Room with a view. Really??

[crisi]

One thing to remember about BW is that the Preferred Rooms are not a premium over standard - the Standard view rooms are a discount over the preferred room - or any view at BCV or VWL (all three resorts have the same point structure). BW View rooms are the "deal"- same price as preferred, but a guaranteed view. You can look at the road at BCV, the trash at VWL or the butt of the clown at BWV for the same number of points.

I've always suspected that they guaranteed the view (late, it was a few years after the resort opened and after I joined in 2002 that they made a guaranteed BW View category) because they had "promised" in their promotional materials that BW owners would get first stab at those rooms - and what was happening was they were assigning rooms in order of reservation (back when they had room assigners) but front desk staff would reassign on the fly if the guest was "persuasive" enough. So throw a fit at the front desk and get the CM to reassign a BW view to you - pushing out at owner who made a reservation at 11 months but took a later flight.

 

[brertoad]

We tend not to splurge on the room view. We did one year that we had to use up a lot of points fast, so we got to try BLT Theme park view, BWV Boardwalk View, AKV Savannah View at both JH and KV. The views were nice, maybe not worth the premium, but they have to charge more or everyone would want the "nicer" room view. We've also had AKV Value rooms, each time we have received a pool view, also pretty nice. We have had standard rooms at BLT, also pretty nice, 2nd floor and could still see the castle. Sometimes if you go with the cheaper room, you luck out. We had friends who stayed at AKV Value and got the Sunset savannah side, it was a really nice view.

I think worth is too subjective. It's really up to you what you feel something is worth. If we ever go to Aulani, I would probably go with the standard view.

 

[AdamsMum]

I always try to book standard view at my home Boardwalk villas. Got a great standard view studio where I could see the high fireworks from epcot. Twice there was no standard view available and I ended up with an obstructed pool view, nice big balcony though. Last October I booked a boardwalk view (again no standard available) but I got the room right above the games. One of those games rings like an old telephone every time someone finishes. That was annoying.

At AKV I've tried savanna view twice, once got the dreaded people pen, and once got a good view of the savanna with lots of animals.


I'll keep trying to book my standard view, but I'm going to have to plan earlier. In imho a view at any Disney resort is hit or miss.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We love both standard and boardwalk view at the Boardwalk. The boardwalk view is breathtaking. Many of the standard views are better than the non-discounted rooms at other resorts.

I'll take the pleasant lawn or bridge view with the standard view at Boardwalk over the road view at Beach Club for more points anyday.

We generally choose to go elsewhere before staying BWV pool/garden view.

 

[jade1]

We got TPV at BLT once. DH wanted it badly but when we got in the room, he promptly shut the curtains so he could run around in his underwear. .

Ha nice.

You must have been in view of the CR, we pinned the curtains back for the whole week. The only room we've ever had that much privacy yet a wall of glass. The rooms above and below cant' see in, and the rooms to the side curve away so they can't either. I suppose a telescope from MK maybe could see in, binocs from the end of the parking lot maybe, but even then only the upper part of the room.

This pics is from standing, "underwear level" would be much lower.

 

[jade1]

An ocean view should have an ocean view though-no excuse.

The rest seem a little gray to us, we use the extra points for better view categories knowing at least we have a "chance" of something a little more impressive anyway.

 

[marx]

Nothing Member Services can do about it, so no I would not see any reasons to complain to them.

BW view and Savannah view to me are the only really good guaranteed views.

These two views are the ones that immediately came to my mind. For me, a visit last year to BWV overlooking the front entrance really affected my overall trip enjoyment (as I kept on thinking back to my stay three years ago in a BW view where we spent quite a bit of time on the balcony soaking up the atmosphere).

The other view we really enjoyed was an OV at Aulani.

 

[DebbieB]

One thing to remember about BW is that the Preferred Rooms are not a premium over standard - the Standard view rooms are a discount over the preferred room - or any view at BCV or VWL (all three resorts have the same point structure). BW View rooms are the "deal"- same price as preferred, but a guaranteed view. You can look at the road at BCV, the trash at VWL or the butt of the clown at BWV for the same number of points.

I've always suspected that they guaranteed the view (late, it was a few years after the resort opened and after I joined in 2002 that they made a guaranteed BW View category) because they had "promised" in their promotional materials that BW owners would get first stab at those rooms - and what was happening was they were assigning rooms in order of reservation (back when they had room assigners) but front desk staff would reassign on the fly if the guest was "persuasive" enough. So throw a fit at the front desk and get the CM to reassign a BW view to you - pushing out at owner who made a reservation at 11 months but took a later flight.

