Isn't it interesting!

[dvcjim]

IMO if you didn't buy a timeshare in orlando to be close to the parks, I would serioulsy question why you bought DVC?

Others offer cheaper buy ins, better rooms, life time ownership.

 

[keys2kingdom]

IMO if you didn't buy a timeshare in orlando to be close to the parks, I would serioulsy question why you bought DVC?

Others offer cheaper buy ins, better rooms, life time ownership.

Close to the parks doesn't necessarily mean on top of them! Let's not forget that SSR is onsite with all of the accompanying amenities. You seem determined to grind your point into the ground, we get it already, you don't like SSR.

 

[Sammie]

IMO if you didn't buy a timeshare in orlando to be close to the parks, I would serioulsy question why you bought DVC?

Others offer cheaper buy ins, better rooms, life time ownership.

You show me a DVC resort close to all Disney parks and I might agree.

It is insulting to others to think that one's opinion hold's more worth than that of another's. And that is what this is your opinion. You have no facts that anyone thinks SSR is not a quality product. You have no fact that DVC marketed SSR as simply a means to stay elsewhere. And if one agent told you that, then again your facts are very narrow.

For many of us, being next to one park that you have to walk to is not a huge selling point. BWV, BCV, and VWL do not appeal to us on many levels. However I would not be so presumptive to assume that makes it less than a quality product. It simply means they appeal to some but not everyone.

SSR offers everything we want in a Disney location. We have no desire to be off Disney property and lose all the benefits of that.

We do however wish to be at a location where I have immediate access to my car, have large spacious grounds to walk and jog on, have access to all locations instead of just 3, have access to a great counter service restaurant and on and on.

If SSR does not appeal to you fine, don't stay there. But please do not presume to speak for me and many others as to its worth.

 

[Chuck S]

Enough...any more off-topic posts and this thread is closed. The topic is the "buzz" about AKV vs. SSR, NOT the merits of one resort over another.

 

[Granny]

WHOA!!! I did NOT want this to be construed as an SSR bashing thread! I wanted only to point out that I think DVC did their homework on this one and did what members wanted rather than what was convenient.

Well, I think Disney actually did what was important to them with the idea of capturing the avid AKL fan base on a more permanent basis. When Disney has the land at WDW near a luxury resort, it makes all the sense in the world for them to sell DVC there and take advantage of the existing infrastructure. In fact, it makes the existing deluxe resort more profitable since part of its amenities are now being funded by DVC owners. So AKV is one of those "best of both worlds", and I think CRV will fit that as well.

Build a DVC resort next to an existing resort, and yes you get "instant buzz".

 

[dianeschlicht]

Well, I think Disney actually did what was important to them with the idea of capturing the avid AKL fan base on a more permanent basis. When Disney has the land at WDW near a luxury resort, it makes all the sense in the world for them to sell DVC there and take advantage of the existing infrastructure. In fact, it makes the existing deluxe resort more profitable since part of its amenities are now being funded by DVC owners. So AKV is one of those "best of both worlds", and I think CRV will fit that as well.

Build a DVC resort next to an existing resort, and yes you get "instant buzz".

I totally agree, Granny, and that's the "homework" part of it. By itself, AKL was struggling. With DVC, they will be assured of a successful future. The same goes for CRV too. It also is a struggling hotel that would greatly benefit from some DVC exposure.

 

[wisbucky]

I think DVC/Disney is doing an excellant job when it comes to a new DVC resort. SSR's theme was a very large complex, with a golf course to offer and DTD. Now AKV is a totally new theme, animals. DVC changes the interest to catch new prospective buyers. And I really think that is what causes the buzz. If DVC created a new resort that was similiar to the previous one the buzz would not be that hyped. I also think that the buzz on AKV is so high due to AK being one of the highest rated resorts to vacation at (according the travel channel). JMO

 

[JodyTG]

I think it's all different strokes for different folks. I can understand why some people are very excited about AKV. I'm just not one of them. The Animal Kingdom is a "half day" park to me. I would rather be near DTD and have my shopping so close to me. THAT is my idea of relaxation .

