Resort Preferance based on "Real Home"

[dwelty]

Hi everyone,

After speaking to several DVC Members over the last year, I have noticed a trend, that I would like to share. Have you noticed that peoples preferance of resort can often be traced back to where they live? For example, many members here from cold climates prefer the ambiance of Old Key West & The Beach Club Villas. Many people from Southern California and Florida prefer Saratoga Spring, and Wilderness Lodge. People from Rural locations may prefer BWV for it's lively atmosphere.

Now I know there are exceptions to everything, but I think it can be traced to people wanting to be transported to another place on their vacation.

As an example, Being from Southern California, I am very familiar with the beach scene, palm trees blowing in the breeze and the laid back feel that OKW and the Beach Club evoke. I actually prefer the East Coast formality, and upscale feel of SSR, because this is so far from what I experience in every day life. Likewise, I have heard many New Yorkers say that SSR does not appeal to them for that very reason. Has any one else seen this trend?

P.S. I know there are exceptions to everything

 

[bababear_50]

I'm a real "themeing" type of person. Love all the special things that happen at VWL over the holidays. But yes I have to agree living in Canada
that my choice would be the warm breezes of OKW.Which is silly I know but every year I visit my dad down in Pharr Texas and can't wait to get off the plane and see the palm trees.

 

[drakethib]

We love OKW for the laid back atmosphere.

I can kind of see your point on this.

 

[keys2kingdom]

I would say that only partly holds true for me. I've always wanted a place on the New England coast and I think that's part of the BCVs appeal, not necessarily a tropical warm feeling but more NE-beaches-in-summertime sort of feel. I fell in love with the Beach Club the moment I saw it.

 

[Granny]

I've seen that particular rationale applied by many people as well. But mostly only for people who are into the theming aspect of a resort.

Fortunately, there is no resort at WDW that is anything like St. Louis so they all work for me! I guess if they had a resort with an Arch and great baseball theming I'd feel like I hadn't left home either!

We are into theming of resorts so if we did come from a geography represented by a DVC resort we probably would not want to own there.

I don't think that most DVC owners put theming at the top of their list. Seems to me we had a poll on this recently, but location, buy-in/annual dues cost, and point schedules seem to play a bigger part in most people's decisions.

 

[Figment2]

I've never been one to fit in a "slot" so it comes as no surprise that I'm from Chicago (born and bred) and I love my home, BWV. My second love, though, is OKW.

Cyn

 

[jmatias]

Our favorite resort is VWL. Kids absolutely love the woodsy feel, the whole lodge experience.

I too think we like VWL so much because it is so different from our real home in Honolulu. We see beach/ocean everyday so though we like staying at BCV/BWV, those resorts don't give us the same WOW feeling like VWL. And once AKV is open I think it will be the same way.

Aloha,
Jen

 

[Sammie]

I am sure this accurate for many, as it is accurate for nonDVCers. Many Disney employees vacation in the Smoky Mts. of TN and NC and have homes there.

However for us, while we find the themes amusing we much prefer amenties and service over theme.

 

[Figment56]

We are from the East Coast and we are only an hour away from the ocean. We have stayed at many resorts and our favorite is Animal Kingdom Lodge. When they announced that it had become a Vacation Club resort, we were really excited! Our goal is to stay in every one in WDW at least once, then go back to the ones we really enjoyed the most. That will be a hard decision as we have enjoyed them all! Our home resort is SSR. So far we have stayed at SSR, BCV, OKW and this year we are staying at VWL. We wanted to stay at AKV, but we can't go when they open. That will have to be next year! That will only leave BWV! Maybe after that, there will be a new one to explore!

 

[NYMomof4]

I think that it is partly true for me. I am definitely drawn to the tropical resorts like OKW. SSR reminds me of some great family vacations to visit my cousins, who actually live in the real Saratoga Springs, and everytime the racetrack sounds go off, it reminds me of Sundays at the Saratoga track. Pretty cool. We love camping and the woods, so VWL strikes a good note with us too. Actually, we are pretty easy to please since all the resorts look better than winter in the Buffalo area

 

[Muushka]

Your theory is 100% correct for us. We lived in S FL for many years and got to the point where we hated (what I call) Palm Beach Pink. Any decor that had that pink color and that pale green, YUCK!!

VWL theming appealed to us because it did not resemble FL in the least!

 

[carolina_yankee]

I can't speak to what I like based on where I"m from, but real life does influence what I don't like.

I'm not a big fan of BWV because of pool (clowns just don't work for me!) and I really didn't like carnival/Coney Island kind of stuff, but love the boardwalk itself - that part reminds me of my youth for some reason.

Aside from location, I have no interest in CRV - too urban and highrise for me, and that's my life now. I go to Disney for escape. Fortunatley, the other resorts give me that in one way or another! (And AKV will surely be the best escape of all).

Your theory probably accounts for why I don't like PO-Riverside in the mansion section. I grew up in SC around grand homes, so the theming just strikes me as too forced. However, I love the Alligator Bayou because of the swampy feel - says South Carolina low country to me!!

Dirk

 

[lisareniff]

I'll buy into your theory. Works in our situation.

Live in Western NY -> Like BCV (and VB) the best.

 

[crisi]

We live in Minnesota where vacations are often "lodge-y." And my favorite resort is Wilderness Lodge. So I'm an exception. I've never been a fan of "Palm Beach Pink" though.

(We own at BWV and always stay there...the decor isn't my favorite, but we love the location).

 

[starbox]

I don't think that most DVC owners put theming at the top of their list. Seems to me we had a poll on this recently, but location, buy-in/annual dues cost, and point schedules seem to play a bigger part in most people's decisions.

I agree. Location is what makes SSR work best for us.

BUT - after growing up in Florida, I am not a big fan of the beach-theme. I like the lodge/resort feel of both VWL and SSR more than the beach-themed resorts.

 

[DanenRox]

We're from RI and love Beach Club Villa's, so your theory holds true. However, we bought for location, location, location. No add on's yet, but you'll have to tie me down to keep me from adding at the Contemporary (hope,hope). Maybe our emphasis on location is a RI thing too. It's been said that Rhode Islanders won't go too far for things...if it takes more than 30 minutes to get somewhere, we don't go. It's true

 

[jemiaule]

Many people from Southern California and Florida prefer Saratoga Spring, and Wilderness Lodge.

I am the exception to your theory. I am from California, born and raised here, and my preferences are BCV & OKW.

VWL is nice but it reminds me of Yosemite. I would rather go to real Yosemite and enjoy it for what it is.

I actually prefer the East Coast formality, and upscale feel of SSR

Never heard SSR described like that. Interesting.

 

[jbthi]

I don't really have a favorite based on theme. I like them all.

We bought our favorites, BWV and BCV based on location. I love being able to walk to Epcot, our favorite park, especially during F&W festival, and the Flower and Garden show.

 

[rie'smom]

I have BWV because I think it's pretty and because my DD loves MGM and I love Epcot. My hubby gave me points basically sight unseen except for the exterior when on a motor launch to the Swan. OKC and SSR are too far out for me,my friend has trouble booking the BC,and the woodsy feel of VWL just doesn't appeal to me. They are all lovely resorts but not my cup of tea.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We're in Virginia, but we gone a hundred times to the Atlantic coast beaches. We just love the beach. Soooo... Vero Beach is our fav. Our favorite WDW resort is BWV for the more adult boardwalk theming.