I bought BWV in 1999. It wasn't part of written promotional materials but it was part of the guide's "sell points". Here's what caused the change to make boardwalk view separate. Around 2003/2004 DVC came up with a new method to assign rooms called "room ready". With room ready, they did not assign rooms in advance, except for maybe medical reasons. When you arrived at the front desk, they would look for a room ready for occupancy that met at least one of your requests. If you didn't like what was open, you would have to return later to see what was available.

I talked to member satisfaction at the time and they confirmed this. I explained that I bought BWV over OKW because of the boardwalk view based on my guide's sales pitch saying I would have a good chance by making my reservation at 11 months. I paid more originally and I am paying higher dues. Now a person who made a reservation at 1 month could get it before me. You can only imagine the chaos this caused at BWV with people hounding the front desk to see if a boardwalk view came open.

A couple months later, the split of boardwalk view came out. The room ready method ended up being abandoned and they returned to assigning rooms in advance, at least at BWV. Not necessarily by date of reservation though.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I have an issue with Aulani OV classification.

My OV room was basically a view of the JW Marriott hotel and parking garage, with a bit of ocean in the distance between the buildings. At best, I would classify it as 'Partial Ocean View'. The room below me one floor down was classified Island View.

For my upcoming trip I just booked Island View to begin with.

I remember you posting those pictures and agree that they are not really ocean view worthy. That would have been very disappointing. The ocean view rooms that look out over the pool though would be designated ocean view in virtually any hotel. Just because they also overlook the pool too does not mean those are not ocean view. My ocean view years ago at the Hilton Waikoloa on the Big Island required you to be out on the lanai and looking left.

This was what could be seen from inside our villa:

And I believe this is the very different view of what you saw in front of the ocean:

 

[midaroco]

I stayed at BLT with a theme park view for my honeymoon in 2012 and I don't know that I'd say it was worth the extra points. Was it nice to see the castle every night? Sure - however it appears small in the distance, so it wast really all tags special. What was nice was that we could sit on our balcony and view the fireworks from the Halloween party, however being that we only actually did this one night out of ten, again if don't know that I'd say it was worth the extra points. All told, with the time we spent in the room, if we go back to BLT I would be ok with a standard view, after all you can always go to the TOTW lounge for a nice view...

 

[LSchrow]

My ocean view years ago at the Hilton Waikoloa on the Big Island required you to be out on the lanai and looking left.

This was what could be seen from inside our villa:

wow.....that is truly breathtaking

 

[Jkpark]

I am newer to DVC but I've paid for views at BLT and Aulani and am about to at BWV (paid with more points - not $$). I think reading reviews of rooms, studying these boards and knowing what to ask for helps more than just getting that category. We asked for high floor and rooms ending in xx or xx at BLT. Not the same theme park view as VGC, but we did watch the fireworks from our balcony. That was a one night stay - not sure I would spend the points for a week long trip. In Aulani we requested high floor and a certain part of a certain wing - forget which right now. We had a view of the Starlit Hui an ocean - really nice view and no pool noise - loved it! We have stayed VGC twice and requested same thing twice - something like highest floor available ending in xx. First time - 2nd floor and not a great view. 2nd time we did get 6th floor and watched WOC from our balcony - better view than their DVC viewing area.

Anyway - I know requests aren't guaranteed and read enough of the questionable view reviews to know I might not get what I want, might be disappointed - and knowing that I decide if it is still worth the points. Usually try for short stays and save my points if it is a week vacation.

I do wish some of these resorts could add partial ocean view as a category like some hotels do. Gives people a better idea of what to expect - and again - they can decide if it is worth the points/$$.

 

[jade1]

I stayed at BLT with a theme park view for my honeymoon in 2012 and I don't know that I'd say it was worth the extra points. Was it nice to see the castle every night? Sure - however it appears small in the distance, so it wast really all tags special. What was nice was that we could sit on our balcony and view the fireworks from the Halloween party, however being that we only actually did this one night out of ten, again if don't know that I'd say it was worth the extra points. All told, with the time we spent in the room, if we go back to BLT I would be ok with a standard view, after all you can always go to the TOTW lounge for a nice view...

I can see that.

There is a couple other things we like.

One was hearing the train sitting on the balcony and watching the activity to MK, and fireworks.

The Lake view can be private on a couple outside edges, but the inner C loses a lot of privacy and space.

You won't be leaving the curtains open those nights as they look directly into other rooms.

