Which resort should be my home?

[thelobstershanty]

All the DVC resorts are different. What one person loves, another hates. You have to go and spend sometime at each resort. You do not have to stay there, though that would be the best test, but you can still get the feel for a resort by eating at their restaurant(s), walking around the resort, exploring the transportation options from the parks to the resort-- by actually doing it, shopping in the store(s), talking to CMs, experiencing the nightlife and nighttime activities that you can get to from the resort--like the electrical water parade, Wishes, Illuminations, PI's midnight fireworks. Only you can tell which resort would be the best fit for your family. One of the resorts will tug at your heart striings and feel like the right one--- it usually works that way for most members.

 

[Beca]

Go to disneyworld.com and look at the virtual tours on each one. Then, check out this map for locations: http://www.disney.ca/vacations/disneyworld/VII/maps/pdf/propertymap.pdf

Then, buy at BCV (okay....just kidding!!! I couldn't resist throwing in my own little "Richyams" humor, there!!! Besides...everyone KNOWS I am "just a little bit biased" towards BCV...so, you have to take ANYTHING I say about that hotel with a grain of salt!!!)

But, seriously...look at each one, check out the locations...and then, buy at which ever one "tugs at your heart" the most!!! We did NOT do this...I bought for "logical" reasons....financial and otherwise. A year later, I am selling my points and buying where I wanted to buy in the first place...only it is costing me a LOT more money than it would've a year ago!!!

The BEST things I have ever done in my life were when I listened to my heart...and, not my head!!!



Beca

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I haven't read all the responses, so I'm sure someone else has suggested to visit all the resorts first.
Each has it's own unique qualities (even though VWL is the only one you can listen to the haunting music while sitting in the Iron Spike Room. ).

Good luck!!!

MG

 

[ThreeTiggers]

You have to go and spend sometime at each resort. You do not have to stay there, though that would be the best test, but you can still get the feel for a resort by eating at their restaurant(s), walking around the resort, exploring the transportation options from the parks to the resort-- by actually doing it

Has anybody made the purchase without actually touring the resorts? I've been to Disney many times but never visited any of these that I'm considering. We had hoped to become a member before our next trip.

 

[Candace]

I don't know if anyone mentioned the layout of the studios at the different resorts. OKW *only* has two queen beds in their studios/second bedroom (of a 2BR unit). Other resorts (well I think SSR might have a few like OKW) mostly have a queen bed, double sofa sleeper setup in their studios. Many people actually prefer it this way because they like having the sofa to sit on during the day to watch tv, etc. I, for one, just cannot ask my guests to sleep on a sleeper sofa, so I prefer the 2BR units at OKW. I own at BWV as well as OKW, and I enjoy BWV for certain times of the year like F&W Festival. I am glad, however, that OKW was the only DVC to choose from when I bought 11 years ago. Too many choices out there now! Good luck!

 

[athenna]

Has anybody made the purchase without actually touring the resorts? I've been to Disney many times but never visited any of these that I'm considering. We had hoped to become a member before our next trip.

Yup. I bought into SSR without ever seeing it. I had seen (but not stayed) at all of the other DVC resorts, and like them all so I knew I wasn't going to worry about not liking SSR. I know I've read posts where other people have bought sight unseen, too. It's not as uncommon as you might think.

 

[MELSMICE]

We own at OKW. We've stayed there (OKW), BWV & most recently at the VWL.

Our favorite is OKW - mainly for the serenity of the resort & the size of the rooms. We stay in a 2BR because we have 3 kids also. I would say the 2BR's are almost 2X the size of some of the other 2BR units (JMO!!!)

Everyone has their own opinions about why they like certain resorts. We love the quiet, condo feel of OKW so we bought there, but we do like to try the others.

 

[kathleena]

Just a few thoughts:

on't buy for the kids tastes, buy for yours. You can book at alternate resorts for variety and to try out things they may like.

BoardWalk has a great Community Hall for kids activities.

If booking at other resorts was ever reduced or taken away, where would you most want to stay? Buy at that resort.

If you think you want to take advantage of OKW lower annual dues and go for BWV standard view rooms at lower points - don't count on it. Those SV rooms go pretty quickly.

