What is your FAVORITE DVC Resort?

[sleepydog25]

Thanks for the advice! I am thinking that the resale prices for SSR are so attractive right now and I would get the extra years, and also the maintanence fees are less. I have alot of flexibility on the times I can travel. My kids are 12 and 10 and they can miss a few days of school. I do like the DDD area, but the BC is still top choice. I think with the flexibility on my dates and times I can travel, the 7 month booking window may not be an issue.

As long as you are certain you don't mind taking whatever you can get at the 7-month point, then SSR would probably be fine. Yet, keep in mind there is no guarantee that whichever resort you want will have an opening when you want it (other than you're almost certain to get your home resort at the 11-month point). I bought into SSR originally, and never had an issue with getting a reservation at the 7-month point, either, though I did have to do the waitlist a few times. However, my travel habits have changed some the past few years, plus I had a burning desire to stay at VWL for Christmas. The odds of that happening with an SSR contract were extremely low, so a contract with VWL is obviously the way to go there. As the majority would likely agree, buy where you want to stay the most. Sure, you can get better deals with SSR vice BWV, for example, but do you truly want to stay at SSR? (It's a great resort in its own right, mind you.) I once had a friend of mine who was once a car salesman, and he gave me great advice on buying a car which I believe holds some relevance to your thinking:
"The most satisfied customers I ever had, without fail, were those who bought the car they wanted not the car for which they got the best deal."

 

[Chic]

I expect DVD to change the booking rules before long. Disney knows that many members are buying at SSR and never intend to stay there. That hurts their sales at BLT and AKV. It also creates a high vacancy rate at SSR and a lot of extra work for MS.

I wouldn't buy expecting the rules to always stay as they are now. Over the last 12 months, Disney has made some major changes to the DVC rules and policies.

Bill

Since there are only 2 or 3 times a year when booking at the 7 month window is difficult, I seriously doubt DVC would make any booking changes for nonhome resorts. Some of the smaller resorts like BWV, BCV, and VWL are difficult to book on the first day of the 11 month window, especially December. Maybe Disney will go to booking privileges at your home resort based on how many points you own, how long you have been a member, how many Annual Passes your family purchases, etc. Flexibility is what makes DVC so popular: "Vacation when and where you want..." To change this policy would spell the end of DVC as we know it today.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

My favorite DVC resort is whichever one I'm staying at next -

I have been at BLT (last week, it was awesome) and am going to AKL (Kidani) in December.

 

[disneynutz]

Flexibility is what makes DVC so popular: "Vacation when and where you want..." To change this policy would spell the end of DVC as we know it today.

It doesn't seem to matter to most Members. I am really sad that Disney has adopted the business model that they have. Their non support of the existing members is not what I expected. The recent changes to the rules and policies is only the beginning. Promising improvements with MS, the computer systems, and the website and taking years to do so is a joke.

The lack of information and no notice on policy changes is manipulative and disrespectful to the Members.

Bill

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Maybe I've been lucky, but every tine I've called MS I've not had a problem, and I've called a half dozen times so far with questions and what not

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Everyone here knows VWL is the best. That has been established.
AKV is a close second. That has also been established.

That is for the WDW resorts. It goes without saying that VB and VGC are also a cut above.

MG

 

[Chic]

It doesn't seem to matter to most Members. I am really sad that Disney has adopted the business model that they have. Their non support of the existing members is not what I expected. The recent changes to the rules and policies is only the beginning. Promising improvements with MS, the computer systems, and the website and taking years to do so is a joke.

The lack of information and no notice on policy changes is manipulative and disrespectful to the Members.

Bill

Anytime "change" occurs, we can view it as good or bad. The reallocation of points over the past couple of years can cost a member either more or less for their vacation depending on which nights of the week they typically travel. I now actually use less points during my October trips but more during the summer. This is due to weekend stays in October and weekday stays over the summer. I'll admit that I knew DVC could change the charts but didn't think they would! Some positive changes which surprised me were: expanding the swimming pool at Saratoga Springs, building the Tree Houses at Saratoga Springs and allowing all current members to use the 11 month booking window, making Member Services open 7 days a week, free Magical Express privileges, ability to purchase the Dining Plan, etc. There is a small rumor that, in the future, DVC is planning to add monorail service to Saratoga Springs from the Ticket & Transportation Center. If this actually happens, just imagine the sudden interests that will develop for stays at Saratoga Springs. I'll bet SSR resale value will go through the roof. On the other hand, if DVC decided to change the rules so members could only book reservations at their home resort, I would say that many SSR and OKW members would be selling their contracts for $30 a point. Disney wouldn't be able to ROFR so many contracts knowing that they could never resale them. I'm an owner at SSR and travel to Disney several times a year. I enjoy staying at all the resorts so each trip has a new twist.

 

[mikron2]

I love BW we always get a 1- bedroom with a BWView.

 

[kimberh]

VWL, Because it really makes me feel at home. I love it.
BWv, for Boardwalk View, I just have to have this view when staying there.
AKV, for Savanna view.
BCV, for location and SAB

I can't have just one!

 

[Chic]

Everyone here knows VWL is the best. That has been established.
AKV is a close second. That has also been established.

That is for the WDW resorts. It goes without saying that VB and VGC are also a cut above.

