Prospective Buyers

[mrsfenskie]

Hello all!

My husband and I are thinking about purchasing a DVC membership on the resale market in the next year. Is it possible to walk through the villas to decide which one we want to purchase as our home resort? What is your favorite "budget" DVC Resort (11 points/night or less) and why? We would only be purchasing a 50 point package at this time, and will add on as our family begins to grow. We do have a reservation for SSR in May to see what we think of the Studio Villas there. We would be staying in Studios most Years, so I'm specifically interested in gaining opinions on the different Studios. All ideas and opinions are welcomed and appreciated. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Lauren

 

[njprb]

We've always liked OKW which happens to be our home resort. We feel we got the most points for our money when we purchased. Also prefer the 1 bd over a studio for the kitchen and laundry facilities.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Is it possible to walk through the villas to decide which one we want to purchase as our home resort?

You can visit the resorts, but you cannot necessarily see all the rooms. Disney do not have models for most of the sold-out resorts, and they aren't going to walk you through occupied rooms or rooms in turnover for resorts they aren't selling.

 

[CMNJ]

The studio layout at SSR, BWV, BCV, and VWL are pretty much the same (except SSR hasn't had the Murphy bed added like the rest). OKW is shaped differently and has 2 beds not 1 bed and a sofa bed. BLT is much smaller feeling because it has a different layout with a galley style kitchen and small bathroom. Poly and VGF studios are large with split baths but point intensive. I'm not as familiar with AKL studios.
As far as "budget" resort goes you'd have to look at the point charts for the time of year you'd be looking to travel. In order to get rooms for 11 points or less per night you are probably needed to travel in adventure or choice season and stay at OKW or the lower cost rooms at BWV, SSR, or AKL. We love BWV standard studios (we are owners there) and it only costs 78 points for a week in Oct. However in order to get a standard studio there during f&w you generally need to be an owner there. Even then a standard view studio isn't guaranteed. From what I have read AKL value have a similar demand.
Generally speaking you will not be able to tour villas at the various resorts as DVC runs at nearly 100% occupancy year round and the resorts don't have personnel avail to show rooms to prospective buyers. SSR has the DVC preview center where you can see the models for the villas currently for sale (Poly and aulani the last time I was there) and there is also a model at the Poly.

 

[gharter]

There is often a studio or 1 bedroom open on the Boardwalk at night that you can walk in and tour. While not identical, the layout is similar and you can get a feel for the rooms. DVC also has an online brochure that you can view that shows the room layouts for the different resorts.