Resorts Preview By Non DVC - Parking

[DisneyOutsider]

Is a guide going to spend hours driving around to 11 resorts, the vast majority of which are sold out?

They sell all WDW resorts direct still.. even the sold out ones. That's one reason why ROFR exists. If OP says I want to buy AKL.. they will sell it to him/her. They will try their best to steer all new customers to Riviera or Aulani.. but if a customer insists it's not what they want, they will work to sell them what they want.

And who said anything about all 11 resorts?

I don't know for sure if they do this currently, but I think a guide would be willing to tour a few different resorts with a potential customer. It wouldn't be unreasonable at all considering they are still selling these resorts direct.

 

[DonMacGregor]

They sell all WDW resorts direct still.. even the sold out ones. That's one reason why ROFR exists. If OP says I want to buy AKL.. they will sell it to him/her. They will try their best to steer all new customers to Riviera or Aulani.. but if a customer insists it's not what they want, they will work to sell them what they want.

And who said anything about all 11 resorts?

I don't know for sure if they do this currently, but I think a guide would be willing to tour a few different resorts with a potential customer. It wouldn't be unreasonable at all considering they are still selling these resorts direct.

They sell all resorts, but their goal isn't to sell all resorts, it's to sell current resorts. Otherwise, there'd be a nice big fat link right on the DVC welcome page inviting you to take your pick between Riviera and Hilton Head. The "all 11 resorts" comes from the whole point of the thread: the OP's desire to spend a trip viewing all of the resorts to decide where they'd like to buy.

You said "Honestly it sounds like your plan to take Disney transport will take more time than just letting a guide drive you to the front door of each resort..." in response to suggestions by others on how to get to all of the resorts in the most efficient manner. So, my question was, if the goal of the OP is to visit all of the resorts to compare them, will your suggestion that they forgo Disney transportation and "just let a guide drive them to the front door of each resort" satisfy that goal? Will they drive you to the front door of every resort? Because that's what the OP wants to do: visit every resort. I'm sure they'll drive you to some: Riviera, VGF, and maybe even CCV since it was the previous resort to sell direct, but I think the OP would still need to get to the majority of the other resorts on their own.

 

[Nabas]

And who said anything about all 11 resorts?

The OP wrote:

Plus, just seeing all the Resorts sounds fun as a break from Theme Parks lol.

 

[kanerf]

Your best bet is to park in one of the large garages at Disney Springs. All of the resort busses go to Disney Springs. You can go to your first resort from there but unless there is transportation between other resorts, such as the boats and Skyliner that will get you to Riviera, Beach Club and Boardwalk, you will either have to bus to one of the parks and take a resort bus from there or go back to Disney Springs. I do this all the time and it works, but just takes time.

 

[DisneyOutsider]

They sell all resorts, but their goal isn't to sell all resorts, it's to sell current resorts. Otherwise, there'd be a nice big fat link right on the DVC welcome page inviting you to take your pick between Riviera and Hilton Head.

None of that contradicts anything that I said. They will absolutely sell you the "sold out" resorts if that's what you want to buy. They are happy to sell them if selling Riv and Aul are not an option.

The "all 11 resorts" comes from the whole point of the thread: the OP's desire to spend a trip viewing all of the resorts to decide where they'd like to buy.

You said "Honestly it sounds like your plan to take Disney transport will take more time than just letting a guide drive you to the front door of each resort..." in response to suggestions by others on how to get to all of the resorts in the most efficient manner. So, my question was, if the goal of the OP is to visit all of the resorts to compare them, will your suggestion that they forgo Disney transportation and "just let a guide drive them to the front door of each resort" satisfy that goal? Will they drive you to the front door of every resort? Because that's what the OP wants to do: visit every resort. I'm sure they'll drive you to some: Riviera, VGF, and maybe even CCV since it was the previous resort to sell direct, but I think the OP would still need to get to the majority of the other resorts on their own.

I missed that OP said "all" resorts. I originally assumed OP had just a few in mind to check out. It's certainly not realistic to check them all out in one day no matter how you want to do it (especially of you're depending on Disney transport to get you there.. not happening) and I wouldn't expect a guide to spend the time doing that. That's my misunderstanding.

But I maintain that it's not unreasonable for a guide to take you by a few "sold out" resorts of you're intent on purchasing at one of them. Seems to be within the job description and could be well worth the time for the possibility of a direct sale.

