Considering DVC but want feedback on some possible objections

[bunny]

We are seriously considering purchasing DVC. We have vacationed at WDW every year for the last 6 years. I know we should have purchased DVC already!! Anyway, DH and I were discussing it again last night and are wondering how DVC members felt about the following things. We are interested in purchasing 100 pts at BWV for a week at a studio. We cannot go more than 1 week a year and at this point in time can't afford enough points for 1 week in a 2 bedroom. Okay here are our objections:
1. No Mousekeeping
2. No new towels (I think we would just pay for T&T every day, because we hate to reuse towels.)
3. Studios only have a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. We have 2 small children now. This is a problem even in the 1 bedrooms. How is the sleeper sofa?
4. No food courts.
5. OKW vs BWV
I think that's all for now. Please give me feedback from current owners point of views. TIA.

 

[DVCLiz]

As far as Mousekeeping goes, I felt like you do and thought it would be weird to come back to a messy bed, etc. (God forbid I should make it myself!!!) We found that we loved no mousekeeping - I pick up the room the same way I would if someone was coming in to clean (no panties in the middle of the floor, etc.) and as far as the towels go, I always take a couple of the towel turbans I use for my hair at home, so I can reuse that and it hangs to dry between uses. That leaves me plenty of towels. In a pinch, I've been known to buy a beach towel from the gift shop, because I don't like to do laundry if the W/D isn't in my room. I am not so fussy about reused towels, though, so I can hang one and use it a second time if need be. We don't produce that much trash, so having Mousekeeping empty it daily is a little overkill for us anyway.

I really like the freedom not to have to plan whether I can be in the room because of the Mousekeeping schedule, because I often (on solo trips anyway) spend a good part of at least one day lounging at the resort or on the balcony.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Hi, bunny.

1) Many folks here initially thought they would miss daily housekeeping, but ended up happier without it.
You can put me in that group.

2) Just me, but I don't find it a big deal to hang a towel up, and use it a few times. It also may be a bit easier for us, as we put four adults in a 2br, or two adults in a 1br. That means there are always plenty of towels.

3) Not sure about the sofa, but OKW has two queens in the studio if you opt for that route.

4) BWV, VWL, and BCV all share dining options with their related hotel. SSR and OKW have their own eatery.
I'm not sure that any Disney deluxe actually has a food court.

5) All personal preferance. Also see #3 and #4 above.

Good luck in your decision!

MG

 

[kathleena]

1. No Mousekeeping
2. No new towels (I think we would just pay for T&T every day, because we hate to reuse towels.)
3. Studios only have a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. We have 2 small children now. This is a problem even in the 1 bedrooms. How is the sleeper sofa?
4. No food courts.
5. OKW vs BWV

1. No big deal. Just make the bed yourself. Unless you are messy, your room won't be.

2. Using towels for three days is no big deal to us. I also bring a turban towel for my hair. You could always bring your towels down to the laundry. I think paying for T&T on top of paying for DVC would kind of negate some of the DVC aspect - you will be bringing yourself up to the cost of a full service hotel room.

3. Young kids will think it's fine (generally) but once the kids are older.....You could always get an inflatable mattress and/or ask for eggshell cover on the sofa. Other issue is the two kids sleeping in one bed later on - are they the same sex?

4. In the BW area there are lots of restaurants and take out food both around the BW and at YC/BC, in Epcot and S/D. In my opinion - not different walking time then going say from a building in CSR to Pepper Market. OKW doesn't have nearly as many options, so I would be more concerned about there.

5. OKW has cheaper rooms - you will have to be careful to book early at BWV to get the cheaper rooms there.

Just a note - how about getting those 100 points and then staying a week in a 1br every other year, and in a hotel every other year?

 

[Figment2]

As far as extra towels go, you can order a set which includes a combination of different sizes. For a week, a couple of those at $6.00 apiece should see you through.

I've slept on the pull out at BWV and it wasn't too bad (especially for small children). By the way, OKW has two beds rather than the bed/sleeper in their studios. As the kids get older, I would imagine you'll want to stay in larger quarters. Believe me, once you've stayed in a one or two bedroom it is very hard to go back to a studio. I was in FL for a conference and stayed in a 1BR by myself this past Feb.

