Have You Changed Your Mind On Your Favorite DVC Resort?

[CarolAnnC]

I originally bought into OKW and that was my favorite for many years. I always requested the area near Turtle Pond Pool and it was perfect for children.

Now that my girls are teens, I have tried BWV my last three trips and it has been a huge hit! There is so much to do, easy access to Epcot, and great for my teens to go off on their own.

Have you found that you have changed your mind on your favorite DVC Resort? Do you think that BCV and VEP will again give us reason to change from an old favorite to a new one??

 

[BobBrazeal]

Good question Carol, I'll tell you in a few years. I've yet to make my first trip as a DVC member so I'm a little early in the process to comment.

I don't think that it will change for me. I bought a resale at OKW and have already done and add-on at VWL. Up until buying into DVC, I've always stayed at the moderates and my favorite has been PO-FQ because it is so quiet. I think that I'll like OKW and VWL for a long time. Although I love the areas of activity, I love to go back to a quiet resort.

 

[mikesmom]

I suspect it might change for us. We bought at BWV - one reason (though certainly not the only one) was that we have a teen. As with Carol's teens, that area is a huge hit for him. We stayed at OKW one night last January and he was not nearly as happy -too quiet for his taste.

Anyway, we took a 2 day run down to Vero before our WDW vacation this May. DH and I LOVED it. What a place to unwind! I am plotting to have a getaway there for more nights if I can just figure out when.

DS goes away to college in a couple of weeks. While there are more family vacations planned, as he gets off on his own and doesn't always travel with us, I think Vero (or HH, which we haven't tried yet) could become more of a favorite for DH and I. Don't get me wrong, I love BWV and am quite satisfied with our choice. But work can be very stressful and sometimes you just need utter beauty and some peace and quiet to unwind. We'll see...

 

[drusba]

In our case, there can be only one--BWV

 

[Scott5150]

We bought OKW points in 1996 and did not actually stay there until 2001! We stayed at BWV a few times and loved it because it is in the center of everything. We also took a few cruises.

In Feb 2001, we went to OKW, this time with an infant, and thought that it was really great. It fit our new lifestyle better.

So I guess our preferences changed with our growing family.

Scott

 

[dvcdudes]

<P><STRONG><FONT color=dodgerblue>I don't see this happening to me but I guess you never know...</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG><FONT color=dodgerblue>Right now, <FONT color=darkviolet>I LOVE BWV!</FONT>  I love everything about it.  I love the location, the entertainment, the restaurants, the lake, the fact that Y&BC are right across the lake, the hotel atmosphere, the pool, the hustle and bustle.  etc.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG><FONT color=dodgerblue>I loved the pictures of EPV and will definatlely take a look at them and might fall in love with them too but for right now, I'm glad I call BWV HOME.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P><STRONG><FONT color=dodgerblue></FONT></STRONG> </P>

 

[chris1gill]

Nope, my favoriate is still the same, boardwalk!!! I loved it from the moment I saw it under construction!!! It still remains true today!!!

I think that VEP is going to be my second favoriate resort... I look forward to staying there! (Might consider selling my OKW points for VEP points)

 

[Pete W.]

Actually, our favorite resort was not BWV when we bought it in '98 because we were concerned about the perceived noise, hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk, but we didn't know much about resales at the time and just decided to buy what Disney was currently selling.

After visiting BWV 3 times since then, and discovering that noise is generally not an issue and the hustle & bustle is an attraction itself, and now being able to walk to TWO parks any time we want, we have changed our minds.

During our April visit we decided on the last day to grab sandwiches at the Bakery and sit in the shaded brick area under the rear "deck" (or whatever it's called) at the Boardwalk and have lunch. The weather was perfect, the food was great (those sandwiches are huge!), the scenery was extraordinary and we had had a wonderful 8 day stay. I remember sitting back and thinking to myself, "god I love this place."

So, we had no favorite DVC property before we became members, but now I can't imagine enjoying any resort more (not that you'd have to twist my arm to sample VWL, VEP, or another property in the future!)

 

[pentex]

We bought at OKW in 1994 and when the BWV's were announced, we were kicking ourselves wishing we waited because it looked so cool. For a couple of years, we couldn't wait until we could finally stay there. We did stay there in 2000 and it made all four of us realize that the one and only resort for us is Old Key West.

Don't get me wrong..BWV is a beautiful resort and I can see why many like it. It's just all personal preference. My family lives a life full of stress with two full time working parents who are involved in many community activities as well. When we go on vacation, we cherish the laid back atmosphere and natural beauty of OKW.

The Boardwalk area is lots of fun to visit but we didn't get the "vacation-y" feel there.

HH, on the other hand, was a little too laid back. Vero was lovely. Haven't try WLV yet but will probably do so soon.

 

[donald@home]

I have stayed at all 5 DVC resorts, and Vero has always been and remains my favorite. I have stayed at OKW and BWV many times over the years, and during those stays my appreciation of OKW has increased (now it is a close #2 to Vero) while my appreciation of BWV has decreased to the point that it comes in last on my personal "Top 5 DVC Resorts" list. I have a feeling that VEP might be very attractive to me. Will it unseat Vero as my favorite or OKW as my close second favorite? We'll have to wait and see!

