Just need help deciding which location

[noahandcjsmom]

From all of you experienced DVC'ers which would you choose? Here is our situation- We are 30 yrs old with 2 young kids (3 and 5) and really have no preference on which location except near Disney World. We want the best deal. I would like to stay at all of them eventually and hopping around is appealing but I don't have my heart set on one over another just the best value. Which ones do you like and why? Which ones have the best transportation options? I do understand that the older ones have less time on the contract and to keep that in mind. I am guessing it is all just preference but we have never stayed at any of them so what is your preference?

I love this board you guys are amazing.

Thanks,
Michelle

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Best Deal - IMHO, the best deal out there is SSR. You can get points for a low cost, maintenance fees are low, and you will have your points through 2054. So, that's my vote on "best deal."

Which to Buy - Can you book 8 - 11 months out? If you can, this is where choosing your home resort becomes beneficial IF you want to stay during hard to book/peak times at certain resorts. Peak times include what you'd normally consider peak (like Christmas and Spring break), however DVC peak times can come during times you wouldn't expect (Food & Wine in Oct, Marathon weekend in Feb). VWL is hard to get into in Dec unless you own there, grand villas at OKW are hard to book unless you own there, etc. So, that's why people will buy at certain resorts. If you can't book 8 - 11 months in advance, it really doesn't matter then. I'd go with an on-property resort with the best price.

Transportation - Each resort has bus transportation, some better than others, but bussing has not been an issue for us.

Tour - Here's a great link for a tour of the rooms, lobbies and pools.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ho...ResortCategoryFacet=facetValueng:deluxe-villa

Have fun deciding!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

While I own at BLT (and it would be great for the young kids), I would recommend taking a look at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It will be cheaper than BLT and you get the benefit of being there with the animals.

I have never stayed at SSR, so I can't comment on that resort (although the Treehouses look awesome).

 

[cvjw]

Keep in mind that picking a time to travel is much easier with young kids. With no school schedules, you can travel to Disney most anytime - so booking at the 7 month window isn't that big of a deal. As your kids get older, and trips must be booked around school breaks, it is much harder to book some weeks at the 7 month mark. We just booked for the end of December, 1st of January. If we owned point at a resort that wasn't our favorite - there's a pretty good chance that would be where our vacation would be spent - there is lots of competition for certain weeks at the 7 month mark.

 

[noahandcjsmom]

-Well my husband has to bid for time off practically a year in advance so we can plan 7-11 months out. I work from home and can go anytime just need about a months time to tell my "parents" (I own an in-home daycare). My oldest will start Kindergarten this fall so that is something I have not had to deal with yet. So that is something to think about. I hear good things about Sarasota Springs so I wll look hard into that one. I also Love Animal Kingdom so those are my top two right now.

Thanks again.

 

[tmgandolph]

I own at BLT but I think SSR is the best value. It has a base price of $99/pt according to DVC news.
AKV is so large you can book there anytime of the year. Can get into BLT too, as long as you are fine with a lake view. We wanted BLT MK view at July 4th and Christmas so we bought there for the 11 month booking advantage. But not seeming necessary in your case.

But if you dont care about restrictions on your points wait a bit then buy resale. the prices will drop a bit with the restrictions.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Choosing a home resort sight unseen can be difficult. You had a previous thread about touring DVC, so I assume you saw some models during that tour. We own at AKV/Kidani and love it. BLT was also available at the time we joined, but we liked the Kidani suites better, plus it was less expensive (and still is!).

SSR and BWV are probably the best deals out there on the resale market, but AKV is not much higher. AKV contracts go through 2057.

Bussing from Kidani has been great. The park busses stop at Kidani first and are generally empty. The longest ride to a park is MK, and is only about 15-20 minutes. The pool area at Kidani is great for kids. The range of room types at AKV gives you a fair amount of flexibility if you want to stretch out your points. Not having a QS restaurant is a downside in many peoples view, but we have not found it to be a big issue. We are usually on the busses in time for the rope drop, so we eat pop-tarts and cereal bars on our way to the bus stop!

Whatever resort you choose, look at the points chart closely and make sure you get enough points to get your desired room type during the times of year you think you might travel. For your family, I would think you would want a 1-BR as a minimum. Having a W/D for doing clothes is great.

Good luck with you decision and keep the questions coming!

 

[DizGirl20]

Everyone seems to agree on these boards that SSR is the best deal, but if you are considering at resales, also look at the OKW extended contracts. The OKW extended contract end date is 2057 vs SSR is 2054.

