What home resort(s) do you own and why?

[DenLo]

We bought where we wanted to stay, so we could have the 11 month mark advantage to give us the security of getting a reservation when we want one.

BLT - Because we love high rise living as well as the proximity to MK
AKV - Because we thought it was fabulous after staying at AKL before we purchased DVC
Aulani - Because Disney and Hawaii was a perfect match for us.

 

[Dean]

I'm not sure why you quoted my post with your comment. I think it's pretty common advice to buy where you want to stay. I liked to stay close to a park (had 10+ visits to WDW/DL) - which is also why I didn't enter the DVC world until BLT and VGC came along (I long ago understood the value/savings, but didn't want to stay where DVC was).

I bought at 4 resorts because I like the location of them and I like controlling where I stay. I'm perfectly happy with my decision process, thanks.

The reason I quoted your post is that you basically stated your choices ended up being different than you thought they would be when you joined and I think that's true of most people who buy and don't have significant and varied on property experience. Now some will luck out and end up being what they will prefer but for those who don't have the experience, it will be luck more than anything else.

 

[Snurk71]

The reason I quoted your post is that you basically stated your choices ended up being different than you thought they would be when you joined and I think that's true of most people who buy and don't have significant and varied on property experience. Now some will luck out and end up being what they will prefer but for those who don't have the experience, it will be luck more than anything else.

No, my criteria didn't change. It stayed location, location, location. The only thing that changed was I started to like epcot more than I used to - so I wanted a home priority resort there too. Epcot changed (for the better imo), I didn't really.

I haven't sold a single contact, and still enjoy all of my home resorts.

 

[Dean]

No, my criteria didn't change. It stayed location, location, location. The only thing that changed was I started to like epcot more than I used to - so I wanted a home priority resort there too. Epcot changed (for the better imo), I didn't really.

I haven't sold a single contact, and still enjoy all of my home resorts.

But your choices changed. If I'm reading you correctly you went in thinking you'd want one resort and later decided that your preferences were different, to stay at different resorts over time. Buying multiple home resorts is one way to do this but it's not practical for most members. To a degree that may happen with all of us over time.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

I bought a majority of my points at BLT in 2009. I was 30 at the time and liked the longer expiration. I also like the more minimal design the resort has. The ability to walk to MK is great too. We added a 50pt BWV contract for our adults only F&W trips....the std view rates are sweet deal and we are 5/5 for getting a studio the last few years.

If BWV was the same contract duration as BLT I would have bought there, but I've been extremely happy with my purchases and wouldn't do anything different.

 

[disneynutz]

Playing the Disney game is stressful enough, knowing when to book, order MB's trying to get your ADR's, when to go, fast passes, crowd levels, transportation, paying dues, buying admission media, looking for discounts, and much more.

This is suppose to be a vacation!

Anything that I can do to to improve the vacation and reduce the work and stress is worth it to me. Buying DVC where we love to stay guarantees our home.

We read plenty of input from other owners on which resort to buy but we found out that staying at the resorts ourselves gave us a a different perspective. We bought BLT before staying there, thought that we would love it, we don't. BLT is our next property to get removed from our holdings.

Bill

 

[Chrisvee]

My first contract and largest number of points is at BWV because of F&W and F&G. I love that location.

Now I'm increasing points by 50% for an additional vacation each year but adding at OKW and SSR for affordability. I can either stay there happily or at 7 months hop to another resort based on what's generally available during that timeframe.

 

[Canadian Disney Mom]

We own at SSR. I bought direct in 2005 and at the time I think it was the only option? I really do not remember We bought more SSR points through resale a few years ago because we wanted the same resort and UY that we already have and have never had an issue using our points at other resorts so did not see a flexibility issue.

 

[mel&me]

Own at SSR. Bought thru disney it was what they were selling at the time.

 

[tigger0017]

Just purchased our first resale contract at BWV. We chose it because of the proximity to Epcot and the overall theme of the resort. Our first stay there will be next spring, but we do plan on staying at the other DVC resorts in the future.

We did the same. Everyone raves about BWV. So we said what the heck. Best of luck to you.

 

[PlutoFan10]

BLT for priority booking at a resort in walking distance to MK. Extra bathroom in the 1BR and 2BR was an extra plus.

BCV -- we love the crescent lake resort area. Had stayed at BWV several dimes but when it came time to buy, we chose BCV over BWV because it was smaller and therefore would be harder to book at 7 months, if we wanted to try it sometimes. Once we had our first BCV stay, we haven't stayed back at BWV. We still venture over to the BW area for restaurants, but LOVE BCV including the even shorter walk to Epcot, Stormalong Bay, and convenient parking when we have a car.

 

[squirrel4569]

Bought at AKV sight unseen due to price, looks and the point per night cost. We've stayed there twice since we bought it and absolutely love it. It's peaceful and we love the animal views throughout the resort. Bought it resale and paid less than half what DVC was offering direct.

In the process of buying at BLT. We decided to visit on NYE weekend this past year and had to stay off site on NYE. We went to MK that day and stayed until the fireworks were done and when it was time to get back to our car we opted to walk over to the Contemporary to get the monorail since the crowds were less there than at the park. When we got there I said "If we had booked here we'd already be back to our room." I had stayed at the Contemporary before (main tower, not BLT) and enjoyed the resort and the access and the views. We want to do NYE again so having 11 month priority booking for that is a must. We're also Flower and Garden fans so having monorail access to Epcot is nice too. Probably will do adults only trips for Food and Wine too and would stay there.

