Help us decide where...please

[habg1]

Okay, we've decided to join the DVC. Probably will buy a resale. But here's the big decision; where?

Help us decide please.

We are a family of 4, from Upstate NY

DH - 39
Me - 33
DD - 10
DD - 9

Our only consideration is: a decent food court/quick service

Our vacation times are going to be: President's week, Thanksgiving, Christmas & possibly the last week of summer vacation


We would like any opinions from DVC members out there. Help us out with the decision making; it's driving us nuts, in a good way...

 

[hematite153]

If your only consideration is a decent food court, I'd recommend SSR, VWL, or AKV. (BLT will also have reasonable access to Contempo Cafe, but, it'll be in the other tower...though that may end up being no worse than the walks at SSR or VWL.)

However, since DVC means vacations for decades to come, I'd encourage you to think about which other considerations may come up in the future. I.e. will you want proximity to DTD so that your girls can go shopping more easily without you when they become teenagers? Or, will you want easy access for F&W or F&G Festivals? Will you want cheap 3 bdrms so that you can invite your DDs and their families to share accommodations with you after they are grown? Etc.?

Obviously, you cannot successfully predict too far in the future, but, you can think about what may be most important for your family longterm.

Welcome to DVC!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd vote for either BWV or BCV. Both of them have access to lots of food options, but I think BCV has better access (BC Marketplace). And there you can get to your fast food without going outside, a plus if it's raining. And you can also get to Beaches and Cream without getting wet if it's raining-a real plus to us. I see you're from Upstate New York, probably not far from Saratoga Springs (at least not as far as us). I'd recommend against SSR for you, only because the theming may remind you too much of home. When YC/BC were first built, we lived near Cape Cod, which the resorts have lots of theming similar to. I visited the resorts at that time, and the theming left me cold-"Don't want to go here, it's like I never left home." Now that we live in a (much) different part of the country, I love it. Maybe not everyone would react that way, but I did. It's probably a good idea to visit as many of the DVC resorts as possible to see where you might like.

 

[dd08]

I see you're from Upstate New York, probably not far from Saratoga Springs (at least not as far as us). I'd recommend against SSR for you, only because the theming may remind you too much of home. When YC/BC were first built, we lived near Cape Cod, which the resorts have lots of theming similar to. I visited the resorts at that time, and the theming left me cold-"Don't want to go here, it's like I never left home." Now that we live in a (much) different part of the country, I love it. Maybe not everyone would react that way, but I did. It's probably a good idea to visit as many of the DVC resorts as possible to see where you might like.

I would listen to this, seriously.


We live and go to the Jersey, Delaware and Maryland beaches.....

We thought that same thing regarding BWV and BCV and that's why we went with AKV (plus we love animals)

PS - BWV and BCV lovers, not trying to criticize or flame, just saying that getting a resort that gives you a "different" experience than what you can get at home was an important factor for us.

 

[bwvBound]

I'd vote for either BWV or BCV. Both of them have access to lots of food options, but I think BCV has better access (BC Marketplace). And there you can get to your fast food without going outside, a plus if it's raining.

???? Where is the food court at BWV -- especially for "quick service"? Inside? I thought one of the biggest complaints against BWV is lack of quick (counter service) food options?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I guess I was thinking of the fast food options of Boardwalk Bakery, the Spoodles pizza window, or walking into Epcot. But I really agree with you about the lack of much fast food convenient to BWV. When DS and DDIL stayed there last year, that was their biggest complaint-the lack of available fast food. So I guess you're right-scratch BWV.

 

[DiznyDi]

I voted SSR. Yes, I'm biased.
1) Currently a nice selection of resales available at a good price
2) Lower dues than other resorts
3) Longer contract length than some of the older resorts
4) Don't forget the Treehouse Villas will be part of this
5) Proximity to Downtown Disney
6) Quiet location. Even though it's large, we don't find the resort unmanageable.

On the downside:
1) The lines can get really long waiting at the Artists Pallette. This seriously needs to be addressed by the powers that be.
2) Some complain about the bus service, however that has not been our experience.

Have fun choosing.

 

[wulfekamp]

I voted Beach club. The pool is one of the best on property.

 

[habg1]

Thanks for the opinions and help so far. Keep them coming, we need all the advice we can get. It's a big decision to make.

We understand the deluxe villas don't have much of a counter/quick service. We just want a decent one to grab a hot breakfast before we hit the parks.

Maybe in the future we would need something more than a studio. And if that's the case, if we needed a two bedroom, which would get your vote?

 

[habg1]

Bumping...

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Based on your criteria, I voted for VWL. WL is very different from NY,.

My second choice (which would have been my first had you not been from NY) based on your criteria would be SSR. It definitely has a great food court, and you're a 5 - 10 minute walk from DTD (which has tons of food choices).