 

[BruinEd03]

Thanks! I have a brunch scheduled at Boardwalk, sounds like I could just walk to the Skyliner from there

For the record, I thought I could just rent a car and drive to see the Resorts - silly me. Good thing I booked an extra hotel night....

Not sure if this is still true, but last December (2020), they gave a card out and said to call the number to say that you want to see an open house. However, when I called the number and wanted to visit AKL, they said to just talk to security and they will let you in. We did that and they let us in. We also did the same thing for OKW and Saratoga Springs. The only one they said you might need a reservation for was Riviera. However, we just took the skyliner there, and lo and behold, they were able to help us.

Here is a list of open house rooms (without OKW and SS as those became available at a later date): https://dvcfan.com/2020/08/12/a-new-kind-of-dvc-preview/

If you are doing brunch at BW, then you can visit BW, Beach Club, and Riviera. In addition, if you can get to one of the monorail resorts, or the TTC (e.g., bite the bullet and pay $25 for parking), you can easily check out the monorail resorts (e.g., BLT, Poly, GF). Note that those are the most difficult to get to. BLT, especially. My guess is because so many people try to park there for free and then go to the MK. We've been questioned even when we had dinner reservations at the Contemporary. However, it is unlikely you'll have issues with OKW, Saratoga Springs, or AKL due to the vast size of the resorts and the large amount of parking.

Can't say how difficult or easy it is to get in at Wilderness Lodge as we were staying there. Copper Creek has the cabin, but Boulder Ridge was the only resort without a room available for previews. If you are visiting one of the monorail resorts, you can take the monorail to the MK, and then take the ferry over to Wilderness Lodge.

 

[TinkAgainU]

Not sure if this is still true, but last December (2020), they gave a card out and said to call the number to say that you want to see an open house. However, when I called the number and wanted to visit AKL, they said to just talk to security and they will let you in. We did that and they let us in. We also did the same thing for OKW and Saratoga Springs. The only one they said you might need a reservation for was Riviera. However, we just took the skyliner there, and lo and behold, they were able to help us.

Here is a list of open house rooms (without OKW and SS as those became available at a later date): https://dvcfan.com/2020/08/12/a-new-kind-of-dvc-preview/

If you are doing brunch at BW, then you can visit BW, Beach Club, and Riviera. In addition, if you can get to one of the monorail resorts, or the TTC (e.g., bite the bullet and pay $25 for parking), you can easily check out the monorail resorts (e.g., BLT, Poly, GF). Note that those are the most difficult to get to. BLT, especially. My guess is because so many people try to park there for free and then go to the MK. We've been questioned even when we had dinner reservations at the Contemporary. However, it is unlikely you'll have issues with OKW, Saratoga Springs, or AKL due to the vast size of the resorts and the large amount of parking.

Can't say how difficult or easy it is to get in at Wilderness Lodge as we were staying there. Copper Creek has the cabin, but Boulder Ridge was the only resort without a room available for previews. If you are visiting one of the monorail resorts, you can take the monorail to the MK, and then take the ferry over to Wilderness Lodge.

Thank you, good ideas, and and I appreciate the Link. I find it interesting that all the "open houses" are for two or three bedrooms and not studios (ie: huge point jumps).

 

[BamaGuy44]

Thank you, good ideas, and and I appreciate the Link. I find it interesting that all the "open houses" are for two or three bedrooms and not studios (ie: huge point jumps).

Well sure, they want to show the most impressive rooms, that's basic salesmanship. I don't find it misleading or shady. They'll show you a studio if you want and one is available. When I toured Poly they showed me a lake view studio first, then asked if I wanted to see a bungalow. I checked it out even though I doubt I will ever stay in one

 

[eandt]

They aren't letting rideshare services drop guests off at resorts without dining or room reservations either.

When did this start? We were there in November and found ourselves at a bus stop at CBR due to a skyliner break down and UBER came right to the bus stop and picked us up to take us to DS. We had niether dining nor room reservation.

 

[sndral]

Not sure if this is still true, but last December (2020), they gave a card out and said to call the number to say that you want to see an open house. However, when I called the number and wanted to visit AKL, they said to just talk to security and they will let you in. We did that and they let us in. We also did the same thing for OKW and Saratoga Springs. The only one they said you might need a reservation for was Riviera. However, we just took the skyliner there, and lo and behold, they were able to help us.

