Wanting to Stay Before Buying In--Your Opinions?

[3Gsandme]

During our Disneyland trip a few weeks ago, DH actually muttered the words that he was considering buying into DVC. This is very good news from my perspective. We're currently in the "due diligence" phase where we're reading up and educating ourselves.

We have two trips on the books for 2016 and I think we should rent DVC points to start trying out the resorts and the service in general to see if we will like it.

I, initially, planned to stay at POR for our March 2016 trip (five nights) and wanted to find DVC resorts that would put us at that price point. I came up with OKW, SSR, BWV and AKL. Which of those would you recommend for a first timer? I think we will probably bring a car to make transportation a little faster and easier since we're going during Spring Break (not by choice). What do you like or dislike about those locations? Anything I should know?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

 

[DisDadDVC]

I think renting points is a great idea. As far as what resort, it is very much a personal preference thing. So, I will give you mine:

1) BWV - great location, recently refurbed rooms. Walk to Epcot/HS.
2) AKV - Love the lobby. Love the animals

I'm not a big fan of SSR and OKW.

 

[spiceycat]

well - if you like POR - then really think you will like OKW or SSR.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Only 3 buildings at OKW have elevators.

 

[disneynutz]

After years of ownership and buying resorts that we really ended up not caring for, I am now a believer that you should buy a resort and use those points to stay at all of the DVC resorts a couple of times. After gaining first hand experience, buy your favorite resorts that you have problems booking at 7 months.

Do you rent or reserve a room through Disney or put the money towards ownership?

Question is do you make a best guess that you will love a resort and buy there or buy SSR and save some money. Do you buy PVB direct now to book your 2016 vacation or buy resale knowing that you may not close in time to stay where you want. If you buy PVB direct do you buy a regular contact or a fixed week?

Bill

 

[DisDadDVC]

After years of ownership and buying resorts that we really ended up not caring for, I am now a believer that you should buy a resort and use those points to stay at all of the DVC resorts a couple of times. After gaining first hand experience, buy your favorite resorts that you have problems booking at 7 months.

Do you rent or reserve a room through Disney or put the money towards ownership?

Question is do you make a best guess that you will love a resort and buy there or buy SSR and save some money. Do you buy PVB direct now to book your 2016 vacation or buy resale knowing that you may not close in time to stay where you want. If you buy PVB direct do you buy a regular contact or a fixed week?

Bill

I agree. People put too much emphasis on "you are going to own this for life". Nonsense. You could buy a loaded SSR contract now via resale, use all the points and sell it in a year if it doesn't work for you. We bought at SSR and found we have many favorite resorts. I love BCV, but we don't HAVE to stay there. If BCV is not available at 7 months, then AKV usually is. I am not a big fan of SSR itself, but I have never been "forced" to stay there. The one time we did, it was by choice just to try it out. I didn't care for what I call the motel feel with the access from outdoors. Plus, it didn't feel very "Disney" to us. It was beautiful though...

 

[bellazachmom]

We own at BCV & BLT, waiting on VGC

We have stayed at all the resorts except VGF and Poly and have things we really like about all of them and a few things that aren't our favorite about most.

One nice thing about OKW is the size of the villas (you didn't mention what type you would be booking) and if you have a vehicle they are great because you can basically park right outside your door.

It is also convenient to DTD without having to drive or bus.

 

[bnk1120]

I have stayed at all the DVC resorts except the Poly. Something to love about each one! With that said, SSR would be my first choice to book. I own at VWL, but really love SSR. The pools, relaxing atmosphere and proximity to DTD are just some of the reasons I keep going back there. Besides, no matter where you buy you might find yourself booking a last minute trip with the only availability at SSR.
At least you'll know if you'd be happy there.

BWV would be my 2nd choice. Great location and access to restaurants. My family also loves getting pizza and ice cream on the Boardwalk, which makes it a favorite. Some people complain about the long hallways- not a big deal to me. The bus situation isn't the greatest here since busses are shared. Getting to DTD and back can be a real pain, but you said you would have a car. I've heard that parking is a pain. No personal experience there.

AKL- I've stayed at Jambo and Kidani. Jambo was just too loud and busy for me. Stayed in a 2 bedroom savannah view at Kidani and that was amazing! Very quiet. Amazing pool. We had a car and used the busses. Long ride to MK.

 

[Minniesgal]

We own at AKV, GCV, GFV

I would advise starting at one of the older resorts BWV/BCV/VWL/OKW first before AKV.

We feel we made a mistake, our first stay was AKV Kidani village, massive 2 bedroom all new and shiny, three bathrooms. Our next stay was BLT 2 bedroom all new and shiny 3 bathroom and absolutely massive. Our next stay is VGF.

We stayed once recently at OKW and it felt really old and tired. We also wanted to stay 4 nights at BCV our next trip but compared to AKV/BLT/VGF the rooms seem old and drab and small. I keep looking onn youtube but can't quite give up my beautiful kidani room for BCV rooms.

We feel like we did it the wrong way around and spoiled ourselves for the classic resorts by staying at the newer resorts first where there is more space and everything is shiny new.

 

[crisi]

It looks like you are doing the standard view calculation for BWV. Those rooms book very quickly and you are already past the eleven month point for a March 2016 trip. Some nights in March are already gone. I'd take it out of your planning.

 

[tjkraz]

1-2 DVC resort stays is probably sensible. If you have a long trip planned, consider a split stay so you can sample two properties. Or make some effort to visit multiple DVC properties to at least get a feel for the grounds and accommodations.

Anything more than that is probably overkill. If you end up buying, you'll regret the amount of money you put into one-time rentals which could have gone toward your purchase.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Great idea! If we'd done that, we would have probably saved ourselves lots of money. We toured VWL and, having stayed at WL, determined that was where we wanted to buy. Then our first stay was a split stay between VWL and OKW, which we'd driven through and decided that resort was definitely not for us. When that was the only resort available for our dates, we were disappointed. However, after one stay, DH decided OKW was his favorite resort-"I want to stay here all the time" and although we'd liked WL, VWL wasn't for us. DH insisted we do the "sell/buy" so he could be an OKW owner. So I'm now a BIG proponent of the idea of staying there first. That's why, although we've added on at 2 other DVC resorts, both times it's been after a stay there, not before.

 

[3Gsandme]

Thanks so much for the great insight and information! I didn't think about BWV being small and booking up quickly. Thank you for pointing out that only three OKW buildings have elevators. Dragging heavy suitcases up stairs isn't much fun, but it might not be a deal breaker.

I don't think we'll do a split stay for either of our 2016 trips. First, our March trip isn't going to be very long and with the crowds I'm expecting, taking time out to switch resorts seems a waste. I have to pack us all up, get us all out of the old room and into the new room in a timely manner. In November, we're going with DN and MIL so doing that x7 seems even less fun. Visually, I'm more drawn to AKL in this group. Does it have good availability at 7 months?

Also, great tip about it not really being forever. That takes a lot of the pressure off. If we aren't happy with where we purchase, we can sell and buy into a new resort.