Villas

[MMrules]

What's your favorite villa and why????
We are probably going to invest in DVC and I just would like opinions on which resorts you like and why....
Thanks

 

[goofy4tink]

My favorite??? My home resort of BWV. Love the easy access to both Epcot and DHS. Love the atmosphere there.
But I also like BLT. You can't beat the location. But the points needed for a theme park view are ridiculously high. I own there, but it's a small contract. Enough points to stay every other year...or just a few weeknights a year, and then over to BW for the remainder of my stay.

I've stayed at BCV, and it was nice there. Very bright and cheery. The pool are is fun, but crowded. Also stayed at AKL..both Jambo and Kidani. Love it there. Would have bought points there but dh had little interest. Wonder if he'll feel the same way after his first stay there in April?
Also stayed at VWL and OKW....won't go back to either one. Hated the layout of OKW....it took forever to get to and from parks via the buses. It's like a rabbit warren in that place. Very confusing to me. But, my dd's voice teacher loves it there and stays nowhere else!! So, everyone has a different opinion. Those that love OKW, love it with a passion.
And VWL were just not my cup of tea. I loved the actual resort, loved walking around it. But, I hated my studio villa. Of course, that could be due to the fact that it was at the very end of the hall, with a CM exit right next to my patio...we were on the ground level. I just couldn't wait to leave.

The best piece of advice I can give you is this...buy where you are going to want to stay. Do NOT listen to DVC CM/Guides who tell you that even if you buy at OKW or SSR, you will still be able to use your points at BWV whenever you want. That isn't true. There are times during the year that you can't touch certain resorts unless you book at your 11 month window. BWV and BCV are like that during Food and Wine times. Those that own at SSR (for instance) want to stay at BWV, but aren't able to book there since the BWV owners have taken all the slots when they booked at the 11 month window. Now, you're trying to book at the 7 month window (since BWV isn't your home resort) and you are finding nothing available.
We see this happening more and more, as the more popular resorts are bought.

 

[MMrules]

Thanks for the great feedback. That is what I am fearful of is not getting in when I want. We are looking at AKL b/c there is a special right now (SSR doesn't look too appealing to me,not sure why). I like BLT but points cost more. I really like BC but the contracts run out a lot sooner so not sure if it is worth the money right now. I am currently a stay at home mom, but I was a teacher. That being said, I will never get to go to Food and wine once I go back to work so I guess the BCV and BWV will be a moot point, but I know that we love BC and will want to get in there often. Now I am confused as to what to do to stay there????? I will probably only be able to go on school vacation weeks (Feb, April and Summer) or around Thanksgiving. I am sure those are all prime time vacation club times too. I guess as long as I am at WDW I should be happy right????

 

[chalee94]

I guess as long as I am at WDW I should be happy right????

*if you are happy just to be at wdw, find a cheap SSR resale, book SSR at 11 months out and try to trade at (exactly) 7 months out. even if the waitlist fails, you are still onsite at wdw.

*if you won't be happy unless you are at BCV, buy there and book at 10-11 months out.

*if you can't book more than 6-7 months out, buy OKW or SSR since at that point, the home resort window would have closed anyway.

 

[chalee94]

so far, i have only stayed at OKW, SSR and AKV (edited to add: and BLT - how could i forget that...) haven't tried to stay at the epcot resorts but would like to in the future.

i like OKW a lot - it's relaxing and i like the studio set up with 2 queen beds.

AKV is fun with the animals on the savanna and i love the jiko and boma restaurants.

i'm not very particular about where i stay though, so i'm happy to be an OKW owner.

 

[MMrules]

I do want to be able to try different resorts. I am not a creature of habit and want to be able to branch out. I have 2 family members that are DVC members, but only stay at SSR and haven't tried to get in anywhere else. So I am just wondering if it is really hard to get into other resorts that aren't your "Home". I have stayed at AKL and loved it. It is a vacation within itself, so I will be happy there. However, I want the ability to try other places too and am just scared that we won't have the opportunity. So I am hoping that there are things at all of them that will be appealing depending on where I stay (I think I will like all of them, just over-analyzing before I actually buy).

 

[Lynne M]

I'm going to move this over to the DVC-Mousecellaneous board. That's where the DVC members hang out.

 

[MMrules]

I'm going to move this over to the DVC-Mousecellaneous board. That's where the DVC members hang out.

Thanks! I wasn't sure where to post.