Having the fridge/microwave, I never missed the food courts.

OKW vs BWV - Depends on what you like. OKW is very laid back, very quiet (I love it there yet BWV is my home). BWV has a lot going on in the evenings. We ususally stay at OKW in Oct (because there's a large group of us that vacation together. Right now we have one 2BR and 2 Studios reserved). In December though a much smaller group of us are going and I have a 2BR reserved at BWV.

I have friends who go once or twice a year and will not consider DVC. They stay at one of the values and are very happy. It all depends on what you're happy with. I've stayed at most of the moderates and *** and I love my DVC. One trip there were only 3 of us at CSR and we missed OKW. The only reason we were there is because we got a free room with a special event we were going to. We hated the double beds, we hated not having a fridge and/or microwave. We resolved even if we get a free room again, we're staying back at OKW.

DVC offers options and my only regret is that I didn't buy into it sooner.

Cyn

 

[Dean]

It sounds like DVC would be great for you assuming you're going for an entire week or even avoiding weekends. If the kids are of the same gender, you should be able to make a studio or 1 BR work for some time to come. Even at 100 points, you should be able to go 6 days most years if you drop 1 weekend night. And if you skip a year hear and there, you would be able to do a 1 BR some of the time or even a 2 Br occasionally. You could also pay cash for weekends and stretch the points further and usually end up with a smaller cash outlay over time. Standard view at BW will help you stretch your points as well. But if you can afford more in the 150-200 point range you might do better.

The only thing about your situation that bothers me is this. You state 100 points is all you can afford. Make sure you can truly afford it as it has been my experience that those that can only afford X are spreading themselves too thin many times. DVC is a luxury purchase and as such most people should really be able to pay cash and even be prepared if they lost their entire investment not to be truly hurt financially. And realize that there is no good way to finance resale. The only company that will do so charges enormous rates. And if you use a CC or home equity, there are tremendous costs and/or risk as well. Good luck, I hope it works out.

 

[WOW]

I felt just like you did. Before we bought DVC we always stayed at the Poly Concierge.....so No Mousekeeping, etc. etc. was a big deal for me......we used to really spoil ourselves there. We always wanted to be pampered while we were on vacation. Not having those services were a real concern for me. BOY WAS I WRONG!!!! Now I hate when Mousekeeping comes as we have really come to realize that it is and always has been a pain in the you know what!!!!! You need to get out, then when you come back it hasn't been done yet---I could go on and on. Big deal, you make your bed and hang up the towels.....we all love it the way it as it really makes you feel as if you are home, but still on vacation.....The good things far outweigh what you might think are the not too good things.....Best thing we have ever done and have been members since 1993 and are still lovin it!!!!!!!!!1

 

[robinb]

1. No Mousekeeping
2. No new towels (I think we would just pay for T&T every day, because we hate to reuse towels.)
3. Studios only have a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. We have 2 small children now. This is a problem even in the 1 bedrooms. How is the sleeper sofa?
4. No food courts.
5. OKW vs BWV

1. Not a problem for us. We don't miss it at all.

2. Do you re-use towels at home? Then it shouldn't be a big deal on vacation either. We just hang them up and they're dry the next time we need them. We also bring back a couple of clean pool towels if we plan on showering after a dip in the pool. We return all pool towels to the bins when we leave the room.

3. My DD loves the sleeper sofa . If your kids are different genders you can purchase a twin-sized Aerobed and bring it with you. There should be room for both the sleeper sofa and the Aerobed in the room. Just fold up the couch and lean the Aerobed against the wall when not in use.

4. I agree 100% on this one. VWL and SSR both have good quick food locations. OKW and BCV have OK facilities, but not as nice as a regular food court or even non-Epcot Deluxe snack shop. BWV is sorely lacking in that department.

5. There are many threads comparing OKW and BWV. I happen to own at both resorts. If your underlying question is OKW points v/s BWV points, then I would consider (1) when you plan on going and (2) if you're planning on booking a Standard View. If you want to stay at BWV in a Standard View or at a very busy time (any major holiday, spring break, food and wine festival, early December) you will probably need BWV points to get the 11 month window. If you plan on going on off-times, then you would be fine with OKW points and the 7 month window.

