Do you miss the resorts?

[karebear1]

I had the same concerns about buying into the DVC as you have- that I would miss the magic of the other resorts. But- the sensible side of me kicked in and we bought into the DVC in '03. I have styaed at WDW twice now- once at OKW-studio (which I really didn't want to stay at- thought it would have absoluterly NO magic) and once at BCV's ina 2 BR and BWV's- studio. May I tell you that I am soooooo glad that we bought into the DVC! I really enjoyed staying at OKW. AS i said, I was very hesitant to stay there, but it actually turned out to be one of my favorite trips to WDW. OKW was very relaxing and casual. The room was wonderful and large. BCV's to me seems as though it is part of the BC- so I felt no different there- plus it is in walking distance to ECOT and MGM- something I really enjoyed. BWV's???? Was just as great- each resort has something great to offer. But I think what I realized about owning DVC is that the reason I enjoyed those trips so much is because I was able to explore the resort- not feeling like I had to get every minutes worth of park admission into my schedule that I possibly could! I wasn't feeling the financial squeeze in paying a large amount of money for a room and tickets and meals...... so that allowed me to take everything in that WDW has to offer- including the beauty and specialness of what they have to offer in their resorts. Exploring the resorts and enjoting all they have to offer is key in your DVC experience. I really do think you should investgate renting points from a DVC owner and experiencing the resorts on your own. I think you'll be as pleasantly surprised as I was- and you won't miss that "magical" feeling- because you'll have found a new kind of magic in your journey.

 

[wdwstar]

my id name is not Einstein,Please no name calling its against the rules, its wdwstar, thank you !

but dont you feel like you are missing out on the "ultimate magic" sometimes by forgoing the real super-themed resorts?

again im asking you a question,

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

QUOTE]but dont you feel like you are missing out on the "ultimate magic" [/QUOTE]

Missing out on the" ultimate magic" I just dont understand how you came up with dvc members dont get the feeling of the ultimate magic when staying in our dvc resorts.

i love staying at the poly, GF, & AKL, that is why we stay a few nights along with staying at dvc resorts. wether we stay at the poly,GF & AKL and or dvc resorts it is very much so "ultimate magical"

maybe you will feel the Ultimate magic with owning at a dvc resort.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I am confused as to why the OP thinks there is no Magic at the DVC resorts.
I am also confused why the OP believes that somehow they are themed second rate to the deluxes.

Neither of those statements are true.
In fact, I think BCV is a tad nicer than BC.
I also really enjoy the complimentary theme of VWL and WL, as it is historically acurate. I will never understand how anyone could say that VWL is not "super themed".
As mentioned earlier, there is really no difference between BW and BWV except for the complimentary paint and architecture.
I am not an expert on SSR or OKW, but I have seen both resorts and they do appear to be done to Disney standards.

Do I enjoy staying at The Poly??? Just look at my sig. I will use points in the future to stay there, but that is just for variety. In no way do I consider VWL (or any of the DVC resorts) second rate to The Poly. The OP also mentioned the GF, and CR. Only my opinion here, but I don't think I would stay at those resorts even if they were free.

I do apologize if my post came across as harsh, but when I read the OP's opener it sounded like DVC bashing to me.
Anyway, FutureWasYesterday, thanx for coming back and clarifying your position.

MG

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by Maistre Gracey
I am confused as to why the OP thinks there is no Magic at the DVC resorts.
I am also confused why the OP believes that somehow they are themed second rate to the deluxes.
Neither of those statements are true. ...
snip
...I do apologize if my post came across as harsh, but when I read the OP's opener it sounded like DVC bashing to me.
Anyway, FutureWasYesterday, thanx for coming back and clarifying your position.

The OP's posts strike me more as a request for information, more than anything. I agree with MG that the clarifications have helped to show that these are in fact information requests rather than bashing.

We DVC owners feel very strongly about our resorts, and love them for the most part. Let's not let our love of our home resorts, etc. get in the way of providing useful information to someone who is curious about DVC. As Joe Friday might've said "just the facts, ma'am".

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

I can totally relate to the OP, was in the same place myself until very recently. I have stayed at every level resort at WDW, from value to deluxe, even camped at FW for a week (BEAUTIFUL campgrounds). And of all the resorts my favorite was always the Poly. I LOVED the Polynesian, especially when my kids were little and we spent a lot of time in the MK. Loved the being on the MK monorail, convenience of the TTC in easy walking distance for the Epcot monorail, and the ambiance of the Poly just seemed perfect to me. A lagoon view with the castle always in sight, the concierge service, the friendliness of the CM's--what could be bettter?

Wellllll let me tell you what is better--at least to me. I own at BWV. I can walk to MGM and Epcot or take a nice boat ride. If I miss the thrill of the monorail I can walk through Epcot and hop on and take a monorail ride to the TTC and switch to the MK monorail (or the ferry if I'm in the mood) to the MK. With a one bedroom at BWV I have a HUGE room, much bigger than those I stayed in at the Poly, and we can spread out and not get in each other's faces so much.

