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[PolynesianAlex]

title speaks for its self..

 

[DVCBELLE]

I will convince you NOT to pick my home resort.

I own at Wilderness lodge - and it is VERY nice and does an awesome job with its theming. When I stayed there - I absolutley felt like I was in a lodge in the Rocky Mtns...which is exactly why I don't like staying there! When I go to Florida - it is to get out of the crappy weather I have here at home - so I don't feel like I had my warm winter getaway! Now - if you like that lodgey feeling - then VWL is perfect for you!

I would reccomend Boardwalk or Beach Club. They take me back to the 1800 seashore just like they should. I feel pampered when I am there and the proximity to Epcot and the Studios is AWESOME! I like that I can walk to two parks from there. That to me is one of the best advantages to being there! At night, there is energy on the Boardwalk - we love to watch the roaming entertainers and walk to Beaches and Cream and have ice cream. Our only stay at BCV had a view of Illuminations AND Wishes. My kids love it there for that and the pool!

 

[bevis]

Don't want to!! Ours is busy enough

I'm just kidding!!

We own at BWV. One word: location, location, location!! Guess that's three words. Anyway, we are DINK's, so we don't tend to go to MK very often. With our proximity to DHS and, especially, Epcot, it is great to be able to stagger back : from World Showcase after a night out. There is just so much in this area to keep you busy that I can understand why BWV, or BCV for that matter, are in such high demand.

 

[Deb & Bill]

title speaks for its self..

Why??

 

[mom2rb]

I can't make up my own mind. That's why I have three home resorts.

 

[backyardponder]

BWV...being able to book Standard View Rooms (one of the best deals on property); walking distance to Epcot & DHS; quiet walks around the lake. Jellyrolls (dueling piano bar).

 

[thelionqueen]

I would urge you not to buy at BLT or GCV. The location and theming leave a lot to be desired. I would buy AKV

sorry, I don't like crowds at my home resorts

 

[kikiq]

Why? A better question would be if you like the Polynesian, why would you consider DVC? And what is it that you like about the Poly? is it the location? Then pick BWV, BCV or BLT. It the grounds? Then maybe OKW. My Dh loves the Poly and picked SSR as our home resort.

 

[hakepb]

Why? A better question would be if you like the Polynesian, why would you consider DVC? And what is it that you like about the Poly? is it the location? Then pick BWV, BCV or BLT. It the grounds? Then maybe OKW. My Dh loves the Poly and picked SSR as our home resort.

I thought, AKV Jambo had a similiar vibe to visiting Poly. Lots of dark wood in the main lobby area. Then around Boma and the pool area there's all the palm trees.. Now I guess the actual rooms are different, especially savannah view, but I do love how the darkness of Jambo is cool, relaxing, exotic..

You would only want to buy SSR resale (not from DVC), it's going fairly cheap, expires in 2054 and has reasonable yearly MF's, plus you can book a treehouse. SSR is also great if golf, spa and/or DTD are main vacation highlights for you.

 

[disneynutz]

title speaks for its self..

It doesn't matter what we like, what matters is what you like.

Bill

 

[Muhlenberg]

You're going to get about 10 different answers.

What *I* like about AKV...

• Relaxing feel
• Animals ...and watching them from your balcony and many places throughout the resort
• The detail in the resort and room
• The extra bathroom in the 1 BRs and 2 BRs
• Parking under the resort (Kidani) and short walk to elevator (we drive or have a rental car)
• Variety of categories to book (read...many point choices)...including value and concierge
• Larger rooms (not quite as big as OKW )
• Buses that aren't shared with another resort...only Kidani and Jambo
• It's a vacation all by it's little lonesome
• Heavenly showers in Kidani's 1 BR & 2 BR (they're HUGE!)
• "Middle of the road" maint. fees
• Longer contract

And we didn't know some of this when we bought. They were "afterthoughts" (for lack of a better word). We DID, however, do a lot of research before buying.

 

[Coach81]

SSR- so big.. so elegant.. wonderful resort!!!

 

[dizfan]

Here's a useful resort comparison I found somewhere, but can't remember where. Lot's more than just this list, but it's a good starting point.

