What's the best resort you own and why?

[Disney On The Bayou]

We have been members since 2001 and own at VWL, HHI, Aulani, Vero and VGF. The surprising best purchase has been HHI, we acquired it for a relative low price at $63 pp and it's a resort in demand, making the 11 month window for summer reservations important. Also, we find the resort to be a perfect compliment to having ownership at WDW. In fact, all of our offsite resorts have been gems. We love our VWL as well, and it's in high demand too, especially during Christmas, but again, the HHI ownership seems more valuable because we can always get a room at WDW, but HHI during the summer can be difficult. So what's your best owned resort and why? Looking forward to seeing the responses.

 

[bwvBound]

The now-defunct Warner Springs Ranch in San Diego's mountains. The Ranch had day-use for Owners, was a short (and lovely!) drive from our home, and offered everything we wanted: natural hot springs (no chemicals!), horseback riding, horse boarding, golf, private air strip, glider port, full service spa, golf, lots of trails, access to the Pacific Crest Trail system, tennis courts, a feisty and historic cantina, on-site restaurants and so much character! We felt so 'rich' for the experiences it offered.

Sigh, we miss it so!

 

[Disney On The Bayou]

I cant blame you! That sounds like the perfect place... We fly ourselves to Disney as is, and a timeshare with its own strip would be perfect, though KISM and Kissimee Jet Center work for us.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We don't own at 5 resorts, but we only own at 3. However, like you, one is HHI, and I think that's our best purchase. The main reason if that at HHI, we can truly "vacation"/relax. With the advent of FP+ and MDE, I see that becoming less possible at WDW and you've got to schedule/plan your time there in advance more. HHI has always been a more down-time, truly relaxing vacation for us. Another reason is that DH LOVES to golf-when I came back from the DVC tour (yes, I toured alone) and announced that "This DVC even has a resort at Hilton Head Island and I'd like to go there", he was sure he was dreaming. Turns out he'd always wanted to go to HHI. That being said, when it's our anniversary, I think our best purchase is OKW, since that's our "go to" resort for our anniversary. And come the F&W festival, I'm so glad we own at BCV, because that's where we go then. So I suppose in a way, all our resorts have their "best" moments. HHI just has more.

 

[drusba]

Own at BWV (17 years) and AKV (6 years). Our No. 1 is still BWV. As an owner it is easy to get boardwalk view, the best view on site, and you can walk (or boat) to two parks (and over two dozen restaurants). Second is AKV savanna view, either building with a preference for Jambo if studio or GV and Kidani if 1 or 2BR. The theming is ideal and sitting on a balcony watching animals gives it something no other resort has. Third is BLT if 1 or 2BR, high floor, lake view. Good views, nice large rooms, easy walk to MK and proximity to the best character meal on site, Chef Mickey's. Fourth is SSR if I can get Congress Park, lake view, giving a great view of the lake and DTD and easy walk to DTD (and ideal for a buddies golf trip).

Have stayed once each at BCV, VWL, and OKW, and likely never will again -- BCV and VWL have no good views to speak of and you have to go to the other building for everything; OKW has some decent golf course views but the resort just does not appeal to me. Have not stayed at VGF or any of the non-WDW resorts. Though I have been to HHI several times, I have not actually stayed at the DVC resort.

 

[DeeCee735]

We own at BWV since 2000 and AKV since 07. Even with VGF here and Poly Villas coming up, we would still choose these two resorts. BWV because the location just can't be beat, between having two parks within easy walking distance, lots of dining options, a resort next door with a full service spa, JELLYROLLS, and so many more things to do right there, it's just still our favorite resort.

AKV is the resort (to us anyway) for complete relaxation, taking a break from killer park touring and being in a place that's truly unique. Add in Boma and Sanaa and we are very happy people

Both of our resorts are our favorites and we can't wait to get back to each one every time we get home from the last!

 

[Disney On The Bayou]

I think if there was a resort I would add, it would be BWV, for booking the Boardwalk View and for the F&WF at 11 months. I see some value owning there. We have VGF, and I think if demand turns out to be high, it would be valuable since we enjoy staying there, however, at least right now, we haven't had any issues booking at 7 months.

 

[DougEMG]

Our favorite resort is BWV. The location is fantastic and you can't beat the point cost for a standard room

 

[SugarLoaf]

VGF, because it has always been where we stayed when visiting Disney as long as I can remember. (regular GF Resort obviously up till last year) It's our absolute favorite resort and location.

It truly feels so magical every time we arrive there. And it is the perfect Disney home away from home for us.