We have our own Jacuzzi, a full kitchen, a washer/dryer, microwave, dvd/vcr, dishwasher--all the comforts of home. I save $$ by eating breakfast and lunch (we always take a midday break) in the room, and we have all our favorite foods there--better than concierge, because it's exactly what we want to eat, not what someone else decides to offer. Besides I got bored of concierge at the poly believe it or not--they rarely changed the menu AND to take advantage fully you have to be there when they serve. At DVC you do what you want at your own convenience.

Although the remoteness of the Poly is very relaxing, it's great to be at BWV and have the entire boardwalk at your feet to enjoy. There's always something to do if you desire, but if you don't there's plenty of space to relax in quieter areas of the resort. As for theming--Have you seen the lobby at BWV? Or the luna park pool? Definitely very cool and very Disney IMHO. I've never felt it was un-Disney like, quite the contrary. It's theming is different from the Poly, I will grant you that, but themed it is, like an Atlantic City Resort (or Coney Island) at the turn of the century.

Anyway no one could tell me otherwise and for years I did my thing at the Polynesian. I looked into DVC back then but my attitude was "If it's not on the monorail I am not interested". I guess I had to get it out of my system, I was so addicted to the Polynesian that we even got our walk around the world brick inscribed with the words "Poly Lovers" under our names.

But boy do I wish I could have some of that money back now! Even with an annual pass discount during value season the least expensive poly room (standard view non concierge) is $179 plus tax. And since I usually stayed lagoon view or lagoon and concierge, I paid up to $350/night--and that's with the discount due to the AP! I know I've seen others post the same thing but I'll say it too--If only I used that money towards DVC years ago!

I can still stay at the Poly if I want by renting out my DVC points and then paying cash with AP rates at the Poly, but I doubt I can ever go back to a regular size hotel room after experiencing a 1 Bedroom at BWV. I am not wealthy enough to afford a suite at the poly, that's about the only way I can see staying there now. I'll still visit, I love the kona cafe and 'ohana and the EWP is always fun to watch on the lagoon, as are the fireworks shooting off over the castle viewed from vantage point of the Poly beach.

Well this is turning into a novel. I'll just close by saying what everyone else has said and what it seems you are going to do--rent points, see how you feel. And then please come back and let us know what you decided and why.

 

[MAC3]

Not me! Pre-DVC we only stayed at the All Stars(please don't flame me, I'm not knocking the resort). But DVC was a step up for us.

 

[dmoore22]

We asked ourselves the same question before we decided to buy into DVC. After our first visit home we realized the answer was "No." We do not miss staying in the regular resorts. The DVC positives outweigh the negatives. Since we have worked our way up from absolutely nothing to a state of extreme poverty DVC allows us to vacation more often for twice the length of time we could stay when we would pay as you go out of pocket. Plus, since we itemize, we get to deduct a portion of our dues on our income taxes.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

Originally posted by Maistre Gracey
I. The OP also mentioned the GF, and CR. Only my opinion here, but I don't think I would stay at those resorts even if they were free.

MG

Hey Maistre Gracey--If anyone offers you a free trip to the CR or GF I'll be happy to take it off your hands!


(Actually I don't care for either of them myself, but when it comes to free at WDW......)

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

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....

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

I agree wholeheartedly w/ Laurabearz. Before children, my DH and I stayed at the Poly, CR, GF Concierge main bldg (to die for), plus I stayed at most of the other resorts such as PO French Quarter, etc. Each has a wonderful personality and I couldn't imagine giving that up for a "homey" atmosphere. If I wanted home, I'd stay where I am. I want to be pampered.

Then we had kids. The first year we went w/ an 8 mo. old was to the GF Concierge again and we had to warm bottles and jars in the bathroom sink. But he wasn't crawling yet and it worked out just fine. We'd get a cup of coffee at the concierge level and take
it back to our room and feed the baby a bottle.

Then the 2nd one came and we had already bought DVC. It was a Godsend. It's amazing how many clothes one must bring for little ones (I pack more for them than me) and I was able to bring less and wash them. They could nap in the other room in the bed while I was organizing, munching, watching TV or sitting on the balcony in the living room area. This is a must for a family w/ small children. I could heat up bottles in the microwave and cook food for my VERY picky son before we went out nice to eat. He ate nothing at the restaurants, so we'd feed him before our dinner. It just gave us the means to keep the routine as normal as possible, and w/ little ones, that is a must.

Lastly, I noticed that I was not giving up the magic. Our room at the BWV was so VERY magical. We liked our room better than the standard one we had at the BWI several years before. We still had room service, we still had the great location, and we still had the clean room up to Disney standards, plus we had a HUGE bathroom and balcony and a great view. I would love to stay at the GF or Poly again, but I too will probably wait until the children are older. Right now, the stress DVC relieves for a young mother is way more magical than any other hotel room. Hope this gives you some ideas.

 

[MELSMICE]

I guess I can understand the OP's skepticism regarding missing out on the "magic" at a DVC resort, however, my answer to that question is that in no way, shape or form do I feel like I am missing out on the magic while we are staying in a DVC resort.

We still do both - we will either begin or end a trip (or both) by staying at another resort (usually deluxe).