 

[WDWLVR]

Hi Bunny,

Here are my thoughts on your points:

1. No Mousekeeping This is a plus for us. We can come and go as we please and don't worry about whether or not the room was done. I make the bed in the morning and we are good to go.

2. No new towels (I think we would just pay for T&T every day, because we hate to reuse towels.) Doesn't bother me. I don't use a brand new towel each day at home so it doesn't bother me to not use one at my home away from home. We usually have plenty of towels to take us to towel and trash day.

3. Studios only have a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. We have 2 small children now. This is a problem even in the 1 bedrooms. How is the sleeper sofa? Can't help on this one. There are just two of us.

4. No food courts. Again this doesn't bother us. We make a grocery run and that takes care of us for the time we are there. Pop and water in the fridge, snacks, breakfast foods and we are set.

5. OKW vs BWV Boardwalk is our home and we enjoy it the most. We love walking to Epcot and MGM. Last year we stayed at OKW for the first time and really enjoyed it. A totally different feel. Only you can decide what is best for you.
Good luck on your decision.

 

[bunny]

Thanks so much for all your responses. First of all my children are both boys. So sleeping together is no big deal- yet. Second of all I could afford a bigger contract if I wanted one but we also like to RV and just bought a new travel trailer this spring. We go camping at least 10x a year. So I really only want 100 points. Also my husband hates staying at condos. He would rather stay in a hotel. He doesn't like to cook, clean, make his own bed, or do laundry when he is on vacation. Actually after I wrote that I realized he doesn't like to do it home either. LOL. Anyway that is why I was thinking about a studio. He is somewhat hyperactive and hates to sit. When we are at WDW he is out of the room all day. But he still sees the value of DVC versus paying for a hotel every year. We both love Epcot but he also loves to golf, although with 2 small children he has never been allowed to golf yet at WDW. Maybe that's why he is pushing for OKW.

 

[OKW Lover]

1. No Mousekeeping
2. No new towels (I think we would just pay for T&T every day, because we hate to reuse towels.)
3. Studios only have a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. We have 2 small children now. This is a problem even in the 1 bedrooms. How is the sleeper sofa?
4. No food courts.
5. OKW vs BWV
I think that's all for now. Please give me feedback from current owners point of views. TIA.

My thoughts:
1. No Mousekeeping? - no problem! We look at DVC as buying a second home. the only "Mousekeeping" we have in our own home is what we do ourselves.
2. Now new towels? - again not a problem. We hapily re-use ours both at home and on vacation. If it bothers you, you could always wash them each day.
3. OKW studios have two beds, no sleep sofa. Sorry, can't comment on the comfort of a sleep sofa, but I will say that children often don't know the difference.
4 No food courts - I guess you don't like Boardwalk or the Yacht/Beach club. Or even the GF, Contemporary or Poly. We're open to all the dining options, inlcuding sit-down.
5 Don't know what your question is about OKW vs BWV, but they are different resorts that appeal to different people. It just depends on what your are after.

 

[Disney Doll]

We are seriously considering purchasing DVC. We have vacationed at WDW every year for the last 6 years. I know we should have purchased DVC already!! Anyway, DH and I were discussing it again last night and are wondering how DVC members felt about the following things. We are interested in purchasing 100 pts at BWV for a week at a studio. We cannot go more than 1 week a year and at this point in time can't afford enough points for 1 week in a 2 bedroom. Okay here are our objections:
1. No Mousekeeping
2. No new towels (I think we would just pay for T&T every day, because we hate to reuse towels.)
3. Studios only have a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. We have 2 small children now. This is a problem even in the 1 bedrooms. How is the sleeper sofa?
4. No food courts.
5. OKW vs BWV
I think that's all for now. Please give me feedback from current owners point of views. TIA.

1. I personally don't miss it.
2. You have your answer...pay for T&T daily.
3. An adult friend of mine sleeps on the sleeper sofa whenever she comes with us and says that it is comfortable and she is not a small woman
4. No there are not. At BWV there are some vendors on the BW, there is a grocery where you can have some snacks to keep in the room (it does have a kitchenette with a small fridge, microwave, coffeemaker & toaster...you could do breakfasts in the room)
5. OKW has bigger rooms, more laid back location, 2 queen size beds in a studio, exterior entrances (more condo-style rather than hotel style). BWV has the location on the BW, interior entrances(off a hallway instead of entering from the outside). Both pools are equally as nice, if differently themed. The appointments of each resort are equal, but themed to the resort...OKW beachy, airy. BWV seashore-y, lots of blue, very pretty.