Also the LR size get's wider on the outside C, so all MK views have this feature.

In my pic above the sleep chair is expanded "and" the couch is pulled out.

Look how small the inner rooms get:

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

wow.....that is truly breathtaking

And to clarify - that is an Aulani OV.

 

[bakerworld]

So I know a few of the resorts offer premium views for additional points. We've stayed in a couple but would love your opinion on if it's really worth it?
BLT - the views are broken down in different categories correct? Is it that much more for the best view?
BWV - we've booked garden views with varied success. One year over the green courtyard (awesome!) and this past Christmas we were overlooking the back of the clown slide - or as my kids like to refer to it - the "butt view"
Any other WDW resorts have views you pay extra for? I'm guessing AKV has view categories but I haven't tried them out yet.

We're currently at Vero and I'm fed up. This is our 4th trip - we always book ocean view inn rooms and not ONCE have we actually been in a room with an ocean view. We've tried requesting on a higher floor (they all have railings) and also been specific in our request for a railed balcony. And not once have they given us a room without a wall. Ok - the first time they did, but it had a tall palm tree directly in front of us so I wouldn't count it either. I always ask at the desk about it and I'm told they are fully booked and have no other room available.
So I'm done paying the extra for rooms with views. This has a lovely ocean-sound...but that's it! Is it even worth it to complain to member services?

VB Inn OV - you didn't see this?

 

[bonrea]

Nothing Member Services can do about it, so no I would not see any reasons to complain to them.

BW view and Savannah view to me are the only really good guaranteed views.

Agreed on the Boardwalk View. However; we didn’t request a Boardwalk View the one and only time we stayed at the Boardwalk in our DVC room. We booked the Standard View and when we arrived (we always try to get there early afternoon) they said our room was not ready and gave us an upgrade. This happens most often no matter where we stay.

Save your points/money and just book the lowest cost room. Think about it. How often or how much time do you think you have spent or will spend standing on the balcony of the room trying to enjoy the view? How much time do you really spend in the room in the first place? Room in middle of day = NAP TIME! Curtains closed! You are at WDW and the room to us is just a flop house. We plug in our iPeeps to recharge then hit the fun the next day. Lather, rinse, repeat!

The BLT MK View is nice and we did watch the fireworks out there one night. That was it. Oh joy! Joy over! Let’s hit the parks or the pool! We would have been just as happy to have the standard view of the pool area so I could yell at my kids for misbehaving at the pool.

 

[LSchrow]

How often or how much time do you think you have spent or will spend standing on the balcony of the room trying to enjoy the view?

actually, lots of time, if the view is worth it

our resort a "flop house"?!!
ono.....our WDW days are leisurely (by the pool, maybe walk to EPCOT to ride soarin' and/or meander around WS), our evenings spent playing mini-golf, strolling the BW.......every morning in WDW, I wake up to sunlight creeping across crescent lake, and spend evenings watching fireworks burst over the eiffel tower, ppl laughing as they play carny games and watch magic shows.

years ago, we would try to squeeze every second out of every day.....now, we prefer to savor every one of those moments

 

[Judyat]

I find this thread interesting because we are currently at Vero Beach. And yes we have one of those ocean views that you have to be standing to see the ocean. I told my husband that I would like to ask for a railed ocean view next time. Those also have a roof over them. The half wall does not. I thought it was just me. While I am a little disappointed it is an ocean view when you stand but not when you sit on the balcony. I'm living and learning and hoping for a rail view next time.

 

[Caren]

We've had our share of bad views in our time--the "savanna" view of a fence on the Pembe savanna, the fourth-floor "theme park" view featuring the Contemporary and the underside of the monorail, the concierge-level view of the dumpsters at Wilderness Lodge, but oddly enough, what I consider our worst view ever was the view of the Castle Cake across the lagoon from the Grand Floridian in 1997.

 

[DonnaL]

As with most things....the room view is all a matter of preference...we've had pretty much all the views except a lake view at VGF...my absolute favorites are park view at VGC...we were on the 4th floor directly between Goofy's Flight School and the Mickey wheel...and a very specific BWV garden view (really wasn't that crazy about Boardwalk view).....at the very end of building....behind Jellyrolls...overlooking the canal......nothing like sitting on the balcony in the early morning with a coffee watching the Friendship boats go by!! Didn't like the park view at BLT at all.....and we actually were classified as a lake view because we were in one of those rooms on the curve.....so from one end of the balcony we had the lake view and from the the other side a park view.....we were on the 8th floor.