DVC Resorts Pros and Cons

[Hillbilly]

Just put in for a resale at BCV. Being very influenced on peoples opinions I decided to go with BCV. I met a DVC member on the golf course in early march when I stayed at the SOG and he owned two properties, OKW and BCV. He was very experienced so I pumped him for info. He gave me his thoughts on all the resorts and said he's thinking of buying another for VB.

Here is what I got from him about the pros and cons of each. My question would be for other members to add imput so in the future I could make an educated decision on my next DVC property. I realize it's different strokes for different folks so I can take that under consideration. I just read about 26 pages of posts before I decided to create my first post on this board. With so many experienced DVC members here, any opinions would be greatly appriciated. Here is some of the pros and cons I got from my guide and this member. Thanks in advance.

OKW
Pros - Rooms are bigger, Golf course on site, near DTD, use less points for the value of the rooms.
Cons - Bus transportation not good so he rents a car.

BWV
Pros - Superior view to most DVC resorts, Close to many good eating places, close to epcot/MGM, nice water slide.
Cons - A lot of action and very noisy late nites, this was the only place he didn't care for, but I took that in stride.

VWL
Pros - As many likes it at Christmas time, close to MK
Cons - Only one pool, rather stay at the other resorts other than Christmas time.

HH
Pros - Golf, Golf, Golf. Very beautiful.
Cons - None really, just rather spend the time around DW.

VB
Pros - Golf, cottages are superb, ocean.
Cons- None also, that's why he considering buying.

BCV
Pros - Just like BWV close to epcot/MGM, but more secluded from the late night action, SAB, ihop the most beautiful of the DVC resorts.
Cons - Not too much here other than rooms aren't as big as OKW. Also, no golf course.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I am an owner at BCV. My family loves it.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

 

[spiceycat]

Okay I use to own at VB -
the
pro - beautiful resort if you like the ocean, the slide is lot of fun for the kids. the cottage are beautiful!!!

cons- I hate the location of this place - I didn't feel safe along the back road until we were at the resort! - It is the more expensive in maintence fees of all the DVC resorts and will continue to be so...Not to many of the villas have views of the oceans. too many of the facilities were across the street.

OKW - I love this place - the bus transportation (from my point of view) is much, much better. I have always consider it a very beautiful place. Your views are woods, golf or water. there water views are the best by far (my opinion).

BWV - too much action for my taste - although I do own a small contract here.

VWL - beautiful - go see this resort before you mark it off your list - very woody - I love this place at Christmas (Christmas at WDW is from Thanskgiving to NY) - but I also love it in the summer. It has a main pool with a slide and a quiet pool. It has 3 spas - the one near the hotel - hot and cold - and the one near the villa - hot. It has probably the best gym at WDW. (well until SSR is up and running). Also you can walk over to FW (or boat or bus) and have access to all this campground offers - go to the campfire just once!

BCV - beautiful - I love this resort - now there have been some bad reviews here - of the rooms not being cleaned and other things - but I think once the management gets use to DVC members complainting if the rooms are not just okay but excellent - then this will stop.

HH - beautiful - it is on an island - not on the ocean - but since I don't golf it will never be one of my favorites. Although the resort is definitely beautiful - it has one pool at the resort - the other is at the beach house.

don't base your choice on someone else opinion - so see for yourself!!!

www.dvc-resorts.com
has some pictures of all except SSR

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by spiceycat

don't base your choice on someone else opinion - so see for yourself!!

This is excellent advice! What is considered to be a pro or con at the various DVC resort varies GREATLY between people. All the DVC resorts are very different in atmopshere, location, resort amenities, dining options, villa and building sizes and configurations, etc. (with BWV and BCV being the only ones that are even remotely similiar). What one person wants and desires from a WDW resort is many times the exact opposite for someone else. Only you can decide what appeals to you and what will make you happy on a WDW trip.
Personally the location of the resort and the resort amenities are very important factors in our resort choice. I want a resort that is very close to parks, dining options, the park fireworks and shows etc. and that offers full deluxe resort amenitites. Other families desire a laid back, homey resort not so close to parks, shops, etc. Many enjoy cooking and dining in their villa, so roomservice, various dining options etc are of no interest. It all depends on your tastes. Go explore all the DVC resorts and see which one feels right for you. They are all unique and all have their pros and cons--it just depends on what is a pro or con for YOU.