Another big plus for SSR (my husband BETTER agree for us to stay there next year) is the ease to go from SSR to other hotels to eat. We can walk over to DTD and catch the bus to any other hotel to eat at their onsite restaurant. From any other hotel, if you want to use the bus, you have to transfer somewhere and this just adds time to the trip.

I can see, though, where sitting on the balcony and looking out at the animals would be relaxing as well.

This is why we have so many different choices in DVC. If there's not something for everyone right now, there will be eventually.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I don't have plans to buy at either location. However the level of buzz for AKV does seem to be higher on these boards than was the case for SSR. More than anything I think that was a marketing failure on DVC's part. There never was any exciting tie-in to DTD created for the initial construction other than the walking trail. Now they've at least upgraded the turf club but what is missing is shopping & entertainment. It doesn't have to be on a big scale but if they even did a live dinner show it'd be great.

I suspect that the buzz on the boards is deceptively greater than the buzz will be in the real world once existing DVC owners run out to add to their portfolios...I'm thinking the demand will wind up being somewhat similar to SSR. However I do have to give a thumb up to marketing for including some concierge in the new offering.

Oh and I'm a VWL owner... I'll be much more interested in returning to SSR than I will be in staying at AKL except for my one or two trips to try it out. And oddly I haven't had a problem staying expressly at VWL except the one time I decided to see if I could catch a couple of days there pre-New Years with about 7 days advance planning.

 

[Chuck S]

Personally, owning at OKW, I am more excited about AKV than SSR (as SSR and OKW are very similar in location). I think AKV has things that interest me more than the other hotel style DVCs. However, we really don't need any more points, and when I look at the price of AKV compared to what we paid of OKW, I just can not justify owning there.

I think I'll wait until the "new" wears off at AKV in a few years, then maybe try for a 7 month reservation during a normally slow DVC booking time.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I suspect that the buzz on the boards is deceptively greater than the buzz will be in the real world once existing DVC owners run out to add to their portfolios...I'm thinking the demand will wind up being somewhat similar to SSR. However I do have to give a thumb up to marketing for including some concierge in the new offering.

I don't know about that. I have a bunch of friends who are pretty excited that I have AKV points now that aren't on the DIS. I've seen a lot of eyebrows shoot up when I mentioned it. The AKL has a following.

 

[crisi]

I don't know about that. I have a bunch of friends who are pretty excited that I have AKV points now that aren't on the DIS. I've seen a lot of eyebrows shoot up when I mentioned it. The AKL has a following.

Its that following that makes it easier to create buzz. People have a pretty good idea of what the rooms will look like, what amenities will be nearby - there aren't a lot of questions hanging out. That made VWL and BCV easier to sell as well - but I do seem to recall BCVs buzz going way up when pool hopping to SAB was dropped as an option for DVCers. Until that point, it was still a convienent hop for BWV owners and not inconvienent for OKW owners - but there wasn't an overwhelming reason to own there.

 

[DisneyDVCdad]

My family originally bought into SSR about 2 years ago! With the main thought that for the next 50 years we would be able to take our family on a vacation every year that they would remember! We have yet to stay at SSR. Our first 2 visits have both been been to OKW just becuse the points for a studio were cheaper. This year we are going to try for BWV at the 7 month mark. We will see how it goes! The point is that our points are good in 5 different resorts now in WDW! Their is something for everybody! We are thinking about buying into AKV but, not right now! In the next year or 2 our family will be growing and we will need more points!
One last thing we did not buy in to be as close to a park as possible! OKW seems to be about 20 minutes for everything which is fine for us! Although the the thought of CRV does excite me! I could go to the Magic Kingdom every day!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

That is the rub.

The largest resort, and it's the least popular.

Obvioulsy that will strain the system.

