Best resort to introduce DVC to skeptical DH?

[anonymousegirl]

I am interested in DVC but my DH is not. I want to visit WDW annually and DVC seems like it might be good for us, but DH is baulking at the cost among other things.

We are visiting in January 2009 so I thought maybe a split stay in a deluxe resort for the weekend and then a DVC resort for the rest of the week. Just so he can get a taste of both.

What combination would you recommend? I would probably rent the points rather than pay cash for the DVC resort.

P.S. DH is there for the golf in January.

 

[browniemtb]

Most people get introduced to DVC by renting points through a member. This is a great and inexpensive way to get into a 1 bedroom unit and show DH the value of DVC. As far as which is the best resort, that would be a matter of opinion of yourself and the many owners in this forum that own at different locations for different reasons. To give you an idea to convince my DW.....all she wanted was to be able to walk to a park.....hence BWV for us. All the resorts are nice in their own respect...each with there own unique character. Boardwalk and Beach Club are both walking or boat ride distance to both DHS and Epcot, SSR and OKW are both very close to Downtown Disney, VWL is a quick boat ride to the MK, and AKV is close to AK. My suggestion would be to stay at the Boardwalk area.....you get the walking to parks, plus entertainment for both adults and kids on the Boardwalk itself.

 

[jakenjess]

I'm not a golfer, but I'm thinking OKW or SSR for the golf, and then maybe you could stay at the Beach Club or Boardwalk for your deluxe resort stay to experience how great it is to be able to walk to Epcot and the Studios.

 

[LargoLori]

We were sold when we booked a studio at SSR and were upgraded to a 1 bedroom. Of course, there is no guarantee in an upgrade so I would rent point for a 1 bedroom.

 

[NashKat]

I'm not a golfer, but I'm thinking OKW or SSR for the golf, and then maybe you could stay at the Beach Club or Boardwalk for your deluxe resort stay to experience how great it is to be able to walk to Epcot and the Studios.

I agree with jakenjess 100%. I am an avid golfer and OKW and SSR are the way to go for the golfing time spent there. Then like they said...Beach Club or Boardwalk to be able to walk to two parks.

 

[Disney_Villain]

Given that SSR and OKW are the golf resorts that your husband might take to, I'd opt to stay at one of those resorts. Taking a trip from another resort to view SSR and/or OKW would consume a lot of time for someone who's being fickle about buying. Put him in the middle of a resort that might sway his decision as he looks on the golf courses!

 

[paults]

BWV in a boardwalk view villa and you can get free ride to the golf courses from any Disney resort.

 

[Muushka]

VWL. It is very manly.

 

[WaltEeyoreWorld]

I would stay at SSR. The club house for LBV goldf course is right there as is the models for AKV which is what Disney is selling at the moment and by then probably BLT. Sign up for a quick tour and make sure to note the golf card for very reduced golf at all of the WDW courses which is a nice perk of DVC. Also, go for a 1 bedroom if possible to get a real feel of DVC. SSR has slightly smaller rooms than many of the others but it is a easy walk from Congress Park to DTD, LBV golf course is there and it is not attached to any of the hotels so you really get the DVC experience rather than an extension of the hotel experience.

With that said, OKW is one of the most relaxing I have ever stayed in with large porches overlooking the golf course (many or some over the river), very large rooms, and a laid back experience. It is very close the LBV and you can walk to the LBV club house.

In any case, you really can not make a wrong decision. Each has their particular charms and although many have a favorite, most feel at home in any of the DVC resorts. Good luck!

 

[jimmacmn]

I am interested in DVC but my DH is not. I want to visit WDW annually and DVC seems like it might be good for us, but DH is baulking at the cost among other things.

We are visiting in January 2009 so I thought maybe a split stay in a deluxe resort for the weekend and then a DVC resort for the rest of the week. Just so he can get a taste of both.

What combination would you recommend? I would probably rent the points rather than pay cash for the DVC resort.

P.S. DH is there for the golf in January.

