DVC Members Moved to FL, Question Accessing Eateries at Value Resorts...

[CUreelSoon]

Hi Folks,

Well, as the thread title says, my wife and I are DVC, recently moved to Florida and we're less than an hour away from WDW. So, we've been going about once a week after working, hitting up different restaurants and such by utilizing reservations. However, I cannot find what the "rules" are for getting into various resorts, not looking to "pool hop", but just getting in to eat or shop. Here's a good example of what happened one evening when we tried to have dinner at the Pop Century cafeteria: guard would not let us in, said we had to be actual guests staying there to even access the gift shop or eat at the cafeteria. So, with nothing to lose, I then said, "Well, does it matter if we are DVC?", to which he replied, "Oh, if you're DVC, you can go!"

I can't find anywhere that confirms this. Did he just let us in on his own accord, or is that an actual DVC benefit? Sometimes it's just fun to explore various resorts the shops within, get snacks, etc.. Next thing I want to try is going to Animal Kingdom and seeing if I can just get in to have dinner at the Mara and walk around afterwards. I wonder if I can do that without any reservation anywhere, does anyone know?

Thanks!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Not sure about resort restaurants that don’t take reservations, but those that do will let you park with a reservation.
Gotta ask… who goes to Pop for dinner? That seems suspicious, but who knows..??

Valet is always available at the resorts that offer it, but it’s no longer a good deal since the demise of TIW.

Best bet is to park at Springs and take a bus.
I know of no “DVC Waiver”.

 

[RivShore]

This thread mentions some recent experiences getting into various resorts:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/h...-hotels-final-thoughts.3881703/#post-63987388

 

[Sandisw]

There is no rule that allows DVC owners special access to park/visit at any of the WDW resorts, including DVC.

The guard decided that on his own. We don’t even have the right to go to our home resort to visit, except under the same rules as every other person wanting to visit.

 

[Mle8308]

Hi Folks,

Well, as the thread title says, my wife and I are DVC, recently moved to Florida and we're less than an hour away from WDW. So, we've been going about once a week after working, hitting up different restaurants and such by utilizing reservations. However, I cannot find what the "rules" are for getting into various resorts, not looking to "pool hop", but just getting in to eat or shop. Here's a good example of what happened one evening when we tried to have dinner at the Pop Century cafeteria: guard would not let us in, said we had to be actual guests staying there to even access the gift shop or eat at the cafeteria. So, with nothing to lose, I then said, "Well, does it matter if we are DVC?", to which he replied, "Oh, if you're DVC, you can go!"

I can't find anywhere that confirms this. Did he just let us in on his own accord, or is that an actual DVC benefit? Sometimes it's just fun to explore various resorts the shops within, get snacks, etc.. Next thing I want to try is going to Animal Kingdom and seeing if I can just get in to have dinner at the Mara and walk around afterwards. I wonder if I can do that without any reservation anywhere, does anyone know?

Thanks!

Pop may have been an issue because it’s a Skyliner resort.

 

[Brian Noble]

For the last year or two, WDW has been very particular about access to most resorts. The only way to be sure you can visit in your own vehicle is to be a guest there or have a confirmed dining reservation.

 

[The Jackal]

Resorts do not have to let you in or park there unless you have a dinner reservation or obviously staying at that resort. Just park at Disney Springs and take a bus to whichever resort you want. But some of the value and moderate resort dining have a secret menu if you ask.

 

[DVCjj]

There is no rule that allows DVC owners special access to park/visit at any of the WDW resorts, including DVC.

The guard decided that on his own. We don’t even have the right to go to our home resort to visit, except under the same rules as every other person wanting to visit.

I always found that annoying that it is sometimes is a problem to even go to the QS places at the two resorts I own. (BCV & Poly)
It's easier of course when you use Disney transportation to get there but when there's a million parking spaces (we very rarely drive) and we'll be in the QS under an hour, it seems excessive to feel like a criminal. Wouldn't the yearly fees cover an occasional trip? And yes, it does depend on who is on duty at the entrance.

 

[Sandisw]

I always found that annoying that it is sometimes is a problem to even go to the QS places at the two resorts I own. (BCV & Poly)
It's easier of course when you use Disney transportation to get there but when there's a million parking spaces (we very rarely drive) and we'll be in the QS under an hour, it seems excessive to feel like a criminal. Wouldn't the yearly fees cover an occasional trip? And yes, it does depend on who is on duty at the entrance.

Its not about cost, but that we only have the right to use facilities when staying at the resort, just like every other guests.

I think it’s a pretty fair rule and that parking at resorts should be reserved for those who are staying there or with reservations, which would eliminate QS.

Now, if a guard wants to allow people in without reservation, that is up to them, but way too many people would indeed us the parking lots at resorts close to the parks to visit those if people were just allowed in because they own.

 

[DVCjj]

Its not about cost, but that we only have the right to use facilities when staying at the resort, just like every other guests.

