Demand on DVC properties

[Sammie]

BLT has the monrail to Epcot.

agree with most - but facts are facts. you can't walk, boat or monrail to any of the parks from OKW and SSR.

after the new is off AKV - it will probably join OKW and SSR. It is a wonderfully resort - but most people are at WDW to do the parks.

since the MK is the most popular - which is one reason why MK resorts can charge most than Epcot resorts. So sorry but BLT wins.

BCV is a great location a 5 minute walk to the Epcot. but you need to bus to MK for most people. (and you might be surprised how many guests do not even get the park hoppers - so going thru Epcot to get to the MK - is not possible for them)

now WDW has comfortable buses - even more comfortable than some professional buses (more leg room). but bus travel is not as fun as boat or monrail.

Oh I agree, but you said that OKW and SSR are only near DD, that is simply not correct.

It is correct to say OKW and SSR are not within walking, boating, or monorail to a park.

It is definitely a fact that to get to a theme park at OKW or SSR you have to take a bus or drive, but it is not correct that they are only close to Downtown Disney.

They are the most centrally located DVC resorts to everything.

If you had stated that Downtown Disney is the only attraction within walking distance to OKW and SSR that would also be correct.

I don't even think one can state that taking a boat, monorail or walking is the fastest way to get to a theme park either.

I know for a fact we have gotten to Epcot faster from OKW on a bus than friends who stayed at BLT and took the monorail.

We have also gotten to the studios faster from OKW on a bus than friends who were at the BW and walked or taken the boat.

As to the monorail being fun, over a bus, I will take a bus anyday gladly then being stuck on the monorail which happens more and more lately.

 

[dianeschlicht]

BLT has the monrail to Epcot.

agree with most - but facts are facts. you can't walk, boat or monrail to any of the parks from OKW and SSR.

after the new is off AKV - it will probably join OKW and SSR. It is a wonderfully resort - but most people are at WDW to do the parks.

since the MK is the most popular - which is one reason why MK resorts can charge most than Epcot resorts. So sorry but BLT wins.

BCV is a great location a 5 minute walk to the Epcot. but you need to bus to MK for most people. (and you might be surprised how many guests do not even get the park hoppers - so going thru Epcot to get to the MK - is not possible for them)

now WDW has comfortable buses - even more comfortable than some professional buses (more leg room). but bus travel is not as fun as boat or monrail.

But Pat, I don't WANT to walk boat or monorail because invariably it will take me longer than just hopping a bus. For years I always heard how "convenient" it was to stay in the BWV/BCV area. Well, once I tried it, I thought it was over blown. I will agree that getting to Epcot was easy if all you wanted to do was get inside the gate, but if you want to do early morning (as we usually do), you have to walk all the way through the park to get to point A. Then there is the issue of DHS. Sure you can walk there in about 15-20 minutes, but it will take you at least that long or longer taking the boat, so I'm not sure I 'get' how it's a convenience. Frankly, I always feel like I spend less time getting to the parks from OKW than from anywhere else I've stayed, and with a bit less hassle. I also think AKV has excellent bus service, but it does take a bit longer time on the road from there.

 

[crisi]

I think the transportation issue is a matter of personal taste - as much as decor is.

Some people HATE waiting for a bus. Some people HATE to drive and bother with a car. Some people feel that moving - i.e. walking to the Studios even if it is a long walk - is better than waiting for a bus - others feel that the walk plenty at Disney without hoofing it to the studios from BWVs. Some find the monorail truly magical, some don't.

And, of course, where you spend your time is also personal. If you are an "end every night in Epcot World Showcase" person, that's a different profile than an "end every night in Downtown Disney" person. Or a "we end every night in a different park" person.

(I can beat a boat walking from BWV to DHS - even if the boat is right there - I can't if the kids are with me though. I've been known to "race my kids" and can be back in the room with snacks on the table before them. I can run five miles though and am one of those 'don't mind more walking' people. Last trip we did my husband had a herniated disk - walking a lot quickly was not on the to do list.)

 

[dizfan]

I think the transportation issue is a matter of personal taste - as much as decor is.

 

[castleri]

But Pat, I don't WANT to walk boat or monorail because invariably it will take me longer than just hopping a bus. For years I always heard how "convenient" it was to stay in the BWV/BCV area. Well, once I tried it, I thought it was over blown. I will agree that getting to Epcot was easy if all you wanted to do was get inside the gate, but if you want to do early morning (as we usually do), you have to walk all the way through the park to get to point A. Then there is the issue of DHS. Sure you can walk there in about 15-20 minutes, but it will take you at least that long or longer taking the boat, so I'm not sure I 'get' how it's a convenience. Frankly, I always feel like I spend less time getting to the parks from OKW than from anywhere else I've stayed, and with a bit less hassle. I also think AKV has excellent bus service, but it does take a bit longer time on the road from there.

I totally agree with you- Just stayed at BWV and did not find the ability to walk to either park a great benefit especially in the 97 degree weather. I really find the OKW transportation about the best of all.

 

[mikron]

In 2004 we bought SSR & OKW. We did that because they are twice the size of the other resorts and we get 11 month window. BCV, BWV WLV etc. are in demand but harder to get reservation on a short notice.

 

[Anthony1971]

I totally agree with you- Just stayed at BWV and did not find the ability to walk to either park a great benefit especially in the 97 degree weather. I really find the OKW transportation about the best of all.

