Old Key West or Beach Club Villas?

[starbox]

It's different for everyone - some people really love a specific resort and only want to stay there - and if that's the case, I guess it makes sense to potentially pay more to own points there.

We've been owners for 6 years now and I really like staying different places. There's honestly not a single WDW resort that I'd want to stay in every trip. I think we've stayed in every resort at least twice, and I can say I have ones I like more and ones I like less. BCV is one of my favorite resorts, but even then, I would not want to stay there every trip. It would get boring, and we've found that we vacation really differently depending on where we stay. BCV trips are very EPCOT-oriented - we'll even skip going to AK since the bus is such a nightmare. BLT and VWL trips ended up being MK-centered. At SSR or OKW we'll spend evenings at DTD and are more likely to do dinners at different resorts instead of eating in parks - we are also much more likely to play Winterland Summerland! AKL we end up taking lots more afternoon breaks and hopping - we often will start in the morning at AK (I've gotten it down to science and can hit all the headliners by lunch - lunch at Flame Tree and then pool and the awesome bead activities in the afternoon. We'll hit another park in the evening and it feels like we end up with a more balanced vacation - spending time equally in all the parks instead of just ending up in EPCOT every day.

So, for me, it would just be weird to always stay in one resort. I like the different experiences of the resorts - each has pluses and minuses and by staying lots of different places I think it's easier to focus on the positive things each resort has to offer.

7-month window is not much of a problem unless you are trying to do a specific weekend at a specific resort. I'm guessing NYE would be very hard to get at BLT, F&W is hard at BCV (we've not had trouble getting BWV for F&W at 7 months). They say VWL is hard at Christmas but I've never tried.
We travel 4x a year: F&W, week before Christmas, Spring Break, and first of June. I've never had trouble with the 7 month window. The only reservation I did not get at 7 months was BCV this year F&W opening weekend.marathon weekend/WDW 40th anniversary. BCV, BWV and BLT were all booked for studios at 9am the day the 7 month window opened but AKV, VWL, OKW, and SSR were all available.

I wish, in retrospect, that when we bought in I'd gone straight for the most points/cheapest price and dues.

 

[gonzalj1]

I completely agree with the sentiment expressed above... Buy where you want to stay.

You are not guaranteed lodging at any other resort other than your home. Trading is simply a privilege that Disney extends to us now. They have the right to take it away.

That being said, I love OKW. The resort is great for relaxing as it is sort of out of the way. BCV is nice and we enjoyed our stay there but the location coupled with the style of the resort (hotel vs. condo) made it feel busier.

I'd stay at BCV again but I always look to stay at OKW whenever possible.

 

[albertotahiti]

This is some great information. I pretty much know when I am going to vacation...last couple of days in April in to the first 2 or three days in May, and maybe 4 nights during the first week of December every other year. I am looking at a 100 to 130 point contract. I like Old Key West for the low point count, but I know Saratoga has lower maintainance fees. When I first looked into DVC, I didn't I was going to do so much research! LOL

 

[starbox]

This is some great information. I pretty much know when I am going to vacation...last couple of days in April in to the first 2 or three days in May, and maybe 4 nights during the first week of December every other year. I am looking at a 100 to 130 point contract. I like Old Key West for the low point count, but I know Saratoga has lower maintainance fees. When I first looked into DVC, I didn't I was going to do so much research! LOL

End of April/beginning of May is going to be easy-peasy to get reservations at 7 months. That's after spring break but before graduation/summer break. I doubt you'll ever have difficulty getting any of the resorts. First of December may be trickier - it is popular w/DVC owners because the points are low and there's lots of holiday stuff/MVMCP.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

This is some great information. I pretty much know when I am going to vacation...last couple of days in April in to the first 2 or three days in May, and maybe 4 nights during the first week of December every other year. I am looking at a 100 to 130 point contract. I like Old Key West for the low point count, but I know Saratoga has lower maintainance fees. When I first looked into DVC, I didn't I was going to do so much research! LOL

You like Beach Club / but like the low points at OKW??

