Looking for advice...

[twinklebug]

I bought into AKV in Summer '08. At the time we had been renting reservations made on points and stayed at OKW/BWV/AKV/VWL. My love was VWL, but my son adored Jambo (kidani was just a pic at the bus stop back then). I have to admit, I think the deals offered were what won me over - I prayed that Kidani would not be as dark and noisy as Jambo but still retain the warmth and, of course, the animals.

I was not disappointed So glad I bought at AKV, but still yearn for VWL.

 

[htmlkid]

Hello! Wondering if you are thrilled or disappointed with your DVC Home Resort? Why? Also, have you ever stayed somewhere other than your home resort and been pleasantly surprised and wished you bought there? Have you ever bought and then sold in order to buy a different resort?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

I couldn't care less where my home resort is other then the ensuring a low buy in cost and low MF's. I purchased Saratoga Springs on a resale and received my points yesterday. Since then I booked BLT for January, BWV for February and awaiting the 7 month window for Auliani in June. As long as you stay flexible I don't think it matters.

 

[genmasjoy]

We bought 210 points at OKW in 1995. Recently added 50 points at BLT. We have stayed at most of the DVC resorts - HH, VB, BLT, BWV, WL, and BCV and really enjoy all of them. Our most recent stay was at BWV and it was really nice and we enjoyed the clown pool, the ability to walk over to Beachs and Cream for lunch, and the proximity to Epcot. Our next stay will be in November for F and W, at BLT - we will take the monorail to Epcot. The DVC has given us wonderful, memorable family vacations and we have never regretted our decision to buy in. Also, we have taken advantage of the concierge collection and stayed at the Regency in NY, the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, and the Royal Garden in London. All are topnotch properties and although a lot of points, it beats laying out cash.

 

[lnevo]

My wife and I bought 130 last July at Doorway to Dreams at BLT. We were able to see the model rooms and I had never even been to WdW at the time. Once when I was 10 in DL and my wife had only been once in high school. We've so far been to AKV Kidani in Sep (loved it there!), traded for rci at Atlantic City (fantastic hotel) went to OKW for Mother's Day and bought 70 more points for an even 200! Booked Cruise for next June (2 night from NY) and have December booked again at OKW...bringing my mom and sf and we are waiting to go home in October with mil! I would say we are getting every pennies worth and haven't regretted it for a bit! My son was 18 mos old when we became members and watching it all through him is priceless. I must say it's fantastic having access to D2D to go get a Disney fix every now and then!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hello! Wondering if you are thrilled or disappointed with your DVC Home Resort? Why? Also, have you ever stayed somewhere other than your home resort and been pleasantly surprised and wished you bought there? Have you ever bought and then sold in order to buy a different resort?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Boy, you described us perfectly! When we became DVC members and stayed at ur home resort, we were less than thrilled. But circumstances and availability caused us to spend the last night at OKW. The next morning, DH woke up and said "I want to stay HERE all the time." So we went home, bought at OKW, and sold our original points. Maybe not the best move financially, but every year when we pay our dues, it hurts a little less to know that we're paying to support a resort we love. We also own at HHI and BCV now, but we learned something from our initial purchase, for us at least-if possible, stay at a resort BEFORE you buy points there.

 

[Dziactor]

I am very happy in the two resorts we own. None of the others are my cup of tea, yet.

 

[LSchrow]

if possible, stay at a resort BEFORE you buy points there.

we learned that the hard way also
we initially purchased at BWV (we were actually the silly ppl who paid all that cash for 1 and 2 bdrms). love LOVE the resort - even 12 years later and stays at almost all others, it is still our favorite
then we added on BCV sight unseen because we thought it would be similar (after a few stays, we found none of us really cared for the incessant noisiness and busy feel, as well as severe lack of views - we like a more relaxed, quiet atmosphere, with access to fun and action when we want). we use those points at 7 months elsewhere, or rent them out.
then added on at SSR, and found our 2nd favorite resort . beautiful, serene, friendly ppl, within walking distance of DTD.
currently, none of the other DVC resorts really appeal to us (we liked AKV and vwl, but prefer walking to parks and more activity options. loved the size of OKW rooms, but the resort itself was just way too sleepy for us - little interaction with others, long bus rides everywhere, etc. have only visited BLT, but didn't feel the serenity we enjoy, and the decor too austere - no warm and fuzzies).
we will consider adding on at the GFVs when it happens, as we have really enjoyed our stays at the GF (and, of course, get more BWV points - can never have enough of those).

best advice is to at least try a resort for a few days before buying, especially if you think you might ever go during a busy time of year.
btw, we are still thrilled to own DVC . when we first bought 12 years ago, i "did the math", and we were effectively paying about half - or less - of what the rooms retail for (adding purchase price and dues, dividing by years left on contract - we didn't take loans but had a CM discount). it was well worth it then.
hth

 

[LCoulter]

We had been considering DVC for 10+ years and maybe if we had actually listened to the DVC spiel, maybe we would have been owners long ago.

It wasn’t until BLT that enough interest was sparked to listen to the DVC spiel. We saw the BLT and the Kidani models and even though we liked the décor of Kidani better, we bought at BLT because of the location. I guess we like the hotel feel and the more compact size of the resort. We don’t regret it and even added on at BLT a year later.

We have stayed at Kidani and loved that too but are still glad we bought at BLT. The one villa that may make us regret purchasing BLT, is if they really are putting in villas at Grand Floridian. However, I don’t think we will add on or sell BLT for Grand Floridian because of the price…we bought at and added on at BLT just before the price shot up.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We purchased our first contract at OKW shortly after it changed from being called Disney Vacation Club in 1997. In 1998, we added on another contract, and even though they were actively selling BWV, we didn't care for that, so we purchased a second OKW contract putting all our eggs (points) in one basket. At the time that AKL was built it was rumored to be DVC, but that wasn't true right away. We held out hope, and when AKV came on board, we purchased home resort points there as well. We didn't want a whole lot more maintenance fees, so our AKV contract is only 69 points, and we use home resort advantage every 2-3 years.

 

[Geomom]

We bought OKW on resale in 2008 without having stayed there--the points were cheaper than some of the other resales. In hindsight, we should have spent a little more and bought at BWV as that is our favorite. We have no plans to sell OKW and buy at BWV. We wouldn't mind having to stay at OKW for a trip. Especially as we've been able to get BWV at 7 months out once a year! We stayed at SSR once before being a DVC member, and once after--it was the only place with a studio left, and we disliked it both times. We did enjoy our one stay at OKW--we'd just prefer to be in walking distance of Epcot. We'll be staying at AKV in October for the first time--should be fun to try a different resort.

 

[sweetdana]

I bought SSR sight unseen. no regrets. I love it, it is now my second fav resort.

Sor-ta regret, I wish 1/2 my points were at BC, if I add on that is prolly where it would be. All in all for the price I CANNNNNNOT beat SSR.

NO regrets really it was one of out best investments. It makes up spend time together... which is really a ton of fun. I am pretty sure my DH boss regrets our purchase though .

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I currently own at OKW, AKV and BCV. Love all three of them

I was VERY pleasntly surprised on my first visit to SSR. I had read all the "negative" but I loved it.

I was VERY disappointed with HHI. I had bought it sight unseen. It's since been sold, can't see me ever bothering to stay there again.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I was VERY disappointed with HHI. I had bought it sight unseen. It's since been sold, can't see me ever bothering to stay there again.

Although we love HHI, I agree that it's not for everyone. Although I don't mean to hijack this thread, maybe you could start another one highlighting the downsides of HHI.