Should we preview our short list of potential home resorts? (and other questions)

[What_13th_floor?]

After having vacationed in WDW on average every other year for the last 30 years (I am 37) my wife and I are in a position where we are financially capable to take the DVC leap.

We typically stay at value resorts but we did stay at Yacht Club and WL for our honeymoon. We have narrowed down our home resort to three (in order of interest) Polynesian Villas, Beach Club Villas, and Bay Lake Tower. We were initially going to take the leap without having previewed any of these even though it has been our dream to stay at Poly (the food!), we've always wanted the benefit of staying at the Contemporary to walk to MK, and staying at BCV and being close to Epcot (one of our family's favorite parks) with the added bonus of Stormalong Bay would be awesome.

With all of that out of the way I think it would be worth it (before putting out $20k in cash for DVC) to preview each of these with a split stay for the time we usually vacation (the last week or two of August). I was planning on taking 2 nights at each to see which we liked the best and using rental points to do so.

Has anyone else been in this boat or am I just trying to justify an extra and unnecessary trip to WDW before having my own points to use?

I also wonder if anyone has opinions on these resorts they could share, positive or negative. I am also shying away from BCV because of the contract expiring sooner then the others and my points not going as far compared to BLT and Poly, is that reasonable?

For the time of year we usually book will we have a hard time at the 7 month window getting one of the other resorts if we want to split our trip up between two of them (which we ideally would like to do)?

Thanks and look forward to the conversation!

 

[Brett Wyman]

You should definitely stay at each resort first if time and money allows.

That being said you have a pretty easy split up there.

1. Do you want to walk to MK or Epcot/HS?
2. Beach Club contract ends WAY before Poly and BLT. (Super reasonable point. I refused to buy at any of the 2042 resorts.)
3. Between Poly and BLT will you ever need more than a Studio?

https://www.dvcresalemarket.com/blog/best-economical-dvc-resort-to-purchase-spring-2019/Read that. BCV is literally ranked the worst all around value(based on the way this site ranked resorts at least. Which penalizes heavily for contact end date.).

 

[AnteUp0824]

Correct me if i'm wrong but I believe at GF they are building a walkway to MK, and currently there is a walkway from Poly to GF. I don't know how long of a walk it would be but by choosing Poly you would eventually have the option to walk to both MK and Epcot.

 

[What_13th_floor?]

You should definitely stay at each resort first if time and money allows.

That being said you have a pretty easy split up there.

1. Do you want to walk to MK or Epcot/HS?
2. Beach Club contract ends WAY before Poly and BLT. (Super reasonable point. I refused to buy at any of the 2042 resorts.)
3. Between Poly and BLT will you ever need more than a Studio?

Read that. BCV is literally ranked the worst all around value(based on the way this site ranked resorts at least. Which penaltizes heavily for contact end date.).

Thanks and I agree that the value for BCV is diminished because while there are 20 less years to pay dues you also only have the benefit of 20 years of points versus buying now at one of the others and getting up to 46 years.

As for your other points it's a tough call between which we would rather be close to. My thought is that with the coming revamp of Epcot, my kids (and I) being at the age that Star Wars matters, and my kids being at the age that Stormalong Bay will be of interest to them for a while (I have been there twice but am I over valuing a pool?) that BCV would be higher on the list.

The point about needing more then a studio is one we have considered but not fully discussed yet. I see now that it may be something that factors into this more then anticipated.

 

[ray3127]

If you routinely want to do split stays, you might consider 2 smaller contracts. Look for the Predicted Availability thread (https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...-studios-1-bedrooms-june-2018-update.3689931/) for details on 7 month bookings, but understand that 7 months is getting harder all the time.

We bought in last fall before officially "previewing" anything. Many on the boards say "try before you buy", but I believe that if you've been to WDW enough and are sold on buying then it's not necessary. You know the lay of the land and have narrowed your list already. Had we waited, we would've paid more per point and lost a year of enjoyment.