If you want to highlight the golf, OKW is probably where you will most likely get a golf course view. A large number of the villas at OKW overlook golf holes. At SSR, you do have the Lake Buena Vista Pro Shop, but only a limited number of Grandstand area units actually overlook the golf course.

As someone else said be sure to highlight the DVC golf membership! For a $50.00 annual fee a DVC member can get substantially reduced greens fees for the member and up to three guests. The program changed a little this year so there is no longer an after 10 AM restriction, but tee times before 10 AM will cost about $20.00 more per round than those booked for after 10 AM. On our last DVC golf membership DW and I got 32 rounds (including friends) saving about $2,500 in greens fees over 3 trips. You will not be able to get the membership for your upcoming trip because it is only available to DVC members, not those renting points or staying on cash.

By the way, I highly recommend that your DH play the Osprey Ridge golf course. It is an outstanding course.

 

[JimMIA]

I would second the suggestion of OKW, as opposed to SSR. We own at both resorts, but OKW is our clear favorite.

In addition to many more golf-course views (which are NOT guaranteed, BTW), the rooms are MUCH larger and the points costs are roughly 25% less expensive. Size comparison: One bedroom - OKW 942 sq ft; SSR 714 sq ft. (32% difference) Two bedroom - OKW 1395 sq ft; SSR 1075 sq ft. (30% difference) Those are BIG differences, and they feel even larger.

OKW is just a 5 minute drive from the LBV clubhouse, and if he plays any other course, he'll have to drive no matter where you stay.

I think OKW will give you the best look and feel of what one of the "condo-style" resorts is like.

The other type of resort is obviously "hotel-attached."

I can't give you a clear favorite there. We think VWL, BCV, and BWV are all beautiful hotel-type resorts. The difference is that, with a hotel resort, you have all of the amenities of a deluxe resort hotel, and all three of those hotels are beautiful. VWL is probably our favorite, but that's a taste thing -- they're all gorgeous. (We haven't ever visited AKV, so I can't offer an opinion of it, but I'm sure it's beautiful as well.)

 

[shortypots]

My dh was sold by us staying at OKW. We loved the large accomodations and the wonderful patio on the river. The busses were really good there, and you gotta love how close it is to the golf courses.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Thanks for the great advice, folks.

OKW 1B looks like it might be a winner. DH is saying that he'd be fine and happy staying in a deluxe hotel room whenever we go, but I think he'll be swayed by the extra room, kitchen, bathroom, etc of a DVC resort so I wanted to split the stay for this trip and give him a taste of both.

I hope that DH's reluctance translates into BLT for me. We are not into AKV so if we buy from Disney it will most likely be BLT, which I hope actually suits our tastes/needs beautifully.

As for distance from the courses, I believe round-trip taxi service is free to WDW resort guests as a perk.

I was thinking of doing the DVC first (Sat-Fri am) then transferring to a deluxe resort for Fri and Sat night.

 

[jimmacmn]

As for distance from the courses, I believe round-trip taxi service is free to WDW resort guests as a perk.

That is correct. Disney will provide a Taxi both to and from the golf courses, including the tip. Get vouchers at the bell desk

 

[PIERCEDRN]

Going along with what has been already said, the DVC golf membership is crazy... in May I saved $100 on one round just for myself. After the $50 fee, I paid $59 instead of $159...that includes a GPS Cart. If I brought 3 friends they would pay the same too! It is really an amazing deal, Its nice having WDW be my "home" course!

 

[Harley-Mouse]

go to SSR for the golf in him. this might be enough for him say lets do it.
Then for the delux stay go to BC or YC and have him look at SAB the pool and see what he thinks. You can also ask when you are at BC if there is a BCV room that you can take a tour of to see what it looks like. Enjoy. For us we did the tour at BW when BCV was for sale. After the tour DW asked did you give him the check yet. She was not the Disney nut in the family I was. So when she said this I was like I just wish we bought mor points back then. We had more $ at that time.