Paperwork in hand...

[Cruella DeVilla]

My husband and I are just about to sign the papers for SSR. While this resort looks gorgeous, staying at all the DVC properties, especially at the EPCOT locations, is what is selling us on DVC.

I am getting a growing concern that getting reservations at BCV or BWV may be difficult at best. And DH has his heart set on staying at the Boardwalk at some point in time.

So here are my questions to all of you DVC experts. How hard is it for for non owners to gets ressies at the EPCOT DVC properties? And generally, how does demand vary by season? I know these questions are a little vague considering you don't know the details of our vacation preferences, but I appreciate any insignt into trends you've experienced.

Given that my husband has a hectic work schedule with quite a bit of travel involved and a child that just started school, I don't think that we could even take much advantage of an 11-month booking window. So I'm not sure that going through the resale market is the best choice for us either.

Bottom line is that we love Disney like you do. We just want a heads up on potential challenges.

Thanks for your feedback. This board is awesome!

 

[LIFERBABE]

If you think you will want to vacation at the Epcot Resorts all the time and you want standard view villas at BWV or anything during Food and Wine Festival then you may have difficulty.

Yes there is a concern, that as DVC grows the smaller resorts will be harder to get into. The waitlist works great but the operative word is "wait" LOL

I think the majority of members want to "try" other DVC's they don't own at, but if you want to "live" there on a regular basis then the recommendation would be to own there.

If you would be disappointed if you could only stay at your Home Resort for the majority of your vacations, then I wouldnt buy there.

We purchased SSR, and I would be happy to stay there at most times of the year. For other times we purchased smaller add-ons at Epcot DVC's. I would definitely not feel "stuck" at SSR if there was a lack of availability at the smaller DVC's. SSR is a beautiful resort.

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by Cruella DeVilla

Given that my husband has a hectic work schedule with quite a bit of travel involved and a child that just started school, I don't think that we could even take much advantage of an 11-month booking window. So I'm not sure that going through the resale market is the best choice for us either.

So glad you found us and WELCOME TO THE DIS!!!

No matter what which home resort you have, if your booking trips 2-6 months ahead of time... your on a level playng field with everyone else. Period. The odds that a room will be availible at either OKW or SSR are greater because they are the two largest resorts.

But you never know.... For a September trip they we booked 37 days out, the only resort to have availibility for all our nights was VWL..... and we dont own there.

Just know, that any dvc resort is better than no dvc resort.... each has it's plus's and minues and what someones plus is another persons negative....

 

[Maistre Gracey]

If you wait and buy an Epcot property, the problem will come when you visit VWL (Villas at Wilderness Lodge). You will surely want to book there most of the time!
Just kidding... Even though VWL is my favorite, I honestly believe all DVC resorts are top notch. I don't think you will be disappointed in any of them.

Good luck...

PS- WELCOME to the DIS Boards!!!

MG

 

[Cruella DeVilla]

I really appreciate everyone's feedback.

My favorite line in one of the responses is to the effect that staying at a DVC resort is better than not staying at one at all.

That will be so true! With having small kids, the kitchen, laundry and extra space alone will be a dream come true.

I am already pre-spoiled!

 

[zalansky]

I just posted a similar message yesterday....we bought at SSR this past weekend but are now considering buying a resale.
We are just too worried we will want to be guaranteed to be closer to the action. I have no doubt that SSR will be an extraordinary resort...we just don't know if we want to be at such a large resort, far away from the parks.

 

[mickeymom629]

I don't know how many or how old your kids are, but if you are planning on a 2 bedroom villa for your stays, like we do, you may not have as much trouble getting what you want a the 7th month time. I just call day by day and have pretty much gotten to stay where we wanted, even during peak season. Of course, at the BWV, we have never gotten the standard view. But the preferred views, while more costly in points, are pretty cool!
And yes, it is so nice to have the comforts of home right there!
Good luck!

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by zalansky
I have no doubt that SSR will be an extraordinary resort...we just don't know if we want to be at such a large resort...