 

[Disney Doll]

Basically all the info he gave you was correct, but remember, what some consider "pros" other consider "cons" and vice versa!

For example, OKW location. It is a little off the beaten path. For someone who likes to be in the middle of the action, that is a "con". For someone who likes a laid-back, relaxed pace, that is a "pro".

I will give you observations about the resorts, and not label any pro or con:

OKW-laid back, "beachy/tropical" theme, decorated in pastel colors, relaxed atmosphere, large unit sizes, easiest to get a reservation at usually,3 quiet pools + 1 main pool(where they are going to build a slide),restaurant on site, boat & walking path to DD, a couple of snack bars on site that are open seasonally, boat/bike rental, on a golf course, views are usually woods/water/golf course, bus service to all other parks,condo-style, park in front of your unit rather than valet, has all configurations of DVC units(studios-GVs)

BCV-location, beachy theme, Stormalong Bay, unit sizes are smaller than OKW, but still ample for a vacation condo, acces to Boardwalk and all its amenities, access to Epcot & MGM via walking or boat, bus to everywhere else, bike/boat rental, beach to lay on but you can't swim in the water, views are woods/parking lot/road(which gives you Epcot), valet or self-park is a distance from unit, hotel-style, with entrances from interior hallways, has studios, 1BR & 2BR units, no GVs

BWV-essentially the same as BCV, except for Stormalong Bay and no road views...of course, there is the Boardwalk view! Decorated in a seashore theme...lots of blue, very pretty. They do have GVs.

VWL-serene, nice main pool complex, nice quiet pool, decorated in deeper colors, units sizes same as BCV/BWV, rent bikes/boats, views of woods/water, boat to MK, bus to everywhere else, studios 1BR, 2BR units, no GVs. Interior entrances so more hotel-like.

Each of them has their beauty, there is not a "bad" property among them, it is really what is your tatse? Good luck with your decision!

 

[Hillbilly]

I appriciate the advice. I guess I'll try them one at a time. I'm just trying to get an idea where I want my home resorts at. I probably will have to wait a couple of weeks until I hear from Disney about the fror. Then I was told that it probably could take up to another 4 to 6 weeks to close. I hope I made the right choice with BCV. Thanks to all for your response.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Here's my comparison of BCV vs BWV:

I like the BCV room layout better. Table seats 8 whereas BWV, WLV does not. Bathroom layout nice, Desk in bedroom in BCV.
BCV is newer.
Seemed slower and a little more quiet and relaxed than BC, YC and BWV, yet still close to activities.
Distance to the elevator is better.
Nice Quiet pool
Lots of nice internal spaces for when it's raining, drawing room, breezeway, solarium, BC lobby.
Sandcastle club availability
Outstanding location, boat to MGM, walk to Epcot, Baordwalk area activities closeby, swan and Dolphin restaraunts.
Love the Beach Theme
Great at access to Beach Club amenities, and restaraunts, Jellyrolls, stores, Beaches and Cream, Arcade, etc.
Prefer the sand beach along crescent lake instead of the boardswalk
SAB is nice
Nice Beach Club Workout facility.
Nice access to the parking lot
Bus service fine.
Hotel services available like in-room dining, valet services, front staff.
Nice entrance to the resort walking in BC entrance with large fresh flower arrangements, sometimes music in lobby (saw harpist) front door greetings.
Marina activites, can take boats to see illuminations.
Nice access to parking lot for villas, closer than valet for many units. Just go in the back door or walk along the canal to the middle elevator
Second elevator available in the middle of the resort for pool, parking access.
BCVs has access to a marina along with the YC and BC. WLV and OKW also has a marina. BWV does not.
For us, the circus theme isn't as appealing as the beach theme, circuses don't have a good reputation for cleanliness or humane treatment towards animals, or the most friendly workers, but that's just us.

