Wish you bought at another DVC resort?

[disney-super-mom]

Which DVC resort do you wish you bought points for, or if you could do an add on, which DVC resort would it be and why?

We're still on the fence about which DVC resort to buy into (we're buying resale and we've only eliminated one DVC resort from our list), so we'd like to get the different perspectives of current DVC owners to maybe make it easier for us to narrow down our choices.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Simba's Mom]

We wish we'd bought another DVC resort initially, OKW instead of VWL. That's only because DH loved OKW when we stayed there the first time, after we became members. However, since OKW has always been available at the 7 month window, it wasn't a big deal for us where we owned. And with the price of points going up every time you turn around, it seems, we're glad that at least we bought somewhere! Last year, DH decided he felt more comfortable being an OKW owner (just in case there's any need for the 11 month window in the future) so we did the switch home resorts thing. But, like I said, we've never regretted buying ANYWHERE we could get in when we did, never wish we'd waited, etc. The only advantage if we'd originally bought at OKW would have been to avoid the hassle this past year of the buy/sell process. But we've always been happy we bought.

 

[Mary Ellen]

We were torn between OKW & BWV (only DVC resorts @ WDW when we bought). We went with BWV and haven't regreted our selection - even for an instant. We still love OKW too, but being able to book BWV for early Dec or F&W at the 11 mo. point is worth it (both times are VERY popular for DVC members - esp. at BWV [& now BCV, but BWV standard view is fewer points]).

 

[Safari Queen]

I wish we bought earlier so we could have been enjoying our time at WDW for longer at a lower price We've done well getting accommodations at the other resorts at 7 months. However, I do wish we'd bought when BCV and BWVs were originally being sold. We prefer those locations for Food & Wine and for the annual holiday trip with my granddaughter because of the proximity to EPCOT.

 

[cobbler]

My purchase was SSR and I wouldn't change it for anything.

We really like it and being that hubby and myself are pretty young the extra 12 years is a huge plus.

If I could add on points currently I would add on at our home. I don't want to spend the larger amount of $$ for 12 fewer years. The next time I add on points it will be at one of the next DVC resorts to be built, depending on what it is.

 

[DVCLiz]

We wish we'd bought another DVC resort initially, OKW instead of VWL. That's only because DH loved OKW when we stayed there the first time, after we became members. However, since OKW has always been available at the 7 month window, it wasn't a big deal for us where we owned. And with the price of points going up every time you turn around, it seems, we're glad that at least we bought somewhere! Last year, DH decided he felt more comfortable being an OKW owner (just in case there's any need for the 11 month window in the future) so we did the switch home resorts thing. But, like I said, we've never regretted buying ANYWHERE we could get in when we did, never wish we'd waited, etc. The only advantage if we'd originally bought at OKW would have been to avoid the hassle this past year of the buy/sell process. But we've always been happy we bought.

Simba's Mom, did you sell your old contract and buy a new one, or is there some "switch home resorts" option I don't know about? Did you do this through Disney or a resale?

 

[byoung]

I got BWV points and I am happy about it.

 

[TheBeast]

We bought at BCV. I think if we had it to do over, we might buy at BWV, but I'm still not 100% sure. We definately like proximity to Epcot for both resorts. But we like the activity on the BWV side and would also like a chance to use the lower points. Some people LOVE BCV. We like it, but aren't so totally thrilled that it's the only place for us. We've stayed at BWV a few times and really liked it.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Okay, we have it down to three.

OKW, BWV and BCV

It could very well come down to the best resale contract we come across.

I like OKW and BWV just for the larger square footage of their units compared to the other resorts, and they also have nicer views.

That SAB pool at BCV really does appeal to me though, but I'm not sure if that's enough to win out over OKW or BWV. I like the decor at BCV alot too, more so than at OKW or BWV, but they're all beautiful in the pictures.

Hmmmmm......choices, choices, choices Unit size, location, decor, pool, stand alone, hotel resort, peace and quiet, middle-of-the-action, view...IT'S ALL IMPORTANT!

Why is this such a hard choice?!!!!

 

[Forever a Princess]

We bought first at VWL through resale. This resort is our favorite. We just get soooo giddy seeing the Christmas decorations at this time of the year. We also love the geyser and can't get enough of the boat ride that goes from the WL to the MK. My opinion is that we need to add points here-but that will be in the future, see below.

We just got back from at wonderful stay at the world. While there we added on at BWV. The main reason that we did this was to have the 11 month booking window for Food and Wine Festival.

