We just returned from our annual July DVC trip at midnight on Sat night. We are exhausted, but we had a great trip! We stayed at 4 resorts, as we love to do split stays, but we are thinking of giving that a break for next year. We have stayed everywhere on property, except GF (it's always been booked when we wanted to stay), so after having stayed at all resorts, we are going to go back to 1 resort at a time for the next while as we lose a bit of time with packing/unpacking, checking in and switching resorts. It's a fairly easy process, but with the July heat, we need all of the energy we can get for the parks!
Here is a mini resort review:
1. July 11-17, Boardwalk, 1 bed, standard view - I posted a live trip thread the other day, so here is that link, as we covered most things there: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2227305
This was my favourite resort of the trip! We are thinking of staying at BWV next year again in standard view, as this is a heck of a deal!
2. July 17-19, Beach Club, Studio - Great view as we could see Wishes! That was a pleasant surprise! We added this as a weekend stay so kids could play at SAB. Check-in was ok (folder was missing some pertinent info as CM was in training - no big deal), room was spotless and very tidy. We did have an issue with coming back to our room, and door was open. We immediately called down and a manager called us back within seconds (couldn't go down as kids were exhausted and needed both of us). We always shut door behind us, but perhaps we missed it? At any rate, nothing was amiss or missing, so manager said she would check to see if anyone entered, and would not be getting back to us, as it more than likely wouldn't be necessary. We didn't follow up as nothing was stolen.
Our issue with this resort is the lack of food options available. Hurricane's closes at 9:00 pm, and Beach Club Marketplace only has stale sandwiches for sale. We wasted a credit on a gross sandwich, undedible cookie and a drink. We then had to walk the kids all the way over to Boardwalk. We were not happy at all about this - they are definitely missing the boat with not having more CS or quick type food options available - not everyone wants to eat gelato or chips at 9:00 pm!
3. July 19 - 22, Old Key West, 1 bedroom - Although these rooms are huge, and have a great layout, this was our least favourite resort. We much prefer hotel style resorts. We just didn't feel like we were at Disney - perhaps this is good for some, but not for us. We also didn't care for no elevators, convulated buildings and being very far away from main building. We also had a series of issues:
a) Check in - Messed up several things, including express check out. This was an inconvenience. Also, because resort is so big, it took over 1 hour for our luggage to arrive - in all of the other resorts, it literally took minutes, and they were knocking on our doors.
b) Condition of room - Although very clean and sparkling, we had to throw out previous guests food, hair ties and toothpicks. Not sure how these things were missed? Again, no big deal, but with a baby, it could have been. Also, a huge burn in carpet, balcony was disgusting with bird droppings, mold and dirt all over it, missing lightbulbs and missing Internet cable. We called all of these items into maintenance when we checked out.
c) Getting around resort - Oh boy! There are no paths/bridges, like at SSR, in which to walk to pool or ferry boat. It was much too far to walk with kids, so we had to drive to pool. Lack of parking and driving around all of the constant busses, is a problem. It's highly congested at main building with busses, check in, parking for pool/ferry boat and dining at Olivia's. If we are going to drive to catch ferry boat to Downtown Disney, then we might as well just drive to Downtown Disney, so that is what we did. DH did not like having to drive to pool at all. Lack of food options again, was a problem. We felt like we were at someone's apartment, and not at Disney. We don't prefer this feeling at all, so we won't be staying here again. We are glad we tried it out though - rooms are so spacious!
4. July 22-24, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, 1 bedroom - This was a last minute addition as we didn't care for Old Key West at all. We are so glad we stayed here as we loved taking the ferry boat to MK. Last time we stayed here, baby was hospitalized with multiple illnesses, so we didn't get to enjoy the resort at all. Loved watching the water pageant from the beach too! Room was clean, but shower was a bit moldy, and our view was horrible! We were in the room that is on top of the covered walkway between hotel and DVC. It was a terrible view!! Layout of room was ok, washer/dryer are ancient and need to be replaced too. Room was tidy and clean. Great food options here - really enjoyed it!
All in all, we had a great split stay (the luggage fairies were great at all resorts) - we always find positives, so we found something we liked at each resort, with certain resorts being more to our liking. Rooms were all in good condition, except for a few burn marks and stains on carpets/furniture - bathrooms were all very sparkling, but more attention needs to be paid to BWV and VWL showers as they both had mold and mildew in them - not good for our allergies. We have to say too, that we hardly heard "Welcome Home" at all during our trip, despite wearing hats, tote bags and shirts. Even the security guards when returning to resort didn't say it - this was sad for us, as we love to hear that!
