DVC Resorts

[JamesLynn]

DH and I were recently married this past July. As a wedding present from his step-uncle and aunt, they are giving us 2 nights at a studio apartment at a DVC resort. We were very excited to recieve this present!
However, we have no idea where to stay! While I have been to Disney many times in my life, I have never stayed at a DVC resort and know nothing about them.
We want to contact his step-aunt soon so that we can use this wonderful wedding gift as a honeymoon, but I am so lost when it comes to DVC!

 

[everylastbreath]

Wow, what a nice gift. We have stayed a quite a few Disney hotels and I would most definately recommend staying at the Boardwalk, It's location (walking distance to Epcot and MGM) and the actual Boardwalk (nightlife) you will not be disappointed.

If you are looking for a monorail hotel, the Grand Floridian, you won't have the nightlife like the boardwalk, but it's beautiful.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

What a great gift!
What time of year will you be traveling? I think the time of year should play a role in where you pick.
Also, do you prefer condo style or hotel style accommodations? Do you have a favorite on site Disney Resort? What is your favorite park? Will you be visiting Downtown Disney in the evening? Do you like rustic design, formal, or light & airy?

Sorry for all the questions, but they will help you with your choices.

MG

 

[JamesLynn]

What a great gift!
What time of year will you be traveling? I think the time of year should play a role in where you pick.
Also, do you prefer condo style or hotel style accommodations? Do you have a favorite on site Disney Resort? What is your favorite park? Will you be visiting Downtown Disney in the evening? Do you like rustic design, formal, or light & airy?

Sorry for all the questions, but they will help you with your choices.

MG

I was thinking of using it sometime during January or February. I only live 7 miles from Disney, so I'm really open on any date.
I'm not picky when it comes to condo style or hotel style accommodations. Although, I've never stayed at a condo before.
My favorite Disney resort is Coronado Springs.
My favorite park is MGM. I love the glitz and glamour!
I could possible visit Downtown Disney, depending on what we did that day.
I like light & airy and formal. I spent 5 years in the UP of Michigan, so I'm good with rustic (friends had a very rustic cabin there).

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I was thinking of using it sometime during January or February. I only live 7 miles from Disney, so I'm really open on any date.
I'm not picky when it comes to condo style or hotel style accommodations. Although, I've never stayed at a condo before.
My favorite Disney resort is Coronado Springs.
My favorite park is MGM. I love the glitz and glamour!
I could possible visit Downtown Disney, depending on what we did that day.
I like light & airy and formal. I spent 5 years in the UP of Michigan, so I'm good with rustic (friends had a very rustic cabin there).

Well, at least I THOUGHT that would help narrow it down!

The heavier theming of Coranado Springs points toward VWL or AKV, but BWV will be the closest to Disney/MGM Studios. Light & airy would lean toward BCV or OKW. A formal decor and being close to Downtown Disney suggests SSR. Rustic would point to VWL or AKV.

Let's try from a different angle...
What's most important... location or theme?

MG

 

[Sue's Mum]

For convenience I would go for Boardwalk. I like the hotel style and the fact that there always seems to be something going on but not too much and the visual variety. Love the boardwalk area early morning and sitting outside the Bakery with coffee and donuts.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have to give another view of staying at the Boardwalk. We gave DS and his new bride a week at any DVC and they chose a BW view studio. Although they liked it, they were somewhat disappointed that there weren't more fast food options right there. Also, our new DIL got one look at SAB and asked "Why didn't we stay here?" Oh-Oh! They want to go back to WDW again, only next time they want to stay at BCV for BC Marketplace and SAB.

 

[LSchrow]

my vote would be the BWV's.
lots of nightlife between the BW & EPCOT (you can walk or ferry to both EPCOT & MGM)
though just across the water, we've found that BCV's tend to have many more kidlets (especially by SAB) ~ might be great if you're traveling with little ones, but not as enjoyable for "couples" IMHO (tho even my young'un nephews prefer BW. they said "the pool was too crowded and noisy" ~ and that was from two very outgoing and NOISY boys lol).
another consideration: SSR is great for the nightlife, too....walking over to PI & DTD is a quiet, lovely stroll, & the resort itself is beautiful.

maybe check the resorts out on-line for yoursef (of course, with your DH's input ). see which each looks like, what it is near, etc.
and congrats on the marriage!!

 

[JamesLynn]

Well, at least I THOUGHT that would help narrow it down!

The heavier theming of Coranado Springs points toward VWL or AKV, but BWV will be the closest to Disney/MGM Studios. Light & airy would lean toward BCV or OKW. A formal decor and being close to Downtown Disney suggests SSR. Rustic would point to VWL or AKV.

Let's try from a different angle...
What's most important... location or theme?

MG

I'm gonna go for theme!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I'm gonna go for theme!

Most would probably agree the heaviest, most intricate and detailed theming is either the Villas at Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Villas.
Now, there are some who don't like those resorts because they tend to be a bit dark and rustic. That said, they are magnificent enough to at least visit if you don't stay there.

If you want strong theming, VWL and AKV should be in the top tier... But that's just my opinion.

MG

 

[dianeschlicht]

I was thinking of using it sometime during January or February. I only live 7 miles from Disney, so I'm really open on any date.
I'm not picky when it comes to condo style or hotel style accommodations. Although, I've never stayed at a condo before.
My favorite Disney resort is Coronado Springs.
My favorite park is MGM. I love the glitz and glamour!
I could possible visit Downtown Disney, depending on what we did that day.
I like light & airy and formal. I spent 5 years in the UP of Michigan, so I'm good with rustic (friends had a very rustic cabin there).

If you are thinking of this coming January or February, you need to have the Aunt and Uncle see what's available. It could be kind of fun to "take what you can get". If it were me, I'd likely choose OKW or SSR for the quiet and convenience to DTD. I don't really think of BWV as a honeymoon type place, but both VWL and AKV would be great as well.

 

[Caskbill]

If you are thinking of this coming January or February, you need to have the Aunt and Uncle see what's available. It could be kind of fun to "take what you can get". If it were me, I'd likely choose OKW or SSR for the quiet and convenience to DTD. I don't really think of BWV as a honeymoon type place, but both VWL and AKV would be great as well.

I agree that SSR would be a good choice as it would give you a non-hotel type of vacation.

I don't think OKW would be a good choice because you're getting a Studio and the OKW studios do feel like a hotel room rather than a villa. They have two beds instead of the single bed and sofa-bed.