Comparing BCV, BWV, OKW, SSR.... would or wouldn't you buy again at these resorts?

[discorsner]

I am hoping to hear pros and cons of owning at these 4 DVC properties:
BCV, BWV, OKW, SSR.

I know that they are quite different but so far we have really only narrowed it down to these.

Also if anyone has any great links of info on comparing any of these I would so love to learn about them!

Thanks!!!!!

 

[Syd&Cammie]

we recently bought resale at BWV, we considered the same resorts you are looking at and decided on BWV because of proximity to parks and lower costs to buy in than BCV. hth

 

[alanapapa]

After staying in the THV last Xmas and having to waitlist one day at the 11 month window, I would buy again at SSR in a heartbeat. We have not had a bad stay there and we love the grounds.

 

[dbprimeaux]

Our home resort is SSR and we LOVE it!! We would buy again in a heartbeat!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We own at OKW and VWL. Used to own at BCV, but sold it. We've still stayed there after we sold it. SSR is a great resort.

Of all of these, BWV is my least favorite. Stayed there once and don't need to do it again.

 

[rascalmom]

Each of these resorts has its own benefits and faults....the weight of them is in the eye of the beholder.

Where do you like to stay? That is where you should buy.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you like community like resorts, go with SSR or OKW. If you like hotel style resorts, go with BCV or BWV.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

We spend most of our time at EPCOT so BCV is our choice. Yes we do go to the other parks sometime during our stay but all of the special activities are at EPCOT and that is a draw for us.

 

[Golden Rose]

Of the villas on your list, we've stayed at BCV, BWV, and SSR. (We hope to try OKW at some point, but honestly, it is fairly low on our list of places we want to stay.) We knew we wanted to buy either at either BWV or BCV because we knew we wanted to own at an Epcot resort, particularly because we love F&W.

I slightly preferred BCV, my DH slightly preferred BWV. We bought at BWV and have never regretted it. We love getting the Boardwalk view rooms, which really, you're only likely to get if you're an owner much of the year. We generally walk to both Epcot and DHS when we stay there, which really makes up appreciate the location. My only regret at all is that we haven't been able to book BCV very often, because we do love stormalong bay.

We are considering adding on at SSR, because the price is so good, and we might want to get a treehouse occasionally. I can certainly see the temptation to purchase there. A fair number of people on these boards seem to dislike it, but honestly, we had a very nice stay there. My DM and DSF did a no park, all downtown disney and golf trip, and really liked it. I wouldn't want to stay there every trip, but we have considered adding on a small contract there.

There are good things about all the DVC resorts, or at least all the ones we've stayed at so far. We chose to buy BWV, and we love it. We made the right choice for us when we bought it. We're currently trying to decide where and when to do an add-on. We own at AKV and BWV, so we're considering SSR (for price and treehouses), BLT (for location), or waiting and seeing if they build GFV.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have had many DVC resort stays and own at both OKW and AKV. We are definitely in love with OKW! No matter where we stay, invariably we compare it to OKW and are constantly saying what things we miss about OKW. I suspect the size of the units is the main reason. I always feel a bit cramped at the other DVC resorts. I have not stayed at BLT, but after seeing the rooms there a number of times, I know I would not like much about it except the big windows.

 

[El&Asmom]

To me the bigger question is how do you intend to use your points. We own at SSR because we wanted the longer contract, lower MF, and cheaper buy in. We have stayed there once, but all other onsite properties multiple times other than BLT, (which we had booked for Oct, but cancelled to go to HHI instead). We have had great luck at other properties at the 7 month window so I haven't yet felt the need to have the 11 m window at a favorite DVC. Although I'm not sure I have a favorite. We love them all and are not picky.

Some preach buy where you want to stay. I say buy where you don't mind staying. If you are not set in stone with a resort you must stay at, you may get more bang for your buck at SSR. If you have to stay at your home resort every time, will be going during very busy DVC times, or would be disappointed staying at your home resort, then buy where you want to stay. If not, consider the other factors of ownership.

BTW, of the 4 you have listed, BWV is my favorite. I would consider adding on a small contract there for the 11m window because of the standard points. I considered this for our initial buy in, but in the end went with a longer contract at SSR which we don't regret. Again, we aren't set in stone with needing a high demand room for each visit. Your family may be different.

