Does your home region influence your DVC home choice?

[cheyita]

After reading several threads, I have a theory I would like to discuss. How many of you find that you chose your home resort based on it being something different than the area you actually live in? I live in the Midwest and near the woodsey areas of Wisconsin/Michigan/ Minnesota. Therefore, I found myself more interested in staying in a place that seems more "Florida-ish" to me - BCV, OKW, etc. But I can imagine that those of you who live in warmer climates, are you more interested in somewhere like VWL? Just curious...

 

[spiceycat]

No I happen to love OKW - but yes I also love VWL. I think if you are happy where you live then you might want to spend your vacation time in the same area.

of course the South is know for not changing with the times - or do I just mean Ala - I have been told that I should visit Hawaii because I love the Polyn - but that plane ride would kill me.

I think that OKW has more in common with the Polyn than say POR - although that is my favorite of the moderates.

 

[travelbug]

Very interesting theory. I'll enjoy reading other people's responses. It's a good question you raise.

For me, I "chose" BWV for my first purchase because it was the only on-site resort Disney was selling at the time. I had not yet discovered these boards, and didn't know that resales even existed. So I would have bought whatever on-site resort Disney happened to be selling at the time, regardless of theme.

When I bought BCV later, it was almost entirely about location. I wanted to have the 11 mo. booking window at both BWV and BCV.

Now, I must say that I love the theming at both places as well as OKW (the Florida look). Haven't stayed at VWL yet, so I'm not sure if it would remind me too much of Michigan or not.

 

[jennybobenny]

Interesting question. We're from the Northeast. We live in a relatively small town, in the proverbial family house on a tree-lined street with a driveway, backyard etc. etc. Part of the reason my husband and I like BWV is because it gives us the chance to experience a city-like atmosphere. By city-like I mean that we can walk to and from several area attractions, choose from umpteen restaurants (that are within walking distance), order room service, take advantage of valet parking, etc. I once read a post from someone who thought one of OKW's biggest advantages was being able to park right near your front door. I do that everyday at home so it's not necessarily a big selling point for me when I look for a vacation destination. I would imagine that someone from the big city would like the peaceful, laid back setting of OKW. Comparatively, this small-town family is looking for the excitement and hubub a hotel-type setting has to offer.

 

[zulaya]

We bought BCV because it was selling then and we got a good deal. I like the location and the theme.

Being from MN, I wouldn't want to stay at VWL all the time, but I confess to thinking about attempting to get a December ressie there at some point during the next 39 years because I really believe in that traditional Xmas feel that VWL exudes so well.

I have absolutely no interest in the BWV. The theme just isn't me and frankly I am not going to get my undies in a bundle over standard & preferred view like so many people seem to do. I don't want any part of the madness to get the few standard view rooms that seem to exist to save a few points.

I can't wait to be able to get an OKW contract because I would enjoy the relaxing feel of the resort and the opportunity to get GVs at the 11 month window.

SSR...probably be interested in staying there. Owning there...have to wait and see.

 

[jennybobenny]

I am not going to get my undies in a bundle over standard & preferred view like so many people seem to do. If you want to think you are one-upping others, you do it.

Ouch.

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

Interesting question but that did not influence us at all. We bought at Vero because that gave us the most back from Magical Beginnings. I know many people said buy where you want to stay but if it came down to Vero or not at all I chose Vero. We would like to stay there sometime but for now we really like OKW and from what I understand it's always fairly easy to get ressies.
Also, before we bought into the DVC we were catching a shuttle back to the airport with a couple who owned a DVC. They were from Cape May County, New Jersey, where I'm originally from, and they bought into BWV. The husband said he tried to talk his wife out of it considering BWV is fashioned after the Jersey shore, as you know, especially Cape May but he said his wife just loved it. Thought that was interesting.

 

[GrammieMame]

Great question. I live in South Carolina and go to the beach often; my daughter lives in the Colorado mountains and I LOVE to visit there. So VWL was a natural choice because of the rustic atmosphere. But location is also a major issue, and the proximity to MK by boat was also a major factor. I later bought BCV because of the easy access to Epcot & MGM.

 

[chrissyk]

We bought at BWV because it was the resale that most fit our needs at the time BWV is my favorite DVC resort anyways, though! We are from Central MA, and I would never buy a DVC resort that was themed like where I live (if they would ever do this, which I doubt, LOL!!) DH and I don't even like where we live...we go on vacation to get AWAY from this place! I love the themeing of the BWV, and I'm glad that it's nothing like MA!!

 

[rbuzzotta]

The location did influence our decision. WE live relatively close to Boston and are frequent visitors to the Hub. WE live in a typical Suburban setting.