 

[alldiz]

Hi,

I've stayed at almost all of them....my next trip will include AKV and BLT and that will complete the DVC's in WDW

I will list my pros and cons for them all.
Favorite....WLV....so happy I own here

1. I love that we are so close to M.K yet it feels so peaceful when you return to WL.
2. Love the boat to M.K, Contemp(for monorail access) and Fort Wilderness.
3. Great pool area.....just so pretty.
4. Electrical Water pageant nightly on Bay Lake.
5. Lobby.....WLV so close to main lodge and all the beauty of it. Love walking around all the floors around lobby for new discoveries.
6. Great walking/running path to FW....little less than 3 miles R/T.
7. Holiday decorations at WL can't be beat....the theming just oozes xmas.
8. Geyser by pool
9. Kids club onsite
10...All right I can be here all day....let me move on to another resort

Cons.....ahem...I have to think hard. Sorry none for me except can't guarantee my corner 5th floor villa overlooking bay lake


BWV...my second favorite.....only place that I might add on to besides WLV.

1. IMO....feels upscale in the BW area.
2. Fun pool area
3. Walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
4. Walking distance to a ton of great restaurants. Flying Fish....my fav...
5. Cheap Standard room points
6. Walking around crescent lake....early am...so peaceful.
7, Community Hall
Cons...only one is Wish they had a better Counter Service.

BCV.....
1. Walk to Epcot and Studios.
2. Great restaurants nearby.
3. Kids club onsite.

Cons....
1. For me BWV wins over BCV because Stormalong bay is too spread out for me. I don't like the pool area. I don't like that I have to leave pool area to access slide. And points are higher than BWV. IMO a family with a few young children might go crazy trying to keep up with them at stormalong.
2. Wish they had better Counter Service.

BTW.....my next stay will include BCV....DD wants to go back to pool now that she is older....that is what is so great about DVC....they are all great in their own way. You can't go "wrong" anywhere. Just might not be your favorite.

OKW.
1. Largest rooms....1BR....are gigantic.
2. I like the "town" feel near pool area.
3. Fun pool and fast slide....playground near pool.
4. The ability to book Hospitality area.....near everything.
5. Lower points.
6. Community Hall
7. Olivia's
Cons.
1. Don't like Condo style....I like indoor corridors and a smaller resort.
2. Could use a Counter Service with indoor seating.

SSR
1. Great pool area...and slide...zero entry.
2. Good Counter service...although they should move store.
3. Close to DTD to access any resort bus....(I do dinners at other resorts a lot)
4. Adding new pool in Paddock area.....very good move IMO.

Cons
Don't like condo style resort.
Happy planning....Hope this helps
Kerri

 

[MMrules]

Hi,

I've stayed at almost all of them....my next trip will include AKV and BLT and that will complete the DVC's in WDW

I will list my pros and cons for them all.
Favorite....WLV....so happy I own here

1. I love that we are so close to M.K yet it feels so peaceful when you return to WL.
2. Love the boat to M.K, Contemp(for monorail access) and Fort Wilderness.
3. Great pool area.....just so pretty.
4. Electrical Water pageant nightly on Bay Lake.
5. Lobby.....WLV so close to main lodge and all the beauty of it. Love walking around all the floors around lobby for new discoveries.
6. Great walking/running path to FW....little less than 3 miles R/T.
7. Holiday decorations at WL can't be beat....the theming just oozes xmas.
8. Geyser by pool
9. Kids club onsite
10...All right I can be here all day....let me move on to another resort

Cons.....ahem...I have to think hard. Sorry none for me except can't guarantee my corner 5th floor villa overlooking bay lake


BWV...my second favorite.....only place that I might add on to besides WLV.

1. IMO....feels upscale in the BW area.
2. Fun pool area
3. Walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
4. Walking distance to a ton of great restaurants. Flying Fish....my fav...
5. Cheap Standard room points
6. Walking around crescent lake....early am...so peaceful.
7, Community Hall
Cons...only one is Wish they had a better Counter Service.

BCV.....
1. Walk to Epcot and Studios.
2. Great restaurants nearby.
3. Kids club onsite.

Cons....
1. For me BWV wins over BCV because Stormalong bay is too spread out for me. I don't like the pool area. I don't like that I have to leave pool area to access slide. And points are higher than BWV. IMO a family with a few young children might go crazy trying to keep up with them at stormalong.
2. Wish they had better Counter Service.

BTW.....my next stay will include BCV....DD wants to go back to pool now that she is older....that is what is so great about DVC....they are all great in their own way. You can't go "wrong" anywhere. Just might not be your favorite.

