Chicago Doorway to Dreams

[nickspace]

Has anyone been to Doorway to Dreams in Chicago? If yes, what did you think of it?

:thanks:

[AllanADale]

Got me to buy in :)

All it is is the AKV 2-bedroom, and you get the full tour and then they give the financial presentation. It's nice, but it's also what you expect it to be, lol.

[pinkteacup]

I purchased SSR from Doorway to Dreams in April. I think it is set up nicely. I am also the type that likes to do things in person, and by purchasing here I was able to take home all my paperwork and goodies the same day for instant gratification.:love:

[Disney_Villain]

We stopped in on Doorway to Dreams flying back from Orlando (took a pit-stop in Chicago for an overnighter, just to see Doorway). Interesting. The staff there were very happy that we made a point just to see them, including the guide we met - Laurie Bailie. We caught Laurie at the end of the day right before she closed the shop and she took the time to chat up a storm with us, even though we had already bought our last add-on a day previous at SSR. The AKV mockup 2BR was exactly what we saw at the SSR preview center. The front end of the store was really cute (if you want to see my pics, follow the link below).

Doorway to Dreams . . .

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/7059330255-1212459500-14959/gallery/8548297/page/1/15

[PhantomBlot]

great folks, good experience

[LvsTnk]

We bought (AKLV) there as well. My son with special needs was walking me to a restaurant and found it.

Didn't even have to sell my DH on it the incentives were so good at the time.

Very friendly CM's and guides, great experience. If anyone where in the area it is definately worth stopping in, especially if your new to DVC. DS left with lots of goodies on our first visit and when we bought we came home with lots more:goodvibes

[nickspace]

Were there any freebees? We are going in 2 weeks and looking forward to seeing it... but freebees are always fun.

[Disney_Villain]

Freebies? Yes, if you buy a contract! I'd just bought a new SSR add-on a day previous, so they were willing to toss some items at me. What a nice Doorway travel mug they have. :)

[White_Sox_Fan]

When we went we left with a few goodies, Doorway to Dreams pens and pins. When we purchased we got a tote bag full of stuff. They also screwed up some of the paperwork and it took a little longer than usual so they gave us a second tote bag.

I just completed a focus group regarding the Doorway to Dream store. Apparently they are trying to improve it and are considering other stores. They asked what kind of things we would like to see at the store that would get us to go back. I told them if they could perform MS services in person it would be a plus. Things like make reservations, ADR's, purchase AP's, pick up the latest copy of the portable perks, etc. I also said that if they wanted to bring people into the store a setup like "Turtle Talk with Crush" would do it. If there were Disney animated characters interacting with the people passing by they would suck people into the store. I can't imagine what that would cost though.

[princessvacg]

I got 2 bags of goodies when I bought my AKL add on. Hats, pens, H2O packages with body wash and body cream, luggage tags, Mickey storage boxes and my favorite being I bought in the winter, mickey ice scrapers!! I was like a kid in a candy store!

[DoOverDreams]

We stopped in on Doorway to Dreams flying back from Orlando (took a pit-stop in Chicago for an overnighter, just to see Doorway). Interesting. The staff there were very happy that we made a point just to see them, including the guide we met - Laurie Bailie. We caught Laurie at the end of the day right before she closed the shop and she took the time to chat up a storm with us, even though we had already bought our last add-on a day previous at SSR. The AKV mockup 2BR was exactly what we saw at the SSR preview center. The front end of the store was really cute (if you want to see my pics, follow the link below).

Doorway to Dreams . . .

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/7059330255-1212459500-14959/gallery/8548297/page/1/15

Fantastic pictures! I will definitely plan a stop in on my next busines trip to Chicago.