BCV has
No community Hall and Community Hall activities like BWV, Vero, others.
Uses all preferred view point structure, no advantage of standards view lower point structure like at BWV or lower points requirements like at OWK to stretch point value
Rooms smaller than OKW, lessstorage space - OKW, Vero and HH rooms are larger.
No three bedroom grand villas available (usually requires 11 month window at other resorts)
No outstanding crecent lake views like BWV
Villas in back are too close to roadway, some noise.

My wife and I have no interest in OKW. It is not our idea of being at WDW, but that's just us. You might want to consider a visit to check out all the resorts, it might even be worth a weekend trip to see the differences.

We also really like Vero. No crowds, no lines, no park passes expense, just relaxing time with the family, with plenty to do. Very restful and recharging for me. Beautiful resot with all the needed amenities, except perhaps better internet access. I would like it if there were a restaraunt or lounge a short beach walk away from the resort, for a drink and a treat at beachfront. But the non-commercial atmosphere is wonderful.

 

[BWVDee]

For us, the circus theme isn't as appealing as the beach theme, circuses don't have a good reputation for cleanliness or humane treatment towards animals, or the most friendly workers, but that's just us.

LOL!! Actually Luna Park is not circus themed, it is modeled after Steeplcase Pier, an amusement park pier located on AC boardwalk and also Coney Island. The infamous Clown Slide was modeled after an icon used in Steeplecase Pier advertising. The pool bar - Leaping Horse Libations is modeled after a carousel and named after the famous Diving Horse from the old Steel Pier in AC, NJ. The slide is modeled after an old fashioned roller coaster also found on Steeplecase Pier. Where in the heck the squirting elephants fit into the whole scheme of things is beyond me, but Luna Park does not nor does any other part of BWV have a circus theme.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by BWVDee
LOL!! Actually Luna Park is not circus themed, it is modeled after Steeplcase Pier, an amusement park pier located on AC boardwalk and also Coney Island. The infamous Clown Slide was modeled after an icon used in Steeplecase Pier advertising. The pool bar - Leaping Horse Libations is modeled after a carousel and named after the famous Diving Horse from the old Steel Pier in AC, NJ. The slide is modeled after an old fashioned roller coaster also found on Steeplecase Pier. Where in the heck the squirting elephants fit into the whole scheme of things is beyond me, but Luna Park does not nor does any other part of BWV have a circus theme.

Circus theme or Steeplecase Pier theme at coney island with clown slides, Leaping Horse libations, carousel, squirting elephants, etc. - whatever - the theme at BWV is just not as appealing to us. Coney island isn't a real clean and wholesome customer service oriented place either.

- LOL or not.

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by CaptainMidnight
Circus theme or Steeplecase Pier theme at coney island with clown slides, Leaping Horse libations, carousel, squirting elephants, etc. - whatever - the theme at BWV is just not as appealing to us. Coney island isn't a real clean and wholesome customer service oriented place either.

- LOL or not.

Whichever theme appeals to you is fine. I was merely pointing out that there are no circus themes at BWV. An Atlantic Seaside Resort is the theme of BWV--the same as BCV which is themed after Cape May, NJ.
Sorry, I sincerely did not mean to get you upset, but it just makes me laugh whenever you post that statement, also it is not correct.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Hi, Hillbilly. First of all, WELCOME to The DIS Boards!

I think you have gotten some good advice from the other posters. I would just like to reiterate that you should take a day and visit all the different on-site DVC resorts. Once you get the feel of the different resorts and themes, you will be in a much better position to make your decision.

Good luck...

MG

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by BWVDee
...it just makes me laugh whenever you post that statement, also it is not correct.

Even if it's not the exact theme description, seems pretty circus-like to me given clown slides, leaping horse libations, carousel, squirting elephants, etc. and lobby decor.

The elephants don't really fit a Steeplecase Pier theme, do they? How do you explain them? Pretty circus-like to me.....