I think it’s a pretty fair rule and that parking at resorts should be reserved for those who are staying there or with reservations, which would eliminate QS.

Now, if a guard wants to allow people in without reservation, that is up to them, but way too many people would indeed us the parking lots at resorts close to the parks to visit those if people were just allowed in because they own.

I do understand. It's just that I'm not using the pool for sure. I'm spending money at restaurant and usually gift shop. I feel spending money should play a tiny part. Especially since I'm there many times staying overnight.

 

[Pirate Granny]

Hi Folks,

Well, as the thread title says, my wife and I are DVC, recently moved to Florida and we're less than an hour away from WDW. So, we've been going about once a week after working, hitting up different restaurants and such by utilizing reservations. However, I cannot find what the "rules" are for getting into various resorts, not looking to "pool hop", but just getting in to eat or shop. Here's a good example of what happened one evening when we tried to have dinner at the Pop Century cafeteria: guard would not let us in, said we had to be actual guests staying there to even access the gift shop or eat at the cafeteria. So, with nothing to lose, I then said, "Well, does it matter if we are DVC?", to which he replied, "Oh, if you're DVC, you can go!"

I can't find anywhere that confirms this. Did he just let us in on his own accord, or is that an actual DVC benefit? Sometimes it's just fun to explore various resorts the shops within, get snacks, etc.. Next thing I want to try is going to Animal Kingdom and seeing if I can just get in to have dinner at the Mara and walk around afterwards. I wonder if I can do that without any reservation anywhere, does anyone know?

Thanks!

Good luck getting into AKL, we’ve been turned away twice trying to access the lodge to get zebra domes.

 

[Narcoossee11]

There are several issues with letting the public into a resort as you know.

Although you may be honest, too many will say anything to get into a resort . Using transportation, pool, parking lot.
It is just not fair to the TRUE resort guest.
.

 

[LSchrow]

I always found that annoying that it is sometimes is a problem to even go to the QS places at the two resorts I own. (BCV & Poly)
It's easier of course when you use Disney transportation to get there but when there's a million parking spaces (we very rarely drive) and we'll be in the QS under an hour, it seems excessive to feel like a criminal. Wouldn't the yearly fees cover an occasional trip? And yes, it does depend on who is on duty at the entrance.

There have been times where we've seen a lot of BW parking spots open when we left the Resort to eat or shop off-site, only to return to full lots (spending up to an hour hunting for a spot). While it may seem that the lots are being underutilized, there are many Resort Guests that may have driven to a park, and/or went out to eat/shop. There are also events (weddings, proms, etc) at some Resorts, reducing the Guest lots even further. It got so bad at the BW that despite paying for a rental car, we wouldn't use it on weekends or in the evening due to the parking situation.
If we really wish to visit a Resort we're not staying or dining at, we'll pay for Valet or an Uber.

 

[Sandisw]

I do understand. It's just that I'm not using the pool for sure. I'm spending money at restaurant and usually gift shop. I feel spending money should play a tiny part. Especially since I'm there many times staying overnight.

And while you know why you are there, many others would take advantage.

Even if it is for spending money, just think of all the local DVC owners, or those visiting and not staying onsite, that could overwhelm parking if we were allowed to go to resorts as owners, and just park.

 

[DVCjj]

There have been times where we've seen a lot of BW parking spots open when we left the Resort to eat or shop off-site, only to return to full lots (spending up to an hour hunting for a spot). While it may seem that the lots are being underutilized, there are many Resort Guests that may have driven to a park, and/or went out to eat/shop. There are also events (weddings, proms, etc) at some Resorts, reducing the Guest lots even further. It got so bad at the BW that despite paying for a rental car, we wouldn't use it on weekends or in the evening due to the parking situation.
If we really wish to visit a Resort we're not staying or dining at, we'll pay for Valet or an Uber.

Parking doesn't really apply to me as we've only rented a car twice in 50 years. I'm referring to actually entering the resort for the QS, sometimes restaurants (with reservation or walk in) and shops after Disney Transportation or Lyft.

 

[Sandisw]

Parking doesn't really apply to me as we've only rented a car twice in 50 years. I'm referring to actually entering the resort for the QS, sometimes restaurants (with reservation or walk in) and shops after Disney Transportation or Lyft.

Anyone can visit a resort using Disney transportation and in most cases, be dropped off using Lyft/Uber.

The constraint is driving to resorts.

 

[Brian Noble]

Wouldn't the yearly fees cover an occasional trip?

In principle, no.

The fees are determined by the operation of the resort, divided by the number of points owned by individual members. Those points are used only for active stays, so the fees on those points only account for your use of the resort while you are staying there.

DVC does not include any notion of "day use"; having a particular resort as your Home Resort does not give you any extra access above and beyond what any member of the public would have. So, if the general public is not currently allowed to enter the resort via e.g. a ride share, neither would someone who owns (but is not staying) there.