Tell me what you love about your home resort.

[StitchFan73]

We decided to buy into DVC. We have figured out how we are going to go about it (start with a small resale most likely) and have an idea of what use year, but which resort to buy into is proving a tricky one-lol.

So I figured it would be interesting to get the perspective of owners to help us make our decision. What is it about your home resort that you love and why did you pick it?

Looking forward to your responses! TIA

 

[Sandisw]

My home resort is BLT and we bought in to DVC last year because it was built. We are huge MK fans and love being close to that park. Epcot is our 2nd favorite and if I had to add on at a different resort, it would be BCV or BWV.

But, being at BLT (and planning to stay there most of the time), gives us access to Epcot via monorail if we want. We can also walk over to the MK bus depot and hope a bus to any resort if we want for dinner, etc. (if we were there without a car).

WE have always loved the CR so for us, it was easy. We did pay more for this home resort and could have saved a lot going resale (wise move if you have no real strong ties to any one resort), but we know what we like and being anywhere else, unless it is our choice, was just not an option for us.

Good luck!!!

 

[SSR]

We love SSR because of the pools, spa and golf course nearby (for when me and the wife go when our child no longer comes with us). We also like its location and the boat to Downtown Disney. The lack of theming doesn't bother us. AKV was a close second. BLT was nice but too "condo-ish" for our tastes.

 

[Chic]

We chose Saratoga Springs because of the low maintenance fees, longer contract, great availability during all seasons, excellent gym, huge pool, and lower cost per point when buying a resale. We visit Disney World 6 or 7 times a year and stay in all the DVC resorts. Our two favorites are currently Bay Lake Tower and Wilderness Lodge Villas. We have 2 very young children so being close to the Magic Kingdom is very important right now. Since we visit Disney so often, it's nice having the flexibility to stay at many different resorts. Each vacation is a different experience and helps prevent burnout.

 

[DVCGeek]

We choose BLT because of the monorail, ability to walk easily to MK bus stop to get a bus to other resorts, boat to Wilderness Lodge (another favorite resort), and because of low dues.

With VGC, after staying @ the Grand Cal. Hotel I really didn't want to stay anywhere else when we go to DL, and with their being so few Villas I really wanted the 11 month booking window and worry I may NEED to book that far in advance sometimes, especially to get a studio (big enough for just the two of us). Also, having the second lowest dues certainly helped justify the purchase cost.

Please let us know what you choose and how you came to that conclusion.

 

[katied]

First bought into BWV because I love the BW area, and also the easy walk to Epcot and DHS. Next, bought into BLT as soon as I could because of the easy entry to MK. DS is only 2, so we will be focusing on MK for many years, I imagine.

Now we can plan split stays between BLT and BWV (or kids trips to BLT and adult trips to BWV).

I was not interested in a resort where I would have to take a bus to all 4 parks.

 

[StitchFan73]

First bought into BWV because I love the BW area, and also the easy walk to Epcot and DHS. Next, bought into BLT as soon as I could because of the easy entry to MK. DS is only 2, so we will be focusing on MK for many years, I imagine.

Now we can plan split stays between BLT and BWV (or kids trips to BLT and adult trips to BWV).

I was not interested in a resort where I would have to take a bus to all 4 parks.

Is AKL the only resort that this is the case?

 

[gojoe]

BWV is our home. 6 years ago my wife and I had diner at Flying Fish. It was our first time at Boardwalk. 4 years ago we decided to join. We never even heard a sale pitch. We chose Boardwalk for

• Dining
• Entertainment (Jellyrolls, Dance Hall, ESPN, Street Performers, Surrey rentals, Fireworks nightly)
• Walk to Hollywood (dining & entertainment)
• Shorter Walk to Epcot (more dining & entertainment)
• More Dining (Yacht, Beach Club, Swan & Dolphin)
• Re-Sale fit our needs
• Boardwalk is a destination for many who visit WDW

Weigh the pros & cons of each resort and compare it to what you want.

 

[DebbieB]

Is AKL the only resort that this is the case?

SSR and OKW also only have busses to all 4 parks.

BWV -
Boardwalk view with the option for standard view for less points.
Walk to Epcot or DHS or boat.
Nightly entertainment on the boardwalk.
Choice of many restaurants around the lake.
If DVC ended the ability to book other resorts, I would still be happy at BWV.

 

[disneynutz]

If I have learned anything, it's that everyone has different tastes and favorite resorts.

It really is worth it to take the time to visit and try to stay in the resorts that your are attracted to.

Selling your contract because you made a wrong decision can be an expensive lesson.

Bill

 

[ccigliano]

I agree with dizneynutz that is really is a personal preference and you should try to experience each of them before you jump in with both feet. I purchased OKW as a resale in 1999 before the Villlas @ Wilderness Lodge existed. Once I stayed at VWL and had trouble booking my December trips there without the 11 month booking window, I sold OKW and bought even more points at VWL. While I did make money on my resale as I kept it until 2005 that may not be the case in the next few years with this crazy economy. Good Luck!!

 

[StitchFan73]

I agree with dizneynutz that is really is a personal preference and you should try to experience each of them before you jump in with both feet. I purchased OKW as a resale in 1999 before the Villlas @ Wilderness Lodge existed. Once I stayed at VWL and had trouble booking my December trips there without the 11 month booking window, I sold OKW and bought even more points at VWL. While I did make money on my resale as I kept it until 2005 that may not be the case in the next few years with this crazy economy. Good Luck!!

We started on our trying this past vacation with a mini stay in AKL. And the funny thing is, after staying there, my DH was sure he didn't want to buy there-lol. We are trying to plan some more stays by watching for low airfares and renting points.

