I'm new & L@@KING for a MAP (m)

[shari2shop]

HI All!

I have been to Disney several times and have been a memeber of DIS for a few years. Recently my hubby and I decided that Disney is where we will probably be spending most of our vacations with you children. So, we have just started thinging about becoming DVC members.

I have been reading tons of the posts on this baord and I have learned alot. I am starting to wonder which resort we would like to be our 'home'. I know it is like the rest of the resorts at disney, it all depends of taste and themes.

Is there a map somewhere that will show me the location of the different resorts????? I'm thinking that the boardwalk is within walking distance to Epcot, are any others that close?

Also, I have read that some resorts are sold out and I would have to buy resale. Is there a list that tells what resort is sold out and what has rooms left??

I'm sure I will have more questions to come to mind!!

Thanks for all the info!

Shari

 

[CRobin]

Here's a link to maps on the Disney site.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wa...ns/transportation/maprootindex?id=TRANMapRoot

Yes, BWV is within walking distance of both Epcot and MGM.

Of the Disney resorts, BWV and OKW are sold out; BCV is close to being sold out; I'm not sure about VWL.

The Timeshare Store, who sponsors this board, is an excellent place to look for resales.

Good Luck!

 

[SamSam]

BCV is also within walking distance of Epcot. You can also walk (ten minute walk) or take a boat to MGM .

 

[CaptainMidnight]

WLV allow boat transportation to the MK and I believe maybe the contemporary. Alternative transportation to just bus service was a factor we considered. There are many threads comparing the cons and cons of each of the resorts (some pros. that can be helpful in making your home resort decision.

 

[Disney Doll]

CRobin answered your question about sold out vs. what's left. I will say that DH and I bought a resale at OKW through The Timeshare Store's Pat Spell and it was a very smooth transaction. I would recommend them if you do go the resale route.

As far as the resorts, I can give you a little rundown of what's what in each.

First of all, a studio is like a glorified deluxe hotel room. The amenities are just as nice, and additonally you get a kitchenette with a small fridge, a microwave, a coffemaker. I believe it comes with a toaster as well, or you can request one on arrival. It makes it easy to do at least breakfast and snacks in your room, and I suppose you could also do easy dinners(mac and cheese, microwave frozen dinners etc) if you were of a mind to. DH and I usually opt for easy breakfast foods and snacks for the room. A 1BR is like a 1BR condo, with a full kitchen/great room area, a master bedroom(king size bed) with a jacuzzi tub, a full size washer/dryer(some resorts have stackable units instead of floor standing models). The 2BR is the 1BR plus a studio(in OKW the studio will have 2 queen size beds. In the other resorts, the studio will have a queen bed and a queen size pull out couch). The Grand Villa is a 3BR unit with all the amenities of the 2BR. In OKW I think most of the GVs are 2 stories, in the BWV, I think the GVs are ranch style and spread out over a larger, one level area.(Other DISers who may know for sure, feel free to correct me!). I think that OKW and BWV are the only 2 resorts that have grand villas(again, other DISers correct me if I am wrong).

The rooms at OKW are bigger than the rooms at any of the other DVC resorts at WDW. The rooms at BWV,BCV,VWL are all equal in size, smaller than OKW, but very amply sized for a vaction condo IMHO.

OKW-the theme is sort of tropical/beachy.It is decorated in pastels(peach,green,lilac), very laid back feel. There is a full service restaurant on site with decent food, a small bar, snack bars by the quiet pools which are open seasonally, boat and bike rental, it sits on a golf course.They have a general store/gift shop.
You can take a little boat to DD, bus everywhere else. Some people think OKW has slow bus service...that has not been my experience. It is condo style, with exterior entrances, rather than hotel style, with interior entrances. You can park your car close to your unit, rather than valet or in a parking lot farther away. The main pool is nice, but nothing special...no special slide or anything. There are also 3 quiet pools.

BWV-the theme is seashorey, with a lot of blue. Very nicely done. You are located right on the Boardwalk, with all of the food, entertainment,and shopping that that location offers. You can walk/boat to Epcot and MGM, bus to everywhere else.They have boat and bike rental.It is a hotel style, with interior entrances and parking either by valet or self-park. DVC members get free valet at any resort that has a DVC property attached to it. The main pool is noice, with a slide that is reminiscent of an old wooden roller coaster where you come flying out the clown's mouth and into the pool. They also have a couple of quiet pools as well. Some folks have indicated that depending on where you are located in the resort, the walk can be kind of long. That can be remedied by requesting a room near the elevators if walking is an issue for anyone in your party.

BCV-also located in the Boardwalk area, but located closer to Epcot, so you can walk/boat to Epcot and MGM, bus everywhere else. The themeing is very beachy, light and airy, with a lot of pastels used in the decorating...very relaxed. You can do bike and boat rental. You can valet(free)or self park. The main pool is equallled by no other resort pool on WDW property. Stormalong Bay is almost liek a mini water park, with a sand bottom, a current, a huge slide, areas where there are hidden waterfalls and hot tubs. If swimming is of the utmost importance to you and your family, then BCV is the resort for you.

**Note-BCV and BWV are the best located DVC resorts in terms of being close to a lot of action***

VWL-located near the MK--boat to MK, bus to everywhere else. It has been my personal experience that the bus service seems a little slower from this resort. The rooms are decorated very rustically--deep greens and burgundy. I have always found this to be a very serene, peaceful, restful resort. You can rent boats/bikes. There is a main pool with a neat geyser that shoots off about every 1/2 hour or so, a lot of little waterfalls etc. There is also a quiet pool. You can see the Electric Water Pageant form the dock area. Free valet or self parking, interior entrances.

It has been my experience that each of the resorts has it's charm. My suggestion would be look at what location you'd like to be in, look at the amount of money each alternative will cost and decide that way.