Which DVC Resort Do You Recommend?

[crebok]

My family wants to look at purchasing DVC. What resort do you recommend staying at? What are the differences?

 

[mackdaddyrocker]

The one that has the most "magic" for your family...They're all great resorts. Choosing the perfect one for you is hard for anyone else to suggest.

If you usually have a car, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs are large and spread-out, but you can park near your building.

If you're going to rely on WDW transportation exclusively, they all have good access to get you just about anywhere on WDW using the buses, boats, and monorail trains. (None of the DVC resorts aredirectly on the monorail lines at this time.)

Wilderness Lodge is located closer to the Magic Kingdom.

Beach Club and Boardwalk are closer to Epcot (International Gateway entrance) and Disney/MGM Studios.

Vero Beach and Hilton Head are, obviously, located on the coast, away from WDW.

They all have similar (not exact) room layouts available. The room amenities are all similar and very nice. The theming is different from resort to resort, and is up to your personal preference.

Just pick the one that looks best to you and has availability for a stay, and then try to visit the others while you're there.

Of course, Saratoga Springs is the one currently available for sale, unless you're considering buying a resale, then they all are.

Good Luck! I hope you enjoy DVC as much as I have.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by mackdaddyrocker
[...] and Saratoga Springs are large and spread-out, but you can park near your building.

Ah, yes, SSR - my home resort. I think that you've coined the new official motto for SSR:

Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa - We're Large and Spread-Out, but You Can Park Near Your Building!

Seriously, crebok, this is a very individual matter. There are plusses and minuses to each resort, and there are financial considerations as well. Also, you'll need to consider your family size and typical pattern of use, as well as which parks (Disney and other ) you'll plan on visiting.

The best thing you can do is "edumacate" yourself - spend some time reading this forum, and get a feel for what thoughts and concerns current and propective owners have.

Oh, and keep asking questions!

Good luck!

 

[ceejay13]

I concur, it is a matter of personal taste. When we bought only BWV and OKW were for sale (on WDW poperty), so didn't have much of a choice. OKW opened up some additional points in 2000 when the BWV were on sale but we bought sight unseen and so went with BWV. We have added on 3 additional times, twice a the BWV and once at the BCV. I must say that we have loved every resort we have stayed at. In fact, we are going back to OKW in 2 weeks for our 3rd stay there. This board is incredible for providing DVC information. In addition www.wdwig.com has a lot of pictures of each of the resorts and the different size rooms at each. We haven't yet been to SSR or VWL but want to in the future. I'm sure they are just as nice as the others. I would just spend some time researching your choices and see what seems to be the best for your family.

 

[spiceycat]

pick your favorite 3 resorts - then go to the rental/trade board and try to find a rental for all 3 resorts - stay in them - then you can decide which is the best fit for you.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

The best of the DVC resorts is the one you stayed at last!!!
The second best is the one you're going to next...

 

[disneycrazed139]

You could also look at Disney's site for tours of all the DVC properties. I really like the music that goes along with each separate resort. The site gives you a good feel for each and might help you pick a favorite or two. There are other good sites that others have mentioned.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortCatListing?id=HomeAwayFromHomeResortListingPage

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by crebok
My family wants to look at purchasing DVC. What resort do you recommend staying at? What are the differences?

I recommend the Beach Club Villas. You can enjoy Storm Along Bay and pool hop to other DVC resorts to check them out. You cannot pool hop to SAB if you are staying at other DVC resorts. Exploring the Crescent lake area will be worth your time. I'd also recommend taking the boat from WLV to MK to check out one of the nice advantages of staying at WLV.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just agreeing with most, that the decision about WHICH DVC is a personal preference thing, and you only know by staying in or visiting each. Here is my nutshell ...

OKW- Big Vacation home style units in a big sprawling resort that feels like home. This is not a hotel, but a series of 2-3 story villas where you park right outside your building. One main pool and 3 neighborhood pools are available here. DTD is very easy acess from here. It has great bus service to all the parks, and consists of larger units for less points.

SSR- Similar to OKW in having seperate buildings with parking out your door, but the units are the smaller size of other 3 on-site resorts. One main pool and one smaller pool here. It's new and well themed and has very good bus transportation like OKW. It is really in the DTD neighborhood.

BWV- Close to the action of the Boardwalk and within walking distance of Epcot and MGM studios. This is a hotel style resort with the units opening onto a hotel hallway, and parking is off in a valet lot. Disney transportation available with boats to Epcot and MGM and. Some have complained about the bus service to the other two parks, but I think what time of year you are there makes a difference on that. One main pool and one quiet pool here.

BCV- Similar location and room layout to BWV with interior halls etc, and use of the BC main desk, which appears to be a problem for some. Same access pros and cons as BWV for transportation and walking. Sports a fantastic main pool that it shares with the BC and one quiet pool.

VWL- Probably best themed DVC resort and the only one close to MK. Here again there is a hotel setting like BWV and BCV and the resort shares check in with the main hotel as well as the main pool. There is also a quiet pool here, and the atmosphere seems to be one of seclusion but still near the action of MK. Same size units as BWV, BCV, and SSR. Valet parking as at BWV and BCV, but transportation seems to have fewer issues than those resorts.

 

[Histosue]

It really depends on if you plan on visiting disney every year. We actually purchased HH and will be using it for the first time in 2005. One reason is that our maint costs are lower. This is the first time we a visiting disney and were not able to get aDVC reservation. Went in Feb and had no problem soi think owning HH has worked for us. Vero Beach also looks nice but never saw in person

 

[Richyams]

hello all
This is richyams sister Lori.
All of his family is here from NY, we are all dvc members and our love for OKW (RKW) is the same as Rich's was. That is the one I would recomend for all the same reasons that Rich would choose it.
Thankyou for your thoughts and prayers.
I couldn't help responding to this subject because I know he would have. Sorry my response will never be as colorful as his was.
Lori

We will be at RKW 10/9 - 10/17/04