 

[rbuzzotta]

We bought at OKW through resale and am so glad we did. I love VB and would consider and add-on there. We just stayed at OKW and VWL last 2 weeks and I am glad we own at OKW.

I love the spacious units and the "homey" feeling. I love the quiet and that there isn't as much hustle and bustle. My DD's love Hanks and the many activities!! I am sure when they get older their perspectives will change and possibly mine........hopefully not! For the first time in the many times coming home from WDW I feel like I had a vacation and am relaxed!!!

 

[DVCJman]

My favorite is where I own and that is Hilton Head. Now, while my nephews are young enough to enjoy the magic of WDW, I enjoy staying at OKW. Our stays at OKW are usually coordinated with other relatives and we attempt to get a grand villa. Never had a problem getting a grand villa at OKW even with the seven month window.

When I bought into DVC I felt that Hilton Head was the right place for me. That feeling extends to the fact that over the next 41 years, I will be looking for some of the quiet and peaceful surrounding that are at HH. By then, the nephews will be much older and can take their families to WDW. Then again, maybe we can all go back to OKW and that grand villa?

 

[David in Manassas]

I guess it's been 6 years since we bought at OKW....I still love it, but when I looked at my list of the places we have been...it's been 3 years since we spent a whole week there. My true love now is Hilton Head....it is just so "magical" staying there. I've almost made up my mind to retire there someday.. (only 18 years to go!).

David in Manassas VA

 

[vernon]

When I bought in 92 OKW was the only choice. Since then VWL is the only resort I haven't yet used.

While , like CarolAnn, I can see the BW has offerings that make it attractive for other members of my party OKW remains my favourite DVC resort at WDW. IMHO it doesn't have the "hotel"feel that BW has, some of this is due to the boxy layout of BW and some due to it#s ambiance as a resort, I think VWL and BCV will be the same. EPV may be similar in feel to OKW but I'm guessing the units will be similar in size to newer/smaller resorts. I'm looking forward to trying all the resorts, but IMHO OKW will remain my most regular destination at WDW.

Haviong made several trips to Vero and loving it there , I was a little dissapointed with HH when I first arrived, but the resort quickly grew on me and I'm looking forward to going back for Xmas this year. Vero JUST gets my preference as a beach destination, mostly because ALL the facilities are with the resort.

 

[Denine]

When we purchased in '95, there was only one resort. We still love OKW as much today. We have talked about staying at BWV, but just can't bring ourselves to leave OKW for a place that looks and feels like a hotel instead of your own piece of paradise.
We toured WLV, but it still has that hotel feel. Maybe VEP will appeal to us. I'd like to stay at HH and Vero some day.

 

[dznymom1]

Geez, for me answering that question is almost like being asked which of your children do you like better? LOL - I love them all the same but for different reasons.

We evaluate each vacation based on who's going and what we want to do. Then we decide which resort's personality best matches our plans for that particular trip and pick our resort & accomodation size based on that. Our DVC history shows that we jump from resort to resort with out looking back and always have a fabulous time. Now, if I include the Disney Magic as one of my DVC resorts, then at the moment that's my favorite because we had the most magical time ever on our crusie last month! Can't wait to try out VEP and see where that fits in with our future plans! We will continue to love each and every one of our Homes Away from Home and I don't think I will ever truly have a single favorite one! Gosh I love my DVC!

 

[BillM]

We bought at OKW 2/98. Have stayed at HH and BWV in 1 BR's. Have stayed at OKW a number of times. The size and accessibility of the 1 BR and 2BR at OKW makes us return and also have convinced us to add on twice at OKW. Also have added at HH.

 

[Peggy Sue]

For our longer WDW vacations, we love OKW. We really enjoy the "at home" feeling the resort offers. Nothing beats kicking back at OKW...doesn't take long to forget the stress of the every day life back at home. OKW is friendly and the spacious villas are wonderful.

For shorter stays, we enjoy BWV. We will be staying at the BWV in November to attend the Epcot Food and Wine Festival over a long weekend.....couldn't have a better location than the BWV for this trip!

Can't argue that the BWV location is fantastic. However, for us this is more of a "hotel" experience than an "at home" vacation experience.

We haven't had the opportunity to stay at VWL yet..but it's on our list!

We have stayed at HH and VB, and enjoyed them both, with HH being our favorite. If we were to add on additional points, I think it would be here.

I think OKW will remain our favorite resort for many years to come...but we are always open to the opportunity to see and experience a new DVC resort!

 

[RAD]

Two out of the three WDW DVC resorts are my favorites, it just depends on what the trip is for. If we're talking about just the DW and I going then we OKW is our favorite, laid back, unhurried. If'we're taking family along then BWV wins, all the activities in the area make it easier to keep everyone happy. Sorry WLV fans, I've stayed there and it just doesn't do it for me.

 

[crusoemom]

We bought at BWV for the location. We love it for that reason.

I am equally sure than when the kids are out of the house (WAY far in the future), our new favorite will become OKW. We'll be slowing down and taking more time to smell the roses, and a more peaceful setting will be just our thing. Hopefully, there will be plenty of opportunity to experience both places!

And of course, we're going to HHI next year, and I'm already angling for a small add-on there.