Im torn between BWV and SSR

[tony webb]

so should my deciding factor be which one is easier to get at th e7 month window...which i would assume SSR...so shouldnt i buy into Boardwalk...help please...i know i know buy where you want to stay...well i like both

 

[Diznut84]

Buy BWV. You need the 11 month window for the best views and availability at BWV during busy periods. SSR is the easiest to book.

 

[bobbiwoz]

SSR has lesser fees and a longer life. BWV has SV points which are a bargain for the location and BW view which is the best.

I have bought BWV, that's due in part to my age, we're grandparents already.

Lots of people mention that they get INTO BWV at 7 months, and even get SV or BW view at times. Since you really are fond of SSR, and IF you are willing to forego SV points and BW view on a regular basis, then buy SSR.

Bobbi

 

[Anthony1971]

The only reason I can see buying at BW over SSR is if this is where you will spend most vacations and will be un-happy eleswhere. Most important though is that you can book your vacation 11 months out.

 

[emlutz23]

If you plan on visiting during peak times, buy into BWV because you'll need the 11-month window. But if you plan on going during slower times of the year, buy SSR. It's not impossible to get BWV at 7-months. We own at SSR and had no trouble booking a 2-bed BW view room for late September (F&WF had just started). Buying SSR doesn't mean you'll never be able to book BWV, you'll just have to be flexible with traveling times, room/view preference.

 

[tony webb]

im a teacher and a football coach so i will travel first week of june....maybe in january, october, december, and or march,,,,,

 

[starbox]

im a teacher and a football coach so i will travel first week of june....maybe in january, october, december, and or march,,,,,

Both SSR and BWV are great resorts - I'd personally buy SSR because:

1. I would never want a SV at BWV - the view is what makes it special to me. If I wanted to count on using less points for a SV, I think I'd want the 11-month window.
2. We're young enough (and our kids are young enough) to make the extra contract years very attractive. I love the idea of taking grandkids and/or spending weeks of retirement at a DVC resort!
3. I am a teacher and won't (can't) travel during Food and Wine - the season when owning at BWV seems the most critical in terms of reservations.
4. I do appreciate low annual fees!
5. I am going to use a portion of my points at a beach resort (and again - as a teacher, I've got really flexible vacation dates ion June/July/early August)- no point in paying a premium price or high annual fees when it's not necessary.
6. I really like SSR and enjoy staying there.
7. GREAT INCENTIVES to purchase!! Love the developer/bonus points!

 

[sjdisneywedding]

so should my deciding factor be which one is easier to get at th e7 month window...which i would assume SSR...so shouldnt i buy into Boardwalk...help please...i know i know buy where you want to stay...well i like both

no I would say the exact opposite. if you are looking into 2: then you buy the one most difficult to get into at 7 months not the easiest

reason being: if you can get in at 7 months you dont need the home resort advantage. or at least you need it less than you do at the one more difficult to get at 7 months

in this case, if you like them equally then you have to decide which appeals more based on:

--the extra years at SSR(but keep in mind DVC MAY be offering extensions to all the 2042 end date resorts)

--the current incentives being offered

--fees I guess one could quibble over the fee difference. I cant see it being a big deal myself, your talking $70 bucks more for BWV per 100 points per year, but you will be paying for more years at SSR. If I am dropping 10k on 100 points Im not really worrying about 70 bucks one way or the other.
Year OKW BWV VB VB(sub) HH VWL BCV SSR
2007 4.40 4.85 5.63 4.39 4.98 4.73 4.63 4.12

besides that I see zero reason to own SSR over BWV if you like them both the same. There are no booking categories available as time of ressie at SSR and you will always be able to egt a room somewhere there based on its shear size

not the case at BWV, there are different booking categories that need the 11 month booking window as well as certain times of year that need the 11 months

 

[DVC Mike]

if you are looking into 2: then you buy the one most difficult to get into at 7 months not the easiest

reason being: if you can get in at 7 months you dont need the home resort advantage. or at least you need it less than you do at the one more difficult to get at 7 months

besides that I see zero reason to own SSR over BWV if you like them both the same. There are no booking categories available as time of ressie at SSR and you will always be able to egt a room somewhere there based on its shear size

not the case at BWV, there are different booking categories that need the 11 month booking window as well as certain times of year that need the 11 months

