DVC “Confessions”

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

We hated animal kingdom. Stayed in a 2bd at Kidani party of 3 in 2013– 2 adults and 1 toddler. We never want to spread out at that resort again. We were miserable breaking down the stroller to even get to the quick service, long horrible hallways, nothing to do. We have never stayed there since. It was travel hell for us. What a waste of points (for us).

But we own at bwv and blt and prefer near park resorts. In order of preference, it’s bwv/bcv, poly, blt. We won’t stay anywhere but those 4 resorts now…..

Curious - as someone who also values proximity to parks, why no for VGF? Too long of a walk?

 

[heelphan]

I've enjoyed reading through this thread, fun stuff!

Here's my 'confession':
I already own points at a resort I don't intend to stay at again (after staying there once), and I'm considering buying more! (SSR)

 

[2010dvcfan]

I could be wrong, as I’m not a law guy. Also, it may vary by state.
That said, I was always of the belief was that an inheritance was all or nothing. Somebody leaves you a million bucks, and also something that has a half million of negative worth. You can’t pick and choose which you’ll accept and decline the bad parts. It’s all or nothing.

Again, that’s just what I always believed. I have no legal background to substantiate that.

I certainly wouldn't turn down a million bucks, LOL. I don't know about all jurisdictions but inheritance is not a forced ownership you can refuse any items you don't want. It's usually as simply as filing a disclaimer of interest. Timeshares is an excellent example. For example if I leave you a million bucks and my DVC membership you could disclaim the DVC membership but accept the cash inheritance. I also am not legal expert but I have disclaimed inheritance before so I know it is possible.

 

[BaybeeYoda]

Curious - as someone who also values proximity to parks, why no for VGF? Too long of a walk?

Good question! Poly is a walk to Epcot TTC and a boat ride/monorail to MK. So it’s more of a 2 park resort over VGF.

Blt is a 10min walk to MK, while VGF is more like a 20min walk so less convenient. I guess we like proximity and convenience best…

 

[tom1944]

I've enjoyed reading through this thread, fun stuff!

Here's my 'confession':
I already own points at a resort I don't intend to stay at again (after staying there once), and I'm considering buying more! (SSR)

We plan to stay at SSR (our home resort) for the first time for 5 days before we head out to a 4-day cruise. I am interested to see how it goes. We only started as DVC members in 2023 and have stayed at BLT and BWV so far. There is a lot of benefit to the resorts on the monorail loop and at Crescent Lake. My granddaughter is going to be 6 so I do have some concern about long days and having to bus back to the resort.

I do want to try every resort at least once.

 

[heelphan]

We plan to stay at SSR (our home resort) for the first time for 5 days before we head out to a 4-day cruise. I am interested to see how it goes. We only started as DVC members in 2023 and have stayed at BLT and BWV so far. There is a lot of benefit to the resorts on the monorail loop and at Crescent Lake. My granddaughter is going to be 6 so I do have some concern about long days and having to bus back to the resort.

I do want to try every resort at least once.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still Disney, and still DVC! The refurbed rooms are very nice and the pools are all great.
Downsides: All the walking to get anywhere, more of a “condo” feel than a “resort” feel (although I have seen some who prefer this), and of course, the long bus rides (this can be alleviated by requesting one of the first bus stop buildings, the bus order is around, Google for that).

We would stay there again but it would probably be the last choice

 

[smrice95]

Curious which you like best?
I stayed off property, but still having to Uber/Lyft stunk compared to a value where you can just bus (if minimal luggage), so curious what was best for you so far, and other pros and cons.

We always love to stay on property but with the price it is getting too high for my liking. Last summer we were off property on Palm Ave (maybe street - by DS) and this past year DD announced she was paying for the value hotel because she wanted to be on site! She has been working for a year now and she was proud to treat us! We either drive or rent a car for the convenience. However, doing the math that may change in the future. I try to go with the cheapest option. You do have to figure in resort fees and parking too. That can take a nice value and bring it up to Disney prices pretty quick!

