Pocket doors, duvets, dedicated 2BRs, most popular DVC units?

[BoardwalkSuzy]

More questions about DVC ownership and room features (pending BWV points to be passed by Disney) - thanks to anyone who can answer:

#1: Pocket doors: I once stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and was surprised to find an annoying pocket door for the bathroom door. Sharing the room with several other girls, it was very loud opening and closing the door each time and pretty much woke anyone trying to sleep. Just heard from someone staying at BLT villas, that their dedicated 2 bedroom had the pocket door for the bathroom and found it annoying. Are there other DVC's that have these annoying pocket doors in place of a regular door for their bathroom? Does anyone actually like pocket doors?

#2: Duvets: Also, I heard that BLT is utilizing duvets! Is this true? Finally, Disney is phasing out the heavy dirty bedspreads that everyone just folds up (I hope), and puts away upon arrival because they are never cleaned. Are there any other resorts using duvets that are getting washed between guests? I asked the DVC guide about the bedspreads, and she couldn't comment on the cleaning regiment for them (sshhh - they don't get washed, dry cleaned, or steam cleaned unless someone vomits on them I hear).

#3: No availability: What type DVC units get booked up first? I was surprised to read from someone that they thought the standard view studios were the first to book up (well, after the grand villas) - more popular than one bedrooms and two bedrooms. Who has had trouble booking their desired room type they want at the 11 & 7 month windows?

#4: Dedicated 2 bedrooms: We're trying for dedicated 2 bedrooms, until kids are teenagers, then aiming for the grand villas which BWV has 5, as well as 2 townhouse grand villas with stairs. Found out just the other day that BWV has no dedicated 2 bedroom units, though (where we are in contract to buy our points). Can you reserve and be guaranteed a dedicated two bedroom at 7 month window easily, and at which DVC resorts? If all that is available when we arrive is a shut-off studio attached to a one-bedroom, is the door set up where the kids for fun or by accident, could lock their parents out of their room?

 

[Sandisw]

Welcome and I hope that you pass ROFR quickly. I will try and answer some of your questions:

1. Pocket doors- I stayed at BLT and don't like them either. We also stayed at VWL and BWV (studios) last summer and those had the regular doors.

2. Both VWL and BWV had bedspreads and BLT had the duvet.

3. It really depends on when you travel and what you want. December is a very popular time for DVC so many book 11 months out. At 7 months, trading is hit or miss. It does seem that the SV rooms at BLT are the most popular, along with MK view. Getting LV rooms there at 7 months seems to be pretty good. However, it is not a sold out resort yet so who knows if that trend will continue.

4. No room type is guaranteed until you call and book it. Dedicated 2 bedrooms at the other resorts is a booking category so you will know if you get one or not at the time of booking. Again, the availability at 7 months will really depend on the resort and the time of year you are staying. If none are available, then you will have to choose something else.

We booked our late July/early August 2010 trip at 11 months and was able to get SV rooms at BLT (studio for 2 nights, and 1 bedroom for the other 4). At 7 months, I was able to trade the 2 studio nights to BCV. At 6 months, I added a 3rd night at BCV and then changed from 4 to 3 nights in a 1 bedroom at BLT. I also changed to LV and there were no issues.

Good luck!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

More questions about DVC ownership and room features (pending BWV points to be passed by Disney) - thanks to anyone who can answer:

#1: Pocket doors: I once stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and was surprised to find an annoying pocket door for the bathroom door. Sharing the room with several other girls, it was very loud opening and closing the door each time and pretty much woke anyone trying to sleep. Just heard from someone staying at BLT villas, that their dedicated 2 bedroom had the pocket door for the bathroom and found it annoying. Are there other DVC's that have these annoying pocket doors in place of a regular door for their bathroom? Does anyone actually like pocket doors?

It's not pocket doors at BLT - it is a barn door. You'll still get the noise from it sliding along the rails though compared to the click of a regular door latch

#2: Duvets: Also, I heard that BLT is utilizing duvets! Is this true? Finally, Disney is phasing out the heavy dirty bedspreads that everyone just folds up (I hope), and puts away upon arrival because they are never cleaned. Are there any other resorts using duvets that are getting washed between guests? I asked the DVC guide about the bedspreads, and she couldn't comment on the cleaning regiment for them (sshhh - they don't get washed, dry cleaned, or steam cleaned unless someone vomits on them I hear).

So far only BLT. I too hope that other's change for all the reasons you mention.

#3: No availability: What type DVC units get booked up first? I was surprised to read from someone that they thought the standard view studios were the first to book up (well, after the grand villas) - more popular than one bedrooms and two bedrooms. Who has had trouble booking their desired room type they want at the 11 & 7 month windows?

It has happened to me which is why I always have about 3 options I would like to try and book.

#4: Dedicated 2 bedrooms: We're trying for dedicated 2 bedrooms, until kids are teenagers, then aiming for the grand villas which BWV has 5, as well as 2 townhouse grand villas with stairs. Found out just the other day that BWV has no dedicated 2 bedroom units, though (where we are in contract to buy our points). Can you reserve and be guaranteed a dedicated two bedroom at 7 month window easily, and at which DVC resorts? If all that is available when we arrive is a shut-off studio attached to a one-bedroom, is the door set up where the kids for fun or by accident, could lock their parents out of their room?



You would probably have no problem getting a dedicated 2BR at Saratoga or OKW most times of the year. AKV is probably likely as well and maybe even BLT lakeview at some times. And - at OKW even the lock-offs have two beds in. It is the only DVC with this configuration b/c the studios have two beds so that could always be your back up plan.

 

[BigTigger]

1. Pocket doors- I stayed at BLT and don't like them either. We also stayed at VWL and BWV (studios) last summer and those had the regular doors.

