Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

I'm thinking of renting a room at a Disney Vacation Club timeshare and wanted to see which timeshare resort is best for the following:

- great pool
- lots of activities and restaurants
- central to the 4 parks

I've heard good things about both Wildnerness Lodge and the Stormalong Bay at the Beach Club so those are my two favorites so far. The Boardwalk is near the Beach Club and abit cheaper so that's another contender.

TIA!

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

I second Beach Club. Most amazing pool and it's a 5 minute (less really) walk to EPCOT. 20 min walk or boat to DHS. You also have easy access to all of the great Boardwalk restaurants, not to mention World Showcase. I felt like having a falafel, so DH ran to Morocco and brought me back one in 20 minutes.

One thing to note- NO buses to EPCOT and DHS, so you must walk or take boat and you'll be at the IG entrance to EPCOT, not the Main Entrance.

For another great location (but more $$) there's Bay lake Tower. Less than 10 min walk to MK and monorail to EPCOT. Easy access to all of the great character meals at the monorail hotels, and IMO nicer rooms than BCV.

FYI - Stormalong Bay is the name of the pool at Beach Club. It's not an area, just wanted to make sure you're clear.

I've also heard great things about WL, but I have no experience staying there. It's not really our style, but it does have boat transport to MK. I wouldn't say it's AS convenient as BC and BLT if only because there's no resort you can actually walk to, which i LOVE to be able to do

Message edited 4/25/2012 2:42:50 PM.

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

We own at the Beach Club and go back and forth between Wilderness and Beach Club b/c they are favorites for us. We did not like Boardwalk last time we stayed there but I think it may have been renovated since. The pool is not all that great and when we were there it had some scary clown or something that I remember the kids hated.

As far as Beach Club, I think by far has the best pool area. They have the beach nearby, a sandy bottom pool that the kids love, and a lazy river. It's easy to get to Epcot and Hollywood by boat or walking. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are bus rides away. We also like it because you can walk to the Boardwalk area or rent bikes which we love to do in evening or early morning.

Wilderness has a great pool area and they have a lot of pool party type games (bingo, hula, etc.) It's a little further from most of the parks, boat to MK but bus ride to the rest and b/c of it's distance, you often have to make stops at the water parks and other hotels first so it can take a bit of time to get to anything but MK.

Our kids love both of these two places so you can't really go wrong with either but depends are what is most important to you.

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

FTR - Boardwalk still has the keister coaster - terrifying clown pool slide. It's here to stay

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

We only stay at resorts that have a zero entry pool because that is the best for my daughter so our list is:

BLT - on the monorail, walk to MK, ton of great restaurants just a monorail ride away. Nice pool and you can also use the pool at the contemporary.

Saratoga Springs - One of our favorites. The rooms are huge, they have two theme pool areas that are tons of fun and its a short boat ride or a walk to Down town Disney. And it's cheap points!

Beach Club - haven't stayed yet because we aren't too into Epcot but definately will when DD gets older. Pool looks like fun and as the other posters said walkable to Epcot and DHS and also the Boardwalk.

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

Thanks all, looks like the BCV is available for just a few days during the middle of the week I want but the Wilderness Lodge is available for a full week and the Boardwalk is available for 6 days.

Which is better, the Wilderness Lodge or the Boardwalk?

TIA!

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

I actually like the feel of the Wilderness Lodge better than the feel of the Boardwalk.

The Wilderness Lodge has a great pool area, has a counter service food place, and I like the boat ride to MK.

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

We only stay at the Wilderness Lodge.

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

Beach Club or AKL.

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

I'm ALL about location (I own at BLT and if I could buy a 2nd one it would be BCV). I like being close to the parks I like. With little ones, you'll probably get more from being close to MK than from being close to DHS and EPCOT. Try VWL!

You really really can't go wrong with either, or with any DVC property. I don't love SSR and OKW just because they're so far from the parks, but really all of the properties are nice and it depends on what you're looking to get out of it.

Remember you can always wait list or do a split stay

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

Thanks all,

I finally booked Animal Kingdom 'cus it's either that or Wilderness Lodge for a week stay. Wilderness Lodge looks great but it's not my cup of tea.

BCV and BWV are both very popular but not available for the week I need and it's difficult doing a split when renting a timeshare.

I heard great things about AKL 'cus of the huge zero entry pool and playground. It looks awesome for little kids., much easier to look after them in that kinda pool than at a big waterpark-like pool like BCV's Stormalong Bay.

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

Cool! AKL is the most re-visited Disney hotel. Mindblowing since it's one of the newer ones.

Are you in Jambo or Kidani? Either way it will be AWESOME

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

How do you rent a timeshare? I looked online, and it is all points, I don't get it. Do I have to be an owner? or Can I just rent 1 for a week?

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

I read an article on mousesavers.com before jumping on it. The room I got at Animal Kingdom easily cost $400 if you buy it w/o any discount, but I paid $189/night for a week. :D

I rented from the site that was recommended there. The process is so smooth.

timeshare rental process

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

Thanks. I will look into this.

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

When renting points, be aware that everything you do regarding your vacation that is done through Disney must be done through the member so if they're not good at communication, you're stuck.

We're currently working with a client who rented points from a member for a fabulous deal but it took them 2.5 weeks to get the member to add the dining plan so we missed the 180+10 window. I had to book each reservation separately, which is my job so no big deal, but for a person who's not doing this as a career, what a PITA.

Choose your member partner carefully!


- Kimberly Hill
Mouse Tales® Travel
LIFamilies Vendor
Creating Magical Vacations for LIFamilies since 2008

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Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

I really like the board walk the best but the beach club has a great pool and its is much closer to epcot. you seriously walk for less then 5 mins to epcot its awesome.

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

Re: Where to stay at a Disney timeshare resort?

I have to admit, it was a scary thought at first to rent a timeshare 'cus I too was worried about the timeshare owner changing his/her mind and cancelling the reservation.

But I'm working through a reputable third middleman who has been doing the arrangements for years now and is well rated with the BBB.

After making the reservation, I was able to log on to the DVC reservation site and see my own name which gives me a piece of mind. Besides, if something does happen, I can work with the middleman to get a refund, and there are plenty of Orlando hotels around Disney with last minute deals.

I didn't think I'll be able to afford staying at a Disney resort, but the timeshare rental process made it possible for me to stay at one for half the price. :D