Help me decide on RCI resorts! (please) :-)

[Dork42775]

So i have a ongoing search for a Disney resort through RCI for a 2 br unit(1 br would work) in mid November. That has been ongoing since late April but i am starting to give up hope. That being said i am looking at other Orlando area resorts i can exchange for during that time and have started to notice that a lot are disappearing as i wait for the Disney resort. I am trying to get close to Disney so i have a list of a few available at the time i need them.

I am looking for some info such as quality, free or pay shuttles, hidden fee's, surrounding walk to restuarants. Keep in my all of these are 2 br units and trading power points are no issue to me.

- Sheraton Vistana Resort- Fountains Villas ( seems nice, close to DT Disney, no available Saturday check in right now(prefered), shuttle?)

- Hilton Grand Vacations at Seaworld ( Seems very nice, further away from disney, no sat. check in)

- Vacation Village at Parkway ( Seems decent, free shuttle, 2 br lockout room, close to Disney)

What would you guys do?
-Wait on a Disney resort with the ongoing search?
-Change the ongoing search to a 1 br at Disney?
-Book one of these 3 i have listed right now and cancel my ongoing search?

I am leaning towrds the Vacation Village at Parkway right now.
Thanks in advance guys!

 

[JimMIA]

If a one-bedroom would work, your chances of getting an exchange will be greater than a two-bedroom. Having said that, we got an OKW 2BR for mid-December just about this time last year -- so 2BRs are not hopeless.

For the same exchange price, I would sure hold out for DVC. If you are going to be there a full week, I would not downsize to a 1BR unless it really would be fine for the size of your party. It's not worth squeezing into!

Three weeks ago, we stayed a week at Vacation Village at Parkway on an RCI Last Call -- $328 total for seven nights in a 1BR A Unit (the larger part of the lockoff), including tax and VV's modest $25 resort fee. No other fees.

The resort and our unit were fine, and it is conveniently located just east of I-4 on US 192. A big Publix and plenty of restaurants, pharmacies, etc very close by. World Drive, leading into WDW is about a mile or so west, just on the other side of I-4. We didn't go to any parks, but I would estimate the drive to the theme park parking lots would be 20 minutes or less.

The resort is a high-rise complex with 12-13 towers. The towers are rather spread apart, so there is not a feeling of crowding. Depending on which building you are in, there may be a short walk to parking (1-2 minutes, not a hike). We were in building 8 and the pool there was rather small (but never crowded); we did not visit any of the other pools, so I can't comment on those. Nothing wrong with the resort (especially for $300 a week!), but it doesn't compare with DVC or Wyndham Bonnet Creek.

We have not stayed at Vistana or the HGVC at Sea World.

 

[haPevraftr]

SVR is a great option. Rooms are beautifully decorated. I prefer SVR over VVP because the 2 bdrm at SVR is not a lockoff. For us, with kids, it is not ideal to feel like the kids are sleeping in another unit with the lockoff. That being said, the RCI rates at VVP are generally lower than SVR, and it is an excellent choice for the price. I think SVR rooms feel a bit more "upscale", though. Both have easy access to WDW, but we had a car and didn't use the shuttles. I would return to either one in the future, if we were unable to get a unit at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, which is always our first choice through RCI, now.

 

[JimMIA]

I prefer SVR over VVP because the 2 bdrm at SVR is not a lockoff.

This is a good point. At VVP, the two sides are really two separate units. There is a door from the hallway, then a small foyer, and then two separate doors into the two units. There is no connection between the units other than that, and even if you left both doors open with the hallway door locked there is really not much connection. That arrangement would concern me if I was travelling with small kids who were sleeping "in the other bedroom."

 

[bankr63]

I am looking for some info such as quality, free or pay shuttles, hidden fee's, surrounding walk to restuarants. Keep in my all of these are 2 br units and trading power points are no issue to me.

- Sheraton Vistana Resort- Fountains Villas ( seems nice, close to DT Disney, no available Saturday check in right now(prefered), shuttle?)

- Hilton Grand Vacations at Seaworld ( Seems very nice, further away from disney, no sat. check in)

What would you guys do?
-Wait on a Disney resort with the ongoing search?
-Change the ongoing search to a 1 br at Disney?
-Book one of these 3 i have listed right now and cancel my ongoing search?

Personally, I would book offsite now, but we love offsite and being able to get out of the Disney bubble. You may still have time to catch a Disney resort, and there should be no problem getting offsite bookings for mid-November in a while UNLESS you mean Thanksgiving week. If it is the week of the 21-22-23 (check in) then book NOW before everything is gone.

Of the three resorts you list, we own at SVR but before purchasing the only other resorts we short-listed were the Hiltons (SeaWorld or I-Drive which is very close to Vistana Resort). These are very good quality resorts but low rise villa architecture; DW and I don't really like the hotel feel of the high-rise buildings with interior hallways (like VV@P).

