Help - Villa's - all sorts of Qs

[ahamel918]

Hi -

I am starting to research a trip to disney. I don't know where to start and need some help. Here's the details.

Dates: Early May 08 or Early Dec 08 (leaning toward Dec)
Hotels: Would like to stay in a 2 bedroom Villa at Boardwalk or Beach Club or would like to stay there for a few days and then Poly a few days in 2 rooms
Traveling - 4 adults/3 kids

Questions:
1. Are there any pros/cons for Boardwalk over Beach Club?
2. Can I only make ressies for Villas 11 months out? Hence why nothing is showing up for Dec 08?
3. Why does it seem the pricing for the Villa's is low? 2 bedroom BC Villa $595/night for Dec (Value Season) vs a 2-bedroom at the hotel ($1200+). Why such a big difference (these are 07 rates just to get an idea)
4. Will I have trouble booking a Villa without using DVC points? I'm new to this and that seems way too complicated.
5. Are there disadvantages to a Villa? Hence the lower price?

Anything else I need to know about staying in a Villa before I get too far into this?

Thanks at ton.
Alison

 

[Perditamarie]

I will try to help out as best I can.

1. BWV over BCV -- both are super. The BC pool is spectacular and makes this a very popular choice, and therefore could be harder to get. If you have small toddlers, the BCV pool requires vigilant supervision as it is huge and meandering. The BWV pool complex is compact and kid-friendly. Neither has a food court, but food is a little easier to get at BC w/a market that can make some items fresh, on Boardwalk, you actually have to hit the boards to grab grub. I recommend ordering groceries online to stock your villa.

2. I don't have a lot of faith in the on-line booking system! If you are renting points from a DVC member, it is recommended to organize your transaction from someone who owns at whichever resort you are looking at, so you can book at the 11 month window, the earliest for a DVC member, and therefore secure your desired accomodation. If you are going through central reservations, it all depends on availability of inventory, based on DVC occupency. Check out the DVC boards here, where the particulars of renting points can be much better explained.

3. I think the difference in prices between villas and suites has to do w/perception. If you have the bucks to rent a suite, you don't want to even see a kitchen, because you will be on the quadruple deluxe dining plan. The villas have a kitchenette (studios) or full on kitchens. That is my theory anyway.

4. I believe availability of DVC units through central reservations has to do w/how many units are being used by DVC owners of the specific property. If you go through central reservations, you will invariably pay more, but will also have daily maid service. If you rent points, you may pay between $10-12 a point and only get maid service on the 4th or 5th day. You can pay extra for daily service and points are cheapest from Sun-Thurs.

5. I have not seen any disadvantages to the villas: they have excellent locations, amenities and service. I am not offended to see a kitchen, and indeed, appreciate it very much.

Hope this helps.

 

[grumpy.uncle]

Hi -

I am starting to research a trip to disney. I don't know where to start and need some help. Here's the details.

Dates: Early May 08 or Early Dec 08 (leaning toward Dec)
Hotels: Would like to stay in a 2 bedroom Villa at Boardwalk or Beach Club or would like to stay there for a few days and then Poly a few days in 2 rooms
Traveling - 4 adults/3 kids

Questions:
1. Are there any pros/cons for Boardwalk over Beach Club?
2. Can I only make ressies for Villas 11 months out? Hence why nothing is showing up for Dec 08?
3. Why does it seem the pricing for the Villa's is low? 2 bedroom BC Villa $595/night for Dec (Value Season) vs a 2-bedroom at the hotel ($1200+). Why such a big difference (these are 07 rates just to get an idea)
4. Will I have trouble booking a Villa without using DVC points? I'm new to this and that seems way too complicated.
5. Are there disadvantages to a Villa? Hence the lower price?

Anything else I need to know about staying in a Villa before I get too far into this?

Thanks at ton.
Alison

1. Both BW and BC are nice; similar locations on the Epcot lagoon. Depends what you are looking for. Both have great pools, but you have the SAB pool at YC that you get to use while staying at the BC. It is the best pool on Disney property IMO. View from your room tends to be nicer at BWV. Have read some posts here where people really did not like the view from their BC room. The back section of BC can look out on a service road and a swampy area behind the WS. If you want to do counter service meals, BC has more options as your only options at BW are either the bakery or pizza. 2. Unless you book a 2-BR thru a DVC member at the eleventh month mark, you may not be able to get what you want. I believe that Disney allows DVC owners to book until the 9th month out, and then Disney can start booking whatever DVC rooms are left. 3. The 2-BR vacation homes are an incredible deal. The rooms are large with a studio unit attached to an adjoining 1-BR unit. The studio has a mini kitchenette w/ toaster, coffeemaker, and mini fridge, a queen size bed and a double hide-a-bed. The connecting 1-BR unit has a king bed in the bedroom and a queen hide-a-bed in the living room along with a massive bathroom suite, a stacked washer and dryer, and a fully equipped kitchen w/ a range, fridge, and a dishwasher. This is why people buy into DVC. The rooms are nice. 4. You can go to the DVC section of the DIS boards to get more of your questions answered. Follow the DIS guidelines about renting points. Use some precautions, ask for references, and try paying w/ paypal or some service that has some recourse. There are very few posts from people who have had problems renting. It is also a better deal to rent points from a DVC member, as Disney rents these same rooms for more than DVC members rent them for. 5. There aren't any disadvantages to renting DVC other than you won't get any free dining promotion while renting thru a DVC owner. You can book ME, DDP, etc. At some of the resorts, you might have a longer walk from the lobby or not as choice of view when staying DVC. Other than that, you can use all the same facilities at that resort.

 

[Sammie]

The villas are very nice but they can't compare to a 2 bedroom suite, hence the price. Also suites come with Concierge service.

Booking villas that are located at DVC resorts. You can only book them after DVC releases the inventory into the system. So no I don't think you can book them this far out. Call the Reservation Center and ask, I would not book anything online with Disney.

Renting from a member is only a value if you are only going to stay Sunday thru Thurs. Also it would be a private transaction between you and another member and most do not offer cancellations. Any problems are between you and the person you rent from, Disney will not get involved. If you are considering renting from a member, go to the DVC Rent/Trade and read all the FAQs.

You will not have any trouble booking a villa with Disney and as a cash guest you get full housekeeping just as all resorts do.

 

[jordanyosh]

1) BCV is slightly closer to the Epcot International Gateway entrance. BCV has access to Stormalong Bay. BCV closets are smaller, but have a separate room off the bathroom just for the commode (nice). BWVs have more water views (pools, canals, lake). It's pretty even for me. Neither would be a bad choice, although I would probably choose BCV.

2) DVC members can book at their home resort no sooner than 11 months out. WDW waits until members have booked at their home resort to start booking rooms to non-members.

3) See posts above

4) No, you can rent points from a DVC member or just book through WDW directly or through a travel agent. Shouldn't be too much of an issue.

5) No disadvantages that I can see unless you have aversion to having a kitchen and a FREE washer/dryer (you may be able to pack a bit less) at your disposal any time of day. The ONLY disadvantage would be you MAY (not always) see a bit of wear and tear at a DVC resort. As mentioned by another person, mousekeeping only comes and does a full cleaning every 4th day with longer stays. This means if someone spills something and it doesn't get taken care of right away, stains may set. In addition, you have a kitchen which just lends itself to food dropping on the carpet....I personally haven't seen this in 5 stays at DVC resorts, but it has been mentioned on this site as an issue and I would like to forewarn you so you are not surprised IF you indeed run into a bit of wear and tear. I love DVC resorts and would prefer staying at one rather than a regular deluxe.