Explain to me How a DVC Resort disappoints you

[gkrykewy]

Too many stops on the bus to and from the resort?

For most WDW resorts, and all but one AKV route, bus service is direct - there are no stops in between.

The exceptions are the other deluxe resorts, ironically - the monorail resorts share buses for non-monorail destinations, as do the EPCOT resorts.

We most often stay at AKL/V, and have never needed to rent a car. The distance/accessibility issue is an illusion.

 

[cseca]

...

We most often stay at AKL/V, and have never needed to rent a car. The distance/accessibility issue is an illusion.

I agree about not needing a car. Accessibility wise if you compare AKV with BWV, BCV, and BLT theirs I think is less.

BWV, BCV you can walk or take the boat to 2 parks and 2 other resorts (Swan/Dolphin).
BLT you can take monorail to MK (and hop on another monorail to EPCOT) and the other 2 resorts, or take the boat to FW and WLV. Or walk to MK.

So in that manner, AKV is very "secluded"... not saying AKV is not good but the accessibility is not as great as BWV, BCV or BLT.

 

[cmclaura]

This fits me. I'm simply not a resort person. When I go somewhere, I like to go, go, go and use the room only as a place to lay my head and shower. When we go to Disney, we're 'rope drop to refugee' type of visitors.

We bought DVC because of the cruises. For some reason, I can handle the luxury there probably because I'm pretty much a captive audience.

We may at some point try the resorts, perhaps at Disney in Paris, but it's really unlikely we'll do the resort thing on any sort of regular basis.

But, hey, I said I'd NEVER buy a timeshare, and went into the DVC meeting with a grim face, even feeling sick for weeks afterward.

But, hand on heart, I can now say it was the BEST decision we ever made.

So who knows what the future may bring?

But for right now, I'm still not into doing the resort thing.

 

[skelooch]

The only thing I would say never to would be BLT "studio", did it once with only two adults, and would never do it again, even solo. I would do BLT in a 1 or 2 BR though.

I said never once to OKW the first time a visited the resort, now it is my second favorite, after BCV.

 

[gkrykewy]

I agree about not needing a car. Accessibility wise if you compare AKV with BWV, BCV, and BLT theirs I think is less.

BWV, BCV you can walk or take the boat to 2 parks and 2 other resorts (Swan/Dolphin).
BLT you can take monorail to MK (and hop on another monorail to EPCOT) and the other 2 resorts, or take the boat to FW and WLV. Or walk to MK.

So in that manner, AKV is very "secluded"... not saying AKV is not good but the accessibility is not as great as BWV, BCV or BLT.

I agree that those other resorts have more mobility *options*, but I'd put AKL/AKV up against any of those resorts/locations in terms of how much raw time it actually takes to get anywhere (on average).

The MK is fairly isolated from anything else on property, and as a result, so are the monorail resorts. The bus from BLT to HS or AK (shared with the GF and Poly) takes *forever* (although using the MK bus depot to reach other resorts from BLT is a huge perk, as rightly pointed out by ssawka!). The 2-seat monorail trip from CR to EPCOT similarly takes longer than any resort-EPCOT bus trip I've ever made, particularly on the way back when you take the long way around the resort loop.

The boats at BCV/BWV are horrendously slow; we actually beat the boat last August walking from HS to EPCOT.

AKL/V is short on mobility options, and certainly the buses don't have the charm of the boats or monorail (and I wish it were possible to walk somewhere... anywhere...), but in terms of raw travel time to the average destination, for a family that makes a nearly even share of visits to all four parks with a DTD visit mixed in) -- it's right up there with any of the other resorts because of the direct bus service to everywhere. That's what I meant by illusion.

Personally, to the core of the OP's question, while we have preferences, I'd be delighted to stay at any of the WDW DVC resorts - they're all fabulous, and all have tradeoffs. For example, we're thinking of swapping out an AKV concierge stay for an OKW stay at 7 months to stretch our next trip for a few nights

 

[Hollymom1229]

I've stayed at all the WDW DVC resorts except BLT and OKW, and I'll be staying at OKW in just 3 weeks. While I don't love them all, there is not a one I wouldn't stay at. Favorites are AKV and SSR, but would gladly stay at any of the others again. Strangely WLV was probably my least favorite, and even that I loved.

 

[cseca]

...

The boats at BCV/BWV are horrendously slow; we actually beat the boat last August walking from HS to EPCOT.
...

I completely agree!
We did that too a couple of times... We even said we were going to time it, but ended up forgetting because we were chatting while walking...

