Which DVC resort is right for us?

[JenandFrank]

My family just returned from a Disney vacation. I have been looking into DVC for years and we finally did the tour this past week. Our guide was really trying to push GFV on us which would be great but is so expensive, I wasn't considering it before. I understand that this being the newest, they are probably trying to push it on everyone that does the tour. But, a lot of the stuff he was telling me did make sense for us to buy into it. We are a family of 5 with 3 kids ages 10,7, and 3. With that said, we are limited into where we can stay without staying in a 1 or 2 bedroom villa and I'm not sure we really want to buy that many points at first. I also understand that without owning at GFV, it is hard to book a studio. We most likely would like to go every fall or late spring/early summer. What resort and UY would be the best fit for us? We will most likely buy resale.

 

[disneynutz]

We like the cooler months and vacation Oct - May so we have an Oct UY. A UY is important because you can only bank your unused points during the first 8 months of your UY, that can include points from any canceled vacations.

The right resort is the one you like the best, not the one being sold to you.

Take the time to read through the posts here for answers to your questions, you will find that there is more to DVC than you think.

Bill

 

[momto3pirates]

My family just returned from a Disney vacation. I have been looking into DVC for years and we finally did the tour this past week. Our guide was really trying to push GFV on us which would be great but is so expensive, I wasn't considering it before. I understand that this being the newest, they are probably trying to push it on everyone that does the tour. But, a lot of the stuff he was telling me did make sense for us to buy into it. We are a family of 5 with 3 kids ages 10,7, and 3. With that said, we are limited into where we can stay without staying in a 1 or 2 bedroom villa and I'm not sure we really want to buy that many points at first. I also understand that without owning at GFV, it is hard to book a studio. We most likely would like to go every fall or late spring/early summer. What resort and UY would be the best fit for us? We will most likely buy resale.

I would highly recommend looking around before jumping in. Do you like the feel of the Grand Floridian? Find a resort that appeals to your family. Also, I would say, while the kids are small now and you can stay in a studio, in another couple of years that studio will be a tight fit. We were a family of 5 when we bought in (we are 6 now) and having the extra space and extra bathroom of a 2 bedroom is a life saver when getting everyone ready in the morning. With resale, you can get the points for a bigger room for less than a studio direct.

 

[JenandFrank]

I honestly don't think we will be too picky about the resort we stay in...we would love to experience all the resorts. However, I would like to be able to book at GFV or BLT if we decide we would like to....and I know that they may be hard to get 7 months out certain times of the year. I understand that SSR is the best value right now and have been leaning that way but I don't want to limit ourselves to that either, and am I understanding right that we would have to stay in a 2 bedroom there because there are 5 of us?

 

[chalee94]

I understand that SSR is the best value right now and have been leaning that way but I don't want to limit ourselves to that either, and am I understanding right that we would have to stay in a 2 bedroom there because there are 5 of us?

you could book a 1BR at SSR but they won't provide linens (or bed) for the 5th person.

i think VWL is your only other option for studios that sleep 5 (they are adding the pullout sleeper similar to VGF.)

1BRs that sleep 5 include OKW, BLT and AKV. (BLT and AKV-kidani 1BRs have 2 bathrooms.)

 

[deb010305]

Keep in mind your vacationing style will change over time. Also, once you stay in something bigger than a studio you'll have a hard time going back. It was 3 of us (me, DH, and DS14) in a studio for a few trips. Then we brought DS28 and his girlfriend so we stayed in a 2 bedroom. Last year it was back to the 3 of us, so we tried a 1 bedroom...but we were so spoiled by the 2 bedroom that next April for the 3 of us...you guessed it, a 2 bedroom!

 

[gatch1818]

My family just returned from a Disney vacation. I have been looking into DVC for years and we finally did the tour this past week. Our guide was really trying to push GFV on us which would be great but is so expensive, I wasn't considering it before. I understand that this being the newest, they are probably trying to push it on everyone that does the tour. But, a lot of the stuff he was telling me did make sense for us to buy into it. We are a family of 5 with 3 kids ages 10,7, and 3. With that said, we are limited into where we can stay without staying in a 1 or 2 bedroom villa and I'm not sure we really want to buy that many points at first. I also understand that without owning at GFV, it is hard to book a studio. We most likely would like to go every fall or late spring/early summer. What resort and UY would be the best fit for us? We will most likely buy resale.

We like to go in the fall months and sometimes Jan/Feb. I opted for a Sept. UY, but have found it hard to find resales with a Sept UY?

