Which home resort is the best?

[ripleysmom]

"Finally, RM, yes, I agree the FACT is that 7-month window is tough for BWV's. My argument is that that FACT represents popularity, and I argue (another way of saying my opinion) is that the popularity is driven by the general Resort AREA itself, and not by the room accommodations of the villas located."

And this means what Bill? The resort is more popular. Obviously more people are willing to make the concession to room sizes in order to have a better location otherwise everyone would be clamoring for OKW at the 7 mo window.

Since OKW is pretty easy to get at the 7 month window I don't see that happening, do you?


"You paid $4200 more to stay in smaller accommodations. You paid $4200 more so you could pay a higher maintenance fee. You paid $4200 more so you could walk! to the parks?"

Yep!! I look at it like staying in NYC. Now I can stay in a more spacious room for less money if I want to stay on Park Ave. or by the United Nations or even in the Financial District. However, if I want to be in the center of NYC, in the middle of things, close to the fun then I realize that I must pony up the extra dinero in order to have what I want.


"Don't you walk enough in the parks already just to have to walk back? Lets get friggin serious here. You aren't walking anywhere!"

Please speak for yourself. My family and I walked to and from Epcot when we stayed at BWV. By the time you get done walking to the busses or to your car it works out to the same difference. Only by the time you get to the bus or car I am already in my roon.


"How do I know this? It's simple. The BWV people enjoy overpaying for everything. From the $8.00 hot-dog that comes with, (count 'em) 3 onion rings from the vendor on the boardwalk"

Sorry to disppoint you but I never purchased a hot dog from the hot dog vendor. You obviously did though so I guess BWV folks aren't the only people who enjoy overpaying.....


"Anyway....back to the point....you aren't walking anywhere....except down those loooong corridors to the room."

Once again Ben you are wrong about not walking anywhere. And the corridors aren't so bad....what I can't understand is why you have a problem with the walk


""tons of nighttime entertainment, numerous restaurants and shops."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trust me when I say this, but BWV's "nighttime entertainment" is not what's happening in the PM at Disney. Sure, it's nice and all but Downtown Disney is the acknowledged entertainment center for nighttime play."

But the people at the BW don't have to go to DD to get entertainment like the people at OKW who are tired of the bunnies and ducks. Quite frankly as much as you perceive DD to be THE entertainment spot of Disney....wending my way through the crowds at DD is not my idea of fun or relaxation....


"So....are you going to walk there from your resort? I'm not either, but I will take a romantic moonlit boat ride from OKW to the premier nightspot on Disney property. Trust me. I've done it. It's better than you ever could imagine."

That's great.....imagine all of that walking though at DD.... at least I am in my room at the end of my walk. You, on the other hand, are waiting in line for the boat.

 

[Peterd]

Sorry 'bout the old person smell thing, I know tacky. But anyway,

Ben, I hope your' romantic boat ride ended early, cause you may have to catch a bus back to your' resort. When we were there, the last boat back was at 10pm, maybe it's changed. Does everything end at 10 at Okw, don't know just asking. If romance is over at 10 pm for you, maybe you're right okw is for you.

It's good you have had the time to actually do the math on your investment compared to other DVC resorts. Why, may I ask? Darth Hyms is pulling you to the dark side. After reading your posts, I thought you had a life. Be strong, young pilot.

Realllllllllllllly, think about it, don't know if you have kids or not, but don't you think the time spent, doing the math could be better spent, throwing a ball or something. THEY ARE FREAKIN ROOMS!!! Who cares? Love yours, we'll love ours and spend a little more, silly us.

and ncligs, have you ever had an original post instead of
nice one Rich,
where's Rich, Rich would like this.
I agree with anything anyone states about Okw that's good.
Yes cligs, thank you for your posts, Yes we do understand, thank you for your input again on this topic. It's ok, we all need cheerleaders.

 

[AZKathy]

Of course, everything ends at OKW at 10 pm! We Geriatrics have already been in bed for two hours!

We do have to get up real early to fix them three square meals for our youngins', you know!