OKW.
1. Largest rooms....1BR....are gigantic.
2. I like the "town" feel near pool area.
3. Fun pool and fast slide....playground near pool.
4. The ability to book Hospitality area.....near everything.
5. Lower points.
6. Community Hall
7. Olivia's
Cons.
1. Don't like Condo style....I like indoor corridors and a smaller resort.
2. Could use a Counter Service with indoor seating.

SSR
1. Great pool area...and slide...zero entry.
2. Good Counter service...although they should move store.
3. Close to DTD to access any resort bus....(I do dinners at other resorts a lot)
4. Adding new pool in Paddock area.....very good move IMO.

Cons
Don't like condo style resort.
Happy planning....Hope this helps
Kerri

Thanks for such a great and detailed report! I am thinking that I am going to love something about each of them....can't wait to call and buy!

As a side note, I am going to WL for the first time in about 14 days . I am looking forward to it and even though it wont' be a villa it will give me a feel for the resort!

 

[calypso726]

We initially bought SSR as that is what they were selling at the time and I do love it there. I have never been disappointed if nothing elese was available. Once we stayed at AKV though I fell in with the place. I feel it is the most unique of the resorts and offers a variety of accommodations. You can stay in a value room when you want to conserve on points, concierge when you want to splurge. AKV is the only DVC resort with a CL level. The points needed for standard view are reasonable. Then there are the Savanna view rooms. I love nothing more than sitting on the balcony, drinking my coffee and watching the giraffes and zebras etc. It makes me feel like I am in another world. Jiko, Sanaa and Boma are all excellent dining options. Only AKV/AKL guests can do the Wanyama Safari which is awesome IMO and to do the Sunrise Safari you have to be staying there CL whch we have also done (liked Wanyama better). There are tons of activities to do right in the resort throughout the day, many of them free, so you don't even have to leave to a park and still have a great time. Simply walking into the lobby at Jambo will take my breath away. Kidani is lovely and the covered parking is so convenient when you have your own vehicle there. Once they added Okapi to the Pembe savanna at Kidani I was in heaven. Okapi are my favorite animal So, clearly, I absolutely love AKV and it by far my favorite.

 

[alldiz]

Thanks for such a great and detailed report! I am thinking that I am going to love something about each of them....can't wait to call and buy!

As a side note, I am going to WL for the first time in about 14 days . I am looking forward to it and even though it wont' be a villa it will give me a feel for the resort!

Your very welcome
You will love WL....after my 1st trip May 2006....I quickly realized how much I love WDW and WL. Within a week of being home booked a holiday trip.
After being there during the decorations.....and realizing how much money I just spent on accomodations that year I bought DVC the next week

Just an FYI....don't know if you have been following the resale thingy....but if you want to buy resale you might want to have that done by march 20th when resale contracts won't be able to book DCL and other things.
If you wanted WLV....I don't think they are selling any new contracts so you would have to do resale.
Happy planning and have a great trip.
Kerri

 

[alldiz]

I do want to be able to try different resorts. I am not a creature of habit and want to be able to branch out. I have 2 family members that are DVC members, but only stay at SSR and haven't tried to get in anywhere else. So I am just wondering if it is really hard to get into other resorts that aren't your "Home". I have stayed at AKL and loved it. It is a vacation within itself, so I will be happy there. However, I want the ability to try other places too and am just scared that we won't have the opportunity. So I am hoping that there are things at all of them that will be appealing depending on where I stay (I think I will like all of them, just over-analyzing before I actually buy).

Unless you have exact dates in mind during peak times most trips. Don't worry you will be able to stay at most place.

In fact a few days ago I was able to change my BLT studio to a 1BR for Easter weekend. Ahem...that was luck

I do call exactly at 7 month mark....for my next spring break trip....I was able to get AKV....could have gotten anything but concierge and value room. In fact AKV is still available for Easter weekend now!

Also booked BCV at 7 month during Aprils busy time. and BLT.

So....if you are able to book exactly at 7 months....ahem...maybe at 9am. You will have plenty of choices. Of course nothing is guaranteed....but this has been my experience.

Don't buy at your least favorite though....you have to be happy to stay where you own.

For me the whole point of DVC is staying at other resorts so it always feels slightly different. BTW a perfect trip for me is a split stay of WLV and BWV
Kerri

Edit....I will be trying at 7 months for BWV during F&W. I will need a studio....time will tell. I'm feeling lucky