Analysis paralysis. Please weigh in...

[MickyLynn]

Hi! Forgive me if this is the wrong forum for this. DH and I are going to buy into DVC. That much we know. What we're trying to figure out is which resort is best for adults, usually no kids, who aren't pool people. I feel like so much of the resort considerations are centered around the pools. So where do you go if you want to spend 5 nights, go the parks half the time, and then people watch, have a few drinks, and play Magic the Gathering or whatever?

 

[Deb & Bill]

They don't call OKW the DVC Retirement Village for anything. Lots of older owners there, no need to even go to the pool if you don't want to. The villas are perfect for just lounging around, especially if you are on the golf course and like to watch the golfers or on the canal and like to watch the boats go by. You can also hit up the Gurgling Suitcase for those few drinks if you like. The studio has two real queen beds instead of one queen bed and a sleeper sofa so you each can get a good nights sleep if you don't want to share a bed all the time. No one has to suffer that sleeper sofa.

We also own at BRV and enjoy just sitting around there, too. Plus with the newer dining facilities there, you can just sit around with a drink and an appetizer.

 

[Drewferin]

I love the Magic the Gathering comment in your post!! Anyway maybe AKV with the animal views would be nice as you have a couple drinks and through down your Black Lotus and Mox set

 

[katandmouse]

Welcome! Boardwalk was the first one I thought of - great for nightlife and people watching! I also like the relaxed vibe of Old Key West and you can boat to Disney Springs. You could walk or boat to DS from Saratoga Springs. Or Animal Kingdom Villas for animal watching too.

 

[DduzDis]

I think it still comes down to the vibe you want to be in when you are vacation. For me I would want to be close to where I want to hang out even if not in parks. BWV/BCV would be great if you want the ability to stroll into EP - World Showcase (I love being a 15 min walk from Rose & Crown) plus the BW itself is awesome, the Poly has its cool feel (and Trader Sam's), BLT has so many amenities close by, but if you are looking at spending any time at Disney Springs, OKW or Saratoga would be ideal (in addition to the OKW description above). While I like to have it available, I just don't want to spend any more time on the transportation than I have to to get where I am going (which is why we own at BLT and BWV). We have not yet stayed at AKL so I can't offer any advice there.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi! Forgive me if this is the wrong forum for this. DH and I are going to buy into DVC. That much we know. What we're trying to figure out is which resort is best for adults, usually no kids, who aren't pool people. I feel like so much of the resort considerations are centered around the pools. So where do you go if you want to spend 5 nights, go the parks half the time, and then people watch, have a few drinks, and play Magic the Gathering or whatever?

You describe DH and myself. Like a PP said, OKW is our most favorite, followed by BCV. Yes, I know that SAB is a big appeal to most people, but we love it even though we don't swim. The background music is so soothing, and we love the Solarium, the proximity of Epcot for breakfasts at Le Halles in France, and especially the fact that we can get to B&C without getting wet if it's raining!

 

[MickyLynn]

If I had Black Lotus money I'd just get 100 points at each, lol!

We were considering BWV but it has the shortest term. Then we were thinking Poly because its a long term with good bars. But then I saw the comment about it feeling like a train station and I'm unsure again. We'll be there in 2 weeks but not for very long, so I wanted to narrow my focus.
It sounds like we should put OKW back in the mix, at least.

 

[kniquy]

So where do you go if you want to spend 5 nights, go the parks half the time, and then people watch, have a few drinks, and play Magic the Gathering or whatever?

The first thing that came to mind was SSR, simply because of the proximity to disney springs -- just right there you have so many entertainment opportunities and restaurants/bars in one area. It would fill the need for a little park time and a little relaxation time. Ak would also be an option as it has 3 great restaurants too. My next thought would be the Polynesian -- I feel this resorts really does a good job of transporting you to a "different land". With it being on the monorail it does give you easy access to the VGF and BLT -- so plenty of restaurant and bar options. But because it is a popular resort that many just like to visit it does get a lot of foot traffic.

I would first look at what your budget it and then figure out when you would typically travel. Look on Davids DVC (a rental site) it has a great calendar to see the points cost for all the resorts at a glance. So with this you will be able to see that say a studio at SSR is going to cost much less points than a studio at PVB. Your budget will go a lot further at SSR as it has one of the lower buy ins and the lowest maintenance fees. If you have other purchase questions post them under the "purchase" tab of the DVC forums.

 

[js]

We own at SSR and although we don't typically stay there, I LOVE that when we want to, we have DTD in our backyard for dinners, drinks, movies, golf, etc. LOVE the location since we usually aren't in a park in the evening so dinner and drinks and entertainment are important to us in the evening. My dd-25, has chosen to stay at SSR since it's important for her to have bars/restaurants in evenings without having to care about transportation. She says she travels on bus every day and on vacation, rather not have to do that at night and can save money without having to Uber.

I know you said your time is limited, but you will be there in two weeks and if you are really serious about buying, I would limit a park day or half a park day and tour the resorts you have on your short list. I thought I wouldn't like Poly, but have stayed there twice. I LOVE I can walk to TTC and GF.

 

[MickyLynn]

That's the plan right now. We're doing the presentation at SSR the afternoon following DAH, so maybe we'll head over there late morning.

 

[js]

That's the plan right now. We're doing the presentation at SSR the afternoon following DAH, so maybe we'll head over there late morning.

Good idea. Even though you do the tour at SSR, Uber or bus to the other locations, have a drink, walk around with another drink LOL and get the feeling of what you may enjoy now and in the future.

