home away from home resorts?

[kaylajr]

are they worth it?
which is the best and are they aout the same in price?

my MIL has agreed to go with us next year so we are exploring some new options and any advice would help

TIA

 

[kbhehl]

DH and I tried BWV & BCV last Sept. for our anniversary--stayed in studios. To us they were totally worth it because we rented points from a DVC member. AS a matter of fact we rented from Shontell Crawford of DVC By Resale, so the whole thing went without a hitch. We enjoyed it so much that we're now DVC members (well, technically we close this April). My SIL and I are going in Jan. and since I am not yet able to use my points, I contacted Shontell and we're renting points from her again (this time OKW)! Makes a studio about $80-120/ night. VERY affordable!

We have four kids, so the bigger spread, including kitchens, are an absolute MUST--we'd hate to have to rent TWO rooms!

I don't know that I'd ever stay there if I had to pay full price, but that's just me--bargain hunter! I'm sure plenty of people have stayed there at full price, and with luck, they'll give their two-cents worth, as well. But if you feel comfortable doing so, renting points is THE way to do it and save big bucks!

We really loved the location of BWV and location and pool of BCV. We wandered over to VWL and loved the atmosphere!!! Trying OKW this time because you need fewer points, and it's supposed to be really quiet. I asked Shontell last fall which she liked best (since she's a professional)--she says OKW in the summer and VWL in the winter. Probably a thousand opinions out there. With kids I'd do VWL for it's proximity to MK, or BCV for SAB pool. Without kids, they're all great!

 

[Dogslider]

We stayed in a 1 bedroom at OKW. We rented points of someone on the rent/trade board and couldn't have been happier. The resort itself is beautiful and the rooms were amazing! We moved here after staying at AKL concierge and didn't feel a let down at all. I believe that OKW does require fewer points than the other home away from homes. Though the locations of the others are better for some we really liked the laid back setting of OKW after a day in the parks and the bus service was great while we were there.
We have already rented points from the same person for our October stay. We are getting a 2 bedroom as our then to be 3yr old grandson will be along. We like to spread out and tend to get on each others nerves after too much togetherness, LOL, so the home away from homes work out great for us. I believe the 1 bedroom was 160.00 and the 2 bedroom in October is 240.00 with renting points. But as kbhehl said depending on the time of year you can get a studio for 80.00. This really worked out as a great value for our family.
Ask away if you have anymore questions!
Pam

(P.S. can you tell we loved OKW?)

 

[stacy6552]

I think it depends on the age and size of your family going. We found the bedroom door priceless when the kids were smaller and napping or going to bed earlier than us. No forced quiet amoung adults. It was also nice when our brother came to have a bit of privacy for him and for us.

if you go to disneyvacationclub.com you can explore the resorts.

 

[ceejay13]

As a DVC member, I am a little biased. I absolutely love my DVC rooms. We are BWV & BCV members but have stayed at OKW, also. Once you have all the room that these provide, it is hard going back to a regular hotel room. We always get a 1 or 2 bdr. They have a fully stocked kitchen, washer and dryer and a jacuzzi tub to soak in after a long day at the parks. It really is a little like being at home. We make a trip to the grocery store and stock up for breakfasts and snacks. The other meals we eat out. If you want more information, you might try the DVC discussion board right here on the DIS.

 

[caverill]

I am also a DVC member (own at BWV) and I don't think you can get better on-site rooms.

Just to outline the types of rooms available...

The studio is the smallest. It compares to a standard deluxe hotel room, however it does include a mini-kitchen (microwave, small refrig, toaster, coffee pot).

The one, two, and three bedroom units include a full kitchen (stove, refrig, dishwasher, dishes), washer/dryer, whirlpool tub, and king sized beds in the bedrooms.

Since the "Home away from Home" resorts are the Disney timeshare resorts, it is possible to "rent" points from owners to stay there. I would guess the average price is $10 per point, but alot depends on what you want and when you need it.

I would direct you to the DVC forums on this site and also to the DISNEYVACATIONCLUB.COM site.

 

[Mom B]

I think if I could stay anywhere on Disney property that I wanted, it would be in a 1 bedroom at Old Key West. The extra space, the balcony, the whirlpool.... and having your own kitchen....makes it feel so comfortable and so much like a "home away from home."! That doesn't mean you have to cook or use the kitchen extensively, of course; but it's nice to be able to keep milk, pop, juice, sandwich stuff, etc., around for quick breakfasts and snacks.

Some of the moderates...or even the values...are appealing, but I'd really miss the kitchen facilities. And, as others have said, when renting points from a DVC member, they are amazingly affordable.

The only way to go as far as I'm concerned...unless of course you're going "low budget" like we are for our January trip...still renting points but staying in a Boardwalk studio so we have one bed and a couch....because I don't like having to sit on the bed to watch TV! But if I hadn't been pinching pennies we'd be at OKW in a 1 bedroom.

 

[spiceycat]

definite best

best did you mean easy access to MK - then VWL

Epcot/Studios - then either BCV or BWV

DD/PI - then OKW (right now)

you have to definite what you mean by that

I happen to love OKW - it is cheaper point wise (so cash wise) and it is a lovely resort.

