What do you like about your home resort the most?

[lpoeppelman]

Just my husband and I are heading to Disney for three nights. We plan to go to a park only 1 day... the rest of the time we are going to each resort to spend some time there and figure out where we want to buy. I know we may not be able to look at a room and that's okay. We've already stayed at a 2-br at BCV... we want to see the layout of the resort and get a feel for the ammendities.

We never have time to look at other places than where we are staying unless we are eating there with the family in tow and even then it is always rushed with no time to really take anything in, so we wanted to take a look at the resorts.

I'm curious why people have chosen their home resort(s) and why? What drew them to it? It can be more than one thing... also curious what you think we should check out at those resorts while we are there.

Thanks!

 

[bwvBound]

We purchased in early 2004. At that time we wanted BWV for the location but purchased Saratoga Springs. The primary draws for Saratoga Springs were the longer contract length (full 50 years from that point) and lower dues. (If you know the history, the fresh 50-year contract was a "new thing" as all other DVC locations were in lock-step with the original property's expiration date.)

Edited to add: We are not emotionally attached to our DVC "Home Resort." In all these years, we've only stayed at Saratoga Springs twice: once when the Treehouse Villas were added and once in a Grand Villa (booked via RCI exchange). To us, "points are points" and we've been very successful using our DVC points at Boardwalk Villas (many times!), Animal Kingdom Lodge Concierge, Grand Californian Hotel and Villas, Aulani, Vero Beach, Old Key West and Wilderness Lodge.

So, rephrasing your question a bit: What do I like best about DVC Points? Flexibility!

 

[Disneypapa]

Bought OKW resale in 2002. Love the atmosphere (laid back), appearance of resort, size of rooms, lower points req'd for stays and maintenance fees are lower than most.

 

[dd08]

Own at AKV

The animals. The theming. In my personal opinion, I like it's theming the best.

The obilgatory downside (for some, not for my family), is that people who don't like to ride the buses, that's your only mode of Disney transportation.

Myself, I think the bus service is great to this resort. But buyer/renter beware as many don't like the buses.

 

[chalee94]

Love the atmosphere (laid back), appearance of resort, size of rooms, lower points req'd for stays and maintenance fees are lower than most.

+1 on all of this.

i do like that the studios have 2 queen beds also.

if you decide to swing by OKW to check things out, i'd recommend breakfast at olivia's. you could park at DTD and take the boat to OKW - olivia's is right there at the dock.

 

[lpoeppelman]

+1 on all of this.

i do like that the studios have 2 queen beds also.

if you decide to swing by OKW to check things out, i'd recommend breakfast at olivia's. you could park at DTD and take the boat to OKW - olivia's is right there at the dock.

Thanks for the suggestion! We will definately do that.

 

[drusba]

We own at two:

1. BWV: boardwalk view, best on site; easy access to Studios and Epcot. Easy access to about two dozen restaurants (the two parks and the Epcot resorts); ESPN club, the ice cream shop, good restaurants at the resort. Downside: bus system with its sharing with S/D and, without warning, sometimes with YC/BC leaves much to be desired.

2. AKV: savanna view, close second to BWV as best view on site, sipping a glass of wine and watching the animals cannot be beat; impressive savanna -like decor; large 1BR and 2BRs at Kidani; three very good restaurants (Sanaa, Jiko, and Boma) and a large counter service restaurant; bus system is one of best on site and makes boardwalk look completely abysmal in comparison; Kidani's parking under the building; downside: God save us from ever again getting a room near the end of the north wing at Kidani, longest walk down an internal hallway from lobby to room that exists in any hotel in the world (and I mean the earth).

 

[bumbershoot]

I've never even been to our home resort.

When we bought we'd never even been to WDW, and had (and have) no intention for using our points at the Grand Californian's villas.

We just wanted IN, so we bought. We're not all that picky (with the exception of that nasty super8 in Medford, OR, LOL) so it didn't really matter where we bought, just THAT we bought.

 

[Havana]

We bought both of our contracts without ever stepping foot in the resorts

BLT - It's the best feeling to stay next to the MK!
and
SSR - we love the community feel. The home away from home without a hotel feeling.

 

[juncker]

We bought SSR resale last year sight unseen. We had been to many Disney properties in the past, and knew that we wanted to buy into DVC.

SSR was right for us due to: 1) price, 2) lower dues, 3) length of contract. A bonus was the ability to book THV at 11 months.

Things I like about SSR.
* Easy to get a room. Our first visit was during Spring break only 2 months out had availability.
* Location to Downtown Disney. Especially nice when we visit the Tequila bar.
* SSR is the only DVC property with 2 major pools.
* Only DVC in DW at a golf course (not sure we will play, but it is nice to see)
* Haven’t visited, but the Spa is rated better than the Grand Floridian
* I think that they have good transportation. Lots of buses and also the boats to DTD.
* Multiple areas give a different feel (Springs, Grandstand, Congress park,...) Everyone has their own favorites.