DVC needs to come up with something on site at SSR that makes it stand out. DD simply doesn't do it.

Actually, I think when we visited SSR a few years ago we thought is was rather odd. Too big, sort of like a ghost town, but that was before it was completely built-out. I think the resort has become very popular and now has a finished and very appealing feel and look. I originally was concerned with the thoughts that all the SSR owners would be booking elsewere. That has not turned out to be the case. With all the posts of people who love their SSR home I am convinced there is no dispare between SSR and the other resorts. Indeed SSR seems to be holding it's own. IMHO.

 

[Dean]

I was under the impression that trading INTO a DVC via Interval was next to impossible. Can you use Interval to get into all the DVC resorts, with ease?

Actually DVC is quite easy to trade to if you have sufficient trading power, will take any on property resort and can do with a 1 BR or less. I've seen Xmas week, Easter week and a number of 4th of July and Thanksgiving weeks over the last few years, and at least one of each within the last 6 months. But I think that is what some would like you to believe. Trades will occur to AKV as well.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Enough...any more off-topic posts and this thread is closed. The topic is the "buzz" about AKV vs. SSR, NOT the merits of one resort over another.

Hey Chuck,

I went back an read all the posts in this thread to try and understand why you felt the need to post this warning.

All things considered, I don't see much of a problem with the straying off topic so far. I hope you and the other moderators will not become too strict with going off topic because I think it generally leads to interesting and pertinent conversations.

I really see a big difference between going off topic in a thread vs. a board. I also think we (the community) do a pretty good job of handling off topic and negative posts (in general). If we don't like it, we say so.

Of course threads do and have gotten out of control, but I think until the OP says "hey, I want this thread to end" then it is their's to let continue (within reason of course). IMHO.

I truly appreciate the time and effort you and all the moderators and webmasters contribute to make this forum available, safe, and enjoyable for us all.

Thanks, Rob

 

[Chuck S]

Hey Chuck,

I went back an read all the posts in this thread to try and understand why you felt the need to post this warning.

All things considered, I don't see much of a problem with the straying off topic so far. I hope you and the other moderators will not become too strict with going off topic because I think it generally leads to interesting and pertinent conversations.

I really see a big difference between going off topic in a thread vs. a board. I also think we (the community) do a pretty good job of handling off topic and negative posts (in general). If we don't like it, we say so.

Of course threads do and have gotten out of control, but I think until the OP says "hey, I want this thread to end" then it is their's to let continue. IMHO.

I truly appreciate the time and effort you and all the moderators and webmasters contribute to make this forum available, safe, and enjoyable for us all.

Thanks, Rob

But what you don't see are the numerous deleted posts

 

[DisDaydreamer]

But what you don't see are the numerous deleted posts

Gotcha.... thanks for the enlightenment.

 

[Dean]

IMO if you didn't buy a timeshare in orlando to be close to the parks, I would serioulsy question why you bought DVC?

Others offer cheaper buy ins, better rooms, life time ownership.

There are those that prefer the location of AKL, SSR or any on property you can think of. There are also those that truly prefer not staying on property at DVC or otherwise even if they go to the parks daily. Given that we drive to most resorts, I can see that. However, there is simply a subjective feeling I get when I stay on property and it really doesn't matter much which resort it is as long as it's a Disney resort. So it does have value to me, the question is where do you draw the line.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

There are those that prefer the location of AKL, SSR or any on property you can think of. There are also those that truly prefer not staying on property at DVC or otherwise even if they go to the parks daily. Given that we drive to most resorts, I can see that. However, there is simply a subjective feeling I get when I stay on property and it really doesn't matter much which resort it is as long as it's a Disney resort. So it does have value to me, the question is where do you draw the line.

Well said... We are the ones that prefer to stay off WDW property except for once every few years. We are empty nesters now and WDW is a nice coming home once in a while. That being said... off property for us means VB or HHI. We believe in Disney.