SSR Vs AKV?

[ToodlesRN]

I am torn between the two to pick as my home resort.

SSR I like how DTD is across the water and it seems it has a "family touch" to the resort and right now it's a little cheaper than AKV. I've seen the pictures, but seems like it's a little outdated on the inside?

AKV I love the animal aspect and so would my son, but it seems that it's so far away from everything?

My overrall goal is to buy into GCV when they come available so I would want a resort that has a good resell value as we would most likely sale and buy a new contract with GCV to have as our home resort.

Any thoughts, pro's and/or cons on either or both resorts would be great. It's just hard to pick one as I have never seen either in person and would like to hear about others experiences.

 

[DBorges]

I do not like having seperate building so it is easy for me

I LOVE AKV We went to the opening of the resort Akl i have stayed there a number of times without regrets at all.

I also Own at Boardwalk the diffrent building thing is a major turn off for me it doesn't have that resort feeling too me

 

[veenstra56]

I happen to subscribe to the notion that AKV is too far removed from other things Disney. Others will disagree, of course, but we recently passed on an add-on at AKV in favor of SSR partly because of it's proximity to DTD. We really like DTD, so buying SSR made sense from that standpoint.

With BCV and BWV, it's an easy walk to Epcot; with OKW and VWL, it's a pleasant boat ride to DTD and MK, respectively; and again, SSR is right across the water from DTD. With AKV, one must rely on a car or bus to get anywhere, which in my opinion takes away from the experience a bit.

That said, I do believe that AKV will probably hold it's value a little better than SSR, if that is important to you. On the other hand, the annual dues are bound to be more than SSR.

Ultimately, I really think that you should buy into the resort that you like better. You'll be happier in the long run.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[marvali]

We picked AKV because even though SSR was right across from DTD and close to Epcot , we felt that over the life of the contract, we would appreciate the benefits of AKV the best. As we get older, the quiet remoteness of AKV , plus the appeal of the animals to take grandchildren to see was a deciding factor. We were also driven by the fact that AKV was a 50 year contract, compared to around 46 at SSR.

Having said all of that, you aren't apparently purchasing for the long haul, regardless of what you choose. My advice would be to purchase where you feel the most comfortable based on your short term interests. Then again, you have to consider the appeal of the resort you purchase when resale time comes around.

My straightforward response would be, if you are from Seattle, and plan to eventually settle on GCV, unless you plan to make a number of trips to WDW in the near future, why wouldn't you just wait and make the initial purchase at GCV and be done with it? Then you don't have the added burden of going through purchase/closing, and then resale which may come in a down economy?

Just something to think about. Good Luck and hope whatever you decide works out well for you.

 

[BellaBuggy]

I love the theming at Disney resorts, hence the reason we own what we do. Also the reason I wouln't buy at SSR. Upstate New York is kinda 'so what?' to me. If I want that I just to go NY. Not that it isn't a NICE resort, because it is. It's just more run-of-the-mill IMO.

 

[SSRFred]

Don't worry about the distance. AKV has plenty of theming. It's more about the bus routes and AKV has direct buses. The worse bus route I ever took was from the 'centrally' located GF to MGM.
Resale will be better with AKV but, why not just wait the 10 or so months for GCV?

 

[ToodlesRN]

Thanks for the replies it's great to hear about other's experiences/thoughts about the resorts.

My straightforward response would be, if you are from Seattle, and plan to eventually settle on GCV, unless you plan to make a number of trips to WDW in the near future, why wouldn't you just wait and make the initial purchase at GCV and be done with it? Then you don't have the added burden of going through purchase/closing, and then resale which may come in a down economy?

There may not be points left for the public to buy after all the DVC members are offered first. After speaking to my guide she mentioned that the property tax will be more expensive at GCV since California has higher taxes. So most likely we'd do an add on to GCV instead to keep dues on the lower side

 

[ToodlesRN]

Don't worry about the distance. AKV has plenty of theming. It's more about the bus routes and AKV has direct buses. The worse bus route I ever took was from the 'centrally' located GF to MGM.
Resale will be better with AKV but, why not just wait the 10 or so months for GCV?

I have some $$$ and itching to spend it on a lifetime investment at dvc
I also like the incentives right now plus were planning another trip to DL this year and I rather not put more money into a hotel but into joining instead!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Do what you want to do if you re ready to buy now,buy now.It is an Awesome deal right now.

I have some $$$ and itching to spend it on a lifetime investment at dvc
I also like the incentives right now plus were planning another trip to DL this year and I rather not put more money into a hotel but into joining instead!

 

[drag n' fly]

Thanks for the replies it's great to hear about other's experiences/thoughts about the resorts.





There may not be points left for the public to buy after all the DVC members are offered first. After speaking to my guide she mentioned that the property tax will be more expensive at GCV since California has higher taxes. So most likely we'd do an add on to GCV instead to keep dues on the lower side

If you buy your contract at Disneyland you will get first dibs at the GCV. With so few villas available we did that in November and bought at AKV while at Disneyland. We will keep pur AKV contract and add on at GCV possibly for a summer holiday option. Time for a summer holiday change we just about seen every corner of B.C. ten times over now!

 

[marvali]

Thanks for the replies it's great to hear about other's experiences/thoughts about the resorts.





There may not be points left for the public to buy after all the DVC members are offered first. After speaking to my guide she mentioned that the property tax will be more expensive at GCV since California has higher taxes. So most likely we'd do an add on to GCV instead to keep dues on the lower side

Okay, that makes sense.

 

[Chellymouse]

We chose SSR primarily for the location. AKV while awesome and we'll probably try to stay there at some time, is just too far away from everything except AK and BB. We stayed at the All Stars for several years, which is very near AKV and it seemed to take forever to get anywhere except BB and AK. Having said that, buy where you want to stay. As many others have said, you may be better off to wait until GCV are up for sale. Good Luck!

 

[SaratogaShan]

I'm not sure what you mean by "outdated" when talking about the "inside" of Saratoga Springs? The oldest rooms at the resort are only a few years old. There are modern appliances, granite counter tops and beautiful custom Thomasville furniture.

I am not crazy about the bedspread in the master bedroom, but there may be others who like it!

 

[ToodlesRN]

I'm not sure what you mean by "outdated" when talking about the "inside" of Saratoga Springs? The oldest rooms at the resort are only a few years old. There are modern appliances, granite counter tops and beautiful custom Thomasville furniture.

I am not crazy about the bedspread in the master bedroom, but there may be others who like it!

Just like you said, It's the bedding that makes the rooms look "outdated" to me

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just like you said, It's the bedding that makes the rooms look "outdated" to me

It's a theme! It fits the theme. Just like OKW seems dated to some because of its pastels...It too fits the theme of the resort. Don't plan on things like that changing over the life of the contract either.

We like OKW best because of the theme, the large accommodations, and the "vacation home" feel to the place rather than a hotel feel. We did bite the bullet and buy points at AKV, and that was mostly for the theme and the fact that there are animals outside the door! We don't care for the long hallways of the "hotel" aspect, but the animals make up for that!

If California is your preferred place to own, why not wait and buy there?

 

[ToodlesRN]

It's a theme! It fits the theme. Just like OKW seems dated to some because of its pastels...It too fits the theme of the resort. Don't plan on things like that changing over the life of the contract either.

That is what I am trying to decide on which theme that will fit us the best, since we kinda like them both. I am trying to get other peoples thoughts since some of the members may have been to both or one, since I can only go off of the pictures of the resorts right now.

If California is your preferred place to own, why not wait and buy there?

I've already answered that question a few threads above.