I'll be touring most of the DVC resorts next week

[FindingFigment]

I will be in the World next week to celebrate my birthday (the big 4-0!). I have a friend flying in for a conference at the GF and we'll get to spend a couple of days together at Epcot. I never get to spend any quality time in the World Showcase since DH isn't interested and DD4 isn't old enough to appreciate it yet. So, I am renting points and staying at SSR for 3 nights. While I'm there, I want to also go and visit the other 5 resorts that interest me - AKV, BCV, BWV, OKW and VWL. BLT just doesn't do anything for me and the higher price eliminates it even further.

Can anyone give advice on the best way to go about this? I won't be rushed for time or anything like that.

I doubt I'll get to see inside any of the rooms but I've looked at a lot of pictures and videos online so I'm ok with that. We'll mostly be staying in studios so I'm not too worried about that part. We're not too picky about our rooms as long as they're clean.

I guess I'm just wanting to see if I fall in love with any of them. I know my plan won't be as good as if I were actually staying in each of the resorts, but since it's commonly stated here that most people regret not buying sooner, I don't want to have to wait a few years until I've tried them all before I decide. I'm just buying a small contract and would like to buy where I'd most like to stay and although I'm a value shopper and am tempted by the lowest price, I'd be willing to pay more if I fall in love with any particular resort.

So, I guess I'm just asking for suggestions on how to do walk-around tours other than the obvious....which is to just walk around a look.

 

[Donna M]

I hope you have a car!

We bought SSR 6 years ago because that was the one for sale. I didn't know anything about resale. We haven't stayed there in 4 years, we always try other places. And only once did we not get BCV when we wanted it. But, everyone does say buy where you want to stay if that is really important to you.

Last year there was a preview room open on the boardwalk for BWV's(obviously!) I'm not sure if SSR still has a preview center. What about taking a DVC tour?

 

[DenLo]

You can easily walk around all of the resorts you listed. Keep in mind that the DVC portion of BCV, BWV, VWL, and AKV is not the same as the cash resort, the first three have their own buildings and at AKV, Jambo House (the AKL building) the DVC rooms on are the 5th floor and 6th for concierge. Then there is the separate building for Kidani Village is completely DVC.

From DTD you would be able to catch buses to each of the resorts or even a ferry boat to OKW.

If you have the time you might want to ask the front desk if you could see a DVC villa at each of the resorts. You can see a DVC villa for AKV (Kidani) at SSR at the DVC Models.

 

[FindingFigment]

I hope you have a car!

We bought SSR 6 years ago because that was the one for sale. I didn't know anything about resale. We haven't stayed there in 4 years, we always try other places. And only once did we not get BCV when we wanted it. But, everyone does say buy where you want to stay if that is really important to you.

Last year there was a preview room open on the boardwalk for BWV's(obviously!) I'm not sure if SSR still has a preview center. What about taking a DVC tour?

Thanks. I'm not as interested in seeing the inside of the rooms as I am in getting a feel for the overall resort.

 

[FindingFigment]

You can easily walk around all of the resorts you listed. Keep in mind that the DVC portion of BCV, BWV, VWL, and AKV is not the same as the cash resort, the first three have their own buildings and at AKV, Jambo House (the AKL building) the DVC rooms on are the 5th floor and 6th for concierge. Then there is the separate building for Kidani Village is completely DVC.

From DTD you would be able to catch buses to each of the resorts or even a ferry boat to OKW.

If you have the time you might want to ask the front desk if you could see a DVC villa at each of the resorts. You can see a DVC villa for AKV (Kidani) at SSR at the DVC Models.

Thanks for those tips. I do understand that the DVC portion is separate from the cash room area. But since we'll have access to the same amenities, I'm hoping I can still get a feel for the resort by my visit.

Yes, definitely planning on using DTD buses and the boat to OKW. Love those options!

 

[chalee94]

Last year there was a preview room open on the boardwalk for BWV's(obviously!)

definitely check out the BWV model. get a funnel cake or try a restaurant on the boardwalk. try to swing by at night to see some jugglers, magicians, etc to get a feel for the area.

for AKV, have dinner at boma or jiko if possible and get there a little early so you can see animals on the savanna in the daylight. if you go straight through the lobby at jambo house or kidani, there is a viewing area for the savanna. jambo house even has a small room off to the side where you can see a savanna from indoors. the kidani water area might be open to walk through or it might require key access.

you can take the boat from the MK to VWL and eat at artist point or watch the shenanigans at WCC from the lobby at a meal time.

for OKW, eat at olivia's for breakfast and ride the boat from the dock to DTD. maybe walk around the resort a little to enjoy the landscaping.

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

definitely check out the BWV model. get a funnel cake or try a restaurant on the boardwalk. try to swing by at night to see some jugglers, magicians, etc to get a feel for the area.

Head over to Jellyrolls as well.

Jason

 

[jekjones1558]

My advice is to walk from the back entrance of Epcot World Showcase (officially known as International Gateway) to BCV, then take the boat or walk to BWV. Go through the preview room on the BW (right next to Big River Grill). The room layout is very similar at BWV, BCV, VWL, AKV Kidani and SSR. The BWV preview rooms are not usually open in the mornings. The best time to go would be evening so you get a feel for the BW. You could even plan it so you see Illuminations then back to SSR.
Another day you can take the boat to OKW. Ask to see a 2 bedroom there so you can see the size and layout of the studio and 1 or 2 bedroom. These rooms are laid out entirely different from the other resorts.
You could take the bus from SSR to MK one day, then take the boat to VWL.
The easiest way to get to AKV is probably to take a bus from DTD to AKV. You should plan to walk or take a bus from Jambo (where AKL is) over to Kidani because AKV is really 2 separate resorts. I agree that it would be fun to eat at Boma on the day you visit AKV.
Good luck and have fun doing all of your tours.