 

[Peterd]

kathy it's after 10, what are you doing up?

 

[DeeP]

Lets assign a dollar value to that. $75pp to get in. Grand total...$14,700. Next up to the window is BWV. One week point total? 252. How much is that? Survey says....$18,900. Now I'm not an accountant like someone else on this board but you better be giving me something pretty damn serious for the $4200 dollar difference.

I don't know about you but I paid my initial point cost which was much, much less than $75.00 per pt, BTW, one time when I bought my DVC contract. How can you figure each stay at $75.00 a pt? Even taking your scenario and figuring on the $4,200 difference divided by 40 yrs, in my case it would be greater because I will have owned my DVC membership for longer than 40 yrs, but for arguments sake say 40 yrs that comes out to $105.00 more per year or $8.75 per month. Like I said many posts back to me all the extra amenities the BWV offers, the location, etc, etc is well worth $8.75 per month!
If you are paying $75.00 every year per point for your DVC contract someone has taken you to the cleaners, you better go back to the farm at OKW cause you need some readin, writin and rithmetic lessons!

 

[Richyams]

Peterd, this is not an apropriate place for personal insults. This is what drags these threads down.

and ncligs, have you ever had an original post

We usually find that we have better results discussing issues than attacking fellow posters.

 

[eva]

"That's why DVC improved the next resort, by giving you things, like more food choices, walks or boats to parks, and oh my god slightly smaller rooms."

If this is true then I guess it follows that VWL and BCV are better than BWV. Because DVC would definitely add improvements to each resort that they build.

 

[ncligs]

Peterd,

I will not to "stoop to your level", and comment on your post. If I wanted to I would go to the "Debate forum". Your home state explains everything. I have more important things , to do. "I have a life"

 

[crisi]

Dues: OKW currently and historically has the cheapest dues. If you really need to save $100 a year on dues (or have enough points that this is $300 or $500), what are you doing spending money on DVC?

Room Point cost. OKW has cheaper point costs. BWV has standard view rooms available at or near OKW point costs and preferred view room available with point costs in line with BCV or VWL.

Purchase point cost. You pay the same from Disney regardless (and right now only BCV is being sold). If you bought a long time ago, you paid less. OKW resales tend to be a little cheaper. They also tend to be a little less available in small contracts. Because the minimum points for OKW was 230 for much of its sales period, a lot of the contracts available through resale are 230 points or more, and you may be scrambling to get a 150 point contract. Not a good deal if you don't need 230 points - but a great deal if you are looking for around that number. Once again - if you need to save the $300 a BWV contract will cost over a OKW contract - you need to be re-evaluating your financial priorities.

GV - OKW has cheaper GVs and more of them. BWV has fewer at a higher point cost. BCV and VWL don't even have them. If you are planning on getting a GV a lot, especially at busy times of year, OKW.

If you are making a purely financial decision - OKW does win. If you are making a purely financial decision - check out the All Star resorts or staying off site. Better yet, skip Disney - its a really expensive vacation - go camping at your local state park instead.

The rest - room size, location, pool slide, transportation, atmosphere - are completely up to you. What makes a huge difference to me (Lost interest in OKW when I learned there was no pool slide - but I have two children who are too young for a slide now, but the day is coming) may make no difference to you. The ability to park in front of your unit as an advantage is one I can see if you drive to Disney - we fly and don't even rent a car.

If you go to Disney and love Illuminations, BWV (or BCV) would be a great home resort, just for the ability to walk back. Spend a lot of time in your room - OWK does give you more space (espcially if you are planning on cooking - I seldom cook at home). Think you gave birth to fish - BCV has access to SAB. Can't figure out what Disney did building those "other parks" and spend all your time at the MK - check out VWL. OKW and VWL have quieter atmopheres. BWV and BCV have more access to restaurants. Only OKW doesn't offer the "deluxe hotel" amenities - but you may prefer to park your car at your door than use a valet (and who uses the health club at Disney anyway - like you aren't walking already!)

