Whats your home resort and why do you love it?

[sajetto]

We bought our first contract at SSR. We've never stayed there overnight (did a whole day spa experience and ate at their counter and table service) We really don't have plans to stay their either. Unless we can't get into to AKV during the dates we want.

AKV is where we added on because it is my FAVORITE Disney resort on property, that includes all non-DVC resorts. The theme is amazing and I agree with what one person said in that, it is like having two vacations in one. Boma is one of my favorite resturants, I love the animals, and love how quiet it is.

We are planning another add on as well. However, we're not sure if we want more AKV points or CRV if it comes to pass. While I think all the other DVCs are great (especially OKW) I want to add on at a resort with a few more years left to use.

 

[ReneeQ]

We also own at two resorts.

BWV - For the first few years we were members, this is the only contract we owned, and it was my favorite. I love the lower point standard view rooms, which we'll get if I go solo, or it's just me and DH. We spring for BW view, if we take guests. And, of course, the location. DH's favorite park is Epcot. I just LOVE the theming.

What I don't like about BWV is the lack of a true food court-type place, and no self-serve refillable mug location. My nephew loves this at BCV and VWL. I also don't like that they closed the kid's club, so now the closest one is at BCV.

VWL - We added on 100 points here site unseen in 2001 while on the Disney Cruise. The first time we went there we were blown away. Now I can honestly say it's an even tie between BWV and VWL for my favorites. I just love the coziness, the smaller size, and the theme. AND they have a food court, self-serve refillable mugs AND a kid's club!

What I don't like is the lack of a "normal" table service restaurant. When we're tired after a long day, we don't always want the antics at Whispering Canyon, and Artist Point gets pricey. There's nothing in between.

As far as adding on again, we have 300 points total, which is plenty for us, since it's just me and DH, no kids. BUT if they build DVC at the Contemporary, I don't know if I could stay away.

 

[AKV707]

We own at AKV. We bought there because we love the theming, the savannas, and the fact that it fells like a vacation destination. If we were to add on, (which of course, we are already discussing, but likely 2 years away) we are torn. We could add on at AKV, OKW, BWV, or BCV. BWV and BCV would primarily be for location. We love Epcot and Food and Wine Festival. We have stayed at OKW and love the place. The point values and room sizes are also a plus. And it is located within a short bus ride to all parks.

The question will be if we think we need an 11 month window at OKW if we decide to go there or if having more AKV points will give us more flexibility.

If we decide BCV or BWV, we know that we will need that 11 month window.

Good luck with your decision. I would say it would come down to where you want that second 11 month booking advantage.

 

[Pig Pen]

We own at VB and have only stayed there once, but we loved it. We bought there because it was cheaper than BCV (the only other property for sale at the time) and we didn't know any better. However, since we plan on retiring to Florida and definitely will not be able to afford to live near a beach, we are glad we have VB as a getaway option. Plus, since we plan on working at WDW we probably will not want to vacation there too! Hee hee.

VB was very relaxing with a gorgeous setting. I just pray that the hurricanes bypass it for awhile.

 

[alldiz]

Great responses so far......keep em coming

Lots of food for thought......

I lean towards AKV now because I'm trying to get preggars....and
that will make 4 of us.....and my mom always comes with us.
AKV is the only one that sleeps 5......

I like having a kids club on site....and they have great restaurants....

I also think that one would need the 11 month window to stay
in Jambo house.....

Of course having all my points in 1 place WLV is also appealing....

All I do all day is stare at point charts
Kerri

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have 3 contracts in two resorts. Our two largest contracts are at OKW with a total of 380 points there, while our small add-on of 69 points is at AKV.

OKW:
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the large units, full sized appliances and full laundry room, large covered porch, views, atmosphere, get away feel of the place, the fact that it FEELS like a real home and not a hotel room, all the wildlife around the area, and the fantastic landscaping. Hey, and those low point costs are nothing to sneeze at either! Hey, I even love the old style Florida decor! While it is starting to show its age a bit, it is still our favorite vacation spot, and truly does feel like home!

AKV:
The theme and the savanna complete with animals to watch is the draw here. We don't have enough points to stay here often, but I suspect we will use this as a "non-Disney" vacation where we will spend more time at the resort than in the parks. That's hard to believe, since we usually vacation at WDW for 11 days at a time, and go to the parks every day. I just know we are going to be spending much more time here taking advantage of the animal viewing. I do wish it wasn't so dark though.

