DVD rentals / hookups

[GoofyMom-rpb]

DH and I are planning a non-park visit this July and staying in a studio at BWV. Seeing that we're not doing a park we plan on just taking it easy and hanging around the hotel and I know that the one-bedrooms and largers come with a DVD player and we plan on bringing our own up to hookup ourselves (if possible). I see in the Membership Guide that DVDs are available to DVC members and my question is, does anyone have info on the cost of the DVDs, and does anyone know if it is possible in a studio to hookup our own DVD since they don't come with the room?

Also, we currently have a ressie for a boardwalk view, top floor. Has anyone stayed in a room with this type of request? I'm hoping that we'll have a view of the fireworks at Epcot.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

At BWV, the 1Brs and larger come with a VCR player, not a DVD player. DVD players are being installed at BCV - so far no other DVC resort has DVD players.

The TV's in anything smaller than a GV only have RF input, so your DVD player will either need to have an RF out, or you will need to purchase a video to RF converter (runs about $40 from Radio Shack). Be sure to get a unit that handles the video output of your DVD (s-video or composite).

At OKW, the TV's were set in the cabinate such that it was very difficult to get at the RF connector in the back - I've not looked at the TV's in the BWV studios.

At BWV, video tape rentals are free for DVC members (as they are at all DVC resorts).

 

[GoofyMom-rpb]

Thanks Firefighter Mickey, I'm glad you addressed the tv's being in the cabinet because I was wondering if I'd even be able to get to the back of them to hook up a DVD. I also didn't realize that only BCV was going to have DVDs (do you know if the other DVC resorts will be upgrading to DVD any time soon).

Also, are the video selections up-to-date with the latest rentals, what type of movies do they usually have or is each DVC resort different.

Again thanks for your help.

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

Each resort seems to have a different selection. It's not like going to a blockbuster store though - so don't expect the latest releases (unless it's a disney release).

I found at OKW seemed to have a slightly larger selection than BWV (that was a little while back though, and things may have changed - if I've offended any BWV owners, please accept my apologies); Vero has/had a very reasonable seleciton, and HH probably the smallest selection. Obviously the family selection is usually very large, but a number of PG/PG13's are also available, and you can also find a selection of R rated features (you must usually ask for the book with the listing of R movies - it's not left out for the kiddies to browse).

As far as DVD players at other resorts - I am not certain; I think someone mentioned on this board that they saw somplace (vacation magic?) that the other resorts would eventually be converting over to DVD players) - my personal anticipation is that it will be some time before any of the other resorts convert over -it will have to wait for the usual replacement cycle for the existing VCR players, and there's a sizeable invesment to be made in a new DVD library.

The TV's in the studios are the hardest to get to the back of - the TV's at OKW Studios were physically attached to the slider board and there was very little clearance on the sides of the TV to fit a hand/arm. The TV's in the 1BR units have more clearance around the sides, and my memory says they aren't physically attached in place (they are considered too large to sprout legs and walk-off)

 

[Pete W.]

I managed to connect a VCR to the TV in a BWV studio last year. Indeed it's a tight fit to get your arm behind the TV case since it is attached to the wall, but you can move it just enough to get things done.

The Blockbuster on the Central Florida Parkway (Sea World exit on I-4) rents VCRs. At least as of last year they did not rent DVD players but that could have changed.