Favorite Resort?

[Disney Kim]

Okay so me and my Husband have decided to buy a small amount of Disney points as a resale to get started, go down and check them all out...
All I need to do now is figure out which resort to buy resale...

The extra years in SSR sounds good and the idea of being close to downtown Disney is great, But I love epcot and being in a resort next to the park would be awsome too..

I think I am finding the decision hard because I have never been to any of them... I don't think I would be upset with any But
I would love to know what peoples favorite resort is and why...???

 

[abner1776]

There are (5) WDW DVC resorts...ok...(6) WDW DVC resorts, but only (5) which people have actually stayed at.

Ask 100 DVC owners and you will find that 20 like resort A, 20 like resort B, etc, etc, etc.

That's what makes DVC so appealing...no two resorts are alike and no two resorts appeal to the same type of people.

I bought VWL and I haven't regretted it, but does that make VWL the best ?? far from it. I bought VWL because I liked the WL and the WL area.

You need to figure out your priorities and what you are looking for in a DVC resort...close to a park, room size, resort size, pools, age of facility, appeal to your children, themeing of each resort, years remaining on contract, etc, etc. and then decide which resort works for you.

Some people look simply at the financial aspects of DVC and buy into SSR for the extra years and lower price..not my way of looking at it.

Personally, whichever resort I choose, the resort has to "grab" me right at the beginning..if not, then I would not be interested in it. There seems to be a groundswell of interest in a new DVC at the CR, but since CR to me is a glorified Motel 6, I would have absolutely no interest in a new DVC at CR. JMHO.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We love OKW because it is more of a vacation home than a hotel. Love the community feel there, and the fact that you can "get away" from the hubub and relax when you aren't in the parks. The other great thing about OKW is that it has the largest units of all the DCV resorts, and has a HUGE balcony/porch that is almost like another room. Also, it is the only one with full sized kitchen and laundry appliances.

 

[simzac]

If you can do this, I would recommend on your next trip to WDW to plan for one day just visiting the DVC resorts. This way you can see for yourself which one really appeals to you. JMO

 

[Disney Kim]

I definitly want to spend a day going to all the resorts, I wish we had of done that last trip.. But next time its a must!

 

[cobbler]

Favorite resorts are subjective.

Personally I love SSR, followed by BWV right now because I have stayed at those. I have a friend that owns at BCV and it does nothing for me. OKW, well I will stay there once to try it but good golly it screams retirement home to me. Now others will find my likes totally nuts and think I have gone off the deep end.

Visit them all and decide for yourself.

 

[jaysue]

Okay so me and my Husband have decided to buy a small amount of Disney points as a resale to get started, go down and check them all out...
All I need to do now is figure out which resort to buy resale...

The extra years in SSR sounds good and the idea of being close to downtown Disney is great, But I love epcot and being in a resort next to the park would be awsome too..

I think I am finding the decision hard because I have never been to any of them... I don't think I would be upset with any But
I would love to know what peoples favorite resort is and why...???

Do you have or plan to have any kids? This would be the number one factor in our opinion that influences the choice due to contract length, location. kids preferences etc.

Cheers
jaysue

 

[dvc at last !]

OKW !

 

[tobidisney]

maybe you didn't realize but you can stay at any of the DVC resorts + + +...

Unless you like to book 11 months in advance, you should get the best deal on points wether it is lenght or price, but remember that you can stay any where.

good luck

 

[Buckeye Fan]

We love OKW and SSR. We are in our mid-30's and have 2 kids. We purchased at SSR because of the extra years or it would have been a toss up between the two. I actually enjoy being out of the hustle and bustle and being able to walk to Downtown Disney from SSR is GREAT! Since we always go to several parks when we visit, we end up having to hop a bus anyway, so the fact that some are located closer to parks was not a big draw for us.

However, based on the boards (as we just purchased our DVC), if you think you will want to stay at BWV or BCV during peak times (Christmas and Spring Break), they are much harder to book unless you have the home resort advantage. If either are your home resort, you can book as far as 11 months in advance of your check-out date. SSR and OKW are easier to book at the 7 month window from your check-out date, which is when you can begin booking at non-home resorts.

Best of luck on your decision. If you haven't checked out the pictures on this site or taken a virtual tour through Disney's vacation club site, I would recommend doing that. The rooms, except for OKW, are virtually identiacal except for the decor. OKW has larger rooms and balconies. AKV is getting ready to open to the public soon and it has an expiration date of 2057. The rooms are supposed to be a little bigger. Something to check out!!!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We love OKW because it is more of a vacation home than a hotel.

This is what makes DVC great.

We love the BWV and the BCV because they feel more like a hotel and not like a home. Each resort is different and something probably fits the needs of almost everyone.

We like the Beach theming of both resorts but there are many people who have commented that for one reason or another don't like beach themes. But to each his/her own. There is enough DVC variety (especially now that the Animal Kingdom has been announced) for everyone to find something they like.

HBC

 

[byoung]

I like BWV because of the hotel feeling. Do like staying at OKW also.

 

[Call me Flower]

Can you see the rooms at the DVC resorts, or just the public areas.