[whamma]

We bought AKL at Doorway to Dreams in February. We are huge WDW fans and just happened to be at the mall--I remembered it was there--we walked in and bought. Our salesperson didn't even have to try to convince us! We worked with Allen Weintraub. We got a goodie bag of stuff too--as already mentioned (the ice scrapers must have been gone though--darn). But we also got a box, shaped like the silhouette of Mickey's head--with a lid on it. When we were at WDW last year I wanted one so badly at World of Disney but decided I couldn't figure out how to get it home (a little to thick for a suitcase--without worry of being crushed)--so I passed on it. After we signed our paperwork and they said "Would you like one of these?" (the were used as decor in the sales offices)--I was ecstatic. The joke around our house is that the Mickey box cost us $16,000. :laughing:

[nickspace]

Cool! Must be a MAGIC box!

[Laurabearz]

Funny I should see this today.. I just stopped by there yesterday for the first time.

I was impressed. Everyone seemed really nice. The bathrooms at AKV are like WOW!! Each with different tile, I loved it.

Scored a bunch of freebies too. :thumbsup2 It was nice, even after they learned we have 1000 points and were only interested in GCV, Kathy still showed me around, talked up a storm, and handed me a BAG of goodies!! :dance3:

I was tickled to score a 2007 Christmas Ornament!! :cool1: She said to look for something in November to be held at Doorway To Dreams, and another ornament.

[sbgb]

Hi! It's my first post and I know that it is a technicality, but the Doorway to Dreams store is in Schaumburg. I just don't want anyone to be confused.

As previously posted, the people there are amazing. I took my husband there as a last ditch attempt to convince him to buy. He took a look around the model and remembered the family vacations cramped into one room with a double bed and was sold.:woohoo: Our guide is Derek Deboer and he made thing easy and gave us gift cards for lunch at RainForest Cafe.:hyper:

[Laurabearz]

Welcome to the DIS Sb!!

:cool1: :banana: :cool1:

[minnie2]

we just got back from there! we had n clue it even existed!

We talked to Diane and she was very sweet! a DVC membership wasn't something we have even thought of but since I am a big Disney fan hDH humored me by checking it out and now we are considering it! :cool1:

[LvsTnk]

we just got back from there! we had n clue it even existed!

We talked to Diane and she was very sweet! a DVC membership wasn't something we have even thought of but since I am a big Disney fan hDH humored me by checking it out and now we are considering it! :cool1:

Diane is our guide, she's great!

[PEANUT1]

1000 points...wow:worship:

Funny I should see this today.. I just stopped by there yesterday for the first time.

I was impressed. Everyone seemed really nice. The bathrooms at AKV are like WOW!! Each with different tile, I loved it.

Scored a bunch of freebies too. :thumbsup2 It was nice, even after they learned we have 1000 points and were only interested in GCV, Kathy still showed me around, talked up a storm, and handed me a BAG of goodies!! :dance3:

I was tickled to score a 2007 Christmas Ornament!! :cool1: She said to look for something in November to be held at Doorway To Dreams, and another ornament.

[nickspace]

We will be at Doorway to Dream in 5 days. I hope we get some cool stuff.

[tecodis]

We will be at Doorway to Dream in 5 days. I hope we get some cool stuff.

OKay, for us newbies...where is it located?

[backyardponder]

It is in the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois.

[minnie2]

Diane is our guide, she's great!

Yes she is! I head in tomorrow to see her to get my paper work:yay: :cool1:
I can't sign everything since DH won't be there but I will fedex them to where they need to go:)

[nickspace]

Hi All! I am in Chicago now in the Apple Store and went to Doorway to Dreams yesterday. When I return from our trip I will sit down and tell everyone how it went and give details... Just a hint.. IT WAS AWESOME!!!

[DoOverDreams]

tease....
:dance3:

[anonymousegirl]

I wanna live nr Chicago so I can go to this magical store! Instead I am stuck in sunny California:beach:

[tecodis]

Diane is our guide, she's great!

Diane was a pleasure to talk with on my visit there last Saturday (although she hasn't replied to my subsequent emails yet). I had been considering DVC and then loved the AKV setup at the store. However, the decision to splurge or not is an agonizing one for me!
:confused3

[tvwalsh]

Think of it as the silliest and funnest thing you will ever do with your money!:banana:

[DoOverDreams]

Hi All! I am in Chicago now in the Apple Store and went to Doorway to Dreams yesterday. When I return from our trip I will sit down and tell everyone how it went and give details... Just a hint.. IT WAS AWESOME!!!