We are at the BC and love it! Only you and your family can decide what's right for you. I debated for a long time before buying, finally we took a long weekend trip and spent most of the trip going from resort to resort.

Good luck finding the right fit.

 

[disneynutz]

Keep in mind your vacationing style will change over time. Also, once you stay in something bigger than a studio you'll have a hard time going back. It was 3 of us (me, DH, and DS14) in a studio for a few trips. Then we brought DS28 and his girlfriend so we stayed in a 2 bedroom. Last year it was back to the 3 of us, so we tried a 1 bedroom...but we were so spoiled by the 2 bedroom that next April for the 3 of us...you guessed it, a 2 bedroom!

Same with us, 2 adults = 1 bedroom, 3 adults = 2 bedroom. We love our space!

Bill

 

[browniemtb]

Consider the math....buying GFV may seem like the right choice but a studio there may be as costly as a 1 bedroom elsewhere, points wise. Also the initial cost will be greater then the other resorts either through Disney or through resale. Like most that have posted, we bought in with one big requirement. We wanted to be able to walk to one of the parks. So we bought BWV when they were still pushing SSR and are able to walk to 2 parks. Not only that our family grew from 4 to 6 since we bought in and 2 bedrooms is the only way we can go.

Just go with the resort you are most comfortable with. They all have their own charm and character. Good luck in your decision making......

 

[Dean]

My family just returned from a Disney vacation. I have been looking into DVC for years and we finally did the tour this past week. Our guide was really trying to push GFV on us which would be great but is so expensive, I wasn't considering it before. I understand that this being the newest, they are probably trying to push it on everyone that does the tour. But, a lot of the stuff he was telling me did make sense for us to buy into it. We are a family of 5 with 3 kids ages 10,7, and 3. With that said, we are limited into where we can stay without staying in a 1 or 2 bedroom villa and I'm not sure we really want to buy that many points at first. I also understand that without owning at GFV, it is hard to book a studio. We most likely would like to go every fall or late spring/early summer. What resort and UY would be the best fit for us? We will most likely buy resale.

VGF is the only studio you can legally stay in, you'll really have to look at 1 BR's and then 2 BR's fairly soon. IF DVC makes sense I'd look at the more available resort resale and plan on larger rooms for less. Since VGF is high on number of points, high on buy in and high on dues (and will be higher still once sold out); buying more points at a cheaper resort will give you more options for less money. The things you lose buying resale actually keep you from making mistakes overpaying for the non DVC items like DCL.

 

[wendybeth75]

I love them all! We stayed in a few to figure out what we liked. We knew we wanted to buy resale. Before my last trip you could not have told me that I would LOVE AKV. I thought I would "tolerate" it and would not care for the décor or how isolated it is. I ended up doing the opposite---I loved it!! In fact we made an offer on a property. Shop around if you can and see what you like best. You may be like me and it be what was last on your list that moves to first!

 

[JenandFrank]

Thanks for all the advice. I think it is financially better for us to buy SSR or OKW. I honestly don't think we would be "disappointed" with any of the resorts so I'm thinking this is our best choice. I can get more points for less money and I know we will be looking into the 1 and 2 bedroom suites very soon as my family continues to grow. The guide didn't seem to want to listem to me when I told him that! Anyway, what are some pros and cons of those 2 resorts and I'm still confused about UY. Any helpful advice and info about that would be great!

 

[chalee94]

Anyway, what are some pros and cons of those 2 resorts

OKW has the largest villas (1BRs are about 1000 sq ft) and some of the lowest point costs. the studios are the only ones with 2 real queen beds (no pullout) but for your family size, it's more important that the 1BRs sleep 5 with a pullout sofabed plus a sleeper chair.

the landscaping is mature as OKW was the first DVC resort and i like the theming (pastels and "gingerbread architecture"). it's fairly centrally located to all the parks, but you cannot walk to any of them.

SSR and OKW both have a boat to DTD. SSR's theming has been a bit more luxury-oriented than OKW.

the big advantage of SSR is that contracts expire in 2054. most OKW resales expire in 2042 (although a few were extended to 2057, if you are patient).

and I'm still confused about UY. Any helpful advice and info about that would be great!

The "Understanding Use Year" thread

the short answer is that it is best to travel early in your UY (i travel in nov/dec primarily so i have an oct UY) and you never want to travel in the last few months of your UY (i hate summertime in central FL so i would not want to travel in july/aug/sept anyway).

remember that UY has nothing to do with when you can call to book - that is all based on your home resort.

