Delima on resorts - BCV or SSR

[mikron]

We own at SSR and love the resort, most people want BCV for the pool. I don't like the BC for the rooms but the location is great. The value is at BC but you will pay more at the start. If you need to rent at any time BC is always in demand.

 

[Sammie]

I stayed at SSR in March -- alone with a 4 year old. The main pool was closed for refurbishment (a big disappointment), but my son could have cared less. He was just happy to have a pool (as small as it was) close to our room that he could use. For that reason, we LOVED SSR.

BUT....and it's a BIG BUT.....I agree with another poster that the counter service restaurant (Artist's Palatte) leaves a lot to be desired. The resort is way too spread out for you to get there easily and then it is quite small. I was very surprised considering that I had stayed at All Star Movies the year before and their counter service place was huge. I ordered groceries for the SSR trip and we ate all meals in the room. I couldn't imagine having to trek over to the Artists Palette and wait forever. They have a TERRIBLE system.

I'm praying that AKV Kidani has a better system, although I think on our trip next year we will be ordering groceries and eating in the room again. There is nothing worse than dealing with an impatient child while trying to juggle a stroller, your wallet, and a tray of food.

Kidani does not have a quick service area, you will have to go over to Jambo House and use Mara.

You will never find a DVC resort that is going to compare to the food courts at All Stars or Pop. Those resorts are huge and the only place for those guests to eat is in the food courts which is why they are so large.

 

[toniosmom]

You will never find a DVC resort that is going to compare to the food courts at All Stars or Pop. Those resorts are huge and the only place for those guests to eat is in the food courts which is why they are so large.

That is so disappointing to hear. Does Disney not realize that a lot of DVC owners have small children that will not eat in a restaurant and that a quick service place is the best alternative?

That leaves those of us that fall into that category, as people who must eat in their room. Frankly, we did that last year and I found it to be GREAT. So, on one hand, I wish the quick service place was bigger, and on the other hand, I don't really care for now because my son is young. However, when he gets older, it would be nice to have that option without being aggravated by having to fight the crowds in a small place.

 

[Lynne M]

To me, it's not a 'deal' if you can't get into the resort you really want.

SSR is easy to get into at the 7 month window, pretty much any time of year.

BCV is not.

DVC busy times are not the same as busy periods for the other WDW resorts. The period from Thanksgiving to New Years is very tough to get at 7 months at any DVC resort, and especially so at the small resorts like BCV. Also, because of the Food and Wine Festival, BCV is very, very hard to get at 7 months during Oct. and Nov.

So, if you're OK with not getting into BCV between Oct.1 and the end of the year, or if you can't book any further out than 7 months, then by all means, take advantage of the lower resale prices for SSR. But if staying at BCV is important to you, then buy there.

 

[denegate]

Although some people love SSR, the fact is that it is not a terribly popular resort. It is horribly spread out, it has a small restaurant, the counter service in the morning is so small that it can't possibly serve everyone. If you get unlucky with room assignment you will have a 20-minute walk to get to the main building; so if it's raining you will have to walk 40 minutes in the rain to get your morning newspaper.

BCV is almost located INSIDE of EPCOT. It's that close. The pool is not much fun while your kids are toddlers. You will have more fun walking over to BWV and letting them use that pool. But they will LOVE Stormalong Bay when they get a little older, and you get a little more confidence in their swimming ability.

The real key is that if you own at BCV you can book there at 11 months and then can almost certainly switch to SSR at 7 months. The chances of switching into BCV at 7 months are often quite slim. So if you don't buy at BCV, you are likely going to end up stuck staying somewhere you don't want to stay.

Exactly what I was thinking. I have stayed at both and there really is no comparison. BCV is a wonderful resort for adults (with Epcot right there) and children (Stormalong Bay is amazing). I was not crazy at all about SSR. My kids thought the main pool was fun but it's really just a boring resort in my opinion with very little Disney-feel.

 

[Laurie222]

We are not DVC members (I from time to time try to persuade my DH, but we are too cash poor for purchasing and we will not go the loan route). Anyways, we rented points for SSR last June (could not get into BCV) and we asked our DVC member to request the Springs Section because it is near the main pool, restaurants, and main building. Our room was in that section and we loved it! On our last day, we had a late flight and because everyone except DH were at MK until 2:00am the night before, we had a lazy day by the pool and in the Community Hall after the sun had gotten to the kids (by then we had no room to go to). At Community Hall, my DS played a few video games and my DD did crafts with the CM. That day alone sold me. I also enjoyed going to Downtown Disney on the boat).

During our vacation, my DH and I had a couple only dinner at the steak house at YC next to BCV. As we see it the two advantages are Storm Along Bay (which is phenomenal!) and proximity to Epcot and DHS. Other than that, they are both the same.

I too have bounced between the two resorts and writing this up, I think I have my answer if we ever get the cash. I just hope that we can get our location preferences at SSR, because I do think it makes a difference where you stay. Thanks!

 

[dizfan]

Thanks everyone. We went with BCV and can't wait to go.

Congratulations on your decision.

Welcome home!

 

[Deb & Bill]

That is so disappointing to hear. Does Disney not realize that a lot of DVC owners have small children that will not eat in a restaurant and that a quick service place is the best alternative?

That leaves those of us that fall into that category, as people who must eat in their room. Frankly, we did that last year and I found it to be GREAT. So, on one hand, I wish the quick service place was bigger, and on the other hand, I don't really care for now because my son is young. However, when he gets older, it would be nice to have that option without being aggravated by having to fight the crowds in a small place.

It's not just DVC resorts, but all deluxe resorts don't really have much in the way of a food court. They primarily have fine table service or buffets and those seem to do well at those resorts.

As far as DVC resorts, DVC is only a small portion of the total restaurant users at WDW.

You are more than welcome to drive over to one of the value resorts or moderate resorts to dine if you like.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I know that many of the complaints are true, but that doesn't warrant the excessive bad rap. The in-room decor is stunning, and you are still on Disney property.

With all things considered, I think Saratoga is a bargain in the $70 range. Up until recently, I thought BCV was selling for too much of a premium because of its small size. That is one reason why we bought BWV. BCV is now selling for close to the BWV price in the low to mid 80s.

There is a lot to be said for "Buy where you want to stay"