Lastly, I disagree with the "don't buy BCV/BWV" mantra. 22 years is still a very long time. And when you factor in the very favorable point charts, it's not as bad of a deal as that DVC Resale Market post makes it out to be. Also, the location is simply unmatched. So if you want to stay there, then buy there (especially if you love Epcot).

We did work around the 2042 end date a bit but buying both BCV & BLT--that hedged our bets a little. Which brings me back to the 2 contract idea I led with. That sounds like it might be a good idea for you... BCV & BLT/Poly.

 

[McCrae]

I don’t think you need to stay at the resorts you are considering. It is easy to arrange a viewing of room types when you are visiting and I would suggest you do this. You will get a good understanding of what the rooms look like and the space available. You may find that some of the rooms don’t give you the space you would like or are not to your taste. Whilst I like all of the DVC resorts I have visited I have found some of the rooms disappointing.

Personally I would avoid the Poly because of the poor choice of rooms available and the difficulty associated with getting a studio at peak times.

 

[chalee94]

the time we usually vacation (the last week or two of August).

While things can change over the decades, that is definitely low season for DVC bookings. At this point, I would guess that you would be able to switch resorts at 7 months.

If you are happy with studios, Poly is probably your best bet. But testing it out is reasonable.

 

[What_13th_floor?]

Correct me if i'm wrong but I believe at GF they are building a walkway to MK, and currently there is a walkway from Poly to GF. I don't know how long of a walk it would be but by choosing Poly you would eventually have the option to walk to both MK and Epcot.

We were considering the GF walkway but i have read that the BLT walk being the closest can still take 15 minutes room to gate. I guess i am wrong for assuming GF would be longer but I have not heard anything saying GF will be closer. When you say we could walk to Epcot do you mean walking to TTC and taking the monorail? If so that was one of the benefits of Poly that we were considering (if feasible).

 

[chalee94]

I don’t think you need to stay at the resorts you are considering.

In an age of HD streaming, I think checking out the walk throughs on YouTube gets you 98% of the information that you need. But it's up to you.

 

[skippytx]

We were considering the GF walkway but i have read that the BLT walk being the closest can still take 15 minutes room to gate. I guess i am wrong for assuming GF would be longer but I have not heard anything saying GF will be closer. When you say we could walk to Epcot do you mean walking to TTC and taking the monorail? If so that was one of the benefits of Poly that we were considering (if feasible).

It's just under half a mile from the front door of BLT to the gate. 15 minutes is a fair estimate from door to gate considering elevator, waiting to cross the street. Etc. The GF walkway is going to be roughly 600-700 feet more distance (about 3300 feet vs 2500 or so depending on the final walkway path), so maybe 20 minutes or so.

The walk from Poly all the way around to MK is going to be over a mile. Doable, but not something I'm interested in considering I average 7 to 10 miles a day at WDW without the extra walk.

 

[jscottnc]

Tossing in my $.02. We own at VGF, BLT and BCV. For us the keys to the decision were location and villa type availability. That put PVB out of consideration (and I think they built too many bungalows). Yes, my BCV points are the most expensive in terms of cost (purchase + dues) per point per year. Now I think I need to normalize cost in terms of villa nights. BCV villas are less expensive (in terms of points) than VGF and BLT (unless you get one of the standard view studios). Of course I'm 59 so maybe the 2042 contract expiration is less of an issue (my heir can lump it).

 

[Jack_Sparrow_NJ]

I bought two different resorts without actually staying at either. There are so very many videos online for almost any room configuration in any resort. I would use the money that you would spend on renting points towards an actual purchase.

How big is your family, will you outgrow a studio?
The Poly has the biggest studios
I love the theming at the Poly
You are on the monorail
You can walk to the TTC
Bus service is quick to the other parks

 

[What_13th_floor?]

You know the lay of the land and have narrowed your list already. Had we waited, we would've paid more per point and lost a year of enjoyment.

One of my concerns.

