Where you own vs. where you'd like to own

[readytogotodisney]

I'm not even sure I picked the right board to post this, but here it goes.

I'm just curious, where everyone bought, when, and if they're still happy with their home resort?

We're in the beginning phase of looking at purchasing resale, probably within the year so we're looking at which resort we'd like to focus on getting a contract at.

My parents have owned since 1995 and bought at OKW, bc really that was all there was at the time. It's worked out well for them bc they (we really, we travel with them) bc we go during slow time (Jan/Feb). We never had a problem switching from our home resort to another resort at 7 months out. Even with VGF.

Now for our family vacations, I think we'd pick BWV alot (my DH's favorite), but I know we'll still only go during slower times bc we like to avoid the most crowded times. So go for SSR with longer contract and lower maintenance fees or go for BWV 11 month availability?

 

[disneynutz]

If availability is a concern, buy at BWV. If switching at 7 months isn't a concern and you don't mind the disappointment once in a while, buy SSR.

We no longer do waitlists, book early, and bought our favorite resorts. To me it doesn't make sense spending thousands and thousands of dollars to hope to switch at 7 months or to hope that a waitlist comes through.

We bought BCV, BWV, AKV, VWL, VGF, and BLT. I would keep VGF, BWV, and VWL.

Bill

 

[Splashboat]

Exactly what Bill said.
We bought BWV and AKV because those are the 2 resorts where we like to stay. (We stayed at both before buying)

We are able to plan at 11 months out and have no desire to play the game of trying to switch at 7 months. We average 10-12 day trips and I don't want to piece anything together or move because we have to.

I am firmly in the camp of 'Buy where you want to stay'.

 

[zavandor]

I was tempted to buy BWV because of the location and standard view, but then I bought SSR because I want to try all resorts over time and SSR is just the best one to do this. Maybe in the future I'll find a favorite, but I don't have it for the moment.
However I also bought SSR because of the proximity to DDT where I go at least twice per trip, so it's as convenient as a near park resort for me, so I would be happy to stay there as well. Also, I can travel during DVC low peark time, it makes a difference.

 

[Minniesgal]

We have bought at every resort we love to stay at with the exception of BLT. We own at AKV for the kids, GFV for the parents and GCV for all of us. What I missed is how much my youngest would love BLT and for a while I did wish we had bought half BLT half AKV but we book home resort stays and if we can swap some nights we do if we can't we don't sweat it

 

[Dean]

I'm not even sure I picked the right board to post this, but here it goes.

I'm just curious, where everyone bought, when, and if they're still happy with their home resort?

We're in the beginning phase of looking at purchasing resale, probably within the year so we're looking at which resort we'd like to focus on getting a contract at.

My parents have owned since 1995 and bought at OKW, bc really that was all there was at the time. It's worked out well for them bc they (we really, we travel with them) bc we go during slow time (Jan/Feb). We never had a problem switching from our home resort to another resort at 7 months out. Even with VGF.

Now for our family vacations, I think we'd pick BWV alot (my DH's favorite), but I know we'll still only go during slower times bc we like to avoid the most crowded times. So go for SSR with longer contract and lower maintenance fees or go for BWV 11 month availability?

It depends. If you are focused on the standard view villas or 3 BR villas at BWV, I'd buy there. For every other situation I'd likely go with SSR if you want BWV at times and use the points here and there.

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

We bought at BWV because we liked the close proximity to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. However, give the opportunity to do it again, we'd buy at Beach Club as we LOVE the Marketplace there. It's all personal preference, but resale is the only way to go.

 

[disneynutz]

We bought at BWV because we liked the close proximity to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. However, give the opportunity to do it again, we'd buy at Beach Club as we LOVE the Marketplace there. It's all personal preference, but resale is the only way to go.

We bought BCV because we like the market place but don't care for the view. We had the opportunity to do it again so we bought BWV for the view.

I agree it's all personal preference and most won't know enough about the resort until after they buy.

Bill

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

Bill, that's awesome to hear as I sometimes wonder if we made a mistake. Well, as much of a mistake as you can make with a DVC purchase (said no one ever)! But, I will agree with you the view at BWV is awesome. We walk over to market place and enjoy the awesomeness of it and I will always remember you as your comments give me comfort. It is indeed personal preference. However, I will never regret our purchase - we LOVE it!

 

[DizBub]

We own at BLT and BCV and don't regret it. Enjoy having a monorail and Epcot resort for 11 month bookings. Would love to add at BWV for the standard/boardwalk views and AKV for the value villas.

But realistically and in my heart we will buy at SSR if we decide to add on.

 

[robndani]

We bought at AKL because it was only that or BLT available at the time. Our two little ones LOVE animals, but after 2 years, I may have actually gone with BLT just because it's more centrally located.

