Thank you and need advice (esp. from older folks)!

[igrsod]

SSR might be a bit harder to book in a few years once they complete the renovation there. Especially with the newer sleepers in the living rooms.

I'm super excited about this... the renovations I mean.

 

[AnnaS]

I would strongly suggest you purchase BCV or BWV. Good luck with your decision.

 

[SecondEventuality]

So, after watching some of the videos online of both SSR and BCV (and all the other DVC options)...I've come to the conclusion that SSR is akin to Riverside, just elevated, in that it has deluxe studios and nicer pools, but also has less theming than Riverside. It lacks the deluxe resort feel, or is that just me bc I've watched way too many videos at this point? As I watched, I was just reminded continually of Riverside?

 

[SecondEventuality]

Our main focus, park wise, is Hollywood Studios. We spend the majority of our park days either there or wanting to be there. Anything that can get us to HS with quick breaks back to our room for food and water, esp. without buses, is what we are after. Then on any off park days, it would be pool time with our little man. That is mainly why we are looking at BCV. Boardwalk, sadly, is too much like New Jersey and the last place we want to be reminded of on vacation (given that's where we live! LOL)!

 

[Great3]

So, after watching some of the videos online of both SSR and BCV (and all the other DVC options)...I've come to the conclusion that SSR is akin to Riverside, just elevated, in that it has deluxe studios and nicer pools, but also has less theming than Riverside. It lacks the deluxe resort feel, or is that just me bc I've watched way too many videos at this point? As I watched, I was just reminded continually of Riverside?

It's all in the head, I am telling you!!! You shall love Riveria, not SSR, and definitely not Riverside!!! (J/K).

Personally, I subscribed to the theory of good enough, and SSR is certainly nice enough to me. Other have their reasons for choosing other resorts over SSR, so do what's will make you happy.

Great3

 

[Great3]

Our main focus, park wise, is Hollywood Studios. We spend the majority of our park days either there or wanting to be there. Anything that can get us to HS with quick breaks back to our room for food and water, esp. without buses, is what we are after. Then on any off park days, it would be pool time with our little man. That is mainly why we are looking at BCV. Boardwalk, sadly, is too much like New Jersey and the last place we want to be reminded of on vacation (given that's where we live! LOL)!

Than it does sound like BCV is for you. It's either convenience or saving money. I would venture to say, if you can afford it, than why not splurge a little and pay for that convenience, the money you spent will be long forgotten, when you are there enjoying your magical Disney vacation and creating fond memories for many years to come.

Great3

 

[SecondEventuality]

Personally, I subscribed to the theory of good enough, and SSR is certainly nice enough to me.
Great3

I'm with you there in terms of good enough! I've always had the belief that the wanting never stops, there's always something nicer, newer, etc. and yes, SSR would be fine at the end of the day. Certainly, Riverside was, once upon a time, since we've stayed there. However, we were mainly focused on parks, too, we didn't even look at the pools. So, I'm not complaining, just getting my head around the different, inherent levels to the deluxe options, themselves. The quietness of SSR is alluring, too, and something to factor in.

 

[Sandisw]

Our main focus, park wise, is Hollywood Studios. We spend the majority of our park days either there or wanting to be there. Anything that can get us to HS with quick breaks back to our room for food and water, esp. without buses, is what we are after. Then on any off park days, it would be pool time with our little man. That is mainly why we are looking at BCV. Boardwalk, sadly, is too much like New Jersey and the last place we want to be reminded of on vacation (given that's where we live! LOL)!

Based on this I think you have two options. BCV through resale, or direct with Rivera. They will give you an easy way to rest in afternoon from HS.

A combination of both is also an option down the road if you are concerned about the membership benefits.

Just remember, anything bought on resale will not be eligible for trades into Rivera or any other new resorts, if that matters.

 

[SecondEventuality]

Does anyone know how fast it really is, getting from HS to BCV is, bus wise? I know to walk, it's 1.2 miles, and that is about 15 minutes, but, we are going in late June, so maybe a break in a boat/bus would be more appealing than more walking in the full sun...I read the buses are the least favorite thing about BCV and I wonder about that. What do you guys opt for at the end of the day? I do know I'm getting older, so less walking and less sun exposure, which is exhausting, is probably good. LOL! I know there's the skyliner, but that's a huge roundabout way to get back? HS>CBR>RIV>Epcot> walk to the room?

