PVB Tower Charts, Sales Date and more!!!

[emchen]

Definitely love the Tower over the longhouses but our biggest preference is that we like a "hotel" experience with amenities inside the building. We stayed in a longhouse over the summer when there were some downpours and we said never again because we hated that we had to go outside to get some food (but did stay there again a week ago because that's all that was available short notice ). The 2nd shower in the longhouse doesn't hold any sway because there are only 2 of us and we're never in the kind of hurry where we need to shower simultaneously (ETA - but it does help that one of us can use the toilet while the other is showering). In the new Tower, I did LOVE having the toilet located behind its OWN door. If we ever have a bathroom emergency, we'd feel ok if one of us had to intrude on the others shower and use the "separate" toilet area because my DH and I are close but not that close LOL. We're ok with the standard views at both the longhouses and the Tower so that's a wash. All that said, we're happy enough with the longhouse rooms themselves - just not their location.

We've stayed in all of the DVC studios at WDW and the Poly Tower studio room is our absolute favorite.

We did the tour yesterday. DW wants 1BRs and I fell in love with the TPV. Considering a direct add on because we may be selling out BLT points. That would put us in a bind for unrestricted points (RIV, CFW, VDH, and all future resorts). Less concerned about the restrictions until 2042.

There are things we like about every resort we have stayed at (AKV (Jambo and Kidani), AUL, BCV, BLT, BWV, CCV, GCV, OKW, PVB ( RIV, SSR, and VB). Future BRV, CFW, HHI, and VDH.

There are 3 resorts that blew us away during our stays.

• GCV (Christmas and had a view into the park despite not owning there).
• AUL is our top resort but Hawaii is a long flight for us.
• PVB Island Tower absolutely stunned us. I really thought we would be good with longhouses, but it is a completely different vibe. As someone who has over 50 years of Disney trips, being able to see so much of WDW was unexpected. Convenience and small tower with a restaurant was perfect for us. Neither of us had stayed on this side of Poly. It was so easy to get to/from the GCH. Not as convenient for the bus and TTC, but we found the monorail to be easy to get on/off. First 3 days and many influencers stayed there, so it doesn’t represent what will eventually happen. However, even Wailulu was easy to get into after the first day.

Island Tower wi not be for everyone. That is the beauty of Disney and their different DVC options. We are in the camp of buy where you wouldn’t mind staying. Unfortunately, Island Tower for us changed things. I can’t emphasize enough that everyone is different. In our case Island Tower became the place where we will be judging all WDW DVC against.

They offered 45 day delay of first payment and the 3 payments 30 days apart. After first payment, points would be loaded. End result, if we purchase end of December, our contract will not show up until April deeds. This information was presented to us when I simply asked about delayed closing. That is dramatically different than our experiences in 2009, 2011 (or maybe it was 2012), and 2015. Times change and so has DVD sales tactics.

Also, wanted to mention they are overbooking the tours through the GCH. We were scheduled for the tour starting at GCH. Happened to ask at IT and they fit us in. They are very busy with tours, so it seems they are fish nibbling on the bait. Whether people buy is another story.

Great to hear!! I think we will be in the same boat. Was NOT expecting to feel that way. I think IT TPV will be in more demand than BLT TPV.

Quick question - are there any side exits or is it all out the lobby front and back?

It’s first hand reports like this that led us to go forward with a TPV FW studio.

I had concerns about the extreme premium relative to other DVC properties (particularly @BrianLo excellent analysis) but there seems to be near-unanimity that TPV is stunning at PIT when experienced first hand.

Other posts by trusted disboarders recount the same phenomena.

 

[Aussie RJ]

Wait, honest question. Playing catch-up here. Are we saying the consensus is that the poly tower TPV trumps BLT TPV?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Quick question for anyone who has been - I know the elevators are card/band access, but I thought I had read the Terrace Gardens had card/band scanners as well. There are conflicting reports in another thread so just trying to figure it out.

 

[Ronferr80]

Agreed, if you shoved VDHs grand villa where the penthouses are it'd probably be my favorite grand villa of all time and I'd probably blow the points to stay there. I wish they at least had the fireplace out on the balcony.

