Anyone wish they'd bought at a different resort?

[MichelleB]

We purchased OKW sight unseen and really don't care for the resort. It's a nice laid back place, just too big for our taste. Anyone else buy a resort and wish they'd bought a different one?

 

[sgtpet]

No, but I can understand your dislike for OKW.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We were worried when we purchased that we might wish we were going to be at BWV. This was just before BWV opened. We bought at OKW and loved it so much, we added on there too when the opportunity arose.

The beauty of DVC is that you can stay at the other resorts if you chose to. The problem is you have to abide by the 7 month window at the other resorts.

 

[ladyvol]

I'm actually the opposite, I Love OKW but own at BWV.

 

[DoeWDW]

We've just bought into the Beach Club Villas. We thought about DVC for many years but have held out for the location that we really wanted. So I guess my answer is that we waited for them to build the resort we wanted, instead of settling for another resort that didn't match our dreams.

Doreen in PA

 

[spiceycat]

okay what exactly do you mean by too big - the rooms, the resort itself - cause believe after you have walked all over the parks - being able to park next to your room is nice.

 

[MichelleB]

What I mean is that the resort is too big. The rooms are wonderful. What you said is the key - "park next to your room". We like to get to the resort and be able to walk to the pools, restaurants, general store, etc. At OKW, unless you're in a building right up front, you almost need to drive to the store or Olivia's. I know you can take the bus, but we don't like that. I'm not slamming OKW. It's a nice resort, just not for us.

 

[KNWVIKING]

... and chose OKW. I totally understood the concept of DVC, only saw rooms at OKW but realized BWV would be just as nice, knew I wanted to buy in and picked OKW because among other things I really liked the point totals. At the time I honestly didn't know you could walk into Epcot from BWV,(and now MGM) and now that I do know that I think I would have picked BWV over OKW. I certainly don't regret my purchase, but hindsight is 20/20. I did manage getting into BWV at the 7 month window once,didn't the 2nd time I tried. I think that if I owned at BWV I would never have trouble getting a ressie at OKW. But,we're staying at BCV in Nov and maybe that will push me over the edge into buying points there.DW and I really enjoy Epcot, especially at nite for the dining options but dread the fight back to the parking lot after Illuminations.

 

[Buzzsgramma]

I'm not saying we wish we would have bought someplace else but I understand how folks can own points at other resorts.When we bought at BWV .I could have gone for WLV...but DH thought the Kids (35 and 33 and spouses and G-Kids) would love being where the action is ..Epcot etc. and we all do ..its beautiful...we all stayed in Sept (21) 2001...but when DH and I stayed in Dec at OKW....he fell in love with the place....I think it may have something to do with GOLF course setting and its quiet and yes parking is great...On the other hand we all have a great fondness for the WL and hope to stay at the Villas next but then theres the 7 mth window thing....anyway they are all beautiful in their own right...we are thrilled to be on the grounds...

 

[downontheBW]

We're very happy that we bought BWV because sometimes you need the 11 month window to get reservations there. We may choose to stay at OKW or maybe even VWL for most of our trips since we don't go to the parks very often - I'd rather have a short walk to the car and a pool and prefer to have less of a hotel feel. We'll definitely stay at BWV if we bring family members that frequent the parks.

We hadn't toured any of the DVC properties when we bought but we had stayed at the YC (believe it or not, none of my family really liked it) when our kids were in high school and walked by BWV; we had driven through OKW and stayed at WL. I had also been reading these boards for a month or two. Therefore we knew what the options were and what we were getting. Now that we've stayed at a few DVC resorts, I don't feel as much that I belong to BWV but I belong to DVC.

I wouldn't suggest anyone buy sight unseen but since you did, you need to do something so that you'll be happy with your ownership. I think you need to change your outlook somehow. DVC isn't something you want to invest in if you won't be satisfied. You should plan to stay where you want then reserve OKW at 11 months knowing that you'll try to switch (via wait list if necessary) at the 7 month window to the resort of your choice. Once in a while you may be "stuck" with OKW but, for the most part, you'll be staying where you want. Didn't you post that you were thinking of selling OKW to buy another resort -- you'll definitely lose money on that deal.

I'm sorry that you're not happy with OKW. I know how things can drive me crazy once in a while and sometimes it's possible to feel better by just changing my outlook - psych (sp?) myself out. I hope you can figure out what to do to make this a happy situation.

 

[Bill K]

We love the boardwalk. The only regret we have is not buying more points!

 

[spiceycat]

Okay I walk alot - so I don't mind the walk at all - as far as being close to the a pool - there are 4 pools - most of the villa are close to one of them.

Next time you stay at OKW ask for a villa close to the HH or close to a pool. Now I don't like to be close to the HH - too much traffic but everyone has different taste.

but even from the furthest part of OKW to the store is only about 10 minutes - walk -

part of the problem is OKW is based on the CRB, not the POR which has a better design - they were at one time - going to put a bridge over the stream in the back part - but members voted it down.

members also voted down the pool slide - but that is another matter.