Here is a list of open house rooms (without OKW and SS as those became available at a later date): https://dvcfan.com/2020/08/12/a-new-kind-of-dvc-preview/

If you are doing brunch at BW, then you can visit BW, Beach Club, and Riviera. In addition, if you can get to one of the monorail resorts, or the TTC (e.g., bite the bullet and pay $25 for parking), you can easily check out the monorail resorts (e.g., BLT, Poly, GF). Note that those are the most difficult to get to. BLT, especially. My guess is because so many people try to park there for free and then go to the MK. We've been questioned even when we had dinner reservations at the Contemporary. However, it is unlikely you'll have issues with OKW, Saratoga Springs, or AKL due to the vast size of the resorts and the large amount of parking.

Can't say how difficult or easy it is to get in at Wilderness Lodge as we were staying there. Copper Creek has the cabin, but Boulder Ridge was the only resort without a room available for previews. If you are visiting one of the monorail resorts, you can take the monorail to the MK, and then take the ferry over to Wilderness Lodge.

Thanks for the link, when we were at Jambo 12/10-20 there was a message on one of the phones inviting me - by name - to look at the GV in Kidani - I laughed about it - although 3 people in a 2 br. was wonderful & felt very spacious, 3 br.s might be too much of a good thing
Interesting that to tour the 2 & 3 br.s at VGF you have to be a registered guest at the GF, I wonder why that it is. The VGF lobby is so lovely & generally very peaceful, especially compared to the bustle of the main lobby at the GF, I suppose it’s to limit the number of non guests who trek through the VGF building.

 

[DonMacGregor]

When did this start? We were there in November and found ourselves at a bus stop at CBR due to a skyliner break down and UBER came right to the bus stop and picked us up to take us to DS. We had niether dining nor room reservation.

They let them in to pick up, but they won't let you roll up to say BLT in an Uber without a reservation. If you had tried to take an Uber BACK to CBR without a reservation, they'd stop you at the gate.

 

[Dizzydizney]

We are planning to fly in and spend a few days Resort Hoping (not the pools, just walking the resorts) to decide which might be the best option(s) for a Home resort. Plus, just seeing all the Resorts sounds fun as a break from Theme Parks lol. We have an offsite hotel (pet friendly) already, so we will not be "DVC" this trip, and not sure about PARKING at each of the resorts if we go to maybe three per day?

Any suggestions appreciated

Thanks!

If you have brunch planned at the Boardwalk, I would do the following: Arrive for your brunch early and go see the model rooms at the Boardwalk first. I’m pretty sure they open at 11. While there, explain to the guide there your plan. He may be able to give you a name to give to the guard at one of the monorail resorts if you do end up renting a car. Anyway, it will be easy enough for you to visit Beach Club and then take the skyliner to Riviera. There are always at least 3 guides around the DVC desk in the lobby of Riviera. If you want to get all your tours in, I would take a bus to the MK from Riviera....Riviera does not share a bus with another resort...at least not in my experience. I know they have a model room at BLT....just stop at the DVC desk in the lobby for directions. From there take the monorail to Poly and then Grand Floridian. I can’t say for certain if they have model rooms there, but you can ask the guide at BLT. From Grand Floridian take the monorail to the MK boat dock for a boat to Wilderness Lodge (not a ferry). There is a great counter service there too if you’re hungry after all your touring. If you do have a car parked at Boardwalk I would probably take the bus from Wilderness to Hollywood and then use the walking path to get to Boardwalk parking lot...it’s only a 10 minute walk.

OKW and SSR are easy enough to get to from Disney Springs.

Enjoy your trip and have fun touring.

Someone mentioned that Grand Floridian is only showing 2 and three bedrooms. The 2 bedroom may be a lock off, so it would be a one bedroom with the lockoff studio. I would think they would want people to see the studios....they are rather nice.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you, good ideas, and and I appreciate the Link. I find it interesting that all the "open houses" are for two or three bedrooms and not studios (ie: huge point jumps).

Well, when you see a 2 BR, you’re actually seeing a studio and a 1 BR, so….

 

[TinkAgainU]

Well, when you see a 2 BR, you’re actually seeing a studio and a 1 BR, so….

Yes - I spoke to a DVC salesperson and they said that too - so it makes more sense to me that they have those for models.