Decided

[tonyboy]

Ok so this is what I've decided to do. Please let me know if this sounds wise based on what we want.

We know that BWV would be nice but the points per night are pretty expensive and we wern't all that impressed by OKW on our Boat Ride during out Honeymoon. We really like Dixie Landing and the Port Orleans and plan to stay there frequently. So we decided it would make more sense to deed at VB. The reason is that we'll be able to go to the classic resorts for a couple nights and then drive down to VB to unwind from it all. We're from California so we're used to the nice beaches and wanted something along those lines. Sounds like a good idea? Anything you might see a problem with? I'm planning to finalize it tomorrow.

Thanks,
Tony

 

[J.P.]

Tony,
Did you get off the boat and walk around OKW, Wehave been members at OKW since 92 and VB since 95. We love both resorts. If you didn't walk around OKW, you missed alot of good sites, actvities that OKW offers. We go to VB first to relax and swim our brains out in the pool and the ocean. Then we go to OKW to have disney fun. Oh by the way "WELCOME HOME" AND I HOPE YOU MANY GREAT TIMES BEING A DVC MEMBER, I KNOW MY FAMILY HAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JP

 

[tonyboy]

I'm sorry to sound like I bashed OKW. To be fair, we stopped the boat around the lighthouse and looked in. (By the way, rent a motorboat...so fun!) I'm very excited!

 

[A1A1]

This sounds like a great plan. It seems that you'd really like to be assured the dates of travel at VB by making it your home resort, and assuring yourself the 11 month window. If you plan to travel there during the summer months, good plan. I hear the resort can be hard to get for the summer months if you don't have 11 month window.

I think you most often can get good rates with annual pass or some other discount at a disney resort on property, if you don't necessarily have to have all the amenities and room sizes available in a dvc resort there. There are others here that would be able to tell you when the discounts are given most often. Check the resorts board.


When did you plan to vacation most? If it's during the winter or late fall/early spring, you may want to reconsider that disney property dvc resort. You wouldn't make the best use of your 11 month window at VB, because you wouldn't be going there much in the winter, I would guess.

My guide always said to choose your home resort, based on when you think you might travel most, and where you will need the 11 month window most.

 

[tonyboy]

The great thing about my wife and I's jobs is the flexibility. We can give a moments notice at work and take off a week. Plus we are kidless but planning to have kids down the road so that adds into our flexibility. Ultimately we'd like to travel late Sept, early October. Possible in April and May too. I wanted to avoid the busy season as much as possible.

Thanks for the replies thus far! Please lend me your two-cents!!

 

[DVCDAVE]

Tonyboy, Just one thing to think about before you finalize. You said you plan on having kids down the road, plan ahead and make sure that VB will be the place to have as a home resort when you have kids too. I know my mindset changed considerably after my two boys were born.

WDW:
76,77,78,87,FW
92,Offsite
95 POL
96(2), GF,Offsite
97,GF
98,99,00,FW
8/00 DVC member
3/01 BWV, FW
11/01 BWV !

 

[kem330]

Maintenance is cheaper at OKW, and in the long run, that is your major expense. If you prefer the resorts over DVC, why buy? You can look for discounted rates at the hotels, and have the flexibility to stay at different beach resorts around the state. Have you been to Vero and checked it out? Just some points to consider..

 

[tonyboy]

We haven't yet but have talked to people who have and VB sounds great. The great thing about the DVC is to visit the DVC resorts but sounds like down the road there's going to be too many people anyway using the resorts as I believe Disney is doing a great job but the internet is evil! (ie, reselling points, people vying for the etc.) We wanted to buy a beach property but were weary about the possiblilty of it going belly up. We don't think that Disney would do that. We also plan by only going to the traditional resorts to be able to save some point for weekend trips here in California on the Concierge Collection and possibly take a cruise.

