Can you see the the 'real world' from DVC/WDW?

[kevmag]

Strange topic for a thread but what the heck....

Was surfing the boards and read a few posts about being able to see a Target and some other store from Kidani. That bugged me, and I realized, that before we recently joined DVC, we mostly stayed at Wilderness Lodge, and occasionally Contemporary, thus NEVER having to look at anything outside of WDW during our stay.

So...are there others like us, who want the 'real world' to NOT be visible during your WDW vacations? If so, what DVC resorts are best (or worst) for not having to 'look at the real world'? Or WDW resorts in general??

 

[hakepb]

I did not enjoy the walk from SSR to DTD just because walking on that bridge, shared with traffic from a "real road" took me too much out of the typical WDW, pedestrian friendly experience.

 

[WalterYensid]

Back in '87 we stayed at Cont. and even from Top of the World the only things visible were EPCOT and MK. Since then there's been a "tiny" amount of development in the area resulting in the "Outside" infringing on our 27 sq. miles of Fantasyland. BWV, BCV, Swolphin, Cont. AKL all have views of Kissimmee and/or Orlando Hotels and commercial activity. I think the worst is AKL because you can also hear the traffic from Rt 192. If you don't want to see the "outside", stay on the lower floors or leave your eyeglasses at home.

 

[Crystal_27]

So...are there others like us, who want the 'real world' to NOT be visible during your WDW vacations?

Yes, that is totally us! I live in Atlanta and have an hour commute each way, so I don't even want to think about traffic or driving or the "real world" during our vacation. However, that is going to change for our December, 2010 vacation as we are going to be driving to Universal for a couple of days. Thankfully, though, our Universal days are early in the trip so, once we are done with Universal, I can park the car and be done with it for 11 more days!

This is a good thread, though. I think I would be quite disappointed to see a Target (as mentioned in the OP's post) while at Disney. We always feel so transported while on Disney trips (even our friends are surprised at how completely off the grid we are while on vacation) - we don' watch the news, don't read the newspapers and otherwise don't let the real world in at all. Seeing a constant reminder of a Target would not make me very happy at all. Guess I'll be crossing Kidani off my list of potential resorts to stay at.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Somewhat related...we had to use the LAUNDRY ROOM at AKL-Jambo house on our last trip. We usually bring enough clothes to avoid it, but were scrambling for enough warm gear.

Even though it was a nice laundry room, and very near the beautiful grand lobby at the lodge, it was still a laundry room.

Let's just say...reality smacked me in the face on that one. I'll buy more points and stay in 1 bedrooms before I do laundry in a washeteria on every trip.

 

[ToddyLu]

I didn't see the target or hear the traffic on our 10 day trip to AKV last year......then again I am blonde...maybe it just didn't register.

 

[jbrowna]

Stayed at both Jambo and Kidani. Never seen the Target from either place. In fact, when we wanted to do some shopping I had to go look for it.

I suppose if you went looking with binoculars or hiking around you could deliberately find it. But in no way is anything from the outside world "in your face" while at AKV Jambo or Kidani (or any other WDW resort), which is what folks who complain seem to imply.

My only concern was that, at night, from our Jambo GV balcony, you could hear some of the traffic from outside. But, then, you could also hear the fireworks from EPCOT as well.

 

[kevmag]

This is a good thread, though. I think I would be quite disappointed to see a Target (as mentioned in the OP's post) while at Disney.

OK, maybe this is not such a bad thread after all! (I'm the OP).

Strangely enough, our first DVC stay was at BLT on the 7th floor facing EPCOT/Animal Kingdom/etc..Seeing a few non Disney buildings in the distance did NOT bother me at all (I'm assuming they were hotels, but have no idea).

The thing that made me start this thread was seeing the comments about the Target. Mind you, I have NO idea how visible the Target is from Kidani, I just saw it mentioned in a few posts by other people.