 

[FindingFigment]

definitely check out the BWV model. get a funnel cake or try a restaurant on the boardwalk. try to swing by at night to see some jugglers, magicians, etc to get a feel for the area.

for AKV, have dinner at boma or jiko if possible and get there a little early so you can see animals on the savanna in the daylight. if you go straight through the lobby at jambo house or kidani, there is a viewing area for the savanna. jambo house even has a small room off to the side where you can see a savanna from indoors. the kidani water area might be open to walk through or it might require key access.

you can take the boat from the MK to VWL and eat at artist point or watch the shenanigans at WCC from the lobby at a meal time.

for OKW, eat at olivia's for breakfast and ride the boat from the dock to DTD. maybe walk around the resort a little to enjoy the landscaping.

Great tips, Charles! Thank you! I hadn't thought about Olivia's for breakfast. I just made reservations. That Banana Bread French Toast sounds lovely.

I will definitely check out AKV when I can see the animals and BWV when I can see the night time entertainers.

I think I want to visit VWL and AKV both on the first day I arrive (Saturday afternoon) so I'll probably skip eating at VWL since I definitely want to eat at AKV but I'm actually thinking about eating at Sanna because it sounds a little more exotic and I feel certain out of the 3 TS restuarants at AKV (which is where we'll be staying on our next trip), Sanaa would be the one I'm least likely to get him to try. But I think he will like Boma so I'll save it for October.

 

[FindingFigment]

Head over to Jellyrolls as well.

Jason

I've hear a lot of people really love Jellyrolls. I will most likely be flying solo. Do you think I still enjoy it if I'm not a bar/nightclub kind of person?

 

[FindingFigment]

My advice is to walk from the back entrance of Epcot World Showcase (officially known as International Gateway) to BCV, then take the boat or walk to BWV. Go through the preview room on the BW (right next to Big River Grill). The room layout is very similar at BWV, BCV, VWL, AKV Kidani and SSR. The BWV preview rooms are not usually open in the mornings. The best time to go would be evening so you get a feel for the BW. You could even plan it so you see Illuminations then back to SSR.
Another day you can take the boat to OKW. Ask to see a 2 bedroom there so you can see the size and layout of the studio and 1 or 2 bedroom. These rooms are laid out entirely different from the other resorts.
You could take the bus from SSR to MK one day, then take the boat to VWL.
The easiest way to get to AKV is probably to take a bus from DTD to AKV. You should plan to walk or take a bus from Jambo (where AKL is) over to Kidani because AKV is really 2 separate resorts. I agree that it would be fun to eat at Boma on the day you visit AKV.
Good luck and have fun doing all of your tours.

Hi Jean, I have seen a lot of pictures of the rooms at OKW and they are HUGE! I'll see if I can get my nerve up to ask. But I'm not one to bother people and since I know they are busy trying to get the empty rooms ready for the next person, I was thinking it's best just to not worry about it.

I appreciate your tips on how to get around from resort to resort. I'll definitely do that! Thank you.

 

[FindingFigment]

As it turns out, I have hurt my foot. It's nothing major but after an hour or two on it, it hurts. So I've decided to rent an ECV from an offsite vendor. I don't want to miss out on this opportunity to resort shop but I'd like to be able to really get around and see the resorts, even the large ones. I also have a bad knee (old ski injury) so I have used an ECV inside of the parks before, but this will be the first time that I'll have to load one onto a bus or a boat.

I've posted a thread over in the disABILITIES forum asking about my routes between SSR and VWL and also between SSR and OKW. But in case you're not frequenting that board, I also want to mention it here to see if anyone has any feedback.

Getting to VWL from MK on a boat could be more difficult on the boat. If I were going to just use a bus, how about bus from SSR to Epcot or HS and then transfer and bus to WVL? Or do you still think it would be easier taking the boat from VWL with an ECV?

Also, what about the path between SSR and OKW? I don't think I'd even consider it on foot but with an ECV it looks do-able. I know it's not lighted at night but would a scaredy-cat like me be ok riding the path ALONE during daylight hours?

Thanks!

 

[kikiq]

Going from SSR to OKW, ask SSR bell services what the best way to get to OKW with your EVC. You might even get a ride. SSR is our home resort and have always found the CMs there to be very helpful.

We did what you are doing before we bought DVC. Spent some vacation time touring all the DVCs. BLT wasn't built yet and VWL had no appeal to my DH. We ended up having a meal or snack at each resort. Our friends were staying at OKW, spent time in their 2 bdrm and had dinner at Olivia's. Had the funnel cake and just sat on the BW enjoying the entertainment. Walked over to BCV, ate at Cape May for dinner and then sat in one of the gardens. Spent an afternoon at AKL and ate at Boma's. Then the last day spent the afternoon at SSR, lunch at the Turf Club, and as we walked passed the community hall going to DTD, my DH saw the bicycles all lines up really small to big. He turned to me and said," This is our home resort." We've stayed at AKV and BWV, but always return to SSR.

You will see that OKW/SSR are condo style and the rest are attached to a hotel. Enjoy the touring, asked nicely with a smile, we found the resort CMs more than helpful.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

There are two types of boats that operate from MK to VWL. You will be able to easily take an ECV on the larger one and won't be able to take it on the smaller launch. AFAIK they operate both at one time but you may have to wait for the larger one. Other than the possible wait it's usually easier to load and unload than the busses.

Otherwise since you are at SSR I would go to DTD and catch a direct bus from there to VWL. Much easier than a bus to Epcot or anywhere else and then transfer to a bus to VWL. It's one of the plusses of staying at SSR - the resort bus access at DTD.

Have fun on your tour!