But the boat (and monorail in that matter) is (are) sooo nice when you have a sleeping baby in the stroller...

 

[Tara]

For most WDW resorts, and all but one AKV route, bus service is direct - there are no stops in between.

The exceptions are the other deluxe resorts, ironically - the monorail resorts share buses for non-monorail destinations, as do the EPCOT resorts.

We most often stay at AKL/V, and have never needed to rent a car. The distance/accessibility issue is an illusion.

To me, it isn't an illusion. If I am at AKV and want to eat anywhere outside that resort, I have to get in the car and drive. If I'm at BLT or BCV or even SSR, I have a lot of choices within walking distance or within a short monorail ride. This convenience simply doesn't exist at AKV (or VWL), though it's close enough to MK that it doesn't feel as isolated as AKV.

FWIW, I always have a car and use it 99% of the time. And I'm referring to the fact that at many resorts, I have proximity or ease of access to other resorts or other eating/shopping/entertainment options that doesn't exist at
AKV. I'm not referring to net transportation times from resorts to parks.

 

[rentayenta]

I completely get what you are saying. While I do have an order of favorites, all of the DVC resorts are on my to-do list. Any of them are good for me!

I totally agree. While some are more appealing than others I am gladly going to try all of them. I have been to AKV, OKW, and GCV. Up next SSR/THV.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Here is the turnaround, if there is a resort that appeals to you MORE - for whatever reason - the pool, the decor, the location, the fact that you honeymooned in the attached hotel ten years ago....why would you choose to stay somewhere you don't like as much?

Disappointment is a relative thing. I don't think I'd be crushed to end up staying at SSR, but it is at the bottom of my list for resorts to ever stay at. (My biggest complaint about SSR is that its too spread out and the distance from the far units to the theme pool and restaurants is too far.) And since we own a resort that we don't find disappointing and tend to book eleven months out, I don't think we will stay there.

We stayed at BCV last trip. While it was a nice resort and we had a good time, we won't stay there again. The distance between our room and the pool was disappointing. Everytime we tried to get into B&C there was a 45 minute wait - disappointing. We ended up with the coveted Epcot/Road view - and found the road distracting and the small baloncy unusable - disappointing. The Marketplace is a great addition in terms of being able to grab food at BC, but the shopping selection was - disappointing. SAB is a very impressive pool, the kids like BWV pool more. Did any of this ruin our trip, nope. We had a very nice trip and are glad we tried BCV, but I don't think we'll stay there again.

I subscribe to the same school of thought. We've been to most of the resorts and can't say we disliked any one of them, but we have a few resorts that just fill the bill for us. It is likely there will be a few resorts we never visit because we're happy with our tried and true loves. That said, we really only visit the resorts about 1.5 times per year and don't have the luxury of getting bored with any of our favorites.

 

[bellazachmom]

To me, it isn't an illusion. If I am at AKV and want to eat anywhere outside that resort, I have to get in the car and drive. If I'm at BLT or BCV or even SSR, I have a lot of choices within walking distance or within a short monorail ride. This convenience simply doesn't exist at AKV (or VWL), though it's close enough to MK that it doesn't feel as isolated as AKV.

Just thought I would pass on something that we often do while staying at VWL and get tired of the food options there -- we walk over to Fort Wilderness and enjoy Trails End. I know that it is not the same as all the options at the other resorts but it was something that we hadn't thought about during our first few trips there.

 

[UConnJack]

I have stayed at all the WDW DVC resorts, and my order of preference is:

BCV
AKV
BWV (our home resort)
VWL
OKW
BLT
SSR

This isn't to say that I won't choose any of the resort for any given reason. It often just depends on what I am looking to do that trip and what my goals are:

MK heavy trip: VWL or BLT
Eating at a lot of monorail restauraunts: BLT
Eating at EPCOT a lot: BCV or BWV
Its summer and plan on going back to the pool a lot: BCV
Want the best value (standard rooms) for the location: BWV
Want the best access to all parks: BCV or BWV
Light on parks and we are looking to enjoy the resort: AKV or BCV
Looking for value and size: OKW
Last minute trip and NOTHING is available: SSR

You get the picture. Overall, BCV seems to fit the bill the most and has the most to offer. Just feel most comfortable there, but have enjoyed my stay at each of the resorts (even SSR).

Although I prefer the resorts at BCV and AKV, I don't regret being a BWV owner (not that I had a choice as we bought BWV before the other two were built). Because the standard BWV rooms go so fast, I am glad to have the 11-month window there. I usually am able to get anything else I want at 7-months (or on waitlist if I go on a 7 months).

