How important is resort location to you?

[Nette]

I keep seeing posters saying that they would never buy SSR because of the resort's location. Over and over again people knock the placement of the resort.

Until we joined DVC (a couple months ago) we preferred and usually stayed at POFQ (the closing for refurb pushed us over the edge on DVC when we had to stay at POR - yick).

DH and I LOVE POFQ and it's location... Everything is only a short bus ride away and DTD is just a boat ride away... Seeing as SSR is right there on the Sasagoola (sp?) River as well, what is the big deal w/ location? I know its not walking distance to MGM or EPCOT, but neither are OKW or VWL...

So what is YOUR opinion? Personally, I am still considering points at SSR after our BCV points are paid off.

 

[DVCDAVE]

I voted "VERY Important", as it weighed heavly on our decision. We wanted a MK local, and an EPCOT local, so we split our purchase between VWL, and BWV.

I personaly wouldn't consider a purchase at either OKW, or SSR because neither the location or themeing appeal to me.......but to somone else it may be ideal.

So far in my opinion, SSR has the worst location, it is near the far to busy and congested DD area. When I vacation, I am looking for something far different.

 

[JohnathanS]

Location was important for me when deciding on my home resort, but it wasn't my primary concern.

We chose OKW for a variety of reasons: we go to WDW quite a bit, so the lower point cost was important as it allows us to stretch our points into several nice trips a year. We also like the peacefullness and privacy of this resort, away from the hustle and bustle. Also, we like its location which is convenient to DTD and AC/Comedy Warehouse for the evenings. So for us, the locations of OKW and SSR are very nice.

BC and BWV do have the best locations, with a very short walk to Epcot and with all the activity surrounding Crescent Lake. Walking to MGM was nice when we stayed at BC, but didn't seem much faster than a bus from OKW. We thought about each of these resorts for quite awhile, but OKW was more what we were looking for in a resort.

VWL was tempting for its theming: WL is our favorite Disney resort, but in the end the location did play a factor: we don't go to the MK all that much (usually once a trip for a few hours) and found that for the other attractions, VWL was a little far. Still, it was a difficult decision: I could spend all day just at this resort and be happy.

 

[Richyams]

OKW gives the best of all worlds. Perfect location and location was very important to us, it also has a reasonable point schedule and the lowest dues, add to that the largest rooms and parking in front of your unit and OKW turns out to be the best place on Earth!!!!!

 

[sgtpet]

Very Important for location. I feel that owning at VWL gets me the closeness to MK we desire and the BCV gives us SAB as well as close proximity to EPCOT and even MGM for that matter. SSR has attractive options for purchasing but the location will keep me from ever purchasing there. If I want a larger room I will get an OKW 7 months out. They almost always seem to be readily available.

 

[sgtdisney]

It is important but not a deciding factor. I can say we probably would not have bought at BWV or BCV if they were the only options available because of their locations. We went to BWV once after it opened and kept saying how thankful we were to have OKW as our home because we wouldn't have been happy overlooking the Boardwalk area. We looked up at the people on the balconies and said that just isn't for us.. Too much activity and all these people below you. Why would you want to overlook all this activity? (Just our opinions of course..) One of my favorite parts of our OKW vacation is sitting on the balcony and watching the 'natural' wildlife and enjoying my coffee in the AM. For us, it is peace and serenity that we enjoy on vacation. For others it is the excitement. To each his own, and isn't it nice there is a DVC resort for all tastes?

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Even though we only had 2 choices for home resorts. I love the location. Its close to my favorite places, Epcot & MGM. I think its very important to choose a home close to where you want to be the most.

Allison
Offically DVC 7/23/03
Home Resort: BCV

 

[DeeP]

Location is THE most important factor for me. I am the complete opposite of sgtdisney though, if OKW was the only DVC resort on WDW property I would definitely NOT be a DVC member today. For the amount of money a DVC membership and dues cost I want a location that is much closer and much more convenient to major parks than what OKW gives you, which is basically the same location and convenience to major parks and restaurants that I can get from a value or moderate resort for a lot less money.

 

[JohnathanS]

Originally posted by DeeP
Location is THE most important factor for me. I am the complete opposite of sgtdisney though, if OKW was the only DVC resort on WDW property I would definitely NOT be a DVC member today. For the amount of money a DVC membership and dues cost I want a location that is much closer and much more convenient to major parks than what OKW gives you, which is basically the same location and convenience to major parks and restaurants that I can get from a value or moderate resort for a lot less money.

The funny thing is, each resort has its proponents for location. For some, being able to walk to Epcot and/or MGM is the location draw. For me, its DTD. For still others, its the convenience of being able to hop a boat to the Magic Kindgom.

Seems like their is a location for everyone!

 

[spiceycat]

Yes Johnathan - I agree

most of my points are at OKW - but I have a small contract at both VWL and BWV for those hard to get early December reservations.

now if DVC would just built something over at the AK - I would be finished.

 

[DeeP]

The funny thing is, each resort has its proponents for location. For some, being able to walk to Epcot and/or MGM is the location draw. For me, its DTD. For still others, its the convenience of being able to hop a boat to the Magic Kindgom.

