Lack of Food Courts at DVC Resorts

[JennyDrake]

We are staying at BLT next year. We plan on having breakfast in our room to save time. I have to agree with the PP and I want a vacation too

Ditto. Not only do I cook for family but also for employees. This summer I've fixed a BIG lunch (it's our main meal) w/ leftovers for supper for from 6-9 adults Every. Single. Day.

The LAST thing I want to do on vacation is food prep.

For that reason, DVC resorts don't appeal to me, but that doesn't mean they aren't a great situation for others!

Give me AS resorts with a food court.....

 

[JennyDrake]

AKV/AKL - quick service at AKL (Mara) and some food options at the AKV Kidani pool

Yes, but by the time to get to Mara and back, you could have roasted your own pig.....

 

[Princess-ish]

Take the new Grand Floridian Villas-I can't see a big value style food court stuck in the middle of that-yuck IMO.

Ironically... the GF already has a fairly decent QS option (Gasparilla Grill) on site... and it's slated for a nice rehab before the villas open.

 

[Tara]

Ditto. Not only do I cook for family but also for employees. This summer I've fixed a BIG lunch (it's our main meal) w/ leftovers for supper for from 6-9 adults Every. Single. Day.

The LAST thing I want to do on vacation is food prep.

For that reason, DVC resorts don't appeal to me, but that doesn't mean they aren't a great situation for others!

Give me AS resorts with a food court.....

I used to feel the same way...but after 10 years of WDW trips, eating out every single meal gets OLD. Having the freedom to do both is fantastic! (Plus, we almost never eat counter service.)

 

[jade1]

Ironically... the GF already has a fairly decent QS option (Gasparilla Grill) on site... and it's slated for a nice rehab before the villas open.

And so does WL and BLT, but the DVC wings do not. A POLY DVC would be similar as well. But none are the vast value resorts food courts similar to Allstars.

 

[Missytara]

I stayed at SSR one year, and we didn't mind not having a food court, since we only use it for breakfast.

We loved the fact that we could buy a bag of bagels and a container of cream cheese at the mini-store and eat while we were getting ready. Or we walked over to DTD and had breakfast at WPE or EOS.

The restaurant for lunch and dinner was phenomenal at SSR (The Turf Club) and we ate there often, so we didn't miss the food court at all.

 

[Princess-ish]

And so does WL and BLT, but the DVC wings do not. A POLY DVC would be similar as well. But none are the vast value resorts food courts similar to Allstars.

But why should they? Those DVC "wings" are simply additional room options to an existing resort, with existing amenities.

The gripe at BWV... is the same for those staying at the BWI... no QS option, period. It doesn't need to be a full fledge "food court"... but an option similar to the GF, CR, and WL would be a nice touch. The same could almost be said for the BC/BCV, although the Marketplace does feature limited offerings.

The advantage that the BWVs have over OKW (in regards to dinning) is it's access to additional dinning options (BW area, Y&BC, etc) all within walking distance.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Reading reviews on allears.net I was surprised to see how many people were disappointed by the lack of food court or quick service options at DVC resorts I.e. Old Key West and Boardwalk Villas.

In my opinion this disappointment is caused by improper research or being a new visitor to DVC villas. What I believe is that people arent prepared to have a full kitchen at their disposal and when they finally discover it they don't know how to use it to their advantage. Here are some tips to counter the disappointment of a lack of quick service or food court at DVC resorts.

1) if possible make a trip to a nearby grocery store to stock up breakfast and snack foods. If your on a tight budget get food to last your whole trip and eat in whenever possible.
2)eat breakfast in your room not only again is it cheaper but it saves from being stressed in the morning getting ready and getting out to eat
3)even if you don't eat big meals in your room at least stack up on quick meals and snacks for a late night snack or mid day meal

Being a DVC member has many perks which often go undiscovered careful planning and preparation can make the trip to the world that much more magical

I agree that it is nice to have a full kitchen, when we stay at DVC resorts we always have groceries delivered so that we can eat breakfast and have snacks. However, I have zero desire to prepare lunch or dinner in the villa because as a stay-at-home-mom I do that every day at home. My idea of a vacation is spending as little time in a kitchen as possible. We typically eat counter service lunches in the parks, come back to swim in the afternoons, then go back out for sit-down dinners at night. Of course if people want to cook meals in their villa that is great, to each his own! That's the best thing about WDW, there is something for everyone. If having a food court at your resort is super important to you then book a place that has one. Heck you can get 3 rooms at a value for less than the cost of a large villa.

