Which DVC room types/resorts offer best value per point?

[Disn3yVision]

Completely subjective of course but I'm wondering what rooms and/or resorts people feel offer the most bang for the point if you will? Does the old adage "you get what you pay for" hold true for DVC? Or are there steals and overpriced (*cough bungalows *cough) rooms/resorts out there? I'm talking strictly the value of using points to stay, not overall purchase price/value. So... what do you think the best DVC value is and why?

 

[ErinC]

Well, of course this will all be opinion, but I think in general studios are going to be the best value. You're getting all the perks and amenities of a deluxe property for the least amount of points. Obviously, the smaller the accommodations/point value= more nights of vacation time. Some people feel as if they can't survive in a studio (or their family doesn't fit), that's understandable. As far as specific studios go, of course your value views make the points stretch even farther. I'm still riding the same boat or bus or monorail as the person staying in the GV, even if I'm starring at a dumpster from my room.

 

[suebeelin]

IMO:
1. Bwv std rooms, any size room
2. BLT 1bd std or lake (bc they are huge)
3. Poly std studio (bc they are huge as studios go)

Right now we are trying to book poly std studios before they sell out, in case they become hard to book at the 7mo mark....

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Lowest point rooms at WDW are OKW, AKV - Value, AKV - Standard and BWV - Standard. In studios or 1BR's those are the best value.

Then you just have the best "value" at each resort which in the case where there are no room categories other than size it won't matter but at places with standard view you can get better value.

Though I like OKW and SSR I tend to prefer the resorts attached to hotels and I think the best value is BWV - standard view or else AKV - value or Jambo standard views.

 

[com_op_2000]

I will choose to stay in a cheaper room, so that my value is more nights each year on vacation. With that in mind, then AKL - value and standard, and OKW are my best value rooms.

 

[DenLo]

I think any DVC resort where you can walk to a park you go to regularly has the best value as they save you time. Then within those resorts you can consider if you want lower cost room, a room with a view, a small room to save cost, a larger room to stretch out in.

IMO the best value is a room that allows me to sit on the balcony and enjoy the view and lets me walk to MK or take the monorail or ferry.

 

[canadiandisneynut]

I am not a DVCer but have had the pleasure of trading into both BLT and SSR. Both were 1 bedrooms. BLT was wonderful because they offer a sleeper chair that is a perfect compliment to the master bedroom and its location was exceptional. SSR has huge value for us though. Access to a pool with Quick service, walk to downtown disney. Lower points

 

[Anal Annie]

That is a wide open question with many answers. For us, stretching points as far as we can every year usually wins out. We are a famiy of 3 so are 99% studio users. We had a 1-bedroom once but DS still had to sleep on the pullout sofa - yes the overall size was nice but it only happened due to an unfortunate LAST MINUTE emergency need to cancel a trip to DL & Aulani and a 1-bedroom was all that was available instead. (This was swapping 3 nights at VGC and 7 nights in an OV studio at Aulani in "magic" season and was an almost even wash points wise for 9 nights in a 1-bedroom at SSR in "dream" season. This was before they changed the point charts at Aulani.)

We find stretching points easy at our home at SSR (especially now with the new "standard" category), at AKV with a standard studio (values rarely available and which are almost too small for extended stays). We've not had the luck of getting a std. at BWV but that WOULD be nice to luck into. OKW is easy on the points BUT it's not our fav resort so it's last choice.

RE: convenience factors as mentioned in earlier posts...they come at a dear price for us. We are "points challenged" so staying at resorts like BLT & the Poly are few and far between. VGF probably won't happen for us for awhile becuz it's so small and hard to get. We enjoyed BLT but after just trying the Poly I'd have to say it was THE BEST. We just can't "afford" it so therefore it is not a real "value" for us. It is a splurge (as is going to Aulani).

For the most part we do not feel like "we get what we paid for" unless it's at OKW. And to be honest we only stayed there once. Our 2nd trip there is coming up in Sept. Not sure if it can redeem itself or not - but we chose it partially for the points savings so if we still don't like it it's on us. Since we went to Aulani before they revised the point charts we felt it was an exceptional value at that time. Now....ummm.....would have to chose a lower season. We tend to shy away from the point intensive resorts. I am not sure they are necessarily worth the cost involved except for the ocassional splurge trip.

 

[drusba]

Best value is BWV standard view. You get a near park resort, boardwalk activities, nightlife, walk to two parks, walk to over two dozen restaurants, all for the point price of OKW. And those who are orginal owners of BWV bought all those points needed for standard view for a price between $62 and $67 a point (and $10 less using incentives).

 

[DougEMG]

Best value is BWV standard view. You get a near park resort, boardwalk activities, nightlife, walk to two parks, walk to over two dozen restaurants, all for the point price of OKW. And those who are orginal owners of BWV bought all those points needed for standard view for a price between $62 and $67 a point (and $10 less using incentives).

My absolutely favorite booking category - BWV standard view

It almost hurts when I book something else and have to pay more points; sometimes a lot more points like at VGF or POLY.

 

[ParkHoppers]

Best value is BWV standard view. You get a near park resort, boardwalk activities, nightlife, walk to two parks, walk to over two dozen restaurants, all for the point price of OKW. And those who are orginal owners of BWV bought all those points needed for standard view for a price between $62 and $67 a point (and $10 less using incentives).

Going to agree here. Sometimes we have to borrow points from the following year and staying at BWV standard is a great way to recoup some points. Not to mention it's a great resort with great location.

 

[bigtony777]

Another vote for BWV standard view. I thought it was the best value before the renovation. Now after, you can sleep 5 in a studio for less points than almost all other studios that may only sleep 4. Now I know some can't stand the idea of 5 in a studio, but we make it work with our family.

 

[a742246]

And another vote for BWV standard.

 

[JWG]

1BR's are not the best "value" in that studios sleep 5 and are far fewer points. That said, we frequently stay in 1BR's because we want the space and kitchen. But, from a monetary value perspective certainly not a great value comparatively.

 

[Dean]

Obviously many variables. If one is buying in for the best $$$ value, SSR points staying at OKW is normally the cheapest. AKV value if and only if you stay there most of the time is likely going to be next followed by BWV standard. Then maybe SSR standard then BLT standard. Owning elsewhere and getting BWV standard, AKV value or BLT standard is not realistic. For 5 in a 1 BR or 9 in a 2 BR likely AKV Kidani or BLT standard. I wouldn't do 5 in a studio, I do not see that as a value.

 

[Castillo Mom]

So far we've stayed in all categories except a studio. I feel that the two bedroom villas at Kidani Village were a value for us since they have three bathrooms and sleep nine people. Now that one of my sons is getting married, there will only be me and my other two sons sharing a room next trip, so we'll be trying out a studio for the first time. Instead of staying at our home resort, we'll be staying at the Poly, 16 days. I'll have to see if I miss the living room and washer/dryer. Being able to book an extended stay and still have enough points left over to book a second stay next year (possibly Aulani), plus gift my son his honeymoon at AKV this year may make me forget about the extra amenities that we don't always use.