DVC Value Calculator

[Brian Noble]

We only do studios if there are one or two people...any more than that, its a 1 bedroom.

I bump up to a 1BR if I go over two people, OR if I am staying more than about three nights. Once I am there for a longer trip, I really want the space and amenities of a villa.

I think my wife will win the debate and we will rent a 1 bed unit for now while our child still has a nap schedule.

1BRs have doors that lock, which can keep out the little ones when in flagrante delicto.

Just sayin'

I should do the same thing with my other timeshares.

I don't know about you, but mine were resale, and therefore cheap enough I don't have to spend that much time optimizing them.

 

[Cfabar1]

Interesting that DHHIR didn’t reallocate. Maybe due to different use/demand patterns - demand at DHHIR might actually be greater on weekends than for weekdays, thus justifying higher points costs for weekends.

I think it is.... lots of "long weekend" "beach weekend" sort of uses...


My completely anecdotal evidence is now Thursday and Sunday are the toughest days of the week to book at WDW... and I think the points charts may be part of the reason why...

 

[Cfabar1]

I think that the CFW kitchen is larger, at least in terms of counterspace. Of course, I'm also spending WAAAY less points on a CFW cabin than a RIV 1-bedroom.

I actually prefer the BWV/SSR/BRV kitchen as you feel like you have prep space. That said, just because I like it doesn't make it gospel. It's just my opinion. I'm sure many love the galley setup (which is also in CCV), it's just not my thing.

Also, it's way easier to take my Publix groceries into the cabin (about 5 steps) versus hauling them from the car at RIV to my unit. Again, just personal preference. Everyone is going to be different and that's OK. It's what makes DVC great!

I prefer the kitchen setup at OKW and VB, with BLT followed as a close second...

We tolerate the cooking/kitchen setup at Grand Floridian. The galley style of CCV/RIV is not for us.

 

[intamin]

I think that the CFW kitchen is larger, at least in terms of counterspace. Of course, I'm also spending WAAAY less points on a CFW cabin than a RIV 1-bedroom.

I actually prefer the BWV/SSR/BRV kitchen as you feel like you have prep space. That said, just because I like it doesn't make it gospel. It's just my opinion. I'm sure many love the galley setup (which is also in CCV), it's just not my thing.

Also, it's way easier to take my Publix groceries into the cabin (about 5 steps) versus hauling them from the car at RIV to my unit. Again, just personal preference. Everyone is going to be different and that's OK. It's what makes DVC great!

Yep different strokes for different folks. I feel like I like the look of the SSR and BRV kitchen and having that separation from the rest of the living room compared to the galley but in practicality I know once we have strollers it'll be nice to have plenty of space to push the stroller right on through the middle of the living room without having to try and navigate the kitchen. I like CFW because it lets me bring my dog, I have a staycation planned for July 4th to bring my little boy but I would hate not having laundry in the room because we do use it to dry our soaked clothes/shoes when it pours in Orlando. This is opposed to the kitchen because we don't truly cook inside the room as much as we cool our drinks and heat up leftovers from the night before occasionally. But regardless, we leave SSR availability and youre leaving us RIV availability so it works out for both parties no need to argue about which is better and just appreciate that we have both options available.

Anyways here's the little boy pictured

 

[Brian Noble]

I do prep meals in the villa, but I would describe most of that as "assembly" rather than "cooking" for a vareity of reasons. I don't have my full pantry/spice rack, and I'm not buying e.g. a jar of smoked paprika to use 1T of it. I know I could pack pre-portioned things, but that would require a level of commitment to the plan that, so far, I have not been able to stick to.

That said, the galley kitchens in RIV do look tight, and it will be interesting to see what I think of them. I haven't experienced RIV's first-hand yet, but will next year.

On balance, I think I prefer the trade off of less kitchen space in favor of more space for the living room. One of my big complaints of the DVC 2.0 layouts (BRV, BCV, BWV, and SSR) is that the living space is tight in the 1BR configuraiton, and truly inadequate in the 2BR configuration.

 

[CarolynFH]

Anyways here's the little boy pictured

Just had to say, he's a cutie!

 

[intamin]

I do prep meals in the villa, but I would describe most of that as "assembly" rather than "cooking" for a vareity of reasons. I don't have my full pantry/spice rack, and I'm not buying e.g. a jar of smoked paprika to use 1T of it. I know I could pack pre-portioned things, but that would require a level of commitment to the plan that, so far, I have not been able to stick to.

That said, the galley kitchens in RIV do look tight, and it will be interesting to see what I think of them. I haven't experienced RIV's first-hand yet, but will next year.

On balance, I think I prefer the trade off of less kitchen space in favor of more space for the living room. One of my big complaints of the DVC 2.0 layouts (BRV, BCV, BWV, and SSR) is that the living space is tight in the 1BR configuraiton, and truly inadequate in the 2BR configuration.

The only way I could see having actual good meals is if you use owners locker and store all your spices and pots/appliances in there but I'd personally debate if it's actually worth it and if I even actually want to cook instead of just going to a table service. Otherwise it's probably just going to be maybe bacon, eggs, toast and cereal? And that's a big maybe for me because in the morning I'll probably just want to get going to the park

 

[airjay75]

To add to the variety of perspectives here, I have a hard time ever seeing our family do much real cooking while on a DVC stay. TBH, we don't do a lot of cooking at home, it isn't something me or my wife really enjoy, and that's even more true while on vacation. I value quick and easy access to QS or other mobile order restaurants much more. So, while I certainly like having all the workings of a full kitchen, the size and counter space just is not anywhere near the top of my list of priorities.

And, as to groceries, we're more likely to have them delivered to bell services and brought to our room than we are to haul them from our car ourselves. And, given how little we've been using our rental car these past few WDW trips, I think I'm going to give some car services a try on some of our upcoming longer trips where it would be a good deal cheaper than a rental car.

We also rent strollers at the parks rather than bringing our own or renting from one of the stroller services. No strollers taking up space in the room, and no dealing with folding it up on boats or buses. But, I suppose that depends on the kids - TBH, my two boys are better off getting some energy out before we get on bus, boat, etc. Younger toddlers likely need the stroller . . . but, that stage also passes before you know it.

 

[eticketplease]

And that's a big maybe for me because in the morning I'll probably just want to get going to the park

This will certainly change later in your DVC especially when the teen years arrive

 

[JamJam2021]

I don't know about you, but mine were resale, and therefore cheap enough I don't have to spend that much time optimizing them.

Yup. Both hgvc and dvc are resale and optimization is more for fun than a priority.

 

[intamin]

This will certainly change later in your DVC especially when the teen years arrive

Mm perhaps, because my wife is always sleeping in maybe I'll start cooking down the line in the morning so I have something to do in the morning but that means dishes and I'm lazy I very well still might be just trying to get the kids to wake up.