What DVC resort do you NOT like?

[Cruelladeville]

I love OKW--I went out and bought two OKW contracts this year, because I fell in love with it! My other favorite is BWV. I do NOT like BCV, VB due to the pool chair issue which is explored on another thread.

I don't understand the walking issue mentioned by some people as a reason for not liking a resort. How do you get around the theme parks--by jet? Why would someone go to WDW if they didn't expect to walk??

 

[Beach_Bound9]

OKW is an old age home

I guess the order I would have from best to least favorite is:

BCV
VB
BWV
WLV tied with HH
New Contemporary (to be announced soon)
SSR
OKW

 

[Disney Doll]

Haven't been to HH, but have visited and/or stayed in all the rest, and each has their own special charm.

I can't say there's one that I don't like.

 

[arminnie]

Well I haven't stayed at BWV, but I absolutely detested BWI. I stayed there about three months after it opened, and the entire stay was just a disaster.

I realize that was many years ago, but I still have negative feelings about the resort because of that visit. It is the only time in my many, many visits to WDW that I have consistently received poor service. Check-in and valet service took hours literally. Room service forgot to bring utensils, and after many phone calls I just gave up and ate my cold food by hand (after waiting 1 1/2 hours for the food to arrive). I'm still waiting for the utensils - never showed.

The staff (back then) was totally untrained, and I even came across two in the lobby who were having a shouting match screaming obscenities at each other. I couldn't believe that I was at a Disney Resort and all of this was happening.

It was on that visit that I first visited DVC - I came to the conclusion that I did not want to own there and didn't buy at DVC until two years ago. I changed my mind about DVC because of these boards. There was still some OKW availability when I first looked at BWV, but the guide was also terrible and just sort of mentioned that maybe I could go check it out. No transportation, no directions, etc. I was still pretty much of a novice and couldn't quite figure out where OKW was so I never went to see OKW.

As for OKW being a retirement home - I am old. Not everyone on these boards or who visits Disney is young. As I get older I realize how intolerant younger people can be of those of us that are "more mature." I am sure that I was just as bad in my youth, so I guess what goes around comes around, but it is hurtful to know that people don't want to be around you because of your age.

 

[dianeschlicht]

(snip)
As for OKW being a retirement home - I am old. Not everyone on these boards or who visits Disney is young. As I get older I realize how intolerant younger people can be of those of us that are "more mature." I am sure that I was just as bad in my youth, so I guess what goes around comes around, but it is hurtful to know that people don't want to be around you because of your age.

ITA! Come one folks...Keep your attitudes about those of us who are more mature out of this comparison of resorts. OKW always has been and always will be my favorite, and I would never bash you "kids" for wanting to stay there.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

ITA! Come one folks...Keep your attitudes about those of us who are more mature out of this comparison of resorts. OKW always has been and always will be my favorite, and I would never bash you "kids" for wanting to stay there.

I don't think of myself as middle aged yet, but its definitely smiling and winking at me in the mirror every morning. I live on a block where almost everyone is an original owner when the neighborhood was built 30 years ago...and they were all near retirement then. I've never stayed at OKW, but if they all acted like my neighbors I think that would be a great place to stay. I do have a question. In my neighborhood everyone is in bed by 9 so that they can get up at 4:30 to clean the kitchen floor. Is there a lot of lights on at OKW at 5am?

 

[MiaSRN62]

OKW is because we feel like we are stuck at a retirement home.

Well IF this is true (which it ain't !!! ), then BRING it on ! We love OKW. We chose to purchase there in our mid 30's with young kids. I don't think my kids would love it there so much if there weren't something special about it. There's a thread on the Orlando resorts board and someone mentioned how they felt they got such a different experience staying at OKW after years of staying offsite. I own an offsite timeshare as well, and it's true......OKW is so totally a disney feel when compared to offsite locations. It's why we chose to buy there.

But, if some of you would rather refer to it as an "old age home" , then let me grab my rocker and soak in the rays at OKW !

I love the larger villas.......sitting on my oversized balcony in the evening and watching Illuminations....kids feeding the ducks and swans and trying to catch the little lizards and frogs......love the mickey head silouhettes on the fence.....the marina....the boat ride to DD.....Olivia's with all the pictures of DVC Members on it's walls......the calypso and Jimmy Buffet music and all. I can just leave my worries behind and fall into the magic of this resort. If this is an old age home, then sign me up when I retire

As for my least fav. It's tough for me to rate them. Other than OKW,we've only stayed at BWV, VWL and Vero. If I had to pick one that was my least fav (though we enjoy them all), it would most likely be BWV. Maybe we just didn't have a good experience there. CM's weren't the nicest, room was about as far as you could get from the elevator (had about a 60 sec walk from our OKW room to the lobby last year), our view from our room for preferred points was primarily the valet parking lot. Would I give BWV another chance---yep, but not before I tried out some stays at SSR or BCV since we've never been there. We have plenty of years left for that though......love my DVC.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I do have a question. In my neighborhood everyone is in bed by 9 so that they can get up at 4:30 to clean the kitchen floor. Is there a lot of lights on at OKW at 5am?

