interested in DVC looking for some info

[jlencki]

Looking into joining DVC I have stayed in and off disney several times. Looking to pick the best resort for my myself, wife and 1 y.o. Important things to me are #1) Pool and pool area #2) best disney transpotation ie. wait times for buses ect. to parks, dowtown disney. ( I have heard that at some resorts you can wait quite a long time for pickups/dropoffs) I am looking to buy enough points for a 1 week stay yearly at a studio to start.
Finally approx. how many points does it cost to take a 7 day disney cruise Feb or March balcony room and how many points to stay at polynesian in Oct, November and May. I apoligize if these topics have already been discussed however the honest answers to theese question would really help in my decision to buy in. Thanyou all in advance for your input.

 

[Steamboat Bill]

They are all nice and DVC points allow the use of all properties.

The Beach Club has the best pool but highest resale cost.

OKW is a bargain but is under the old 40 year cycle.

I think SSR is the best option for you unless you find a good resale buy at the Beach Club.

Forget using points for the crusie (I did it and wish I rented the points and paid cash). The cruise burned 2 years of points for me. Ouch

-Bill

 

[jennz]

A nice feature at SSR's pool is the zero-entry, great for a baby/toddler! They also have the Donald Duck spray fountains that are lots of fun. I would agree w/Steamboat Bill about SSR - you get the longest contract there. You can always stay at other resorts. We haven't had problems in June, July, or October getting in at others with the exception of Wilderness Lodge. About the bus system - you can request room locations in the resorts and I would post here to get recommendations so you can be closer to them (Or wherever you want to go).

Good luck!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Hi, I second what the previous poster said.
Definetly dont use points for a cruise or to stay outside the DVC resorts,WAY to many points.
I also sent you a PM.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

DVC comes with pool hopping privileges EXCEPT for Stormalong Bay at Y&BC and the pool at AKL. If you want to use Stormalong Bay, you must stay at BCV.

It's generally acknowledged that Stormalong Bay is the best pool on Disney property.

Busses seem to have good days and bad days.

Seven-night cruises in February and March run from 149 points per person for an Oceanview Stateroom to 402 points per person for a Deluxe Family Stateroom with Verandah. The points you need vary quite a bit by sailing date and room category.

Rooms at the Poly range from 36 points per weeknight and 65 points on weekends for a Garden room to 59 points per weeknight and 106 points on weekends for King Kamehameha Club during Value Season (July 5-Oct 4 and Nov 26-Dec 19), to 41 ponts per weeknight and 74 points on weekends for Garden room to 67 points per weeknight and 119 points on weekends for Kamehameha Club during Regular Season (Apr 23-Jul 4 and Oct 5-Nov 25).

Like others said, it's not the best value to use points for Cruises and non-DVC resorts.

 

[crisi]

Transportation quality will probably vary a lot over the life of your contract. BWV was much better this year than it was two years ago, but I didn't think it was horrible two years ago (others did). There is also a little luck going on with transportation. Sometimes you have the gift of showing up as an empty bus is pulling in all vacation. Other vacations it seems like you never catch a break! BWV and BCV are both walking distance to Epcot and MGM (the walk to MGM is longish), which makes you less dependant on the buses.

The other thing is the pools. SAB is generally regarded as the best pool, but I don't like it. Too big, difficult to track your kids through. Will be fine once the kids are older, though. I love the zero entry pools when my kids were toddlers, but now that they are bigger, its too much pool that is dedicated to shallow water for them.

Think about things like pools and transportation over the life of the contract - you may not care much about the pool 30 years from now, and Disney could make a commitment to hooking up the resorts via light rail in ten years.

 

[jlencki]

thankyou all for the info. Another few questions;How far away is stormalong bay from the beach club villas ? I noticed that the villas have their own pool (very standard) is this because stormalong bay is is so far away? If I bought into Saratoga Springs how difficult is it to book the beach club villas in oct, nov, and may. When buying Saratoga Springs from disney and getting the 15% discount are there any other charges or is this the total price? ( I was told by disney $14,700 and they did not mention discount) When is Saratoga Springs scheduled to be finished? Is it important what month you get your points if you like to stay at a particular time of year? ( I don't know if I completely understand the entire reservation sysytem) Do any of you see a benefit of belonging to a resort that is adjacent to a disney hotel i.e. services ect?

Thank-you all again for your help.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Here's a link to a map showing where BCV is in relation to Stormalong Bay.

One advantage of staying at BCV, BWV, or VWL is these resorts have room service. OKW and SSR do not.

My home is OKW and I'm staying at BCV in May 2006. It was very easy to move my reservation at the seven-month mark. In fact, first I moved it to BWV and about a week later moved it to BCV. It would be more difficult in October or early November because of the Food and Wine Festival.

 

[Steamboat Bill]

I have used both pools at Beach club....the walk to SAB is about 200 yards from the DVC rooms so I would not classify it as "so far away" and it is worth every step....the sand bottom fresh water pool is very cool!!!

If you buy from DVC perhaps you can say I sent you and I may get a bonus (hee-hee). I started at VWL and then bought SSR. The best part about SSR is the LOW maintenance points.

-Bill