We're going on our 5th trip since buying into DVC and haven't repeated a resort yet. We're going on our 6th trip in January and trying BLT for the first time, so I guess the whole 11 months out thing doesn't really apply to us.

All we have left to try is Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridian (and eventually Poly)!

I think it's hard to go wrong!

 

[DisneyDiana]

We own at BWV and AKV. I am a planner and enjoy booking early and planning our trips. We bought where we love staying. It is worth it to me because we would happily stay at either resort every time we go.

 

[ldo]

bought @ VWL to be able to book at Christmas. We don't go anymore in Dec. WE love AKV. Luckily, we have always been able to get a standard room (less points) @ 7 mths and many times we have been able to get a value room. DH asked if we should sell and rebuy @ AKV. I said no need, as we always get in.

 

[disneynutz]

Bill, that's awesome to hear as I sometimes wonder if we made a mistake. Well, as much of a mistake as you can make with a DVC purchase (said no one ever)! But, I will agree with you the view at BWV is awesome. We walk over to market place and enjoy the awesomeness of it and I will always remember you as your comments give me comfort. It is indeed personal preference. However, I will never regret our purchase - we LOVE it!

Loving it is what's important, for us Disney is a special place, and loving where you stay is an important part of the magic.

We did buy some resorts that we like but don't love as much as some others. Like everything in life, you learn by doing.

Bill

 

[disneynutz]

We bought at AKL because it was only that or BLT available at the time. Our two little ones LOVE animals, but after 2 years, I may have actually gone with BLT just because it's more centrally located.

We're going on our 5th trip since buying into DVC and haven't repeated a resort yet. We're going on our 6th trip in January and trying BLT for the first time, so I guess the whole 11 months out thing doesn't really apply to us.

All we have left to try is Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridian (and eventually Poly)!

I think it's hard to go wrong!

If you decide to buy again, you should know that all resorts are available direct. Disney has created a waitlist for some of the resorts and UY's, IMO to get buyers to purchase the new resorts because they sell for more money.

The Guides often will not tell buyers about the older resort availability.

Bill

 

[bwvBound]

I'm just curious, where everyone bought, when, and if they're still happy with their home resort?

Now for our family vacations, I think we'd pick BWV alot (my DH's favorite), but I know we'll still only go during slower times bc we like to avoid the most crowded times. So go for SSR with longer contract and lower maintenance fees or go for BWV 11 month availability?

Tough call! We've owned SSR for 10+ years and we'd do it again if buying now with the same resort choices. FWIW, we went into the purchase *knowing* we wanted BWV as we stay there every year (Jan/Feb). We were absolutely certain about needing/wanting BWV. How we ended up with SSR is a long story -- but the lower rates and added years were factors!

If you hope to book BWV Value units (we rarely use these): buy BWV.
If you hope to book BWV during F&W or Christmas/New Years: buy BWV.
If you hope to book BWV Grand Villas: buy BWV.

Otherwise ... SSR might be a happy fit.

The only other resort I'd say we've wanted to own is the Grand Cal -- but it wasn't even a solid rumor 10 years ago.

 

[rmcildw2m]

I sold my HHI so I could buy something on property , I got BCV at a pretty good deal but if I had my ruthers I would love to have AKL . But for now I am content .

 

[Candy Orlando]

We bought 300 SSR points and added 200 OKW points. We enjoyed all of our trips at both resorts.

Last year we saw the VGF model and fell in love so we sold our 500 points and bought 750 VGF points.

My husband is retiring next year and we want to spend more time relaxing. It is a perfect resort for us. We could have bought a condo but we like to have Disney take care of everything.

We can stay 6 weeks in a studio or 3 weeks in a one bedroom.

Candy

 

[com_op_2000]

1st purchase was in '93 at of course OKW.
Added on twice since at OKW, with one being a different UY.
We transfer out to other resorts @95% of the time.
Will never get rid of OKW contracts as we like the resort and it will always be our first home away from home.
We are really starting to like AKL and thinking about adding on a home resort contract there. We are concerned about the high MFs at AKL.
Over the course of this year since Jan we will have stayed at OKW, SSR, VB, BCV, AKL, and WLV.

 

[crisi]

It depends. If you are focused on the standard view villas or 3 BR villas at BWV, I'd buy there. For every other situation I'd likely go with SSR if you want BWV at times and use the points here and there.

I'll add if you want to travel during Food and Wine, early December, over Christmas or during marathons and stay at BWV for those events.

BWV often has availability at seven months for preferred view rooms - even at those times of year - but at those times of year the little availability there might be can disappear very quickly once the seven month window opens