WDW resorts a potential DVC buyer should visit (If they cannot stay)?

[MBTigger]

We are renting a Kidani Village 1BR in January to celebrate our eldest's HS graduation. There has been some discussion about the potential for DVC if we decide we like our experience.

With 5 or 6 days in our schedule we could take a bit of extra time and visit another couple resorts. I was thinking of visiting SSR as it is the cheapest price point and to see how much I liked it there. Also I could visit there right before a meal at Disney Springs so it would not be much out of my way...

What other resorts might you consider just looking at for a couple hours to get the feel of while I am there?

MB

 

[tjkraz]

BoardWalk and Beach Club are pretty easy to access from Epcot's International Gateway. BoardWalk even has a model room open during daytime hours. It's located just off the boardwalk near Big River Grill.

Also the Magic Kingdom resorts are accessible from MK via foot, monorail or boat. Not much to see at Bay Lake Tower since most services are located at the contemporary, and building access is often restricted to guests only.

 

[CraigInPA]

If you're going to visit BLT from MK, ask a CM to point out the walking path to the resort. It's MUCH faster to walk there than to take the monorail, and one of the biggest selling features of BLT. Once at BLT, there isn't much to see inside the actual tower, but you can see the resort amenities outside, and those shared with the Contemporary inside the Contemporary itself. Hop on the monorail there to go to the Poly. Hop back on the monorail to get to GF (you can actually walk it, but it's kind of far).

Old Key West is also easily visit-able from Disney Springs, just a short boat ride.

 

[crvetter]

Also CCV last I knew still had a model room setup that they toured daily and you can boat over from MK. Whispering Canyon or Artist Point could be worthwhile reasons to escape over there. If 2042 expiration doesn't matter for you BRV (just next door, 2 min walk, from CCV and the main WL building) is very affordable resale and is due for a complete rehab in 2021.

 

[Marionnette]

We are renting a Kidani Village 1BR in January to celebrate our eldest's HS graduation. There has been some discussion about the potential for DVC if we decide we like our experience.

With 5 or 6 days in our schedule we could take a bit of extra time and visit another couple resorts. I was thinking of visiting SSR as it is the cheapest price point and to see how much I liked it there. Also I could visit there right before a meal at Disney Springs so it would not be much out of my way...

What other resorts might you consider just looking at for a couple hours to get the feel of while I am there?

MB

TBH, there’s a huge difference between visiting a resort and getting a feel for it by staying there.

I find SSR to be charming and it’s proximity to DS is a plus. But I did not enjoy my stays there (once in the Congress Park section and once in the Treehouse Villas). The resort is just too big, too spread out and too remote from the parks. Just visiting would not have been enough to expose those negatives for me.

BLT is wonderful for the ability to walk to MK. The studio kitchenette is probably one of the best among DVC WDW properties. But those studios are tiny and I felt the bathroom was extremely cramped. You wouldn’t know that by visiting.

BCV and BWV are convenient to both Epcot and HS. But BCV villas have lackluster views and BWV standard views can be located very close to the luggage handling area (very noisy most of the day). Both resorts deal with parking issues throughout the year.

I could comment on each of the WDW resorts, having stayed at each. They all have their drawbacks as well as their positives. My point being, you really have to stay at the resort in order to really know if you want to purchase there.

 

[sleepydog25]

Your idea to visit a few resorts is a great one. While Marionnette is correct in saying there's a difference between visiting and staying at a resort, at least by visiting you'll have a sense of what to expect, and in some cases, the very theming (or lack of) could make a difference in your choice. Also, keep in mind that doing a ton of research into DVC is also a good notion: direct vs. resale, length of contracts, Use Year, dues, availability during various times of year, et. al., are just a few of the intricacies to mull over before you jump in the pool, so to speak. With that in mind, here are a few thoughts regarding your initial question.
SSR - Definitely a good one to visit. While the convenience to Disney Springs is wonderful, many do not like the sprawling feel of it nor the theme. Also, you can arrange to look at a model of Copper Creek while you're there as they have models. I believe they should also have the new Riviera as a model, too. . .and you can get free ice cream and perhaps a few FPs.
BWV/BCV - These two are close to each other so you can check out both. What I'm about to say is heresy, but for me, the two resorts are darn near interchangeable. I prefer BCV due to the pool. BWV used to have a model room you could tour, but I'm not sure it's open anymore.
BLT - Due to its proximity to MK, you'll definitely want to take a look here. Further, it has a sleeker, more modern appearance than the other resorts, and some don't like that vibe at all.