Ok nickspace, I logged in this morning to see details! :surfweb:

[minnie2]

Diane was a pleasure to talk with on my visit there last Saturday (although she hasn't replied to my subsequent emails yet). I had been considering DVC and then loved the AKV setup at the store. However, the decision to splurge or not is an agonizing one for me!
:confused3

She was probably tied up helping me set up my new contract!:rotfl2: I had ALOT of questions and issues! She was great through this all!

[nickspace]

We just returned from our trip and I just rolled out of bed. We drove back really late. Here is some more information on Doorway to Dreams.

I am not very good with details but I will try my best.

1. We went to the center of the mall and Disney has a spot on the mall information table. We spoke with the Cast Member there and she was awesome. She called Door Way to Dream to tell them we were coming and she walked us across the mall to the store... AWESOME SERVICE!!! She didn't point up in the right direction she WALKED US the store... THE BEST!

2. We were greeted warmly and talked with the people there and were taken inside to see the units. Inside we were offered drinks, which was great because we were thirsty. We first saw the studio and then onto the 1 bedroom. I have to say that the rooms were great. Seeing the rooms was the best part of the visit. They were larger than I had expected and furnished to the T! The rooms were lock-offs but they didn't feel like it at all.

It was funny because our points had just cleared into the system that day and when we went into the tour units it was the first time we had ever seen a Disney DVC room. We bought resale and had never taken the tour while at Disney. Therefore we had never seen a DVC unit. My wife and I felt so good about our purchase after seeing the rooms and were a little nervous about spending all that money. Seeing the units convinced us was made a good purchase. I can now see why owning at DVC will change the way you do Disney. The rooms are so much nicer and comfortable than your standard room.

One great thing about the 1 bedroom units was there were 2 full bathrooms. That was nice. The master bath was awesome. The only thing I didn't like was the all glass shower. I want some privacy when I am in the shower.

We probably stayed in the unit for an hour just talking and enjoying it. Our guide was awesome and answered all our questions.

3. We liked it so much we stopped by the mall again to see the units. We had a different guide and she was just as great. Hats off to all the people we met at Doorway to Dreams! Disney knows how to choose and train their cast members.

4. Then of course when we left we were given a bag full of Disney goodies. What shocked me was not only how much good stuff they gave us, but also they gave us goody bags both times we visited. The best part was the trading pins!!! I still have the bags packed away from our trip but if anyone is interested I can give more details on the gifts.

5. If anyone has questions please let me know.



Take Care!
Nick

[my3weasels]

Sounds like a great trip! Hopefully we will be able to make a trip to the Chicago area this year and visit the Doorway to Dreams.

[nickspace]

It is a great place to stop by if you are in the area. I wouldn't drive hours to see it but if you are in town see it for sure!

Have Fun!
Nick

[nickspace]

Does anyone have info on the up in coming doorways party???

[sskem96]

Does anyone have info on the up in coming doorways party???

We were up there last Sunday to sign our papers. Our guide is Laurie, and she told us there would be an event the first weekend in August, but didn't have details yet. She did say there would be Disney characters present, and at least part of the event would be at the comedy club in the mall. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be able to make it up there for the event. I have to work midnight shift Fri and Sat night, and we are headed to Burlington, IA for 2 days on Sun. After finding out about the Disney event, I'm wishing I hadn't agreed to the Iowa trip, but we're going with friends so I can't cancel now.