Please see my above post above BWV.

Similar to Beach Club...but standard points like OKW!!

WIN !! WIN!!

 

[MinnieLee]

Do you think I would have trouble booking a "non-home" resort on a 7 month out at Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah view or Beach Club Villas? What do you think about renting points?

BCV is a smaller resort and it is harder to get into at the 7th month window especialy during F&W and Xmas. Also, it is walking distance to EPCOT, boat ride or walk to DHS and across from BW. We were able to get a savannah view three months out so I don't know if that is "normal." You can always wait list.

We added on at BCV so that we would have the 11 month window. Do what you can afford and what is right for you and your family. If you rent from someone who owns either resort as their home resort for the 11 month window, it would be for that vacation and you would then be able to see if that is a resort you would like and be able financially to buy into.

 

[333disneymom]

Do you think I would have trouble booking a "non-home" resort on a 7 month out at Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah view or Beach Club Villas? What do you think about renting points?

We booked BCV at 7 months for May and got it right away. We also tried to get if for the second week in December and it was not available right at 7 months, so we waitlisted and it just came through yesterday. So, it is possible, depending on what time of the year. I would think Food & Wine would be more difficult to secure reservations at 7 months for BCV.

 

[starbox]

We booked BCV at 7 months for May and got it right away. We also tried to get if for the second week in December and it was not available right at 7 months, so we waitlisted and it just came through yesterday. So, it is possible, depending on what time of the year. I would think Food & Wine would be more difficult to secure reservations at 7 months for BCV.

Yup - you've GOT to do 7 months/be willing to waitlist for BCV! We've gotten it every June we've tried by calling at 7 months - could not get spring break at 7 months but it did come through on a waitlist. I waitlisted for opening weekend of F&W and am still waiting - doubt it will come through but it would be a nice surprise.

I suspect that BCV is the most frequently requested rental location with the big powerhouse rental clearinghouse-type operations, so inventory gets snatched up as soon as the 7 month window opens.

If you know you want to stay at BCV every trip - OWN THERE. If you'd like to stay there sometimes, you'll be able to get it most of the time if you don't mind calling right at 7 months and waitlisting if needed.

 

[Goofy DVC]

We own at both as we recently bought a BCV contract via resale. We use both for different vacations. The only feedback I would add to everything already shared is that the buy where you want to stay mantra can be flawed to a degree. We bought in 93 and at that time our kids were young. They were not very interested in Epcot, so as a result, we never had an interest in BCV when it opened. Now that they are older BCV is a big hit for us. My point is that where you want to stay may and probably will change over the life of the contract. At least it has for us so far. We are now becoming even more interested in buying more points at OKW as we plan to stay there for the month of January when we eventually retire. All said and done so far.......OKW is are favorite. Best of luck with your decision.

 

[starbox]

We own at both as we recently bought a BCV contract via resale. We use both for different vacations. The only feedback I would add to everything already shared is that the buy where you want to stay mantra can be flawed to a degree. We bought in 93 and at that time our kids were young. They were not very interested in Epcot, so as a result, we never had an interest in BCV when it opened. Now that they are older BCV is a big hit for us. My point is that where you want to stay may and probably will change over the life of the contract.

ITA. And I think it also changes with time of year. I like AKV when it's cooler because I like being out on the balcony watching the animals. BCV if it's warm enough to swim (and I'm a wimp - it needs to be HIGH 80's at least before I'll go to the pool). BWV or BCV for F&W (which I never went to until, you know - middle age). I'd have loved BLT with little kids but, alas, it did not exist at the time. We did SWW once and it was very nice to be at BWV. I like the relative value of OKW or value studios when spring break falls during Easter Week and points are doubled!!!

The GREAT thing about DVC is that you are NOT tied to your home resort with a ball and chain. You can take different vacations during different seasons of life and enjoy all the experiences in their time.

