Help! BC Vs. BW Vs. Saratoga

[ArRzrbk]

Hello DVC Folks,

I have taken the plunge and am in the process of buying into the Beach Club Villas for 210 points. I am so excited and happy this is finally happening (tried several years ago, but husband wouldn't go for it then. But...

I keep second guessing my home resort choice. Any thoughts on Beach Club Vs. Boardwalk Vs. Saratoga Springs? I have never stayed at BC or BW....only Port Orleans. Did walk around BC and BW though.

I know BC has no grand villas, but I also know BC is the hardest to get reservations at. So, looks like having 11 month privladges would be good. But BW is so fun. And to complicate things further, Saratoga Springs runs 10 years longer. Maybe its the better choice. But what about its locale. Not as central.

Please help! I know there are folks out there who are total experts on DVC, BC, BW, and probably Saratoga Springs, even if just from it's Disney Institute days and knowledge of its location.

We will have our DVC contract in just a few days, so time is of the essence! Plus, I am waking up at night thinking about this. Hope to hear from someone soon. Thank you so much for your help.

ArRzrbk

 

[InstImpres]

You raise several of the obvious questions that always come up. Without knowing much about your family size and vacation habits, it is harder to give advise.

I would consider 150 points at one resort 60 points at the other to reach your 210. This could allow more flexibility with banking/borrowing to achieve the GV and SAB. Only you know how important (and how often) these 2 things will matter. Otherwise location is almost the same.

As for SSR, it is appealing to me only because of the extra time. I like the convienience of BW and BC. Walking to MGM and Epcot I find to be a big plus.

Good luck
Sandy

 

[DeeP]

I love the Epcot resort location, for me it is the best location on WDW property that provides wonderful conveninence to parks, restaurants, etc., so I would go with BWV or BCV.
But if you are concerned about the shorter contract with BWV or BWV and if the DTD location fits your wants, then maybe SSR is the way to go.

 

[JimC]

If making reservations between 7 and 11 months in advance is important or feasible for you, then buy where you want to stay the most. Otherwise buy resale at the lowest cost resort - OKW.

BCV was important to us for 11 month window during October and December visits and for SAB. We really enjoy the area for its location (easy walk) to lots of great restaurants, two theme parks, miniature golf, etc.

OKW we liked for its more relaxing atmosphere, the individual home feel of the many buildings and courtyards (as opposed to a single large building), the low cost (buy and fees) and the large units.

We have stayed several times at DI and enjoyed it. Bus service was very good to all locations. DI in its first incarnation was Disney's first attempt at a planned community. The Grand Vista homes were samples for a whole community that never got built (It was many yesar later when Walt's dream for his Florida project came true with Celebration). The name of the resort at that time escapes me. When it changed to DI, it got the educational orientation that it had until those programs wre integrated into the other resorts.

Like OKW, you can walk to DD from there or take a water shuttle (or at least you could when it was DI). I look forward to SSR as we used to live in Syracuse NY. Saratoga is great part of NY. The Philadelphia Orchestra used to go their for the summer season. The upstate NY theme of this resort with its equestrian undertones should be quite nice. Graham Gund is a fabulous architect who has worked on other Disney properties.

It is going to have a longer contract, expiring in 2054. That may be important, depending on your age and whether passing this on to kids is important.

Hope this rambling was of some help.

 

[ArRzrbk]

A little more about us, in case that helps you all give me advice...

We are first time parents (son is 15 1/2 months), and that is one of the biggest reasons my husband changed his mind and said ok to DVC!

We usually travel Memorial Day, for our anniversary in July, or Labor Day. Can envison us going Spring Break or a holiday sometime, especially when our son gets old enough.

Our family loves to get together, so I can see us trying to help put together a big trip to Disney for everyone...hopefully, they would chip in.

Oh, and I wanted to ask if 210 points is a good start? I tried to run some senarios, and it looked like that would get us a 2 bedroom for five night most of the travel times I mentioned.

And if we did want to add on more points (lucky to get husband to agree to 60 above minimum entry), do you get on a wait list through DVC? Do they sometimes have points available, even for sold out resorts? Just thinking ahead.

We haven't even closed yet, and I am already planning how to get more points at the very home resort I am debating! I'm a mess, but a very happy one. Thanks.

ArRzrbk

 

[InstImpres]

I think based on those facts I would do 150 at BWV and 60 at BCV. The BWV gives you the options for the large family units and the savings on points for standard view. The 60 lets you have that window (via a banking and borrowing scenario) at BCV. Also, I regret not dividing my points in case of financial need. If you purchase the 2 seperate contracts, you can always keep one and sell one. Obviously, it is what you want to think about while purchasing but it gives you more options, should the need ever arise

"Memorial Day, for our anniversary in July, or Labor Day"
Summer tends to be slower so you can stay anywhere. 2 weeks ago I had my choice of all 4 resorts for a studio the week before or after labor day.

I would say the only other thing to consider is if you love BCV because of SAB or theming, you may end up wanting more points there. We now travel on February break from school and that tends to be more popular.

As for extra points, you can buy from a resaler later or be put on the waitlist for any points Disney buys back via ROFR.

Good luck
Sandy