I would suggest there is a different feel and theme to BWV versus BCV. Check them out and decide for yourself.

Oh, major pros and cons to consider -

BCV and WLV do not have 3 bedroom villas, BWV, OKW, and SSR do. You'll need the home resort advantage to get these accomodations. Major consideration.

Also, study the point requirements and realize that you'll need the home resort advantage at BWV to use the standard point structure, a nice way to reduce points for great accomodations. Look at the seasons for points if thinking of HH and Vero. Vero is cheaper pointwise in the summer. You'll probably need home ownership at HH to get the desired accomodations there during the prime summer season. OKW is less points. Compare these to your vacation seasons.

 

[Hillbilly]

Desperado

So, I'm assuming it's pretty hard to get a grand villa 7 month out. Which ones have you been most successful getting? What time of year? More toward the adventure season or the peak.


Maistre Gracey

THank you first for the welcome. I think that if I could spend a day visiting each on my next visit maybe I could get a better feel for these. This is great advice. I could probably do this while the wife and kids soak up the rays. I'm assuming that even though I might be staying at one DVC resort I'll be let in to look at others. Is this something that my guide might be able to set up?

BWVDee

Just wondering....Does BWV also limit it's own member to that clown slide like BVC does SAB?


Thanks again. My resale rep says he believes my bid will go through ROFR. Now we just have to wait.

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by Desperado
Even if it's not the exact theme description, seems pretty circus-like to me given clown slides, leaping horse libations, carousel, squirting elephants, etc. and lobby decor.

The elephants don't really fit a Steeplecase Pier theme, do they? How do you explain them? Pretty circus-like to me.....

I stated in a previous post:

Where in the heck the squirting elephants fit into the whole scheme of things is beyond me, but Luna Park does not nor does any other part of BWV have a circus theme.

If you feel as though BWV has a circus theme that is fine. But in reality that was not the intention and every replica or model there is at BWV (including in the lobby) is themed after a place, ride/attraction etc at a Atlantic Seaside Resort, there are no circus references at all. But if it seems like a circus to you that is fine, it is just not what the theme really is. Both BWV and BCV are modeled after Atlantic Seaside resorts in NJ. I personally have always found it odd that BCV was not modeled after a New England Seaside resort, to fit in with the YC/BC theming. But it is modeled after Cape May, NJ. BWV is modeled after the old Atlantic City and several other old Atlantic Seaside resorts.

 

[crisi]

The NJ Boardwalk that the BW resort is modeled after did have a turn of the century circus (pictures can be seen as you enter the Villas leaving the lobby) as well as a variety of other wholesome and not so wholesome attractions. Circuses (even modern ones) have not been known for great animal conditions. However, I wouldn't call that Disney's most politically incorrect theme (cough, POR, cough). And last I checked, Disney was not actually abusing those plaster elephants by the pool. Some people don't like circuses. Big deal. More rooms for people who do enjoy the BW decor, location and atmosphere.

Next to VWL, I think the BW has the most complete theming of a DVC resort. Not a theme that appeals to everyone (neither is VWL - there are plenty of people who consider that resort too "dark" and "woodsy"). We prefer the decor of WL, but own at BWV. Doesn't bug us that much.

As I've said before, that teal used to decorate OKW isn't my color (the problem being it WAS my color in the late 1980s), the decor of SSR reminds me of my high school boyfriends mother's living room (don't need to be reminded of him on vacation - I'd rather be reminded of poor treatment of animals in circuses than his poor treatment of me), and I HATE the couch at BCVs. I also despise the shower curtain at BWVs - ugliest darn thing.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by crisi
The NJ Boardwalk that the BW resort is modeled after did have a turn of the century circus (pictures can be seen as you enter the Villas leaving the lobby) as well as a variety of other wholesome and not so wholesome attractions. Circuses (even modern ones) have not been known for great animal conditions.

Thank you.


It's an absolutely wonderful resort, certainly worth considering. Probably the second best DVC resort on property.