As for the other resorts, here's why I didn't choose them.
VGF - Very nice, very upscale, but very expensive to purchase, and the point charts are among the most onerous.
OKW - The largest rooms on property, but it's somewhat similar theming to SSR, and you can't walk to Disney Springs.
BRV - My home resort (though I will always call it VWL), and while I love it, Copper Creek is newer, and all the amenities at the resort are the same for both DVC properties. So, if you tour a model of Copper Creek, though they look different than VWL rooms, you would get a longer contract.
Poly - The lack of 1BRs makes this a no go for us. You either have studios available or very expensive bungalows. I wouldn't prefer to own at a resort that doesn't have 1BRs since we appreciate that extra space.
AKL - Well, you'll already be there. FWIW, that resort was designed by Peter Dominick who was also the architect for the Wilderness Lodge, so they share some similarities in scope and the wow factor.

Have fun!

 

[Simba's Mom]

TBH, there’s a huge difference between visiting a resort and getting a feel for it by staying there.

Boy, I couldn't agree with this more! We visited the Wilderness Lodge Villas (I think they're called Boulder Ridge now) for a couple hours, back when we bought in 2002. Loved it, so we bought there. First stay-didn't like the experience AT ALL. Only time I've written a letter of complaint. We'd gotten a special rate earlier to stay at OKW, drove through there and decided we were glad we hadn't taken it. Then, shortly after we joined DVC, we had an extra day on one trip and the only available resort was OKW. Rats! But after one night, DH got up the next morning and announced that OKW was now the only resort he ever wanted to stay at at WDW. So you definitely need to stay at a resort to get the real feel.

 

[MickyLynn]

Prioritize where you think you might buy, but add 2 or 3 maybes.
We knew we wanted to see Poly. We knew OKW was financially a great deal. DVC owners we knew all recommended BWV as a good location for parks, but we weren't crazy about the theme. Then we visited it and loved it. I thought BLT was totally the way to go- but visiting the Contemporary from the monorail was enough for us. One look at the lobby and we were over it.
It can surprise you, so go to as many as you can. Some just do not feel like a vacation, and you'll know as soon as you walk in.

 

[sleepydog25]

Boy, I couldn't agree with this more! We visited the Wilderness Lodge Villas (I think they're called Boulder Ridge now) for a couple hours, back when we bought in 2002. Loved it, so we bought there. First stay-didn't like the experience AT ALL. Only time I've written a letter of complaint. We'd gotten a special rate earlier to stay at OKW, drove through there and decided we were glad we hadn't taken it. Then, shortly after we joined DVC, we had an extra day on one trip and the only available resort was OKW. Rats! But after one night, DH got up the next morning and announced that OKW was now the only resort he ever wanted to stay at at WDW. So you definitely need to stay at a resort to get the real feel.

Prioritize where you think you might buy, but add 2 or 3 maybes.
We knew we wanted to see Poly. We knew OKW was financially a great deal. DVC owners we knew all recommended BWV as a good location for parks, but we weren't crazy about the theme. Then we visited it and loved it. I thought BLT was totally the way to go- but visiting the Contemporary from the monorail was enough for us. One look at the lobby and we were over it.
It can surprise you, so go to as many as you can. Some just do not feel like a vacation, and you'll know as soon as you walk in.

Moral to the story: As humanly possible, make sure if you buy into DVC, it's a resort you'll enjoy staying at if nothing else is available. It has gotten more difficult to book outside your home resort at 11 months and, in some cases, nearly impossible to book some resorts at 7 months, e.g., CCV or VWL (BRV) during the holidays. If you buy into a resort merely because it's cheap, you may not find you think it's such a good deal when you're forced to stay there trip after trip. The short version of this you will see oft-repeated--buy where you want to stay.