Our home resort is OKW & I have to say that even when we bought it (a resale) I thought maybe I wanted BCV or BWV. We haved stayed at the BWV & OKW & while I enjoyed BWV I must say that I LOVE OKW. It is relaxing & casual but it has ALL the magic of WDW.

So again, in answer to the OP's question - we don't feel we are missing any of the magic by staying at our "home away from home". In fact, I feel we get a little extra special magic because we are DVC members.

 

[Laurabearz]

I wanted to add... part of the Magic for us is having the two bedroom villa to vacation in. I cant stress how wonderful it is to have a full kitchen, laundry, and that jacuzzi tub the kids LOVE.

The villas make the vacation less stressful, and that is "ULTIMATE MAGIC"!

 

[FutureWasYesterday]

The concensus seems to say that just about ALL DVC owners love DVC resorts ...

The concensus also seems to be (although not as one-sided) that you will occasionally book yourselves into cash-resorts just to experience some of the more exotic theming found at some of them. So most of you will do both at some point.

Thanks everyone for your input, you sure have sold DVC to me .. especially the comfort and appeal of the DVC resorts themselves.. now if I could just give up that "castle view"

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by FutureWasYesterday
The concensus also seems to be (although not as one-sided) that you will occasionally book yourselves into cash-resorts just to experience some of the more exotic theming found at some of them.

Not to harp on the same point over and over, but I feel this warrants repeating:

There is no better job of theming anywhere at WDW then VWL/WL. Some may not like the theme, or they may like other themes better, but nobody can seriously say that VWL/WL is not themed to the hilt.

Yes, I will continue to periodically stay at AKL or Poly, but NOT because VWL/WL is second rate.

MG

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

Originally posted by FutureWasYesterday

The concensus also seems to be (although not as one-sided) that you will occasionally book yourselves into cash-resorts just to experience some of the more exotic theming found at some of them. So most of you will do both at some point.

Thanks everyone for your input, you sure have sold DVC to me .. especially the comfort and appeal of the DVC resorts themselves.. now if I could just give up that "castle view"

I don't quite agree. From what I read almost everyone said they felt the DVC resorts are quite well themed.

I don't think anyone said they stay at other resorts because they find the theming more exotic. It's just that everyone likes a change now and then, no matter how much they enjoy the DVC resorts. There's only just so many of them, and since most people on these boards visit WDW often, it's nice to have a change of pace.

And yes, nice to have that castle view now and then too!
But as I said in my earlier posted tome on this thread, wait until you stay at a DVC accomodation and see how you feel about it yourself. Obviously these boards are populated mainly with people happy with their choices or they wouldn't have bought or would have sold. No one but you can decide your priorities, different strokes for different folks and all that!

 

[MAC3]

Originally posted by FutureWasYesterday
The concensus seems to say that just about ALL DVC owners love DVC resorts ...

I agree or we wouldn't have bought DVC.



The concensus also seems to be (although not as one-sided) that you will occasionally book yourselves into cash-resorts just to experience some of the more exotic theming found at some of them. So most of you will do both at some point.

We do extra days at different Disney Resorts because although we have our DVC we want to extend our vacation and (I don't have enough points) but also because we want to experience all of the Disney Resorts (and yes people have even sold me on giving the one that I thought was too stuffy for me a chance)



Thanks everyone for your input, you sure have sold DVC to me .. especially the comfort and appeal of the DVC resorts themselves.. now if I could just give up that "castle view"

That's the great part is you don't have to, stay in you DVC and end your vacation with the resort that you love the most!

 

[spiceycat]

as had been say try it -

rent points from a DVC member and stay in a studio (the worst) at VWL and then say it is not the same as staying in the WL.

or treat yourself and stay in a 1 or 2 bedroom - then I can just about guaranteed you won't go back to a hotel room.....

 

[karebear1]

It might be worth a mention here to say that a lot of DVC'ers pay cash at other resorts on the weekends because weeekend points are twice as high as weekday points- I know that's what I do. It's not because I think there is a more exocitic theme in any other resort.

 

[wdwstar]

i was just going to post what karebear1
posted, that is what most dvc members do, unless points are not an issue or dvc members dont want to pack up and make the move.

 

[WOW]

I hate to admit it, but we always stayed at our absolutely favorite Poly pre DVC, and I do miss staying there. I know that we can use points to stay there, but when it comes down to it, the space and "homey" feel at our home resort OKW always wins out. The monorail resorts are great, we loved them when our kids were young, but now it really doesn't make a difference to us and we have grown to like the buses!!!!! We have been members since 1994 and have NEVER regretted buying for one minute. We had "add on itis" for a while so now we are very comfortable with our amount of points. One other thing, I thought I would miss the daily maid service so much, but guess what, I actually like the fact that we don't have to leave the accomodation in order to have the maid clean up.

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by WOW
One other thing, I thought I would miss the daily maid service so much, but guess what, I actually like the fact that we don't have to leave the accomodation in order to have the maid clean up.

LOL - I thought I would miss it also, but I also like the fact that I don't have to leave to let someone else clean, nor feel like someone is invading my privacy when I'm not there!