What is your favorite DVC and why?

[njgeneral]

I wanted to get a feel from all of you why you considered your Home Resort.

We are planning on going through Resale and have many to choose from. Ideally we would like/prefer a 1 bdrm each time we go. Currently we have 3 kids, 4, 2.5 and one coming at the end of June.

We enjoy the cooking aspect since the kids always seem wiped out after lunch and really would rather play more than sit down to a TS meal.

I am thinking that we use our points every year but actually do a full WDW vacation every 2. We are at the point right now, where I think doing WDW for a week with the kids is too much vs. a couple days. Then there is the issue of what tickets to buy?

Just wanted to get opinions on the DVC's. We have stayed at OKW and VB. Loved them both. Considering SSR and AKV and maybe even BC and BWV.

Input would be fabulous. Pros and Cons.

Thank you so much for the help so far.

-Chrissy

 

[drusba]

We have owned at BWV for 13 years and consider boardwalk view there to be one of the best views on site (overlooking boaradwalk, the lake, can see the big ball in Epcot, and can see upper level fireworks for both Epcot and MK. Can walk to Epcot and Studios or take boat, more than 20 restaurants within walking distance at the Epcot resorts and the two parks. Pool is nice with long slide for kids.

Downsides of BWV: (a) end date of contract, 2042, and thus a questionable choice now for younger family with young kids (AKV is 2057, SSR 2054, BLT 2060; (b) busses share with Swan and Dolphin and trips can be long as to MK and AKV.

We also own at AKV and consider it a close second to BWV. With Kidani you get much larger 1BRs (and thus 2BRs) than other resorts other than OKW (which has largest); Jambo's sizes are close to BWV, VWL, SSR, and BCV. Consider restaurants at both Jambo and Kidani to be among best at WDW. Theming is ideal -- you really do feel like you are somewhere else than Florida out on a savanna, pools at both buildings are good (and Jambo in particular has lots of areas where you can find shade) and for young kids the Kidani waterplay area is ideal. Moreover, there is nothing like a savanna view, sitting on porch watching animals (note that we would not stay there without savanna view which is 80% of all rooms). Bus system is generally good (and puts BWV to shame). If you have a car, Kidani is unbeatable because you park under building on the ground floor and with multiple elevators along wings, you can always park close to your room.

Possible downsides: this is a matter of opinion and personally don't really consider these downsides: (a) lighting in rooms is not bright; and interior of resorts is dimly lighted -- this is part of the theming of being on a savanna; (b) you do feel you are out in the middle of nowhere -- again meets the theming; (c) AK is close but other parks are quite a distance (but trips are most often actually shorter than if at BWV). One thing I do consider a downside is the combined tub/shower in Jambo 1BRs (Kidani has separate and also second bathrrom).

 

[Corinne]

Honestly, we really did not choose our Home Resort. At the time, I was a CM at TDS and I was able to get my discount on the purchase of DVC. Our first choice would have been the BCV, but it was not yet being marketed. Knowing I would not be at TDS much longer, we purchased at VWL. I love it there, I really do, but our first choice is BCV then BWV. Just love the location.

 

[alanapapa]

We purchased at SSR to get into DVC, we had stayed at there back in the 80's and 90's before DVC when DW was a CM at DL and liked the location, now that they have opened the THV again it is even better. We added on at AKV because we loved the 4 nights we stayed at AKL in 2005. Even though both are a bit of a travel to the parks, they are great places to relax and unwind.

 

[DVC Mike]

I wanted to get a feel from all of you why you considered your Home Resort.

We are planning on going through Resale and have many to choose from.

I chose each of my home resorts for various reasons.

Perhaps taking a look at the Choosing Your Home Resort - What to Consider? thread would give you some ideas as to what you should take into consideration.

 

[rutgers1]

I am not one of those people whose enjoyment of a resort hinges on subtle things like the size of the bathroom. In each resort, I think there are subtle things to like or dislike.

There is always going to be a core of people who come on this board and say that they love whatever resort they bought into. I tend to not listen to those people as much since there is some incentive to defend your home resort. Rather, I tend to listen to the people (like myself, lol) who like to jump around and try every resort. From doing that, I feel that location is the biggest factor for the people who jump around.

If someone likes Magic Kingdom the most, I find he or she tends to like VWL and BLT more. If that person likes Epcot or Hollywood Studios more, I find that he or she tends to like BCV and BWV. If he or she is up for a bit more peace and quiet, spa services, golf, and access to Downtown Disney, then SSR and OKW are ideal. I put AKV in a different category because, unfortunately, it isn't a walk or boat ride to a park, but then again, the theming is incredible.