 

[dez1978]

Prioritize where you think you might buy, but add 2 or 3 maybes.
We knew we wanted to see Poly. We knew OKW was financially a great deal. DVC owners we knew all recommended BWV as a good location for parks, but we weren't crazy about the theme. Then we visited it and loved it. I thought BLT was totally the way to go- but visiting the Contemporary from the monorail was enough for us. One look at the lobby and we were over it.
It can surprise you, so go to as many as you can. Some just do not feel like a vacation, and you'll know as soon as you walk in.

We have dinner reservations at Whispering Canyon. Does Boulder Creek have a model to visit, or are the cooper creek ones similar? I'm interested in BRV bc of the 5th sleeper

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Does Boulder Creek have a model to visit, or are the cooper creek ones similar?

No model to visit. CCV is NOT similar, at all, in layout or design.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We have dinner reservations at Whispering Canyon. Does Boulder Creek have a model to visit, or are the cooper creek ones similar? I'm interested in BRV bc of the 5th sleeper

No, the rooms are very different. CCV was created from existing WL hotel rooms and are smaller than BRV rooms. The theme used in them is modern/industrial rustic. BRV has a different layout in the villas and very different decor. They are scheduled for a full refurb in a couple of years so it's hard to say what they will look like after that but the general layout should remain unchanged. You could ask to see if one is open that you could look at.

 

[dez1978]

No, the rooms are very different. CCV was created from existing WL hotel rooms and are smaller than BRV rooms. The theme used in them is modern/industrial rustic. BRV has a different layout in the villas and very different decor. They are scheduled for a full refurb in a couple of years so it's hard to say what they will look like after that but the general layout should remain unchanged. You could ask to see if one is open that you could look at.

I might do that. We are staying at Poly, so I'll get a feel for that. BRV was the only other one I'm seriously interested in just from looking at the rooms, resort pics etc.

 

[crvetter]

We have dinner reservations at Whispering Canyon. Does Boulder Creek have a model to visit, or are the cooper creek ones similar? I'm interested in BRV bc of the 5th sleeper

If you talk to the gentleman that sits in the lobby at BRV and ask to see a room he was more than willing to see if a room was open/being cleaned for me to take a look at. I forget his name but he is there often and was more than willing to do it for me. Though I was more gauging the upkeep of the rooms as I was interested in CCV so I wanted to see an older room for its quality.

Though it will be quite different on the inside after the rehab is my guess, much nicer. The SSR rehab looks so much better.

 

[sleepydog25]

As others have said, there is no model to visit for BRV. However, you can ask at the front desk in the main Lodge if one would be available to take a quick peek at. There used to be a concierge-type CM in the lobby at BRV; however, he left for another resort a couple of months ago though he may have been replaced since. If there's a room available and the desk CM is particularly nice, they might sneak you into a room. We've asked and been granted a quick look before.

 

[crisi]

I would really recommend figuring out where each resort you are interested is in relation to parks. i.e. if you've never walked back through the International Gateway at Epcot, do so (we hadn't before we bought BWV). If you are interested in BRV/CCR, make sure to take the launch from the MK. If VAKL is your cup of tea, take the bus over there from a park. Over time that will be a bigger deal to you than the feel of the lobby.

The other thing to check out is the food options. Each resort will have a little store - but staying at Kidani means no quickservice at all - its either Saana or the pool bar. Boardwalks restaurants are a walk outside - except for the lounge. SSR is a hike to the main building from some of the units, etc. Especially if you will be staying in studios - your ability to grab food can make or break your resort experience - and DVC resorts are often weak on the ability to grab food and move in the morning or over lunch.

 

[suemom2kay]

a
We have dinner reservations at Whispering Canyon. Does Boulder Creek have a model to visit, or are the cooper creek ones similar? I'm interested in BRV bc of the 5th sleeper

Youtube is a great source to look at rooms at BRV.