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Both SSR and BWV are great resorts - I'd personally buy SSR because:

1. I would never want a SV at BWV - the view is what makes it special to me. If I wanted to count on using less points for a SV, I think I'd want the 11-month window.
2. We're young enough (and our kids are young enough) to make the extra contract years very attractive. I love the idea of taking grandkids and/or spending weeks of retirement at a DVC resort!
3. I am a teacher and won't (can't) travel during Food and Wine - the season when owning at BWV seems the most critical in terms of reservations.
4. I do appreciate low annual fees!
5. I am going to use a portion of my points at a beach resort (and again - as a teacher, I've got really flexible vacation dates ion June/July/early August)- no point in paying a premium price or high annual fees when it's not necessary.
6. I really like SSR and enjoy staying there.
7. GREAT INCENTIVES to purchase!! Love the developer/bonus points!

Ok, I'm going to try to play the devil's advocate with starbox....

1. I really don't care about the view at any WDW resort.... I am there for the short walk to the world.

2. Yup... if you are young enough.... (45 or less) then SSR is a better deal in my book.

3. Ok... Teachers can't travel outside the box... otherwise, if you aren't a teacher... you can!

4. I am ignorant to the fees.. I don't know one from the other... except, I know VB and HHI are real high. I submit....

5. Ok, I feel a bit hoodwinked... you now have a flexible schedule...? Ok then, I hope to meet you at VB in May 08. You know the beach resorts are becoming hard to get, or, How about June 08, miss teacher.....

6> I have to admit, I have only visited SSR as an explorer.

7. Great incentives seems to call to me... but I am not ready to buy.

All things considered.... I guess starbox knows what she is talking about.

Frankly, unless you want to know about VB or HHI.... I am pretty ignorant.

Ok... here is a last resort recommendation.. If you can get a real special deal getting into BWV... take it. Otherwise, SSR would be my choice.

Go with SSR...

OK, I can't disagree with miss starbox... She wins... for now.... Actually, I never feel like I am competing with starbox. I know... for her... VB Rocks...

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Ok, I'm going to try to play the devil's advocate with starbox....

1. I really don't care about the view at any WDW resort.... I am there for the short walk to the world.

2. Yup... if you are young enough.... (45 or less) then SSR is a better deal in my book.

3. Ok... Teachers can't travel outside the box... otherwise, if you aren't a teacher... you can!

4. I am ignorant to the fees.. I don't know one from the other... except, I know VB and HHI are real high. I submit....

5. Ok, I feel a bit hoodwinked... you now have a flexible schedule...? Ok then, I hope to meet you at VB in May 08. You know the beach resorts are becoming hard to get, or, How about June 08, miss teacher.....

6> I have to admit, I have only visited SSR as an explorer.

7. Great incentives seems to call to me... but I am not ready to buy.

All things considered.... I guess starbox knows what she is talking about.

Frankly, unless you want to know about VB or HHI.... I am pretty ignorant.

Ok... here is a last resort recommendation.. If you can get a real special deal getting into BWV... take it. Otherwise, SSR would be my choice.

Go with SSR...

OK, I can't disagree with miss starbox... She wins... for now.... Actually, I never feel like I am competing with starbox. I know... for her... VB Rocks...

Still trying to figure out....do you agree or disagree?

 

[starbox]

5. Ok, I feel a bit hoodwinked... you now have a flexible schedule...? Ok then, I hope to meet you at VB in May 08. You know the beach resorts are becoming hard to get, or, How about June 08, miss teacher.....
.

Well, you know it is with teachers - you're really boxed into the school schedule - BUT - you can travel anytime during that two-three month window - which has made the 7-month window work pretty well for us. If the first week of June does not have availibility - I can do the second week w/no problem. If I knew I had to say "June 11-19th" and get those dates or else......I am not sure I would want the added stress of knowing I had to get specific dates.

Plus, June and July are not bad months for DVC.

As for June of 08 - I'm there - we already have cash reservations!

 

[starbox]

Still trying to figure out....do you agree or disagree?

We always agree!!!!! VB rocks and we wish we owned points there!!!!!!

