Which resort should be my home?

[ThreeTiggers]

I know this is a very personal decision, but if people could give me some things to think about I would appreciate it. I'm thinking about buying a resale and would like one of the 5 Orlando properties. I have 3 kids, 3, 5 and 7 that love the pool, so I'm leaning toward BCV or BWV (they've seen pictures of the clown slide). I've read a lot of comments that people really like OKW. I haven't read that much about WV. I haven't stayed at any of the 5 properties. We won't be able to travel from MI to FL very often, 1/year or every other year, usually in the winter/spring. Thanks for your insight!

 

[tjkraz]

Food for thought: Just remember those kiddies may not have the slightest interest in Disney World in another 10-12 years. Meanwhile you'll still have your contract for another 30-40.

I always recommend that the adults choose a Home resort based upon THEIR tastes. Think big picture. You'll have pleanty of opportunities to book resorts other than your home.

Look closely at the amenities and setup of each resort.

OKW and SSR are more condo-style with parking right outside of the unit. BCV, BWV and VWL are more of the deluxe hotel style with valet parking.

OKW and SSR are more serene and relaxing. The others tend to have a little more activity.

BCV has the biggest pool.

SSR has a spa and golf course clubhouse on-site.

BWV has the boardwalk nightlife.

VWL is on Bay Lake and has an extensive marina.

And they all have their own unique theme.

Good luck!!!

 

[Tramp68]

Don't forget...

OKW has the biggest rooms and Jacuzzis built for 2! Can't find that in anywhere else in DVC WDW!

 

[Laurabearz]

Don't forget...

OKW has the biggest rooms and Jacuzzis built for 2! Can't find that in anywhere else in DVC WDW!

we get more than two in it...

 

[beccasmom]

BCV also has StormAlong Bay, which is not available to anyone except guests staying at that resort (and Yacht Club). It is a pretty cool mini-water park.

OKW has the most space and is the quietest resort, IMHO. We always see lots of kids at the pools and at Olivia's, though. It is my personal favorite (but as an owner I'm a bit biased!

BWV and BCV are the best resorts for accessing parks without the use of buses (Epcot and MGM are reachable by water launch; you can also walk). MK and AK still require bus transportation. They also contain the largest number of eateries (combined).

I have never stayed at WLV, so can offer no comments.

SSR will be huge when completed. It offers an easy walk to DTD. Hopefully, eating choices will increase at the resort, but the proximity to DTD offers numerous choices.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We all tend to like where we own best. Here is why I love OKW.
*Large rooms
*4 pools each with a hot tub
*large rooms
*quiet resort
*large rooms
*feels like a vacation home and not a hotel
*large rooms
*HUGE balcony where I like to eat breakfast.
*best living room/kitchen space of the DVCs
*full laundry room in the 1,2,or 3 bedrooms instead of a closet.
*great on-site restaurant.
*friendly staff
*play grounds at each of the 4 pool areas.
*walkway to DTD
*Great new sandcastle like pool slide.
*terrific bus service to the parks.
*great "home" feeling
*lots of wildlife
*parking outside your door.
*no long hallways.
*Did I mention large rooms?

 

[MiaSRN62]

And I'll add to Diane's terrific OKW list :
*also has a marina (maybe not as extensive as VWL, but a nice one nonetheless)
*oh, and large rooms

 

[mikesmom]

Again, while the little ones would probably like the BCV pool, they will grow up. However, unlike the prediction of the one of the posters, that doesn't mean they will become totally dis-interested in WDW. Our son (now 22) sees DVC truly as his vacation home and loves to go there. If you want to hedge your bets for everyone, pick BWV. Your kids like the pool now, as they get older, they will like the action on the Boardwalk, and you will all like the "walk-in" to Epcot for many years to come.

Or, as we did, buy at 2 places. We have a contract at BWV and at OKW. One for the action, and one for the large rooms and "get away from it all".

 

[palmtreegirl]

BCV!! Right next door to Epcot and the hardest resort to get into at the 7 month mark, especially during peak times.

 

[dizplanner]

I bought at VWL, but have not yet actually stayed in any DVC rooms yet. I want to stay at a variety of the resorts, but want my home resort to one I like.

Here is my logic -
I figured that OKW and SSR would have the best availibility at the 7 month window, so I eliminated them. I figured the 11 month window was more important at the other resorts. Also, since I have not stayed at either nor have I even toured them, I had nothing to draw me to them.

So that left BCV, BWV and VWL. I stayed at the Boardwalk Inn side once - now it probably wasn't the fairest visit as it was in early January and it was COLD. Nothing was happening on the Boardwalk - it was deserted. We were in a room way at the end of a very long hall. The room itself was nice and the grounds and pool were nice, but it just didn't wow me. So I eliminated BWV - now I will probably give it a try again in the future, but didn't want to buy there.

So now I am down to BCV and VWL. We have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and loved it. We are originally from the Pacific Northwest and it reminded us of "home". It had that wow factor. I also like Beach Club, but have never stayed there - just visited. We like SAB (we got to pool hop there once when the Poly pool was being built). I think we would be happy at either, but BCV costs more than VWL and are harder to find. I was also planning a trip for early Dec and wanted to stay at VWL. (That was what got me thinking about buying in the first place.) Besides, since WL is my husband's favorite resort, I thought I might be better able to talk him into it.

So when an appropriate VWL contract come along, I made an offer.

Karen

 

[scott.campbell]

Ofcourse we all have our own favourites, but here is my thoughts for what they are worth.