 

[Tink2312]

BLT because it was my first home resort and when I was a child, riding the monorail through CR, I dreamed that one day I'd be able to stay there.

 

[tgropp]

VWL. Because most of our trips are during the Christmas season and it is just so beautiful

 

[Wedgeh]

I'd have to say AKV, but it's a close run thing between the 3 resorts I own at. The first (and largest points-wise) is always going to be special.

 

[LSchrow]

we own BWV, BCV, & SSR (first purchased in 1999).

years later, our favorite is still BWV (SSR is our 2nd fave of the 3).

great views, & having both entertaining and quiet options nearby are important to us - only a very, very few resorts offer "it all"

 

[sarahk0204]

BLT because it was my first home resort and when I was a child, riding the monorail through CR, I dreamed that one day I'd be able to stay there.

And now we OWN there. Coolest thing ever.

 

[ludari]

I only own at BLT and if I could I would change my home resort. When I first picked BLT it was for the convenience of visiting Magic Kingdom which is my favorite park. I now do a lot of runDisney races and only once can I remember when BLT was a host resort for a race. I've been lucky enough to get reservations at other race host resorts but if I could I would switch to Grand California.

 

[Dean]

We have been members since 2001 and own at VWL, HHI, Aulani, Vero and VGF. The surprising best purchase has been HHI, we acquired it for a relative low price at $63 pp and it's a resort in demand, making the 11 month window for summer reservations important. Also, we find the resort to be a perfect compliment to having ownership at WDW. In fact, all of our offsite resorts have been gems. We love our VWL as well, and it's in high demand too, especially during Christmas, but again, the HHI ownership seems more valuable because we can always get a room at WDW, but HHI during the summer can be difficult. So what's your best owned resort and why? Looking forward to seeing the responses.

Marriott's Grande Ocean Resort HHI, 3 weeks with 2 of them being OF and one OS.

 

[Disney On The Bayou]

Dean.... You are going to make me try that place, that's not the first time you mentioned it. What makes it valuable to you? Location, service, amenities? What's the resale market like for Marriott? If similar to DVC, what would it take investment wise (cash) to pick up a 2 bedroom every 2nd or 3rd year, for July 4th timeframe?

 

[keishashadow]

VWL. Because most of our trips are during the Christmas season and it is just so beautiful

Indeed, absolutely perfect theming for Christmas! We initially picked VWL because it 'was' the MK DVC at the time.

Other than the clown pool feature& F&W access, the redeeming feature for us @ BWV is the value rooms' lower point.

 

[Dean]

Dean.... You are going to make me try that place, that's not the first time you mentioned it. What makes it valuable to you? Location, service, amenities? What's the resale market like for Marriott? If similar to DVC, what would it take investment wise (cash) to pick up a 2 bedroom every 2nd or 3rd year, for July 4th timeframe?

Since this is a DVC forum, I'll simply summarize my thoughts. Anyone can contact me directly if they want to discuss further. I think we like HHI because of it's geographic location, beach options, low key, greenery, and restaurants. Some people are more resort oriented and some more location oriented, we really expect both leaning to the resort quality being more important. Grande Ocean is a high end property that has large 2 BR units (1380), is right on the beach and is in a perfect location between Coligny Plaza and Sea Pines (includes Sea Pines pass). Even the worse unit location is not bad there. The other benefit is that the floating Platinum time begins 2 weeks later in June so less competition and less changes of getting stuck in a bad week. That also brings in another benefit for some, the Gold weeks cover 2 more weeks of June which are Platinum at the other top Marriott's. Truthfully I haven't followed prices lately. Based on past experience and redweek listings I'd figure $12-15K for Ocean Side Platinum and $18-22K for Ocean Front Platinum. They do not have biannual weeks there so you'd have to buy, and pay dues (under $1200) yearly. Since it's a floating week within a season setup, getting 4th of July consistently might be tough. I've done it consistently but then I can take advantage of the reservation priority that allow multiple week owners to reserve at 13 months rather than 12 months for single week owners. You're likely better off renting for cash and trying to do a private exchange than buying to use a week every 2 to 3 yrs. For those who were interested though, a single week there and a cheaper week elsewhere to use maybe for trading could allow the 13 month reservation options (I know this is sketchy and a little complicated, anyone can ask me privately more about this if they want).

In general I think it's only reasonable to buy a high end option is you'll use it most times though for full disclosure, I do use my 3 weeks on average EOY and rent them out off years for a good return. That's true for DVC, Marriott and basically anything else assuming a market priced purchase. It's better to be trading up than trading down whenever possible.