 

[MichelleB]

Spiceycat, I'm not knocking OKW, just merely my opinion that it's too large. We have a 9 month old, 4 year old, and 6 year old. That 10 minute walk for you becomes 30 for us at the kids pace. I'm not afraid to walk, but when I just want to browse through a shop or grab a bite to eat outside the room, I don't want to haul 3 kids for a "10 minute walk" to do it. Please, these are just my opinions and I was only wondering if anyone else had ever bought a resort and then wished they'd bought at another. I love DVC. We also own at HH and VB and absolutely love both of those places. I look at DVC as one big family, not a lot of resort families. My DH will tell you that I live and breathe Disney and that includes DVC. Nothing makes me happier than when he says we can add-on. I just don't particularly care for OKW. Again, that's just MY opinion.

 

[DVCajun]

Hey MichelleB, you and ladyvol should trade!!

 

[Cinderella]

My only regret is not joining sooner at BWV, because the points were cheaper and the exchange rate lower. I bought at a time when we really couldn't afford it but, the fact that a resort had been built at WL, my favourite resort, was too good to pass up - it seemed like fate.

WL will always be my favourite and I wouldn't swap my points there but, I would love to add on at one of the other resorts eventually. We have stayed at OKW and loved it and I also adore the Boardwalk and Beach Club area.

Wish I could afford points at each resort. I love having the eleven month window at WL but, as the kids get older and our holiday requirements change, I can see us wishing we had 11 month window at the other resorts too.

Michelle - one thing you might appreciate when the kids get bigger at OKW - if u choose to keep your points there is the fact that you can get a two bedroom for the same points as a one bedroom at the other resorts.

Admittedly tho, as much as I love OKW, I don't think I would like to stay there without a car.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

We really like Vero Beach and see that as a location where we might vacation during peak periods like Spring Break and Christmas to get some relaxation and family time in. We also thought that as the resort sells out, that the 11 month window will be important at those times. Another consideration was that if we really wanted to go to WDW during the peak times that we could also use our points at a Disney hotel, if all the DVC resorts were full. We've also had great luck with combination WDW and beach vacations, relaxation time and WDW time. We've since added on at the Beach Club in order to have some 11 month priority for the peak times as well. Although we haven't stayed at the BC or played at Storm Along Bay to check it out, we're happy with our combination of off site and onsite locations.

WLV looks like a great location, and we are looking forward to trying it out sometime soon. We've stayed at BWV and also really like it. For us, OKW is a little too removed, we tend to like non-bus transportation like the Boats to travel to places and like the hotel aspects of the resorts, but those are just our tastes. OKW looks like a beautiful resort, but we're looking for something a little closer to the action when we're onsite.

Of course, a big advantage of OKW that we don't have is the opportunity for Grand Villas, which would be very nice for big family vacations.
I guess that's why it's so nice to have the DVC options we have. One place we'd like to consider an add-on in the future is HH. It's a beautiful island with lots to do and less driving distance for us. We went with Vero instead because it's on the Beach and would have better weather during Christmas and Spring breaks. HH would be great for nice summer vacations.

 

[littlestar]

Hi Michelle.

We originally were going to buy a resale at Old Key West. I like Old Key West, but Wilderness Lodge is my absolute favorite resort at Disney. So we bought 150 points at the Wilderness Lodge back in January. We just added on 60 points at the Beach Club to ensure we get to enjoy Storm A Long Bay every once in a while. Is an add-on at Wilderness Lodge a possibility for you?

Our kids are older (21 and 17) so what we may do on future trips is maybe get a one bedroom for 5 days at Old Key West (Old Key West is so roomy and I know our girls would love the extra space and not having to listen to their dad snore in a studio at the Wilderness Lodge for at least a few days) And then switch over to a studio for the weekends at the Wilderness Lodge.

I've heard weekend points are easier to book. Just some ideas for you that might make you feel better. Depending on what time of year you go, you may do just fine booking at the seven month window for the Wilderness Lodge.

Good luck with your decision.

P.S. Another plus with Old Key West is the cheaper dues.

 

[wdwnut]

hi to all: we turned down okw in 93 in part due to location but mostly for financial reasons (buy in was 230 points). we bought bwv sight unseen and have absolutely no regrets. it was a toss-up when vwl opened as to whether to buy another contract at bwv or go for vwl. we chose bwv. bcv looks interesting as well; maybe if we win the lottery, we'll get a contract here as well.

 

[dvclovers]

We bought into BWV 3 years ago and have never stated there. Our first year we had to settle for OKW and have stayed there ever since. We would really like to purchase an additional 100-150 OKW points, but know that Disney doesn't have any. Anyone interested in either selling 150 OKW points April use year, or trading their April use yeat OKW points with our 150 BWV April use year points. The rooms at OKW are simply stated huge! We really like the peacefulness of getting away from the hussle and bussle of the parks and just relax at a quiet resort like OKW.

 

[ripleysmom]

No. I am more than satisfied with our purchase at BWV. Knowing that I have an 11 month window at this difficult to get resort gives me piece of mind.

And, as soon as they are available for sale in NY, we will be adding on at BCV, if they don't sell out first!!