Therefore, we chose OKW because it is SOOOO very different from where we live. It is very relaxing and we need that at this time in our lives!!!

 

[hoosiergirl]

Those of us who bought at OKW in the early days really had no choice--OKW was THE DVC! Having said that, I probably would fit your "profile" because we love the tropical feel of OKW. You sure don't get that here in Ohio! We also bought at Vero later on and hey--that has a "tropical feel" too!

 

[SheriB]

We bought BCV (considered a BWV resale, though) because it reminds us of the Jersey shore and boardwalk (somewhat), which we love and visit every summer. So even though it doesn't resemble exactly where we live (we're actually closer to Philadelphia-but in a SMALL South Jersey town), it does remind us of where we like to vacation.

Sheri

 

[yasuern]

When we 1st bought DVC - VWL was being sold and we bought in and I LOVE VWL - now that being said I can look out my back door and see very tall pines and there is a lake about 5-10minutes from my door and NH VT and ME all have areas with that lodgey feel to them. When we stayed at OKW - it was love at first sight its so NOT like were I live - it has that laid back, relaxed tropical feel to me and long story short we now have 400 OKW pt too

So to anwer your ? 1st no and then yes.

 

[speedway66]

We bought at BWV because we loved the look and the atmosphere and the location- and it was what they were selling at the time. If (when?) we add points it will be @ VWL, because we love it there, too.

For the person who wondered if VWL would be too much like Michigan, think of the best features of your fine state, but still able to wear shorts on Christmas day

 

[DVCGirl49]

We have actually given that question some thought as we live about 20 minutes away from the real Saratoga Springs, NY.

We own at VWL and OKW, and probably will not buy at SSR. It is not that it won't be great like the other DVC's.....just that we get enough of Saratoga here at home and would like to do something different on vacation. I'm sure we will drive over there to visit, but we will probably not buy/stay there.

 

[jx3smom]

It's kind of funny that we bought at the two resorts that are designed most like where we live. We live at the Jersey shore in Cape May County. We bought at BCV and BWV. When we walk in to our unit at BCV there is a map of Cape May County on the wall. My MIL lives in Cape May City. DH works on the Boardwalk (casino) in Atlantic City. That is not the reason we purchased where we did. We bought into these resorts because we love being right in the center of things and we can walk to two parks and tons of restaurants. We also love the pools at both resorts. We also own at Vistana which to me is a little like OKW just a bit off site. If I want to be away from things we can go there. Usually when we do stay at Vistana, I'm wishing I was on Disney property.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

But doesn't apply to us. Much like ForTheLoveofDisney, we bought Vero Beach as our first home resort with MB and also felt VB would be good for us since my Mom lives in that area. We've only stayed there once, and have since added on at VWL, and soon another add-on at BCV.

We chose BCV over BWV for SAB, and we just like the feel of BCV a tad better than BWV, and frankly I feel that one is as good as another in terms of location and activities.

We choose the resort for any given stay based on the composition of our party (larger group = OKW's spacious rooms),
special activities and time of year (FWF = BCV, Xmas = VWL someday), but frankly with 39 years left to do this, we may find new methods for choosing. Look forward to SSR to see how that adds to the mix.

We are all so fortunate - whatever we choose, we are winners!

 

[cheyita]

Well, some of you have shot my theory out of the water, but others completely support it. This has been really interesting reading everyone's logic when choosing their "home" (when there was even a choice involved!). Interestingly to me, I called BCV more "Florida-ish" - but I do realize that it's more styled after areas further north. It is beachy, though, and very different from where I live.

Please, everyone, keep posting!

 

[snwwht]

For me your theory is right on! DH and I were born and raised in Illinois and I was lucky enough to spend summers in the Northern woods of Wisconsin.We now live on the beach in a Key West style home!When we started looking at DVC they were selling Beach Club so we stayed there a night.Thought it was nice but the fit wasn't there.Started looking at the other options and when we were driving up to the lodge and saw all the beautiful Pine trees I thought I was in heaven.That night sitting outside our room a squirrel came by looking for a handout and I was so happy to see him I almost cried.(no squirrels at the beach!!) DH said nothing at the time but the next day called DVC and was informed they still had some VWL points to sell and bought 250 of 'em.Needless to say I am very grateful to that squirrel! Having said that we also recently stayed at OKW thanks to a generous member of this board and although it's a lot like home think that it is a great resort.

 

[MrsG]

We live on Long Island and always loved to stay at the Carribbean Beach when we went to Disney. BCV, although not as tropical, fit close enough and the location close to Epcot (our favorite place) cemented our decision. I do think you have something...I certainly wouldn't want to stay in a resort that looks like home-- that's why we go on vacation!