What makes DVC Resorts so great?

[DenLo]

Location, location, location!

We bought BLT because:

1. You can walk to MK
2. It's on the monorail and has a ferry so you can get to the other MK resorts easily.
3. There are lots of restaurants we enjoy in the Magic Kingdom hotels, like Artist Point, California Grille, Citricos, Narcoosee's and all of the Epcot World Showcase restaurants. All of these are accessible by Monorail or ferry.
4. If we bring family we knew the park of choice is always MK as long as young children are involved.
5. We liked the looks of BLT and have enjoyed living in a high rise condo in the not so distant past.

However, we also liked AKV too, so when we did an add on we bought there.
Our reasons:

1. We find the decor attractive and definitely does not look like our mother's house(s).
2. We love animals. Could watch them for hours.
3. Like the restaurants at both Kidani and Jambo House.
4. Since AKV/AKL do not share buses with another resort, it's pretty quick to get to any park.
5. It takes less points to rent a villa than at BLT.
6. Now we have the home resort advantage at two different places.

Unlike one of the poster's above we plan on mainly staying in studios, that way we can stay more nights. It's only the two of us and we haven't been members very long so still go to WDW to go the parks, so we are not in the room much.

And the reason we chose DVC over other timeshares. The Disney Magic begins at the resorts. There is just something about staying on property that is so much better than off.

 

[hsmamato2]

OKW...for the tropical style theming. not like anything close to home....

 

[5forDiz]

To the OP, I noticed that you only mentioned BLT and AKV in your post. Make sure to check out the other properties too (which can easily be purchased via resale). Happy DVC shopping!

Just wanted to add to what Crystal mentioned above about resale market; you can also purchase any of the earlier DVC resorts (OKW,BWV,VWL,BCV,SSR & offsites HHI & VB) by directly purchasing through Disney as well.....there may be a waiting time if they need to acquire the points ( can sometimes be a few days to as long as couple weeks/months ). Here's link to dvcnews.com to current pricing on direct purchase w/Disney

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/financial/pricing-a-promotions

Best wishes on your planning & have fun deciding which DVC resort best suits you

 

[kikiq]

First we had to decide whether the DVC concept was for us. Are you willing to come back to Disney every year or every other year? Then we chose SSR based on our vacation style and life style. We are a very active family of runners, cyclists, swimmers and walkers. When we vacation, we want to be able to step out and do those things. For my DH, it was all about NOT BEING in a hotel setting.(I think it has to do with the business travel he does) He wanted the condo style of SSR or OKW. Some of our best summer vacations when the girls were young were spent in Colorado condos...quiet, lots of landscape and open spaces to do stuff. We are not park commandos so being close to the parks is not important.

BUT being in Disney is important, we have the best of both worlds at SSR. We can do the parks, come back to the peace and quiet of SSR and maybe stroll over to DTD for dinner. Oh, can I just say, the stroll along the canal with NO crowds there, DTD lights, jazz coming from someone's villa, and my DH's arm around my waist...romantic.

 

[Cajun28]

Why I picked BWV:

+1

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[Goofy DVC]

OKW! Love the feel along with the largest villas of all the DVCs.
I do a lot of business travel and spend too many nights in hotels. Therefore, I don't like a hotel feel. Different strokes for different fokes.

 

[Dean]

If you love Disney, we do, I wonder if you can go wrong at any of the WDW resorts?

Moe

Loving Disney or even going routinely to WDW does not automatically make DVC a good choice though the reverse likely makes DVC a bad choice. Those who go mostly for long weekends or similar likely will never see a true value of owning DVC and those that are happy in a value likely won't come out $$$ wise with DVC either.

 

[Figment1983]

We bought VWL because we love staying there when it is decorated for Christmas. We go every year in December.

 

[nightshaderose]

At the time we bought SSR and AKV were the options. We went with SSR because the incentives were better, and maintenance fees lower (apparently giraffe feed is expensive). I'm a little disappointed that we didn't buy AKV, since the AKL has always felt absolutely like "home" to me, but DBF is a stickler for watching the future cash flow (I love him anyway If I were in charge of the money, we'd be bankrupt.). I will eventually stay at our "home resort," but I'm not in any hurry. I've enjoyed Beach Club (gotta love being able to walk to Epcot), and am trying out AKV (Club level!!) and Boardwalk on the next trip. If I ever have money for add-ons, I'll go for AKV and one of the Epcot resorts. If I ever win the lottery, I'll pick up some Grand Californian, too.

Elizabeth

 

[beccasmom]

We love OKW because it is so relaxing. I can feel my blood pressure dropping as soon as we get there!

It was the only DVC resort at the time we purchased in 1992. We have always been pleased with our decision. We have stayed at other DVC resorts (recently, we were at BLT) and all have much to recommend them. But we enjoy OKW the most.