 

[spiceycat]

generally only stay in studio - yes cheap!

ometimes after during the parks all day - or on those days when don't feel well - it would be nice to get a hamburger - not everyday - but on those days when I need one - w/o getting into a car and driving to another resort.

which is why LOVE BLT it has an excellent quick service that actually has hamburgers!!!!!! I can eat there or go back to my studio. IT is wonderfully!

that is one big reason that I don't like BWV - now most of the time I do eat in my studio my food - but when I want something that I did not cook - and don't want to go outside to get it - will stay at BLT not BWV. although appreciate BWV for the standard points - but that is about it.

also like to cook at home - freeze it and use this food at the studio.
t
so not surprised at all that others don't like it either. try to warn others about BWV, okw, and ssr - as being not a place to stay at if you food court stuff - or worst little ones that need more choices. unless you are lucky at OKW and SSR and get right by one of the food areas.

 

[twinboysmom]

It's a timeshare, not a hotel. You can always drive over to the value and moderate resorts and eat at their food courts.

Gee Deb, thanks for clarifying that for me. I am fully aware that it is a timeshare. I do not wish for a food court like at the values and moderate resorts. But, I enjoy the quick service at SSR and WL and would prefer some of the other resorts (boardwalk for example) have something similar.

 

[vicki_c]

Gee Deb, thanks for clarifying that for me. I am fully aware that it is a timeshare. I do not wish for a food court like at the values and moderate resorts. But, I enjoy the quick service at SSR and WL and would prefer some of the other resorts (boardwalk for example) have something similar.

But only OKW and (IMO) BWV don't have those real CS options (I think OKW is the worst). Of the 7 on-site DVCs (soon to be 8), 6 will have CS options at the resort.

So Boardwalk is really the only outlier with nothing IN the resort, and OKW CS options are just too limited. And even with the BW, it's no further to walk to the Boardwalk or even Beach Club Marketplace than it is to walk to the CS or food courts at many of the other resorts, deluxe or less. I think that's the thinking.

 

[jade1]

But only OKW and (IMO) BWV don't have those real CS options (I think OKW is the worst). Of the 7 on-site DVCs (soon to be 8), 6 will have CS options at the resort.

So Boardwalk is really the only outlier with nothing IN the resort, and OKW CS options are just too limited. And even with the BW, it's no further to walk to the Boardwalk or even Beach Club Marketplace than it is to walk to the CS or food courts at many of the other resorts, deluxe or less. I think that's the thinking.

 

[jade1]

But why should they? Those DVC "wings" are simply additional room options to an existing resort, with existing amenities.

The gripe at BWV... is the same for those staying at the BWI... no QS option, period. It doesn't need to be a full fledge "food court"... but an option similar to the GF, CR, and WL would be a nice touch. The same could almost be said for the BC/BCV, although the Marketplace does feature limited offerings.

The advantage that the BWVs have over OKW (in regards to dinning) is it's access to additional dinning options (BW area, Y&BC, etc) all within walking distance.

I dont think they should (read my post #20 above), I was just pointing out that some DVC resorts have some QS food nearby, the OP was pointing out that folks on another thread were saying DVC has no QS.

 

[jade1]

The gripe at BWV... is the same for those staying at the BWI... no QS option, period. It doesn't need to be a full fledge "food court"....

You mean something like this: Also the pizza window and bakery have quite a few items as well.

 

[goofy4tink]

Why stay at. A DVC resort in the first place... Your argument is irrelevant and makes no sense

I love my DVC resorts...own at both BWV and BLT....and I love that I can go over and grab something to eat at the Contempo Cafe. And I do the same thing at VWL and VAK and Kidani. I like that option. I understand that I can order food and then prepare it. But, in all reality??? That's not a vacation for me. I did make pancakes one morning in my full kitchen....it was a huge pain.

Thank you Lynn that's what I was trying to get at the fact that people are shocked by lack of food options doesn't make sense. Like you said the older DVC resorts were based upon the idea you stated, eating a majority of meals in your villa and not relying heavily on the resorts food offerings.

To sum up my whole point In this thread I'll leave it by saying people need to research what they are getting in a DVC resort. Yes the amenities are top notch but the way you vacation is completely different between a moderate resort and a DVC resort I.e. the food options

I completely understand what I'm getting in a DVC resort. But, I would still like some options...and at BWV, I don't have those options. If it's raining, I have to go outside to access the Boardwalk To Go kiosk. Nothing I want to do.