But really aside from the view itself which TBF is amazing, I'm not seeing that much which makes it worthy of the title of penthouse. When I think of penthouse idk I think of extreme luxury. Like if I'm only getting 2 bedrooms for the same amount of points I'd be paying for a 3BR at Riviera or Grand Flo, there needs to be something up there of value to make it equivalent and personally I'm not seeing it.

For us, I think we'll still book the 1 and 2BRs in the tower and pass on the penthouse. When we splurge it'll be on a cabungalow or 3BR grand villa somewhere else.

My question is this and not sure if there is an answer. To me the TPV on the 9th floor with that extended balcony with tables and chairs looks amazing (haven't seen any video's yet). I splurged for a few nights in June with my family and that is the room I really want but how will Disney Allocate the two rooms????? Not sure if anyone has an update or is able to ask when there but this is without a doubt a splurge for me and I jumped at it when I saw that pic Disney provided of that balcony.

 

[Ronferr80]

No I don’t think so, you can chose between preferred or theme park view. But it’s hit or miss which floor you get (either top floor with the small balcony or next floor down with the larger balcony that appears to be overlooked by the room above).

I'm just curious how they will decided to allocate those 2 TPV penthouse rooms! I splurged for a few nights in June truthfully based off that extra large balcony set up. I honestly don't care people looking down lol but would be bummed if I didn't get that room. Also have not seen any videos from the TPY penthouse with the large balcony. Are there any posted?

 

[Ronferr80]

I can clear this up because I later talked to one of the management cast members (in a shirt and tie). There are two penthouses on each side, two preferred view overlooking the golf course (although right now it’s kind of a crap view of construction), and two overlooking Magic Kingdom (theme park view booking). The ones on the top floor (10) have the balcony situation in the video. The ones right below (really not sure how a floor below the top is a penthouse but it is), have the nicer balcony with the cushioned seats, larger balcony, and table and chairs. I guess the thought was you either got the highest floor or the nicer balcony. Personally, one floor lower doesn’t seem like a whole lot of difference. I couldn’t help but feel the balcony on 9 got a much better deal. If you’re going to splurge on a penthouse, save up for theme park view. Otherwise, a regular two bedroom theme park view is way less points and mostly just a smaller living space. Bedrooms are identical.

Thank you for this info! I'm bringing my family in June and honestly booked impulsively because of that extended balcony, also its my retirement gift , but there is no actual request for that on Disney's website. Obviously, I LOVE Disney but would be a little bummed if I ended up with the smaller balcony so I'm currently on Operation: 9th floor room for the retirement celebration!!

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Wait, honest question. Playing catch-up here. Are we saying the consensus is that the poly tower TPV trumps BLT TPV?

Yes.

 

[SugarSweetLee]

Thank you for this info! I'm bringing my family in June and honestly booked impulsively because of that extended balcony, also its my retirement gift , but there is no actual request for that on Disney's website. Obviously, I LOVE Disney but would be a little bummed if I ended up with the smaller balcony so I'm currently on Operation: 9th floor room for the retirement celebration!!

You could always request the specific room number you want?

 

[Hubalorian]

Wait, honest question. Playing catch-up here. Are we saying the consensus is that the poly tower TPV trumps BLT TPV?

From what I understand, there seems to be a consensus of having the water instead of the parking lot at BLT is a major factor why it’s so much better.

I’m sure BLT enthusiasts would counter with, we are so much closer, so we can see the castle and fireworks “better”. I still think it’s a preference.

 

[davidhr]

From what I understand, there seems to be a consensus of having the water instead of the parking lot at BLT is a major factor why it’s so much better.

I’m sure BLT enthusiasts would counter with, we are so much closer, so we can see the castle and fireworks “better”. I still think it’s a preference.

Haven’t stayed at the island tower yet, but from photos I have to agree.

But I prefer lake view at BLT instead of the parking lot vi… sorry, theme park view (or preferred view now?).

 

[maui22]

It’s first hand reports like this that led us to go forward with a TPV FW studio.

I had concerns about the extreme premium relative to other DVC properties (particularly @BrianLo excellent analysis) but there seems to be near-unanimity that TPV is stunning at PIT when experienced first hand.

Other posts by trusted disboarders recount the same phenomena.

Smart decision.

