Need suggestions on Home Resort

[StevieD]

We are thinking about becoming DVC members. We just returned from a stay at the Dolphin resort (enjoyed our stay), and really liked the convenience of being close to the Boardwalk, with easy transportation to Epcot and MGM. Having a 5 yr old, we tend to spend the days at the MK - but enjoy evenings at Epcot or the Boardwalk. Here are my considerations:

1. BWV and BCV seem prime due to location. However, I'm concerned about BWV because it seems like it may be difficult to reserve - and I'm not sure the pool is conducive for a 5 yr old (we loved the grotto pool at Dolphin). I'm concerned about BCV for 2 reasons - higher cost of membership since there are no resales on this resort yet, and concern that the Stormalong Bay priveleges may be eliminated at some point.

2. VWL seems like a potential option. We really love the pool at the Wilderness Lodge. But location is not as ideal. Its ok for the MK, but not as convenient for accessing Epcot, MGM, and the Boardwalk.

3. OKW - don't know much about this resort or its pools. But it seems somewhat remote to the other resorts. Location is high on our list of preferences.

Anyone have any suggestions or other factors I haven't considered? Thanks in advance.

 

[MikeScott8]

I have just one question for you, you said :

I'm concerned about BCV for 2 reasons - higher cost of membership since there are no resales on this resort yet, and concern that the Stormalong Bay priveleges may be eliminated at some point.

If anything the elimination of Stormalong Bay would be a plus. This is because Stormalong Bay is for the Yhact and Beach Club resorts and this would include BCV. It is the pool hopping to Stormalong Bay if staying at other DVC resorts that is likely to be elimnated.

Mike

 

[Richyams]

If you have a car when at WDW, I don't think there is much choice. OKW allows you to park in front of your unit. OKW has the lowest dues. OKW has the lowest point schedule. OKW has MUCH larger rooms than any other resort. OKW also usually has the best availability because it is so large and also has members with the longest time as members, this seems to mean that there are OKW members using some of their points for things other than OKW.

There isn't even a contest for us. We were lucky that they were selling OKW back in '92. Had we gone while they were selling BWV or WLV, we would have bought and then once we would have seen OKW, we would have been very dissapointed for not buying there.

Even if the points and dues were the same as the other resorts, OKW rooms and resort layout would still make it our favorite, the lower costs are just a bonus.

 

[StevieD]

Well, I'm referring to a previous post on this forum which speculated that the wording on the BCV contract (or description) referred to "currently enjoy priveleges at Stormalong Bay" or something to that effect. Another member noted that the maintenance fees for BCV don't appear to go to upkeep of Stormalong Bay (another potential indicator of a privelege that me be revoked at some point). Anyway, given that the pool is a major priority for our 5 yr old, any potential to lose this access to Stormalong Bay would make BCV less attractive as a Home Resort.

 

[DebbieB]

On that same thread, another member who has the public offering statement from BCV said that it is in the paperwork under facilities of the resort, so I don't think they can take it away from people staying at BCV (unless it is closed completely, say for renovations). The other resorts are not guaranteed pool hopping will be allowed to Beach Club, so I would think that's an advantage to BCV. With the current incentives, I don't think BCV is that high compared to resales. You are getting a full supply of 2002 points plus DVC pays closing costs.

 

[crisi]

Remember that your 5 year year old won't be five forever (or even for that much longer). I had some similar thoughts (my kids are two and three), and decided on a BWV resale - not the ideal choice for a two and three year old - but I think the walking distance to MGM will come in handy when they are 14 and 15 - as well as Luna Park. I think BCV would be nice for the same reasons (2 park proximity and nice pool for older kids/teens).

We almost bought a OKW resale, but it fell through. Probably for the best, since we don't generally have a car at Disney, we aren't enamoured of the bus system , and our kids are going to want a better pool than OKW provides. The difference in maintenance fees to us is negligible, and OKW seems to have better 7 month availability than the other resorts - although if a Grand Villa (3 bedrooms, sleeps 12) is your thing, than you want OKW - only OKW and BWV have them, and BWV has so few its not even worth mentioning - and they can be tough to get at the 7 month window.

 

[sumessefui]

If location is high on your list buy where you want to stay the most. BCV sounds like it would be your best choice.

 

[StevieD]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I confirmed with Disney that Stormalong Bay will always be a perk for BCV. They still have their $5 per point incentive for BCV - therefore this seems like the best choice for me. I'm still working on convincing my wife, but I'm sold!

 

[Lesley]

Hey Rich, you seem to forget that the great availability at OKW is really an incentive to own elsewhere.....with my BWV points I can get standard view rooms at the BW if I book using my 11 month window....but it would still be fairly easy for me to save a few points and get OKW at 7 months! Much easier than at any of the other resorts.

And as far as the car/parking...when we stayed at OKW we didn't have parking right outside. The new buildings don't have that. They do, however have an elevator, so after hauling our stuff all the way from the car we didn't have to carry it up 2 flights of stairs....like we would have in the other buildings. I like my home resorts where I can just pull up and leave everything with the valet/bell services. But this particular poster wasn't even asking about OKW. But crisi was completely right about OKW...it is the place to go if you want a Grand Villa regularly. BWV's Grand Villas take a whole lot more points!

Really though, its a matter of taste. OKW is the right place for some people, BWV, VWL and BCV are right for others.

Something to consider...there is the option of booking standard view rooms at BWV which saves some points...and the standard views are just as good as many of the views that will be had at BCV. Personally I prefer the decor at BWV and don't think SAB is that big of a deal. But that's just me.

Good luck!

 

[KathyR]

If the EPCOT resorts are for you, I would suggest BWV because of the standard/preffered point structure. While I usually get a prefferred view, it sure is nice to be able to save points and get a standard when needed. Plus, I agree w/Lesley. The reason we chose BWV when we bought was because we wanted to enjoy BWV and OKW. I LOVE both resorts. The fact is that BWV are much more difficult to get into at the 7 month window (esp. standard views), but OKW is almost always available. Not because it is not as nice as BWV, but because it is so much larger. We plan on continuing to enjoy both of these amazing resorts, and I am convinced we made the right decision in choosing BWV as our first home resort (we now own at VWL as well ) Good luck on your decision!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

One of the things I like about going to WDW is parking the car and forgetting it. Being able to get everywhere we need without having to use the car. I make a couple of trips for supplies, groceries, etc. but we are getting better at that. The busses, boats, and monorail to get us everywhere is a whole lot of fun.

I hear you about location close to MGM and Epcot. It's wonderful to be close when you have little ones. We head over to the MK in the am, back for an afternoon nap, and then back to the parks in the evening. MGM and Epcot are nice and close. Check out the Luna park pool, we had soem of the same reservations I've heard other places about the pool not being that fun for kids, storm along bay is certainly attractive. I hope they are not too restrictive on hours for SAB pool, I understand that sometimes during the year it closes at 5:00pm. We like to swim in the pool open 24 hours a day, some late night swims have been a lot of fun. Hopefully the quiet pool in front of the BC villas will offer that.