Final Stages in becoming a DVC member!

[ToodlesRN]

We are getting close to having our contract sent to us, but I still need to pick a home resort! From the DVC dream book and website I really like AKR, but we have never been to WDW it's always been DL. Now that we are going to buy we may plan a few trips to WDW. So my question is out of all the reorts is there any that are centrally located to WDW? Or is WDW that BIG that no matter where you stay it doesn't matter? I've been trying to find a map of WDW to show all the resorts, but coming up no such luck anyone have any ideas on WDW/resort maps? I guess were so use to DL that any 3 of the Dsiney resorts are centrally located to the parks.

I would like to pick my home resort soon so we can get all the extra bonus that they are offering like the Dev.points and referral bonus!

Thanks again Katherine for all your help and Heidi rocks!

 

[Donald is #1]

Well my opinion is that WDW is soooo large that there isn't one resort that is convenient to all of the parks. Now to be honest, I own at AKV which is the only resort that has to use buses to get to all parks. For the most part each DVC resort is near something.

VWL = MK (boat or bus)
BCV & BWV = EPCOT and Hollywood Studios (walk or boat)
AKV = AK (bus)
SSR & OKW = DTD, they are also fairly close to EPCOT

Basically except for the bus between AKV/AK and VWL/MK which are really short, the bus rides from the resorts to the parks that they are not next to are probably in the 15-20 minute range.

 

[funatdisney]

Donald is #1 makes a good point. We just bought in Dec. and choose SSR because of the slightly decreased maintenance costs. We also stayed at OKW which is near SSR and used the buses with no problem. In fact, we were impressed with the bus system. The buses seem to keep the guest in mind. For instance, when we left the Hoop Dee Do Review (the last show of the evening) Disney provided a bus that went straight to Port Of Orleans and OKW. Since we took four buses to get there, it was nice to have a bus waiting for us. I have since figured out a way to Fort Wilderness with fewer buses. So I don't think location is as important as what you would prefer as a home resort.

 

[ToodlesRN]

Thanks for those tips, when your talking buses are these shuttles or the city buses? Do people usually rent a car and drive to the parks?

Thanks!

 

[SSRFred]

Personally I'd wait and buy GCV. If you really want to buy in now, buy AKV from DL to get the GCV priority. WDW is big; combine this map http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/propertymap.htm with a google earth map and you can get an idea.

WDW has it's own transportation system. All transfers are included (Airport transfer too! for WDW resort guests) AKV has some of the better bus ride times.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

The buses are Big buses not shuttles.The continuously run about ever 15 minutes or so.We always drive down except for once and then we rented a car when we got there.But we have been so many times that we go outside to the outlets and things like that,so we like to have a car.Alot of people just go and use the transportation there and never have a roblem.

Thanks for those tips, when your talking buses are these shuttles or the city buses? Do people usually rent a car and drive to the parks?

Thanks!

 

[funatdisney]

The buses were great for us. We are from California. We found that we didn't have to worry about knowing the our way around. There is always a risk when driving in unfamiliar territory. The first time we went to WDW, we had a rental car and ended up lost a couple of times. When using the buses this last trip, it was nice not to worry about how we were gong to find our way around. My DH loved that he could have a drink and not worry about giving himself enough time to get behind the wheel (not that he drinks a lot). It made a for a very relaxing vacation.

 

[ToodlesRN]

SSRFred~ Thanks for the map, just what I was looking for, WDW is huge!

How many days does it take to get threw WDW? At DL we can be gone in 2-4 days depending on the time we go. I'm thinking a week or so?

Thanks again!

 

[SSRFred]

SSRFred~ Thanks for the map, just what I was looking for, WDW is huge!

How many days does it take to get threw WDW? At DL we can be gone in 2-4 days depending on the time we go. I'm thinking a week or so?

Thanks again!

It depends on who you ask and what you want to do. It could take days or weeks!!!. If it were my first time I would say 2 days Epcot, 2 Days MK, 1 Day AK, 1 Day MGM (Hollywood).

 

[mikesmom]

SSRFred~ Thanks for the map, just what I was looking for, WDW is huge!

How many days does it take to get threw WDW? At DL we can be gone in 2-4 days depending on the time we go. I'm thinking a week or so?

Thanks again!

More than a week. That alone is a good reason to get DVC - you won't try and wear yourself "doing it all" - you can't. In a week you could schedule one day for Magic Kingdom, two days for Epcot (Future World and World Showcase are really different experiences), one day for the Studios and one day for Animal Kingdom. You would hit the high points but not see it all. WDW is WAY bigger than DL. We have had DVC for years and there are still things we haven't seen and nooks and crannies we discover all over the World.

 

[Mtnman44]

I love both DLR and WDW but WDW is a whole different experience! one week minimum, I like 10 days or more since I find it very helpful to schedule a non-park day in the middle of the trip. Also, i would not miss a couple days at Universal Orlando (gasp). It's also great fun.

unlike DLR, WDW is quite literally in it's own world. You leave Orlando, and enter the city of Walt Disney World, complete with it's own roads and freeways, bus system, golf courses, hotels, etc. If you use Magical Express, your disney vacation actually starts right in the airport.

There is no real way to explain the actual differences, you just have to experience it. your family is going to love it.