Also, we're relatively young (25 and 26) so even if we waited till 30 to have kids, they'll be 18 and fly the coop and we'll still have around 15-20 years left to enjoy our scenic beachfront property

 

[kem330]

Sounds great- nice to be able to start enjoying this now! Many of us wish we had done this a lot earlier!

 

[ripleysmom]

tonyboy, it sounds as though you have given this a great deal of thought. Also I wouldn't necessarily discount the idea of staying at any of the DVC resorts at WDW. As long as you can be flexible you have a good shot at any of the resorts. VB has a great MB program so you might as well take advantage of it. Go for it!!

Kimberly-Lucas and Ripley's Mom

 

[RobDoc]

It sounds as though you are trying to compare a room at DxL with a 1BR at OKW. You obviously have not seen a 1BR. For fewer points than your stay at DxL, you can have a villa with over 1000 sq' with full kitchen, jacuzzi, dining area, master B'room, washer/dryer.
Your self guided tour of OKW was a little underserved I think. You can go to the desk and ask if they can show you a room sometime, you'll be very surprised what you see. The boat ride is nice, but does not really provide much of a feel for the resort itself. Good Luck with your decision.

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[AnnK]

BWV points per night in a standard view are nearly the same as OKW, so I wouldn't discount it based on the points per night, of course the only way to get a standard view is to call at the 11 month window.
Vero has the highest dues, (something else to consider.)Of course if you want to buy through Disney then Vero is a great choice because you can get the magical beginnings, and it is still available. BWV would have to be a resale, and that, though cheaper, is more difficult than buying directly from Disney. There are Vero resales, and they do seem to sell at a lower price than BWV or OKW. Lastly, I have not heard too many people complain about difficulty getting into Vero, so I am not sure you need the 11 month window. ( I am NOT Vero bashing, I have not stayed there, but hope to try it for a weekend some time.)
Good Luck with your decision, I am sure you will love DVC.

 

[sumessefui]

Vero Beach is a great resort and would be nice as an add on, but not being a beach person I would not want it as my primary resort. DXL is also nice but can't compare with a room at a DVC resort. If the beach is your main interest than Vero is a good choice for you, but if using points for WDW, I think you would be better getting a DVC room for your points. (JMHO)

 

[Jenn]

We own at BWV and have been to Vero twice now - we love it there. We are seriously considering adding on there at some point.

My only concern with your plan is that it costs alot of points to stay at non-DVC resorts. For the points you would spend at DxL, you could get a studio (more room + kichenette) at any of the WDW DVC properties and actually DxL might cost you more.

Case in point, there was a post yesterday from an owner who stayed a week at DxL because there was nothing available at a DVC resort and she spent 240 points! For that you could stay 2-3 weeks in a studio, 1 1/2 weeks in a 1 BR, and a week in a 2 BR at a DVC resort. There is also something to be said for staying at one of the properties we all "own" in. There is an extra bit of Disney magic and you are treated that much more special.

I wouldn't hesitate buying at Vero, but I would give the WDW DVC properties a chance to win you over. You said you plan a few days at WDW then a few at Vero. At least, try out OKW, BWV, and WLV. You have nothing lose and alot to gain if it turns out they aren't what you thought.

Jenn

 

[A1A1]

Tonyboy,

sounds like you really want a beach vacation with a couple of days at WDW. Is that correct? If so,
Your plan is a good one for your wife and you, and then your kids.

You may want to: Use all your points at DVC resorts, then look for discounts at disney resort hotels. REcently, there was, may still be, a rate of $49 per night at All STar resorts. Also, $89 at moderates. You would never be better off using points if these rates are available.

If you want to add days to your trip, more than you have points for, or use all your points at Vero and then want a day or two or three at WDW, look for cash reservation discounts. There are a lot of these available throughout the year.

Get an annual pass. There are room discounts offered to AP holders, and if you are going to do more than one trip per year while staying at a WDW DVC property or other WDW resort, the discounts and bottom line cost of the AP may be worth it.