I don't know, but maybe this is why the golf course is being mowed at 5:00 in the morning. They figure "It's OLD Key West, everyone will be up anyways."

 

[dsneygirl]

I don't understand the walking issue mentioned by some people as a reason for not liking a resort. How do you get around the theme parks--by jet? Why would someone go to WDW if they didn't expect to walk??

I was wondering about this too. For us walking is all part of the trip and allows more time to soak up the atmosphere. DH and I are in ROFR right now on our resale at VWL but many of the reasons people posted they don't like it is why we love it and chose to buy there.

As a Non DVC member I've stayed at BW and BC loved them both and we are looking forward to trying SSR and OKW.

I think that's probably why the DVC is so successfu there really is something for everyone's tastes.

 

[mamatojon]

I just wanted to apologize, I'm one of the people who said (or agreed with anyway) the statement that OKW looked like a retirement home. I truly didn't mean to offend. I really shouldn't have said anything, I hate thinking I've hurt someone's feelings! Sorry.

 

[patsal]

I'm a thirty something with kids and we all love OKW--my biggest DVC regret was letting my guide talk me out of a 100 point add on at OKW in favor of BCV. I have never stayed at HH, VB or BWV (I just don't see the appeal here, but I will give it a try sometime). IF SSR is set up similiar to OKW but higher points and smaller rooms, I figure why bother. Favorite to least favorite, I'd have to say:
1. OKW
2. VWL
3. BCV (but if I tried others I'm not discounting this would be moved down)

 

[tjkraz]

I don't understand the walking issue mentioned by some people as a reason for not liking a resort. How do you get around the theme parks--by jet? Why would someone go to WDW if they didn't expect to walk??

Let's say you walk between BWV and Epcot in the morning (approx 10-15 min each way) and BWV and MGM in the evening (approx 15-20 min each way.) That's easily an hour per day of largely non-productive locomotion. (Non-productive as in it doesn't directly impact your ability to get to any attractions, restaurants or other worthwhile destination.)

Is there a lot of walking at WDW? Of course. But why pile on another hour of unnecessary exertion. Yes, there is the "stop and smell the roses" factor, but after a week of doing it with 70 pounds of toddler on the front of the stroller, it gets old. I much prefer the 2 min walk to a bus stop followed by 15 sitting on my butt. And, frankly, the kids think a bus ride is just as much fun as any other mode of transportation--they don't immediately wrinkle their noses as many adults do.

I'm sure there are many who prefer to walk, and I completely understand that. There are times I do prefer to walk. But as long as our children are stroller-aged, folding that stroller and climbing onto a bus is preferrable to the alternative workout.

To each their own...

 

[dianeschlicht]

Let's say you walk between BWV and Epcot in the morning (approx 10-15 min each way) and BWV and MGM in the evening (approx 15-20 min each way.) That's easily an hour per day of largely non-productive locomotion. (Non-productive as in it doesn't directly impact your ability to get to any attractions, restaurants or other worthwhile destination.)

Is there a lot of walking at WDW? Of course. But why pile on another hour of unnecessary exertion. Yes, there is the "stop and smell the roses" factor, but after a week of doing it with 70 pounds of toddler on the front of the stroller, it gets old. I much prefer the 2 min walk to a bus stop followed by 15 sitting on my butt. And, frankly, the kids think a bus ride is just as much fun as any other mode of transportation--they don't immediately wrinkle their noses as many adults do.

I'm sure there are many who prefer to walk, and I completely understand that. There are times I do prefer to walk. But as long as our children are stroller-aged, folding that stroller and climbing onto a bus is preferrable to the alternative workout.

To each their own...

Good points, and I totally agree. When you get to be my age, any chance we can sit is greatly appreciated!

 

[erikthewise]

I much prefer the 2 min walk to a bus stop followed by 15 sitting on my butt.

And don't forget the bus ride that comes after that!

And, frankly, the kids think a bus ride is just as much fun as any other mode of transportation--they don't immediately wrinkle their noses as many adults do.

Agreed. Though generally speaking 10-year olds don't like having to sit on their father's lap because they are trying to cram as many people onto the bus as possible, and even still leaving behind half of those waiting. But that's just our bad experience.

Actually I wish the Epcot resorts DID have bus service to both Epcot and MGM. I am as avid a walker as any, but there are many times when walking is not a good choice.