 

[alldiz]

We have 3 contracts in two resorts. Our two largest contracts are at OKW with a total of 380 points there, while our small add-on of 69 points is at AKV.

OKW:
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the large units, full sized appliances and full laundry room, large covered porch, views, atmosphere, get away feel of the place, the fact that it FEELS like a real home and not a hotel room, all the wildlife around the area, and the fantastic landscaping. Hey, and those low point costs are nothing to sneeze at either! Hey, I even love the old style Florida decor! While it is starting to show its age a bit, it is still our favorite vacation spot, and truly does feel like home!

AKV:
The theme and the savanna complete with animals to watch is the draw here. We don't have enough points to stay here often, but I suspect we will use this as a "non-Disney" vacation where we will spend more time at the resort than in the parks. That's hard to believe, since we usually vacation at WDW for 11 days at a time, and go to the parks every day. I just know we are going to be spending much more time here taking advantage of the animal viewing. I do wish it wasn't so dark though.

I can't wait to try OKW.....of course when I do.....I'll probably be
thinking add-on again....those points are pretty awesome.

As for AKV....DH thought it was a little dark....and the overall look
is very similiar to WLV where I own.....those things keep bugging me.

I might do 2 small add-ons.....I'm scared owning at 3 resorts will
get crazy.....I do love this crazy planning though....it's.helping to keep my disney fix going....I don't have any trips planned.....Waiting to see if
I get preggars....1st time right away.....now that I want to
plan a trip it will probably take forever
Kerri

 

[dianeschlicht]

(snip)I might do 2 small add-ons.....I'm scared owning at 3 resorts will
get crazy.....I do love this crazy planning though....it's.helping to keep my disney fix going....I don't have any trips planned.....Waiting to see if
I get preggars....1st time right away.....now that I want to
plan a trip it will probably take forever
Kerri

Don't feel like you have to own at each resort to stay at each resort. As long as you can be flexible, I think you can easily get into other than home resorts at the 7 month window...it just isn't guaranteed. The best tactic is to book at your home resort and swap at the 7 month window as long as you are still within banking deadlines, should you use less points in the new ressie.

 

[MinnieGi]

We own at BWV and HHI. We love them both!

BWV we love for the location to easily get to Epcot and MGM. We enjoy walking the boards at night and seeing the live entertainment. I love being able to book standard point values or a boardwalk view.

Drawback: the long hallways and somehow we always seem to get put very close to the end!!!!

We love HHI too for our summer vacations.

If we were to add on we'd go for AKV in a heartbeat. We have stayed twice at AKL and loved it even better than WL. The atmosphere is so unique and being able to stay there in a one or two bedroom villa will make it even better!!!

 

[LSchrow]

home resorts: BWV, SSR, & BCV.

fav of ANY DVC: BWV (need i say more? )
2nd fav: SSR

absolutely no interest in OKW, some interest in VWL & AKV (have visited but not stayed at either yet ~ would like to as they have diff atmospheres, making for diff types of vacations), little in BCV (great location, not a fan of the views), love SSR ~ would prob be our fav if BWV didn't exist, would consider an add on at CRV.......
haven't visited VB or HH, tho have heard great things about them....someday

would def add on at BWV in a heartbeat~ location, decor, BWV rooms . BWV has a "WOW" factor we've never gotten anywhere else (we were totally enthralled the first time we saw the resort (weren't actually staying there), & that feeling of awe has not diminished one iota ).

 

[Esmerelda]

We are owners at SSR and have stayed at all of the DVC resorts at Disney. Hands down...SSR is all of our favorites DVC home.

What do we love about it: the decor, very classy...the pools are all awesome...the Carriage House, just a great place....the bus service (we have never had a major issue with it)...Artists Palette and the Turf Club, we had our absolute BEST meals at the TC this past June and cannot wait to return...DTD proximitiy, we love to go and stroll and shop then walk right back to our villa...the boats to DTD are really nice...the spa, great massages...the bike rentals are fun...Community Hall, always something in there to do...the fact that SSR does not share buses with any other resort is a huge plus for us...the grounds, great place for a stroll...the views..the decor in the villas is delightful...the quietness, away from the parks...feels like a real vacation place...wow...I could go on and on. We truly love staying there and we have hit them all. We don't have a particular park we like to go to so being away from the parks is a huge plus for us because we enjoy them all.

