SSR (value-newer) vs. BWV (love, but older and costly)? Help please.

[ABE4DISNEY]

Hi everyone!
I've been doing my research the past few weeks and DH and I had our minds made up about buying into SSR. However, over the last two days when reading about the size of SSR and the busing (we have 2 small children) we are rethinking our decision. Although more expensive and we probably would not purchase as many points, Boardwalk is really appealing to us. (Blame DVC Mike on that-his trip report has been awesome!) My only major reservation is BW is not as family friendly. What can you tell me about the nightlife there-neither my DH or I drink. Also, any pros/cons you could give would greatly help. Thanks so much!
Abe

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I've had a boardwalk view room a couple of times, and believe that it is quite child friendly. The entertainment is really geared to a younger crowd, as is the decor and the pool. Its also within walking distance to one of only two putt putt courses on property.

We've stayed right above the Big River Grille and people were drinking with their meals. Others have mentioned 1) Jellyrolls being rowdy at 2am. 2) boat horns 3) Girls wearing low cut tops.

DH and I don't drink and frankly live pretty boring lives. Its really a non-issue.

There are THREE HUGE PLUSSES FOR BOARDWALK VILLAS.
1) Boardwalk View
2) Standard Points
3) Easy Transportation to Epcot and DHS

The downsides are:
1) High maintenance fees
2) 2042 expiration date
3) higher price than SSR
4) inconvenient self-parking - you do have free valet though
5) Others also complain about going outside to eat, but I don't think you can go very far at SSR without going outside either- so that's a wash.

SSRs prices are pretty tempting right now.

Answer this question: If you could only stay at 1 of these resorts for the next 35 years...which one would it be?

or IF you could stay at BWV for the next 33 years and SSR for the next 45 years with $XX in your pocket, which would you choose.


(You might want to get DVCMike out of your head before you answer that.)

 

[crisi]

The other thing to keep in mind is how little of your contract you will need a resort which is child friendly. In 33 years an infant will have been out of college for fifteen years.

For me, I'd rather stay at a place I loved for 33 years than a place I actively disliked for 45 for less money - BUT, I actively dislike SSR, it isn't simply a matter of prefering BWV (and my favorite is VWL, which I don't own), and I'm in my 40s already - if I'm young enough in 33 years to care about my contract expiring, I'll be very lucky. If I were ten years younger and liked SSR, I'd make a different decision.

 

[dcfromva]

My only major reservation is BW is not as family friendly.
Abe

I'd like to address this point. I think BWV is very family friendly. One example: every night they have entertainment on the Boardwalk with various magic acts and gravity defying stunts. There is always a part of the act where the magician pulls kids from the audience to help.

At Christmas time, the decorations in the lobby is always awe inspiring for kids and adults alike.

They have surrey bikes to rent that the whole family can ride on at the same time.

There is a great pool.

The access to EPCOT and DHS is very convenient--another plus with two small children.

 

[Cmbar]

We are trying to decide which resort should become our "home" resort as well. Here is how I see the Cons/ Pros for BWV

1. No Food Court type area of any kind (SSR does have this)
2. Very difficult to use the Dining plan should we choose to buy it.
3. Only one elevator and LONG hallways to walk back with tired kids.
4. Really crappy arcade in the BWV
5. Highest MF for the WDW resorts
6. Buses shared with the Swan Dolphin for AK and MK and DTD bus is with Beach Club as well.
7.No ability to fit 5 in a one bedroom and 9 in a 2 brd.




Pros
1. Proximity to Epcot and DHS
2. When our kids are teens they will enjoy the many things to do at the Boardwalk area
3.Standard View point pricing!


Now SSR has its pros and cons too.

Cons:
1. Bus everywhere
2.Large resort and probable ability to get in alway good, therefore not really valuable as a "home" resort
3. Probably not a good resale opportunity should we need to sell

Pros:
1. Can buy more points for the same cost or spend less money for same points somewhere else.
2. Beautiful decor
3. Very quiet
4. Buses ran great
5. Food court available and refill mug station near the pools
6. Lower Maintenance fees due to large number of members
7. Treehouse villas will be a hot item to rent out should I need to rent points and it will allow 9 people.

