Factual List of Home Resort Pros and Cons

[CaptainMidnight]

There seems to be a regular stream of folks coming to these boards to research thier desire to purchase into DVC. Of course, one of the biggest decisions they need to make is which resort is a home resort. I would like to humbly propose that we put together a factual, non-bashing list of the pros and cons of all home resorts, including room size, number of units, amenities, quietness all the information that would be helpful to a new purchaser, in a helpful constructive way and propose that if we are successful in creating a good evenly balanced thread that the moderators list this thread as "Important" so that it stays towards the top of the posts for new potential members to find and easily review.

Let me start off by listing all the things that are wrong with the resorts that are not my home resorts.......(just kidding)

What do you like about your home resort?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I like this idea. I'll start with my main home resort, VWL:

PROS:

• Outstanding theming- probably the best
• A boat ride away from Magic Kingdom
• Award winning restaurant- Artist Point
• Offers valet parking
• Option of fifth floor vaulted ceilings
• Studio has pull-out, dedicated 2br has 2 queens
• Sturdy Branches- perhaps the nicest DVC workout facility
• Did I mention the theming?

CONS: (Yes, as much as I hate to admit it...)

• Further away from the "Boardwalk action"
• No Stormalong Bay privilege
• Smaller rooms than OKW
• Can not walk to a theme park
• Some don't like the dark, robust color scheme
• A few rooms have enclosed balconies, one room has none
• Does not offer grand villas

 

[RoutemanDan]

I don't think we should.Home resort is a personal decision.It's impossible to have a fair list of pros and cons.What is a con to one may be a pro to another.Above post is an example.Maistre Gracey lists being away from the Boardwalk action a con,I view that as a pro.The advice is given to buy where you plan to stay the most,the only way of determining that is for one to check out the resorts themselves.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by RoutemanDan
Above post is an example.Maistre Gracey lists being away from the Boardwalk action a con,I view that as a pro.

RMD, you have a valid point here. Perhaps it should be structured as a 'general' list, instead of a 'pros and cons' list.

 

[disneycrazed139]

I think the fact that VWL is away from the Boardwalk is just that--a fact, so it could be taken any way, pro or con. However, location is very useful information in deciding on which resort and this seems to be just a fact of location.

Maybe the key to a list would be to limit it to facts and no opinions. It's true what one might see as a pro could be viewed as a con and vice-versa. So long as the list only states features of the specific resort...I think that would be very helpful to some.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

I agree with just stating facts - true facts, not made up ones! Pros and cons are subjective to each person.

So, here are my facts about OKW:

Condo style setup, not attached to a hotel
Offers studio, 1 bdrm, 2 bdrm and GV accomodations
Has self parking in front of units
large, spread out resort
boat service and walkway to DTD
views: golf course, water/canal, woods
variety of wildlife - ducks, birds, bunnies, frogs, turtles, lizards, etc
Key West themeing and landscaping
1 onsite restaurant
no room service
tennis courts
shuffleboard courts
basketball courts??
one main pool and several "quiet" pools
laundry facilities at each pool
snack bar at main pool and Turtle Pond

I'm sure there are plenty of other things I have left off that others can mention.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by RoutemanDan
I don't think we should.Home resort is a personal decision.It's impossible to have a fair list of pros and cons.What is a con to one may be a pro to another.Above post is an example.Maistre Gracey lists being away from the Boardwalk action a con,I view that as a pro.The advice is given to buy where you plan to stay the most,the only way of determining that is for one to check out the resorts themselves.

Ok, alright, it didn't take us long did it.... so lets just try our best to list resort pros and cons as best we see them and as best we can, as factually as possible. I agree, checking out resorts for themselves is the best option, but we've all seen the constant streams of requests for information the has been hitting the forum, at least weekly. And, granted, one person's pro may be another's con, they are smart, they will decide for themselves. But.....

If we can do this well, potential members can use this thread as a checklist during their visit for things they may not causually see unless they are looking for them, and we can help potiantial new members. That's the only purpose, helping potential new members who are asking for information, and avoiding the need to duplicate postings. Can we still give it a try?

Great information Maistre Gracey and TIdoublegaER, thank you.

 

[KyBill]

I agree with Routemandon. We are fans of OKW but for many personal reasons. What many posters view as a pro at their home resort, we view as a con. What others view as a con for OKW I view as a pro.
Let's let the buyer purchase their home resort where they want to stay for their own personal reasons. I'm not trying to sell OKW to anyone. We love it. It suits us just right. We don't want another thread with "my resort vs yours".

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by KyBill
.....I'm not trying to sell OKW to anyone. We love it. It suits us just right. We don't want another thread with "my resort vs yours".

Agreed, agreed, agreed!!! There's no benefit to "selling." If you don't want to participate, don't. No question it is a personal decision. Please try not to word anything as "my resort versus yours." Just try to give newbies helpful information. For instance, which home resorts have GVs and which don't. OKW has 27 gvs, BWV has 7, Vero has 5 beach cottages and HH has 5 (Thanks ncligs).