If we did not add on at the BWV we would of had to book at the 7 month window and at that we would of needed to book day by day-otherwise the rooms would be gone.

What also sold us about BWV was the proximity of the Restaurants and the activities on the Boardwalk itself.

Both of the DVC resorts that we own at are "attached" to one of the Disney non dvc resorts. We like our dvc rooms and we love to partake in the amenities that the Disney resorts have to offer.

If you're trying to decide which resort is best for you-go and spend some time at each dvc resort. Walk around and take in a meal. You'll get the feel for which resort your heart calls "home."

 

[Deb & Bill]

Most of our points are at OKW, which we love. We also have smaller number of points at VWL and BCV. I wanted VWL because I love Yellowstone (we used to live in Montana). My husband didn't really want the VWL, he was holding out for BCV, which we also bought. We stayed at BCV last summer for about the third or fourth time and he was greatly disappointed in how it looks now. He thought it was looking shabby, I didn't think it was so bad. He just said last night he wished there was a way we could trade our 100 BCV points for someone else's 100 VWL points. He really likes it at VWL now.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Simba's Mom, did you sell your old contract and buy a new one, or is there some "switch home resorts" option I don't know about? Did you do this through Disney or a resale?

Unfortunately, we had to go through the whole sell and buy process. We talked to our guide, and there was no switching option. First, we bought a OKW contract through resale, looking for about the same # of points and the same use year (since we still had and kept a BCV contract with the same use year). Then we put our VWL contract for sale through the same realtor we'd bought through. The entire process took about 4-6 months until everything was bought, sold, closed. Not sure how much we made (or more likely, lost) by doing it, but, as they say, "Buy where you want to stay". We could have just kept that VWL contract, but now DH can say he's one of those "fanatical" OKW people!

 

[jade1]

Okay, we have it down to three.

OKW, BWV and BCV

It could very well come down to the best resale contract we come across.

I like OKW and BWV just for the larger square footage of their units compared to the other resorts, and they also have nicer views.

That SAB pool at BCV really does appeal to me though, but I'm not sure if that's enough to win out over OKW or BWV. I like the decor at BCV alot too, more so than at OKW or BWV, but they're all beautiful in the pictures.

Hmmmmm......choices, choices, choices Unit size, location, decor, pool, stand alone, hotel resort, peace and quiet, middle-of-the-action, view...IT'S ALL IMPORTANT!

Why is this such a hard choice?!!!!

How about the size accomodations for you? OKW GV is a great use of points if you plan bringing guests or relatives etc and may need 11 month priority-otherwise owning at OKW is not necessary since you can most likely get in there at 7 months. BCV offers 2 queens in the second BR which is very nice if you need that size (over BWV). Also you can NEVER use SAB unless you land a ressie there where you can use the others. BWV BW View is the best IMHO and a nice guarantee, but we have been able to get that quite often at 7 months for some reason. Doing your homework is the best start, good luck.

 

[lisareniff]

We bought 300 points at BCV, which is what Disney was selling at the time. We were between buying a resale OKW or BCV direct. The option of a GV is the only thing I miss about chosing BCV over OKW. Now looking back I wish we had considered a BWV resale as well. Not sure which would have won in that debate. We are happy with BCV but occasionally I look across the pond and dream of one of those GV's, Boardwalk views, community hall and think of the points saved with Std. views. Then I remind myself of SAB, dedicated 2 bedrooms (with 2 queens), close parking and that nice beach theme.

I would have definately purchased either slightly fewer points or two contracts. I bumped it up from 270 to 300 at the last minute. I think it's a tad too much for us.

I also really want a VB contract for one of those Beach Cottages every three years.

 

[Kick Save]

We recently purchased a resale in BWV, and can say we likely won't regret it. We stayed there twice before as renters and loved it. The activity, the proximity to Epcot and <strike>MGM</strike> Disney Studios, and just the whole atmosphere around it.

Also recently rented at the VWL and enjoyed that, too. The theming in that resort is outstanding, and the villas are just "detached" enough to give it a quiet feel. Really enjoyed our short stay there.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Our guide talked us into buying VWL before it sold out instead of waiting for BCV to open. This is the one choice I do regret. DH and I personally like BCV more, it is more our style. In a few weeks we will have stayed at all of them excpet HH and BWV (because we always go for BCV instead, but I am sure BW is nice too.)

We like to try out different ones, they are all nice.

However I would really rather own at BCV instead. I wish it was eaiser to change things like that. (I also wish I had just 50 more points, but that is another story, or at least another thread.)