You really can't go wrong in either. I think OKW requires less points overall for their stays than BWV.

 

[Man_Of_Leisure]

I understand where your DH is coming from. I am not one for staying in a room all day or hanging out at the pool for more than an hour or so. Have you considered taking your next week long vacation at WDW and renting at both OKW and BWV? You could stay at one resort for three or four days and then the other for the remainder or your vacation. This way you can try it before you buy it.

Man Of Leisure

 

[spiceycat]

I agree with Man of Leisure try it before you buy it.

OKW is very nice - relaxed atmosphere. If he needs to be on the go the whole time - go with BWV.

BWV has a better resale value than OKW - so you would pay more for BWV than OKW.

OKW it is very easy to do the laundry - the laundry mat is at the pools - so just go swimming while you do the laundry.

Although I also reuse my towels. It is not like you use them before you wash.
You are clean - so the towels are just wet not really dirty. Unless you or your family didn't wash properly - with 2 boys I can understand the problem.

I love the 2 queen beds at OKW - especially when I have guests.

I love the studios in both places. OKW is relaxing. BWV is much more busy. there is always something to do at BWV. I like to relaxed on my vacation so I prefer OKW. you can kept busy at OKW - but you need to go find it. At bwv it is closer to the action.

 

[crisi]

1. No Mousekeeping

I do miss mousekeeping. I like coming back to a made bed and picked up towels on vacation. Not enough to pay for it, however.

2. No new towels (I think we would just pay for T&T every day, because we hate to reuse towels.)

We reuse towels at home, so this isn't a big deal for us

3. Studios only have a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. We have 2 small children now. This is a problem even in the 1 bedrooms. How is the sleeper sofa?

They are in the process of replacing the sleeper sofas with mattresses specially made for Disney. They are supposed to be decent. But in the end, its a sleeper sofa. My little kids sleep there fine.

4. No food courts.

We stayed at Deluxes before DVC so we have the same food court access we used to have. Note that the savings are much less significant with DVC if you are currently happy with moderate resorts (particularly if you are going to add towels!)

5. OKW vs BWV

We almost bought an OKW contract, but it fell through and we ended up with BWV. OKW does have two queens in the studio, which sounds like a plus for you. The rooms are bigger and the points are a great value. BWV on the other hand has a great value in their Standard View - you pretty much need to own there to depend on these rooms being available. Plus has the Boardwalk view, access to two parks, and its an easy walk to a lot more restaurants than Olivias. OKW has very much of a condo feel, BWV feels more like you are staying at a hotel. But - Warning Will Robinson - DVC is a timeshare. And when push comes to shove, you are not staying in a hotel. If you don't pay for T&T, you are also going to be hauling your own trash down to the trash room. You will find you have a more difficult time taking advantage of Disney's sales (the Dine Free right now is driving some members nuts). A lot of members feel we lose some leverage with the front desk. If what you are looking for is a hotel, you are destined to be one of those members who is dissatisfied with DVC.

(We prefer a hotel. I think DVC is a great value for what we get - and what I'm paying for is the ease of having my kids sleep in a different room. If that were affordable anywhere else on property without buying DVC, that would be what we do. But the only way that is really affordable is through DVC. If I were going to stay in studios, I'd be staying at the Poly and paying cash).

 

[TnRobin]

Not much new to add, but I have few things

Mousekeeping. I hate having to fight for my room at mid-day when it came time for my son to take a nap. It never failed that we would come back to the room just as Mousekeeping arrived. Or worse, he would have just fallen asleep when there would come a knock on the door. I have gotten so bad, I now ask for no mousekeeping even at the hotel rooms. I just ask for new towels be left outside our room.

Towels - I know you are planning on a studio, but if you stay in a 1BR you can do what I do. After everyone has showered, I throw them in the washer and head to the park. When I get back for the evening, I throw them in the dryer. Voila - clean towels each day. When I stay in a studio, I just do them while I am at the pool.