You are absolutely correct. Just as different people prefer different decor of resorts they also prefer different locations and what may be a good location for one person could be the exact opposite for the next person. For someone that wants a close and convenient location to DTD-- OKW, SSR and the moderate and value resorts are the closest resorts by far. For Epcot and MGM convenience the Epcot resorts can not be beat and for MK then the MK resorts. I would be willing to venture a guess and say this is most probably why WDW resorts are grouped as MK resorts, Epcot resorts, DTD resorts.
We greatly enjoy DTD/PI and always visit each at least 2x per trip but a much bigger preference for us is a location that provides easy access without driving or taking a bus to major parks(3 out of 4, ain't bad odds!) and a wide variety of good higher end sit down restaurants. The Epcot or the MK DVC resorts fit the bill perfectly for both of these desires. For me, I would have NEVER invested a substanial amount of $ in a Disney timeshare if it did not have resorts that provided this. But that is why they make vanilla and chocolate!

 

[ncligs]

It is very important for us at OKW and VB. We always plan ahead and the 11 month window is important for us. We also like having the 11 month window off site(VB). We just booked a Beach Cottage at VB June 26-July 3rd at the 11 month mark, and got it.
At OKW we like the laid back atmosphere and low pts in the winter months

, for our future Jan and Feb stays when we retire in 4 years.

 

[JohnathanS]

Originally posted by spiceycat
.

now if DVC would just built something over at the AK - I would be finished.

Lol, yes spiceycat, I agree! I love AK as well as AKL. Wonder if their will ever be a Villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge? The savannah setup might be so that an addition would not be feasible, but maybe they planned for the possibility from the beginning?

 

[Lisa F]

If we had looked into DVC before BWV was offered, there is no way that we would have bought in with only OKW as an offering. The few times we have stayed at OKW it felt more off-site than on. I've gone back and forth a few times about bringing my parents to visit DVC (they own an off-site timeshare) and wondering if they would prefer the larger unit of OKW since that is what they are used to but I honestly believe that they would not notice a difference (except for decor) between OKW and their offsite timeshare. To me, if I had to get in my car to go everywhere I might as well be staying offsite.

When we bought into DVC we were staying at the BWI using an AP rate. After our first night there we sighed "wow, wouldn't it be nice if we could stay here ALL the time." Of course there was DVC info everywhere. Of course we knew right away we couldn't afford it. We were wrong! Joining DVC is the best decision that we have ever made and it was the boardwalk that sold us.

FOR US, proximity to the parks, activity and fairly heavy theming is what makes our hearts go pitter patter. We love the deluxe resorts and their amenities and take advantage of valet parking, room service and high end restaurants. In our mind, there is no single experience at WDW that beats watching illuminations from the international gateway bridge, strolling out of Epcot while most other people are swept toward the front entrance by a sea of people, having an ice cream at seashore sweets while people gather to watch some show going on on the boardwalk and then heading back to the peace and quiet of our luxury villa right upstairs. That's a piece of heaven on earth for us and the reason we bought into DVC... so I guess I'm a very enthusiastic YES, location counts!

Lisa

 

[kaw1106]

We have all of our points at BCV...we love the location. But from what I have read from previos posts, its seems like we would love any of the DVC properties. However, I do agree with JonathanS, I am waiting to buy my additional points at the Villas at the AKL. LOL. Now that would be a great addition to the DVC properties.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I voted important, but not the deciding factor.
To me, the peacefull location of VWL is the best.
It is true that 'great location is in the eye of the beholder'.

 

[DeeP]

The few times we have stayed at OKW it felt more off-site than on. I've gone back and forth a few times about bringing my parents to visit DVC (they own an off-site timeshare) and wondering if they would prefer the larger unit of OKW since that is what they are used to but I honestly believe that they would not notice a difference (except for decor) between OKW and their offsite timeshare. To me, if I had to get in my car to go everywhere I might as well be staying offsite.

I completely agree. I have a friend that owns a beautiful off site time share with a very well known and reputable company that is very, very close to OKW, has rooms just as large as OKW's 1 br and larger, travel time to anywhere on WDW property from her offsite timeshare is max 5 mins longer than when traveling from OKW AND she paid a heck of alot less and gets a heck of alot more time with her membership (this timeshare works just like DVC pts do) than a DVC membership costs.
I was willing to pay the much higher purchase price for a timeshare in WDW because I wanted to be in WDW with parks, etc right outside my door. If I wanted to drive everywhere I could be driving everywhere from an offsite timeshare for a lot less money!

We love the deluxe resorts and their amenities and take advantage of valet parking, room service and high end restaurants. In our mind, there is no single experience at WDW that beats watching illuminations from the international gateway bridge, strolling out of Epcot while most other people are swept toward the front entrance by a sea of people, having an ice cream at seashore sweets while people gather to watch some show going on on the boardwalk and then heading back to the peace and quiet of our luxury villa right upstairs. That's a piece of heaven on earth for us and the reason we bought into DVC..

Again, I could not agree more!

 

[RLevy29]

I love all of the DVC resorts and I am very glad that we bought points. The location of where we bought was not that important. The only advantage that you get with a home resort is the 8-11 month booking window. Since we love all of the DVC resorts, being told that we might have to stay at another resort would not be that upsetting. We would just have to adjust our point calculations.
That said, we like staying at OKW not just for the rooms but for the atmosphere.We are looking forward to staying at BCV and SSR sometime in the future. We have been going to WDW for 30 years and have yet to go to any of their resorts that we didn't like or wouldn't go back to including the off-site resorts of VB and HH.

 

[lenshanem]

If they built an AKL DVC I would buy without blinking twice...

 

[jodifla]

I find the argument that OKW is too far away from everything perplexing. BCV and BWV, both quite nice in their own right, are very inconvenient when it comes to getting to the Magic Kingdom because they share buses. The dedicated buses at OKW make it a snap to get to the MK. And it's a very fast drive to Epcot or the MGM, much faster than any off property site.

I can understand that other people prefer other theming or settings, but I don't understand the knocks against OKW.