I've stayed at all the DVC resorts with the exception of SSR. Whilst I have enjoyed each one for different reasons, my fav without a doubt is the Boardwalk.

Outisde of the Parks I also enjoy Vero Beach.

I actually just love visiting Florida, using the points for the cruise was also awesome.

I hope with a bit of luck to buy property in Florida in the future.

 

[bcvillastwo]

...............so you have plenty of things to think about and ponder. My advice is to do just that, really think about what's important to you and have your spouse do the same and then compare notes. I wouldn't say disregard the kids because they are a factor both short and long term but I agree with the notion that the kids should not be the deciding factor.

After you've jointly figured out what you is most important to you then you start factoring in how to achieve that goal. For example, if it's BCV well you may have to wait to get what you want via resail, or you could put your name on the list and who knows something could turn up faster than you think.

Good luck with your thinking and pondering.

 

[eileenfk]

While many people will say to buy where you most want to stay, I think that a good rule is to buy where you don't mind staying, but not necessarily where you most want to stay.

I am still not certain which resort I will end up liking the best, as I am trying to experience all of them one time.
Of the two I have experienced so far, I like OKW the best (due mostly to size of rooms and balconies).

When I bought, OKW was the only resort I had actually stayed at, it was the cheapest on WDW property, and I knew I would never mind much if that is where I ended up staying.
I also knew that I was not very likely to plan over 7 months in advance. Now I will make an effort to plan at least 7.5 months in advance to beat all the SSR owners wanting to stay at OKW for the larger rooms and cheaper point costs.

- Eileen

 

[Syndrome]

Hey,
We are also looking into a DVC in WDW. I wouldnt worry about the pool so much. As I understand it, DVC members are about the only "guests" on WDW property that are allowed to "pool hop" to any resort they want. I think the only exception is the use of Stormalong bay at B/C,Y/C if you are not staying there.
I am just starting to check into DVC, so my facts may be a little sketchy.........Is this correct?
Later...........Syndrome

 

[tjkraz]

We are also looking into a DVC in WDW. I wouldnt worry about the pool so much. As I understand it, DVC members are about the only "guests" on WDW property that are allowed to "pool hop" to any resort they want. I think the only exception is the use of Stormalong bay at B/C,Y/C if you are not staying there.
I am just starting to check into DVC, so my facts may be a little sketchy.........Is this correct?

Pool hopping is prohibited at Stormalong Bay and Uzima pool at AKL. All other resort pools are "fair game" to DVC members.

There is also a list of blackout dates on which hopping is 100% prohibited due to high crowds. It's typically the days immediately surrounding any major US holidays (4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, couple weeks around Easter and Christmas, etc.)

 

[ThreeTiggers]

Thanks for everyone's comments. I wish I could stay at all of them (maybe eventually)! I haven't heard about the marinas. Do DVC members get any perks there? What is the drawing point with SSR? It seems to be far away from everything.

 

[Desnik]

For me the drawing point for SSR was the extra 12 years on the contract! We also love the look and feel of the resort. I could honestly say that we wouldn't mind staying at any of the resorts. They all have great things to offer. I have to agree with tjkraz, think big picture. That is what we tried to do. We loved the idea of the extra 12 years because we are young and have young kids and plan on alot more Disney trips for years and years! We also know that sometime we may not want to go to a park and just relax and enjoy the resort. That is when being so close to DtD will be important to us. I do have to admit that if I had to pick a favorite it would be BWV, but we really wanted the extra 12 years and so far we have not had any trouble booking at the 7 month mark at BWV for the week we go. We just always get a preferred view, not standard. But, that works for me because we love the BW view.

I believe we get a 10%? discount at the marinas. At BWV and BCV the marina is at the YC. At the WLV I believe is the biggest marina. We loved renting boats from there. I've never rented from the OKW or SSR marinas b/c we haven't stayed there yet!

 

[SoCalKDG]

Resale at BWV.

BWV is also the closest DVC to DMGM. Nicely situated in between DMGM and Epcot.

Being an owner allows you to book standard rooms, which saves points. Or splurge and overlook the BW.

It also has the community center.

Having 3 kids might make keeping an eye on them that much more difficult at SAB, while its easier to keep track of the kids at BW, even when they climb to the waterslide.

Saying all that, I might add a 50pt contract at BCV to go their once every 3 to 4 years.

 

[DISPOP]

The good news is that you can stay at any resort -- the only differnce is booking 11 months out at your home resort vs 7 mos out at the others. We have stayed at OKW, BCV, BWV and SSR. Here are some thoughts:
* OKW has the largest rooms by far- may want to consider with 3 kiddies.
* IMHO BWV and BCV is the best location for park travel, meals , etc. You can walk or take a boat to Epcot and MGM. Also restaurants are plentiful in the BWV, BCV area.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We bought a resale at OKW as it appeared to be the best onsite value for the money. Our first trip home was at BCV. We had to book at the 7 month window and I felt very fortunate to get the ressie. After our stay, it just didn't hold the magic for us I thought it would. My kids (12 & 10) didn't have any interest in Stormalong Bay and only went once. We decided, for us, it just wasn't worth the extra points to stay there. I know I am a minority as so many people truly love BCV (Beca...are you out there?).

I am posting this as I am trying to drive home the point that others can give you lots of advice, but you really need to decide what is important your family and make your choice accordingly. If you're buying an onsite resort, you've got a 1 in 5 chance of getting it right (I've seen worse odds!). Good luck...