First Three Nights at DVC

[Figment2]

If you are trying to impress your spouse, do a 1BR. Studios are fine but the 1BR's are awesome.

 

[kristenrice]

If you are trying to impress your spouse, do a 1BR. Studios are fine but the 1BR's are awesome.

ITA!

A 1BR at OKW is HUGE! The 1BR's at the new Kidani Village at AKV will have TWO full bathrooms!

But, if it must be a studio, you are faced with a tough decision. Yes, the studios at OKW are bigger, but they are also the ONLY DVC studios with 2 queen beds, much like a hotel room. The other studios are all furnished with a queen bed and a sleeper sofa, much like an efficiency.

If you decide to try AKV, do whatever is needed to get at least a standard studio. I do not think a value studio will help your cause. A standard at Jambo House will have a guaranteed pool view so you will not be stuck looking at a dumpster. If you do book a value, you are gambling on your view. You might luck out and get a savanna view, which would help compensate for the smaller room. Unfortunately, you could also get a parking lot view. That would probably not work in your favor....smallest room in DVC facing a driveway...not a lot of "WOW" there! (Just an FYI, the "value" category refers to the smaller size of the rooms, not the view. The "standard" is a larger room and a non-savanna view)

 

[Opie100]

Thanks you guys. I will go for a standard studio at AKV or OKW then - probably AKW. One other cheaper option would be to stay at Coronado Springs Resort and just visit all the Villas without staying there. Would staying at Coronado and just visiting the various villas be a mistake?

 

[Golden Rose]

I would actually stay at a DVC resort if your goal is to figure out if DVC is for you. Personally, I think AKV would give you the biggest wow factor. At least do a meal there if you decide not to stay there.

You asked about golf, and I haven't noticed anyone answering it. We actually have my mother on our DVC membership so that she can have a golf membership, and she and her new DH can play using the discounted golf rates. On our last trip, the two of them played the four main golf courses at substantial discounts, and absolutely loved it.

The DVC golf membership costs $50 a year, then lets you play a round for $89, $39, or $59 after 10 am depending on the time of the year. (It is $20 higher before 10am.) You can bring up to 3 guests at that price as well, so my mom and her DH could both play at that rate. (Compare that to the current rates of $154 or $134, depending on the course, per round right now.)

I will say, SSR is a golf resort, and they loved being able to casually walk over to the pro shop and check in. Our view was also of a garden and golf course, and I think they got a kick out of that. They did a completely no park golf trip - they actually told their friends that they were taking a Central Florida golf vacation.

Anyway, the golf perk is great for them. Like all perks, you can't count on it being there forever, so don't buy into DVC for it. But it is wonderful for golfers.

 

[pickles]

Thanks you guys. I will go for a standard studio at AKV or OKW then - probably AKW. One other cheaper option would be to stay at Coronado Springs Resort and just visit all the Villas without staying there. I'd rather stay at AKW but I'm finding it hard to hear back from people regarding renting cheap points. Would staying at Coronado and just visiting the various villas be a mistake?

I have stayed at CSR and POR and I think CRS sucks on many levels. I did enjoy POR a lot. If you are interested in DVC, then stay at a couple DVC so you can get a feel and idea of those type resorts.
I like either the split stay idea or the one idea someone had, stay at OKW and go eat at Boma's and visit AKV while there.
I would also take the boat from DHS or Epcot and go visit BWV and BCV, just walk around and get a feel for those style resorts and see what you fall in love with. You can stay at any DVC on points so you aren't married forever the resort you buy points at, but it does help to enjoy that resort the most in case you have to stay there.

I think, the "professional/known renters" are getting $14 a point or less really not that bad a deal for a villa

 

[Opie100]

Thanks y'all! I agree - we'll stay DVC only for these days. But have found out that I cannot stay all three nights at any single DVC other than Sarasota Springs. So my choices are to stay at SSR all three nights, or stay at OKW/BWV one night and AKV the other two nights, which I plan to do at this point unless y'all think otherwise (leaning toward the BWV/AKV itinerary - I just can't see us buying into OKW if we can always book this 7 months out without much problem).

Assuming I split between different locations, do I have to check in to the new location before being able to park for free that day at the parks?

Also, if moving from BWV to AKV on the day we visit Magic Kingdom, should we drive that day, or bus it? I was thinking driving would allow us to drive straight to AKV in the middle of the day before heading back to the park in the early evening. Alternatively, we could bus back to BWV to get the car and then drive to AKV from there before returning. Thoughts?