Which home resort did you choose & why??

[ACDSNY]

We purchased SSR in 2005 because we liked the location, near DTD. After a few days in the parks it's nice to get back to the peace and quiet of SSR.

 

[Liljam]

I purchased SSR May 2007.

Of course we all know that Disney is promoting SSR and AKV right now and I was well aware of resales and trying to get other currently not promoted DVC homes. I did a bunch of research and took the tour during my trip. When we pulled in to SSR I was in love, but I already knew that from the boat view on our way to DTD the previous night. I love the villa displays of AKV, but I am afraid I would tire of the decor too easily. I like the extreme theming that Disney does, but my least favorites are CBR, AKL, CSR and the AS Resorts. They're lovely, just a personal taste. I do love the Poly and FW but it's been years since I stayed there. I plan to eventually try all of the DVC resorts because there isn't one that I think is less than the others. I just liked SSR for the feeling I got when I was there. This also turned out to be an advantage with the incentive and points for the Dec. 06 UY, but that is not what I based my purchase on. Like I said, I feel all of them are amazing in a unique way (from the photos I've seen) but I adored SSR. Mind you, I also adore POFQ (love it even over POR) for the old fashioned feel of it! POFQ is my favorite mod.!

I have a friend who bought AKV a week or two before my trip and when I returned and called him to tell him about DVC, I found out he was an owner too! He asked me what I got and why and I told him. He said it was funny because DAK was his least fav park until this trip and that the AK theme wasn't his favorite. This trip he and his wife booked at Boma and THAT is why they bought at AKV. I haven't eaten there yet, but he said that was his first time eating there and that he loves it so much he could eat the food there daily. So he purchased AKV on the food! I love him to death!

 

[Debi]

We bought at BWV for location, location, location. I love being within walking distance to Epcot (my favorite park). The proximity to the MGM Studios is also a huge plus, as is all of the entertainment on the Boardwalk. We always end up spending one night per trip at Jellyrolls, so it's nice to know that we can have a few drinks and not worry about driving home.

I'm saving for a BWV add-on now.

 

[ccigliano]

I originally purchased an OKW resale in 1999 because of the low price per point and low maintenance fees - sight unseen. I had stayed onsite at the Coronado Springs resort and absolutely loved staying onsite. From 1999-2002I stayed at OKW and loved it ut then they opened the Wilderness Lodge Villas. After my first stay at the Wilderness Lodge Villas, I was hooked. I was able to stay there everytime at the 7 month window until the resort was sold out. When I couldn't stay at the WLV in December 2005 I booked SSR instead of OKW to try the new resort. I was very disappointed and wished I had stayed at OKW as I didn't like the expansiveness of the resort. Fortunately I was able to switch to the WL halfway through my stay as a studio had opened up and I was once again very content. I came home, sold my OKW points to purchase a resale at the Wilderness Lodge Villas. The bottomline is that you should at least visit - if not stay - at any resort you are planning to purchase. If you are someone that can take advantage of the 11 month booking window - buy where you'll like to stay the most. If you can only book with 7 or less months to go - then buy where the points and maitenance fees are the cheapest (OKW?). Good Luck.

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

Thank you all for all your replies! It's so wonderful to read everyone's reason for choosing their resorts. I will want to stay at all the resorts sooner or later.
Disney is a passion we all share!!

 

[Coloradomom]

We bought SSR in 2005 because of the Friends and Family discount, the theming, and the extra years. We like "getting away from it all" when we leave the parks and we've never minded taking the bus. We stayed at POR for years and SSR had the same tranquil feel. Having stayed at POR we've never felt SSR was too big. We also now enjoy the easy walk to DTD. As our kids get older (one in college, one finishing up high school) I suspect that we will use the spa more as well. We never considered VWL...we live in Colorado and the theming, while nice, is just like being here. Boardwalk was too busy for us, Beach Club was considered a bit, but we ended up with SSR due to the reasons above. I think, though, that you cannot really go wrong anywhere.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

We bought at VWL - Wilderness Lodge was the first Disney resort we ever stayed at and it just says Disney to us. I like the fact that it is secluded and the villas are all in one building. I also like the boat ride to MK and the Contemporary.

I have never stayed at another DVC resort - so I can't compare them. I do want to try BCV and AKV though.

 

[caracarn]

We went with VWL for two reasons. One, it was what was available at the time, and two, it was where we stayed on our honeymoon, so it seemed like fate telling us DVC was right for us. We joined in 2001 and have loved every minute of it, so I guess it was!!