MG

It's really all personal taste. I love the Wilderness Lodge but have absolutely no interest in Animal Kingdom Lodge. I would currently rate BLT as number one out of all the DVC resorts.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

It's really all personal taste. I love the Wilderness Lodge but have absolutely no interest in Animal Kingdom Lodge. I would currently rate BLT as number one out of all the DVC resorts.

Please take my post as tongue in cheek. I believe what I said, but fully understand others may disagree (although I can't figure out why ).

I have always touted VWL in that fashion since I registered here in 2002.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I love the Wilderness Lodge but have absolutely no interest in Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I truly don't understand this (although I really don't have to understand it).
VWL, AKV, and VGC are all designed by the same architect, and I think it's really obvious. They all have the same foundational flavor (Did I just make that phrase up??), and I absolutely love it. I can't get my arms around someone loving VWL but not liking AKV.

MG

 

[wendydarling826]

I think it all depends on what's important to you. We love our BCV for many reasons:
It's not too big, and I love that I can walk downstairs and enjoy the Solarium and quiet rooms and the Marketplace without having to walk a long distance (we don't have a car when we're in the world).
We vacation in August and love SAB. It's a major part of our vacation.
We love being able to walk to Epcot or to the Boardwalk.
Coming from a place where vacation means the beach and the boardwalk, the theming is a good fit.
We also own at SSR and have had some very nice vacations there, but without a car it just seems to sprawling to us.
The DVC resorts are all beautiful - you just have to find the one that feels like a second home to you.

 

[Kczimmy]

We bought SSR and brought down the whole gang in 2007. (10 people, 7 of them kids) Unless they have changed the bus routing, I would not bring a large group of kids there again, unless I was planning to spend a lot of time at the resort. It takes so long to travel around to all the bus stops, plus the longer than normal waiting time for a bus, (more than once we waited over an hour for the bus we wanted) we spent a good part of our vacation sitting in a bus stop or sitting on a bus!

This week we are staying at BWV- that's our favorite visit w/o kids. WLV with kids.

Kurt

 

[Chic]

I truly don't understand this (although I really don't have to understand it).
VWL, AKV, and VGC are all designed by the same architect, and I think it's really obvious. They all have the same foundational flavor (Did I just make that phrase up??), and I absolutely love it. I can't get my arms around someone loving VWL but not liking AKV.

MG

I agree that VWL, AKV, and VGC are all great works of architecture and theming. The Grand Californian has always been our first choice in Disneyland. I think the reason we have no interest in AKV is the feeling that you're away from everything and not located at any of the parks. I know AKL is close to Animal Kingdom but not within walking distance! I admit it's a beautiful resort but we like to stay in the action, not away from it.

 

[spiceycat]

convience - MK and Epcot are my 2 favorite parks.

BLT you can walk to the MK and take the monrail to Epcot. Although do also own BWV so can walk to Epcot from it.

don't visit either studios or AK that often. despite being an animal lovers.

 

[disneymom8589]

We originally bought into SSR (2006) as that was what they were selling at the time. Since then, we have added on at AKV and BLT. We have stayed at SSR, BCV, BWV, and AKV and have not been disappointed with any of them!! We are looking forward to trips to VWL, BLT, and OKW!!

 

[lulubelle]

My first choice is VGC. Of course because I live in CA and go to the DLR several times a year, that is a logical choice.

Now in FL, I would pick:

AKL - that's why I bought there.
BCV - for the location

We stayed at BLT and did not like it.
I guess that's why it's called an opinion, we all have one!

 

[DVC Mike]

I've only stayed at all the DVC resorts at WDW, so my ranking would be:

1) BLT
2) BWV
3) BCV
4) VWL
5) AKV
6) SSR
7) OKW

I haven't stayed at VGC yet, but I think it will rank somewhere in the top three. I haven't stayed at VB or HHI either.

What I like about my top 5 choices:

1) BLT

• Location! You can walk to the Magic Kingdom
• Views! Fantastic views of the MK and Bay Lake (and Wishes!)
• On the Monorail! Access to other deluxe resorts
• Dining! California Grill and access to great dining at GF/Poly
• Top of the World Lounge! I love the view of the world from on high

2) BWV

• Location! You can walk to Epcot and boat to DHS
• Views! Great views of Crescent Lake and YC/BC
• The Boardwalk Midway!
• Dining! At all the Epcot resorts and inside Epcot, including Flying Fish Cafe on the BW!

3) BCV

• Location! You can walk to Epcot and boat to DHS
• Stormalong Bay! The best feature pool at WDW
• Dining! At all the Epcot resorts and inside Epcot, including Yactsman Steakhouse and Beaches & Cream
• Sandy Beach on Crescent Lake with views of the Boardwalk

4) VWL

• Magnificently rendered theme!
• The Lodge! Peaceful and romantic
• Just a relaxing boat ride away from the MK

5) AKV

• The animals on the Savanna!
• Great exotic theme!
• A feeling of remoteness! relax away from the Parks
• Great dining! Jiko, Boma and Sanna

I guess for me it's all about location, location, location!

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

BW- due to the location and overall theming. I just love the BW at night (after a day in the park). I also love the water and being able to just walk to 2 parks is great. Its also great to be able to see illuminations from the bW view rooms and from the Bw. Also I love having the choice of standard view rooms and BW view rooms.

But the BLT is a very very very close 2nd. I love the rooms - the 1 bedrooms seem very large and the 2 baths are great. The location is fantastic and I love having access to the monorail!!