Both VWL 1BR's we've stayed in over the years had sliding barn doors in the main room bathroom, but not in the bedroom bath. The door opened on sliders on the outside wall of the bathroom, not in a pocket.

 

[CarolMN]

....(snip)....... Found out just the other day that BWV has no dedicated 2 bedroom units, though (where we are in contract to buy our points). .............. If all that is available when we arrive is a shut-off studio attached to a one-bedroom, is the door set up where the kids for fun or by accident, could lock their parents out of their room?

At the BWV, the kids could lock their side of the connecting door between the studio portion (second bedroom) and the living room. But when you reserve a 2 bedroom, all room keys are keyed to open both doors to the hallway. So if the kids lock the connecting door, you just go out into the hallway and use your room key to open the door into the second bedroom.

 

[Nonsuch]

#1: Pocket doors: I once stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and was surprised to find an annoying pocket door for the bathroom door. Sharing the room with several other girls, it was very loud opening and closing the door each time and pretty much woke anyone trying to sleep. Just heard from someone staying at BLT villas, that their dedicated 2 bedroom had the pocket door for the bathroom and found it annoying. Are there other DVC's that have these annoying pocket doors in place of a regular door for their bathroom? Does anyone actually like pocket doors?

Grand Californian, both the Hotel and Villas use pocket doors.
I like them.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Does anyone actually like pocket doors?

I missed this question - yes, I like pocket doors and would be fine with there being more. Barn doors - those I don't like. They take the idea of pocket doors but destroy the benefit of placing the door out of the way in the walls.

 

[DenLo]

More questions about DVC ownership and room features (pending BWV points to be passed by Disney) - thanks to anyone who can answer:

#1: Pocket doors: I once stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and was surprised to find an annoying pocket door for the bathroom door. Sharing the room with several other girls, it was very loud opening and closing the door each time and pretty much woke anyone trying to sleep. Just heard from someone staying at BLT villas, that their dedicated 2 bedroom had the pocket door for the bathroom and found it annoying. Are there other DVC's that have these annoying pocket doors in place of a regular door for their bathroom? Does anyone actually like pocket doors?

Just stayed at BLT and the bathroom door is not a pocket door but a sliding door. I have to admit that we didn't notice each other closing and opening the door, but would think a door latching would be just as irritating for a group of friends that aren't used to sleeping together as a sliding door.

#2: Duvets: Also, I heard that BLT is utilizing duvets! Is this true? Finally, Disney is phasing out the heavy dirty bedspreads that everyone just folds up (I hope), and puts away upon arrival because they are never cleaned. Are there any other resorts using duvets that are getting washed between guests? I asked the DVC guide about the bedspreads, and she couldn't comment on the cleaning regiment for them (sshhh - they don't get washed, dry cleaned, or steam cleaned unless someone vomits on them I hear).

Duvets are at BLT. Don't know how often the duvet is laundered versus the cover.

#3: No availability: What type DVC units get booked up first? I was surprised to read from someone that they thought the standard view studios were the first to book up (well, after the grand villas) - more popular than one bedrooms and two bedrooms. Who has had trouble booking their desired room type they want at the 11 & 7 month windows?

At BLT and BWV the standard rooms and the grand villas book first. At BLT the MK views book up next. The reason these rooms all book first might be because there are less of them. E.g. at BLT there are 20% STD and MK views and only 14 GVs. I think that most standard views book up first at most of the DVC resorts at WDW. Many DVC members try to stretch their points to as many days as possible.

We have not had any problems at the 11 month mark yet, but haven't booked around Christmas and New Years either. We recently had to wait list at the seven month mark to get a studio at BWV during the Epcot Food & Wine and the WL came through within a few days.

#4: Dedicated 2 bedrooms: We're trying for dedicated 2 bedrooms, until kids are teenagers, then aiming for the grand villas which BWV has 5, as well as 2 townhouse grand villas with stairs. Found out just the other day that BWV has no dedicated 2 bedroom units, though (where we are in contract to buy our points). Can you reserve and be guaranteed a dedicated two bedroom at 7 month window easily, and at which DVC resorts? If all that is available when we arrive is a shut-off studio attached to a one-bedroom, is the door set up where the kids for fun or by accident, could lock their parents out of their room?

I believe that requesting a dedicated villa it is a booking category and would be a guaranteed villa for your stay.

You can check the DVC News website for details on which resorts have dedicated villas and what type. It also lists the number of each type of villas. This information is listed under General Information. http://www.dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts

 

[Tara]

More questions about DVC ownership and room features (pending BWV points to be passed by Disney) - thanks to anyone who can answer:

#1: Pocket doors: I once stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and was surprised to find an annoying pocket door for the bathroom door. Sharing the room with several other girls, it was very loud opening and closing the door each time and pretty much woke anyone trying to sleep. Just heard from someone staying at BLT villas, that their dedicated 2 bedroom had the pocket door for the bathroom and found it annoying. Are there other DVC's that have these annoying pocket doors in place of a regular door for their bathroom? Does anyone actually like pocket doors?

LOVE THEM. I hate the 4 million swinging doors in older units. I always feel like I'm in a maze of doors. I didn't find the sliding doors noisy, but perhaps the noise was drowned out by the blasted automatic fan that comes on anytime you walk in the bathroom Now that, I don't like.

#2: Duvets: Also, I heard that BLT is utilizing duvets! Is this true? Finally, Disney is phasing out the heavy dirty bedspreads that everyone just folds up (I hope), and puts away upon arrival because they are never cleaned. Are there any other resorts using duvets that are getting washed between guests? I asked the DVC guide about the bedspreads, and she couldn't comment on the cleaning regiment for them (sshhh - they don't get washed, dry cleaned, or steam cleaned unless someone vomits on them I hear).

Yes, another thing I love!