 

[disneynutz]

But your choices changed. If I'm reading you correctly you went in thinking you'd want one resort and later decided that your preferences were different, to stay at different resorts over time. Buying multiple home resorts is one way to do this but it's not practical for most members. To a degree that may happen with all of us over time.

I agree, even with the best planning, things change. Until you have had a chance to stay at the different resorts, how can you decide which is your favorite and can you book it at 7 months?

We went through a pixie-dust period where we liked and wanted several resorts. Now we are selling more of our contracts and eventually we will have just 3 home resorts and fewer contracts to manage.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

BWV we bought in 2003 because it was my mother's favorite resort and we were going to celebrate her 85th birthday there in 2004. We had a 2 bedroom and 3 studios for the celebration for 4 nights. Loved the standard view point charges.

VWL will always be my DH's favorite. Had a 4 generation stay there in 2006. That was Mom's favorite trip, everyone was there, including her 3 great grandchildren!

VB love the Atlantic side of FL. Cheapest way to stay Oceanside. Have had multiple Beach Cottage stays, but love Ocean View Inn rooms too!

BCV we stay here mainly for Flower and Garden stays. I love SAB, and so did our grandchildren when they were able to swim. The family has been devastated with chronic diseases, primarily Lyme Disease.

AKV because of value, concierge and savannah views. Just came back on Friday, 5 nights in a 2 bedroom value, 125 points! Loved our location, a pool view, very convenient to pool, Mara and bus!

BLT that we use primarily for 3,4 of July and 30,31 of December. This year only 30th. We want to go to DHS for NYE, we got OKW at 7 months for the rest of the stay.

SSR to use at 7 months primarily, but we did do THVs stays. Was turned off when the points were raised.

HHI because we really fell in love with the resort. We love May and July. It's on the way to FL for us once we move to NJ.

VGF, because of Christmas. We probably will add on here once we sell something else, but as long as we can stay there for a few nights between Thanksgiving and Christmas, every 2 years, we're OK. We have 4 nights in a standard view studio this year.

We have stayed in every DVC resort. We like the resorts we have and since 2003, we have used the DVC vacation club with many family and friends. It brings wonderful, happy experiences to our life. In February we have an RCI exchange on Maui, followed by a week in a 2 bedroom in Aulani with friends. We are retired, and also cruise and enjoy National Parks. We want to travel as much as we can, while we can. Mom travelled to WDW until she was 88, 3 trips that year. She went to her first MNSSHP party when she was 84. That was the very first time she went Trick or Treating, imagine that! We stayed at the Dolphin, we had bought into BWV, but needed the points for her birthday!

Bobbi

 

[pmaurer74]

VWL is our favorite. We stay there about every other trip. I prefer the Resort to the villas but VWL feels like "home" to us. I feel we bought at the right time. It was a little high but we got in before we lost perks from buying resale. I just wish we could have done it sooner. I want to add on later likely at VGF or VWL2.

VWL - Best Christmas atmosphere and feels like home
GFV - I really love this resort
Poly - Wish they had more than studio options. I like the resort, DH does not but willing to give it another chance.
BWV - Just stayed there and did not like the theme. Liked the location.
BCV - Love the pool and location.
SSR - Does not feel like Disney.
AKV - Love this resort. Thinking of adding on here but I do not like the location.
BLT - no design to stay here or own here. Theming is NMS
OKW - have not stayed here but expect I would feel the same way as OKW.

 

[msp2mco]

We bought direct from Disney at SSR in 2004 or 2005 because that was the resort they were selling. Since then, we added a BWV in 2006 or 2007 because we love the theming and location. We are in the process of adding another resale contract for BWV--just waiting for paperwork. It passed ROFR. Although we usually book at least 7 months out, occasionally we book within the 7-month window and we are happy with whatever we get. As for UY, we have 3 different ones, and we have never had a problem or wished we had different ones. I guess once we start planning, we are committed.

 

[lolakat]

I believe in buying where you would like to stay. I mostly visit at high demand DVC times so buying a cheaper resort like SSR with the intention of trading at 7mo would not work for us.

I purchased our first contract at BLT. I knew we wanted a resort in walking distance to a park. When looking at overall cost per point BLT came in much lower than VGF or the EPCOT resorts. I agree the resort is a bit "sterile" but it serves our needs nicely. We added on at BLT later that year b/c I wanted to have the flexibility to get a 1BR or 2BR unit. I found the studios to be a bit too small for our tastes.

When PVB was opening I was very tempted to add on as the Poly is one of my favorite resorts. However, the opening price was just too high to justify the purchase. If cost were no issue I would prefer to have PVB (or VGF) points over my BLT points but the cost differential is HUGE and the enjoyment differential is not so big. I may someday add on a resale contract here but for now I really can't justify more points and I have been able to trade in at the 7mo mark a couple of times already which is good enough.

We added on a small BC contract about a year ago for the 11mo booking for our annual F+W weekend trip. I was really torn between BW and BC for this purchase and ended up getting BC mostly b/c the "right" contract came along first. I was able to get a 50 points contract in my desired use year at about $10pp below what I considered market value at the time.

 

[Matty B13]

We bought VGF for the monorail and 1&2 bedrooms and Poly only had studios and didn't care for the modern look of BLT.

 

[jeepnjudy]

We bought VGF because at that time it was the only resort being sold that was on the monorail and we love many aspects of the property like wandering over to the hotel lobby, hanging out, and listening to the Jazz band!

 

[Tardisblue]

If cost were no issue I would prefer to have PVB (or VGF) points over my BLT points but the cost differential is HUGE and the enjoyment differential is not so big.

I think this is a better term than consumer surplus, which seems to be the same thing.