Which dvc resort for 1st dvc trip? About This Page:

[poohbr2015]

We are buying into BayLake Towers as we speak. We have a trip planned for October. We are debating whether to stay at Bay Lake for our first trip as owners since this is our home base, or if maybe we should stay somewhere else. We love all of the resorts. We just know that Bay Lake takes way more points than the others and aren't sure if we want to exhaust most of our points from the get go. Another question, 4 adults and 1 child (1 year old), we usually get a 2 bedroom villa, but we have noticed that it is less points to get 2 studios. Does anyone know if they do adjoining studios or if the 2 bedroom lockoff villa which is a studio and a 1 bedroom attached costs the same amount of points as a 2 bedroom villa?

[chezp]

Gosh - difficult question. Personally, I'd probably stay at my home resort on my first visit, as I'm guessing that was what attracted you to buy into the DVC? Is there another resort that's caught your eye that you're thinking of staying at, instead of Bay Lake Tower?

[poohbr2015]

We have wanted to stay at Saratoga Springs for a while now, just couldn't afford it. In a way I do want to stay at Bay Lake since the Contemporary is our fave resort and we were dying to buy in with Bay Lake Tower. We had been wanting dvc for a while now, just not the right time, and happened to do the live webcast and got offered an extremely good deal that we couldn't refuse!! I am kind of thinking that if we don't stay at Bay Lake, we are going to end up regretting it once we arrive in October!!

[aliceinwdw]

With regard to staying at BLT or not, DH and I are dying to stay there, it's our home resort as well. However, we were offered developer points when we joined due to BLT not being ready right away and they expire on 10/03, so we have to use them for this year's trip at SSR. We're pretty excited as this too will be our first DVC vacation (well actually our 1st stay at a DVC resort!), but it would be nice to be "at home" sooner rather than later. But, if going by our thinking, BLT will still be new and shiny next year! LOL

And with regard to the adjoining Studios, I believe they only connect to a 1-bedroom to create a 2-bedroom villas? At least I think that's what we were shown during our DVC tour in November.

Regardless, have fun wherever you stay.

[tjkraz]

If you are planning a trip this October but haven't booked anything yet, I would suggest calling first to find out what's available. The BoardWalk and Beach Club tend to be most popular during the Food & Wine fest so I doubt either of those will be available. You may also be blocked out of the Bay Lake Tower since it will be brand new and both owners & non-owners were rushing to try it the first time.

Call and see what they have and then decide from that group of options.

To answer your other questions, no there are no connecting Studio rooms. Lockoff Two Bedroom villas and dedicated Two Bedroom villas both cost the same number of points per night.

[RoonieRooToo]

We just Fedexed our signed paperwork yesterday for BLT. We are staying in October and doing it at BLT. We bought BLT since that is the one we truly want to stay at so that was an easy answer for me. That and my guide made our reservations for us so it was super easy for us. She did ask us if we wanted to try somewhere else first but we were too excited about and walking to MK to really even think more than 3 seconds about it.

Granted this is our first time at a monorail resort so that is also part of our excitement. We also bought on the deal via the webcast!

[chezp]

Originally Posted by tjkraz

If you are planning a trip this October but haven't booked anything yet, I would suggest calling first to find out what's available. The BoardWalk and Beach Club tend to be most popular during the Food & Wine fest so I doubt either of those will be available. You may also be blocked out of the Bay Lake Tower since it will be brand new and both owners & non-owners were rushing to try it the first time.

Call and see what they have and then decide from that group of options. .

That's what I'm thinking. It sounds to me that if Bay Lake Tower is available, you should go for it - if not, just have a back-up in mind.

[HakunaMatata]

Originally Posted by aliceinwdw

With regard to staying at BLT or not, DH and I are dying to stay there, it's our home resort as well. However, we were offered developer points when we joined due to BLT not being ready right away and they expire on 10/03, so we have to use them for this year's trip at SSR.

We got the deleveloper points also. We are doing a split stay in late Aug. / early Sept.- 8 nights at SSR with developer points, and 5 nights at BLT on our points. B/c of the developer points, we will have points to bank from that use year.

[disney]

i would stay at my home resort for my first trip we did this 10 years ago.

[Diz]

Because of your group's makeup - 4 A, 1C...I would try and see if the THV is available (slim chance, but I'd ask). It would fit your group perfectly! If not, I'd see if my home resort was available.

If you're not worried about laundry, the 2 Studios may work for you. No guarantee though that you'd be close to each other. But I like the 2-bedroom units because I having the washer/dryer right there!

Have fun deciding!

[spiceypj]

the 1-bedroom at BLT and AKV both sleep 5 (except value units)

for budget would suggest

AKV
OKW
BWV standard view

that say with a little one would still go for BLT

[4Disney2]

Hard to say. We went to AKV in our first trip, my sister just bought into BLT, when went we arrived a day early so we got to stay at Saratoga. I am glad we did. Back in November we stayed one night at OKW and so far All the DVC that we have stayed we have liked! wish you the best in your decision.

[KristaB]

Originally Posted by poohbr2015

...We had been wanting dvc for a while now, just not the right time, and happened to do the live webcast and got offered an extremely good deal that we couldn't refuse!! I am kind of thinking that if we don't stay at Bay Lake, we are going to end up regretting it once we arrive in October!!

You sound just like us! We had been looking at DVC for years and then got the invite to the webcast and knew it was the right time for us to buy. Go for the stay at Bay Lake! Look at the location for crying out loud! It seems perfect to me!! Lol..

Originally Posted by RoonieRooToo

We just Fedexed our signed paperwork yesterday for BLT. We are staying in October and doing it at BLT. We bought BLT since that is the one we truly want to stay at so that was an easy answer for me. That and my guide made our reservations for us so it was super easy for us. She did ask us if we wanted to try somewhere else first but we were too excited about and walking to MK to really even think more than 3 seconds about it.

Granted this is our first time at a monorail resort so that is also part of our excitement. We also bought on the deal via the webcast!

I wonder just how many bought from the webcasts? 3 of us right here so far.. Our middle child, DS, 5, LOVES the monorail. So Bay Lake was the perfect spot for us.

We have our first trip booked for Bay Lake Towers for Nov. 28-Dec. 6. We're arriving on the 27th, but the point difference for the one night was a bit silly, so we're staying somewhere else for the one night, hopefully with a really good AP rate. I think they must set aside a certain number of rooms for owners, because we had no problem getting our one-bedroom with a lake view. Plus we have points left we can bank for next year. We're on the wait list for MK view, which we would wind up borrowing points from next year for. We're sooo excited to be DVC owners!!! Now to get that FexEX box out...

[aliceinwdw]

B/c of the developer points, we will have points to bank from that use year.

Isn't that the best?! I mean that basically sold DH and I; a year's worth of points to use, bank, etc. Great deal for us!

[Ghost]

From our experience at the resorts we have stayed at we would probably go:

BLT (never stayed but new and seems cool; worth a try)
BCV (love Storm-Along Bay)
VWL (Amazing theme and structure; great charm)
AKL (Similar to VWL)