I agree...
Always find OKW to be fastest to ALL.
Just stayed at BLT walk back form MK is great.. fireworks view is amazing... however it is far cry from the rooms and decor of the monorail resorts Disney gets the most money for

 

[Goofy DVC]

I couldn't agree more about the bus service at OKW. It is by far the best, quickest and centrally located IMHO. I also find that we actually enjoy the bus rides at times. We've met some great people on all those bus rides through the years. It's kinda part of the experience for us. Sometimes when we rent a car and don't take the bus, I miss the interaction. Call me crazy.

 

[theww228]

In 2004 we bought SSR & OKW. We did that because they are twice the size of the other resorts and we get 11 month window. BCV, BWV WLV etc. are in demand but harder to get reservation on a short notice.

Huh? Your statement appears to be backwards. Why wouldn't you want the 11 month window on a difficult to get resort? Generally, it is easier to get into OKW and SSR on short notice... what is the advantage of being able book at a resort at 11 months that you can book at 1 month?

 

[Sammie]

I think the transportation issue is a matter of personal taste - as much as decor is.

Some people HATE waiting for a bus. Some people HATE to drive and bother with a car. Some people feel that moving - i.e. walking to the Studios even if it is a long walk - is better than waiting for a bus - others feel that the walk plenty at Disney without hoofing it to the studios from BWVs. Some find the monorail truly magical, some don't.

And, of course, where you spend your time is also personal. If you are an "end every night in Epcot World Showcase" person, that's a different profile than an "end every night in Downtown Disney" person. Or a "we end every night in a different park" person.

(I can beat a boat walking from BWV to DHS - even if the boat is right there - I can't if the kids are with me though. I've been known to "race my kids" and can be back in the room with snacks on the table before them. I can run five miles though and am one of those 'don't mind more walking' people. Last trip we did my husband had a herniated disk - walking a lot quickly was not on the to do list.)

I totally agree, that is why I think no resort has the ideal situation, WDW is simply too big, for quick access to everything. And certainly the type of transportation one prefers is very personal. I really do not like riding the monorail.

However I do think many forget how centrally located to everything OKW and SSR are.

And nothing is longer to me than the walk from Epcot to BW if its 100 degrees out or storming.

 

[dizfan]

And nothing is longer to me than the walk from Epcot to BW if its 100 degrees out or storming.

I think this really depends what part(s) of Epcot a person goes to see. If you only go for FW, then yes it's a decent walk. However, if you go to FW at the start of the day, then to WS for the afternoon/evening, you can finish very close to International Gateway.

Also, those who like to go to WS for dining options, it's a breeze to walk in and get to most of the countries.

 

[Greysword]

I think an objective way to determine the "popularity" of a specific DVC resort may be to calculate (as a percentage) how often an owner stays in their home resort versus booking somewhere else.

We can do this on our own, and may reveal the true story about "buying where we want to stay" For instance, I bet quite a few SSR owners that bought resale contracts in the last couple of years likely did so based on price, and they plan to trade out to another resort. However, it is likely most BCV owners plan to stay in their home resort more times than not, due to the location, pool, and exclusiveness.

For instance, we are about 75% (4 DVC stays total, 3 were at a home resorts. My family did use points one year to visit the Disneyland Hotel while I was in Afghanistan, so I excluded that).

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

In the world of timesharing there are often lists of timeshares by "demand." Demand referes to popularity. If you had to rank the list for DVC - what would the top five look like? I am assuming that BLT would be number 1? Any thoughts? I am assuming that OKW, HHI, VB might be closer to the bottom of the list....

I would say if based on popularity and NOT price, expiration date or dues then I would rank them like this:

1) Bay Lake Tower
2) Beach Club Villas
3) Boardwalk Villas
4) Wilderness Lodge
5) Animal Kingdom
6) Old Key West
7) Saratoga Springs
8) Hilton Head
9) Vero Beach
10) Grand Californian

For me personally I would rank Boardwalk Villas # 1 and Vero Beach # 2. I love Jellyrolls and the waterslide at Vero Beach.

Jason

 

[nickspace]

We bought HH because it is so hard to get into when we want to go in the spring and summer. At the World there are multiple resorts you can reserve but not on Hilton Head Island and we really like vacationing there. So I guess that demand has personal variables as well.

 

[CMOORE185]

We bought HH because it is so hard to get into when we want to go in the spring and summer. At the World there are multiple resorts you can reserve but not on Hilton Head Island and we really like vacationing there. So I guess that demand has personal variables as well.

Agreed. We bought at HH too because we knew it would be very hard to get into when we like to go, and we knew we could find something at WDW at the 7 month mark. Also judging from reading these boards HH is a very popular resort, and I would rank it near the top in demand in the summer months.

 

[Granny]

If someone could run down the room rates for cash reservations at each of the resorts, that should provide a pretty good and objective indicator of "demand". My guess is that BCV and BLT are probably at the top.

 

[Sammie]

If someone could run down the room rates for cash reservations at each of the resorts, that should provide a pretty good and objective indicator of "demand". My guess is that BCV and BLT are probably at the top.

BLT MK view is at the top.


Studios:
BCV and BWV ranges from 345 to 555,
OKW and SSR range from 305 to 455
VWL range 340 to 520
AKV 280 to 630

With cash prices there is a huge difference in cost based on view. For example an standard view at Animal Kingdom Villas versus a Savannah view.