 

[Disneypapa]

I am another proponent of buying where you want to stay. My input is that I own OKW and was able to book studios (7 month window) at Poly for a pre cruise stay the last week in May last year. So in agreement with previous poster about availability of studios at Poly is reasonable option.

 

[SecondEventuality]

I also just read that BCV is "very noisy & chaotic." We are going in the summertime, too, so this is a huge consideration - it sounds like BCV isn't a huge break from the craziness of the parks, esp. if the pool is packed?

 

[SheriRae]

Does anyone know how fast it really is, getting from HS to BCV is, bus wise? I know to walk, it's 1.2 miles, and that is about 15 minutes, but, we are going in late June, so maybe a break in a boat/bus would be more appealing than more walking in the full sun...I read the buses are the least favorite thing about BCV and I wonder about that. What do you guys opt for at the end of the day? I do know I'm getting older, so less walking and less sun exposure, which is exhausting, is probably good. LOL! I know there's the skyliner, but that's a huge roundabout way to get back? HS>CBR>RIV>Epcot> walk to the room?

The boat is a great option and would be my choice from HS to BCV. We own at Boardwalk so walking or the boat is always our option at the end of a long day at HS.

 

[SheriRae]

I also just read that BCV is "very noisy & chaotic." We are going in the summertime, too, so this is a huge consideration - it sounds like BCV isn't a huge break from the craziness of the parks, esp. if the pool is packed?

Stormalong Bay is quite busy, however you do have the option of the "quiet" pool. We use the quiet pool all the time!! Many times having it all to ourselves!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Almost no one uses the bus from BCV to DHS. So there is that.

 

[Jenniebee]

I also just read that BCV is "very noisy & chaotic." We are going in the summertime, too, so this is a huge consideration - it sounds like BCV isn't a huge break from the craziness of the parks, esp. if the pool is packed?

So I didn't see it mentioned in your OP, but what resorts have you stayed at on Disney property before? Have you stayed at Pop? Or any of the Moderates? Do you typically spend time at the pools on your stays? My kids love the hotel pools so we always have to allot some time to hang at the pools, and I have to say the crowd level of them is about the same at all levels. Lots of kids, cast members doing games, trivia, etc. Easy enough to find a chair though, not super crowded that you can't sit.

The Beach Club has Stormalong Bay pool and also a quiet pool, and then there is another pool just at the BCV section.

 

[SecondEventuality]

My husband and I have always stayed at moderates during the off-seasons, but only as a couple. We always avoided high season. Never went to the pools since we were so park focused and it was too cold. Fast forward to the adoption of our little man, who is 5, and we are looking at WDW in a totally new light and through his eyes. We tried out WDW this past June with him for the first time, short trip, 4 nights only, in a value resort. We did 1 day exclusively at the resort to spend time at the pool and he loved it. We did not have as much fun as we could have, the hassle of the stroller, packing lots of stuff into it, and really want to change that moving forward!!!!

I don't really like spending a lot of money on food and drinks, so being close to the room to eat and take a quick break during park days are my big reasons for wanting to get into DVC.

 

[bumbershoot]

You’re worried about missing school with a 5 year old?

If you’re talking about the future, most people don’t worry about that until high school age fwiw.

I guess what I am thinking that the resale value will go down given how large SSR is, the closer we get to the expiration date, even with 15 years of use, or it doesn't matter?

If you’re going to enjoy the heck out of what you buy, do you truly have to worry about resale value?

I’ve enjoyed my Bay Lake contract for 10 years now, and what I might sell it for isn’t something I worry about. I’ve most definitely gotten my money’s worth.

So, as far as from a purely renting points out point of view, BCV would be more advantageous as well, 10 years from now.

Thanks!

Going once a year won’t give you much to rent out.

Having a young child he will love the Beach Club pool.

I’ve seen that pool from the outside, and as a parent I would HATE that pool. I would never have taken my guy as a little kid.

I was trying to get it for Princess because it just me and my cousin, and we could relax. With kids (and mine is 15 and a terrific swimmer) we would never relax.