SVR has shuttles to the parks, but there is a fee ($8pp). There are no "hidden fees" at all - no resort or parking fees, Wi-Fi is free, but there is a for fee upgrade available (we don't bother, we can get several devices on the free one without issue). They do also charge for mini-putt, rides in the Fish Pipe (if it is still there; temporary attraction) and some of the kids activities (supply fees). In general the only thing we ever pay on departure is any food we charge back to the room. There are 4 dining options onsite, and several restaurants a short walk away.

If you want a more in-depth dive on SVR, join us on this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3148502

Note that when staying offsite (anywhere), I would recommend a car over shuttles.

The one negative I have heard about VV@P is that the sales force there is kind of pushy (well, more so than others). Since you are timeshare aware however, you probably know how to avoid that.

 

[seethruguy]

We also could not get a 2 bedroom at a DVC for our August trip. We booked at WBC, our favorite non disney resort, we have stayed there before and love it. As you probably know it is, for all practical purposes on Disney property, in the EPCOT resort area, right next to CBR. We have stayed in a few other resorts through RCI. After WBC I like the Hiltons. Both have great pool complexes, but nook slides which my kids are addicted to. Orange lake is nice, but very big. You may have to drive to get to the pools.

 

[JimMIA]

The one negative I have heard about VV@P is that the sales force there is kind of pushy (well, more so than others). Since you are timeshare aware however, you probably know how to avoid that.

During our visit three weeks ago, we found exactly the opposite to be true. From checkin, we were directed to the "parking pass desk," but with the assurance "If you're not interested, just tell them." I politely told the salesman I would be wasting their time, and his only response was, "Enjoy your stay and have a great time."

During the stay, we received little flyers on our door inviting us to free breakfasts/lunches, but no phone calls. A couple of days there was a small desk set up in the lobby of our building to try to entice guests to the breakfast/lunch presentations, but there was really zero pressure. The staff at the desks didn't even speak unless spoken to, and when I wished them a good morning, they responded in kind never mentioning the free breakfast or presentation.

I thought it was a VERY low-key approach. Now...what they are like when you actually attend a presentation could be another matter entirely, but I don't know about that.

 

[JimMIA]

Note that when staying offsite (anywhere), I would recommend a car over shuttles.

After more than 30 trips to WDW, I strongly agree with this -- and IMHO, it can't be repeated often enough in these kinds of threads.

We live only 4 hours away, so we always drive anyway. But even when we stay ONsite, we drive to the theme parks. The convenience of just getting in your car and going -- instead of spending 3 hours per day or so waiting for, or riding on, buses -- is really a major factor. Our Ice Princess (figure skater) is now 12, but when she was much younger, the ability to come back to the resort for a pool/nap break in the middle of the day was priceless. It was literally the difference between a great day and a meltdown.

Even staying onsite and going to MK (where the buses take you right to the park, not to TTC), we drive. We took a Disney bus ONE time from OKW to MK just to try it, and have never ridden a Disney bus since.

Driving also opens up the vast world of offsite dining -- some of which is quite good, and all of which (from McDonalds to fine dining) offers more variety, better food, and significantly lower prices. I think a family of 4 staying for a week could easily save enough money dining offsite to pay for a rental car -- and basically have better food and all the convenience for nothing.

 

[Dork42775]

Well we will be driving down and we will have our car. The only issue for me is i don't believe in paying $17 a day for parking when they are already getting $100+ pp from us daily just to get into the parks. I know it's not that much but i am frugal when it comes to things like thiis ( i walk an extra 1/4 mile here just to avoid paying $5 downtown). I just feel like the monopoly that is Disney can set you back so much that it takes a little away from the experience. I mean a family of 4 for a week will cost close to half of the price to buy a new car.

I will probably lower my ongoing search to 1 br, hope to get that, and then drive from the Disney resort to the parks.

Thanks for all of the help so far.

 

[JimMIA]

I will probably lower my ongoing search to 1 br, hope to get that, and then drive from the Disney resort to the parks.

Don't change your existing OGS; that eliminates what you really want -- a DVC 2 bedroom.

Do a separate OGS for the one bedroom. Then whatever pops up, you will get. By now, the bulk deposits have probably fulfilled all of the longstanding OGS's, so a new OGS would not be at the normal disadvantage.

The only issue for me is i don't believe in paying $17 a day for parking when they are already getting $100+ pp from us daily just to get into the parks.

First, you should be able to improve greatly on that price by purchasing multi-day tickets. They're still expensive, but somewhat less than $100 per day per person.

As far as the parking fee, the comparison I would make with that is NOT to the ticket prices. I'd compare $17 vs. having a TWO bedroom offsite. If you can't get a 2BR DVC and have to squeeze into a 1BR, I'd gladly pay $17 per day more for a two bedroom!

 

[ICan'tWait]

Just fyi in regards to the parking cost. When we used RCI in the past to stay at Disney there was a $95 per week fee that you had to pay at check in. This was a couple years ago so I'm not sure if it's still there but thought I'd mention it...

We have not stayed at Vistana, yet, but are actually booked there this November for Thanksgiving.

We have stayed at Parkway in a one bedroom on a last call. I thought it was okay. We had strollers at the time and were high enough that we had to take the elevators, which were very, very slow and drove DH bonkers. He also disliked the pool area because he felt it was cold because it's constantly in the shade from the buildings. As a last call it's great for the price but if you're using points there are so many other nice places to stay. We've liked Silver Lakes in the past. Just 5 minutes to Animal Kingdom.