Good luck. They are all great resorts.

 

[crisi]

We own BWV.

I wouldn't buy any of them now. DVC has become "just another timeshare." We got out money out of it over the past decade, but I wouldn't buy now.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We own BWV.

I wouldn't buy any of them now. DVC has become "just another timeshare." We got out money out of it over the past decade, but I wouldn't buy now.

I have to say I think I'm starting to feel the same way. We paid less than $60/point for most of ours and nearly gagged when we had to pay for our small AKV contract back before AKV opened. I love our DVC points and our DVC stays, but the value and the quality have fallen greatly in the past 5 years. It no longer has the "wow" factor it did back in the 90's when we first purchased.

 

[Jillpie]

We bought BCV back in 2002 and haven't regretted it for one minute. To this day, I look forward to walking in those doors and seeing that beautiful lobby. More importantly, to my husband and I, is to be able to swim in Stormalong Bay every single day of our vacation. To not have a million kids surround you, kick you etc while swimming is so important and this pool is so big that no matter how crowded it gets, you can find a quiet place. So if a really nice pool is important to you, BCV is it.

 

[Sammie]

I like them all for different reasons but if you want BCV, you would be best to buy there, hard to get in at 7 months.

Same with BWV if you want the standard rooms or Grand Villas.

I wouldn't buy any of them now. DVC has become "just another timeshare." We got out money out of it over the past decade, but I wouldn't buy now

Have to agree with Crisi, they are just too uncertain and too expensive now. And I am still upset at the mess they made at OKW with the redo.

 

[DebbieB]

I bought BWV in 1999 and have never regretted it. The only thing I would change is I would have split my 250 points into 150 and 100. Then I would sell the 100 and buy VGC.

 

[discorsner]

I like them all for different reasons but if you want BCV, you would be best to buy there, hard to get in at 7 months.

Same with BWV if you want the standard rooms or Grand Villas.



Have to agree with Crisi, they are just too uncertain and too expensive now. And I am still upset at the mess they made at OKW with the redo.

What mess did they make with the re-do?
Trying to learn all I can. : )

 

[Pirate Granny]

We just stayed at OKW for the first time in March, loved it so much we finally made the plunge, and bought 220 points, resale. But I love the storm along bay pool, so we just closed on 100 points at BCV...my last wish is for 100-120 points at VWL...had a three night stay in June...but the BCV pool won out, in spite of the difference in price between BCV and VWL...BUY WHERE YOU WANT TO STAY.

 

[Dean]

I'm sure some of this will be repetitive. I think you need to decide what's most important to you. Is it price, is it length of contract, is it resale value (poor choice), is it a specific unit type (3 BR) or is it staying at a specific resort most times, etc. You can group those 4 choices into 2 because SSR/OKW are very similar and BCV and BWV are very similar. That grouping also somewhat addresses the expiration of the RTU somewhat with BCV/BWV and most OKW ending in 2042 with some OKW ending in 2057 and SSR ending 2054.

IMO, for most people asking this question, SSR is the best option because it has a later RTU expiration, is generally cheaper and should have dues that are more controlled than most. It also has the THV 3 BR for the same price as the 2 BR if that appeals to you. For anyone looking to do most trips to WDW who are comfortable staying routinely at SSR but want to try all resorts, SSR is almost certainly the best choice overall. It often comes down to cost so if you find another resort cheaply enough, it may alter your landscape. The one thing the 7 mo window will not allow you to do with any certainty is to get specialty rooms. 3 BR, concierge, BCV 2 queen, etc.

Once you decide between the two types of resorts and decide how important price and expiration are to you, all you have to do is decide between 2 resorts that are similar. For BCV/BWV I think BWV is the better value due to lower costs and the standard view units. Between OKW and SSR, I feel SSR is the better value unless one can get an extended OKW in the same ballpark. Don't forget AKV, esp for anyone who may be in between needing a 1 BR and 2 BR due to the sleep 5 units there, 2057 expiration and relatively lower prices comparatively.

 

[Granny]

Great, unbiased response Dean.

I'll clip out one phrase

comfortable staying routinely at SSR

This is really the key phrase for any home resort choice. As long as this condition is met, then let the other factors mentioned lead you to your home resort.