DVC resort questions ....

[islandmum]

looking at possibly doing the DVC next time we go to WDW but I hav loads of questions so here we go:

whats the "nicest" DVC?
best for kids?
convenient for parks?
can you do DDP if staying at DVC?
where is there a photo of DVC rooms and villas?
do you get the resort benefits such as pool, housekeeping, room service etc..

 

[kkmauch]

You're going to get a ton of answers here for these questions, but I will add my $.02.

The "nicest" dvc, IMHO, would be BCV. It's a beautiful resort, it's got great amenities and it's close to Epcot, MGM and Boardwalk.

Best for kids would be BCV as well. It has the added bonus of SAB which is a huge draw for kids.

convenient for parks would be either BCV, BWV, of VWL. BCV and BWV are within walking distance to Epcot and a short boat to MGM. VWL is a short boat to MK.

photos of the dvc rooms and villas can be found here: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_hot.htm#home

just click on the DVC property you want to look at and you'll get photos and info.

you can do the ddp at dvc resorts, if you are renting points to stay it's arranged a little differently than if you are just outright booking the room on cash.

if you are staying at the resort via a rental on points then you get to enjoy all the same benefits as the rest of the people staying there (pool, room service if available, etc). the major difference is that if you are staying on points you will not get regular housekeeping, you will get trash and towel service and, depending on the length of stay, a full cleaning about half way through.

 

[brightspark]

As a DVC member, you get pool hopping rights (with a couple of exceptions such as to AKL) which is kinda fun.

 

[spiceycat]

whats the "nicest" DVC?
best for kids?
convenient for parks?
can you do DDP if staying at DVC?
where is there a photo of DVC rooms and villas?
do you get the resort benefits such as pool, housekeeping, room service etc..

the nicest - oh boy those are fighting words... just depends upon what you want -
relaxing - OKW
shopping DD or party at PI - SSR
walking to Epcot plus the best pool on WDW resort property - BCV
walking to Studio plus a pool some people love while others hate - it has a very, very strange clown - BWV
boating/bus to MK plus a nice pool - then VWL
shortly there will be a new one AKV - they are working on it now.

sun-thurs leaving on Friday are the best times to go (fri & sat are a bunch more)
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best for kids - well they are all GREAT for kids. they all have activites and the kids are just as loyal as their parents to their "HOME" resort.

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convenient for parks - answer that one
Epcot and Studio - both you can walk or boat from BCV & BWV
MK - boat from VWL (or bus)

ssr & okw are bus only to the parks - you can walk or boat to DD from either one. (it is a much easier walk from SSR)

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you can easily do DDP - it cost the same. and even better you don't have to buy your WDW tickets at the same time. So you can get your tickets from a discount broker and still do DDP.

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as noted you get all the benefits except daily housekeeping. which works great for me - I don't like people in my room (villa) when I am not there.
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pictures links
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/542
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/543
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/545
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/546
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/547

more pictures and information
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/dvc.htm - pictures to the side

also more information
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/index.html

disney pictures and information
http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/resortOverview?id=ProspectsResortsOverviewPage

 

[Caskbill]

As a DVC member, you get pool hopping rights (with a couple of exceptions such as to AKL) which is kinda fun.

The OP sounds like they're not currently a member but are thinking of renting a reservation from a member.

Just to clarify, if you are NOT a member, you are not entitled to pool hopping, or any of the other MEMBER benefits and perks. You are entitled only to regular WDW resort perks, such as free parking at the theme parks, use of transportation, etc.

 

[dannyh23]

Check out the DVC boards -- there is TONS of info there -- but be careful, you might like staying in DVC rooms so much that you may *never* want to stay in a *regular* Disney hotel room again!!!

DVC perks like free valet, pool hopping are only for DVC members.

As far as housekeeping:

- If you are staying in a DVC room booked through CRO at Disney, you will get the same regular hosekeeping you are used to in all the other resorts.

- If you are renting points, housekeeping doesn't come in as often. Personally, I don't miss daily housekeeping one bit!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Since no one has told you the fine points:

If you stay 7 nights or less, on day 4 you will get your trash removed and your towels replaced. No bed making, no cleaning.

If you stay 8 nights or more, on day 4 you will get a full cleaning and on day 8 you will get your towels replaced and your trash removed. And the cycle repeats the more nights you stay.

If you want more frequent cleaning, you can pay extra for it (from $25 to $60 per day). You can also pay extra for additional towels ($6 per towel pack). Or for the trash and towel service ($10 per day).

If you are thinking about renting a reservation from a member, check out the FAQs on the Rent/Trade Board. Know that the member fully controls the reservation until the moment you check in. You won't be able to confirm the reservation until a few days before you arrive. The member may or may not allow any cancellations or changes to the reservation. They may require full payment to make the reservation. And they might not accept Paypal. Disney will not get involved in any disagreements or problems that you have. You are making an arrangement with an individual and not a corporation.

Good luck.

 

[carolina_yankee]

looking at possibly doing the DVC next time we go to WDW but I hav loads of questions so here we go:

whats the "nicest" DVC?

There's a reason to say that about all of them! I think SSR is the most elegant, but they all have their plusses that depend on how you define 'nice.'

best for kids?

No kids, can't say. Again, they all have their angles. As a kid, I'd have loved VWL over all the others. I don't like clowns, so BWV doesn't do it for me, but I'd love the Boardwalk as a kid. Same for BCV.

convenient for parks?

BCV and BWV win here, with a close second to VWL for its boat ride to MK.

can you do DDP if staying at DVC?

As others have said, yes.

do you get the resort benefits such as pool, housekeeping, room service etc..

You get access to the same resort amenities, but not the member perks. Some resorts have room service, some don't. I think you have to be attached to a hotel to get that (like VWL, BWV, and BCV). AKV should be in that list, too.

Housekeeping is different if staying on points than staying on cash. You get limited service (Trash and Towel on day 4, full on day 8) with points. If you pay cash to WDW for the room, you get full housekeeping. You can order housekeeping for individual days for a per-day charge, if you like.

You won't get perks like pool hopping, free dvd rentals, and free valet, though renters have reported getting them in the past. I believe they are now asking for the blue DVC member card instead of letting the room key indicate your status.

Dirk

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Housekeeping is different if staying on points than staying on cash. You get limited service (Trash and Towel on day 4, full on day 8) with points. ...

You have that backwards. See Post #7

 

[islandmum]

thanks so much guys!!

went to look at the DVC threads but it all looks a bit complicated and I just wanted a few basic answers.

DVC looks like a fantastic option ... and the ability to have a 1 bed villa in somewhere like VWL for a lot less than a suite at say CSR is MOST appealing. Plus the flexibility to eat and cook is good too.

so ..... if anyone has a VWL, 1 bed villa they want to rent out 3rd Oct till 12th or 13th LET ME KNOW!!!