Do you miss the resorts?

[FutureWasYesterday]

I have been sooooo close to joining DVC the last few years, Disney is like no other place.

The biggest thing for me is asking myself how I could skip the monorail resorts in favor of the less prime DVC locations at Disney. The biggest magic for me is found at resorts like the Polynesian, Contemporary, GF, and to a lesser extent even AKL.

Even the resorts at Epcot seem to just have a slightly more magical feel than their sisters which are attached seemingly as afterthoughts (BCV). And VWL again seems like an afterthought to the "Grandeur" of the Wilderness Lodge with that tiny little pool and no grand lobby or the like? These DVC resorts just seem to be a bit sterile compared to the cash resorts to me.

If the major reason you all buy into DVC is the flexibility of accomodations (location, room sizes) that is easy to understand, but dont you feel like you are missing out on the "ultimate magic" sometimes by forgoing the real super-themed resorts? If so, do you stay at both?

 

[rocketriter]

We don't come from the same "taste planet" as you. We don't find our BCV home resort to be an afterthought or less magical. On the contrary, it is our first choice for accommodations. At the Boardwalk, it's impossible to distinguish between the villa section and the hotel section. As for VWL, gee, we always thought the grand lobby served both the two standard wings and the villa wing. How could we have gotten that wrong?

Since you see things differently, and might only be happy at a monorail resort, then perhaps you shouldn't join DVC.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Whoa. First, I do not miss the regular resorts. One reason is that I sometime use points (or cash) to stay a few days at the Poly or AKL. Another reason is after staying in a 2 bedroom villa, there is truly no comparison to a hotel room.
I find tons of Magic at VWL. In many ways I find the VWL atrium more themed and spectacular than the main Lodge. Although not as large, it is a grand site to look up when standing in the center of the VWL atrium area.
The "tiny little pool" suits the size of the resort quite well, and I rarely find it crowded. The jacuzzi is rather large.

Actually, I find all DVC resorts to be themed on par with their counter-parts.
Putting the other DVC resorts aside, I believe that VWL clearly is a "real super-themed resort".

MG

 

[Pa@okw95]

Staying at a monorail resort is special, the Poly and GF are special places, I would agree, plus the service is better than you would get at DVC especially with concierge service. The room size at the DVC resorts is where the big edge is, a one bedroom at OKW is 1005 sq. feet for example a 2 bedroom 1410. If you are into the heavy theming, monorail, and better service then you may not like DVC. You can stay at say OKW for about the same price $350 to $525 for a one bedroom which is similar to what you pay at a monorail resort. You might want to give it a try just to see if it is for you. I agree with you that some of the add on DVC resorts are lacking, but there is the new SSR over near DD or OKW that are not add ons. I would recommend you try one of those two for a couple of days out of you next trip to WDW, you may like it then again, things like the bus service may drive you nuts, it is not like a monorail, waiting and riding on one of those buses. Give it a try, you can stay for cash.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by FutureWasYesterday
The biggest magic for me is found at resorts like the Polynesian, Contemporary, GF, and to a lesser extent even AKL.

I think the "magical" feeling one gets from a Disney accommodation is a valid consideration when deciding about where to stay, or if DVC is right for someone.

After all, if it weren't important, most of us would have chosen a less expensive, off-site time share.

If the resorts listed above are the ones you "find the magic" at, and you feel a noticeable difference with the DVC resorts, then maybe DVC isn't for you. The worst thing in the world would be to buy DVC and always wish you were staying somewhere else.

But you have stated that you are very close to going the DVC route, so there must be some pretty strong appeal to you about DVC.

Here's my advice: stay at one of the DVC resorts by renting points. If you still think there's not as much magic there, then you'll find out without having bought into DVC.

I think you'll end up being surprised though. Especially, and I hope I don't get flamed, if you choose BWV, BCV or VWL. These are the closest to the resort experience you are comparing them to.

Obviously, many DVC owners here feel that they've "found the magic" at DVC. Many would argue that it's even better than the resorts because it allows more space for groups or families, and more amenities. Don't be discouraged if you get some defensiveness posted here....we do tend to be pretty passionate about our DVC...or else we wouldn't be here, would we?

Good luck in your DVC decision. Like I said...sample it and see what you think!

 

[jarestel]

If you're happy paying 300 - 400 a night in order to get a few monorail rides, that's fine. DVC isn't for everyone. The important thing is that you're enjoying your time at WDW.

 

[Lexxiefern]

As to your question - No, I do not miss the other resorts. This is because I still stay at them occasionally. My favorite resort before I bought DVC was Boardwalk. So I bought there and staying on the villa side is wonderful. Especially the rooms. Nothing compares to a one bedroom IMO.

I went down in March and stayed 3 nights at AKL on cash and last Dec we stayed at the Poly for a 4 night quick weekend trip (also on cash).

