you are a non Vistana owner.

 

[capjak]

Just got back from Vistana Villiages and had a great time. I believe this would be perfect for you, very close to Downtown Disney and Disney in general.

We stayed in the newer section (amelia) because we like the newer units, however they are near the main road (did not hear any traffic) and St Augustine construction (again no noise from that either)

 

[dirtdoog]

I'm planning for WDW vacation later on in November and plan on trading through II. I understand from this thread that the Sheraton Vistana Villages are perhaps more desireable than the Sheraton Vistana Resort. Is that right?

Looking in II, I currently see availability at both. For Sheraton Vistana Villages, I see three different resort codes: SVV, VKW, and VVM. Does it make a difference which one I request???

 

[wolfhound89]

Wow, thanks to the forum for all the great posts.

There is a good deal of information for me to digest.

 

[Captron]

1. I don't think Cascades is done renovation yet. They have only collected one installment of the SA.

2. For anyone staying at SVR: :ignore:
Disney tries to direct all traffic to World Drive (entering the property from the south). The easiest and quickest way onto the property from SVR is through the "old hotel zone" on the north east corner of the property. This is where all the non-dis hotels are ON Disney property. Entrance can be gained by turning left out of the resort, proceeding on SR-535 under I-4 and taking a left onto the property (McD is across the street to your right).

Once you get through the old hotel zone you get right to Downtown Disney, so this is especially handy for shopping, dining or shows there, it is also a quicker way to most parks. (except Animal Kingdom) Follow the signs. (Or park at DD for FREE and take the FREE bus!?! - it will eat up time to do so, but the trade off is yours to decide)