Best pool for kids?

[dmaxdmax]

Hi - We're considering buying into DVC and are trying to decide which home resort would be best. A major consideration will be the pool. We stayed off-property last week (couldn't get on property since we planned 3 days ahead!) and my 8 y/o twins liked the Hyatt Cypress pool as much as any of the attractions, except Soarin'.

We've stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and enjoyed the pool but then we saw the BCV and were blown away. However, we haven't seen Boardwalk or Old Key West and know nothing about Animal Kingdom.

As a comparison, the pool near the sales center at SSR seemed crowded.

Thank you!
dMax

[chrisnmona]

Beach Club!!!!!

[zulaya]

I think it depends on what you really want and how old your kids are.

Most people will rate Stormalong Bay as the best pool complex on property. I know we do and we are very happy to own at BCVs.

That being said, I've heard a lot of families with small children love the wading area, but then people worry because it's so large and the depth can vary greatly, they worry about their kids, even though there are lifeguards. It's not a square pool where you can see your kids no matter where they are. We're talking 3 acres of pool here.

We haven't stayed at SSR, VWL or BWV so I can't compare justly.

I have stayed at OKW and think their sand castle pool and slide is quite fun, as do my kids. It's not as big, overall area-wise, as SAB, but I think I'd rate that pool very well.

The important things for my kids is that there be deep water (like over 6ft) for them to swim in. They like underwater and they're old enough that it doesn't bother me. Most Disney pools, at least the newer ones, just don't have deep water so that's a big thing for my family personally.

I am pysched to see how the new AKV pool will look. I think we will enjoy it there as well.

[dmaxdmax]

The pool sounds great for us! Should I assume that the only way to get BCV for a big week like spring break is if it's our home resort? I understand nothing is 100% but I'd like to get that pool 80% of the time and we live under the tyranny of the school calendar.

[zulaya]

If you want to be *sure* you had access to SAB, then being a BCV owner is probably for you.

That being said, I have made last minute reservations (for me, at least ~ less than 6 weeks out both times) at what I would consider prime pool time: mid June and first week of April. Both times, I had to go on the waitlist for BCV. Both times, the waitlist came through for my entire stay.

The only potential problem you may have is that BCV is one of the smallest resorts and has a huge following. I haven't checked the resale big 3 for a while, but it wouldn't surprise me if there are not a lot of resale contracts to choose from. You may have a wait if that's the case.

[zulaya]

One more thing... you said you will go by your school calendar...

I think Spring Break will be more manageable than Xmas week. Xmas...everyone has off. Spring Break is variable across the country and is not always associated with Easter.

For example: Our school this year had our Spring Break from March 31-April 4. For the 08-09 year, our break is March 6-March 13 ~ almost a whole month earlier.

If your Spring Break tends to be the week before Easter or week following Easter, then you could have some trouble getting in.

I'd also encourage you to not make your decision solely based on pool. And this is coming from a family that loves to swim.

If you plan to own longterm, you need to think longterm. Are you happy with the location for the longterm? Are you happy with the contract for the longterm? One thing about BCV is it has a shorter contract length than SSR or AKV. OKW owners have been offered a contract extension, but I don't know how that would affect a resale. No other resorts have been offered that as of yet nor is there any indication that it will be offered.

BCV had no GVs. That is one significant bummer for me. We like to entertain family from time to time so getting a GV at BCV would have been ideal, but you can't. That ended up being one of the reasons we added on at AKV ~ the others being the theme and the pool is just looking wicked good.

Anyway, I know what you mean about pools, but I've found that once my kids got over they weren't at BCV (when we've traveled outside WDW), sure they miss the pool, but when they hit the water, they arejust happy to be able to swim around and play.

[dmaxdmax]

Thanks, Mary - great points!

Part of our objective in purchasing a timeshare is to find a home-away-from home that will become a family tradition. I completely understand people wanting to try different resorts but for now my focus is finding the standard destination.

For the last 2 years our Spring break was the first week in April and I think it will be the same in '09.

I don't mind waiting for a contract since we just returned from WDW and have more or less a year before we'd return. If we can't find a contract in that time I'd most likely try Plan B (TBD). Who knows, in a year's time we might know more about what's happening at the Contemporary and all (of my) bets might be off.

What are the "resale top 3"?

AKV looks really promising but I'm leery of a bit of fine print: (paraphrased because I'm too lazy to go find it) "purchasers should not assume the existence of nor access to any AKL facilities including...savannahs". Do you know if SAB "belongs" to BCV and therefore can be counted on?

I don't believe I can predict anything about 2042! Not many decades ago GM and IBM were the titans of their industries - what will they look like one decade from now? By 2042 Disney will have had time to become the number one brand in worldwide entertainment. It will also have time to land in the dustbin of corporate history. I may regret it later but I'm focusing on my needs for the next 10 to 15 years.

Thanks so much for your time!
Dave

[zulaya]

Dave-

I only brought up the point about the contract length because you never know how important that is for people. For some people, getting the extra time justifies the purchase at those resorts vs DVC I resorts with a shorter contract.

I don't know the exact details with regard to the legalese you quoted. SAB was built before BCV. Before BCV, access was for YC and BC guests. I don't know if it "technically" belongs to YC and BC or just Disney in general. Perhaps it's a goofy caveat in case they decide to close the pool and build something else? Probably a cover-my-butt-just-in-case type clause? However, I'd be highly shocked if access to the pools were removed. It just was never a worry.

Resale "Big 3"...there are three resale companies that seem to have a lot of listings for DVC specifically:

The Timeshare Store
DVCbyResale.com
atimeshare.com

[carolina_yankee]

I think BCV is probably your best best for pool, but I would still look at AKV - it's a nice pool, and you have access to animal viewing. Kidani Village will probably have a nicer pool, but I'm not sure if you'll get animal viewing from the pool.

That said, it's more likely you'll get into AKV at 7 mos than BCV at 7 mos, so buying at BCV would be to your advantage.

Dirk