 

[ACDSNY]

We had a savanna view at Kidani so we didn't see anything, but animals and the access road to the barns. We loved AKV Kidani.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

You can see some "real world" buildings from certain areas one side of Kidani. I could see them through the viewing window while walking the hallway. I have no idea if it was a Target.

It is another example of a slipping WDW in my opinion.

MG

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

I know there are rooms where you cannot see the real world at AKL, I am staying for the first time in september in a grand villa, I am asking for a view toward the northeast in hopes to avoid seeing the highway and the hot sunset to the west!! But with the GV being so high up I am sure I will see alot, my first choice room faces towards Everest!!

We love OKW just for that reason, our balcony looked out over the canal and the boats fished right behind us, it was great, even SSR we managed to get a great view (pool) so here's hoping I can read a map and have requested and hopefully get the right villa for our stay, I am pretty sure I will love it regardless, but I will disable the target bullseye if it is in my line of sight..guess I better pack the red ryder 200 shot range model with a compass built into the stock that I got my DS for xmas just in case, and the wrist rocket sling shot with some .30 ball bearings...I can put it out the night light if I see it

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

You can see some "real world" buildings from certain areas one side of Kidani. I could see them through the viewing window while walking the hallway. I have no idea if it was a Target.

It is another example of a slipping WDW in my opinion.

MG

MG....is that Bob as your avatar

 

[Maistre Gracey]

MG....is that Bob as your avatar

Yes indeed it is...

MG

 

[SamSam]

Weve stayed at Jambo many times and Kidani once, I think you would really have to be looking hard to see any outside buildings.

We go to that Target for supplies and it's not exactly a stone's throw away, it's several miles (not as the crow flies).

 

[Deb & Bill]

Gee, I like OKW because that gives me a break from the theme parks. I can only take so much Disney overload.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Weve stayed at Jambo many times and Kidani once, I think you would really have to be looking hard to see any outside buildings.

We go to that Target for supplies and it's not exactly a stone's throw away, it's several miles (not as the crow flies).

Depends where in the resort your room is. In certain areas it's pretty visible. Not quite in your face, but you can't miss the white buildings.

MG

 

[InTheBubble]

I did not enjoy the walk from SSR to DTD just because walking on that bridge, shared with traffic from a "real road" took me too much out of the typical WDW, pedestrian friendly experience.

I'm so with you! Last year we had to cross this same bridge and we were worried we'd be "Leaving the Bubble". We convinced ourselves we were OK as long as we didn't cross the road!

 

[crisi]

Weve stayed at Jambo many times and Kidani once, I think you would really have to be looking hard to see any outside buildings.

We go to that Target for supplies and it's not exactly a stone's throw away, it's several miles (not as the crow flies).

I've only stayed there once, but from where we stayed, I thought the "outside world" was pretty noticeable over the Savannah. Made me realize how close to the edge of property AKL is.

Particularly the lights at night. We did have a fifth floor room.

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

I've only stayed there once, but from where we stayed, I thought the "outside world" was pretty noticeable over the Savannah. Made me realize how close to the edge of property AKL is.

Particularly the lights at night. We did have a fifth floor room.

That is what I am worried about...we are on the fifth floor for our next visit, which room or trail were you on, facing which savanna?? I may have made a mistake requesting here is my current request by room number for anyone who may know..1st choice 5394 2nd choice 5593 3rd choice 5564 4th choice 5483

I will take a look at them again, still have plenty of time to tweak it...perhaps I should put all the rooms in order by which I want, but that seems a bit over the top, but cant hurt, there is only two more...

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

That is what I am worried about...we are on the fifth floor for our next visit, which room or trail were you on, facing which savanna?? I may have made a mistake requesting here is my current request by room number for anyone who may know..1st choice 5394 2nd choice 5593 3rd choice 5564 4th choice 5483

I will take a look at them again, still have plenty of time to tweak it...perhaps I should put all the rooms in order by which I want, but that seems a bit over the top, but cant hurt, there is only two more...

I think many of those rooms require a hike.