 

[Kris10luvsDisney]

we bought sight unseen at SSR in 2006. We had stayed the previous year at VWL and absolutely loved that hotel and the space that a villa gives us while on vacation (loved the washer/dryer and the kitchen too!). At the time our kids were only 4 and 1 and we knew many Disney trips would be in our future. We also liked being able to go to other places w/ our points - we booked a trip to Italy through ABD last year and it was probably the best trip we have been on in our entire life!
We didn't care what resort was our "home", if our experience would be similar to VWL, we would be happy anywhere! In fact we are going on our 4th DVC trip in December, but our first to SSR. (We've stayed at VWL, BCV & BWV) and all were fabulous trips.

 

[msp2mco]

We bought SSR from Disney when that was the primary resort for sale. After staying there a couple of times, we bought another contract through resale at BWV because we decided we really liked the location and ammenities of the resort. We still use the SSR contract, but we switch around to other resorts as often as we can, and we stay at BWV whenever we can.

 

[LisaZ1113]

Loving Disney or even going routinely to WDW does not automatically make DVC a good choice though the reverse likely makes DVC a bad choice. Those who go mostly for long weekends or similar likely will never see a true value of owning DVC and those that are happy in a value likely won't come out $$$ wise with DVC either.

Hi Dean. Could you elaborate as to why you do not think it is a good value for those looking to go down on long weekend trips?? Is it because the points are more valuable when you go weekly?? Just curious!

 

[Dean]

Hi Dean. Could you elaborate as to why you do not think it is a good value for those looking to go down on long weekend trips?? Is it because the points are more valuable when you go weekly?? Just curious!

The weekend points are higher diluting the value. Certainly anyone should look at their specifics and compare though I do not believe that rack rates are a good measure of that value for most people. The reallocation has shifted this issue somewhat making the statement not quite as firm as it was a year or more ago. Then again my measure of a good value seems to be more stringent than many on this BBS as I want a clear savings compared to what I'd pay without DVC and/or a clear benefit for around the same price..

 

[DisneyDreamers2007]

We bought at BWV because we liked the proximity to Epcot and HS parks, and to the Beach & Yacht Resort. We also like the theming at BWV and Boardwalk area in general, and the ability to booked the Boardwalk view room (which we rented points for prior to becoming members ourselves). Another bonus is the "standard" room availability for years when we want to save points.

Now that BLT and GCV have gone on sale (and did have great incentives) we might have bought one of those instead or in addition to BWV, but we are very happy with BWV and liked getting a great price from the resale market.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

When we bought in 2005 they were only selling SSR. I was totally on the fence. I wanted to buy into DVC because I liked the fact I could stay deluxe on a moderate budget. My guide sensed my hestitation with SSR as I told her I wanted to be closer to the parks and then offer BW- OMGosh!!! the BW!! Oh yeah!!! I jumped on it.

Once I came to my senses I realized that the BW was actually the best choice for us. The had 2 tiers of points, standard views and BW/preferred view, walking distance to Both Epcot and DHS (no buses yeah!!!), great theming and just the overall atmosphere is awesome. I remember the 1st moments we spent at the resort (we bought sight unseen-- I just knew I didn't want to stay value anymore) we got there around 1:30 and I walked outside down to the boardwalk and I was just in awe of how awesome it was. The sun was shining and a warm breeze was blowing and I sat of the bench in front of the boats and just KNEW I was in the right place for the next 37 years. 4 years later, I still absolutely love the BW

However, I also wanted a Monorail DVC resort so when there were rumors about BLT I waited and waited and then bought another 160 points there. Being close to the MK and only a 5 minute monorail ride home is just so priceless to us. Our 1st stay is only 5 months away and we bought the BLT sight unseen too. Its just very special to be so close to the parks. Plus with DVC we can also experience any other resort whenever we want to. We try to go to VB as much as we can to as that is a very nice and relaxing resort and it gives you a beach vacation as well.

 

[Checkers]

We bought at OKW and then a few years later added on through resale. We love the laid-back atmosphere at OKW after a hectic day in the parks. However, just recently we purchased another resale contract at BWV because we wanted to be close to the two parks we usually visit the most when it is just DH & me. We are looking forward to being able to visit the other DVC resorts in the future as well.

Good luck in your decision making!

 

[DenLo]

I just want to thank SuperBear for starting this thread. I have really enjoyed reading all the posts. Thanks again!

 

[Coach81]

SSR- Loved the theming.. loved the price, and all the space!!!

 

[jarrdisney]

We bought BLT because we loved the theming, proximity to the MK (especially when we decide to have kids), the length of contract, and lower fees. That being said, we've yet to stay there. We bought in April and have stayed at AKV, kidani, BC, and we have BWV booked for Dec. There are so many options, and as long as I have BWV, BC, BLT, AKV, and WLV available to me, I'll be a happy camper!