Which DVC should we buy as our home resort?

[kimmysueRN]

DH and I have decided to buy into DVC. We are (happily) childless.
We know that the best specials are at SSR, and that it has a longer term of use than the others, but we want to be sure that we buy at the place we most want as our home resort. (Yes, I know its often no problem to get into any of the properties, and that the MFs are the lowest at SSR).

When giving us your opinions on which DVC we should buy into please keep in mind that:
1. The older we have gotten, the more it annoys us to have to put up with lots of out of control children. (Since I can't make some people decent parents, I'd rather just avoid them). Don't get me wrong, we both love kids, but the families we choose to be friends with have wonderful children. When you are on vacation, Murphy's law dictates that YOUR room is next to the one with the parents who scream at their children, or who let their children watch cartoons with the volume up all the way at 3am, etc. We would like to minimize our odds, if it differs between resorts (in general).
2. We absolutely adore Epcot, and being within walking distance at the Beach Club sounds amazing, we would likely want to go for the "food & wine" most years.

Input appreciated!!

 

[lisaviolet]

Given all you said about children and Epcot. I would go with Boardwalk. Walking distance to Epcot. Plus, at Boardwalk everyone comes into the DVC area from different entrances and uses different exits. So there is less interaction.....ie. being annoyed with parents that are not "parenting" as you stated.

At BCV there is one main door to the DVC area so hence more interaction.

Views are the best at BWV......

Plus, BWV is the only DVC with two point charts. Standard views/points are a steal. And with preferred points there are three different views and usually only owners have a decent chance at getting the BW views.

VWL is remote and beautiful. But you mentioned Epcot. Plus, you have to love the "rustic" appearance.

Good luck with your decision and an early "Welcome Home". I think you are smart not to buy SSR if it is not your favourite.

 

[DVCajun]

Boardwalk is my pick, because of the atmosphere and location. I don't think that any of the resorts are going to be free of out-of-control children (or well-behaved children either). If you want that, you might want to try a Sandals resort. Disney is gonna have kids all over the place, all the time.

 

[DisneydaveCT]

I have been at OKW for over 10 years, and have not run into "out-of-control" children. I am thinking about adding more points to my membership next year, and will try to buy more OKW points.

I have also stayed at SSR and BWV. And BWV was where I ran into larger groups of kids.

Personally, I prefer the layout & comfort of OKW, with SSR being my second choice. And if I don't buy more points at OKW, then I would buy at SSR.

My ex-wife has WLV as her home resort, and my daughter tells me that she like WLV.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd recommend OKW. BWV, BCV, and VWL have lobbies (I'm thinking of the main lobby at VWL). Sometimes things can get rather "rambunctious" there. At OKW, you have outdoor corridors and you don't pass thru any busy, central area. That's one of the reasons DH finds OKW more peaceful.

 

[lisaviolet]

I'd recommend OKW. BWV, BCV, and VWL have lobbies (I'm thinking of the main lobby at VWL). Sometimes things can get rather "rambunctious" there. At OKW, you have outdoor corridors and you don't pass thru any busy, central area. That's one of the reasons DH finds OKW more peaceful.

Okay, OKW is the best choice if you are willing to give up the walking to Epcot. Yep. Best bet if you want a peaceful atmosphere.

And once you stay in OKW one bedroom. Well there is nothing like them.


Let us know what you decide.

 

[DisneydaveCT]

Okay, OKW is the best choice if you are willing to give up the walking to Epcot. Yep. Best bet if you want a peaceful atmosphere.

And once you stay in OKW one bedroom. Well there is nothing like them.


Let us know what you decide.

Lisa you are so correct about a 1BR at OKW.