 

[disneycrazed139]

It's kind of funny...this whole discussion about the theme of BW. It didn't really appeal to me either on the surface but once we visited there, I changed my mind completely. I could do without the clown slide, but all in all, it definitely has an old-fashioned feel to it -- nothing circus-like about it. Coney Island was also mentioned in some posts...Now Coney Island today may not be clean and wholesome, but at one point in history this wasn't the case -- it was the Disney World of its time. BW is supposed to represent times past (turn of the century) and I think it does a great job of just that.

Check out this site... http://naid.sppsr.ucla.edu/coneyisland/

There are some great pictures and a timeline of the history of Coney Island. (Also, go the article on Luna Park under "Amusement Industry" in the Coney Island history articles).

This place was absolutely fantastic in 1904!!! And admission to all of Luna Park's attractions at the time was only $1.95!

There's plenty more history here, including details on the fire that destroyed Luna Park. (You'll also see that in 1907 elephant rides were all the rage.)

 

[WDWLVR]

Welcome to the DIS Hillbilly,

The best advice you got to was go look them all over for yourself. That's what we've done. Here's my impressions for what they are worth:

Boardwalk - I'll start here since this is home. I like the fact that it is so close to both MGM/Epcot. The boardwalk area is fun and there is always something going on. I've had both a boardwalk view and a front drive view and never found nighttime noise to be a problem. I like the themeing throughout the hotel of kind of a turn of the centrury boarkwalk. Yes the Atltantic City Boarkwalk may not be all that beautiful today (don't know - never been there) but it was at that time period.

Villas of Wilderness Lodge - we have stayed here. Great if you main focus is the Magic Kingdom- it's just a boat ride away. The only DVC resort you can see the Electrical Water Pagent from. While we personally love the look and feel of the lodge - the Villas left us cold. Too dark and cramped for me.

Old Key West - to me it has the feel of a small village. By far the most out of the way DVC resort. You can park right outside your villa. I've heard the rooms are big! We'll be trying it out in May. I love that you can take a boat to Downtown Disney. It is a nice quiet ride and great as an afternoon getaway from the parks.

Beach Club Villas - haven't stayed here yet, but plan to some day. Many of the same pluses as Boardwalk (near Epcot & MGM, etc.). Stormalong Bay is very nice. Some of our favorite eating spots - Yachtsman Steakhouse, Beaches & Cream, Cape May. The one thing I liked best in looking at the model was the the conncecting door for the two bedroom was up by the front door and not right in the living area. I think this would be a big plus when you were only in a one bedroom or studio (less noise).


Hope these have helped and I hope you get the chance to check out each for yourself.

 

[jaysue]

At this time, you are allowed to pool hop to BWV from any other DVC resort that you are staying on points as a member

In addition, you can pool hop to any WDW resort pool with the exception of Animal Kingdom Lodge Uzima Pool (the only pool there) and the Yacht Club/Beach Club/Beach Club Villa pools - Dunes Cove, Admiral, Tidal and Stormalong Bay (i.e. quier and feature pools)

Due to Stromalong Bay being not "hoppable" (great, another new word in my lexicon), some people choose to buy at BCV for that feature pool access

thanks
jaysue

 

[Pa@okw95]

At OKW, there is no golf course on site. There are a few holes that run though it. OKW guests are not allowed on the golf course. To play the course you have to drive down the road to get to the site of the golf course. I don't want you to think that OKW is a golf site. You said you stayed at SOG. Now when that was the Disney Inn, the golf course was on that site, because that was where he pro shop was, you bought tickets to play, and the first tee was there, that was once a true golf club house-hotel. I haven't been over there since the government bought it, I have to assume they changed things around a little since then. I wanted to stress OKW has nothing to do with the golf course except you do get to view a few holes from some of the condos. It is not a golf resort by any stretch of the imagination. You are half correct about the bus service, it is bad, but some of the other DVC resorts have bad bus service also. I would not amke a decision about OKW based on golf or the bus service, the rooms are much larger than othe DVC resorts.