If Disney is offering good AP rates we will sometimes take advantage of them and take a weekend trip down to WDW.

As far as the magic not being at the DVC resorts, I feel there is just as much. Good luck with your decision!

 

[helenabear]

I won't disagree with you on the biggest magic for myself is staying at the Polynesian resort. GF and Contemporary to not appeal to me in the least, but I am in love with the Polynesian.

That said, I have, out of 11 trips to WDW, stayed there 2 times and I am not sure if/when I will make it back there. I love staying there but I just cannot afford the trip every time. I will probably only stay there for special occasions.

I have stayed at the Epcot area before (Swan only) and the location there is wonderful. I have toured a lot of the resorts in the area and I am not sure that I could agree that the DVC portion of the resorts feel more "sterile" than the other "half" of the resorts. Not at all to me. Again I haven't stayed there myself but I have visited those who did, so I am not sure why someone would get that impression. The main pools at the "resort" portion of those you listed are open to DVC members as well so I am not sure what the problem with the quiet pool for the DVC members would be since you can go elsewhere if you aren't fond of it. And the added bonus of pool hopping is great! Some day I do plan to hop around to a few favorites that I wouldn't be able to stay at otherwise.

The major reason I bought into DVC is the afforability it will bring me. Some say I am not right for looking at it as a way of saving money, but truthfully it does for me. I know my travel habits and this is the only way I can keep going to WDW w/o losing my deluxe accomodations I love. Even the moderates will be getting costly. I am seeing a trend coming back where the AP and other rates just aren't as available as they used to be. I am no longer able to easily find a AAA rate at the Swan so this made me jump on it.

What you call super themed resorts is in the eye of the beholder though. Yes, I do believe the Polynesian is super themed, but after one short stay at OKW, I am honestly going to say that I believe it is my 2nd favorite themed resort. BCR/V is a distant third with POR coming up as 4th. I do like to visit the other resorts, but they aren't the ones that I am drawn to. So it is all about personal opinion. I know that OKW, BCV, BWV, VWL & SSR will keep me happy for many years to come!!! I have no desire to stay at GF and would only stay at the Contemporary because my sister wants to stay there (or if it became DVC, otherwise I wouldn't want to pay the cost for that place). The value resorts do nothing for me style wise, AKL looks okay but the style isn't that appealing vs the location in my mind, and that covers all the resorts (save POFQ, but I like the other half better). If I ever decide to stay at AKL, some day I will. So long ramblings short... DVC offers what I love stylewise and offers a beautiful resort at a price I can afford!

 

[panfan]

Our Favorite pre-DVC resort was also Boardwalk! Even over the Floridian! Last year we finally bought BCV and since have stayed in the villas at Boardwalk twice. In my opinion , for my family's needs, there really isn't much difference between in Inn and the villas that are negative. Only that you have to "rough it" with the fridge, and jacuzzi! Seriously , we don't use consierge and did't miss housekeeping at all! With the villas at any of the "add-on" DVC resorts, you have the same lobby check in and use of all resort ammenities, so there is no difference in that respect. If you like the monorail, you can stay at VWL , take the boat to Contemporary and use the monorail from there ( that is what we did on our last trip a few times)

What makes DVC most magical for us???.......We went to WDW THREE times last year!! and stayed in the most magical resorts!!

Good luck in your decision!!

 

[erikthewise]

Yes I do miss the other resorts, and that was a difficult issue for us as well.
I doubt we will ever abandon the Polynesian or the other resorts, but we're very glad we bought DVC. Last year we spent 6 nights at BCV and 2 nights at the Polynesian. For us that's a perfect compromise, though we won't do it every year. Just be careful not to buy too many points, so that you're forced to stay DVC ALL the time.

 

[spiceycat]

yes and no - I joined a long time ago - 93 - and the only DVC resort then was OKW (also called DVC at the time) - so on some of our trips we would stay 4 or 5 nights in a OKW then one night in a WDW resort on cash or points - generally Polyn, WL, BC or Cont - then BWV was built (along with VB and HH) well when WL and BC became part of DVC I was very happy....

Occasionally I will still stay in a WDW resort - my favorite was the POR - but lately I love the PC - yes it is a value resort - but in my opinion it does not feel or act like a value resort - I stayed in the 50's side on 2 trips. love the quiet swimming pool - I couldn't get mother out of this thing to go to the parks....some of the CM came from my favorite resorts - Polyn, BC, even OKW - so this resort has some of the best CM there. I really enjoy it. but I can understand where everyone would not. Can it replace my OKW - never - but then no resort on or off property could do that.

however if I haven't brought in to OKW when I did - then PC would probably be the resort of choice.

