Coming down to the wire...

[disneyfan2kids]

DH & I have decided to buy into DVC. Now "where" is the really big issue.

I've been only to VWL. Loved the ambiance.

Seems like BCV is popular due to the pool (among other things).

BWV is popular b/c of the entertainment at the boardwalk.

SSR is running an incentive, but according to the map (and to visitors I've spoken with) it's possible that you'd need to take a bus to the main pool and/or dining area.

I know I can always buy SSR and stay elsewhere - but my fear is that with SSR selling out and AKL on it's way - the availability to stay at other resorts will decrease as years go on.

So - I'm ok with staying at SSR if absolutely necessary (rooms there seem nicest anyway) but I think I'd prefer BCV frankly. With 2 kids the pool in and of itself is a little "vacation" plus BWV is a short walk!

I know everyone has differing opinions...but am I pretty accurate regarding the reasons that each is popular? And is SSR really so spread out that I have to catch a bus to the big pool and/or the restaurant? (Assuming that I'm not really into a lot of walking.)

Advice for where to purchase is welcome. We have 2 kids (plan on more) and don't want to make a wrong decision for such a big purchase. (FYI - SSR is actually cheaper to buy right now with incentives and last 12 more years.) But I don't want to stay there if there's really not ready access to pools and/or food without buses.

 

[Deb & Bill]

SSR is about as spread out as OKW. We walk to the main building at OKW all the time and we usually stay at the Old Turtle Pond area. BWV has the long corridors inside the building to the pool and shopping areas. BCV has the long walk to SAB from the villas. VWL has the long walk to the boat dock.

Where ever you stay, you will have to walk a bit. SSR is set up like a community, so you walk a block to the main pool or use the neighborhood pool which is right next to your villa.

 

[browniemtb]

If BCV is what you want, I would call and get on the wait list or buy a resale contract. Follow you heart....you have some valid points, just don't settle.
All the resorts are beautiful in their own right........go with the amenities that you think your family will like the best.

Good Luck

Brownie

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I know I can always buy SSR and stay elsewhere - but my fear is that with SSR selling out and AKL on it's way - the availability to stay at other resorts will decrease as years go on.

That's right. You may not be able to buy SSR and stay elsewhere at 7 months. But chances are far better that you can buy BCV and stay at SSR than buying SSR and staying at the BCV. If you plan 11 months in advance and then switch to a non home resort at 7 months, it can get tricky (like calling day by day at 9:00 A.M.) trying to get into the BCV's.

HBC

 

[PinkTink63]

I think you also have to consider when you vacation. We always go in Aug., so we have never had a problem getting where we want. Each resort has something to offer, so that is why it didn't really matter to me where we bought. If BCV is really the only place you want to stay, and you go at peak times, then you should probably buy there. I can hardly wait for AKV's! I've always wanted to try there. Disney is going to keep growing, so I don't think there is going to be a lack of places to stay.
Good luck in your decision!

 

[skibum]

One other thing to consider is the extra 12 years at SSR. That is what swayed us into purchasing at SSR, and then we followed up with a small BCV purchase.
We have been able to get into other resorts at 7 months, but if we can't, we will be happy at SSR.
It is a tough decision. Good luck, and know that whatever you decide, you will be happy.
Welcome Home!!

 

[Granny]

Another thing to consider....no matter which DVC resort you purchase at, you are looking at no less than 35 years of vacations. Do you want to make your home resort decision based on something the kids like for a while? Personally, I'd go with whatever appeals most to you and your spouse. I guarantee you, your children will love whatever resort you pick as long as it has a pool and you can get to the parks!

As far as your list goes, I'd add that BWV and BCV are popular because of the ease of getting to two parks (walking distance). For many, the ability to watch Fantasmic or Illuminations and then not have to fight the crowds for boats or busses is a big plus.

Also, BWV has two other things that many find appealing. The first are the Boardwalk View rooms overlooking the Boardwalk and Crescent Lake, with a glimpse of Illuminations. The other are the Standard View rooms which are at a low nightly point schedule which makes for a great "bargain" stay at BWV.