 

[TOTALLYGOOFY]

My husband & I selected BCV as our home resort because of the close proximity to Epcot & MGM, SAB, restaurant selection, and smallness of the resort. While we thought SSR was nice & the price was better, DH would have been disappointed if he couldn't get into BCV within the 7 month window. We just finalized our contract in 12/05, & have taken 4 short vacations, 3 of which were at BCV. We haven't had any problems with children having meltdowns. In fairness, the only other DVC we have stayed it is VWL, for a last minute trip, & the atmosphere was great, & the boat and bus transportation to MGM and MK, were fine; we didn't try Epcot due to time constraints. While we anticipated a long wait to purchase BCV through Disney, in reality we got the points within 60 days, receiving 1995 points, paying pro-rata maintenance fees, but no closing costs. Since we don't have chidren & plan on using our points for vacations & will be in our 80's in 2034, the extra 12 years at SSR wasn't a selling point for us. DVC is a wonderful flexible program, good luck!

 

[kimmysueRN]

Thanks for the input! And I hope I didn't sound anti-kids, I'm sure we will share our vacations with our neices & nephews. Disney is definitely heaven for kids of all ages. We've just had some VERY unfortunate experiences on a few vacations that made me want to consider this as one factor in our decision about a home resort. Still not quite sure, but can't wait until our first vacation where we are "welcomed home"

Kim

 

[Starshine]

Epcot is our favorite park (with MGM being second), and for us being within walking distance to both parks is the absolute best. IMO, nothing beats being able to pop over to Epcot for a quick pint at the Rose & Crown and an Off Kilter or British Invasion show.

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, location-wise, BCV or BWV are best, due to being within walking distance to Epcot, MGM & the Boardwalk itself. The rooms are amply sized for a vacation condo, although not as large as OKW rooms. The set-up is hotel-like, with a lobby and all rooms off interior corridors.

WLV is a lovely serene resort with a cute boat ride to MK, again amply-sized rooms for a vacation condo although not as big as OKW, interior hallways with a more hotel-like feel. Decorating is kind of rustic, lovely grounds.

OKW has the largest rooms, is built on a golf course. There is no real proximity to any park by foot...everything is a bus ride. You can get to DTD on foot, but it is a fairly long walk. They also have a little boat that takes you to DTD. The grounds are lush and lovely, the rooms are huge. It is condo-style rather than hotel style, so you have exterior covered walkways. You park right in front of your unit. It is almost like a little town in many ways.

SSR is similar to OKW except the room sizes aren't as large and the theme is New York state rather than lush tropical Kwy West Florida. You can walk or boat to DTD, bus everywhere else.

DH and I are childless as well. Ouor home reosrt is OKW and we have never regretted our choice. We have generally always been able to stay at th others when we want a change of pace, but do love those big rooms and golf course views at OKW!!!!!!!!

 

[MickeyCrazed]

My choice is the Boardwalk for the following reasons:

• Location within walking distance to Epcot.
• Flexibility with point due to the standard and preferred view point charts.
• Boardwalk views.

On second thought, forget I said any of this! I want to be assured of getting my first choice at all times, so don't buy there... it is a really horrible resort!

 

[spiceycat]

I am assuming you will be in a studio.

I happen to love OKW - but all the studio are lock out none are dedicated.

so the noisy under the door can get irrating - especially if the parents put the kids in the livingroom area so they can sleep. and the kids scream half the night.

now a towel under the door does work partially but hey I would go with BWV and always request dedicated.

Now in a 1-bedroom you won't have this problem regardless - because you will sleeping in the bedroom not the livingroom.

BWV has standard and preferred - but it does have some noisey kids that run down the hall.

all the hotel-type - BWV, VWL and BCV - will have this problem - they have halls and kids will run in halls.

OKW and SSR are more condo style - they have halls - but the halls are outside so there is less tranfser of noise. (Different doors)

I dearly love BCV - but even with your advanced booking it can be hard to get it - not many last minute rooms can be found here. So unless you are going to make all your reservations in the 11-8th month time - I would go with a cheaper alternative.

It definitely has the best pool. So the kids go to the pool and leave you alone!!!