We just added on 100 points at AKL and will be staying there for a segment of our trip this October. We debated SSR with its deeper discount and 2006 points that we would have needed to bank immediately. We have stayed at SSR, and we really did not enjoy it at all. To remote for us. We like to be in the hustle and bustle with our three kids, and SSR is definitely more adult oriented, so we passed on that. We also looked at adding at another older resort, but with the points at $95, and AKV at $93 with the discount AND another 15 years, we just could not pass it up, so that's how we chose AKL.

 

[pbharris4]

We bought at BCV because that's what Disney was selling at the time. We didn't even look or take a tour.

 

[dianeschlicht]

When we first purchased, we only had a choice between OKW and BWV. We chose OKW because of the size of the units, the lower point cost, and we love the old Florida feel of the place. We also like the vacation home feel of OKW over the hotel feel of the others.

We chose AKV as our second home, because we love the savanna!

 

[krisk]

We bought SSR, it was the best deal at the time. We are going for the first time next week, I'll get back to you on that! But I think in the end, you can stay anywhere you 'd like, why not go for the best deal and get your moneys worth!!

 

[JimC]

OKW because of its laid back condo design and Florida keys theme

BCV because of its proximity to Epcot and attachment to the BC/YC resort with SAB

AKV because it is the best (IMO) immersive theme on property

 

[medalla74]

We bought SSR last year because that is what was "sold" to us. My DH likes the condo feel about it. He likes being away from the "noise". We did a split stay last X-mas between SSR and BWV and I fell in love with BWV
We just added on BWV to our disney experience!!!!!!!!:

Now, we have the best of both worlds (for our family).

 

[Sully]

We own OKW,SSR,VB, and HHI spread over 790 points. HHI and VB for the location. OKW because that was available when we purchased DVC. SSR because of the design, location,being away from the parks yet close to DTD, and the great spa.

 

[katdocnorf]

In 1997, there was only OKW and BWV as well as of course HH and VB. We were on vacation staying at the Poly at the time when a DVC CM talked to us about the tour and that we would get a free lunch. We toke the tour of BWV and loved it and bought there. Then when we decided to do an add on we added Vero because they were offering a great incentive to buy Vero points at the time (I think it was $10 or $15 off per point which made it like $65 a point at the time).

 

[momba#9]

BCV- for us it has everything we look for in a trip. It has the awesome pool, great location, great dining choices there and nearby and even with all of that it feels very relaxing.

BCV for us is the perfect choice.

Good luck!!!!!


Mike

 

[Anthony1971]

We bought SSR for years I looked across the lake form DTD and thought that would be a great location for DVC when they built there we had to buy. When we were childless we loved Pleasure Island at night which is only a short walking distance away with options of a bus and a boat. We were also big fans of the dinning options like Portobelo Yacht club, Fulton’s Crab House and Wolfgang Pucks on the west side, these were always such a hassle to get to and from when staying at other resorts. Now that we have a child the pool options, the wet play area and play grounds can not be beat. They have movies at night at the main pool or you can go for a stroll along the walkway that overlooks DTD which by far has the best back drop for a night walk. The rooms have an upscale look and upscale furniture we adore the Victorian charm of the buildings. The resort itself overall has a laid back feel and does a great job at recreating the feel and grandeur of the famous Saratoga Springs NY vacation resort area. SSR has a world class spa and a golf course. The theme parks are all a short bus ride away and the bus service is amazing. We wanted a resort that we did not have to go to a theme a park and would have a lot to do SSR offers the most options of all the DVC resorts within walking distance on an expansive resort setting that does not get tiresome. For us this was by far the best choice as it offers amenities that no other DVC resort offers and the close proximity to DTD if we were to run out of things to do at the resort which allows us vacation with having to go to a theme park. The extra years were icing on the cake.

 

[tink4ever]

We bought VWL in 2001 because it was what they were selling at the time and I fell in LOVE with everything about the Wilderness Lodge. They soon started offering BCV but we couldn't do it at the time. But my husband LOVES the BCV so we just bought that for him. He loves the location and the atmosphere of the Beach Club. I love it too but I think the homey, comfy feeling of the Wilderness Lodge is more for me. So It is just a matter of opinion.

 

[du286]

Bought BWV when first built, location between Epcot and MGM plus Boardwalk amenities were key. Have stayed other places but BWV is favorite and does feel like home.

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

We really would like one of the "newer" resorts just for the added years. But I've read some not so welcoming reviews of SSR, amd it was nice to have people say some great things about it. I've never stayed at AK, and I think I'll wait until those reviews come out. I've seen pics of BCV, and if it wasn't so hard to buy, that would probaby be my 1st choice. Does nayone know why BCV is so expensive compared to other resorts???
I continue thanking everyone for their opinions, and trust me your opinions have helped!
Keep them coming!!