 

[DMKEDM]

"Not much walking" is relative...one of the huge appealing elements to Beach Club and Boardwalk is that they're walking distance to Epcot & MGM...but if "not much walking" means less than a block or two, you won't want to walk to either of those parks from BCV or BWV...there's boat transportation (which is almost an attraction in and of itself) from both resorts...but the boat drops you at the International Gateway at Epcot...which is a hike equivalent to a block or two to the closest attraction in Future World...AND, there's no transporation from BWV or BCV to the front of Epcot...

We own at SSR and toured it last June, but haven't yet stayed there (five weeks to go!), but from what I saw and could tell, your walk at SSR won't be more than the equivalent of a couple of blocks...and you can always request a room in the section (is it Congress Park?) closest to the check-in area/food court/ main pool...also, SSR is opening a new section soon, which will have its own theme pool & food...cutting down the possibility of a lot of walking even further...

We love Stormalong Bay (BCV's theme pool), but to us it's not "the" reason for loving Beach Club (we've only stayed at the Inn, but we've stayed there, or at the Yacht Club, four times now--that's the real reason we bought DVC)...the other theme pools are also very very cool...I "fell for" the one at SSR big time...

For us, we bought at SSR because that's what Disney was selling when we bought in and we didn't want to wait for a BCV resale or Disney wait list...and we loved SSR...and we have loads of flexibility about when we can go so we feel sure we can get into BCV somewhere along the line...we love love love being able to walk to Epcot & MGM...and find BWV or BCV equallly satisfying from that point of view...but I'm looking forward to being able to walk to DTD, too...and that seems to be the "hardest" of the WDW sites to get to via Disney bus during the day...maybe it's just coincidence, but it seems to us that there are fewer DTD buses during the day than there are theme park buses...

Anyway, the point of this too-long post is that "not much walking" is a personal measure...from our tour of SSR last June, I'd say your longest walk from SSR to anywhere else in the resort wouldn't be much, if any longer, than the walk to Epcot/Future World from BCV--or, perhaps, from the "furthest point" down the long corridors of BWV to the front desk...

Good luck...it's a wonderful set of choices in front of you...pixie dust to you...

 

[Parkhopper13]

We were at SSR (our home resort) last week for the first time. I will tell you, I was very concerned about the walking and the distance to the pool. We got there, and absolutely loved it. We spent a good deal of time at the pool and stayed at the last unit before DTD in Congress Park. We have one daughter and lots of pool toys and such, and had no problem managing the walk back and forth. It was not bad at all.

My wife had a good point in saying, "It's Disney....walking goes with the territory". Good luck with your decision.

 

[jade1]

Recommend buying BCV or BWV even at the going rate. I still believe these will increase for quite a few years since AKV and maybe CRV will be higher yet.

Other than that I would wait for sure for AKV before buying SSR.

 

[cocoswife]

I know exactly how you feel.. I am going thru the same thing myself!! We finally decided to buy DVC, but, I cannot feel excited about buying in SSR. After staying at the Yacht Club, we fell in love with the location, Beaches and Cream (yum!) and Stormalong Bay. We have not toured SSR yet, but, we will in a month and I have to admit their current offer is pretty appealing. Also, I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong that the dues at BCV are higher. We usually travel in May or September and I'm wondering how difficult it will be to be able to book at BCV at the 7 month window I wonder how much Disney is asking per point for BCV resale and how difficult it would be to get one?? You are not alone!!!!! Have you toured SSR yet?

 

[jade1]

I know exactly how you feel.. I am going thru the same thing myself!! We finally decided to buy DVC, but, I cannot feel excited about buying in SSR. After staying at the Yacht Club, we fell in love with the location, Beaches and Cream (yum!) and Stormalong Bay. We have not toured SSR yet, but, we will in a month and I have to admit their current offer is pretty appealing. Also, I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong that the dues at BCV are higher. We usually travel in May or September and I'm wondering how difficult it will be to be able to book at BCV at the 7 month window I wonder how much Disney is asking per point for BCV resale and how difficult it would be to get one?? You are not alone!!!!! Have you toured SSR yet?

Honestly May or September is usually very light and 7 months anywhere may be fine for you. Maybe a $72 OKW resale at that point.