DVC Villa feels like the resort

[disdad19]

Which DVC resorts actually feel the most like you're part of the "regular" resort? For example, I know that VGF and BLT are separate buildings so it seems to me that this would not give the same "feel" as you would get in a regular resort room at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary. BWV seems like it would offer a similar feel since the rooms (at least the boardwalk view ones) are right there facing boardwalk and lake like the regular rooms. I think the fact you can get to the rooms through the main lobby is part of what I like about the resorts.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

There's enough resorts that have multiple buildings that I really don't ever not feel part of the resort no matter what the DVC location or design is. GF is a really good example - lots of outer buildings there. AKV - Jambo is literally in the hotel building so probably the most. BCV - it is it's own building but if you've ever stayed at BC there are enough walks and twists and turns to get to some of the rooms so that I can't say they give any different feel than heading out the covered walkway and into the DVC building. And so on for other locations.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

The Grand Floridian is spread out among multiple buildings, so DVC does feel like part of the resort. There are the RPC Club level rooms in the building with the main lobby, but otherwise, the buildings are separate. And you get a covered walkway to the main lobby, which the hotel buildings do not get. It is true that VGF has its own atrium lobby with penguins dancing around a fountain, but you are very close to the main lobby for the orchestra, the dining, the shopping, etc. VGF is also right next to the pool and the beach.

So ultimately, you may prefer Beach Club or BWV, but don't rule out VGF until you try it.

 

[Geomom]

I would go with BWV as the top one for your list, especially as the feature pool is on the DVC side vs. the Inn side.

 

[CraigInPA]

I just stayed at BLT. Even though the Tower is physically separate, it's actually a LOT more convenient to the main concourse building than some of the regular hotel garden wing rooms. I didn't really feel like I was isolated away from the main hotel.

At the BC, I had a similar feeling of being part of the hotel. Ditto the Poly, although the DVC rooms are pretty far away from the Grand Ceremonial House as to almost be in another zip code (They are actually right next to the ticket and transportation center, which makes them more convenient for travel, but less convenient to the Poly's amentities).

 

[drusba]

I have stayed at BLT and I have stayed at the Contemporary. I am real glad BLT does not have the same resort feel as the Contemporary which has the look and feel of a big concrete box for which they ran out of money before putting up internal walls. I like things in the Contemporary like Chef Mickey's, its stores, California Grill, but I have just never been able to bring myself to liking the building itself. On the other hand, I really like the BLT building.

The only resort at WDW that was actually built to be a combined Disney hotel and DVC is Boardwalk, with the result that the main pool is actually on the DVC side of the building. Poly has the joint feeling because all DVC rooms are in buildings that previoiusly had hotel rooms. At AKV, Jambo is combined because the DVC was added to the fifth and sixth floor.

 

[Lakegirl]

My DS love AKL Jambo for this exact reason. He doesn't like the other DVC's because he said it feels too separate. AKL is his favorite because everything is in that one building

 

[Best Aunt]

Which DVC resorts actually feel the most like you're part of the "regular" resort?

At some non-DVC resorts, there are many different buildings. For example, if you stay in the Port Orleans Riverside Mansions, it doesn't feel like a traditional "all the rooms are in one building" hotel because each Mansion is its own building. So if you stayed in the Mansions and then next stayed at any Disney resort with DVC rooms, you wouldn't get an unhappy "my room isn't in the same building as all of the other rooms at the resort" feeling about your DVC room.

 

[Dean]

Which DVC resorts actually feel the most like you're part of the "regular" resort? For example, I know that VGF and BLT are separate buildings so it seems to me that this would not give the same "feel" as you would get in a regular resort room at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary. BWV seems like it would offer a similar feel since the rooms (at least the boardwalk view ones) are right there facing boardwalk and lake like the regular rooms. I think the fact you can get to the rooms through the main lobby is part of what I like about the resorts.

I would say BWV, Poly and once completed, likely CC. Possibly AKV Jambo as well. To me even if the rooms were side by side, a villa has a different feel than a hotel room or a suite. It is concerning for one new asking the question. It makes me wonder if DVC would be a good fit if this is a focus. It's been my experience though that the lost items and different feel of a timeshare were a concern for many going in but in many if not most cases, it ended up not being an issue. Hopefully that's the case here.

 

[crisi]

BW has the Inn side and the Villas side - but both have the same sorts of views and share the same lobby - with, as has been pointed out, the feature pool actually on the Villa side - so that sometimes it feels like the Inn was the afterthought (the Bellevue Room - the bar - is on the Inn side though, which evens it out (we lack the martini glass smilie on these boards appearent, I've never looked for it).

I think BCV feels like the red headed stepchild - the Villas are tucked behind the main building, you have to go outside (a covered breezeway) to get there, and they have lousy views). Likewise VWL.