 

[smrice95]

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still Disney, and still DVC! The refurbed rooms are very nice and the pools are all great.
Downsides: All the walking to get anywhere, more of a “condo” feel than a “resort” feel (although I have seen some who prefer this), and of course, the long bus rides (this can be alleviated by requesting one of the first bus stop buildings, the bus order is around, Google for that).

We would stay there again but it would probably be the last choice

The first bus stop is Grandstand. It is a short walk depending on the building to the Carriage House (main building.) This means a nice walk to the boat launch to DS. There are pros and cons to SS. Our family likes SS, but we haven't been going into the parks much lately. It isn't our favorite, but it fits our needs with my mom having a scooter and easy access to DS.

I hope you enjoy it!

 

[Emily921]

I bought Boardwalk in 2000 and I have never stayed there!

 

[Chili327]

I bought Boardwalk in 2000 and I have never stayed there!

Wow, why not??
Where are you staying that is keeping you from trying it?

 

[cdirazonian]

I bought Boardwalk in 2000 and I have never stayed there!

WOW!

By the way..LOVE LOVE your Orange birds!

 

[BaybeeYoda]

I bought Boardwalk in 2000 and I have never stayed there!

Where do you stay?

We own boardwalk, and that is the only place we insist on staying every single year. We use our BLT points to sleep around.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

I’m sure there’s lots but off the top of my head…

#1 I was surprisingly really underwhelmed with BWV after staying there a few weeks ago. I wanted to love it so much and was shopping around for a small contract before this stay. I love the Crescent Lake area but I realized staying at BWV specifically didn’t make it make it more special, kind of took away from it for me…needless to say it cured that specific addonitis. Makes me a bit nervous because we bought BCV blind earlier this year and have yet to stay there so hopefully it’s not the same feeling

#2 I think I’m realizing I’m really lazy…I don’t get why walkability is so important to so many…well I do conceptually, but realistically, I just don’t know why people want to walk from VGF to Magic Kingdom or BWV/BCV to HS when the parks already require so much walking, especially in the Florida weather and heat

I love Disney transportation, it’s all part of the experience for us and even more so now as DVC members because we’re not rope drop to fireworks people where we need to get somewhere as quick as possible. Taking a boat from VGF or Poly is the first and last “ride” of my day and it feels so magical to me to take a boat to my hotel lol. We do a little skyliner tour most trips because the views are amazing and the ride is fun and just so different from anything else offered. I’d rather the 10 mins more it would probably take to wait for a monorail from VGF to MK then the convenience of staying at BLT just so we can walk to MK. And if all else fails, good old reliable air conditioned buses. Outside of BCV/BWV to Epcot and BLT to MK, the 15-20K steps/day in the parks is more than enough walking for me.

#3 Sometimes I want to PM some of you cool cats that I just get really good vibes from and befriend you so we can go to Disney together

 

[atthebeachclub]

Another confession: I am a known Skyliner hater, but one of the reasons I don’t like it has nothing to do with the actual Skyliner itself at all. When we rode it, I could see all the ugly garbage dump areas we rode over that are usually hidden from view. Magic ruined!

Also…I don’t mind the bus rides at all. They are kind of nice!

 

[Matty B13]

#2 I think I’m realizing I’m really lazy…I don’t get why walkability is so important to so many…well I do conceptually, but realistically, I just don’t know why people want to walk from VGF to Magic Kingdom or BWV/BCV to HS when the parks already require so much walking, especially in the Florida weather and heat

We have waited close to hour and a half to get back to VGF from MK at park closure, so a 15 minute walk is a much better solution, especially when it was such an easy solution to alleviate the crush of people at peak times.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

#2 I think I’m realizing I’m really lazy…I don’t get why walkability is so important to so many…well I do conceptually, but realistically, I just don’t know why people want to walk from VGF to Magic Kingdom or BWV/BCV to HS when the parks already require so much walking, especially in the Florida weather and heat

This is me - I’m the crazy walker. There may or may not have been (multiple) occasions where I was at MK and wanted to go to HS…and took the monorail to EPCOT and walked to HS. I find walking at WDW - even in the August heat with crowds - one of the most relaxing parts of my trip. When I’m not on vacation, I always feel like I’m rushing, so meandering around the resorts/parks feels like a luxury to me

Also totally hear you on #3 - this is such a great crew!!

