Do you ever stay at a non DVC resort?

[Desnik]

I am talking about the whole trip, not a couple of days added onto your DVC stay to save on points. So, have you gone to Disney and not stayed DVC? Specifically a mod or value resort?

Here is my situation. I have no points coming till June 2012. On our last trip we resort hopped to POFQ and fell in love with this resort. We recently found out the place is being refurbed and possibly could have haunted mansion themed rooms. Then we saw that free dining will be offered when we want to go(Aug.). I am just wondering how hard it will be to go from being use to DVC rooms then going to a mod? Anyone have any experience with this? Is it silly to pay for a room when I can borrow 2012 points?

 

[Swayhoover90]

We have stayed at every level resort (listed in my signature below).

Will you be disappointed in a moderate after staying DVC? Probably not.

A few difference you need to be aware of:

1. Moderate resorts do not have balconies of any type. You enter you room from the outside. You will not be able to sit on a balcony and enjoy the view.

2. Moderates have 2 beds whereas DVC studios have a bed and convertible couch. At the moderates you'll lose the "sit on the couch with your feet up" luxury.

3. Moderate rooms are usually smaller and the addition of the second bed makes them feel even smaller.

We could never stay in a Value resort again. We absolutely hated it. We stayed at Allstar Movie Resort and thought we would love our minds before the week was out.

Have fun what ever you choose!

 

[Sandisw]

We have stayed at the other Disney resorts, but that was before we bought DVC.

For us, we would never go back but that is because we didn't buy in to DVC until they built BLT. We were huge CR fans and want to be at that location.

You don't mention the types of rooms you typically stay with DVC, but if they are studios, I think you might be okay with staying at POFQ. Plus, if you already know you love the resort, I think you will be fine.

Of course, you can always simply add on more points so you can do DVC!!!!

 

[Desnik]

When we go to Disney with the kids we stay in a 1 bedroom.(the kids are 12 & 7) Sometimes DH and I go on an adults only trip and we will go in a studio. I have been in a studio with all 4 of us and it isn't terrible, but we prefer the 1 bedroom.

I already have 2 DVC contracts and want an add on so bad!! We really need it! But DH said not until we save enough to pay it in cash because we have both contracts paid off and he doesn't want another loan. Party pooper!

I keep telling myself we will be fine, but no balcony, kitchen, washer/dryer, etc is hard to get use to when you are so spoiled with DVC!! I know we couldn't do a value resort. But, POFQ looked so beautiful. We just loved the vibe there, the food court, the transport to DtD, and the access to POR.

 

[Anal Annie]

Now that we own DVC we'd just do a DVC villa on the member discount. No going backward to "regular" resorts for us!

 

[deedeetoo]

We stayed at Coronado Springs last Christmas. We didn't decide to do the trip until relatively late and then there was no DVC availability. Though I prefer a villa, it worked out just fine and we had a great vacation.

 

[AnnaS]

Once since owning DVC.

My daughter had an event at the World Wide Sports Complex (name?) She was running in a Track and Field event through school.

She wanted to be close to her friends and we had a decent package through them w/tickets. We stayed at CBR.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Once in a while we stay at the GF for Christmas. We also stay at the Poly now and again. We have stayed at the Yacht Club, but we don't see that happening again.

MG

 

[beccasmom]

We've stayed at the CR (1 week during spring break) and All-Star Sports (2 nights during busy holiday period when no studios were available in the early-DVC days). We've always enjoyed the CR (rooms are very spacious), so it was fine. We did not care for All-Star Sports although the kids loved it!

 

[friends with mickey]

I would borrow the points and stay at a DVC resort. If you would be short for a future trip, you could borrow again in the future as long as you have points available. The borrowing of points would not catch up to you until the final year of your contract. At some point in time you might buy additional points and then it would never be a problem. You bought the points to use, so I say use them. Either way a trip to Disney is always fun.

 

[kristenrice]

Last year, I got a code for 40% a room-only stay during the month of my birthday (October). Since we'd gone in June and we were planning on going again in April, I was cash-strapped and had ZERO points to play with. So, on a whim, I called my BFF to see if she'd be interested in a 5-night, girls-only trip. She agreed, as long as it was CHEAP! So, I got us a room at Pop Century and we decided to "slum it". Well, here's what I spent on the basics..