 

[dvc-NE]

Yeah, I wish I bought OKW when it first opened for $51 a point and passes to WDW till the year 2000. Matt

 

[iankh]

Because I bought resale, I really had a choice of any resort I wanted (provided there was a contract I liked and a price I liked). It took me a while to decide what resort I wanted. I had considered OKW because of the number of resales available, good prices, and lower annual dues. However, after much pondering, I went with VWL, mainly because in staying at resorts, we loved WL and could never seem to bring ourselves to stay anywhere else. It also being the smallest resort, I thought that it might be good to have the 11 month window in my hip pocket.

I haven't regretted the decision. We still love the resort, and for us, our tastes, temperment, loving the feeling of remoteness, etc, it really suits us.

I then came across a very very very reasonable and small OKW contract, and decided to purchase it. Since I don't think we would typically make our travel decisions further out than 7 months, I thought it would be good to have the extra points. I had also thought at the time that given it was a small contract and so reasonable, I had nothing to lose. The very worse thing that would happen is that it wouldn't pass ROFR and I'd be no worse off than before.

My advice?

1. Buy where you want to stay. Be happy with your choice.
2. You'll hear a lot of things on these boards about what to off and anxiety over ROFR, some people even offering more than the asking price. My take on this is, what do you have to lose? The worst case is you won't get it, and there will always be more contracts. I've not seen any rhyme or reason t ROFR. I know that at the same time I bought my resales, other DISers were ROFR'd and were offering to pay MORE than I was. But in the end, do what makes you feel comfortable.
3. Relax. We're not talking about solving world hunger, just a timeshare resort in a contrived little place (a contrived little place that I visit regularly like clockwork, I should add).
4. If you don't want to buy via resale, you CAN buy directly from DVC. They won't offer it. You'll have to press it. That way, although you may wait a bit, you will get exactly what you want.
5. Never say never. We booked a cruise for next December and in January, I'll exercise my 11 month advantage by booking at VWL. I can't think of other place I'd rather be at that time of year.
6. Go with the flow. We're leaving for WDW next week on the 31st, and didn't even book until the end of October. I had a firm booking at one resort and was waitlisted at 3 others. I have so far moved up the food chain twice and am now at my second choice, though I would have been happy with any of them.
7. Do I have regrets about my purchase. Yes! Definitely! I wish I had bought in 1995 when I wanted to and not let myself be talked out of it.

 

[RAD]

When we joined DVC it was only OKW and BWV, we purchased BWV and have no regrets about that decision. We also love OKW and as others have mentioned it's usually very easy to get a reservation there at 7 months or less. We stayed WL before the villas were built and while it's a nice resort we felt too removed from stuff to want to stay their again. We've stayed at BC and BCV and except for SAB the resort really doesn't do anything for us. Especially BCV, since we stopped doing commando at the parks we do more down time in the room and there really isn't any great views from BCV IMHO. We've stayed at SSR and DW and I can't really put our fingers on it but except for the spa it really doesn't do anything for us. Maybe it's the size of the buildings, feels more like a large apartment complex vs. OKW which feels like townhomes or BWV/WLV/BCV which have the hotel feel.

 

[spiceycat]

when I brought it was only OKW (DVC then). no regrets. I still love the place. but I also own small contracts at BWV (50 points) and VWL (60 points) - so I can get them during the food/wine festavial and early Dec (this is the most popular time with DVC members at WDW)

you can also do like me and own small contracts at other places....

I would love a BCV, but at present the budget can't stand it.....

however in a few years maybe.

lots of people don't realize that BCV was made to look old.....It is surpose to look that way folks - go back and read the printed material that we were given when this resort first opened...

the one thing I don't like is the sofa in the BCV - it is not nice sofa like OKW and VWL - it feels like sandpaper to me. I know it is water proof for the SAB - but I still don't like it....

Of all my DVC I probably least like BWV - it is too much like a city for my taste. People generally want that they don't have at home. I like in a city (okay a very, very small city for some of you) but still a city. I want something different on vacation - so I love both OKW and VWL.

It just depends upon your taste. If you are happy with your buy, then no matter what someone else says you will remain happy.

or as I say buy your majority in OKW or BWV - they both have lower points than BCV. BWV has the standard view points - best of both worlds - an Epcot resort for lower points.... then do an add on with BCV and which ever you didn't buy with your main points.

You can then switch each year. One year use your OKW points and stay at OKW. next year use your BCV points and stay at BCV....etc.

however if you are flexible and go in off season - then you should be able to stay at all of the DVC resorts with no problems.