A little advice from my fellow DVC'ers, please

[quirty30]

Here's the deal. I was only planning 2 trips for next year. 9 nights in July and 3 in December. We just got back from an 8 night split stay at BCV/BLT in mid August and we will be back in October at SSR for a long weekend. The other night I was in deep thought and it hit me - no WDW for 7 straight months. I just can't fathom it. I went to Airtran.com and found reasonable airfare for spring break (last full week of March.) I called DVC earlier today and they had 1BR availability for every resort I asked about - VWL, OKW & BWV (all 3 views were available.) We're a bit inside the 7 month window so I was quite pleased - didn't expect to have so many options. Decisions, decisions - please help. I thought it might be cool to go for a BW view (154 pts); DS wanted OKW (126 pts) and DD really wants to stay at VWL (also 154 pts.) For the record, we have never stayed at OKW or VWL, and we've stayed at BWV, but only standard view. I'm intrigued by the lower points & large renovated villas at OKW and equally afraid of VWL because I believe they have not been renovated (I love fresh and new.) I'm leaning toward those options since we've never stayed at either. But that Boardwalk view & location is tempting (even tho DD just announced to me that she HATES BWV. Hates it? She seemed to like it just fine when we stayed there last spring. I think she just really wants to stay at VWL.) A couple of other details, we have AP's good thru next Sept., we'll have to borrow 2012 points, but will still have over 300. I plan to forego renewal of the AP's next year, as I think it will then be time to take a break from and/or limit the park visits - might go for 10 day non-expiring tickets. (We'll have had 7 visits in just a little over a year from last June to this October.) Finally, those 300 + points we'll have left for 2012 should be plenty for a nice summer visit (perhaps at Vero or HHI? Who knows.)

So offer me some opinions - respond to the poll or I'd love some feedback. TIA!!!!!

 

[JimC]

VWL for the daughter. It is a great resort in a relaxing location.

 

[quirty30]

VWL for the daughter. It is a great resort in a relaxing location.

She's got a big grin on her face right now

 

[BWV2001]

The DD sounds like mine---adding a little drama to make her point. Mine, too, wants to try somewhere new, other than BWV. I say try one you haven't tried before, just for the sake of possibly having a new favorite. I'm sure OKW or VWL would be great.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I hope VWL wins you over...that's my pick!

Bobbi

 

[Checkers]

I voted for OKW because it is one of our home resorts, however, VWL is one we have never stayed at and are looking forward to staying there sometime real soon. Either way, you can't go wrong. BWVs is our other home resort and we love it as well. Good luck and have fun!

 

[jstarcze]

I voted for okw because it's March, you live in the north and you need warmth and sun. BWV would have been my second pick. But VWL with all the trees would be not give you the sun and warmth you might desire at that time of year. Just my opinion from a native northerner who has experienced many a northern winter.

 

[Coach81]

She wants.. VWL.. get her VWL..

 

[mimmiepnp]

Funny, when I asked my 20 year old DD about our next trip and where she wanted to stay, she told me anywhere but BWV.
I don't know why, she has never stayed there but when we were at BCV this past June and walking around, she told me then she had no desire to stay at BWV...

Her favorite is AKV and we are doing that for the first 5 nights as she loooves animals and then I gave her a choice of resorts for the remaining 7 nights. We have been at SSR, VWL, BLT and BCV. She choose OKW (I really thought she would have gone with BCV or VWL) but OKW works for me.....

 

[dgaston]

Another vote for VWL and the DD.

 

[eporter66]

Not sure what is most important to you, but I picked VWL because you had not been there.

We have stayed at OKW to save on points as well, and I love that resort too. But OKW (in our experience) is not that difficult to get a room, where VWL seem to book quickly or not be open at the 7 month (depending on when you go).

I love the resort, beautiful, relaxing, great theme, and since you have not been there - why not try it!

 

[quirty30]

LOL - she got to most of you, didn't she?

I do tend to agree with jstarcze about the feel of VWL and our need for warmth and sun after a long Chicago winter. I've often thought fall or before Xmas would be a better time to try out VWL. That being said, availability at 7 months for that time of year is going to be iffy. I'm sure I could talk DD out of VWL for March if I offered to spring for the Poly OOP. But I don't think that's feasible. Maybe I best give in

 

[ospopo5]

Since we have never stayed at either of them and we just became members I say got to where your daughter wants to go.

We are from Chicago too. Do you typically fly to all your visits or drive? just curious.

 

[quirty30]

Since we have never stayed at either of them and we just became members I say got to where your daughter wants to go.

We are from Chicago too. Do you typically fly to all your visits or drive? just curious.

We fly - I'm a single mom and DS is 12 and DD 9. Maybe things will change when they can help me drive

As an aside, DS wants everyone to know OKW is his first choice. He says DD got to choose AKV for our trip last May and I explained it was her birthday. Suggested we go with VWL this time around and let him choose for our December trip next year. He's really fighting me on this one. Being a mom is tough work.

 

[quirty30]

LOL - DS also wants anyone voting in the poll to know that if we skip March it would be a 9 month hiatus from WDW, not 7 months. I miscalculated (DS is a stickler for details.)

 

[nolanboys]

I'm voting for trying the one you haven't before - VWL. We are new members and haven't stayed there yet, but would like to make the rounds so we can sheck them off our list. That way too, we'll know what are favorite one is if we ever want to add on.

 

[nolanboys]

Forgot to say - we'll be there at the same time. Had to do Mon 28 through Mon Apr 4 because of air fare. I was also surprised at availability. I called today and changed our last 3 nights to BCV - they had all 3 categories of a 2 bdrm open. So we're going split stay - 4 night THV, then 3 BCV. Let's hope the weather is warm for us!

 

[amberjack]

I voted OKW. Less points and newly renovated.

 

[quirty30]

Well, I think DS and I were really wanting OKW, but DD & VWL rightfully won the poll - lol. So that is what I booked. I know VWL is a harder resort to book, so I decided this was a good chance to give it a try. Thanks for all your input - much appreciated.

 

[JWG]

Sounds like DS gets to decide what you do while you're there since his lodging choices aren't acknowledged, poor guy