How did you choose your home resort?

[P-elmo]

100% about $$$

We bought SSR resale last year. As an Econ nerd, I created a spreadsheet showing examining price per point and dues together. Dues can change across resorts, of course, but ssr was best value. (BLT was close give cheap dues).

Anywhere at WDW is ok for us, although OKW, bwv, and akv are cheapest in terms of pts./night so we will probably stay there most visits. What's great about Dvc for us is we are a one (modest) income family with 3 kids but by being price conscious our vacation dollars really stretch.

 

[rentayenta]

We considered a lot of things; ammenities, decor, local, price, contract, maint fees..... a lot of the previous mentioned. We knew we'd buy our first contract from Disney. When we bought, SSR, GCV, and AKV were all available. After touring and asking and discussing along with my previous research, DH and I decided SSR would be the best fit for us.

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

We chose BLT over AKV because the maintenance dues were less. Same price same amount of years left on the lease. If we buy more points through resale we'll probably do that based on location.

 

[jupers]

We bought SSR resale, sight unseen this past month. But these were our reasons for it...

1. price (pd $48 pp)
2. expires after 2042-DH's request
3. usually stay at POR so love DTD area
4. Kids are little, if kids get bigger and aren't Disney fans, we still have a nice location for a vacation
5. If it ever changes that we can "only stay at home" then we still like the location.
6. Tree House Villas

I hope I like it since I haven't stayed there yet, but I feel so fortunate that I was finally able to take the plunge I can't wait to try every resort!!!!!!!

 

[Crystal_27]

We chose BLT because of the monorail access and because of its proximity to MK. We bought in before the resort even opened we were so convinced it was the right resort for us. With that said, now that we've stayed there on multiple occasions, we absolutely love BLT and know that we made the right decision.

 

[mdsd8700]

After many years of Disney vacations we came to realize one of the most important choices in a hotel was the ease of getting to and from the parks. So in the later years of our trips we would only stay at monorail or Epcot resorts. Although DVC had always been a thought for us when we really started to consider it more, BWV or BCV seemed like the best option for us as we love them both. However we really wanted a longer contract than those offered at those locations. Other DVC resorts at the time offered longer contracts but we didn't want to chose those as a home resort. So when BLT came on board it was obvious that was the right choice for us. We bought it sight unseen and no DVC tour. We have stayed at the VGC and will be at BWV for Thanksgiving weekend this year. Our first trip "home" is in 31 days!!

Although I wouldn't mind some BWV or BCV points just for the heck of it

 

[a742246]

We bought at two resorts, BWV for the location and OKW for the laid back feel. We always do a split stay with 5-7 days at BWV and 3-4 days to
recover at OKW (this way we don't get serious withdrawals at home).

 

[kristenrice]

DH and I stayed at WL on our honeymoon in 2002. We dined at every deluxe resort on that trip so we got a great taste of each one. When we walked into AKL for our dinner at Jiko, the first words out of my mouth were, "If they ever build a DVC here, we HAVE to buy!". It wasn't until 2008 (after the unfortunate loss of both of DH's parents within a year) that we were in a financial position to purchase.

We knew that it would have to be a "small" purchase since we were paying cash. Looking at the points charts, the value villas are a perfect option for our family of 4 to stay in a 1BR. I didn't want to buy DVC to stay in studios all the time. The value 1BR's are such a great deal!

Now that I have stayed at AKV three times, I can honestly say that I would not be one bit disappointed if I were "forced" to stay there every time. In fact, I am going in October with my DSiL. I had a savanna-view studio booked at Kidani but I wanted to try something new so I waitlisted for a LV studio at BLT. I ain't gonna lie....it was a little bittersweet when my waitlist came through.

Here are the reasons I AKV....

1. The booking options! 4 categories, 4 room types, 2 buildings...WOW!
2. The animals... every trip is different. Kind of the same reason that AK is my favorite park. You never know what you might see.
3. The dining! Boma, Jiko, Sanaa....AWESOME!
4. The ambiance...it is like I am completely transported to a distant, exotic location.

We just added on 50 points at HHI too. We bought it sight unseen and just took our first trip there in April. I am so glad we bought! Our 50 points will give us a 1BR over spring break every three years. This way, we can do WDW for two years and then HHI in our "off" year.

Good Luck in your decision. I subscribe to the theory of "buy where you wouldn't mind being stuck". I wouldn't mind being stuck at any of the DVC's, but AKV is where my heart is.

 

[RachaelA]

We choose BLT because of the location. I'm pregnant with our first and due in October and walking distance to MK is huge for us because we are going to have young children for the next 10ish years. Plus the lake views and MK views will be nice for DH and I after the baby goes to sleep.

We love AKV though and I can see us adding on there when our future children are older.

 

[com_op_2000]

When we bought there was only one choice! We knew as soon as we heard about DVC that we would buy and have not looked back. OKW is still are favorite can not beat the size of the rooms! Even saying that if we added on anymore it would be at AKL, love the themeing and the CL over there.

 

[Ryansdad0727]

It all started in 2004 when we were on our honeymoon. We were riding a bus to Downtown Disney and we went through SSR. They were about halfway done with it at that point. I sat there as we drove by and thought one day it would be great to own there. I didn't really think it would ever happen.

In 2009 our son was born and it did not take long for me to start scouring the resale sites. I wanted Bay Lake Towers and even called on one contract but it was grabbed up right before i got it. I found a SSR contract with a few more points for $32 less per point. I grabbed it and now own at the place that first caught my eye 7 years ago.