 

[AJKMOM]

After 10 trips, and much regret for not having bought DVC sooner, there is nothing like a villa compared to a hotel room. We tried to stay different places each trip, including the Disney Institute. Since we have 5 people in our family, the choices are limited to rooms in the $200 + range. After stuffing 5 in one AKL room, we took the plunge. Now, a 2 BR at the Boardwalk is OUR way to go. Just a personal decision. Having said that, we have never once been to the Poly, . Maybe when colleges are paid for and there only 2 of us, we can check out the magic everyone talks about.

 

[FutureWasYesterday]

After re-reading my post I can see why some/most of you got a bit "red" over my comments. Sorry. Let me just say that the whole concept of DVC is very appealing to me because of potential cost savings, and of course ------------> It would COMPEL me to go atleast 1x per year because I already own it!!!!

Again, dont get too sensitive over my statements of the DVC resorts, this is strictly based on my own superficial experiences with them. I have walked through them and those were my initial impressions, but perhaps actually staying at one (with the jacuzzi and extra space) would go a far way in changing my mind.

Thanks for all of your comments, I am going to try the "rent" option at BCV or VWL next year and then decide.

 

[wdwstar]

we talked about joining dvc when they were selling OKW, we were very young at the time, we wanted to build our own home and start a family, but now that we look back we wish we would have shook the money tree more to buy into dvc, all those years paying cash every year staying at the moderate to deluxe resorts, we could have owned the max of points aloud to own by now. we love staying at BCV or BWV very close to epcot , MK is our favorite to, but it gets so crowed all the time, and who knows maybe dvc will build on the monrail, the rumors are flying about it now.

 

[wdwstar]

i do have to say i didnt read your post complete, so i did go back and read the whole post, you mentioned

ultimate magic"

how do you know how we feel? what gave you the impression that we dont feel th "ultimate magic" ? im just wondering?

 

[pumpkinboy]

Oof, you early posters really harshed on the OP there. Ouch. Nice rephrasing, FutureWasYesterday . I actually do kinda miss the other resorts, which is why I, like a number of other posters here, enjoy the occasional stay at one of the "super-themed" resorts (as OP put it); AKL and Poly would be our favorites. But also, I think we miss it less bcs our Home resort is BWV, right in the middle of the action, and clearly the bigger part of the whole Boardwalk resort.

Perhaps what OP needs to do is buy a BWV resale, if they buy DVC at all. Try out a 1BR or 2BR and get spoiled the way we have, then come back to us and tell us whether it's got the "magic".

 

[FutureWasYesterday]

i do have to say i didnt read your post complete, so i did go back and read the whole post, you mentioned

The Ultimate Magic

how do you know how we feel? what gave you the impression that we dont feel th "ultimate magic" ? im just wondering?

Uhhhhhhhh, re-read the post Einstein, it was phrased as a question.

To me, no DVC resort has that ultimate magic that the Poly/AKL/CR has, they seem "at face value" to be exactly what they are called - -> "home away from home". Now if I were to actually stay at one my opinion might change, which was the whole point of the original post to start with, to get YOUR opinions....

 

[Laurabearz]

I love the Poly. I love the pool there, the Monorail access, the themeing.... LOVE IT.

But it is pricey... we would have to get two connecting rooms.... No kitchen, no laundry.... UGH Maybe when the kids get older, but for now....

One another note... when we were first interested in buy into DVC the VWL was all that was for sale via Disney. We poo pooed it, not even looking at it.

We ended up staying there last September and WOW... We loved it. I liked the Villa's section much more than the main building. The quiet pool was beutyful, a lovely stroll to the main pool. Wonderful. Staying there changed our minds!

My heart skips a beat when I walk into BWV's lobby. The thought of SAB with the family is wonderful. OKW is so laid back, HHI is a cruise ship on land, VB is a little treasure for some too....

Each has it's own personality. Yes, I miss the Poly, but the benifits of DVC out weigh my desire to book there...

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by Laurabearz
I love the Poly. I love the pool there, the Monorail access, the themeing.... LOVE IT. But it is pricey... we would have to get two connecting rooms.... No kitchen, no laundry.... UGH Maybe when the kids get older, but for now.... snip... Yes, I miss the Poly, but the benifits of DVC out weigh my desire to book there...

Well said, Laurabearz!
Yeah, what she said

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

On our last trip prior to joining DVC we paid over $7,000.00 for two connecting rooms at the Polynesian during Easter week for which we had to get on and off the monorail at the TTC. There was no magical feel on that trip. Buying at the BWV has saved us thousands of dollars and has allowed our family of 6 to vacation more at WDW than we ever used to. We still spend the same dollars we just can go a lot more. Last year we spent Christmas week at the VWL and New Year's week at the BCV. It would have cost over $12,000.00 for two connecting rooms at each of those resorts during that season. That is about the cost of 200 points when I joined.

HBC