As for me at this stage in my life, I like the Epcot resorts - BCV and BWV. If my kids were out of the house and Downtown Disney was rebuilt a bit better, I think I would warm up to SSR a bit more, but at this point it just has that "something is missing" feel for me, as well as that "I could have designed this MUCH better" feel. Aside from the animals, which I thought was GREAT, I wasn't in love with AKV - too dark, didn't like the food, felt a bit remote. I liked it, but didn't love it. I have to give VWL another chance, as we really didn't love it all that much and concluded that it was popular only because of the proximity to MK, as well as the enclosed layout. I have yet to stay at BLT.

 

[mom of princessx2]

We purchased based on cost and the amount of points we could get. We think every DVC has good qualities and we would enjoy staying at any of them. I know most people say "Buy where you want to stay" and that is certainly a good rule to follow but we decided to "Buy where we wouldn't mind staying". With DH being an avid golfer, my love for a spa and our love for DTD, SSR seemed right up our alley.

That being said we have also stayed at BCV and AKV and think both of those places are terrific as well.

Someday I hope to be like DVC Mike and own at several locations but until then we are happy with SSR.

 

[Nikisha421]

My favorite although we haven't stayed at all the possible resorts...is AKV Jambo House...I love it! We feel comfortable...the right SV view is breath taking...and we know it much better than all the rest so it's easier for us to get around!

 

[spiceycat]

well brought OKW when it was all that was offered - when it was DVC.

then sold it to buy BLT.

now loved OKW all those years - it is a nice place.

but really, really love BLT - views of MK (these are also parking lot), BL, pool, garden (towards CR)

you can get on the monrail to visit the other monrail resort, you can boat ride to WL/VWL and FW. you can take the monrail to TTC then transfer to the Epcot monrail.

finally you can walk to the MK. really helpfully on those times that the buses, monrail and ferry are back up with people leaving the parks.

love even being at BLT - make me feel good.

now also own at BWV and it is a nice place - never a favorite - but nice. like BCV more. why - BCV has a quicker route to Epcot than BWV. plus you can go under the bridge from BCV - you can't at BWV - when walking to Epcot.


love AKV have stayed there several times. what I don't like is the same things that I don't like about OKW and SSR - bus transportation only.
'
that say AKV has one of the nicest lobbies and you get to see the animals.

now at least you can walk outside (you couldn't for a while - except in the parking lots) - but now you can run or walk between AKL and AKV.

 

[mvc1997]

We bought at OKW, when there was only OKW & BWV open. Our guide only showed us OKW. We were blown away at the size of the rooms and the relaxing atmosphere.
Later we decided we needed more points. OKW was sold out. Added on at BWV. Loved BWV!!! Decided we needed more BWV pts. BWV... sold out!!!!
Didn't know about resale boards back then!! Loved BWV soo much so guide told us about BCV's being built. Hooray!! Bought 250pts at BCV a soon as they were on sale.
Bring whole family to BCV. Kids & grandkids hate it there!! They only liked the pool, UGH!!!
Try to dump BCV pts for BWV.............sold out.... still didn't know about resale boards!!!
Sold BCV and bought more OKW pts.......... kids love the place!!! They will be theirs eventually.
Took the clan last year to BWV............. They are in love!! Grandkids want BWV!!!!!
IN The end BWV is the all time Favorite, but still love OKW!
We have never had a problem getting other resorts at the 7 month window.
Have stayed at OKW, BWV, BCV, VWL and SSR.
Good Luck, We wish you priceless memories!!!!

 

[GrumpyBelle]

VWL and AKV would be my favorite. I pick based on theme.

 

[DebbieB]

I've stayed at all the WDW DVC's except SSR and BLT. They are all nice but given a choice I would keep my BWV. Nothing beats that boardwalk view and great location!

 

[ParrotBill]

We only had 2 choices when we bought - BWV and OKW... we loved BC and worried about the isolation of OKW... when BWV opened it was an easy decision. (added on at OKW later.) If choosing today

#1 Buy a use year that starts just before the time of year you like to travel (for flexibility)
#2 Buy enough points for the size unit, days, and season you are most likely to use... then add some points as insurance against points re-allocation... we can't stay 5 nights at OKW any more because of the recent change
#3 Location to park(s) we like to spend time in - BWV still works for us with EPCOT and HS close by.
#4 Choose for restaurants, quick service, pools and other services you like
I like all the food options around the BWV areas without needing to have
a car or take a bus or taxi.