I don’t think you need to stay at the resorts you are considering. It is easy to arrange a viewing of room types when you are visiting and I would suggest you do this. You will get a good understanding of what the rooms look like and the space available. You may find that some of the rooms don’t give you the space you would like or are not to your taste. Whilst I like all of the DVC resorts I have visited I have found some of the rooms disappointing.

Personally I would avoid the Poly because of the poor choice of rooms available and the difficulty associated with getting a studio at peak times.

Thanks but the trip to preview the resorts would not be a planned trip. (We just got back from one two weeks ago and I wish we had started thinking of this before we left)

In an age of HD streaming, I think checking out the walk throughs on YouTube gets you 98% of the information that you need. But it's up to you.

Thanks, I have tried that but none have really shown me how close the BCV's are to International Gateway or what it's like to have to walk the bridge to Contemporary Tower for breakfast or to fill up our drinks. Or if walking to the TTC from Poly to get to Epcot via monorail will make not being at BCV not as much an issue.

The walk from Poly all the way around to MK is going to be over a mile. Doable, but not something I'm interested in considering I average 7 to 10 miles a day at WDW without the extra walk.

ME NEITHER!!! Especially not 20 or 30 years from now when I still hope to be going!

 

[Lumpy1106]

Correct me if i'm wrong but I believe at GF they are building a walkway to MK, and currently there is a walkway from Poly to GF. I don't know how long of a walk it would be but by choosing Poly you would eventually have the option to walk to both MK and Epcot.

You're looking at at least 4.5 miles from Poly to EPCOT
Poly to EPCOT map

 

[chalee94]

Thanks, I have tried that but none have really shown me (1) how close the BCV's are to International Gateway or (2) what it's like to have to walk the bridge to Contemporary Tower for breakfast or to fill up our drinks. Or (3) if walking to the TTC from Poly to get to Epcot via monorail will make not being at BCV not as much an issue.

1 - very close
2 - kinda inconvenient
3 - more inconvenient than #2 IMO unless you are a superfan of the monorail

(But you can test 1 and 3 yourself without staying there.)

 

[katandmouse]

Hi, I’d just like to chime in because we just went through the choosing/buying process earlier this year. We chose BCV with this thinking:

• We definitely wanted kitchens so studios (Poly) were out.
• I remember looking at the point charts and thinking we could either stay in 2 brs at BCV/BWV or 1 brs at BLT or GFV.
• The Poly point chart and GFV is more than BCV. I can’t remember how BLT compared - standard view might be better but not LV or TPV.
• Walking to EP and HS - Star Wars
• Stormalong Bay
• From the availability charts etc it seemed like it would be easier to switch into BLT LV or even a Poly studio than BCV at 7 months.
• Actually we narrowed down to BCV or BWV. We chose BCV for the dedicated 2 br and SAB.
• 2042 doesn’t bother us - our kids will be in their 20s and who knows where we’ll want to vacation at that point (or what DVC will look like). That said, I would like to add on at a MK resort...

BCV is not really an economical choice though. I think BLT would be. But there is something to be said for the feel and atmosphere too, and that’s very personal. It sounds like you’ve looked at all the differences on paper so maybe a split stay trip would really help you choose now. Like you said it’s a lot of money and a long time so you want to make sure it feels right.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I will mention that when you stay at BCV, you get to walk through the lobby every time you go to SAB or back.

It's one of those times when there is a real difference between staying on the DVC side and the not-DVC side, in an inalterable, rest-of-contract it will be like this, sense.

 

[KPeterso]

Only you know what your family would like best. I can tell you of your choices we would only consider Poly. We only do studios (usually only 1-2 people total). I am completely turned off by the 2042 end date resorts as that is so soon (and I would love to own Boardwalk but just cannot get past the end date). And I hated my stay at BLT in a studio a few years ago and have zero plans to ever return there. A lot of people love it there --- my family is not one of them. But your family will be different than ours. I do not think it is wrong to test out ahead of time --- we had stayed at AKL (before it became DVC) and OKW before joining. My love of AKL was part of the rationale for my purchase.