I stay alot in studios - but occassionally I will stay in a 1-bedroom or a 2-bedroom - that will spoil you for life....

the studios are great - but the 1-bedroom and up - are so special....

OKW has a more relaxed and lay back atmophere - it is designed as a community - DVC will never built another one like it - so it is a one of a kind - larger rooms

BWV, VWL and BCV - are the same type - they are part of a hotel - they get the extra service of the hotels - valet parking, room service, a pool with a slide and a lifeguard, etc - the rooms are smaller (because they are sharing with a hotel)

BWV is the Atlantic Broadwalk

BCV is like the originial - a seacoast village -

VWL is also like the orginial (had the same architect) -

I love them all and have stayed at all of them!!!

they are all wonderful in their own ways

here is a point chart - so you can see how much you will be paying
http://www.wdwinfo.com/dvc/DVCpoints.shtml

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We have always enjoyed our stays at OKW and BCV as well. It's great having the full kitchen, washer/dryer, big jacuzzi tub, and extra room. However, we still enjoy staying in the resorts... it's just different. Sometimes when we stay in a villa I feel like I'm working more... fixing food, washing clothes, etc. But it's so nice having all the extra space. DH and I can put the kids to bed and stay up in the living room as late as we want.

But it's also nice to go and stay in a regular hotel. It feels more like a vacation in a way.

 

[Danauk]

I love the home away from home resorts. Having the extra space and a kitchen is well worth it IMHO. We stayed in a 2 bedroomed villa at the BCV and loved it. We were able to return to the room most days for lunch which was great. Plus being on a 2 week trip being able to leave a load of washing in the machine whilst we went out was also great. We have no kids and go with friends who also have no kids so we love the location of the BCV (epcot and MGM are our favourite parks) and I also love Stormalong bay. If there are a few of you going on your trip I would highly recommend trying to rent DVC points and stay at a villa.

 

[drusba]

The rack rates that Disney charges for the DVC resorts -- Old Key West, BoardWalk Villas, Beach Club Villas, and Villas of Wilderness Lodge -- are high and in-line with rates it otherwise charges for deluxe resorts, which the DVC resorts are considered.. Old Key West has the lowest cost, a factor of location, but has the largest 1BR (about 1100 sq ft) and 2BR units (about 1400 sg ft.). Effectively those are the size of a small house. A 1BR at the others is in the 720 sg ft range, 2BR close to 1100. You can rent from an owner (see DVC rent/trade Board on this site) for significantly less than Disney charges, but that rental does not include daily maid service for which you would need to pay extra by requesting it when you get there). For the most part, the rooms are ideal, particularly when you get a 1BR or larger because you get a kitchen and w/d and a very large bathroom. The 1BR sleeps 4, 2BR up to 8. In 2004, another DVC resort, Sarasota Springs, is opening where some of the old Disney Institute townhomes were (which were torn down) in the Downtown Disney area.

The other home-away-from-home resort, Fort Wilderness Cabins, is not a DVC resort and the Disney charges there are significantly lower than the DVC resorts and are often subject to discounts. Basically those are modular homes, the size of a small trailer, with a bedroom, kitchen area, and living room, and no w/d. Total sg footage is just over 500 sg ft, meaning they are no larger than getting 2 rooms at the All-Star resort. They are in a heavily wooded area, have large porches and you park right at the unit. They can officially sleep 6, but anything over 4 is a tight fit.

 

[Pryncess'mom]

We have stayed in several of the home away from home resorts. a long time ago, we stayed in what was the Disney Institute. We had a one bedroom townhouse. It was two rooms, one a living area with chair and daybed/couch, television, table and chairs and counter area with fridge, microwave, sink and cupboards. The other room was 2 beds and bath. We loved it then. In 200 we did FW cabins. We loved them too. There are five of us, 2 Ds that are teens. There was plenty of room with the couch and chairs, plus the table and chairs in the eating area. Even though we didn't really *cook*, just toast, popcorn, hotdogs, things like that, the convenience of a full kitchen is great. The bathroom was large the separate bedroom was nice. the area is lovely, wooded lots, small deck area. We really liked this resort and would stay there again, IF ONLY, the bed in the bedroom was a queen and not a double. DH and I have a king at home and are used to it. Sleeping in a double for more than 3 nights is *&^*&!!! The kids like FW because of all the activities, (pools, movies, campfire, playgrounds, etc...)I would definately recommend them to anyone.

Deb

 

[jjcollins]

I think if I could stay anywhere on Disney property that I wanted, it would be in a 1 bedroom at Old Key West.

I'll second that or would it be Hilton Head lol ok both -- Are they worth hmmm hard ok yessssssss


jj.......

 

[dmonroe]

We love the home away from home resorts! We usually rent DVC points, so it is considerably cheaper than going through CRO.

Having the extra space is a big plus. A kitchen is also nice! Although we don't usually cook full meals, it's nice to have a place to keep snacks, make popcorn, breakfast, etc. When we stayed a BCV, we brought along a couple of frozen entrees (lasagne, etc) and did dinner in the room a couple of nights.

The other big plus for us is having a washer/dryer in the room (in a 1 bdr or larger) I know a lot of people don't like doing laundry while on vacation; but I HATE coming home with a weeks worth of dirty clothes! I love being able to throw a load in after a day in the parks! It just makes things so much nicer when we get back home.