I just received an email response from our tour guide. He confirmed 35 1BR TPV rooms ranging from floors 1-8.

I am bouncing between concern over so few 1BRs ( fearing Oct and first half of Dec). Flip side fear over floors 1-3 (knowing 3rd will eventually have some palm trees obstructing some of the view).

 

[ShaneDJ]

I just received an email response from our tour guide. He confirmed 35 1BR TPV rooms ranging from floors 1-8.

Getting stuck with a TPV room on floors 1 or 2 would stink!

Especially given how many points that TPV requires.

 

[maui22]

Wait, honest question. Playing catch-up here. Are we saying the consensus is that the poly tower TPV trumps BLT TPV?

In our opinion, that’s the case. Own BLT and stayed TPV. It’s nice, but we don’t like parking lot view. Cars security horns going off during fireworks. Also, rooms face the hit Florida sun in the afternoon. BLT has the positive of sunset.

Island Tower sees more closely of main street fireworks perspective. No parking lot. We could see more of WDW (MK, Epcot, and even Tower of Terror) from our room. 2 fireworks and Electric Water Pageant from our balcony. Island Tower TPV has sunrise view.

See @Amy Krieger for here opinion of Island Tower standard view and the Florida Sun in the afternoon. That is exactly what we encountered at BLT TPV. AC at BLT only seemed to run when in the room and back when we stayed they only had sheer curtains. Our room was in the 80s.

Another thing we don’t like is paying premium TPV points at BLT only to have person 1 floor below paying the bargain standard view points. Funny, we have 5 stays in BLT SV and 4 of them are in floors 2-3 on the front. From what I recall when BLT opened, these rooms were actually TPV rooms. They reclassified rooms (moving TPV to SV and changing points requirements around 2011).

 

[permavac]

It’s first hand reports like this that led us to go forward with a TPV FW studio.

Oh man! We're normally not interested in fixed weeks for a million different reasons but I have to say - PIT is where I would for sure buy one if I were in the market! Congratulations!!

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

I just received an email response from our tour guide. He confirmed 35 1BR TPV rooms ranging from floors 1-8.

I am bouncing between concern over so few 1BRs ( fearing Oct and first half of Dec). Flip side fear over floors 1-3 (knowing 3rd will eventually have some palm trees obstructing some of the view).

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

For the cost, all of these stink and the blue circled one is a ripoff. I hope Tom Corless gets it and does a rant about it

 

[JackosinDIS]

For the cost, all of these stink and the blue circled one is a ripoff. I hope Tom Corless gets it and does a rant about it

View attachment 923105

That’s got to be a preferred view rather than TPV surely… unless they expect guest to hang over the balcony and crane their necks to the right

 

[maui22]

Quick question for anyone who has been - I know the elevators are card/band access, but I thought I had read the Terrace Gardens had card/band scanners as well. There are conflicting reports in another thread so just trying to figure it out.

Honestly, can’t recall. I thought on the first day we scanned our MB to access the first terrace (3rd floor one closest to GF), but it may also have been user error. I recall we tried to pull or push, but it was the opposite of what we tried.

I am relatively certain we didn’t have to do this when we went to others. Which again was probably our error.

Pretty sure they had scanners. I could swear DW scanned the first one we went to. Whether they will be activated may be another story. Opening days they had some hiccups, but that happens with openings.

 

[Mikey15]

Getting stuck with a TPV room on floors 1 or 2 would stink!

Especially given how many points that TPV requires.

Not that it’s guaranteed but could putting a higher floor request in ASAP at least increase your chances & unfortunately-for-them stick someone else with the lower rooms?

 

[disneylandtour]

I have a reservation for five nights later this year in the Tower. I've already been out to the Tower once. There are lovely things there. But honestly, I think these five nights are going to be one-and-done for me. Except for the fireworks viewing rooms, most everything about the deluxe studios in the longhouses (with the exception of the parking lot rooms in Pago) seems better: more space, closer to better pools, nice views of the grounds, no messing around with premium views of road construction, strong sense of place and theming. Deluxe studios in the tower or the longhouses are the same points, and the duos are only two to four points less--but the view in many of those low-cost duos is pretty rough, where as most of the longhouse studios are pretty nice.