Well, there have only been two posts today, so my guess is that this poll has "run its course"...which is actually really good for me because I leave for WDW early Friday morning. However, in the interest of including everyone, I have re-done the stats.
I hope this poll has been as informative for all of you as it has for me. I would like to thank everyone for keeping this thread non-controversial while I was tallying, and allowing it to continue.
At this point, I would love to hear EVERYONE'S interpretation of what the numbers mean. If you don't want to see others' interpretations...I totally understand and respect that...but, please don't discourage others from posting. We do a lot "discussing" on the boards about "buy where you want to stay" vs. not, the importance of the 7 month window, and where people are booking & what resort/resort style people prefer. However, we have never had even an "inkling" of stats other than our "gut feelings" based on what happens when we call MS, or read posts here. I know these answers are based on what people say, not what people book...but, I seriously don't know if there is a way to get more accurate. So, maybe in the big picture, these stats mean nothing...but, I had to try.
I will ask that people be "respectful" of others as they post, but also remind everyone not to take posts on the dis too seriously....this is not "work"...this is fun!!! (or, at least...it is supposed to be). And, I am hoping for some serious insights on interpretation.
So, here's the new information:
Total votes: 130
Here's the results:
1) BCV with 445 points (22.82% of available points)
2) BWV with 417 points (21.38% of available points)
3) OKW with 379 points (19.44% of available points)
4) VWL with 375.5 points (19.26% of available points)
5) SSR with 329.5 points (16.9% of available points)
Now, if we look at the percentage of people listing each resort as their first choice:
1) BCV - 35 people (26.92%) for a resort that is 11.49% of the available rooms
2) BWV -29 people (22.31%) for a resort that is 21.16% of the available rooms
3) OKW - 25 people (19.23%) for a resort that is 29.33% of the available rooms
4) SSR - 25 people (19.23%) for a resort that is 30.5% of the available rooms
5) VWL - 16 people (12.31%) for a resort that is 7.51% of the available rooms
Now, if we look at the percentage of people listing each resort as their least favorite/last choice:
1) SSR - 50 people (38.46%) for a resort that is 30.5% of the available rooms
2) OKW -24 people (18.46%) for a resort that is 29.33% of the available rooms
3) BWV - 23 people (17.69%) for a resort that is 21.16% of the available rooms
4) VWL - 19 people (14.62%) for a resort that is 7.51% of the available rooms
5) BCV - 12 people (9.23%) for a resort that is 11.49% of the available rooms
I will not be available to see the "discourse" on this (or any other thread) because I am leaving for WDW

...but, I look fwd to seeing this when I get back...and, I am warning you....I don't want to see a "CLOSED" thread (but, fading away quietly into oblivion would be okay).
So, before I go...here's my thoughts on the "numbers".
1) I am surprised at how BCV stayed at the top of the pack consistently. I knew it was popular, but I expected to see all the resorts "shift" during the thread. This is especially true since BCV seems to take more "beatings" than VWL or BWV.
2) I am also surprised that, as the number of posters grew, the points did not change too much (I guess what they say in stats is pretty true). Once every resort "settled" it didn't change too much. I think this gives validity to the poll, and I wouldn't expect to see the numbers change too much even if there were a lot more posters.
3) I don't know that the "buy where you want to stay" policy is one that holds true for every resort. Based on the numbers above,BCV and VWL are "over popular" for their size. BWV is about right for its size, and OKW and SSR are "under popular" for their size. While this reinforces my idea that no resort should be too big (one resort cannot appeal to tons of people), I am inclined to believe that booking inside the 7 month window might not be too difficult at these resorts. IMO, the best policy might be, "If you will mainly want to stay at BCV or VWL, buy where you want to stay. If you want to stay mainly at OKW or SSR, you might want to buy SSR for the extra 12 years." BWV is a "special case" because of the BW and std view rooms...if you want to stay in those rooms, you will need to buy where you want to stay.
I think for me, the poll re-emphasized that I need to view my
DVC as something that is for "long-term" planning. I will also consider myself VERY lucky to get into VWL when I do. If I didn't have a weird obsession with BCV...I would seriously consider adding-on there.
In the end, I really don't think the concern should be "how popular" or "unpopular" a resort is...but, rather how popular that resort is in relation to its size. BCV is the first choice for 25% of the posters....if that number was speaking about SSR, OKW or BWV...there would be no problem...that number, while being a little low for SSR, would be almost perfect for OKW or BWV...but, that particular number can (and is) causing trouble for BCV, and would disasterous for VWL.
Just my thoughts, and I hope I didn't offend anyone.....I would love to hear yours!!!
Beca