Choosing today we would stick with BWV or BCV, and add on at BLT.

 

[ccigliano]

BUY WHERE YOU LOVE!! I think the reason why so many people own at multiple resorts is because they purchase the resort Disney is selling at the time, not realizing that there is a resale market, and then when they stay at another resort fall in love and buy more points at another. I purchased OKW on a resale in 1999 because of the price before the VWL existed. When a resort first opens it is easy to book at the 7 month window since all the points aren't sold yet, so I stayed at VWL when it first opened with my OKW points without issue until Dec 2005. I waitlisted at the 7 month window and it never came through, stayed at SSR (brand new) for a change of pace and was very disappointed. I actually switched halfway through my vacation as I called three times a day to see if anything at VWL was available and on day 4 we finally got lucky. I came home, sold OKW and purchased VWL. Now I book that at my 11 month window and know that if I waitlist to try something else and it doesn't come through, I will never be disappointed. If you don't know where you love, I highly suggest a stay at the ones that in contention or at least a day long visit. Goog Luck!

 

[starbox]

On WDW property -
My favorites are BCV and AKV - BCV for the pool (duh!) and for the fact that with older kids, we've started to enjoy Epcot more than we used to. AKV because it is like being in another world.


There's not a single resort I'd be bummed to stay in.

 

[njmeisje]

My favorite is Hilton Head Island. It reminds me so much of the camping vacations I did with my family when I was a child. We enjoy the bike ride to/from the beach. The endless soft sandy beach. The sunsets from the porch in the rocking chairs. Nature. Peace and quiet. After we have spent a week waiting in lines for the mouse and rides, breakfast, lunch and dinner..... NOTHING, ...nothing beats a week in Hilton Head. Now THAT'S vacation.

 

[SusieBea]

We bought OKW in 1993 because that's all there was. We have stayed at all DVCs except BC, AKL, and BLT. I like OKW because of the size of the rooms, the size of the balconies, and because you can park in front of your unit. I don't like schlepping groceries down long hotel hallways. I also like the theming of OKW, but I like the theming of HH and VWL as well. I am not a fan of BWV.

 

[sleepydog25]

Not a lot of votes for VWL, and I suspect that's due to the darker theming and lack of a fantastic pool. But, what I love most about VWL is the fact that it isn't beach-themed and is a quiet resort, comparatively speaking. I do enjoy some solitude after a long day in the parks, and you don't get much calmer than VWL. That being said, I don't know that I would recommend it for your growing family. At some point in the future, you might like to spend a few days in a 3BR villa, and VWL doesn't have them. Then again, 2BRs are spacious and would work fine if you had one of your kids sleep on the couch in the coming years. No matter which resort you choose, I'm sure you'll enjoy it, so choose the one which seems to best fit your vacationing habits. Good luck!

 

[kbeam]

For us, the drive for our choice of resort was the same as our home purchase. As soon as we walked into our home, we just KNEW it was the one. It felt comfortable to us immediately. The same thing happened when we walked through VWL. It was comfortable, felt like home. We love Vermont, so maybe that's where the feeling came from. The fireplaces, the beams, the creek all very mountain-y (I tend to make up my own words). We also love the beach area. Very relaxing.

 

[Beavertails Queen]

Our family owns two resorts. My sister and her husband own at VWL and I own at AKV.
I will tell you why we chose these resorts.
AKV
I love the theme and the animals. It has never bothered me that the decor in the rooms is darker. I think that it matches the theme perfectly.
I really like the pools. At Jambo the pool is spacious, it is close to the quick serve Mara and there is atmosphere. As Kidani the splash area is amazing for kids.
I also like that you almost get two resorts in one. Jambo and Kidani are so different for each other. I used to dislike that there wasn't anywhere to walk but now that Kidani is open you can walk between the two resorts.
Finally, I enjoy being able to book the Jambo house value at 11 months. The value of points for these rooms is awesome. And if you are not too concerned with room size they are fine.
VWL
It is great to be able to take the boat to the MK. Our family loves VWL at Christmas and as VWL is a smaller resort it is great to book at 11 months.
I really like the proximity to Fort Wilderness. It is nice to walk to ride bikes and really feel removed from it all.
All in all the best advice I can give is pick what suits you. I went with my favourite resort because I will never be unhappy staying at AKV. I look at the 7 month window as a chance to stay somewhere else but I don't count on it.
Good luck!