Just to debunk this particular myth:

Yacht/Beach Club + Villas = 1425 rooms
Wilderness Lodge + Villas = 909 rooms
Boardwalk Inn + Villas = 761 rooms

Saratoga Springs (when complete in 2007) = 828 rooms

All of the properties above share resort amenities with the cash guests: Registration desk, pools, restaurants, etc.

 

[quentina]

I also had the "Boardwalk" dream. I made my reservation for March 13-19 at SSR. I waitlisted for a 2 bedroom at the BW in a non-preferred room. This week, MS called and said that they had an opening for the 15-19 in a preferred view. Did I want it because we would need to relocate after the first 2 nights. I jumped at the chance!! Now we figure we will be the vacation gypsies...2 days SSR...Then off to the BW and the last night we always stay on site at Universal (Hard Rock Hotel). You have got to love the front of the line access there!!

Anyway, I believe it cost me about 18 more points to do this. I am not sure, the blood was flowing so quickly, I had trouble hearing her.

BW is difficult if it is not your home resort, however, you just never know. This is why God created the wait list!!

Good Luck,

Kim

 

[tamu91]

Originally posted by tjkraz
Just to debunk this particular myth:

Yacht/Beach Club + Villas = 1425 rooms
Wilderness Lodge + Villas = 909 rooms
Boardwalk Inn + Villas = 761 rooms

Saratoga Springs (when complete in 2007) = 828 rooms

All of the properties above share resort amenities with the cash guests: Registration desk, pools, restaurants, etc.

To have a fair comparison, the resort rooms should not be part of this equation since SSR is a stand-alone DVC property very much like OKW.

# of DVC villas (studio, 1 brm, 2 brm, GV) at
VWL = 136
BCV = 205
BWV = 383
OKW = ?
SSR = 828

Number of available units at VWL was one of the biggest reasons for us buying at VWL. With 2 small children, having a 11 mos window @ VWL was a big plus for us. With over 80K members and growing, potential DVC buyers should consider the availability issue as a factor especially is you have your heart set on the Boardwalk villas. There will always be availabilities at OKW and SSR (once finished) but that won't be the case for VWL, BCV or BWV especially during peak season.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by tamu91
To have a fair comparison, the resort rooms should not be part of this equation since SSR is a stand-alone DVC property very much like OKW.

Why not?

The post I quoted said, regarding SSR "we just don't know if we want to be at such a large resort."

Well, the reality is that WL, YC/BC and BW ARE also large resorts. They share the same check-in desk, pool, recreation, transportation, etc. with all of the non-DVC guests.

I didn't mean to imply that there are more Villas at BC or WL than SSR--I think we all know that is not the case. However, to imply that BCV or VWL are cozy, little 200-room complexes that stand on their own is false.

 

[LIFERBABE]

To have a fair comparison, the resort rooms should not be part of this equation since SSR is a stand-alone DVC property very much like OKW.

# of DVC villas (studio, 1 brm, 2 brm, GV) at
VWL = 136
BCV = 205
BWV = 383
OKW = ?
SSR = 828

The point is well taken that many have issue with the sheer size of SSR. Comments about the pool being too small, it will be crowded when finished etc. I think the above is a fair example that none of these "complexes" are small and resort amenities are shared by as many if not more guests than SSR. The SSR main pool is about the same size as the WL main pool but no one complains that it is too small and that's with all the FW guests added in! LOL
Yes the actual villa numbers are less, but for those thinking they will get "lost in the sauce" because of the size of SSR the example is fair.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Originally posted by Cruella DeVilla
So here are my questions to all of you DVC experts. How hard is it for for non owners to gets ressies at the EPCOT DVC properties? And generally, how does demand vary by season?

Here is our experience. We own at VWL. We have made two trips to BWV (early Feb. 2003 & early Oct. 2003). We have another BWV trip planned for January. We stay in a 1BR. They have never had the standard (lower point) rooms available. I had the CM check for a few different weeks. However, we have never had a problem booking at the 7-month window. We have always received the exact week we wanted.

Welcome to the DIS.