 

[kathleena]

LOL, that depends on which room you are in. You could be a LONG hall away from the lobby at BWV and just a few steps from a bus stop to get to HH at OKW or SSR. (please take this in the manner in which it was intended...tongue in cheek.)

I did - and the same is true for BWV - totally depends on which room you are in. The long hallway is only for the rooms further away. Some rooms are very close to the lobby.

So you could be in the room next to the lobby at BWV or in the furthest building from HH at OKW.

 

[DisneyPhD]

To each his own. It apears some people favorite, is other least. I like them all however the one time we stayed at OKW we didn't get a very nice room or location and all the outside walking wasn't for us with a young child (and it was aug, we didn't have a car, all in all not a good combo). I do however like the themeing of the resort and the feel of it. I would stay there again, but there are so many others I would choose 1st.

Personally I like BCV the very best (I noticed for many people it was their least favorite, good for me since I actually own at VWL)

VB 2nd,

WVL 3d

BW 4th (haven't stayed here yet, but like the location and themeing.)

OWK last

Never saw SSR (we keep getting AP and never get over to DTD anymore.) But I might stay there. I am concerned what I don't like about OWK will be the same at SSR.)

Never been to HH, but I LOVE VB, so if it is close to it I am sure I would like it also. I like how VB is right on the ocean, much nicer with young kids.

 

[colleen costello]

Curious... Are the "retirement home" comments due to old people or the layout of the resort? Having never really visited a retirement home, I am wondering. When we have visited OKW it has been full of families... There are always tons of kids at the pools and we pass families coming and going from the buildings, and we talk to familes on the buses. I am trying to recall "old folks" anywhere at OKW and all I can remember is once we met a nice couple of ladies eating at Olivia's. They were mother and daughter and the older one seemed 90... There are also some sweet older ladies who work at the gift shop... But other than these folks, most I meet at OKW are younger people. We travel in March and summertime... Maybe all the old-timers are laying low and I'd see them in January?

Since we are generalizing, one of the things I DISLIKE about BCV is the crowd there. Perhaps because it is attached to an upscale resort, I think it is a little formal. I never worry about what I am wearing at OKW!

 

[MiaSRN62]

So you could be in the room next to the lobby at BWV or in the furthest building from HH at OKW.

True ! But I experienced the exact opposite the last time I visited these two resorts

at OKW we didn't get a very nice room or location and all the outside walking wasn't for us with a young child (and it was aug, we didn't have a car, all in all not a good combo).

I can totally understand how not getting a nice room or location can be a downer sometimes. This happened to us at BWV. It can give one a slanted view of a resort. But all due respect DisneyPhD....not sure why walking from the room to the nearby bus stop at OKW is such a negative. People walk to Epcot all the time from BWV/BCV (and MGM) and it's a much longer walk than to any one bus stop at OKW. My last 2-3 stays at OKW I was not more than 60-90 seconds away from the bus stop. Contrary to popular belief, one really doesn't need a car at OKW any more than they do at any other WDW resort ? It's just nice if you do because you can park so close to your room. The busses run great. I stayed at POP Century resort this past Feb and had a room out near the Hourglass lake there. Now that is a walk to the bus stop ! People tout BWV/BCV as being within walking distance to everything, yet it's a negative drawback when they have to walk at OKW or SSR. And then you pile on all the walking you do in the parks---I guess I just don't get it. Honestly, I respect everyone's opinion, just don't quite get this way of thinking I suppose. But as you stated, "to each his own". As long as everyone's happy with what they got !

Curious... Are the "retirement home" comments due to old people or the layout of the resort? Having never really visited a retirement home, I am wondering. When we have visited OKW it has been full of families... There are always tons of kids at the pools and we pass families coming and going from the buildings, and we talk to familes on the buses.

I know ! My kids have always been able to make friends easily there with the other kids ! I don't get the retirement home comments either

 

[Beach_Bound9]

I just wanted to apologize, I'm one of the people who said (or agreed with anyway) the statement that OKW looked like a retirement home. I truly didn't mean to offend. I really shouldn't have said anything, I hate thinking I've hurt someone's feelings! Sorry.

Very nice, hats off to you.

Personally, I really didn't see it as any reference to more mature owners, just a joke about the resort. But I have no desire to offend anyone because of the impression about thier age. Thing is, some of my very mature friends make those kinds of jokes about nursing homes, walkers, assistive devices, etc. far more than I would ever dream to, still no wish to offend anyone re: age.

Only intention is to identify those with inferior resort selection skills......

Ahhhhh come on...... just kidding....... I hope OKW owners absolutely love thier home resort, why shouldn't they....... I wouldn't want anyone to not be completely happy with thier purchase, especially one this large.......

 

[DVCconvert]

Why ask the question in the negative to begin with? Is the question I'd be interested in knowing. Why not post a poll -- what's your favorite DVC resort?...then make your choices based off that???