transportation at DVC resorts

[720L]

Thinking of buying DVC, but transportation to the parks is our #1 concern when choosing a resort, as we spend all of our time at the parks. We aren't interested in "enjoying" the resort. We want good bus service, clean rooms. We went through SSR last year on the way to DTD and the buses didn't seem very efficient, especially trying to go back through SSR to get to MK. I know a lot of DVC resorts share buses with other resorts, will this slow us down a lot? We normally stay at POP or AKL, which both have dedicated buses. Are we going to be unhappy with the buses at DVC resorts if we are used to POP and AKL buses?

 

[browniemtb]

The bus system is about the same in my opinion at all the resorts, DVC included. BCV, BWV, and VWL are the three DVC resorts attached to a park. VWL is a boat ride to MK and the other two are walking/boat to Epcot or MGM. We own at BWV for the convenience of the walk. We also stroll through Epcot and then hop on the monorail and go to MK. Bus service isn't all that bad but can be frustrating if your late for a pricess breakfast or something. I've never experienced bus service at SSR or OKW, but I'm assuming its the same as everyone elses. If being close to a resort is a must, as with us, think about resale for BWV, BCV, or VWL. Through Disney you can get on a waitlist for these resorts as well.
Brownie

 

[720L]

Thanks! I see your kids are close to my kids age, so you know how a long bus ride/wait for a bus can affect them. If you haven't stayed at AKL or POP, you probably wouldn't think all buses are the same, IMO!

 

[browniemtb]

Thanks! I see your kids are close to my kids age, so you know how a long bus ride/wait for a bus can affect them. If you haven't stayed at AKL or POP, you probably wouldn't think all buses are the same, IMO!

You are right, We've never stayed at POP or AKL. All I remember is that when MK closes and we go to the BWV bus, the stop is right next to POP. We had 10 people in line POP had 10,000. The DVC resorts aren't bad.....bus wise....its just when your running late for something that it gets to you....
Brownie

 

[simzac]

We stayed at OKW this past week after staying at POP the same week last year. There is no comparison imo between buses at the 2 resorts, mainly due to the size of POP. For example, after closing at MK last year, we waited on 5 buses before boarding our bus back to POP. This year, closing at MK found us the 10th persons in line on 2 different nights, so of course we boarded the first OKW bus that came. DVC resorts are much smaller than POP, thus bus loads are much smaller. Just another reason we became DVC members this past year.

 

[Granny]

Are we going to be unhappy with the buses at DVC resorts if we are used to POP and AKL buses?

I tend to think bus service is hit or miss at all WDW resorts, but I've never stayed at many of them so I really can't globalize that.



If you like the AKL buses, you might want to wait a couple of months and buy Animal Kingdom Villas when they go on sale. That way, you'll get that dedicated bus going for you and DVC too.

By the way, you sound like you are one of the "run, run, run touring commandos" in the parks. You might very well find that DVC ownership will get you to relax a bit, and not worry as much about an extra 10 minutes for the bus ride to pick up another resort. After all, with DVC you know you'll be back pretty soon so you don't have to get everything done in every trip.

 

[720L]

LOL! We are "commando" people--and we go twice a year! We aren't ones that want to use the resort--we just want to sleep there and have a good place to eat if needed. When we go in the summer, we want a nice pool because believe it or not we take afternoon breaks! The only place I've wanted to enjoy the resort is AKL--so I'm leaning towards buying AKL DVC. But this is such a good price right now. And when we are older, I'm thinking we'll use the resorts more and slow down, but that's in 15 years.

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks! I see your kids are close to my kids age, so you know how a long bus ride/wait for a bus can affect them.

...and by the time your DVC ownership ends the kids will at least be in their 40s.

Try to think big-picture when making decisions like this. It's not always easy, but it is in your best interest. I have two small ones myself, but I didn't make them a big factor in any of our macro-level DVC decisions. In another dozen years we will still have 30+ DVC years left and, for all I know, the kids won't want to come within 100 miles of WDW.

Consider what's best for you and your significant other over the long haul.

 

[720L]

...and by the time your DVC ownership ends the kids will at least be in their 40s.

Try to think big-picture when making decisions like this. It's not always easy, but it is in your best interest. I have two small ones myself, but I didn't make them a big factor in any of our macro-level DVC decisions. In another dozen years we will still have 30+ DVC years left and, for all I know, the kids won't want to come within 100 miles of WDW.

Consider what's best for you and your significant other over the long haul.

We are trying to think of the big picture also. We have gone to Disney together for 15 yrs so far, before and after kids, so we think we will still want to go even if the kids don't want to. Or will that depress us? Or will we actually want to see other places?! Maybe our kids will still love it and it will always be a family trip. Maybe we should just stick with the value resorts and the money saved from that will go towards nicer resorts when they are older. We really want to stay at the GF sometime, but thats not DVC. Too many things to think of!!

 

[tjkraz]

have gone to Disney together for 15 yrs so far, before and after kids, so we think we will still want to go even if the kids don't want to.

That's pretty much my point.

I kinda cringe whenever I see comments like "we like XXX because of the good bus service" or "we want to buy XXX because the kids love the pool" or "we don't want XXX because we've heard the housekeeping is poor."

Quality of services like busses and housekeeping are bound to change over time. Kids that "love the pool" today will someday be in their 30s and 40s while you're still living with your resort choice. The stoller that's a pain in the butt to get on-and-off the bus will be left for the Salvation Army two years from now.

I'm not trying to get you to re-think the entire decision, but I think there are two factors that are best left out of at least your choice of Home resort:

1. Second-hand reports on quality-related issues. Don't concern yourself with what people think of the busses in 2007. Don't worry about what the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World thinks about the food at a resort restaurant. Don't panic over a report of incompetent front desk Cast members at a resort. All of those things will change from one year to the next and even from one guest to the next.

2. The kids. Kids are fickle. Their wants and needs (mostly wants) change. The beauty of DVC is that you will have a lot of opportunity to try all of the resorts if you so desire. Better to buy into a resort that holds some personal appeal to YOU, because you're going to be the one enjoying the points for decades to come.