I hear others say they won't even stay at SSR and that flabergasts my hubby and I. We have had nothing but stellar stays there. My two teenaged sons love it also.

have a great time whatever your decision is,
Esmererlda

 

[alldiz]

Don't feel like you have to own at each resort to stay at each resort. As long as you can be flexible, I think you can easily get into other than home resorts at the 7 month window...it just isn't guaranteed. The best tactic is to book at your home resort and swap at the 7 month window as long as you are still within banking deadlines, should you use less points in the new ressie.

Good point. If I add on at 1 resort....I'll probably go where the wind blows
every other year with the add-on.....I'm sure I'll love em all
Is it better to have a ressie at 7 mths and switch because it is easier
to trade it.....or just to guarantee a ressie?
thanks

We own at BWV and HHI. We love them both!

BWV we love for the location to easily get to Epcot and MGM. We enjoy walking the boards at night and seeing the live entertainment. I love being able to book standard point values or a boardwalk view.

Drawback: the long hallways and somehow we always seem to get put very close to the end!!!!

We love HHI too for our summer vacations.

If we were to add on we'd go for AKV in a heartbeat. We have stayed twice at AKL and loved it even better than WL. The atmosphere is so unique and being able to stay there in a one or two bedroom villa will make it even better!!!

BWV is still on the radar.....F&W festival.....nuff said.....
I thought the BCV halls were long.....can't wait to see BWV

home resorts: BWV, SSR, & BCV.

fav of ANY DVC: BWV (need i say more? )
2nd fav: SSR

absolutely no interest in OKW, some interest in VWL & AKV (have visited but not stayed at either yet ~ would like to as they have diff atmospheres, making for diff types of vacations), little in BCV (great location, not a fan of the views), love SSR ~ would prob be our fav if BWV didn't exist, would consider an add on at CRV.......
haven't visited VB or HH, tho have heard great things about them....someday

would def add on at BWV in a heartbeat~ location, decor, BWV rooms . BWV has a "WOW" factor we've never gotten anywhere else (we were totally enthralled the first time we saw the resort (weren't actually staying there), & that feeling of awe has not diminished one iota ).

WL has given me the WOW that hasn't been completely duplicated.
Yet to try them all yet though......I'm very goal oriented
Kerri

 

[alldiz]

We are owners at SSR and have stayed at all of the DVC resorts at Disney. Hands down...SSR is all of our favorites DVC home.

What do we love about it: the decor, very classy...the pools are all awesome...the Carriage House, just a great place....the bus service (we have never had a major issue with it)...Artists Palette and the Turf Club, we had our absolute BEST meals at the TC this past June and cannot wait to return...DTD proximitiy, we love to go and stroll and shop then walk right back to our villa...the boats to DTD are really nice...the spa, great massages...the bike rentals are fun...Community Hall, always something in there to do...the fact that SSR does not share buses with any other resort is a huge plus for us...the grounds, great place for a stroll...the views..the decor in the villas is delightful...the quietness, away from the parks...feels like a real vacation place...wow...I could go on and on. We truly love staying there and we have hit them all. We don't have a particular park we like to go to so being away from the parks is a huge plus for us because we enjoy them all.

I hear others say they won't even stay at SSR and that flabergasts my hubby and I. We have had nothing but stellar stays there. My two teenaged sons love it also.

have a great time whatever your decision is,
Esmererlda

SSR was my 1st DVC visit.....I did love it....Best part was
able to walk to DTD and get any bus.....we eat dinner at the resorts a lot.

The pool is awesome.....love that zero entry DD5 learned to swim
completely underwater there .....My baby is growing up at disney
We only went to the parks 2 days when we where there.....sooo relaxing
Can't wait to try the grandstand section.
Kerri

 

[Fitswimmer]

My home resort is SSR and I LOVE it because it is separate from the parks. Don't get me wrong, I love all 4 parks, but I also love the peace and quiet of SSR and having a place to be away from the hustle and bustle of the park atmosphere.

If I could afford to add on, I would probably add on at OKW because we really enjoyed our stay there. It's another very peaceful resort to come home to after a crazy day in the parks.