 

[haPevraftr]

Just fyi in regards to the parking cost. When we used RCI in the past to stay at Disney there was a $95 per week fee that you had to pay at check in. This was a couple years ago so I'm not sure if it's still there but thought I'd mention it...

We have not stayed at Vistana, yet, but are actually booked there this November for Thanksgiving.

We have stayed at Parkway in a one bedroom on a last call. I thought it was okay. We had strollers at the time and were high enough that we had to take the elevators, which were very, very slow and drove DH bonkers. He also disliked the pool area because he felt it was cold because it's constantly in the shade from the buildings. As a last call it's great for the price but if you're using points there are so many other nice places to stay. We've liked Silver Lakes in the past. Just 5 minutes to Animal Kingdom.

In the past few years, we have stayed at Sheraton Vistana, Silver Lake (Silver Points), Vacation Village at Parkway, and Wyndham Bonnet Creek... All booked as extra vacations through RCI and there was no additional fees charged at check-in.
In order of preference, we like:
WBC
SVR
VVP
SLR

Both VVP and SLR have 2 bedroom lockoffs, whereas WBC and SVR have "self-contained" 2 bedroom units.

 

[alice99]

Of the resorts you have listed I would definitely choose the Hilton at SeaWorld. I've been to all of these resorts and the Villas at the Parkway are absolutely the least desirable.

Also, in addition to putting a hold on the resort you want I would check RCI every day for a Disney Resort, I'd check in the AM and midday. In my experience, RCI is not perfect with holding resorts.

I just booked a Disney resort through RCI for the end of January, there were a few resorts available. For me, I have found that flexibility with my dates makes it easier with RCI.

 

[Dork42775]

So i changed it to a 1 br and got the Old Key West resort the next day for a 1 br. I know it's not the greatest DVC but it does offer decent size. What do you guys think?

 

[haPevraftr]

So i changed it to a 1 br and got the Old Key West resort the next day for a 1 br. I know it's not the greatest DVC but it does offer decent size. What do you guys think?

Love OKW!

 

[JimMIA]

So i changed it to a 1 br and got the Old Key West resort the next day for a 1 br. I know it's not the greatest DVC but it does offer decent size. What do you guys think?

OKW is our favorite DVC resort. Last year when I put in my OGS, I had only one option: an OKW 2 bedroom (because we had an additional family coming with us). Didn't list anything else, and would not have taken anything else.

We love the relaxed OKW ambiance. The villas are MUCH larger than other DVC properties, and they are laid out better. We don't bus, but OKW's buses typically get better reviews than any other resort. If you drive, you can be parked at any theme park in less than 15 minutes from OKW. And you park right in front of your villa, not a half-mile away. DD12 loves the pool so much that when we were staying at BCV and going back to SAB for a second visit, she wanted to go to "the pool with the sandcastle slide!"

I can only think of one drawback to OKW -- almost none of the buildings have elevators. We drive, so my wife takes a suitcase that weighs about 600 pounds. If we're on the top floor (3rd), it's a struggle to get that monster up the stairs. But once we're in, we're good...and it bounces down the stairs easily with only a couple of pushes.

You will love OKW! And congratulations on your exchange.

 

[alice99]

So i changed it to a 1 br and got the Old Key West resort the next day for a 1 br. I know it's not the greatest DVC but it does offer decent size. What do you guys think?

OKW 1 bedroom units are VERY BIG. I think you made the right decision. A 1 bedroom in OKW is about the same square footage of a 2 bedroom in another resort. The layout is spacious. My friend just stayed in one with her 5 kids, no problem.

 

[Dork42775]

There is a $95 fee due at check in but it only states it is for "help" with making reservations, getting tickets, etc... But there was no mention of it being for parking/shuttles privileges even though I know they are included. That being said my in laws are staying offsite and I am wondering if we can get 2 parking passes so they could drive to okw and take a shuttle with us to the parks?

 

[JimMIA]

There is a $95 fee due at check in but it only states it is for "help" with making reservations, getting tickets, etc... But there was no mention of it being for parking/shuttles privileges even though I know they are included.

That's DVC's "because we can" fee. I think the real purpose of it is to recoup the full RCI exchange fee when the DVC member exchanges OUT. They pay $95 out, you pay $95 in...DVC is covered. You get absolutely nothing for it other than what every other onsite guest gets for nothing.

That being said my in laws are staying offsite and I am wondering if we can get 2 parking passes so they could drive to okw and take a shuttle with us to the parks?

Generally speaking, DVC resorts allow however many parking passes you need per villa. I believe the only limitation is at the Treehouses, where the limit is two. So when they ask how many parking passes, just say "Two please." And thank you.

A couple of years ago we were staying at OKW and had some friends staying offsite who wanted to come for a pool day the next day. I asked for a pass for them, and the pass they gave me was for the entire length of our stay. They not only used it to visit us, but for parking at theme parks their entire stay (which was only for the weekend).