Non-member Villa Stays

[MJS]

We are not DVC members, but we are thinking of trying a villa for an upcoming trip. The rooms that are available to us are "standard" view. How are non-DVC members assigned rooms? Are we destined for a view of the parking lot? We are thinking about the BWV or VWL. Thanks!

 

[RobDoc]

The only DVC resort that has "standard" view rooms is BWV- and many of those rooms will have a nice glimpse of Illuminations.

Room requests are honored in the order they were received, so those made 11 months in advance should have a better chance to be met than those made 2 months ahead- whether a member or cash guest.

BWV has both standard and preferred view room (Preferred will have a view of water). VWL will have wooded views- some towards the lake- some towards the bus area.

BCV has pool views and wooded views towards Epcot.

OKW has water, golf course and woods views.

Good Luck!

 

[dizfanz]

MJS, my first stay at a DVC resort was renting someone else's points as well. I stayed at OKW. To be honest, you can't lose no matter what your view is. The rooms are so much better that a regular hotel room, even at a Disney Resort. I only rented once. I bought 6 months later. Have fun.

Dizfanz

 

[MJS]

Thanks for the response. The term "standard" is what appears on Disney's web site for all of the villas. I do wonder if the "owners" take priority over the "renters" regardless of the time booked. For example, I make a reservation now for the VWL in December 2002. A DVC member makes the same reservation in October 2002. Wouldn't their reservation take priority over mine because they are an owner? If the VWL is almost full, could I be bumped? Or if I can get in, and I am going to get the "worst" room (if there is such a thing...) Thanks!

One important point, I am not renting anyones points, but I am reserving the room from CRO, just as I would a stay at the Poly, etc.

 

[PamOKW]

I don't think those who arrange rooms through Disney are given inferior views. If anything, I think they might be given some of the better rooms. It's really just like any other WDW hotel. They certainly won't given you just the "leftovers".

I think the term "standard" appears on the Disney site because there is only one price no matter the view. They have made a differentiation at BWV for DVC members for those rooms that face out of the front of the resort vs. the "back" pool/boardwalk views. That is the only distinction in less points.

In short, someone who books through CRO will be treated equally or possibly better than a DVC member....they will not be treated as second-class to a DVC member.

 

[CarolMN]

Guests who book BWV for cash via CRO/Travel Agent can end up anywhere in the resort. The only time "standard" or "preferred" mean anything is when the room is reserved with points.

It is my understanding that owners requests are given priority over the request of "cash" guests. However, there are so many other factors that go into assigning rooms, not the least of which is the rooms that are vacant and available to be assigned on the day you check in. Keep in mind that some cash guests have posted that they obtained the coveted Boardwalk view and that many owners only request smoking or non-smoking.

IMHO, there are very, very few (if any) "bad" rooms at any of the DVC resorts. Those parking lot views at BWV have beautiful landscaping between the lot and the villa and some of them have views of the EPCOT fireworks. And since a lot of owners prefer those rooms (lower points), you probably won't get one even if you request it!

My advice is to go ahead and reserve a villa (if you can even get one) and then quit worrying about the room/view. Good luck!