We have not stayed at SSR but we have stayed at OKW. The rooms at OKW are by far the largest of any DVC property. Love OKW for tropical theming, tranquility and boat to DTD.

However, you asked which is my favorite? We stayed last year at BCV and loved it for proximity to Epcot and the Stormalong Bay Pool! We also love AKV for the theming and restaurants!

 

[friends with mickey]

If you are buying direct from Disney, the OKW contracts are extended until 2057and besides the rooms being bigger the points to use them are less than the other resorts(other than AKV value rooms)
If buying resale than I also think SSR is the best value. We own OKW extended contract and are currently closing on a SSR contract so I guess I believe what I am telling you.

 

[Disneypubgal]

We own at SSR and BWV, that being said, I actually think OKW is the best value if you can get an extended contract. Points for stays are very low and rooms are quite spacious! Also they have there own dedicated bus!

 

[crisi]

I agree that SSR and/or OKW are the best value. OKW has some large rooms as well, which is nice.

The only downside to owning these resorts is that you don't get the advantage of the home resort window at whatever smaller resort you might choose to own at instead. For MOST rooms and at MOST times of year, this really shouldn't be a huge issue. However, if you have your heart set on a Grand Villa at OKW (they are huge and cheap), or a Standard View room at BWV, or a conceirge room at VAKL, or want Epcot area resorts between October and January - when those resorts tend to book up - you may end up disappointed and have to have a back up plan.

 

[Disneypubgal]

I agree that SSR and/or OKW are the best value. OKW has some large rooms as well, which is nice.

The only downside to owning these resorts is that you don't get the advantage of the home resort window at whatever smaller resort you might choose to own at instead. For MOST rooms and at MOST times of year, this really shouldn't be a huge issue. However, if you have your heart set on a Grand Villa at OKW (they are huge and cheap), or a Standard View room at BWV, or a conceirge room at VAKL, or want Epcot area resorts between October and January - when those resorts tend to book up - you may end up disappointed and have to have a back up plan.

Agree with all that you say above, but I think the original post was looking for the best deal, not necessarily the best location...

 

[FindingFigment]

The best value are the value rooms at AKV. You can book a whole week in a studio for only 69 points (during slower seasons). I'm renting one of these for my next trip and it'll be cheaper than the All-Stars or Pop Century! There aren't many of those value room and they go fast so owning there would almost be necessary but at least you could buy a smaller contract since you'd need less points there which would save you money. I've actually thought about buying points there but I, too, want to hop around so that home resort would only help me when I stay at AKV. And there have been reports of people being able to get them at the 7 month mark. Not always, but sometimes.

Boardwalk also has standard view rooms which are cheaper and go fast so owning there would help you get those. But again, there have been reports of people being able to get them at 7 months...though highly unlikely during F&W since they are so popular.

Owning at Saratoga gives you the booking advantage you'd need if should ever decide to bring friends or family and stay in a THV. Plus like others have mentioned, the dues are cheaper and the contracts are longer than others.

But if you truly wanted the cheapest points and didn't care about the end-date of the contract, then OKW (not the extended contract ones) are the cheapest on the resale market.

If you're not in a hurry and are good at negotiating, then all 4 of the ones I've listed can probably be had for a really good price. We've seen reports of some people getting SSR and OKW as low as $47 per point and BWV as low as $51 per point. The best you could probably do for AKV would be $69. But these prices are the exception not the rule.

If it were me, I would either rent points for your next trip or buy a small contract (like maybe 50 points) at one of the inexpensive resorts and use the bank and borrow method to use up all available points (150 points) to cover your next trip. That way you can visit the other resorts while you're there and see if you just want to buy more points where you already own or if you want to buy at a different resort because you fall in love with it and feel like you MUST own there.

And for what's it's worth....I personally think SSR is the best "deal". Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[palaemon]

The best value are the value rooms at AKV. You can book a whole week in a studio for only 69 points (during slower seasons). I'm renting one of these for my next trip and it'll be cheaper than the All-Stars or Pop Century! There aren't many of those value room and they go fast so owning there would almost be necessary but at least you could buy a smaller contract since you'd need less points there which would save you money. I've actually thought about buying points there but I, too, want to hop around so that home resort would only help me when I stay at AKV. And there have been reports of people being able to get them at the 7 month mark. Not always, but sometimes.