 

[ldo]

we are a family of 5 and usually book a 1BR at OKW or AKV b/c they have the extra sleeper chair. Both OKW and AKV standard view are only a few more points per night than a studio at GF. My kids are now 12,13,17 and we still fit just fine in a 1BR @ OKW or AKV. OKW has the largest living area and very large balcony/patio with table seating for 4 persons outside. We alternate between OKW and AKV, but the space is much better for 5 in 1BR @ OKW. A 1BR gives you a separate bedroom, larger bathroom, 2 TVs, full kitchen, and W/D in your unit. You can save significant $ and eat healthier by having breakfast and/or a few simple meals in the room. Having the convenience/space of a 1BR is worth a few extra points per night.
You can look on allears.net to find floorplans and photos of DVc resorts. If you have a car, you can park right at your OKW villa. 1BRs are usually available at 7 months, even at peak times.
With SSR, you have 11 mth booking advantage for Treehouse villas, if those interest you.
AKV is our favorite b/c of the activities and animals. It is easy to book a 1BR standard view at 7 mths. We do not book savannah b/c more points and see plenty of animals around the resort. We own at VWL and have never not gotten into AKV, including Christmas and Easter when booking at 7 mths.
Of course, you need to be "OK" to stay where you buy, esp. for peak times, but this has been my experience the past 5 years.

 

[henderkm]

Have to admit it, there are only 4 of us and having a 2br at VWL in January was wonderful, especially for a longer trip. We liked not having to open up the sleeper sofa. Seems like we had so much more room in the living room. We cooked in our room about 4 out of 6 nights and ate breakfast in our room every day.

We could make do now with a studio, but I'm afraid that would only be for a short trip.

This was our first time at our home resort since buying 4 years ago. I think each resort has it's own positive features, and personal preference and budget play a big part in a choice. We have stayed at OKW and SSR and enjoyed both.

Our UY is August. If we take our trip during the Food and Wine, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, the UY works well. If we vacation in early June, it doesn't seem to work as well. We have had one incident where we had to cancel a reservation 2 weeks prior to our trip. If our vacation had been in June, our options for use of the points would have been even more limited.

 

[JenandFrank]

So, looking into UY, I'm thinking a September UY would be good since we like to travel in the fall. However, thinking into the future, as the kids grow we may be limited to go in the early summer. Will September still be a good UY choice then?

 

[chalee94]

So, looking into UY, I'm thinking a September UY would be good since we like to travel in the fall. However, thinking into the future, as the kids grow we may be limited to go in the early summer. Will September still be a good UY choice then?

no UY covers every travel plan.

if you never cancel, your UY will never be an issue.

but if you travel in july and august with a sept UY and need to cancel, you will be at a higher risk of losing the pts completely. just something to be aware of...

 

[nalajms]

So, looking into UY, I'm thinking a September UY would be good since we like to travel in the fall. However, thinking into the future, as the kids grow we may be limited to go in the early summer. Will September still be a good UY choice then?

A Sept UY would be a poor choice for summer travel. You may want to consider a June UY, if you think summer will be more likely in the future.

 

[kenspidey]

So, looking into UY, I'm thinking a September UY would be good since we like to travel in the fall. However, thinking into the future, as the kids grow we may be limited to go in the early summer. Will September still be a good UY choice then?

I have a Sept use year and LOVE it because I always travel in the fall and winter. If you really think you want to travel in the summer (why would you) June would be better. I wouldn't dream of going in August. Crowds are too high.

 

[NoleFan]

I honestly don't think we will be too picky about the resort we stay in...we would love to experience all the resorts. However, I would like to be able to book at GFV or BLT if we decide we would like to....and I know that they may be hard to get 7 months out certain times of the year. I understand that SSR is the best value right now and have been leaning that way but I don't want to limit ourselves to that either, and am I understanding right that we would have to stay in a 2 bedroom there because there are 5 of us?

If your travel dates are flexible, a lake view @ BLT can be doable many parts of the year. Theme park and standard would be more difficult. You really have to experience them all as everyone has different tastes and preferences. GFV costs a lot of $/pt and the point chart is high. Unless you absolutely MUST stay there, then I would definitely look resale elsewhere. You could also have multiple contracts & multiple UYs for different home resort advantages and travel times.

We have tried other resorts but as a general rule BWV & BCV are a must for us so owning where we want to stay is a must for us.