So, after watching some of the videos online of both SSR and BCV (and all the other DVC options)...I've come to the conclusion that SSR is akin to Riverside, just elevated, in that it has deluxe studios and nicer pools, but also has less theming than Riverside. It lacks the deluxe resort feel, or is that just me bc I've watched way too many videos at this point? As I watched, I was just reminded continually of Riverside?

I don’t know what the issue is with POR. It’s a lovely lush resort. Saratoga isn’t as lush, but it’s calm and serene and I enjoy it. The Paddock pool area is my fave.

Our main focus, park wise, is Hollywood Studios. We spend the majority of our park days either there or wanting to be there.

Maybe I shouldn’t be advising you lol. HS has never been more than a half day park for my family; we just get bored. And considering that we love Indy and Star Wars, that’s weird. But it just bores us. Now that was with only star tours there, but then they took out the show that took up most of the time we spent on, to create GE. So...

And I must warn you that easy 5 year olds become...different over time. Your lost loved park might change because of him.


I worry that you’re worrying about everything when you don’t need those worries.

You’ll use it every year, and at high cost times, but you’re thinking of renting out points.

You worry about having a long contract, but also worry about resale with that long contract.

You’re wanting BC over BW because you don’t want to be reminded of home, but they are right next to each other. You might not have considered how stressful a waterparks-type “pool” will be for you, when IMO a simple, quiet, calm pool is best for Littles. Or at least for their parents!!

And I gotta say that my Floridian family’s fave resort so far has been OKW, so people don’t always hate things that feel homey.

Oh and you say you get groceries, but it sounds like you’re only looking at studios. If you’re going to cook, go for 1 bedrooms. At least they have a freezer!!


IMO, start focusing on what you want, and not on the what ifs.

 

[SecondEventuality]

I worry that you’re worrying about everything when you don’t need those worries.


Oh and you say you get groceries, but it sounds like you’re only looking at studios. If you’re going to cook, go for 1 bedrooms. At least they have a freezer!!

IMO, start focusing on what you want, and not on the what ifs.

It's my nature to think of all things in all angles, even ones that I stupidly think I have any control over (such as the future! LOL)

When I say groceries, it's more or less grab and go kinda stuff, so pastries for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, snacks for in between, etc. I would love a coffeemaker since my husband drinks nothing but coffee, all day long. It was a hassle in the value resort stay to do this in June. I'd love a full kitchen, though!!!!

 

[ray3127]

Does anyone know how fast it really is, getting from HS to BCV is, bus wise?

I also just read that BCV is "very noisy & chaotic."

When we were leaving HS in June, they weren't even running buses back to Beach Club. It was boat or walk. They would run a bus if the boats had to close down due to weather. We did not mind the walk at all, though we are early-30's and enjoy walking. IMO, the ability to walk beats any form of transportation.

As for "noisy & chaotic"... Yes, Stormalong Bay is a busy attraction unto itself. But there is a second "quiet" pool by the DVC building, and the DVC building itself is set back away from the noise. It is a quiet respite from all the action.

The degree of "difficulty" with Stormalong Bay really depends on you. We like to play in the water with our kids (5 & 1), and aren't going to sit on chairs while they play... so we don't mind the complex at all. I can see where others would. You can't just 'let the kids go' there.

We also absolutely love the sand bottom pools, and there are different areas perfect for all age levels. So while it has its detractors and can be fairly bustling, there's no place I'd rather be on a pool day (or pool break) than Stormalong Bay.

 

[SecondEventuality]

I think maybe getting 2 small contracts for both properties may work out and then just alternate each year with each resort, by banking. This year is SSR, then next year is BCV...that kinda thing. I'm willing to bet this isn't a new idea. LOL!

I'm not well versed in the whole split stay thing yet, and I think that usually happens for 0-7 months when you can't book the full time in 1 resort, but that could work too, I bet, but different, in that it's for both home resorts (In terms of how that works at 11 months, being booked side by side). I suppose it won't matter if both are the home resort and provided both have the same UY...so, at 11 months, book both at the time for the days needed, 1 resort starts towards the beginning of the stay, then switch to the other resort midway and ends there, is my guess on how that works?