 

[What_13th_floor?]

1 - very close
2 - kinda inconvenient
3 - more inconvenient than #2 IMO unless you are a superfan of the monorail

(But you can test 1 and 3 yourself without staying there.)

Thanks, we’ve always wanted to stay at the Contemporary Tower and hoped that BLT would be close enough to that dream but I’m thinking maybe not. PVB may be closer to what we expected from the Polynesian.

BCV is not really an economical choice though. I think BLT would be. But there is something to be said for the feel and atmosphere too, and that’s very personal. It sounds like you’ve looked at all the differences on paper so maybe a split stay trip would really help you choose now. Like you said it’s a lot of money and a long time so you want to make sure it feels right.

Everything you mentioned was in line with my thought process.

I will mention that when you stay at BCV, you get to walk through the lobby every time you go to SAB or back.

It's one of those times when there is a real difference between staying on the DVC side and the not-DVC side, in an inalterable, rest-of-contract it will be like this, sense.

Interesting.

Only you know what your family would like best. I can tell you of your choices we would only consider Poly. We only do studios (usually only 1-2 people total). I am completely turned off by the 2042 end date resorts as that is so soon (and I would love to own Boardwalk but just cannot get past the end date). And I hated my stay at BLT in a studio a few years ago and have zero plans to ever return there. A lot of people love it there --- my family is not one of them. But your family will be different than ours. I do not think it is wrong to test out ahead of time --- we had stayed at AKL (before it became DVC) and OKW before joining. My love of AKL was part of the rationale for my purchase.

I originally thought a studio (mainly PVB) would serve us well for now (and it may since my kids are only 7 and 4 m). But kids grow up quick and before long I may need more points for a 1BR stay and regret not having priority access to a resort with 1BR access.

I really appreciate all the feedback everyone has provided so far. I can’t wait til we make our decision then get to the point of making an offer!

 

[Deb & Bill]

BLT studios are tiny. With four of you, you will be crowded. So plan on a one bedroom or larger. Bungalows are a lot of the total points at Polynesian. You'll need to book before the seven month period to make sure you get a studio if that is what you want. Polynesian studios are booked a lot (especially by renters who are getting savvy on booking DVC), so they may start showing lots of wear and tear. The bathrooms take up a lot of that roomy space in the studio, so you really get a lot less living space than the 2042 studios.

BLT is handy for being able to walk to the MK, but you'll need two monorails to get to Epcot. BCV you'll be a short walk to Epcot, longer walk to DHS (or take a boat or the Skyway).

You may want to consider OKW or SSR. SSR has started a complete renovation about a month or two ago. OKW just finished a complete renovation. OKW studios have two queen beds instead of a queen bed and sleeper sofa. And they are the biggest villas of all since they were the first (they just completed a total renovation at OKW a few months ago). If you consider OKW, go for the 2057 expiration instead of the 2042. Both OKW and SSR are a short boat ride away from Disney Springs and not that far from Epcot or the MK by bus. SSR and OKW require fewer points than most of the other resorts except for the BWV standard view (20% of the resort) or AKV-Value Villas (about 5% of the resort). You may be able to book both OKW and SSR with whatever points you buy, but it's really fun booking those expensive resorts using your cheaper OKW or SSR points.

We bought in 1997 and paid $50 a point for our 175 OKW points direct. There were only four DVC resorts at the time, OKW, BWV, HHI and VB. We liked OKW the best and still like it the best. We did own 100 BCV points many years ago, but sold them when we decided we didn't like sending Disney so much of our money every month.

We don't stay in studios (except for once a year two or three night stay at OKW) because we consider them nothing more than glorified hotel rooms. We were sold on DVC so many years ago to get a separate bedroom than our son, a full kitchen and a full sized washer and dryer. He never really like sleeping on the sleeper sofas, but he did it to be able to go to WDW. We weren't going to book a two bedroom villa so he could get a real bed. Kids can usually sleep everywhere.