Some of the same posters appear in the threads where newbies are asking questions and asking for help, and try to provide information in a helpful way. That's the only purpose here, to create a central thread to refer newbies to. Perhaps it should be "this is why I like my home resort so much" thread.

 

[TIdoublegaER]

BCV facts:

Attached to hotel
Has studio, 1bdrm and 2bdrm accomodations
various balcony sizes
SAB
walking distance to EPCOT
close proximity to Boardwalk resort area and MGM
character breakfast onsite
"beach" on Cresent Lake
valet parking
room service
several onsite restaurants (including YC)
boat service to MGM and EPCOT
"beach" themeing

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by CaptainMidnight
For instance, which home resorts have GVs and which don't. OKW has 27 gvs, BWV has 9, Vero has 5 beach cottages and I don't know how many HH has.

HH has 5 GV's.....and BWV's has 7 GV's.

 

[twinmomplus2]

Ok... personnel preferance obviously plays into this. I think my kids ages have alot to do with my perceptions of what is a pro and what is a con.


Boardwalk Villas
PROS: Wonderful atmosphere Atlantic city Boardwalk
fabulous christmas decorations
Pool area appeals to a wide range of ages
Keiser coaster the fave of my ds9
Circus play area, spraying elephants in the kiddie pool
is a fave of my now 3 year olds.
Boardwalk location appeals to my teen DD
Studios with some daybeds
Standard and preffered point structure
Sea shore sweets
Boardwalk bakery
Walkway to Epcot
Launch to MGM
Community hall activities


CONS:
Somtimes a long walk to an elevator, long hallways!
Can tend to be alot of outside people coming into the pool
from the Boardwalk.
Room service does not appeal to me here.
Would like to see a character meal.
Needs more grocery options at the General store.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

BCV Pros (Opinions included) -

I like the BCV room layout better where the table seats 8.
Bathroom layout nice, desk in bedroom in BCV.
BCV is fairly new.
Seemed slower and a little more quiet and relaxed yet still close to activities.
Distance to the elevator is resonable.
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.

BCV Cons -

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
BC Villas in back are too close to roadway, some noise.

 

[Granny]

I'll just list information...others can determine whether they're pros or cons.

BWV
Easy walk to Epcot, manageable walk to MGM.
Community Hall with lots of activities for children
Nice themed pool with very good slide....clown face at end!
Atlantic City Boardwalk theming throughout
Elegant lobby and view of Crescent Lake
Boardwalk views, Garden/Pool views, and less point Standard Views
Variety of sit down restaurants within easy walking distance
Boardwalk performers entertaining regularly
Boats to Epcot and MGM, busses everywhere else.
No counter food service except Spoodles pizza and kiosks on BW
Room size similar to VWL and BCV
No dedicated 2BR units

VWL
Boat to Magic Kingdom, Contemporary and Fort Wilderness
Bus to everywhere else
Northwestern Lodge and railroad theming
Nice main pool, slide is not great...great theming fed by stream.
Attached to Wilderness Lodge and all its amenities
Counter food service at Roaring Fork
Whispering Canyon restaurant geared towards family fun
Bike & Boat Family Plan...$199 for LOS unlimited use.
Electrical Water Pageant
Small beach and play area for kids
Good health room Sturdy Branches
Room size similar to BWV and BCV
Has some dedicated 2BR units



I think this is a good idea...a fact sheet for every place. If we just list facts then let the people read and judge on their own desires, I think this is a nice benefit. Thanks for giving it a try CMidnight!

 

[Simba's Mom]

The community hall with the community hall activities is at OKW and BWV, but there isn't one at BCV or VWL.

 

[OneMoreTry]

If a potential buyer is uptight about which resort to choose, then they should visit their choices. Sometimes ambience is the deciding factor and you can't determine that from a list of pros and cons.

OKW is our home resort and it doesn't have proximity to a park or an award winning restaurant or a super pool, but it does have the best "home away from home" feel of any of the DVC resorts. Your own special place at WDW away from hotel resorts and guests who seem to be more hurried with a gotta-ride-every-ride-at-every-park-get outta-my-way approach.

All the DVC resorts have their advantages and I think listing them is a great idea. If you like the Pacific NW -- buy at VWL. If you want a great pool and a short walk to Epcot -- buy at BWV or BCV. ETc, Etc.