Thats my take, personally we have ruled out both of these resorts and are stuck between BCV and BLT! Good luck on your decision. I know it can be crazy trying to decide

 

[tgj]

Although I disagree with Crisi on her opinion of SSR, I think she makes a good point. Look at the long term of how you'll use DVC, not just for when your kids are small.

For us, that meant SSR was a much better choice than something like BLT or BWV. For us, SSR seems more "adult" with the golf, DTD, spa, etc....
Of course, YMMV....

TJ

 

[cobbler]

When we bought, my decision was to buy the newer place with the longer contract. I was 28 when I bought though. That meant SSR for us. Now I really like the BW too, I wouldn't mind owning there but the things that keep me from adding on BW points is shorter contract period and the expensive dues.

I told hubby that if BW extended their contract like OKW did, then I would be more inclined to add-on there. However we recently took the plunge and did an SSR add-on so BW may be put on hold for a while (if they came out with a contract extension soon).

We didn't really take our kids ages into consideration (they were 4 and 9 at the time).

And some of the cons for SSR, like busses and large, don't really affect us because those aren't - in my opinion - real cons like a roof falling off or something. Busses can be hit or miss anywhere. In fact our one stay at BWV we learned to get off at the Swan and walk to our room because it took less time than stopping at Swan, Dolphin, YC, BC THEN BW. Was it a big deal? No. And SSR isn't as spread out as it seems, at least to me because we have stayed at other resorts that have been just as spread out if not more. Its personal preference.

Personally one of the reasons we love SSR is because we can walk to DTD, I don't know but for me it grates my nerves to have to stop at PI and TL when at another resort, because almost invariably there is a shift change at PI when we ride and the bus driver waits 10 minutes (I've looked) to see if anyone is coming out of TL to hitch a ride back to the resort.

Stay where you think you will be most happy, it's really personal preference. I don't think any one resort is better or worse than another - even the values which I don't like.

 

[snowbunny]

1. No Food Court type area of any kind (SSR does have this)

Not a minus in my book...don't care for food courts and there is takeout at Boardwalk Bakery or Spoodles

2. Very difficult to use the Dining plan should we choose to buy it.

Why? There are a lot of great restaurants along the boardwalk and within walking distance at Epcot and the Beach Club.

3. Only one elevator and LONG hallways to walk back with tired kids.

This one never gets old. It's not that much farther than other walks unless there is a disabled person in the group. Ever stayed at CSR?

4. Really crappy arcade in the BWV

You mean DVC members' Community Hall? It must have gone downhill then, I thought it was one of the nicest community halls of all the DVC resorts, and some of them don't even have one.

BTW, I don't own at BVW, but I love it there

 

[Cmbar]

Not a minus in my book...don't care for food courts and there is takeout at Boardwalk Bakery or Spoodles

Boardwalk Bakery has just that, bakery stuff, no hot stuff to speak of. You definitely can't get a hot breakfast anywhere unless you sit down at a Rest.
Why? There are a lot of great restaurants along the boardwalk and within walking distance at Epcot and the Beach Club.

Spoodles is the only thing you can use your Counter Service Credits on. Everything else is a TS and some of the kiosk don't take snack credits. At least BCV have a place to refill a mug and get a hot breakfast. BWV is not user friendly when it comes to this. At the Bakery they actually hand you a cup of soda to Refill your mug, after you have waited in line. So not a refill friendly resort,heck even the Grand Floridian has a great quick food court. Please BWV is so lacking in the one simple thing.

This one never gets old. It's not that much farther than other walks unless there is a disabled person in the group. Ever stayed at CSR?

CSR is a Moderate and I don't have to pay 15-17K to have the priviledge to stay there. They have ONE set of elevators. Dumb design in my opinion.
You mean DVC members' Community Hall? It must have gone downhill then, I thought it was one of the nicest community halls of all the DVC resorts, and some of them don't even have one.
Nope I meant the ARCADE near the Clown Pool. Very small compared to all the resorts. Have you seen the one at the Contemporary. This may be important to some families since their kids may like to play in the arcade. There is the ESPN close by though, so that could offset this "con".


