What reason did you pick your Home Resort?

[DISNEY FIX]

I am seriously looking into DVC, but where to call HOME? Knowing this is all personal preference, I know there is some logic behind your decisions. Was it because of transportation, looks....whatever the reason do tell.

 

[Debi]

I bought at BWV for location. I love the convenience of walking to Epcot and the MGM Studios.

 

[Mtnman44]

For me it was because at the time SSR had a price of $86 which was about what the resales were going for yet SSR had a lease period 12 years longer. Other than that I probably would have purchased at OKW. I like the style and location of the condo style resorts.

I will also be purchasing a small contract at BWV so that I will be able to book some days there as well during busy times or for popular units. The 11 month home resort booking advantage can be important for certain units or during popular times of the year.

 

[byoung]

Love the BWV location, that did it for me. The best views in Disney with the boardwalk view.

 

[mikesmom]

Originally bought into Boardwalk because of location. Eventually added on at OKW in case we needed 11 month access to their Grand Villas (the best ones, IMHO) at 11 months.

 

[jprsrethi]

We liked the extra years at SSR. Wanted also liked the way SSR was laid out and how close it was to DD. I am sure we would have liked any of them, so for us it was the extra years that SSR had to offer. The price was not bad either.

 

[wdw1972]

For me it was easy - when I joined, the ONLY resort was OKW so that's where I bought the majority of my points. With each subsequent resort I bought points if it was important to me to be able to book there at 11 months each year, meaning it was a resort I really liked. For the others, I didn't buy points because if I decide to book it some year I'll take my chance at 7 months and it's no big deal if I don't get in.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

For me it was easy - when I joined, the ONLY resort was OKW so that's where I bought the majority of my points. With each subsequent resort I bought points if it was important to me to be able to book there at 11 months each year, meaning it was a resort I really liked. For the others, I didn't buy points because if I decide to book it some year I'll take my chance at 7 months and it's no big deal if I don't get in.

Now when you bought more points at an additional resort you received al the Home Resort goodies that come with that?Such as the 11 month vs. 7 month? Was there a minimum to buy and can you pool all your points together?
Thanks

 

[WOW]

When we bought in 1994 there was no choices to be made as OKW was the first DVC.....I think it was just called Disney Vacation Club---my memory is going!!!

When waiting for the buses at that time, we used to hear people saying that we were waiting for "The Geriatic Bus"....I guess at one time they thought just the older people were going to buy the DVC's.......but as we all know they just keep building new ones.......GREAT FOR US!!!!!!

Just to clarify our ages at the time.....we were NOT old.....we were 42 with 2 children........

 

[donmil723]

We bought BCV because we loved the BC. We loved the decor and theme, Stormalong Bay, and the location. It is so convenient to go to Epcot, MGM, and to the Boardwalk for its nightly entertainment.

Donna

 

[LisaS]

Now when you bought more points at an additional resort you received al the Home Resort goodies that come with that?Such as the 11 month vs. 7 month? Was there a minimum to buy and can you pool all your points together?

When you buy points at a second resort, you get the 11-month booking window when using the points from that resort. So let's say you own 150 points at SSR and then add on 50 points at BWV, you could use your 50 BWV points to book at BWV at the 11 month window, and your 150 SSR points at SSR at the 11-month window. You can combine the points from both contracts at the 7-month window to book at any resort.

The minimum add-on is 25 points if paying cash, 50 points if you want Disney financing.

 

[vbarry]

I chose BCV due to location and the pool!!! I took the advice to buy where you want to stay and I have never second guessed my decision!!

 

[vandy]

In order of importance:
1. Price. Looked at resales, but Disney had the $86/pt SSR Friends and Family Promo so bought there.
2. Length of contract. I liked 2054 as the end year at SSR instead of 2042 at the others (AKV now is 2057).
3. I liked the condo style of SSR and not the hotel style of BWV, BCV and VWL. Since we drive I like parking outside our building.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'll bet we're not the only ones who bought our home resort because that's what Disney was selling at the time we decided DVC was a good choice, and we'd never heard of resales. It was shortly after 9/11, and they closed my beloved POR, just before a scheduled trip. I took the tour and wanted to buy. DH liked the idea because it would make him take vacations (he was a big workaholic). Our home resort wasn't really a major factor.

 

[simzac]

Our favorite non DVC resort was Caribbean Beach. We felt that OKW was the closest DVC resort to CB. We were right and very pleased with our choice.

 

[dvcnut39]

Proximity to the Boardwalk, short trip to EPCOT and The Studios, and StormAlong Bay. Too bad we've only stayed there once so far. Can't complain, haven't had a bad trip yet.

 

[JimC]

OKW - style (condo), theme (Caribbean influenced, Key West style Victorian), value (points, dues, villa sizes)

BCV - location (adjacent to Epcot, near Studios and Boardwalk), SAB, theme (early 20th century Mid-Atlantic "stick-style" seaside resort), 11 month booking for December

AKV - theme (African thatched-roof, hewn-timber lodge in a savanna setting inspired by the historic expeditions of 19th century)

 

[lumiere13]

We chose SSR because:

1. Longer contract period for use and/or resale.
2. Ease of getting the ressie we want at the 11 month window since it's so big.
3. The proximity to DTD
4. The pool is great!
5. We like the slow pace.

 

[DeeCee735]

We bought at BWV because to us it is the perfect location. We also love the decor, the ambience and the building itself. We prefer (unlike alot of DVC owners) the indoor hallways, and the "hotel" like building, instead of separate buildings like SSR, or HH. We love the dining and boardwalk atmosphere at night. We like the fact that we can walk or take the boat to MGM or Epcot, our favorite parks, and we LOVE being close to Jellyrolls. We like the quite pool, and even the food at the pool snack bar makes a good lunch. We bought there originally, and even added on there, instead of another resort. Even when AKV came out for sale, I called about adding more points to BWV. Eventually I figure we'll be able to trade into AKV at the 7 month window with no problem anyway, so I just rather stick with my fav place on earth - BWV.
Good luck with your decisions and happy planning.

 

[wingkng]

I bought 150 points at SSR initially because it was the only one DVC was selling at the time, and I wanted to take advantage of the promotion at the time. Having the extra years of use was also a factor. I like SSR being close to DTD and yet not as busy as the other resorts.

I thin added 75 points at VWL because I really love the ambience of the place and wanted to have a chance to use it during Christmas, when it is all decked out.

I just recently bought 150 points at AKV, because of the special promotion for DVC owners. I can now have my name on the tapestry! My first on-site stay at WDW was at AKL, and I have fond memories of that place, with all the animals around. We can see animals when we wake up, and then we can use the night vision goggles to look at them at night. I especially like the seminars they have where you can learn about the countries in Africa where the CM came from.