Back from our 1st time with DVC

[Callum]

Hi everyone

Just a quickie to say that we got back last Friday after our first ever DVC visit. In addition, it was also the first time we had spent our entire stay at Disney resorts.

Our points got us 6 nights at Saratoga Springs followed by 4 nights at Vero Beach. The last few nights we paid for a stay at POL French Quarter. We had a brilliant time throughout

SS is a huge place but we were well situated in The Paddock almost next to the bus top and overlooking the pool. Just a short walk across the footbridge to the Carriage House and the Artisit's Pallette.

We had an Inn room at VB overlooking the pool. We were side on to the ocean so I guess that qualified it as an "ocean view room" VB was, to us, a wee bit out of the way and a fair old drive to most places. That said, we would certainly go back but spend time researching all the places to go, things to see, beforehand.

POLFQ was an eye opener A lovely, quiet place with a great theme. We had a ground floor, waterside room in Building 5 only a few steps from the water taxi dock.

We made good use of the Disney Transportation system. We would shop and drive around until mid afternoon when we parked the car and just jumped on a bus to wherever we fancied Got to see all the fireworks and didn't have to join the usual traffic line to exit the park. BTW all the parks were pretty empty and towards the end of our stay we could walk straight onto most of the big rides.

I already posted about our change of flights thanks to BA so we spent our first night in Tampa. We discovered a steak house that absolutely blew us away. Shula's. Expensive ($$$) but served up the best steaks we have ever tasted. I have only now found out that they have a place at the Swan and Dolphin at WDW so give it a try.

Next points come in March so have already started thinking about another visit later this year

 

[skelfbsfb]

Glad everything went well mate. I like you cannot wait until we vist DVC accommondation for the first time.

 

[Claire L]

Sounds like you had a great time

If you are thinking of early Decemeber then better satrt planning asap as it is already very booked up!

Claire

 

[scottishsue]

Great that you enjoyed SSR - our first visit is planned for October !!

I can't wait either !!

 

[Still thinking......]

Glad you had a great time. We hope to spend a few days at VB before we go to SSR this year. Did you like your Inn room? We are hoping for an Ocean view too.

 

[Callum]

Still Thinking.........

The Inn room was fine. Big room. Studio had 2 double beds but there was a lot of unused space that could maybe have taken a 2 seater sofa.

We paid the points for an ocean view and, as I said, were side-on to the sea. Didn't bother us but there certainly are rooms (on the 3rd and 4th floors) which face directly onto the Atlantic. Not sure what size they are.

 

[lesley.a.murray@talk]

Good to hear about Vero, Callum.
We have been thinking about swopping out our last 3 nights at BCV to staying at Vero. Haven't decided yet and when I hear of people losing their original bookings while trying top swop on the phone to MS, maybe we'll save VB for another year. I'm still not that familiar with the ins and outs of the points system so maybe I'll leave well alone this time.

We stayed at POFQ a couple of years back and loved it. What did you mean about it being an eye-opener?

 

[Boss Hogg]

Sounds like you had a good time. We also love SSR, and find the location very good.

Also, a big fan of Shula's. We've been to the one at Dolphin once and the steaks are fantastic, but as you say not cheap. Probably on balance worth it though.

 

[squitty]

Welcome back Callum

Sounds lovely.

Happy Planning with your next trip.

 

[Callum]

Lesley - We really liked the way POLFQ was built and laid out. The style of the buildings with the quiet narrow "streets" was just great and the little "squares" with their cut lawns and fountains just added to the overall attraction of the resort. We would certainly do it all again

 

[tubtruck]

Sounds like you had great fun

 

[lesley.a.murray@talk]

Yeah, it somehow feels more cosy than some of the other resorts which is nice.
We had stayed at CBR the year before which is also really fab but the girls wanted to try out the dragon slide...they loved it!

Here's to many more trips, sampling all that DVC has to offer.