AKV
* a highly-themed resort; some people complain of its "darkness"
* offers extra official space for one person (in most 1BR and larger) in form of sleeper-chair
* offers extra bathroom (in 1BR and larger in Kidani Village section)
* the only DVC resort to offer concierge category
* offers many different view categories that are points-dependent (including savanna view: you can see animals right outside your window)
* a hotel-style resort; connected to hotel
* remote from most other activities and parks (except DAK)
* offers Studio - Grand Villa accommodations
* home of the highly-regarded restaurant "Jiko"
* contract ends in 2057

BLT
* not a highly-themed resort; some people complain of its "retro" or cold decor
* quite points-intensive compared to older DVC resorts
* offers extra official space for one person (in most 1BR and larger) in form of sleeper-chair
* offers extra bathroom (in 1BR and larger)
* the only DVC resort to offer MK view
* offers 10% Standard View Villas, 10-20% Magic Kingdom View Villas, and 70-80% Bay Lake View Villas
* a hotel-style resort; connected to hotel
* right next door to MK
* offers "Top of the World" lounge from which to view MK fireworks (reservation required)
* has unique covered pedestrian bridge ("Sky Way Bridge") to connect it to CR
* offers Studio - Grand Villa accommodations
* short walk away from highly-regarded "California Grille" as well as "Chef Mickey's"
* Easy access to monorail resorts for pool hopping and restaurants
* contract ends in 2060

BCV
* beach theme
* only DVC resort to offer lazy river and large water play area (Storm Along Bay - SAB)
* a hotel-style resort; connected to hotel
* long walk from main areas to villas
* occasional complaints about cleanliness of villas
* desirable location between Disney's Hollywood Studios (DHS) and Epcot
* offers only Studio - 2BR accommodations (no Grand Villas)
* water activities available via BWV
* home of popular Beaches and Cream as well as Yachtsman Steakhouse
* across from BoardWalk, where restaurants and entertainment venues abound
* contract ends in 2042

BWV

* beach theme
* offers different view categories that are points-dependent (including board walk view)
* a hotel-style resort; connected to hotel
* long walk from lobby to villas
* desirable location between Disney's Hollywood Studios (DHS) and Epcot
* offers Studio - Grand Villa accommodations
* many restaurants and entertainment venues located in immediate vicinity
* water activities available (including "Breathless")
* contract ends in 2042

OKW

* Old Key West theme; most "well-developed" of all DVC resorts
* oldest of all DVC resorts; fairly large, too
* offers largest villas of all WDW DVC resorts
* Studio is distinct in that it offers 2 queen-size beds
* offers lowest point values for the accommodations
* condo-style resort; can offer close parking
* offers Studio - Grand Villa accommodations
* offers wide variety of water activities
* not close to parks; take bus or car
* only DVC resort to offer its owners an ownership extension
* contracts end in either 2042 (non-extension) or 2057 (extension)

SSR

* Saratoga Springs, NY theme (some people complain that it's not "Disney" enough)
* largest of all DVC resorts
* condo-style resort; easy access to parking
* offers unique TreeHouse Villas
* next door to Downtown Disney with its shopping, restaurants, and entertainment venues
* offers Studio - Grand Villa accommodations
* contract ends in 2054

VWL

* highly-themed Western / Wilderness theme; some people complain of its "darkness"
* smallest of DVC resorts
* hotel-style resort; connected to hotel
* close to Magic Kingdom, but must take boat to get there; must take buses everywhere else
* offers only Studio - 2BR (no Grand Villas)
* close to Bay Lake and thus, close to many water activities
* noted for its Christmas decorations
* home of popular restaurant "Artist's Point"
* near Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue
* contract ends in 2042

 

[whitfamily]

I really think you should buy at AKV... Just use the points at other locations so we don't have as much trouble getting what we want!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I have 4 favorites depending on time of year, event, and my mood! Sorry, can't be of any help!

 

[wideeyedwonder]

title speaks for its self..

I don't think I can....my home resort is on the west coast (at the DLR), and so it offers very limited accessibility to WDW.

HOWEVER, if you plan on going to the DLR, well...

 

[bwvBound]

Convince me to Pick your Home Resort

Why? and which one?

 

[ADP]

Picking a home resort is a personal decision, but since you asked.....
I'd pick AKV.....
1. Most unique resort experience in the world. Having animals in a free-roaming savanna outside your room is a very unique and relaxing experience.
2. AKV = a longer contract
3. AKV was voted the number 1 family resort in North America by the Travel Channel in 2007.
4. You have 2 very nice feature pools to choose from within close proximaty to each other.
5. Some of the best theming on WDW property can be found at AKV.
6. Closer proximaty to Disney's Animal Kingdom (less than 5 minute bus ride).

 

[aDVCguy]

I see 3 picks:

SSR- For DTD

BWV & BCV: For Epcot

I own at SSR and I'm quite happy with
that resort, besides, what other resort can
boast they have "Tree Houses?!"

Good Luck!