VWL is actually one of our first picks though. So what about it made you sell OKW for VWL?

 

[ccigliano]

I'd have to say the theming. When the VWL opened I was able to book at the 7 month window whenever I wanted since it was not yet sold out. Once it was sold out and I waitlisted at 7 month window and it never came through for my December trip, I was so disappointed that it really affected my mood for the trip. I literally called everyday (3 times a day) while I was there to check for a last minute cancellation and ended up getting last 5 days of my 10 day trip at the VWL. I came home and sold OKW to purchase VWL for the 11 month advantage. While I liked OKW, I loved VWL because it was so warm and cozy, had an incredible fireplace and great view of the lake, is a quick boat ride to MK and I really like having all the amenities of the hotel. I love walking over the the campground on the nature trail early in the morning as the wildlife is abundant. I definitely prefer the resorts attached to hotels as opposed to SSR and OKW. I am going to try BLT in May for birthday trip so hopefully I won't love it as that may end up being a very expensive trip as I would never sell VWL but simply add on at this point. Good Luck with your decision.

 

[DVC Mike]

which resort to buy into is proving a tricky one

Take a look at the Choosing Your Home Resort - What to Consider? thread.

Have you stayed at any of the DVC resorts?

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have two home resorts: OKW and AKV.

We have the majority of our points at OKW (380), but we have a small 69 point AKV contract as well.

OKW is our REAL DVC home as far as we are concerned. We LOVE the huge rooms and the big spacious dining porch. I feel like the porch is an added living room. In fact, if you have to use the living room for guests, the porch is still accessible from the master bedroom, and you can sit out there without disturbing your guests. It's especially nice to sit on the porch having breakfast and watching the wildlife that seems to abound at OKW. We see everything from squirels and ducks to river otters and blue herons.

The full sized laundry room with full sized appliances is the other thing I enjoy about OKW. No little bitty stackables or small fridge here! I believe it is also the only DVC kitchen that includes an ice maker in the fridge. Also, having the two queen beds in the 2nd bedroom is a real plus if you need to have beds for opposite sex children etc.

We also love the vacation home feel of OKW. It is NOT a hotel, and makes us feel like we have a real vacation home instead of a glorified hotel suite. I also love the parking right outside your door. The huge master bathroom is great too, and having it split into two seperate rooms makes it easy for two parties to get ready at the same time...shower, toilet and sink in one room with another sink and jacuzzi in the other. Also the full sized laundry room can double as a child's bedroom should you need to use the pack N play!

AKV...The draw here is, of course the savanna views! That and the beautiful lobby and access to concierge.

 

[Anal Annie]

We purchased SSR sort of by default as that was the only DVC resort for sale directly thru Disney at the time we bought. It takes a rough beating sometimes on the DIS but we like it just fine. We have liked (almost) all of the DVC resorts that we've tried. We are happy to be able to stay at (just about) any of them and enjoy rotating to different ones each time we go. SSR is beautiful - the grounds are just lovely - and I like knowing that because it's large we can pretty much get a room there anytime we want to go, whether we plan outside of the 7 month window or not. It is convenient to DTD which we enjoy in the off seasons when the parks close earlier. The point charts are reasonable and the resale prices are most affordable. What's not to like?

 

[BeachClubBelle]

We chose BCV as our home resort. We stayed at the Yacht Club in '98 and it became our dream to buy into the DVC. We loved that area so much. Lots for us to do. In 2002, the Beach Club Villas was the newest resort. We bought into that and have been going pretty much twice a year since. For us, it is the best. We love the location. Ecot is our favorite and the Boardwalk. My husband likes ESPN. We like that we can walk to Epcot in minutes and hang out on the Boardwalk at night. The view is so pretty and always a lot of fun there. The pools are great and just hanging out is fun. Love the atmosphere and easy to get around from there. Take the boat to Hollywood Studios, Epcot or Boardwalk if we want. Most of the time just walk over to the BW or Epcot. Buses right out front to any of the parks as well.

Great restarants in BCV, on the BW and at the Swan and Dolphin. The Clam Bake at the BCV is good. Stormalong Bay pool is very nice. Kids love it with the sand bottom. The Dance Hall and Jellyrolls. Lots for adults to do.

 

[eporter66]

SSR - What I love

1. We live in Saratoga NY - so owning at Saratoga was pretty funny to us when we bought in - but almost like fate, we felt we had to do it.

2. I love the relaxed atmosphere, beautiful landscaping, and architecture

3. I love being able to walk over to DTD at night if I feel like doing something, or just kicking back.

4. The quiet pools (and the main pool as well)

5. The flat bread pizza's at Artists Pallete

6. Right next to LBV Golf Course

7. It feels like home

Funny thing, we have not stayed at SSR since January 2006. We have wanted to try the other resorts, and have enjoyed them all. I just made our 2010 reservation at SSR (11 mth window), and we are talking about possibly switching, but I am thinking I want to go back on this stay. DW usually wins out (she loved AKV on our last trip) - and I may try to get BWV's for F&W Fest, but I am pretty happy thinking we will be back at SSR next October.

 

[crisi]

Make a list of what is important to you. It might be purchase price or contract length or theming or easy access to a park or easy parking or low dues or......Measure the resorts against that list.

For instance, if you are young and/or a long contract length is REALLY important, it doesn't make sense to buy at the Boardwalk - my home - no matter how much I like it.

Likewise, if what you really are looking for is a bargain in sales price - buying BLT points right now might not be your best choice.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

The things I like about my home resort is that there are three of them! (BLT, BWV, BCV)