Best of luck!

 

[DisneyDreams21]

With younger kids, the longer contracts at SSR and AKL are appealing and both have decent food courts. BWV was the most difficult for me to find easy breakfast, lunch options for the kids, IMO.

If you go the last week of summer break and your schools start late like ours do (after Labor Day) you have a good chance (as of now) of getting a res at most DVC resorts at that time of year. We go every year at that time and have booked BCV and others at the 7 month mark. That can always change, but for that time right now, we had options.

Busier weeks will require more planning and possibly waitlisting for non-home resorts. I love all the DVC resorts, btw.

 

[starbox]

With all the talk of them "adjusting" the point scales - I'd buy in with the most points at lowest MF and the cheapest buy-in - OKW or SSR. OKW has horrible CS, so that would put me at SSR.

FWIW - SSR and AKV have our favorite food-court breakfast. You can get Mickey waffles at SSR!!!!

 

[lisareniff]

I'm in agreement with Simba's Mom. Resorts that are themed similar to home aren't as fun to escape to. We are also from Upstate NY (near Rochester) and SSR does not appeal to me. Your travel times are mostly during the colder months. When we are leaving the constant gray skies of home during Feb Break we are not thinking of SSR theming or even VWL. We want something that evokes sunshine and warmth like BCV, BWV, OKW and AKV. (Although I have to say we did a 1/2 trip to VWL and LOVED it!).

If your looking for a food court... Hummm... I can't really say any of them are that great. SSR and VWL may be the best and OKW and AKV-Kidani the worst (?). BWV and BCV have food available in multiple spots.

I would suggest looking at the resort pictures and picture you and DH in each of the environments. It close to Feb., where would you want to be?

 

[culli]

How far in advance are you going to plan your vacations? If it is not 7-11 months out go for SSR. At the 7 month mark pts are pts and go for the biggest bang for your buck ------SSR is the cheapest on resale, cheap MF and one of the longer contracts.

You can stay at any resort, home resort is important if you HAVE to stay at a certain resort and/or popular event AND CAN plan 7-11 months out. Such as Food/Wine with BWV and BCV you would probably want them as a home resort.

We love BWV and can plan out 7-11 months and wish I would of bought there or BCV. Not becasue of the themes or hotel vs condo or anything else........ONE REASON location, location, location. The ability to walk to EPCOT and DHS is awesome and the boardwalk area is just plain cool. We don't own there but I try to book their first and waitlist. However, I'm not disappointed as I wouldn't mind staying at any resort.....except maybe AKV. Plus I look for bang for buck and the cost of SSR, MF and contract length actually had me buy there over BWV for a resale add on. SSR is a beautiful resort and if you could walk to a park would hands down be my favorite resort....the place is just so relaxing, we really do love it too. Oh heck we love them all!!!!!!! Good luck.

 

[spiceycat]

VWL or AKV - have food allergies SSR can't help me at all.

BWV - heck can't even get your refillable mug inside here. so no food court - or even in the resort itself.

BCV - was very surprised at its Marketplace - nice selection - but still wish they had a real snack bar - Beaches and cream would work for most - but Disney consider it a restuarant.

OKW has one but like everything else here it is near the main pool. so it could be a long walk or bus ride - who wants to take a bus ride to get food. Okay I did for years.

BLT - okay until this thing is finished and people are staying here who knows. the store over at CR is definitely going to have stuff, plus it will have a new quick service not far from the monrail. so you could get something pretty easier on your way back to your room/villa after you get off the monrail.
not on the resaler yet - but after Disney trying to raise the points on this place BEFORE it is even open - won't be surprised if some people sell it off rather than buy more points.

 

[culli]

With all the talk of them "adjusting" the point scales - QUOTE]

Adjusting what point scales, I have seen a few posts allude to this.......any links to what is going on????

 

[mooneyda]

I am pretty partial to the boardwalk. especially the boardwalk views .I had a room once right over the big river grille and could watch the fire works.the walk ability to EPCOT and right next to Jellyrolls . My only draw back is only a few places to fill the mug but (the pool bar and bakery) I can live with it.

 

[jamie&Greg]

It really will depend on you and what you and your family is looking for!! I voted for VWL or BWV. Just for the record - I have had no trouble booking other resorts at the 7 month point, but then again we don't go at prime time! Either way you go, you won't go wrong!!

 

[jblrn2b]

I don't know if I'm going to be much help. When we chose we wanted to have Disney financing so our choices were SSR and AKV. We went with AKV never having gone there. We chose AKV because of the animals, restaurants that have mainly good reviews and the new pool section - my kids are all about the pool wherever we go. We too wanted something different than the MA area. We basically wanted to be DVC members and figured over the years we would get to try other DVC resorts.

Good luck.