To be fair, there are a couple of downsides.
* Big! You could be a long way away from the drink refill station (or other area that you want to be near)
* Outdoor entries. I’d prefer to have an inside entry like BCV or BLT.
* Downside of THV is the buses. You need to get on a THV bus to transfer over to the main SSR area before you go to your destination. THV you really need a car.

Make sure you drive through the THVs when you are there. It really is a resort within a resort. We have our first reservations to stay there later this year!

Make sure you think of the big picture when you pick your home resort. AKV might be nice right now because you have kids that like animals, but in 20 years your story may be different (of course the typical response is just to add on points at another resourt). Best of Luck.

 

[wbl2745]

I realize that you're talking about Walt Disney World, but we love the Villas at the Grand Californian at the Disneyland Resort in California. VGC is small, much smaller than the resorts at WDW, which makes it a little more intimate. The decor is in the California Arts and Crafts still which is very warm and inviting. Probably 2/3 of the views are directly into the theme park (Disney's California Adventure). The walk from the VGC to DCA is minutes; to DL is maybe 5 minutes. The restaurants of the GCH are outstanding. The whole environment is just more intimate.

I've been to AKV, which we loved. I fully agree that having a Savana view room is worth it. Good luck with your search at WDW!

 

[CarpeDisney]

We own at AKV as well.

Here's what we love about it:
-Kidani Village - the extra bathroom in 1BR and 2BR villas.
-While some people say the decor in the rooms is "too dark", we find it very relaxing and comfortable.
-The most unique theming of the resorts on property
-As mentioned by others, some believe that the distance from the parks is just too much for them. ....We enjoy "escaping" from the craziness of the parks and returning to a VERY laid back environment at the end of the day.
-Some of the most friendly cast members on property. (when visiting, be sure to take some time to talk to some of them. They will amaze you with their stories)
-LOVE the peace of Savana views at Kidani. There's no better place to sit back and enjoy the silence at Disney while taking in some great scenery.

Be sure to check out both Jambo House and Kidani Village when you're on the property. They each offer very unique experiences (the more hustle and bustle atmosphere of the main lobby in Jambo v. the smaller, quieter environment of Kidani) on the same property.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[melodyka]

We chose the BWV mainly because we love the location & the price was right! We also like that the commitment is for 30 years rather than 50, because while we can vouch for our own desire to vacation in WDW until we are grey, we cannot assume our kids will want to go until they are grey (and likely be responsible for the dues if we pass)

Why we love the Boardwalk location:
-easy access to many restaurants
-beautiful running options around boardwalk/HS/Swan & Dolphin
-nightly campfire & movies at BC
-Beaches & Cream
-walkability to Epcot & HS
-crazy clown pool
-we are from NJ, so the Cape May theming is quite nostalgic to us

good luck with your decision

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

We bought both of our contracts without ever stepping foot in the resorts

BLT - It's the best feeling to stay next to the MK!
and
SSR - we love the community feel. The home away from home without a hotel feeling.

I second this. We love, love, love being next to MK. We truly feel we are part of Disney without even stepping in the park. The freedom to hop on the monorail and visit the other resorts cannot be beat. When we actually do go into the park, at least once each visit, we love the flexibility of walking. Any of the other resorts are easily accessible by bus which we can catch simply by walking over to the bus depot at MK.

You really have to visit the resorts and determine what kind of vacation you are looking for. In our case, we do the quiet country by the lake thing in the summer closer to home. When we go to Disney, we want the hotel feel along with the excitement and hustle and bustle that is part of the Disney experience. Once you figure out what your style is, you will be able to choose the resort that "fits".

 

[ssawka]

Location, Location, Location!

 

[jekjones1558]

We chose the BWV mainly because we love the location & the price was right! We also like that the commitment is for 30 years rather than 50, because while we can vouch for our own desire to vacation in WDW until we are grey, we cannot assume our kids will want to go until they are grey (and likely be responsible for the dues if we pass)

Why we love the Boardwalk location:
-easy access to many restaurants
-beautiful running options around boardwalk/HS/Swan & Dolphin
-nightly campfire & movies at BC
-Beaches & Cream
-walkability to Epcot & HS
-crazy clown pool
-we are from NJ, so the Cape May theming is quite nostalgic to us

good luck with your decision

FYI: BWV now also has nightly campfires and movies, you don't need to walk over to BCV.

 

[Pakey]

We own at BCV. What I like most is the location. Epcot is where we spend most of our time and the convenience can't be beat.

Since I already have 3 contracts, I'm certainly not looking to add anymore but if I did, I'd buy at AKV. This is my favorite resort. Except for location, I love everything else about it.

We've stayed at all but BLT and I actually enjoy each location and I'd never be disappointed to stay at any of them.

 

[melodyka]

FYI: BWV now also has nightly campfires and movies, you don't need to walk over to BCV.

awesome- thank you!

where are they?

 

[DebbieB]

BWV: location and view

 

[jekjones1558]

awesome- thank you!

where are they?

Near the pool.