Buying in at resort you've never stayed at

[Lost in Neverland]

We also bought at OKW without staying there. We are always happy when we are at WDW so it was not hard for us. We just enjoy being there regardless of where we stay.

 

[missy2217]

We bought SSR and BLT without ever staying at either. I feel that DVC is a quality product and was not worried without actually staying first.

 

[kenny]

We bought our initial contract at SSR and our BLT add-on without staying at either.

We even bought SSR without ever taking the tour.

We have been to Disney many times and new we always wanted to own DVC. Did lots of research online to make sure we understood everything and look at many pictures.

Actually stepping foot in the resort was not that big a deal as it is Disney so we new we would like it. At the time they were selling SSR or AKV and we liked SSR better. While we liked the theming of AKV we figured long term SSR offered more. To us at least, AKV was very isolated where as SSR offered DTD in walking distance. Thought as we got older we would the proximity to DTD would be more important than the viewing of animals. DW also thought AKV were too dark for her, but again just our opinion.

For BLT we actually saw the models first but new we were buying. Just wanted to say we actually saw a model of something before we plunked down all the money.

Good luck

 

[JEMGL13]

I went with friends to OKW in August 1993 purchased in September and never regretted it. My kids were 12, 10 and 7 and they love it there. To me it's like living in a Florida condo community not a hotel type resort. Each section has it's own pool and never crowded. Nice big rooms, quiet atmosphere and each balcony overlooks the golf course. Have stayed at BWV, SSR and BCV and they are nice if you like a busier pace.

 

[FloFlo71]

Lol, I am buying into AKV without visiting the resort and without seeing a model of any resort rooms. I am buying a small resale there and then a small contract direct at BLT again without visiting the resort. My thinking is AKV for chillout time and BLT for park busy days.

I can't wait

 

[dolphingirl47]

Before we bought DVC, we had never stayed onsite so it was a complete adventure to us. We bought OKW on the recommendation of our guide and are absolutely loving this resort.

Corinna

 

[Dean]

My DH and I are hoping to buy into DVC within the next year. We took the tour in September and got to see the models for AKV and BLT. We're leaning toward AKV because we liked the rooms so much. I almost wanted to call and see if we could switch resorts right there. But I feel odd buying into a resort I've never stayed at before. While it would be nice to take another trip and stay at a few DVC resorts, we would rather use that money towards the cost of DVC. Have any of you bought at a resort without staying there? We've only stayed at Pop, Poly and BWI. Of those three Poly was my fave. BWI grew on me, but I didn't like it enough to want to buy there. Plus we we'd like one of the newer resorts for the longer contract.

I don't think buying at a resort you've not stayed at is a major deal assuming you have enough Disney trip and resort experience to make good overall decisions. IMO the larger question for many is not as much which home resort as whether to buy in general. Once you know it's a good choice for you to buy, I think the choice of home resorts though important, is less so. I would buy on property if you're mostly looking at WDW and if you want a longer length, that does limit your choices and can increase your costs somewhat.

AKV will be cheaper than BLT but currently has higher dues, SSR will be cheaper still as would OKW with an extended contract most likely. Call your guide and discuss it with them. See if they have any other suggestions. I doubt they'd let you stay on point as part of a purchase early enough that you could change or cancel but it never hurts to ask. One other thought is to buy resale for SSR or similar and do an add on at AKV so you have the best of both worlds.

 

[Anal Annie]

We purchased SSR over the phone, site unseen. Had not stayed in any DVC property before and we did not take the tour until our first trip to OKW so we could see the AKV models. We had been priced out of staying in the deluxe resorts and were close to being priced out of the moderates so for us it was a buy now or book a value resort decision and SSR is what was for sale at the time!! We like to stay somewhere different each time we go and so far it has worked out perfectly for us.

 

[Golden Rose]

We bought DVC without ever staying in a DVC unit, and without having stayed at the first resort we bought into (AKV.) We had a very good idea what we were getting, however. I'd been researching it for almost two years at the point. I knew we were basically perfect candidates for DVC; we were going to WDW approximately every 9 months, we were always staying in deluxes, and we were often traveling with my DM and needed two rooms or a suite. At the point we decided to buy in, we cared more about buying into DVC than buying a particular resort. We knew we wanted about 300 points, and we knew we wanted the points split between two resorts, and we knew we wanted an Epcot resort.

We decided on AKV because DS is an animal nut and was consistently asking to go visit AKL to see the animals. (We didn't always get to see the zebras, ostriches, and giraffes on Kilimanjaro Safari, but we could always find them when we went for dinner at AKL.) We'd eaten at the resort and visited the animals, but we'd never seen a room. We have now stayed at Jambo House, and absolutely loved it. It isn't decor I would love to live with, but it is great for a vacation.

We decided on BWV because, well, I got outvoted, and because the perfect resale for us popped up while I was keeping an eye on various resale sites. My DH and DM prefer it to BCV. Again, we'd never stayed at BCV or BWV, but we have loved both the BC and the BWI for years. We have now stayed once at BCV and twice at BWV on our points, and we've been very happy with our decision. We are completely in love with the Boardwalk View, and plan to try to get it every time. I used to slightly regret that we'd bought BWV instead of BCV, but I no longer feel this way at all.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

We bought into AKV without having stayed there. Mostly, we knew that we would benefit from the DVC membership and it didn't really matter which was our home resort. We could be happy no matter where we end up as long as it is Disney. However, we did tour the model and we were impressed. This year, we returned to stay at SSR on developer points, but did take a day to go to AKV and tour the resort grounds. It was better than we had imagined. We had also toyed with the idea of adding on at BLT so we toured the model while we were there. The reviews were all so favorable and I had formed an impression just by reading through information I had found on the DIS boards. However, we went and toured the model, I formed a very different impression. I knew it wasn't for us. As I said, it didn't really matter which is our home resort, however, given a choice I would spend my money where I want to stay most. I would suggest that if you have an opportunity, go to each resort yourself and look around the grounds before you buy.

 

[DebbieB]

I bought at BWV without staying there. In 1999, the WDW choices were OKW or BWV. I had stayed at Beach Club so I knew I loved the area.

 

[Coach81]

We bought into SSR without seeing it before.. we LOVE IT!!!

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

Four years ago this week we bought into the BW-- NEVER seen it or stayed there. The only glimpse of it that we ever saw was on a boat ride from Epcot to the DHS.

Last year around this time we bought into the BLT. Never stayed or seen any of the rooms.

BW--We absolutely love it!!! Its my favorite. We just love the atmosphere and all the rooms we have stayed in were really nice and had a great view including the Standard view rooms. I've stayed at the Disney Institute which is now SSR (SSR looks really nice, but the location is a bit too far and you have to take the buses everywhere, the bcv (rooms were in the back and didn't seem part of the YC/BC complex -it was an after thought, The AKV-- didn't care for the dark decor, Loved the animals, but I so much would rather look out onto Cresent Lake than a Savannah especially in the winter -it was rather sparse.

BLT-- I've stayed at all the monorail resorts and absolutely love the monorail and the location to the MK. To me Disney is so unique because of the monorail--so I am super excited!!! The MK view look awesome as well as the standard rooms and lake view rooms. We will be there 3 months from today!!! Yahoo!!