 

[BenStone]

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.

Pleasantries aside, let's do some repair work to the posts that need fixing.

I don't know about you but I paid my initial point cost which was much, much less than $75.00 per pt, BTW, one time when I bought my DVC contract.

Irrelevant.

How can you figure each stay at $75.00 a pt?

We needed a current starting point. You should be glad that I did it this way because the differences you failed to note would be larger than they are now. Read on.

Even taking your scenario and figuring on the $4,200 difference divided by 40 yrs, in my case it would be greater because I will have owned my DVC membership for longer than 40 yrs, but for arguments sake say 40 yrs that comes out to $105.00 more per year or $8.75 per month. Like I said many posts back to me all the extra amenities the BWV offers, the location, etc, etc is well worth $8.75 per month!

You see, I purposely neglected to add the entire cost into the $4200 just to see if someone would have been honest (or smart) enough to see where the extra "hidden" costs were. They didn't. So, lets go back to the original purchase...you want a week at BWV ... you need 252 points, or $18,900 large. The same time at OKW is $14,200. $4200 less .... or is it? Lest we forget, the BWV people get the privilege to buy 56 more points to satisfy their fix. Ah ha! More points = more maintenance. Soooo, along with your $4200 comes $220 in maintenance on the "extra" points / year added to the $137 / year difference in the points required for the OKW vacation. You could also argue that a majority of buyers had to finance their purchases, so don't forget to add in that extra interest money that goes nowhere but to the bank.

Dang. This is getting to look like the Energizer Bunny ... you keep paying, and paying and ... you get the idea.

I will have owned my DVC membership for longer than 40 yrs, but for arguments sake say 40 yrs that comes out to $105.00 more per year or $8.75 per month. Like I said many posts back to me all the extra amenities the BWV offers, the location, etc, etc is well worth $8.75 per month!

Ouch. Not very good at math, huh.

Whew. If that wasn't enough ....

Realllllllllllllly, think about it, don't know if you have kids or not, but don't you think the time spent, doing the math could be better spent, throwing a ball or something. THEY ARE FREAKIN ROOMS!!! Who cares?

Yes they are rooms. How about we actually compare those rooms objectively? Deal. Sitting in front of me is the Disney provided layout of the OKW and BWV 1 BR (since that is what we were discussing above....be glad it wasn't the 2BR, you come out even worse) villa. Just for fun I held the BVW page up to the light and then slid the OKW layout over the top and the BWV room completely fit inside the OKW room with room to spare. And that didn't include the balcony of OKW. I realize that those little pictures "aren't to scale", but with 230 sq/ft more living area at OKW, it's accurate enough. What's even more impressive about the OKW room is my family of 4 can eat together in 2 places. The dining room or the balcony. I suppose you could put the kids on your lap for that family feeling, but I prefer my kids in a chair.

Ahhh. Balcony.

Did someone mention balcony? I have to admit it looks rather fun sitting on the balcony at BWV and having to scream to your spouse on the next balcony over because yours only has one chair. Nothing spells romance better than loud crowds and cramped overlooks. The only thing missing is a stoop. Gotta love that NY/NJ atmosphere.

Anyway...to finish this up ... more space, more furniture, real washer & drier and a real balcony. Hey...that's not too bad for $4500 or so less including maintenance. Don't fret tho ... you do have the noise and that looong walk to the elevator.

BenStone

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by BenStone



Ahhh. Balcony.

Did someone mention balcony? I have to admit it looks rather fun sitting on the balcony at BWV and having to scream to your spouse on the next balcony over because yours only has one chair. Nothing spells romance better than loud crowds and cramped overlooks. The only thing missing is a stoop. Gotta love that NY/NJ atmosphere.

New York.......that explains everything

 

[Muushka]

Funny thing about purchasing DVC. I relate it to my real estate purchases. My most recent house for example. I live in the Triangle in NC. When looking for a house, several factors went into the decision. Location, # on bedrooms, garage...etc.