Here are my opinions on the best two features of each of the resorts:

OKW - bigger rooms, lowest points
BWV - location, location, location and the BoardWalk
BCV - that pool! and quick walk to Epcot (my fav park)
VWL - the quiet and the theming
SSR - proximity to golf course and to DTD

And my favorite resort is BWV.

 

[Beca]

Has anybody made the purchase without actually touring the resorts? I've been to Disney many times but never visited any of these that I'm considering. We had hoped to become a member before our next trip.

We did!! We bought in Mar '04, having never seen ANY of the DVC properties (we were Fort Wilderness cabin kind of people). After I realized that in 12 years of marriage, we had taken exactly TWO vacations (both to WDW), I decided it was time to "change" a few things (we had a 2 yr old dd....and, I was DETERMINED this kid would vacation more than once every 6 years). So, DH went to work one day, and I bought a resale....I told him where to sign when he got home!!

Then, we had to wait until Dec to "go home" for the first time!!! That's why I posted "go with your heart" earlier. I received the SSR promo from DVC, and thought about it for over 1 wk. DH kept saying, "just sign...and, we'll buy there", but I just couldn't do it!!! It just seemed like a LOT of money, and everytime I looked in the book, I wanted BCV, BWV, or VWL...but, not SSR. DH finally asked me, "If you could buy at one of the other three...would it be too much money?" To which I replied, "Oh no!!". And, he (being a very smart man) said, "Well, you'd better start looking for a resale, then." So, I did.

When I looked at the pics in DVC's promo book, I initially fell in love with BCV...the color, the architecture...I love turn of the century stuff. But, I have friends who are "Die hard" BWV fans!! They own at BWV, VB, and VWL...and, their three boys REFUSE to stay anywhere but BWV. He pretty much convinced me that BWV had a better location, and with the standard view was a MUCH better bargain. He also spoke to me of how BCV rooms are not actually on the lake, and to get that BEAUTIFUL view, you have to have stay at BWV. So, with BWV contracts being more plentiful and cheaper...I bought BWV. I then added on at OKW and VWL......then, I went home.

I was immediately "drawn" to BCV...and, so was DH. He took one look across Crescent Lake to BCV and asked, "Why didn't we buy there...that place is gorgeous?!!!" Unfortunately, I had to agree!!! It doesn't have the BW view rooms, but some rooms have a great view of Epcot (although, it seems you cannot request them anymore...maybe someday I will get one). SAB is AMAZING!!! And, we really liked the serenity of the resort, as opposed to BWV's "busyness". After 5 days of my husband looking "wistfully" across the lake (plus, his constants "Let's walk back over to BCV...I need some (fill in the blank here)"...yes, he wouldn't even shop at BWV....we kept having to "hoof it" over to BCV for sundries, we came home...put our VWL and BWV contracts up for sale, and have been buying BCV points "like crazy". Let me say...they were SOOOO much cheaper last year!!!

Anyway...my point is this....when you own at the DVC resort "you adore", it feels like a much better bargain than when you own at one that you "like". And, every year those maintenance fees are "hefty", so you might as well be putting money into the resort that you LOVE!! People are different, and some people do not "own" at their favorite resort and are just fine with that. Maybe you are "wired" that way, too. If so...it really doesn't matter where you own. My maintenance fees are $2400 per year...I feel much better paying that when my points are at BCV.

And, here's the reality....BCV was the first resort I wanted when I opened the DVC promo book....I should've gone with my "gut" instead of being swayed by SV rooms, cheaper points, etc. I ALWAYS get into trouble when I listen to my head, instead of my heart!!! I think ALL of us get "spoken to" by one (or more) of the resorts. My gut was only reinforced by my first visit "home" last Dec. If you are planning on buying before you go "home" for the first time....go with your gut...I wish I had!!!



Beca

 

[Disney Doll]

I would agree that if you have the ability to take a look at all the DVC properties before you buy, you should do so. One of them may "speak" to you more than the others do, as Beca so eloquently pointed out in her post. If that is the case, then buy here.

