[downsouthtigger]

Are there any advantages to staying in a home away from home as opposed to the actual resort?? In other words would there be an advantage to staying at board walk villas as opposed to the bw inn? Same with WL or Y&B.
It will be just my dw, ds, and I, so we're only getting a studio. I was just curious of any other perks as opposed to getting a bigger room. The thought of getting a microwave and small fridge in the wetbar is just too appealing, also the price is the same as a standard room at each respectable resort.
A second question I have is just due to other threads I've been reading. My son will be 9 months old by the time we go, he's great at restaurants as he never cries or anything. Also he loves being out where lots of people will look at him, he seems to take in the world. I was just wondering if there were any tips for a child so young, or why we shouldn't take him.

[bali]

To answer the first part of your question, the only advantage that I can see to staying in a studio instead of a regular room (if you're booking through Disney) is that you'd get to use the villa pool at each respective resort (I know that at least BCV and WLV have pools that are supposed to be used only by Villa residents), and, of course, the wet bar and microwave.

If you're not booking through Disney and are instead renting DVC points to stay in the studio, you will also get to use DVC member perks while renting (some meal discounts, etc.) because your room key will say "member." You have to decide if you're ethically comfortable will doing that, however (using the perks when you're not really a member). This would also mean that you only get mousekeeping once a week, which might not be such a great thing with such a little baby in the room.

I can't answer the second part of the question because I'm currently kid-less. ;)

Good luck!

[MerlinMatt]

Hey Fred:

I can't answer your questions, b/c I don't know. But where the heck have you been???

[llama]

This is sort of a difficult question. If you were staying in a one bedroom - then I would say yes, there definitely are advantages - washer & dryer, full kitchen, living room, etc. And there is a different atmosphere at the pools, much more laid back and relaxed. It's kind of odd- but members have this mentality of "this is our home, so let's all be courteous and friendly to each other". Which makes for a very nice atmosphere. We've stayed in the studios in BW and they are very comfortable, and having the "bar" kitchen is nice - I think it would come down to cost - if you're able to use someone else points, then it would be a great deal. If your paying for it, like a regular resort, it's quite a bit of money. As for using "member perks" - there really aren't that many - and anyone staying at the Villas is entitled to do so - it's not like you're taking advantage of not being a member. Of course, the really nice thing about BWV is being able to walk to Epcot.

[Laneysdad]

Using a HAFH as a DVC is good and great!

Using it as a borrowing pts/renting/booking via the resort it is a huge cost. I've looked at the HAFH and the only way they become remotely affordable not being in DVC is by splitting the bigger rooms with other families.

Will you eat at your room more? Will you be in your room more? Unless I was in DVC i see no added values just added costs.

Unfortunately, we were very close to DVC membership when a nasty hail storm came through and destroyed our house. Until we find out what insurance can/will cover all assets are on hold until our home is repaired. I'm mad.

[BuzzLightyear]

I think your then 9 month old will really enjoy the sites and sounds of Disney! I think it's a great idea to take him along.

My tips for traveling with a baby would be:
If you are flying down, ship to the resort ahead of time all your diapers, wipes and other baby items that you'll use up while on vacation. This helped us out on a few trips.

I'm sure you'll bring your own stroller along.

Other than that, plan plenty of down time and some nice cool sit down dinners.

As far as the home away from home resorts, it would be well worth it if you could swing a one-bedroom. Having the full kitchen and washer and dryer with a baby would be great! But if just a studio, it wouldn't be much different than staying in any of the resorts standard rooms.

Have fun planning and let us in on the details!!

[cooncat]

We're a FW Cabins group, and prefer it to 2 rooms at a less expensive resort even though we only have one bathroom for 5 adults. We like the fact that we have our own little space rather than being in a big building. The full kitchen (complete with Mousekeepers!) is great because we can graze in the morning and night so we only do a late lunch in the park - basically the same as a dinner, but it's at lunch prices so it's cheaper. The cabins don't have a washer/dryer but one is available however they do have a lovely deck, picnic table and grill so when you get tired of the parks you can come back to the cabin and it's quiet and restful. Many people hate the transpotation but we never care since we go at less crowded times and don't care when we get to the parks (on some days we don't!). As for travelling with a baby, it really depends on the baby. The whole family visited WDW years (OK, decades ) ago when my nephew was about 6 months old and he was awful (but then, he was generally cranky); however my daughter was only a little older (and normally much happier) and she had a blast sitting on people's shoulders, flirting, making me go on "It's a Small World" till I could scream... ! I carried a small diaper bag with a few diapers, wipes, a bottle (she ate from my plate) and a small bag of Cheerio's. Even though she doesn't remember it at all now, she had a great time and we enjoyed watching her (at least for the first few times on that boat listening to that song....).

[downsouthtigger]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

Hey Fred:

I can't answer your questions, b/c I don't know. But where the heck have you been???

Matt, been out and about, trying to find a job, taking care of the fam. I didn't mean to be gone so long and I've posted few and far between. Oh and moving again, that just happened recently.

OK so what I gather is that having a studio is going to be the same as having a standard room. I am not part of the dvc so I'm not going that route.
But a studio is going to cost the exact same as a standard room, only now I get a wet bar in the room as well.
I just didn't know if there was any other difference. AS for opting for a 1 bedroom, I cook enough at home, so I don't think I would like to cook on vacation. The microwave is great so when I take home food from the restaurants I can nuke em, as opposed to throwing them away. I cant stand cold food!
As you can tell I'm not a DVC member, as I still cant figure out their system.
So all in all, do I want a resort room with no microwave or villa with one.
Either that or just stay at SSR or OKW and pay less than BW and Y&BC altogether! lol just makes it more fun err diffucult right??

[llama]

There is a difference in the studios in OKW and the other DVC properties. The studios at OKW are like a resort room - 2 queen size beds, small table & 2 chairs. The studios in the other DVC properties have one queen size bed and a full-size pull out couch - so it does seem a little more like a "studio" - if you get my drift. It is nice to have a couch to sit on through the day, instead of just the beds. The layout in all but OKW seems like 2 small rooms & the bathroom. My dh and I have been very comfortable in the studios.

[downsouthtigger]

Originally Posted by llama

It is nice to have a couch to sit on through the day, instead of just the beds.

My thoughts exactly, which is why when I reserve any hotel I prefer a king and a sofa as opposed to 2 queens.
Plus a speedway injury put my back outta shape so I need back support.
After sitting on my bed and playin vid games I hate just sitting on beds!
Oh I was looking at the studios and I saw you get a couch, small table and chairs. I realize you get tables and chairs in all resort rooms, but this actually looked like there was space for them. Oh and how are the balconies??

[llama]

Originally Posted by downsouthtigger

Oh and how are the balconies??

The balconies are nice - just like the ones at the regular resorts. Usually they are quieter, because they will overlook the villas pools or gardens, and there's usually not as much activity at them, as at the regular resorts.