 

[tidefan]

I bought Boardwalk in 2000 and I have never stayed there!

On a similar note..

We've owned since 2007 and only stayed at BWV once, despite having many opportunities to stay there. The parking situation there just kills it for us.

 

[Disdreaming479]

I’m sure there’s lots but off the top of my head…

#1 I was surprisingly really underwhelmed with BWV after staying there a few weeks ago. I wanted to love it so much and was shopping around for a small contract before this stay. I love the Crescent Lake area but I realized staying at BWV specifically didn’t make it make it more special, kind of took away from it for me…needless to say it cured that specific addonitis. Makes me a bit nervous because we bought BCV blind earlier this year and have yet to stay there so hopefully it’s not the same feeling

#2 I think I’m realizing I’m really lazy…I don’t get why walkability is so important to so many…well I do conceptually, but realistically, I just don’t know why people want to walk from VGF to Magic Kingdom or BWV/BCV to HS when the parks already require so much walking, especially in the Florida weather and heat

I love Disney transportation, it’s all part of the experience for us and even more so now as DVC members because we’re not rope drop to fireworks people where we need to get somewhere as quick as possible. Taking a boat from VGF or Poly is the first and last “ride” of my day and it feels so magical to me to take a boat to my hotel lol. We do a little skyliner tour most trips because the views are amazing and the ride is fun and just so different from anything else offered. I’d rather the 10 mins more it would probably take to wait for a monorail from VGF to MK then the convenience of staying at BLT just so we can walk to MK. And if all else fails, good old reliable air conditioned buses. Outside of BCV/BWV to Epcot and BLT to MK, the 15-20K steps/day in the parks is more than enough walking for me.

#3 Sometimes I want to PM some of you cool cats that I just get really good vibes from and befriend you so we can go to Disney together

Expanding on walk ability to Epcot:
I prefer arriving to Epcot via monorail/ bus because it’s closer to the rides, specifically GotG. I might just buy a LL every day of my trip if I’m on the monorail! The walk from IG is LONG. I prefer the rides to World Showcase at Epcot. ETA: I rode it 6x during my solo this year but couldn’t when my daughter was with me bc she didn’t have a hopper. Plus I rode the Soarin’ over California 4x for old times sakes bc it was just so great when it was new.

 

[zackiedawg]

As a Boardwalk owner since 1996, I can confirm I've had some years where out of my 4-5 trips a year, I didn't stay at Boardwalk. For me, it wasn't intentional - because I live a 3-hour-drive away, I don't necessarily advance plan as much as many do - so I'll sometimes book my trips just 2-4 months out...and Boardwalk just isn't available. I had a few years where I ended up at Saratoga 4 times because it was all I could get. But I definitely like to stay at Boardwalk, because I'm a big Epcot fan, and the walkability there, plus DHS, plus easy transportation or walking to 9 other resorts, make it such a convenient spot. I honestly don't think about parking - because I have an AP and don't usually do breakfasts or lunches, my only splurges are nice dinners, some cocktails, and valet parking - which would be a complete rip-off at the prices they charge, but I'm lazy and it's easy.

I actually prefer coming in the Int'l Gateway at Epcot - I don't care as much about the rides, so it's a quieter entrance and closer to the restaurants and bars that I typically go there for.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

We have waited close to hour and a half to get back to VGF from MK at park closure, so a 15 minute walk is a much better solution, especially when it was such an easy solution to alleviate the crush of people at peak times.

Yeesh thankfully haven’t had this happen on a trip yet. And I’m not saying it’s not convenient, it most definitely is for rare situations like this (and cause sometimes it’s just nice to walk). I’m just not going to make the fact that a resort isn’t walkable from a park a huge mark against it or a massive pro because it is. Caught in your situation, I’m just gonna Uber it back if I can’t walk there