 

[DizGirl20]

OP - I feel incredibly lucky to be able to afford DVC and I would never/will never take it for granted. We went through a shaky financial period in our lives a few years ago and I often think about how far we've come. I feel incredibly blessed to be a DVC Member and could not even imagine saying a DVC resort disappoints me!

 

[*Meagan*]

SSR is my home resort. I find nothing wrong with this resort. Yet so many have so many complaints about it. I think it is gorgeous and the rooms are way nice!

I did not like OKW. Just did not have a good vibe for me. We opened our balcony door to an overgrowth of trees. We could barely stand on the balcony. The whole place just did not have a disney feel to me.

 

[acomasdiaz]

I can't say that there is any DVC resort that I hate. I have stayed in all of them and would do so again. Of course, I have my favorites but who doesn't.

 

[RDP]

Stayed at lots of Disney Hotels, but only at Kidani Village DVC. I read a lot about AKV being too far out of the action etc and having large distances to walk to get to CS, pools etc but in reality this is not a big issue unless you just don't walk anywhere. If thats the case Disney may not be the right vacation for you. Disney has created a variety of themes and locations to appeal to all of us and its just personal choice at the end of the day as to what we like or dislike in a resort, but it appears the basic recipe is the same for all of them. I would never say no to a Disney vacation if my 'least' favorite resort was the only availability, I have grown to love it all too much! I am very interested in the rumor re: DVC at the GF, I need to start saving now!

 

[AnnaS]

We own at OKW and BCV.

As you can see from my signature the only ones I have yet to try are SSR/Treehouses and BLT.

We have enjoyed each resort we have stayed in. Each one is unique in it's own way (theme). I am happy that we have the option of trying homes other than the one we own (so far). If I lived out in the woods, I can see a reasoning for not wanting to stay perhaps in the VLVs - just an example.

We enjoy spending more time at the resort/s now and don't mind taking the time to have dinner at a resort other than the one we are staying at. Some are definitely more convenient than others for different reasons. Some are definitely darker (rooms) than others and not all of them have great views. It's nice knowing we will be back and we can change it up a bit too and we are not always in the same room assigned to us (just in case we were not that thrilled with something).

Unless we have some major problems, housekeeping issues, plumbing issues, etc. we make the best of it and absorb the beauty of each resort. I also feel incredibly lucky to own/afford DVC and forced to go back for more and more .

 

[patsal]

Any time a resort room is not properly cleaned and maintained I am disappointed.
Location and theme are so individual that I book based on my purpose. A few days with MK as the focus would be WLV. Fall trip for Food and Wine would mean BWV or BCV, Two week sprawling vacation OKW, reallyt eh choice is so subjective. With a car or without, all those outside factors play a role.
But I have only voiced displeasure to the DVC hierarchy when the room was in such a bad way that I would have to reclean it myself, and that awful time I was at BCV and the manager got snitty with me--those were one and the same back when my DD was 8, she will be sixteen and we have yet to return to BCV!

 

[crisi]

I subscribe to the same school of thought. We've been to most of the resorts and can't say we disliked any one of them, but we have a few resorts that just fill the bill for us. It is likely there will be a few resorts we never visit because we're happy with our tried and true loves. That said, we really only visit the resorts about 1.5 times per year and don't have the luxury of getting bored with any of our favorites.

And we only go - generally - every other year.

 

[ToddyLu]

I think folks just come here for opinions or impressions. I do not take negative comments about any resort to heart. People complain about WCC, hasn't stopped me from enjoying a steak there every trip. But since you asked.....

IMO, these are the resort issues for me.

AKV is of course perfect and my home resort.
BLT love the location, hate the decor.
BCV to much like our Gulf Coast area where we live and holds no interest.
BW, now I think I would like to stay there sometime and enjoy the easy access to DHS and Epcot, but it isn't AKV.
SSR, large, tumbelyweed quiet to me, love the spa, would like to stay there.
VWL love the cousin to AKV, could walk around there for days just enjoying the scenery.
OKW, large, too much like home for us. However if we stayed there, I would definitely have to put some Jimmy Buffet on the Ipod.
VGC, hellloooo California Cousin to AKV, we hope to inhabit your halls one day.
DH and I would just not visit VB or HH.

So there you have the ToddyLu opinion. So would I sleep next to the dumpster at VWL in a cardboard box...to stay at WDW....you betcha.