MickeyMcMouse
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- Joined
- Sep 23, 2001
- Messages
- 544
Just back from another wonderful stay and looking to buy some more points, but do I go for Saratoga (which is growing on me) or the new addition to the family at Animal Kingdom....
Anyway, back to the topic. We were a little short of points the way things worked out. Couldn't get a studio and ended up with a 1 bedroom at SS and didn't really want to borrow so had a look round to make the trip long enough.
We are quite a big fan of Hilton and use them at Gatwick for the night before and Downtown Disney for the first night if landing on one of those expensive nights, so had a look at them.
We settled on the Grand Vacation one on International Drive, well its actually the one right next to Premium Outlets - across the road from Publix.
We decided to go for a one bedroom so it could be compared with DVC.
Overall the total size looks to be about the same, but split up differently. There is more in the living / kitchen area and less in the bedroom area which works pretty well. You have a full size table, which will set 6 as opposed to the small table with the bench at DVC.
The kitchen is fitted out pretty much the same, but the appliances are black which is nice compared to that creamy colour which seems to be everywhere. The coffee maker is slightly more upmarket with a timer on it and the fridge has an icemaker (OKW accepted).
The phone in the living area is a cordless one with 2 lines and the internet - wireless or wired - is FREE !!
The TV in the main area as a fantastic Bose surround system (I want one) as well as a smaller TV in the bedroom. The safe is digital so no key to lose.
The bathroom is much the same as DVC, but less confusing with fewer doors witrh the jacuzzi tub being part of the bedroom area.
We only received one call offering the "timeshare" sell but this was never followed up ...... but here's the kicker - with the great exchange rate, the room was a little over £100 a night - very impressive !! (that included maid service everyday which was a little over the top as the dishwasher was once switched on with 2 cups and 2 plates)
Hope this sums it up for you
It was very nice and we will probably use it again for 2 or 3 nights if we are in need of extending our stay ...... but you know what, it's just not DVC
David
Anyway, back to the topic. We were a little short of points the way things worked out. Couldn't get a studio and ended up with a 1 bedroom at SS and didn't really want to borrow so had a look round to make the trip long enough.
We are quite a big fan of Hilton and use them at Gatwick for the night before and Downtown Disney for the first night if landing on one of those expensive nights, so had a look at them.
We settled on the Grand Vacation one on International Drive, well its actually the one right next to Premium Outlets - across the road from Publix.
We decided to go for a one bedroom so it could be compared with DVC.
Overall the total size looks to be about the same, but split up differently. There is more in the living / kitchen area and less in the bedroom area which works pretty well. You have a full size table, which will set 6 as opposed to the small table with the bench at DVC.
The kitchen is fitted out pretty much the same, but the appliances are black which is nice compared to that creamy colour which seems to be everywhere. The coffee maker is slightly more upmarket with a timer on it and the fridge has an icemaker (OKW accepted).
The phone in the living area is a cordless one with 2 lines and the internet - wireless or wired - is FREE !!
The TV in the main area as a fantastic Bose surround system (I want one) as well as a smaller TV in the bedroom. The safe is digital so no key to lose.
The bathroom is much the same as DVC, but less confusing with fewer doors witrh the jacuzzi tub being part of the bedroom area.
We only received one call offering the "timeshare" sell but this was never followed up ...... but here's the kicker - with the great exchange rate, the room was a little over £100 a night - very impressive !! (that included maid service everyday which was a little over the top as the dishwasher was once switched on with 2 cups and 2 plates)
Hope this sums it up for you
It was very nice and we will probably use it again for 2 or 3 nights if we are in need of extending our stay ...... but you know what, it's just not DVC
David
with the $$ rate being so good I want to pay now 
