i want to take a day to tour all the dvc properties - make sense?

[MIALIAS]

We are close to signing a contract and taking our first dvc trip. I was going to put 1 day aside to hop around and see all the properties so I can decide which one to buy next time.

1)Is this doable?

2)Does this make sense?

3) Would it be smart to do this with a car or not?

4) To make it fun for my older kids - are there suggestions to to do/see at each location to make it a nice day for them?

Thanks!

 

[k3chantal]

Definitely you would need a car since the buses do not go to resort to resort to resort but rather to resort to park etc....

To be honest with you, as much as I am curious about the properties I haven't seen, I don't know why you would 'spend' one day doing this.

We like to incorporate any 'resort looking' with a meal. For instance, one day we went to eat at Boma and saw AKL and to another day to Whispering Canyon at VWL. You can easily incorporate a visit to these resorts when you are visiting the park that is closest. When we spent the day at MK, we went to Whispering Canyon on the boat.

It's great that you are eager about your new purchase; its a purchase that I appreciate every year even more. But take your time and learn how to use your current points first before jumping in for even more. There is quite a learning curve.

 

[chalee94]

1)Is this doable?

probably take too long.

2)Does this make sense?

i wouldn't do it but if it suits you to do an unofficial tour, sure.

3) Would it be smart to do this with a car or not?

a car is better.

4) To make it fun for my older kids - are there suggestions to to do/see at each location to make it a nice day for them?

dining is probably the main thing.

AKV - has the savannas with giraffes and zebras
BWV/BCV - save it for the evening and hope the street performers (jugglers/magicians/sword-swallowers) are out.

OKW - good option for sit down breakfast at olivia's - maybe take the boat to DTD (then go catch the boat to SSR - probably at a different dock these days - not sure.)

the boardwalk has a model 2BR for BWV so that's worth a stop as well (not sure how late it's open, though.) keep in mind that in general, you may not be able to see inside a villa unless the front desk has time to help you and an available room to show you...

 

[ThumpersWorld]

When we went a year and a half ago to look we were able to see that 2 bedroom villa at BWV. We walked over to the BCV and although we could look around we weren't able to see any villas. I find a good way to research is through the various threads where many helpful people have posted pictures and tons of information on the various resorts.

 

[gatorgirl02]

We are close to signing a contract and taking our first dvc trip. I was going to put 1 day aside to hop around and see all the properties so I can decide which one to buy next time.

1)Is this doable?

2)Does this make sense?

3) Would it be smart to do this with a car or not?

4) To make it fun for my older kids - are there suggestions to to do/see at each location to make it a nice day for them?

Thanks!

Despite what others say, I think it makes a lot of sense We actually just did this yesterday, so to answer your questions:


1)Is this doable?
So they do a more formal "open house" that starts at Saratoga, and I think they have a few resorts you can see that way. Otherwise, you just have to go to the resorts that are selling to see the models (Animal Kingdom and Bay Lake Towers and the model at Boardwalk) and for the others not actively selling, you can just go to the front desk and ask if they have any open rooms you can view. Most cases, they will have some type of room, although maybe not the exact one you were looking for. The staff was super nice though when we asked about that. Beachclub even accomodated us at like 9:30 pm.

2)Does this make sense?
Yep, we actually changed our thinking about where we wanted to purchase.

3) Would it be smart to do this with a car or not?
Definitely use a car, it is way to hard to get from each resort without one.

4) To make it fun for my older kids - are there suggestions to to do/see at each location to make it a nice day for them?
At Boardwalk and Beach Club, your kids can walk around the boardwalk area and Beach Club has a great ice cream shop . At AKV, the resort itself is really pretty, plus the kids can go to one of the animal viewing areas and see the wildlife. Wilderness has some cool stuff in the lobby. Not to much at BLT.

I hope that helps. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[MIALIAS]

good advice so far...I'd like to hear more. Thanks Gatorgirl for the great info...Im just curious you said it actually helped you change your mind.

from what before to where after???

 

[AllieV]

I agree with others that I'd fit it into the week one or two at a time, scheduling meals there. You could BW and BC at the same time, eating at Kat Kora's then going over to Beaches n Cream for desert. You could schedule a spa appt at SSR, which might be nice for older kids (pedicure, etc) then have lunch by the pool. I think they'd let you in to do that so long as you don't swim. SSR is walking distance to downtown disney, so you could visit SSR then go to DTD for dinner (there's a boat, too). Go to BLT at night when you can sit in the lounge and watch fireworks and have dinner at the polynesian. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Missyrose]

I agree with others that I'd fit it into the week one or two at a time, scheduling meals there. You could BW and BC at the same time, eating at Kat Kora's then going over to Beaches n Cream for desert. You could schedule a spa appt at SSR, which might be nice for older kids (pedicure, etc) then have lunch by the pool. I think they'd let you in to do that so long as you don't swim. SSR is walking distance to downtown disney, so you could visit SSR then go to DTD for dinner (there's a boat, too). Go to BLT at night when you can sit in the lounge and watch fireworks and have dinner at the polynesian. Just my 2 cents.

You can't use the TOTWL lounge at BLT unless you are staying there on points.

 

[disneynutz]

We are close to signing a contract and taking our first dvc trip. I was going to put 1 day aside to hop around and see all the properties so I can decide which one to buy next time.

1)Is this doable?

2)Does this make sense?

3) Would it be smart to do this with a car or not?

4) To make it fun for my older kids - are there suggestions to to do/see at each location to make it a nice day for them?

Thanks!

Why didn't you check out the resorts before you bought?

Now that you have points available, I would book split stay vacations at the resorts that you are interested in. Staying at a resort will always give you better info than just walking through it.

Bill

 

[Dean]

You can do so and I'd suggest it if it interests you. You don't really need to see all the rooms so walking around the resorts and seeing a rooms at a couple should be sufficient to give you a feel. The models should be enough to do that. DVC has always been difficult about just giving you a key to see a room but at times they will do so as well. I usually take a part of a day on any trip (usually while wife is at the pool) and check out a couple of timeshares in the area. I find it rewarding and actually just did this yesterday in Panama City.

You will need a car though to do all of them unless you'd be there for an extended period.

 

[lpoeppelman]

We just did this! Just got back from the mouse. Our trip was specifically to take a 3 day trip without kids this time. We only did the park 1-day (w/hopper)... so the other two days we spent perusing the resorts.

It was fun!

At Saratoga we got appetizers and drinks... enjoyed a tour of the pool and building (later we did visit DVC the last day, only to see the rooms)

At Animal Kingdom we had dinner and drinks while we waited at the bar. Very nice! We loved this resort but thought it was too far out of the way.

At Old Key West we enjoyed touring the resort and had drinks at the pool bar.

We had a really nice time! We had already been to the rest of the resorts. But doing this and getting some pool time in at the resort we were staying at did take some time. So I don't know if you have enough time for an entire day.

I would only do it with a car.

Good luck!

We are close to signing a contract and taking our first dvc trip. I was going to put 1 day aside to hop around and see all the properties so I can decide which one to buy next time.

1)Is this doable?

2)Does this make sense?

3) Would it be smart to do this with a car or not?

4) To make it fun for my older kids - are there suggestions to to do/see at each location to make it a nice day for them?

Thanks!

 

[gatorgirl02]

good advice so far...I'd like to hear more. Thanks Gatorgirl for the great info...Im just curious you said it actually helped you change your mind.

from what before to where after???

We had thought we wanted Boardwalk, but actually like Beach Club a lot better. We had also not really considered Wilderness Lodge, but this ended up being one of our favorites .

I hope you have fun on your DVC viewing trip!