Boardwalk also has standard view rooms which are cheaper and go fast so owning there would help you get those. But again, there have been reports of people being able to get them at 7 months...though highly unlikely during F&W since they are so popular.

Owning at Saratoga gives you the booking advantage you'd need if should ever decide to bring friends or family and stay in a THV. Plus like others have mentioned, the dues are cheaper and the contracts are longer than others.

But if you truly wanted the cheapest points and didn't care about the end-date of the contract, then OKW (not the extended contract ones) are the cheapest on the resale market.

If you're not in a hurry and are good at negotiating, then all 4 of the ones I've listed can probably be had for a really good price. We've seen reports of some people getting SSR and OKW as low as $47 per point and BWV as low as $51 per point. The best you could probably do for AKV would be $69. But these prices are the exception not the rule.

If it were me, I would either rent points for your next trip or buy a small contract (like maybe 50 points) at one of the inexpensive resorts and use the bank and borrow method to use up all available points (150 points) to cover your next trip. That way you can visit the other resorts while you're there and see if you just want to buy more points where you already own or if you want to buy at a different resort because you fall in love with it and feel like you MUST own there.

And for what's it's worth....I personally think SSR is the best "deal". Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Thanks Figment... You saved me a lot of typing! (ditto)

 

[sweetdana]

If you are paying cash for it. Resale SSR I think is the best value.
For the price per point, MF, contract length.


If you are financing I think AK (direct) is the best value.
For the price per point, and the value room esp 1 bedroom per point WOW, and you can always book SSR at 7 months (except treehouses).

 

[palaemon]

If you are paying cash for it. Resale SSR I think is the best value.
For the price per point, MF, contract length.


If you are financing I think AK (direct) is the best value.
For the price per point, and the value room esp 1 bedroom per point WOW, and you can always book SSR at 7 months (except treehouses).

The values at AKV are the best value at any DVC, IMHO.

 

[gkrykewy]

The values at AKV are the best value at any DVC, IMHO.

Agree.

 

[JimMIA]

To me, the best value is what I now own -- OKW with the original expiration of 2042.

In 2042, your youngest will be 34 years old. But realistically, you will sell your DVC long before then, probably in less than 20 years. And no matter what you buy now, in 20 years, it will be worth little on the resale market.

So I would go with OKW for the low acquisition cost, historically low annual dues, and the enormous villas. The space issue may not be that big a deal with young kids, but believe me when they get just a few years older, the difference will be huge.

I used to own SSR, have stayed there once (in a 1 BR) and I'm not a big fan of the resort. But it is a great value, and the Treehouse Villas are a big plus. So SSR would be my second choice.

I wouldn't buy AKV because the prices are too high, the dues are too high (and are going to go up), and it's really a little out-of-the-way. That remoteness used to be a gripe about OKW/SSR, but I think that is hugely offset by the good transportation, a location that is actually pretty central if you have a car, and the proximity to Downtown Disney.

[ETA: If you want to get a clear picture of what is central and what is remote, don't read these boards. Go to Google Earth and see for yourself.]

 

[JimMIA]

If you are financing I think AK (direct) is the best value.

If you are going to finance, you need to multiply your monthly payment X the number of payments to get your true acquisition cost...whether you are buying direct or resale. Resale, even with a higher interest rate in some cases, will still be less, because AKV's price is somewhat higher than you'll pay resale.

Also, the dues are high and going higher...especially when DVD finally sells out of AKV.

 

[gkrykewy]

So I would go with OKW for the low acquisition cost, historically low annual dues, and the enormous villas. The space issue may not be that big a deal with young kids, but believe me when they get just a few years older, the difference will be huge.

I agree that OKW is a great value from every perspective, and a fine option. The only counterpoints I would highlight re: OKW are the simple age of the resort and its condo style of accomodations. Some people prefer condo-style resorts with direct room access from outdoors and easy access to a parking space, and some people prefer hotel/lodge style resorts where you access your room from an interior lobby/hallway. This is a matter of preference, but bears some consideration by the OP.

Disagree with many of your assessments of AKV. Its 2011 dues are a whopping 3 cents higher than OKW:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37806698&postcount=2

While one can make guesses about future dues trajectories owing to things like animal care, these are just guesses. Historically, dues increases across resorts have tended to be fairly steady, and the types of post-sellout spikes you seem to be anticipating for both AKV and BLT have not occurred for the other on-property resorts.

Re: transportation, AKV has solid and (importantly) dedicated bus service, and no enormous resort bus loop to quibble with.