Honestly, six years ago these boards had me terrified because of the HOME RESORT IS SO IMPORTANT and BUY WHERE YOU WANT TO STAY and YOU'LL NEVER STAY AT (RESORT X) IF YOU DON'T OWN THERE - which is why I always try to pipe in on these threads and say - no, really - it's not a do-or-die situation. If you are flexible and want to stay at different resorts, then you don't have to own at a specific resort. Away from these boards, nobody will ever know where you own, how much you paid for your points, how many points you own, etc.

 

[albertotahiti]

ITA. And I think it also changes with time of year. I like AKV when it's cooler because I like being out on the balcony watching the animals. BCV if it's warm enough to swim (and I'm a wimp - it needs to be HIGH 80's at least before I'll go to the pool). BWV or BCV for F&W (which I never went to until, you know - middle age). I'd have loved BLT with little kids but, alas, it did not exist at the time. We did SWW once and it was very nice to be at BWV. I like the relative value of OKW or value studios when spring break falls during Easter Week and points are doubled!!!

The GREAT thing about DVC is that you are NOT tied to your home resort with a ball and chain. You can take different vacations during different seasons of life and enjoy all the experiences in their time.

Honestly, six years ago these boards had me terrified because of the HOME RESORT IS SO IMPORTANT and BUY WHERE YOU WANT TO STAY and YOU'LL NEVER STAY AT (RESORT X) IF YOU DON'T OWN THERE - which is why I always try to pipe in on these threads and say - no, really - it's not a do-or-die situation. If you are flexible and want to stay at different resorts, then you don't have to own at a specific resort. Away from these boards, nobody will ever know where you own, how much you paid for your points, how many points you own, etc.

Great advice. Love it!!! Thanks!

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

BCV BECAUSE IT IS SO SMALL EVERY ONE WANTS T STAY THERE

 

[crisi]

Honestly, six years ago these boards had me terrified because of the HOME RESORT IS SO IMPORTANT and BUY WHERE YOU WANT TO STAY and YOU'LL NEVER STAY AT (RESORT X) IF YOU DON'T OWN THERE - which is why I always try to pipe in on these threads and say - no, really - it's not a do-or-die situation. If you are flexible and want to stay at different resorts, then you don't have to own at a specific resort. Away from these boards, nobody will ever know where you own, how much you paid for your points, how many points you own, etc.

Yep, although one thing concerns me in this case - the "value" function. albertotahiti keeps coming back to "how little can I get away with buying" in some other posts.

As you said, "Sleeping around" at DVC works great if you are flexible. The less flexible you can be (in terms of emotions or economy) the less successful switching will be - i.e. you'll have more success if you don't need the standard view studios at BLT or the standard view studios at BWV. - However, OKW is a lovely resort with low points that tends to be open at seven months.

Buy a resort you'd be happy to end up at - and generally speaking, you won't need to stay there unless you want to. But, buy enough points so that when you don't want to stay there, you have some flexibility. Don't buy points counting on low point options being open - even if you bought BWV, those standard view points sometimes are GONE when you try and book them eleven months out - its rare, but it happens. And it usually happens when alberto intends to book - October and December.

 

[BlackRock]

OKW is the best value out of all the resorts

Blackrock

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think 100 points have more value at AKV (not in the mix of comments) or OKW than at BCV. I think there's another thread about 100 point contracts that the OP has commented on.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Value is subjective, I value OKW more than all other resorts due to it's lush landscaping, bigger villas, and tropical, Key West theming. I bought at OKW because though I knew I would try and stay at other DVC resorts, I would spend the bulk of my time/points at OKW. This was my reasoning in 2000 when I purchased and it remains so. Also with talk of tiered benefits and possible future DVC changes, I reasoned that if it came down to only being allowed to stay at my home resort, OKW, I would still be happy with my choice down the line! I also get a GV every few years and OKW fit s that bill superbly, adding further value to my choice of making it my home resort.

I've stayed at the BCV and it's never thrilled me nor my son for that matter! I prefer the BWV and have never understood the mass appeal of BCV's. I had a view of the pool twice which I detested since it feels as though you are right there glued to every one else and the 3 rd time I had a view of the road and the edge, woohoo! BCV not for me, to each his own!