If anyone has any questions, I'd be glad to answer! Thanks, Tiger
Here is a mini resort review:
1. July 11-17, Boardwalk, 1 bed, standard view - I posted a live trip thread the other day, so here is that link, as we covered most things there: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2227305
This was my favourite resort of the trip! We are thinking of staying at BWV next year again in standard view, as this is a heck of a deal!
2. July 17-19, Beach Club, Studio - Great view as we could see Wishes! That was a pleasant surprise! We added this as a weekend stay so kids could play at SAB. Check-in was ok (folder was missing some pertinent info as CM was in training - no big deal), room was spotless and very tidy. We did have an issue with coming back to our room, and door was open. We immediately called down and a manager called us back within seconds (couldn't go down as kids were exhausted and needed both of us). We always shut door behind us, but perhaps we missed it? At any rate, nothing was amiss or missing, so manager said she would check to see if anyone entered, and would not be getting back to us, as it more than likely wouldn't be necessary. We didn't follow up as nothing was stolen.
Our issue with this resort is the lack of food options available. Hurricane's closes at 9:00 pm, and Beach Club Marketplace only has stale sandwiches for sale. We wasted a credit on a gross sandwich, undedible cookie and a drink. We then had to walk the kids all the way over to Boardwalk. We were not happy at all about this - they are definitely missing the boat with not having more CS or quick type food options available - not everyone wants to eat gelato or chips at 9:00 pm!
3. July 19 - 22, Old Key West, 1 bedroom - Although these rooms are huge, and have a great layout, this was our least favourite resort. We much prefer hotel style resorts. We just didn't feel like we were at Disney - perhaps this is good for some, but not for us. We also didn't care for no elevators, convulated buildings and being very far away from main building. We also had a series of issues:
a) Check in - Messed up several things, including express check out. This was an inconvenience. Also, because resort is so big, it took over 1 hour for our luggage to arrive - in all of the other resorts, it literally took minutes, and they were knocking on our doors.
b) Condition of room - Although very clean and sparkling, we had to throw out previous guests food, hair ties and toothpicks. Not sure how these things were missed? Again, no big deal, but with a baby, it could have been. Also, a huge burn in carpet, balcony was disgusting with bird droppings, mold and dirt all over it, missing lightbulbs and missing Internet cable. We called all of these items into maintenance when we checked out.
c) Getting around resort - Oh boy! There are no paths/bridges, like at SSR, in which to walk to pool or ferry boat. It was much too far to walk with kids, so we had to drive to pool. Lack of parking and driving around all of the constant busses, is a problem. It's highly congested at main building with busses, check in, parking for pool/ferry boat and dining at Olivia's. If we are going to drive to catch ferry boat to Downtown Disney, then we might as well just drive to Downtown Disney, so that is what we did. DH did not like having to drive to pool at all. Lack of food options again, was a problem. We felt like we were at someone's apartment, and not at Disney. We don't prefer this feeling at all, so we won't be staying here again. We are glad we tried it out though - rooms are so spacious!
4. July 22-24, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, 1 bedroom - This was a last minute addition as we didn't care for Old Key West at all. We are so glad we stayed here as we loved taking the ferry boat to MK. Last time we stayed here, baby was hospitalized with multiple illnesses, so we didn't get to enjoy the resort at all. Loved watching the water pageant from the beach too! Room was clean, but shower was a bit moldy, and our view was horrible! We were in the room that is on top of the covered walkway between hotel and DVC. It was a terrible view!! Layout of room was ok, washer/dryer are ancient and need to be replaced too. Room was tidy and clean. Great food options here - really enjoyed it!
All in all, we had a great split stay (the luggage fairies were great at all resorts) - we always find positives, so we found something we liked at each resort, with certain resorts being more to our liking. Rooms were all in good condition, except for a few burn marks and stains on carpets/furniture - bathrooms were all very sparkling, but more attention needs to be paid to BWV and VWL showers as they both had mold and mildew in them - not good for our allergies. We have to say too, that we hardly heard "Welcome Home" at all during our trip, despite wearing hats, tote bags and shirts. Even the security guards when returning to resort didn't say it - this was sad for us, as we love to hear that!
If anyone has any questions, I'd be glad to answer! Thanks, Tiger
While the walks may be too long for guests with children, there is no lack of transportation to get you to the pool. You could have ridden any bus to the pool. Every bus stops at the Hospitality House as the last stop before leaving the resort. There is also a Downtown Disney bus. Transportation is explained in the information packet you received on check in.
This is hardly a good usage of resources though, IMHO. They absolutely should add walking paths, like at SSR. It's not good for the environment, nor the already very traffic congested areas of the resort, for people to have to drive to the pool. Walking is fine, and should be encouraged at all resorts, and safe walking paths/bridges, would allow for this. With the current layout they have though, it's too far for kids, and with some heavily congested areas - not safe to be walking with the kids around all of those busses/cars. Doesn't make sense to us at all...