If you love Disney and plan to visit a lot I don't think you'll be disappointed with your choice whatever you choose.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Vero Pros -

Wonderful theming
Very relaxing
No park crowds
Ocean
Ocean breeze
Great pool
Nice long slide
Pirate ship kids area
Kids playground
Contained pool/play area
Kids activities
Large rooms
Covered parking
Ability to use points at WDW at 7 month window
Time to relax, recharge, and take it easy
Campfire and sing along twice per week
Stargazing
Turtle walks (in season)
Wonderful service
Room service
Relaxed, non-resort, non-hotel area
Mall, movies, outlet mall reasonably close by
Boat rentals closeby
Sunrise on the ocean
Putt Putt, tennis, basketball, bikeriding,
Outstanding customized Christmas decorations
Kid's club twice per week
Nice exercise activities
Community hall activities
Pool parties
2 onsite restaraunts
Kid friendly green cabin room with live entertainment
Allowed to use the swimming pool after 10:00pm
Bleachers poolside bar service
Friendly guests/members as a rule
The wonderful entrance and lobby as you first drive up and enter the resort
Secluded
Close to WDW resorts (2.5 hrs.) ideal for combination WDW/beach vacations.
No need to purchase $$$ park passes during stay.

Vero Cons -

No park activies close by
Narrow beach
Many rooms/villas without ocean view/limited ocean view
Few places within walking distance along the beach like shops, restaraunts, etc.
Sharks, jellyfish and man-o-war live in the ocean.

Thank you contributors for keeping this positive and informative.

 

[DeeP]

I agree that a concise and factual list would be a help to new and potential DVC members but I also agree that this has the potential to turn into a my home resort is the best thread. It is very true what is a pro for one person can very easily be a con to another, just like the best theming to one person might be the exact opposite to another. I think if we stick to strictly facts and do not offer opinions, likes, dislikes etc., we might be ok. As other posters have said I think we should NOT make lists of pros and cons because they are subjective.
I am willing to give it a shot and I will attempt with BWV (Surpirse, Surprise, LOL! )
BWV Resort
Location: Epcot Resort within walking distance or boat away from Epcot and MGM parks.
Theming: Seashore/boardwalk theming. Modeled after turn of the century luxury seaside/boardwalk hotels primarily in Atlantic City, NJ and beaches in NY/Coney Island; complete with authentic memorabilia from these resort communities. Light blues, whites etc seashore coloring in appointments and furnishings. Large open porches and seating areas overlooking the boardwalk. BWI & BWV are connected resorts, both resorts are long buildings connected by a large common lobby/guest services, etc. area.
Rooms: Studio: 1 queen bed, 1 sleeper sofa, kitchenette w/microwave, sink, coffee maker, frig; bath, balcony, tv, phone, computer port--maximum occupancy 4 plus 1 child under 3.
1 BR: Master br: king bed, lr w/sleeper sofa, dining table w/2 seats, breakfast bar w/2 seats, full kitchen w/dw & gd, Master bath w/jacuzzi tub, seperate shower/toilet/sink area; balconies off lr & br, 2 tvs, phones, vcr, computer port. Stackable washer & dryer. Occupancy: 4 plus children under 3
2 BR: Combination of studio and 1 br with connceting door. Occupancy: 8 plus 2 children under 3
GV: 3 br, 3 full baths, jacuzi tub, full kitchen, w&d, lr w/sleeper sofa, tvs, vcr, phones, computer ports, dr w/seating for 10, balcony access from all rooms, some units 2 story. All GVs have boardwalk view. Occupancy 12 plus children under 3.
Resort Amenities: Concierge service, valet service, room service, turn down service. Work out facility
Views: Boardwalk, pool, garden, waterway, front entrance (can see parking lots in the distance from some villas facing the front of the resort). Many of the preferred view villas have views of Illumination fireworks, some standard view villas have views of Illuminations fireworks or TOT and Fantasmic fireworks.
Dining: 4 sit down restaurants, 1 take out pizza window, 3 food kiosks, pool bar, bakery, ice cream palor/candy shop, 1 Sports bar, 1 piano bar, 1 dance club. Numerous other dining options are located within walking distance or boat ride away at Epcot/WS, MGM and the other Epcot resorts.
Shopping: 5 shops located at resort, numerous other shopping opportunites located within walking distance or boat at WS, MGM and other Epcot resorts.
Pools: Main pool with life guards, water slide, kiddie pool and play area, hot tub, pool bar. 2 Quiet pools w/ hot tub.
Resort Entertainment: Bike rentals, Community Hall w/activities, Fishing excursions, tennis courts, arcade. Boat rentals at YC/BC marina.
Boardwalk Entertainment: Midway games, fortune teller, street entertainment, clubs, arcade.
Transportation (other than personal car):
Epcot & MGM: walk or boat
MK: bus or walk/monorail
AK, DTD/PI, water parks: bus
Mini golf: walk or bus
Other resorts: varies according to destination

I think that about covers BWV/BWI to my best. That was fun, I just imagined being there and thought about what someone who had never been there would want to know.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Great BWV description, Deep, thanks for sharing.

 

[Dean]

Just remember that one persons fact is another's bashing. It mainly comes down to personal preferencs.