I ended up buying in a pretty nice town. For the money I spent, I could have gotten a much larger house. It would have had a lot more land, and the taxes would have been lower.

Am I happy with my house? You bet. If I meet someone with a house (same price) 1.5 times larger than mine with 2 times more land and lower taxes-do I laugh at them for driving an hour to work? Do I laugh at them for driving 5 miles to the grocery store? No. I would not expect them to laugh at me for my purchase either.

Why do these wars continue? What exactly is the purpose?
If everyone thinks they bought at the best location, what is the problem? I could never convince the person who bought out of the city that I got the best deal, and they could not convince me that they got the best deal out of the city.

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by ncligs
New York.......that explains everything

Wow, way to insult everyone in an entire metro area. Oh, I forgot... if you put a smilie face or a winkie face after it you can say just about anything. Glad to know the "neighbors" over at OKW are so friendly to us New Yorkers.



Lisa

 

[ripleysmom]

"Did someone mention balcony? I have to admit it looks rather fun sitting on the balcony at BWV and having to scream to your spouse on the next balcony over because yours only has one chair."

Hmmm....our balconies had 2 chairs on each one and we even fit onto them. Will wonders never cease!!


"Nothing spells romance better than loud crowds"

Like I said DD is not where I would want to be.


"The only thing missing is a stoop."

I wish we had one. I loved sitting on stoops when I was a child!!


"Gotta love that NY/NJ atmosphere."

Actually we had stoops in Pittsburgh too.


"New York.......that explains everything"

It should. We know where the action is and how to enjoy it!!

 

[fkj2]

Once upon a time, there was a group of people, many of whom didn't know each other, who were fortunate enough to be able to afford and enjoy vacationing at a place called Disney.

Now these people couldn't be satisfied with being able to vacation at some of the finest accommodations in the country, they had taken to bickering amongst themselves over WHO had the finest of the fine. Of course, there were always dissentors, and no agreement could be found. This continuing and ongoing bickering took a personal turn, first against "old people" (for whom I have a soft spot, since I have one near and dear to my heart) and then against those who live in certain regions of the country (which has enough REAL problems of its own).

Eventually, they began to forget (a symptom that you are getting "old" or just have too many other problems on which to concentrate) what they argued about originally, which really didn't matter anyhow in the grand scheme of life and just began to appreciate the wonderful opportunity they had to vacation at an incredible resort (or two, no, three, no, four, no five, no, wait, six and a seventh on the way).

Yup, life being a DVC owner is tough. The End.

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by fkj2
The End.

Hopefully

 

[AZKathy]

I agree, Muushka!!!!!!

 

[Desperado]

So since this is the end, then we are all agreed that OKW is the least desirable onsite DVC resort, right? Great, that does bring us to the end. No need to feel inadequate and try to overcompensate for your purchase, Old Key West is still a very nice resort with great advantages, and I'll bet purchasers got a fabulous deal. If we all would have only bought when prices were so low. Just because it is not as desirable as the other resorts, doesn't mean that its not a wonderful place to vacation.

Peterd, interesting pattern you've pointed out. If only those complaining followed thier own advice and were more honest in thier posts. A little ribbing to New York shouldn't be that big a deal and require the summoning of the politically correct police, no big deal.

It was said best above, availability at the 7 month window really does make the best sense as an objective measure to make the determination of the best DVC resort.

Conclusion:
BWV, WLV, BCV
and then almost as nice, but suffering from poor location and lack of amenities
OKW

Now The end?

 

[AZKathy]

We agree on one point only: put it to rest! That is it!

 

[Desperado]

Actually, I don't seen a need to put it to rest too quickly. It seems to me that it has been a pretty well mannered discussion with some good points and some humor. As I consider purchases and add-ons, some of the points above may be helpful. As more people learn about some resorts the demand may decrease and resale prices go down for one resort over the other. By the way, OKW resales are the lowest price per point right now for onsite resorts, aren't they? I haven't researched it very heavily lately, others may know these prices better. Everyone's resort is very nice and it is great for DVC members to have choices.