Sofa Bed - no additional comment

No Food court - I stock the refrigerator with breakfast stuff and go to other food courts for lunch. (or the Boardwalk or gurgling suitcase at OKW)

OKW vs BWV -- I take whichever is available. I love them both.

 

[SoCalKDG]

1. No Mousekeeping
2. No new towels (I think we would just pay for T&T every day, because we hate to reuse towels.)
3. Studios only have a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. We have 2 small children now. This is a problem even in the 1 bedrooms. How is the sleeper sofa?
4. No food courts.
5. OKW vs BWV
I think that's all for now. Please give me feedback from current owners point of views. TIA.

First, concerning golf. If you make a tee time and are staying at a WDW resort, they send a cab to pick up at no charge. Thus any resort you stay at has easy access to golf.

The first day we stayed at a studio at BWV I asked for more towels, received them at no extra charge. This plus the towel day made life easy. BWV's has a laundry room right near the door to the pool.

1 bedrooms have a kingsize bed by the way.

BWV kind of has a food court in that you can get food from the general store, the bakery, and candy/ice cream shop, and they have pizza by the slice and sandwiches available as well at one of the restuarant. Plus some great kids menus at ESPN, with a fun, loud atmosphere(plus sports).

 

[Caskbill]

Regarding towels, are you aware that there is a trash/towel day during your stay where there is limited mousekeeping. They take out the trash, refresh the soaps, furnish new towels.

They do this on day 4 of your stay. Day 1 is check-in, so day 4 is after only three nights.

If you're staying 8-days or longer, then on day 4 instead of trash/towel you get a full cleaning, including bed linens. Then on day 8 you get trash/towel.

There's only two of us so in our case going 3 mornings on one set of 4-towels is not a big deal. We also stay in 1-BR units so the washer/dryer is available if needed.

 

[Lizardbeth61]

At home we re-use the bath towel, but not the washcloths. At Disney, if it was just DH and me, that would be not problem. However, my son has no concept of the germs etc from dragging it across the floor as he's running out of the bathroom to tell us something etc. Daughter seems to forget what a towel rack is so again, it ends up on the floor until she's reminded about hanging it up. So on vacation I HAVE TO HAVE NEW TOWELS EVERYDAY to avoid a nervous breakdown. No one else in the family minds except me. DH has learned to accept my paranoia (?!?) and just accepts the fact that daily towel packs will be purchased (not the whole T&T) if we're in a studio and at least one towel pack will be purchased if we're in a one bedroom 'cause I'll wash one set while the other's in use.

Didn't buy 10 years earlier because I was afraid I'd miss mousekeeping. Still think it would be nice, but I love DVC so much it's not an issue. I always tell myself that I can request/pay for it if I need it. Have never needed! And the lack of intrusion is pretty nice.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

1. No Mousekeeping
2. No new towels (I think we would just pay for T&T every day, because we hate to reuse towels.)
3. Studios only have a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. We have 2 small children now. This is a problem even in the 1 bedrooms. How is the sleeper sofa?
4. No food courts.
5. OKW vs BWV

1. I do miss housekeeping, I love coming back and my room being clean and the beds made, I am on vacation!! But I knew going into the purchase I wouldn't have that.

2. Towels arn't an issue unless we are in a studio, there are 4 of us, and there isn't a place to hang them up. In the 1 bedroom, just wash them if its an issue, I always bring Tide and dryer sheets.

3. I have a 13 year old daughter and 5 year old son, there is a big enough age gap that I don't worry about sleeping together, though for New Years we are getting a 2 bedroom!

4. SSR and OKW are nice, I prefer the "hotel" types!! thats why we love VWL.

5. Never been to BWV.

Now this may sounds silly, but what I really miss is not getting my morning paper at my door!!! Before DVC, we only stayed at the Contemporary and the WL, we always received the morning paper. I miss that, but hubby just wanders down to the lobby of the WL and buys one, so not that big of a deal.

I never worry about going back to the room if housekpeeping is there, when the kids were little, they would drop anywhere, I would usually set up camp near the pool or beaches and my DS would sleep for hours!!!