BTW, I don't own at BVW, but I love it there

BTW I don't hate the Boardwalk, just found it lacking when we stayed there. For the extra Maintenance fee I don't see the attraction. BCV has so much more to offer in terms of pool and location. While the boardwalk area is nice, I prefer to be at Beach Club and visit the boardwalk

 

[Brian Noble]

Look at the long term of how you'll use DVC, not just for when your kids are small.

This is super advice. A lot of folks aren't thinking this way when they are buying a timeshare. You're going to own this thing for a long time.

Many will tell you "buy where you want to stay." I have a slightly weaker version: "Don't buy where you don't want to stay." So, if it's close between the two, you like SSR perfectly well, but would prefer BWV, I'd go with SSR as the better value. If, like Crisi, you don't like SSR, you definitely should not buy there.

 

[logan115]

This is super advice. A lot of folks aren't thinking this way when they are buying a timeshare. You're going to own this thing for a long time.

Many will tell you "buy where you want to stay." I have a slightly weaker version: "Don't buy where you don't want to stay." So, if it's close between the two, you like SSR perfectly well, but would prefer BWV, I'd go with SSR as the better value. If, like Crisi, you don't like SSR, you definitely should not buy there.

We're in the process of finalizing our would-be home resort and for our situation the leader in the clubhouse is SSR. For us the decision came down to buying a smaller contract at BCV, BWV, or AKV, and not having enough points to go as often as we may want or being able to get the size room we want (1BR), or buying into SSR and getting more points and knowing that we'll have plenty of points to stay without doing a split-stay for Fri/Sat nights like we've done the past 2 years.

I should point out that we've already stayed at SSR and liked it, and although we'd like to try some of the other resorts (have only stayed at BCV and SSR so far) in the future, if we're "stuck" at SSR because we can't get in anywhere at 7 months (or via a waitlist) that's fine - it's simply not the end of the world for us as we'll have a 1BR onsite. While no expert, I'm pretty sure that at the 7 mo window my SSR points will have just as good of shot at getting me into BWV as someone with BCV or BLT points, so for us that's what helped us to make our decision. The lower MFs and additional contract length are just a bonus in my book.

Chris

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Do you plan on staying at one location most of the time? Can you plan 8 - 11 months out?

If your answer is yes to the above questions, then purchase at that resort. You may be disappointed if you don't. If you enjoy resort hopping (we do), or can't plan 8 - 11 months out, then a home resort really won't matter near as much.

FWIW, we LOVE SSR. The property is just beautiful, and it's so nice to be able to walk to DTD. Turf Club is one of my favorite restaurants on property, and I love their workout facility. We also really like the Boardwalk area, so you really can't make a "wrong" decision. OKW and SSR are more "condo" like, while the other DVC resorts are more "hotel" like. I tend to gravitate toward "condo" like resorts, because they feel more like "home" to me than the other properties do. But, variety is what makes DVC so successful, and my preferences may be different from yours.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Here's a current thread about the size of SSR that may help.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2121348

 

[parlay]

I had the same misgivings about SSR, the size and the bussing issue. But we stayed there last summer and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed it. I can't say the transportation was great, but it was bareable. Is it possible for you to "try" SSR or BWV before you purchase? Sometimes that is the only way you know if the resort is for you!

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

Hey everyone!
Thanks so much for all your feedback!! You folks really know your stuff and are so helpful.
Well, we did make an offer today on BWV and it was accepted by the sellers. We now have to wait for Disney-we're not so sure whether it will go through. If it doesn't, our back up plan is SSR. I really don't think either would be a bad choice. You all gave great reasons for both so either will be a win/win situation. Thanks again and I will keep you posted on whether we join your club! Wish us luck!
Thanks!!!

 

[Sandisw]

Hey everyone!
Thanks so much for all your feedback!! You folks really know your stuff and are so helpful.
Well, we did make an offer today on BWV and it was accepted by the sellers. We now have to wait for Disney-we're not so sure whether it will go through. If it doesn't, our back up plan is SSR. I really don't think either would be a bad choice. You all gave great reasons for both so either will be a win/win situation. Thanks again and I will keep you posted on whether we join your club! Wish us luck!
Thanks!!!

Making the decision for home resort can be a tough one! Congratulations on taking your first step. Here is pixie dust hoping you hear that your pass ROFR soon!