Really, the OP can't go wrong - both SSR and BWV would be great home resorts.

 

[mushu90]

fwiw

we own at ssr and our last trip we stayed at bwv and our next trip is scheduled for bwv. both trips were booked precisely at 7 months on a day by day basis. spouse is a teacher and last trip was over new years 07 and our next trip will be spring break 08. in fact, our spring break 08 booking is for a std view 2 bdrm.

in no way am i trying to tell you that this will happen everytime. only that a 7 mo booking window at bwv is possible around a teachers schedule.

fyi - the rooms at ssr are much nicer than bwv. as others have noted, bwv is showing some wear and tear - but the convenience is outstanding.

 

[starbox]

4. I am ignorant to the fees.. I don't know one from the other... except, I know VB and HHI are real high. I submit....

I did not get how variable the % for dues was on a practical level. (Math is not my strong subject!) But, I am paying close to the same amount in dues for 100 points at AKV as I am for 175 points at SSR

I did not realise that it was that big of a difference from resort to resort.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Still trying to figure out....do you agree or disagree?

Yes. Both. Well not really. Yes, both.

We agree that VB Rocks....

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I did not get how variable the % for dues was on a practical level. (Math is not my strong subject!) But, I am paying close to the same amount in dues for 100 points at AKV as I am for 175 points at SSR

I did not realise that it was that big of a difference from resort to resort.

You're funny.... Sorry, I was trying to distinguish VB & HHI from the WDW resorts, as it relates to to MFs. Oh... and realise is spelled realize... unless, of course you just came into a great windfall.... or unless I am just ignorant... which, I could be..

TEACHERS RULE!

Sorry, I've had a couple glasses of wine tonight and I'm a bit SNARKY. You know I luv ya... and am just kidding. Please don't embarrase me somehow.

We're heading down to Williamsburg, VA on our neighbor's Wyndham timeshare on the last Friday of October (Howlloween @ Busch Gardens). This is one of their (Wyndham) new resorts. I'll be intersted to see the comparison. Just trying to change the subject.

Yup.. VB Rocks!!!

 

[sjdisneywedding]

fwiw

we own at ssr and our last trip we stayed at bwv and our next trip is scheduled for bwv. both trips were booked precisely at 7 months on a day by day basis. spouse is a teacher and last trip was over new years 07 and our next trip will be spring break 08. in fact, our spring break 08 booking is for a std view 2 bdrm.

in no way am i trying to tell you that this will happen everytime. only that a 7 mo booking window at bwv is possible around a teachers schedule.

fyi - the rooms at ssr are much nicer than bwv. as others have noted, bwv is showing some wear and tear - but the convenience is outstanding.

yes I have booked 3 rooms at BWV within the 7 month mark, but its important to understand that doesnt mean its easier to book at 7 months than SSR.

I think there basically will almost never be a problem getting SSR at 7 months where there could be with BWV

 

[UConnJack]

yes I have booked 3 rooms at BWV within the 7 month mark, but its important to understand that doesnt mean its easier to book at 7 months than SSR.

I think there basically will almost never be a problem getting SSR at 7 months where there could be with BWV

As far as the resorts themselves, it's a matter of preference which one you like better. I agree with the buy where you want to stay mantra. If you much prefer SSR, go with that. If you like BWV better, buy there. However, if its neck and neck, definitely BWV. Since SSR is so large and doesn't have multiple booking classes, the 11-month window has proved to be virtually useless. There is pretty much anything available at SSR at 7-months, except maybe during the major holidays.

There are usually rooms available at BWV at 7-months too, but the choices are often more limited. Standard views and BW views are usually booked leaving only the least valued "preferred" views, and studio and 2-br availability is often tight. And forget about it during the major holidays, school breaks, and F&W.

Of course SSR has benefits that BWV does not, like the longer contract and lower fees that you also have to consider.

 

[Cinderella]

I personally prefer Saratoga. But SSR has been easier to book in the past. I don't know how easy it will be once it's sold out though.

I think it depends on whether you'd benefit from the additional years at SSR and also, whether you'd want to stay at the Boardwalk at busy times - eg Christmas and the Food and Wine festival. I think having Boardwalk points during the Food and Wine would be a definite advantage if you were wanting to go then.