Most DVC resorts are actually part of deluxe resorts. ONLY OKW and SSR are unaffiliated with deluxe resorts. Of those deluxe resorts, NONE of the hotel rooms have kitchens. So I don't quite understand why you are singling out DVC resorts for not having food courts.

SSR has quick service options at Artist's Palette and at the new pool in the Paddock.
BCV/BC/YC - quick service at Beach Club Marketplace and Hurricane Hanna's pool bar (some limited breakfast items also available at the YC...I can't remember the name of the place just off the lobby)
BWV/BWI - limited quick service at the Bellevue Lounge and Boardwalk Bakery, some QS at the Luna Park pool, pizza window on the Boardwalk
AKV/AKL - quick service at AKL (Mara) and some food options at the AKV Kidani pool
BLT/CR - QS at the CR (Contempo Cafe? Can't remember the name) and some food options at the BLT pool
VWL/WL - QS at Roaring Forks
VGF/GF -QS at Gasparilla's Grill (expanding this venue) and soon to be offered at the feature pool as well

Honestly, I have no idea what the food options are at OKW.

I think people often make the same complaint about deluxe resorts, too.

Well then, you just took the words right out of my mouth!!!! Too funny.

 

[nkereina]

Ok so were back at square one why would a non-member stay at a DVC resort if they don't intend to use the kitchen and instead are expecting amenities in the resort like a big selection at quick service or food court

We do not own DVC but are considering renting points for a trip with my parents next year. We want to stay deluxe but cannot afford it other than renting DVC points. We also want to be within walking distance of Epcot and have a two bedroom villa so we can be in the same space, but have our own sleeping areas. We don't plan to set foot in the kitchen once. We are solely considering a villa for the price of the points and the location. So this is why a non-member would stay at a DVC resort who doesn't intend to use the kitchen.

I know fully that there is a lack of food court options, which is the one thing holding me back from booking. I have to decide if that is more important or if the location is more important. I'm not trying to eat pop tarts and cereal when I can have a full breakfast like from the POR food court. Grocery shopping and cooking are about the last two things I want to do when spending $5000+ on a week at Disney.

Just trying to give some insight into other scenarios people contend with as it relates to DVC...

 

[MakiraMarlena]

SSR has a large quick service dining area, doesn't it?

Boardwalk isn't just DVC. It's also a regular resort on the Inn side. And still no food court. So it's got to be some reason other than DVC. Same with Beach Club which had no quick service to speak of except for Hurricane Hanna's, until they built the Marketplace.

 

[nolanboys]

We waited 5 years before buying DVC and stayed in a DVC resort 2 times with a stay at a moderate in between. Now we always stay in a 2 bdrm because of our large family, but we love having the full kitchen. Everyone is different, but we happen to love not eating out every meal. It is just too much for us. The first time we stayed at a DVC resort, I packed one carryon with food. Just cereal and snacks. We loved eating in our room. On our stay at the moderate, we did the same thing, but found it harder to eat in our room -I even packed bowls and spoons, but found it a pain to wash them in the bathroom sink. On our last trip before buying, we found the perfect mix - we shipped dry goods down and ordered from garden grocer. We ate all breakfasts, some lunches and a couple on simple dinners as well as snacks in our room. We decided to buy after that. Again, I understand why it wouldn't work for some, but for us, it was. I should also mention, that when we stayed at POFQ, we hardly used the food court there. Everyone vacations differently - we have found that we much prefer having a kitchen and washer/dryer. As long people understand the pros and cons about DVC resorts, they can make a good decision for their family.

 

[Disney Doll]

DVC owner. Love having light easy continental type breakfast in the room. Everyone just helps themselves. It's nice to not have to rush out and buy breakfast every morning. There's something to be said for sitting on your balcony drinking your tea.

We don't cook meals. We may heat up leftovers from another meal for a snack, but that's as close to "cooking" as we get. The kitchen is mainly used to hold our adult beverages and the hors d'ourvres that go with them.

 

[robinb]

I completely understand what I'm getting in a DVC resort. But, I would still like some options...and at BWV, I don't have those options. If it's raining, I have to go outside to access the Boardwalk To Go kiosk. Nothing I want to do.

Not to mention that there is nothing even remotely healthy on that menu. At least the snack shops at the non-Epcot deluxes have interesting food. I get enough junky food in the parks, I don't need to eat a corn dog back at my resort.

Add me to the list of people who feel that QS is lacking at BWV, BCV, OKW & AKV-K. I was pretty surprised when they didn't add a small QS restaurant over at Kidani. That is one of the reasons why I am hesitant to stay over there as we usually book a studio.