When DH & I were first looking at DVC in 1997, BWV and OKW were the only 2 that were built. In some ways, it made it easier not to have so many to choose from. DH & I have no children, nor will we, so children were not an issue. What we did was to tour both properties. We liked them both, for different reasons. We liked the BWV for the proximity to MGM & Epcot, but we didn't like the room size. We were also a bit put off by the "busyness" of the area in general...there were times when it didn't feel relaxing. And the points were more expensive. When we saw OKW, we really liked it. We liked the condo-style, rather than hotel-style feel, we liked the size of the units, we liked the fact that there are really no, or very few, bad views...you are generally looking at a golf course, woods or water. We liked to sort of beachy town feel that OKW has. I like the main pool, and they have recently added a slide to jazz it up a bit, but I also like the quiet pools. To me OKW feels more "homey" and less "hotel-y". I like that in a vacation spot.

BCV is a nice resort too...you have the same location as the BWV, with walking/boating to Epcot & MGM, but since the BCVs are set a tad further back from the actual Boardwalk, I don't get the same feeling of "busy-ness" that I do at the Boardwalk. I also like having the access to SAB. The quiet pool at BCV is actually very quiet and nice too. Many people have had a lot of problems at BCV with CMs, room assignments etc, but the times I have stayed there we have had no problem, so I cannot personally speak to that.

SSR is similar to OKW in that it is more condo-style, rather than being attached to a hotel. The rooms are not as big as the OKW, but they are still nice. You have the benefit of the additional years on the contract, which may or may nort be important to you, depending upon your age...but remember, the DVC is willable. You are close to a lovely spa, golf and DTD.

VWL...very serene. Attached to a hotel, so you get the hotel amenities. Boat to the MK, which is a lot of fun! We have enjoyed staying at the WL.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[abeyst]

I've been a DVC member since 2000, and I still wonder about these same questions when I try to decide where I'd like to add on. When we bought in 2000 at BWV, that was the only tour we took. It may have been the only DVC available, I can't remember for sure. It was my first trip in 15 years, so everything was new and I knew nothing about the resorts. We toured BW and bought there.

This may be something you haven't heard before, but in the 5 years we've owned DVC, we've never stayed at our home resort. In 2001 we stayed at OKW over labor day b/c that's the only vacancy they had. I was dreading it, but I was pleasantly surprised with a wonderful vacation (aside from having the flu). In 2002 I stayed at BCV. I was dying to try the newest DVC resort and the pool, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity of a vacancy there so soon after they opened. It was nice, but I wasn't overly impressed. We stayed there again in 2003 because my son loved the pool so much. It was nice to be out by the water and look out over the lagoon and see the Boardwalk, but in 03 I had two kids, and both wanted to go in different parts of the pool (if you've stayed there you know how tough that is). The closeness to Epcot and MGM was nice-Illuminations is our favorite show (Fantasmic a close 2nd). We were back at OKW Jan 05 with my dad (who owns at BCV and stays at OKW only and HATES the Boardwalk), and it was such a nice, relaxing time after being around the craziness of the parks all day.

We go to the Boardwalk every trip to walk around and visit shops/see performers, and walk through the hotel, too. Every time I do, I wonder to myself 'I don't see what the big deal is about it', but that's just my personal preference. And that clown pool freaks me out. (That's just walking by it, I can't imagine swimming so close to it). A night out at the Boardwalk is close enough for me-I don't think I could be there every night.

I'm torn between BCV and OKW. I haven't seen SSR yet, but it looks quiet like OKW (but I like the theming of OKW better). Haven't stayed at VWL either, but I'm only interested in an occassional stay around Christmas). Adding on there isn't an option-why own by MK if your kids will eventually grow up? (again, personal preference) Sometimes I like the closeness and 'feel' of a hotel-type resort like BCV, and other times I like the quiet, relaxing, 'homey' feel of OKW. I don't know if I could choose a favorite whether or not I include my kids when making my choice. In 10 or 12 years I can see myself taking 'adult only' trips and wanting to stay at OKW to relax and maybe hit DTD for dinners and dancing, and I can see me wanting to stay at BCV to relax a little but be close to Epcot for Food & Wine and Illuminations/World Gateway restaurants.

It's your personal preference, that's what it comes down to. One thing I always try to remember is that any DVC resort is better than a regular Disney hotel or off-property hotel.

Good luck with your decision, and best of luck on future trips.

 

[Callie]

What is so special about the one at Animal Kingdom Lodge Pool
?