 

[RobDoc]

Can you see the rooms at the DVC resorts, or just the public areas.

You can always ask at the front desk to see a villa. If they have any clean and unoccupied they will usually be happy to provide a brief look. The public areas are always available for inspection.

Except for SSR there are no models available to see - but there may be a model available at AKV once the resort opens.

It can never hurt to ask.

 

[BroganMc]

I thought there was a model at BWV, no?

As for preferences, that is a very loaded question. It depends on the person and type of vacation.

Strategy-wise, it's probably better to own at BWV, BCV or VWL if you like to stay those places in primetime but will also stay at the other larger resorts. Why? Because there is more likely to be rooms available at the larger resorts at 7 mos. out than a smaller one.

Bang for buck-wise, it's probably better to own at the newer resorts (SSR & AKV) for the longer contract length. SSR has lower maintenance fees at present and AKV has 3 more years on the contract, but it's probably not significant enough of a difference to say one is better than another.

Vacation-wise, BWV and BCV are fabulous for those who like a faster-paced vacation with front door access to theme parks. During the fall F&W festival, staying there means you can easily walk into Epcot and enjoy the food, drinks and many entertainments that adult travelers enjoy. There are also ferries to MGM, character meals nearby, and mini-golf within walking distance. Downside would be if you don't like the hotel bustle style of vacationing.

VWL, AKV, as well as OKW & SSR have more of a removed retreat feeling about them. VWL and AKV are on the doorstep of two other theme parks, but also have that destination feel to them. Their hotel counterpoint lobbies are almost mirror counterpoints with different theming (Colorado mountains for VWL and Africa for AKV). OKW & SSR are for those preferring a dedicated condo style resort, more spread out and conducive to long nature walks without tripping over people. Both are a boat ride away from DTD.

Before I bought into DVC, I visited all but the OKW resorts for meals and general touring. I like the Atlantic feel of the Boardwalk as well as the charm of Cape May's character breakfast. The short walk and ride to Epcot is very convenient for starting your day in the countries. I've been going to AKL for years just to spend some time on the savannah overlook, curled up by the lobby firepit, and eating at Boma's. VWL was great for an afternoon lunch at Whispering Canyon Cafe. And I got the full view of SSR when I walked in for a tour unannounced. (I have been going to DTD for many years already.)

For me, SSR is my homebase because I like the location and extra contract length. But I envision a few nights at BWV to enjoy Epcot & MGM, and a few more at AKV to enjoy AK and my savannah retreat. I'm not sold on VWL, BCV or OKW though. VWL is a great down day retreat for WCC same as BCV is great to start my day with breakfast at Cape May, but neither wow me. (BCV's pool StormAlong Bay gets high raves from a lot, but it's lack of HA accessibility make it a nonstarter for me. And VWL's ferry seems a little too removed and possibly not accessible, depends which one shows at the dock.) OKW uses fewer points, but it's location is just a little more removed from DTD; I keep wondering why I'd chose that over SSR.

 

[DizKarAzy]

There is an open DVC model at the BWV, I was just there last week and I took a walk through it myself. It's right off the boarwalk. There is a big sign and a "disney hand" pointing toward it.

I am also considering buying into the DVC. Can anyone tell me how far away from the AK the AKV is? Is it just a short walk?

Also, does anyone have any idea when the next friends and family promo will be announced? I am hesitant to buy into it knowing there could be a great discount coming..
Thanks!

 

[BroganMc]

There is an open DVC model at the BWV, I was just there last week and I took a walk through it myself. It's right off the boarwalk. There is a big sign and a "disney hand" pointing toward it.

Ah thanks. I didn't think I was senile, yet.

I am also considering buying into the DVC. Can anyone tell me how far away from the AK the AKV is? Is it just a short walk?

It's roughly 1 mile. No walking path though, just wetland and road. You need to take a car or bus. Very short ride.

Also, does anyone have any idea when the next friends and family promo will be announced? I am hesitant to buy into it knowing there could be a great discount coming..

No one knows or is counting on one. I don't think the F&F promo was seen for a long time. Perhaps just something to give SSR sales a boost before they started selling AKV and upped the price (going to $104 per point in March). Resales are about the only way you'll be seeing F&F level prices.

 

[DizKarAzy]

Thanks! My guide hinted that the F&F thing comes up a few times a year? It's hard not to think about going w/ a resale when the prices are that much lower than what disney is offering. I would like to buy through my guide because he's been so great, but a deal is a deal!

 

[RobDoc]

I thought there was a model at BWV, no?

Yep! You're right, there is also a model at the BWV. Thanks for the correction.

 

[tfc3rid]

Long response coming here from me...

I love most of the WDW resorts, be they DVC or not... And like a lot of folks here, I've stayed at a good number of DVC resorts... In terms of the DVC resorts, I love the Home Away From Home feel of OKW. I love the Beach Club with its hustle and bustle.

Non-DVC resorts, I love the Polynesian. It's the first WDW resort I stayed at and I love going back to visit. Mainly for the serenity.

All in all, check out the various resorts and see what you like... As a kid, I loved being closer to the parks. Now, when I go, I rarely go to the parks and just enjoy the relaxation!!!!