 

[work2play]

Hey everyone!
Thanks so much for all your feedback!! You folks really know your stuff and are so helpful.
Well, we did make an offer today on BWV and it was accepted by the sellers. We now have to wait for Disney-we're not so sure whether it will go through. If it doesn't, our back up plan is SSR. I really don't think either would be a bad choice. You all gave great reasons for both so either will be a win/win situation. Thanks again and I will keep you posted on whether we join your club! Wish us luck!
Thanks!!!

Congratulations! We also just had a contract accepted by the sellers for BWV and will be waiting to see if it gets through ROFR. We chose BWV because we felt that it would be harder to book into and with the size of SSR, we thought we would be able get in easier. DH also wanted a water view, and you can request BW view, which many posters says is the best (until BLT comes online!). Once we get this contract through, we hope to add on at BLT, and hope they will still be offering some good incentives!!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Hey everyone!
Thanks so much for all your feedback!! You folks really know your stuff and are so helpful.
Well, we did make an offer today on BWV and it was accepted by the sellers. We now have to wait for Disney-we're not so sure whether it will go through. If it doesn't, our back up plan is SSR. I really don't think either would be a bad choice. You all gave great reasons for both so either will be a win/win situation. Thanks again and I will keep you posted on whether we join your club! Wish us luck!
Thanks!!!

Yeah!!! Congratulations, and keep us posted on the progress! If it doesn't pass, there are tons of other BWV resales, so if that's the resort you decided on, stick with it until one goes through.

So glad you had enough info to pick the resort that was right for you!

 

[snowbunny]

BCV has so much more to offer in terms of pool and location.

Well everybody has their own feelings but I'm a "view" person moreso than a pool person (although my kids like the clown pool), and BCV rooms have no views (or a view of the service road). At BWV there are boardwalk and pool views, and if you have to take a road or valet stand view, it's less points. To each their own

Congratulations OP on your contract!

 

[Misty89]

I've had a boardwalk view room a couple of times, and believe that it is quite child friendly. The entertainment is really geared to a younger crowd, as is the decor and the pool. Its also within walking distance to one of only two putt putt courses on property.

We've stayed right above the Big River Grille and people were drinking with their meals. Others have mentioned 1) Jellyrolls being rowdy at 2am. 2) boat horns 3) Girls wearing low cut tops.

DH and I don't drink and frankly live pretty boring lives. Its really a non-issue.

There are THREE HUGE PLUSSES FOR BOARDWALK VILLAS.
1) Boardwalk View
2) Standard Points
3) Easy Transportation to Epcot and DHS

The downsides are:
1) High maintenance fees
2) 2042 expiration date
3) higher price than SSR
4) inconvenient self-parking - you do have free valet though
5) Others also complain about going outside to eat, but I don't think you can go very far at SSR without going outside either- so that's a wash.

SSRs prices are pretty tempting right now.

Answer this question: If you could only stay at 1 of these resorts for the next 35 years...which one would it be?

or IF you could stay at BWV for the next 33 years and SSR for the next 45 years with $XX in your pocket, which would you choose.


(You might want to get DVCMike out of your head before you answer that.)

had to comment.
I have a list of my top resorts ( we are buying next year, knock on wood)
and my number 1 ( if you could not tell by the siggy ) is BLT
I adore the CR, and as a family, we visit the MK the most. I have SSR on my list for the very reason alot of people do.......low resale. well, and the fact it's close to DTD ( our other major hangout) I have never been in any resort besides CR and BW so i do have BWV as my number 3, again for it's location to Epcot. ( And because i know we liked the resort)
I am trying to base my final decsion on where to buy on "where" we want to be, instead of low MF's. imho, those are going to be constantly going up, it's a fact of life.
If we bought at SSR it would only be for the reason above, it is cheaper. not sure if thats a reason to buy there.
We have two DD's 17 and 10, and DH and I are in our late 30's (DH 38 and I am 36- yes, we had children young)
so DH and I, ( or my sister and i when DH does not want to go) will be using the majority of the Years, as adult trips. ( if we had a contract w/ 30 years on it)
so if you asked me 'If i could only stay at one resort for the next 35 years, which would it be?" Hands down i would have to Answer BLT.
IMHO i think question is the best way to figure out where you buy eveyone has a dream resort at WDW


Tina