But I agree with Dean - what's the motivation for looking for a Villa that feels like a hotel? Do you understand the differences with things like daily housekeeping? Except for a very few VAKL rooms, there isn't DVC Concierge (we recently had a poster who was a recent member who was a little disappointed to learn she'd bought and wasn't going to be booking concierge). There is a lot that is different between a DVC stay and a hotel stay - and if you are looking to buy, make sure you know what you are buying.

 

[disdad19]

Thanks for all the advice/information! We don't care too much about the daily housekeeping. In fact, we typically put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on hotel rooms and only take it off every 3 or 4 days anyway. Ditto for concierge service, don't really use that. The Yacht Club has been our favorite resort due to location and the fact that we really like the lobby and being so close to the action. We have also stayed at Port Orleans and did not care for the feel of it, mostly because of this reason. Now that we're buying into DVC, I was curious which resorts would most closely resemble a typical Disney deluxe resort stay. I think part of it is just walking through the lobby on our way to the parks or on the way back in the evening. Seeing all the other guests checking in, hanging out, etc. makes it feel more vacation-y. Thanks again!

 

[BillPA]

I would say OKW. The theme is carried out from the grounds, the exterior and the interior. Most of the other resorts, with the new referb, have good outdoor themes but look like any downtown condo in 'anytown' USA.

 

[Sammie]

BWV, AKL, (Jambo House and Kidani.)

I don't think it is being DVC that makes a difference. You simply have to decide do you like a resort with everything under one roof, or a resort with outer buildings.

 

[disneynutz]

Thanks for all the advice/information! We don't care too much about the daily housekeeping. In fact, we typically put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on hotel rooms and only take it off every 3 or 4 days anyway. Ditto for concierge service, don't really use that. The Yacht Club has been our favorite resort due to location and the fact that we really like the lobby and being so close to the action. We have also stayed at Port Orleans and did not care for the feel of it, mostly because of this reason. Now that we're buying into DVC, I was curious which resorts would most closely resemble a typical Disney deluxe resort stay. I think part of it is just walking through the lobby on our way to the parks or on the way back in the evening. Seeing all the other guests checking in, hanging out, etc. makes it feel more vacation-y. Thanks again!

If you want to walk through a lobby to get to your room than BWV, Jambo, the new VWL, are the only resorts that fit the bill.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Thanks for all the advice/information! We don't care too much about the daily housekeeping. In fact, we typically put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on hotel rooms and only take it off every 3 or 4 days anyway. Ditto for concierge service, don't really use that. The Yacht Club has been our favorite resort due to location and the fact that we really like the lobby and being so close to the action. We have also stayed at Port Orleans and did not care for the feel of it, mostly because of this reason. Now that we're buying into DVC, I was curious which resorts would most closely resemble a typical Disney deluxe resort stay. I think part of it is just walking through the lobby on our way to the parks or on the way back in the evening. Seeing all the other guests checking in, hanging out, etc. makes it feel more vacation-y. Thanks again!

I don't think it's that simple. IMO all are deluxe in their own way though SSR & OKW are a different resort feel and setup. You really need to spend time on each property and get information. I think you'll find it comes down to what YOU feel comfortable with and not how any of us would categorize them. If you like the YC/BC area, you could look at BCV or possibly better, BWV because it's a little cheaper per point AND has the standard view options.

 

[Sammie]

If you want to walk through a lobby to get to your room than BWV, Jambo, the new VWL, are the only resorts that fit the bill.

Bill

And Kidani

 

[disneynutz]

And Kidani

True, but I don't get the same major resort lobby vibe from Kidani as I do Jambo.

Bill

 

[Best Aunt]

True, but I don't get the same major resort lobby vibe from Kidani as I do Jambo.

Bill

I agree with you, and I've thinking about this. I stayed at AKV twice, and booked Jambo House because it felt like that's where the action is. I don't like to swim, and I don't have a lot of meals at table service restaurants, so those weren't the factors. If Kidani had been designed with a bigger gift shop and a bigger lobby, I wonder if that would have made a difference in how I feel about it. Maybe a bigger gift shop which served food like at the Beach Club Marketplace? Or I wonder if it makes a difference that I don't rent a car? If I were someone who always rented a car, maybe I wouldn't focus on this as much. Anyway, OP's question made me ponder this.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Aulani!

 

[BillPA]

Jambo was originally only a Disney deluxe resort. They could not rent all the rooms so they converted some to DVC. Thus you have many of the amenities Disney puts into the lobby of their deluxe resorts, Kadani was built as a DVC resort, and they did not need to put that expense in the resort to sell it as DVC. All DVC resorts have a 'less than' wow factor to the lobby, compared to the deluxe resort they are attached to.