For those of you wondering about gifts and such, on our first visit we came home with 2 sets of Doorway to Dreams mouse ears, 2 trading pins, a Dream book, pens, and I think a couple other little things in a gift bag. When we signed the papers to close, we were given the mickey head shaped hat box, 2 more mouse ears, 6 luggage tags, 2 travel mugs, a Christmas ornament, a couple of buttons, and a neat bag that starts out zipped together probably around 6x8 inches and less than an inch thick, and unzips to a full duffel bag. I think it will be great to pack in the suitcase for bringing home souveniers. We also got the big canvas DVC tote bag. The staff is wonderful there! They offered us water or soda when we first walked in, and there's also a staffed kids activity room with lots of toys for all ages and a Wii, so the kids had as much fun as DH and I did!

[nickspace]

What is happening at Doorway to Dreams now?

[DVC Mary]

It's been changed over to a BLT layout. I miss the AKL one.

[nickspace]

Are they still giving away cool stuff? :)

[mlholster]

I plan to go there in the next couple of days, I'll let you know. We are signing the paperwork for the 2 contracts we just added at BLT.:cool1:

[jjpenguin]

I have a business trip to Chicago coming up and I'm thinking of taking a trip to DtD before heading down to Orlando to squeeze in a couple of days of Disney... the goodies are convincing me ;)

How easy is it to get to from the airport?

[mlholster]

Hi guys we have just returned from Doorway to Dreams. We went to do the paperwork for the contracts we just purchased. I have to tell you how nice everyone is. They go out of their way to make you feel at home. They gave us some luggage tags and a new bag Yeah! I think if you are in the area go over and take a look, you won't be sorry.:cool1::thumbsup2

[CMOORE185]

I have a business trip to Chicago coming up and I'm thinking of taking a trip to DtD before heading down to Orlando to squeeze in a couple of days of Disney... the goodies are convincing me ;)

How easy is it to get to from the airport?
Your best bet is to map quest,or GPS Woodfield mall,(5 Woodfield shopping Ctr.,Schaumburg Il. 60173) it is about 15 miles West of the Ohare Airport. Hopefully you are flying to Ohare, If your going to Midway it is really far from their.

[jjpenguin]

Your best bet is to map quest,or GPS Woodfield mall,(5 Woodfield shopping Ctr.,Schaumburg Il. 60173) it is about 15 miles West of the Ohare Airport. Hopefully you are flying to Ohare, If your going to Midway it is really far from their.

Thanks for the info!

I'm flying international so it would be O' Hare. How about public transport as I don't drive.

[Rock'n Robin]

I will be in Chicago on May 30 in the morning, downtown. We are driving in Friday night. Would this be somewhere it would be best to visit Friday night (on way in from Ohio) or Saturday afternoon going home? I'm looking at adding on and this might be an option.
Robin M.

[White_Sox_Fan]

I will be in Chicago on May 30 in the morning, downtown. We are driving in Friday night. Would this be somewhere it would be best to visit Friday night (on way in from Ohio) or Saturday afternoon going home? I'm looking at adding on and this might be an option.
Robin M.
Just from a traffic standpoint I would think you would be better off Saturday. Like others have said it's about 8 miles west of O'Hare (as the crow, or plane, flies). It's just under 30 miles from downtown Chicago.

[backyardponder]

Thanks for the info!

I'm flying international so it would be O' Hare. How about public transport as I don't drive.

I don't know about bus service. I don't think there is much. You could take a taxi. I'd recommend American Taxi (www.americantaxi.com). It is $29 each way according to their web site. You should plan for a $6 tip.

Do not take a city cab at the curb at O'Hare. They are very expensive since you technically are leaving Chicago and they get to charge you a lot for that.

With American Taxi you call when you are at the airport. Their system will assign you a cab number, and you go out and wait for that specific cab.

You also might want to call Doorway to Dreams and see if they have any suggestions.

[backyardponder]

I will be in Chicago on May 30 in the morning, downtown. We are driving in Friday night. Would this be somewhere it would be best to visit Friday night (on way in from Ohio) or Saturday afternoon going home? I'm looking at adding on and this might be an option.
Robin M.

I agree with White Sox Fan...definately Saturday. Schaumburg is NW of Chicago and you'll be hitting traffic.

If you are thinking of adding on, you might want to call and make an appointment to makesure a guide is available for you.