What makes DVC Resorts so great?

[SuperBear]

Hi All!

I'm new to the boards and I'm considering DVC. I really liked what I saw from Bay Lake Tower, and I may purcahse there. However, Animal Kingdom had a very cool decor, and animals were very cool. I was just curious as to know why everyone picked their resort as a home resort?

Thanks,
SB

 

[DebbieB]

Why I picked BWV:

 

[dvczerfs]

Hi All!

I'm new to the boards and I'm considering DVC. I really liked what I saw from Bay Lake Tower, and I may purcahse there. However, Animal Kingdom had a very cool decor, and animals were very cool. I was just curious as to know why everyone picked their resort as a home resort?

Thanks,
SB

our hr is bwv, we never stayed there! at the time it was bwv and okw, we couldnt get in to bwv because it was the newest thing going so we stayed at okw. we will be going back "home" to okw in 19 days!!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Theming.

MG

 

[supersuperwendy]

For us it was a toss up between AKV and BLT. We went with AKV because I like the point chart better. There are so many options for using your points! We also like that they offer Club Level in Jambo house for DVC. We just recently toured both models at SSR and I found them each to be nice. If you want to be near the magic kingdom then you can't go wrong with BLT! We have our first trip "home" coming up in May....I hope I like it!

 

[disneynutz]

We took our time and stayed at each resort that we were interested in before we bought.

Spending $15,000 - $20,000 to buy points at a resort that we may own for 30 to 50 years is not a decision to be jumped at. Since our first purchase we continued to buy at our favorite resorts guaranteeing that we will always be able to book at 11 months and stay when and where we want.

 

[whitfamily]

We went with AKV for the ambiance. BLT seemed too contemporary (shocker!) for us. AKV is much warner and truly does feel like "home".

 

[DeeCee735]

At the time we first purchased, (in 2000) BWV and OKW were the only two available. BWV was the newer one. We fell in love with it. The clincher was the location. Between DHS (then MGM), and Epcot. Perfect.
We loved it then, and it is still our very favorite resort. The theming, the pool slide and bright rooms are also something we really really like. (yes, yes, even that crazy clown at the pool!)However, we did do an add on at AKV, we fell so in love with that too, the theming and the animals are just so totally unique. I want more points there!

Good luck with your decision.

 

[ccigliano]

I got bit by a mosquito at the WL and that was it. Actually, I purchased OKW on a resale in 1999 and then once the villas at WL were built (2002?) stayed there. Fell in love with VWL and once they sold out the resort I had to have my 11 month window for Nov/Dec vacations. So I sold OKW for a profit and purchased a resale with even more points at VWL. I LOVE MY DVC!!! I suggest you stay or at least visit each one to get the vibe and see which one tickles your fancy.

 

[Halle]

When we bought in1993 OKW was the only resort. We still have 309 points there and three years ago bought a 350 point resale at BWV. We love both resorts but prefer staying at the BWV, I like the hotel feel.

 

[Dean]

Hi All!

I'm new to the boards and I'm considering DVC. I really liked what I saw from Bay Lake Tower, and I may purcahse there. However, Animal Kingdom had a very cool decor, and animals were very cool. I was just curious as to know why everyone picked their resort as a home resort?

Thanks,
SB

The big question is whether DVC as a system is right for you. Assuming it is, IMO, the home resort is important but not nearly as much so. Assuming DVC make sense for you, home resort is more of a personal decision. SSR is likely the best value, BWV is likely the best value overall of the 2042 expiration resorts. Assuming where you stay is important and you can reserve during the home resort time frame, carefully weigh the costs of that home resort vs potential savings at other home resorts. As a rule, the non park resorts are a lower cost but not as good a value unless you plan to use the home resort routinely.

 

[toniosmom]

When I bought in 2008, Disney was selling SSR and AKV. SSR was cheaper, but when I saw the AKV models, I fell in love. It just looked so warm and inviting. When we vacationed on developer points at SSR, I loved it much more than I expected. Not crazy about the theming there, but loved the 1BR and quiet resort. Finally going to visit my home resort, AKV, in March. I also bought a very small BCV contract that will allow me a trip there every 3rd year (with banking and borrowing points). I'm very happy with my decisions and wish I could afford to buy even more points!!!

 

[Snow Shoe]

Buy where you plan to stay. We own at BWV because of its themeing, atmosphere, and its location to Epcot and DHS. We've stayed in every kind of room at BWV and their all great. At Christmas 2007, we had a GV at BWV for our family Christms trip. The white box was our GV balcony.

 

[ssawka]

We bought at BLT because:

1. We LOVE MK!!!
2. We don't rent a car at Disney and prefer not to use the buses.
3. Since BLT is in a great location and there's fewer units, we feel it will retain it's value longer.
4. Lower MFs.
5. Longer contract length.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

The MK area has always felt like home to me so BLT was an obvious choice for that reason! Good luck! They all have such great things to offer.

 

[dizfan]

Home resort is very much a personal preference.

We had been looking at DVC for several years. After staying at BW, we knew we wanted to be walking distance to at least one park. Always thought we would buy BWV or BCV.

Then we stayed at AK Jambo and saw BLT, things went up in the air. We loved AK theme.

Ended up choosing BLT over BCV/BWV because...

• Monorail. After 35 years of WDW, the monorail is a ride we look forward to every visit.
• Extra 18 years (2060 vs 2042)
• We always eat at Poly at least once and like having the GF, Poly, CR, and WL as easy access restaurants
• MK views and Lake views.
• Much less for MF

AKV is a larger resort, so we think it will be easier for us to stay there using the 7 month booking window. In fact, we'll be doing a split stay in December (AKV and BLT). We wanted a full stay at BLT, but early December is a very busy time for DVC.

 

[mopee3]

The big question is whether DVC as a system is right for you. Assuming it is, IMO, the home resort is important but not nearly as much so. Assuming DVC make sense for you, home resort is more of a personal decision.

Don't have the history like Dean, MG, or others but here goes.
When we bought DVC after a year of holding off,....well we are the type that just leaps off the cliff and hopes for a soft landing. We bought AKV because didn't like the looks of SSR and in Washington they were the only ones we could purchase. We have stayed at all the WDW DVC's except Tree houses (will be there in October), SSR and BLT. We love them all for different reasons, in other words we love the one we are at.
We will add on and it will be OKW, my next favorite, or WLV my wife’s next favorite. I like the lay out and easy access at OKW and she likes the WL because it looks like the Great Lodges in her home state of Montana.
If you love Disney, we do, I wonder if you can go wrong at any of the WDW resorts?

Moe

 

[Longhairbear]

We chose VWL because of the decor, landscaping etc., and for no other reason. At the time the other choices were Vero Beach, or BWV.

 

[ddoc185blt]

I don't think you can go wrong with any Disney resort. For us, We love MK! Even with my kids being older (14 and 8 ) MK makes me feel like a kid again. So it was BLT for us.

Good luck.

 

[Crystal_27]

We love to stay on the monorail, so initially that's why we purchased BLT (added bonus that it's within walking distance to all resort busses and MK). At first, I wasn't really that crazy about the decor shown in the concept drawings but, again, the location couldn't be beat. However, the more and more that I see of BLT (the lounge, the rooms, the views, the pool area) the more and more that I fall in love with it. I know that we made the right decision.

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!