We are flexible with travel dates and i can easily plan 11 or 7 months out. I'm not real picky about where we stay. I even take my own trash out when it gets full. Low maintenance kind of guy. I want to stay everywhere so i will call at 7 months and just say what do you have in a 1 bdrm for these dates. If i need something specific or a 2 bdrm i will book at SSR at 11 months and then try to switch resorts at 7 if i want.

 

[sweetdana]

Cost pp
Maint Fees
How many pts needed to stay.
Location of resort
Amenities (pool, food, entertainment, etc.)
Room type
View
Transportation
Rent/resale value
**The feeling you get when you are there!

How did you choose your home resort?

I went by cost, as I was happy with a moderate resort, and LOVED the 1 bedrooms.. Based on your list.. you are in line with me..

Cost and MF right now SSR is a steal resale. IMO it is way under priced. Solely cause the time frame a ton as sold was the last few yrs, and now people are having second thoughts with the economy.

Points to stay, BWV and AK are by far the best around. AK values are a steal. .. both very close to price @ SSR resale, but much fewer choices, in point amonts, UY ect. Also AK MF are high comparing already. Depending on the costs of feed/care for animals, land, ect, AK has a risk of much higher MF than any other resort.
GOOD luck.

 

[ludari]

Earlier this year my friend took me on a tour of her favorite properties. She owns at three but has stayed at all the DVC properties at WDW. Anyway, I was having a hard time choosing between AKV and WL until we visited BLT. For me it was the location, location, location.

 

[DVCconvert]

...We stopped by the BWV models and signed on the spot....We didn't know about resales. We didn't consider use year. We never thought about dues. We just asked our guide how many points to buy....We were completely clueless and did no research whatsoever, just bought...

~~OMG! ~~

The PERFECT CUSTOMER!!


'careful! DVC may have you stuffed and put on display!

 

[jarestel]

In the most unscientific, uninformed way possible... we bought because it was the resort being sold at the time of purchase.

But as luck would have it, after 11 years and visits to all of the WDW resorts, our home resort is, and always has been, our favorite. So what could have been a most "unwise" method of picking a home resort turned out great.

I don't recommend this approach, as I'm a believer in the "buy where you want to stay" philosophy (now), but in my case ignorance worked out wonderfully.

 

[Kathi OD]

We wanted to buy OKW before it was OKW, but the funds just weren't available at the time. We waited, and saved, for a few years and by then they were selling BWV and there were no OKW points available (at least that's what our guide told us). Of course, we knew nothing about resale, so we just bought at BWV. If we had known about a resale market outside of Disney, we would have looked into buying OKW points.

We might be the only owners at BWV who have not only never stayed there, but probably never will. We MUCH prefer the feel and room layout at OKW.

 

[crabbie1]

This has been a very interesting thread to read. We too are going to buy into DVC and would love to buy at WLV BUT the rep at disney said there were no points there for sale .Our second choice is AKLV and BWV. The only one I am not keen on is SSR .Stayed there last year and didn't get a good vibe about the resort although a great location.Love OKW so staying there direct through disney then rented points for AKLV for this year. We have a tour booked for the 9th November .Unfortunatley we cannot do resale as we need to finance some of the purchase.Would like 200 points .Would you recommend buying at 2 resorts or just one? Also I dont want the rep to think we are a sure thing. I haven't see BLT models yet and we may well buy there.OOHH so confused.I have heard that sometimes better incentives are offered on the DCL which we are also doing. Are there any special offers around for buying direct or does it depend on the time of purchase?
Some posts I have read have said dont look to keen and let it be sold to you with a push but then as our rep knows we want to buy do you think he will not offer us the same deal as someone whom is not a sure thing?
We are buying for us and for holidays for us no to rent out our points. Sorry for all the questions but when venturing into something new and expense I want to find out all I can before purchase.

 

[bwvBound]

We might be the only owners at BWV who have not only never stayed there, but probably never will. We MUCH prefer the feel and room layout at OKW.

Wow -- that is the first time I've ever read of a BWV owner with no plans to stay at BWV. Right-O, you may entirely unique! THANK YOU for owning and maintaining my most frequently visited DVC resort. Even more, THANK YOU for making room for me!

 

[disneynutz]

This has been a very interesting thread to read. We too are going to buy into DVC and would love to buy at WLV BUT the rep at disney said there were no points there for sale .Our second choice is AKLV and BWV. The only one I am not keen on is SSR .Stayed there last year and didn't get a good vibe about the resort although a great location.Love OKW so staying there direct through disney then rented points for AKLV for this year. We have a tour booked for the 9th November .Unfortunatley we cannot do resale as we need to finance some of the purchase.Would like 200 points .Would you recommend buying at 2 resorts or just one? Also I dont want the rep to think we are a sure thing. I haven't see BLT models yet and we may well buy there.OOHH so confused.I have heard that sometimes better incentives are offered on the DCL which we are also doing. Are there any special offers around for buying direct or does it depend on the time of purchase?
Some posts I have read have said dont look to keen and let it be sold to you with a push but then as our rep knows we want to buy do you think he will not offer us the same deal as someone whom is not a sure thing?
We are buying for us and for holidays for us no to rent out our points. Sorry for all the questions but when venturing into something new and expense I want to find out all I can before purchase.

Buy where you love to stay!

All resorts are available for purchase through Disney but the Guides push what's currently available because it makes Disney more money and the deal closes faster. You may have to wait longer for older points to become available but if you tell your Guide that you can only wait until a certain date, you will be amazed that the points soon become available. We have done this a couple of times.

The Guides don't change the deal if you are interested but when buying anything, it's always in your best interest not to show your hand.

Bill

 

[DougEMG]

For us it was all about price. Bought two loaded resale contracts, one at SSR (400 points) and one at OKW (310 points). These contracts end up with about a 10 year pay back timeframe which was something I could live with.