 

[kboo]

I think it still comes down to the vibe you want to be in when you are vacation. For me I would want to be close to where I want to hang out even if not in parks. BWV/BCV would be great if you want the ability to stroll into EP - World Showcase (I love being a 15 min walk from Rose & Crown) plus the BW itself is awesome, the Poly has its cool feel (and Trader Sam's), BLT has so many amenities close by, but if you are looking at spending any time at Disney Springs, OKW or Saratoga would be ideal (in addition to the OKW description above). While I like to have it available, I just don't want to spend any more time on the transportation than I have to to get where I am going (which is why we own at BLT and BWV). We have not yet stayed at AKL so I can't offer any advice there.

Well, that narrows it down for OP! I generally agree with all of the above!!

We have stayed at AKL on an adults only trip (before kids), did not go to the pools (which I hear are amazing), and really enjoyed ourselves. While there are plenty of kids at AKL/AKV (and any DVC resort, for that matter), there are some great places to hang out that aren't necessarily overrun with kids. The restaurants are great, there is a great bar/lounge in the main building (Jambo). And the animals ... I also tend to think that the stroller set are less likely to book there than, say, an MK resort because you're getting buses anywhere, and that can be a pain for folding strollers. Also - no character meal at AKL. (Poly, GF, BLT all have popular character meals).

I also really like VGF/GF. The main lobby is gorgeous and we love hanging out there in the evenings and sometimes in the afternoons. It also has the most sit-down restaurants and 3 signature restaurants (Narcoosee's, Citrico's, V&A). They're renovating now to create a Beauty and the Beast-themed bar. There is almost always live music in the lobby. The VGF lobby is intimate, usually has water and coffee available.

Full disclosure - we own at BLT, VGF, RIV and have stayed/visited all the DVC resorts except OKW and SSR. I don't think you can go wrong - it really depends on your particular vibe. BLT has California Grill, DH's 2nd favorite restaurant on site, if we were ever taking an adults-only trip, I would be spending time at the bar/lounge there at sunset, and also TOTWL. We also love the BW area. Almost bought BWV a few times. I would only add, start small, and buy resale unless you have your heart set on Riviera. And even then, maybe start with a contract elsewhere so you can try out all the L14 resorts. Alternatively, if you're not sure you are ready to buy yet, rent points a few times and try out the other resorts. I really think you can't go wrong. You may be surprised at your reaction to a particular resort, but each of the resorts, especially the L14, have appeal for adults only and for families.

 

[PsycProfPlum]

SSR is sthe economical choice if you think you'd like staying there. BWV came to mind to me too - lots of great people watching from there and easy access to two parks if you are so inclined.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi! Forgive me if this is the wrong forum for this. DH and I are going to buy into DVC. That much we know. What we're trying to figure out is which resort is best for adults, usually no kids, who aren't pool people. I feel like so much of the resort considerations are centered around the pools. So where do you go if you want to spend 5 nights, go the parks half the time, and then people watch, have a few drinks, and play Magic the Gathering or whatever?

Funny since for the most part I think Disney/DVC are not the best at their pools and I don't think of them as being centered around them. Yes, they are part of each resort but compared to many new non-Disney resorts being built they tend to not be very special. They're ok, but not awesome.

If you haven't stayed at many of the resorts I'd consider based on dining/bars and maybe nighttime entertainment or location to non-park entertainment. But since you will go to the parks too I wouldn't disregard a location that is closer and easy access to your favorite park(s).

Poly is busy but that's in the GCH.

 

[lovin'fl]

Hi! Forgive me if this is the wrong forum for this. DH and I are going to buy into DVC. That much we know. What we're trying to figure out is which resort is best for adults, usually no kids, who aren't pool people. I feel like so much of the resort considerations are centered around the pools. So where do you go if you want to spend 5 nights, go the parks half the time, and then people watch, have a few drinks, and play Magic the Gathering or whatever?

This is us and we love our BWV. Our kids are all off to college. We aren't into the pools and we like to eat, drink, people watch and WALK to parks. BWV!!! We recently tried BLT for a week and we aren't MK people plus there are lots of little kids and strollers on the monorail. Plus your points go farther at BWV than the monorail resorts.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

We own at SSR and love it.

It is so quiet and peaceful there. And yet just a short walk or boat ride to the action at Disney Springs. Plus, it’s getting a refurb soon!

We have kids and there are lots of kids at all the DVC resorts. We’ve stayed at all of them except BRV and CCV. I will say that SSR definitely has a more peaceful vibe if that’s something that interests you.

 

[Wakey]

I'd say SSR, soon it will have the sleeper Murphy so 2 good beds and a couch to sit on in the day in a studio and walking to Disney Springs and walking to OKW along the canal path.
BWV another great choice.

 

[MickyLynn]

Of course I don't mean to imply that I'm looking for a child-free resort, that would be absurd. I just mean that we can travel during the usual school sessions and don't need a lot of space.

I think my impression of SSR is colored by the fact that I stayed in the treehouses when it was the Disney Institute. I was a young adult and we had 3 in the 12-15 range, plus 4 more adults, so choices were a bit more limited for a group that size. As in, that was the only option. The transportation to the parks was...not optimal. Getting back from the Poly after dinner was a nightmare.
But, a change in room location and entertainment needs do make a great deal of difference.
Thanks for the input, everyone!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Another look might be access of the resort to othe resorts and their dining, shopping and amenities. A resort on the monorail gives you easy access to the restaurants, shopping etc. of all the resorts on the monorail. PVB, GF, CR, BLT with TOTWL. And not hard to add in WL and FW and eventually the new Reflections Resort. An Epcot Resort such as BWV has you in walking distance to BC, YC, Swan, Dolphin and 2 Parks and walking access to the new Skyliner.