Airfare: I had (4) $25 Airtran coupons so each of us paid $70 round-trip
Room: Pop Century for 5 nights came to $350 total and we split it 50/50
Park Tickets: I had my AP so...NOTHING.
Food: Since it was F&W Festival, I brought a $300 gift card which I used for all of my meals including meals at Sanaa, Boma, LeCellier and Trails End.

So, I paid $545 for 5 nights which included airfare, lodging, tickets and food. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

We had a blast!! We knew going in that it would be a different experience than our stay at the AKV the previous year. We submerged ourselves in the theme of the resort (they put us in the 70's section in honor of the year I was born) and did not have any high expectations. We had no problems with the buses, the food court was great (especially since they accept the TIW card) and the service was outstanding.

We had so much fun, we are actually thinking of doing it again next year. I would not stay at Pop with my whole family because it is simply too small. I will use DVC points for the family trips.

 

[Sammie]

Every trip. We always stay at a Disney deluxe resort on the weekend we check out.

We have our favorites and just can't stand not to have a short visit.

 

[Tara]

I took my son on a surprise trip this summer and we stayed at CBR using an AP discount. Really, for what it was, it was fine. The pool was great, the room was adequate, and we had a lot of meals planned, so the kitchen wasn't terribly missed (but was missed some). It wasn't my favorite, but I've always been more of a deluxe hotel person anyway, so it was the deluxe part I was missing more than the DVC part, I think. "Never say never" I guess is my motto - if I ruled out regular resorts, I'd have missed out on what was probably the most perfect 6 days of fun with my child. And we go to places in the real world that aren't Disney (shocker, I know) and for the most part, we stay in regular ol' hotels then, too.

If I were already out of points until June 2012 AND I knew I liked POFQ, I wouldn't wait until late 2012 to stay DVC or borrow points for a stay at DVC before then. I'd just book at POFQ for 2011 and enjoy something different, knowing DVC will still be there in 2012 and for however many years going forward.

 

[Nonie12]

Nope. Never did, never will. Since we're DVC members we'll always stay at a DVC resort. Belive me, it's much easier. This really isn't about DVC but I want to share this story with you: This July, we stayed off site for one night (the next morning we transfered hotels to Bordwalk Villas) we went to MK and we went on all of the good rides and then we went to catch a bus. We waited an hour for this bus to come. I was (and still am) pregnant at the time. So everyone was letting us get to the front of the line (beacause I was pregnant. But I was very tired and hubby was also tired. He He stood behind me to catch me if I fell. So an hour later our bus came. People were shoving right in front of us. We finally got on but there were no seats. This couple finally stood up for us. I fell asleep right into hubby's arms. I was sure that the baby wasn't happy about this. So we finally got to our hotel and I fell right asleep. We will never stay offsite again. I'm very dissapointed about this.

 

[Desnik]

Thank you all for the replies!

While I hope to someday stay at POFQ, maybe a weekend stay added to a DVC stay, it's not going to happen this time around. DH said we should just borrow the points & we will add on in the next year or two!!! Sounds good to me! So, now I have to pick a DVC resort for our Aug 2011 stay!!!

 

[Daddio]

I've wanted to but can't bring myself to stay outside of DVC. It must be a sentimental thing.

David

 

[dgaston]

We haven't stayed at all of the resorts yet. So the OCT F & W Gluttony weekend includes a night for DH at CBR. Last year we were out of points, so we stayed at CSR. Love that resort and the new queen beds. We still have more resorts to knock off our list.

And in 2008 I took advantage of a great free dining offer and stayed at the (then) newly refurbished All Star Sports in December. I knew going it it wouldn't be DVC and had a terrific time with my adult DS and DD. We did the Candlelight Processional, and MVMCP (first time) and had the best time playing mini-golf at Summer-Winterland. I always say it's the memories that you create that make the Disney magic.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

If it's less than the 6 of us who pal around together on vacation (always book 2br villas), for a few days at Disney I would not pass up a cash stay at any of the other Disney hotels for a day or 2. I would not however use points for those (too high +$95 Fee), there are better cash deals out there for those hotels!

Anything more than a day or 2, I need that kitchen and laundry room.

 

[stefsko]

yes, but why mess with perfection

 

[stefsko]

OKW is older. but nice and quiet.