SAP+ ?

[atthebeachclub]

I love all the “boat” love as my son is currently a CM on the MK ferries, cruisers and launches. I feel like you are complimenting him directly
Moms, am I right????

Definitely! The boat workers are top notch!

 

[Chili327]

I love all the “boat” love as my son is currently a CM on the MK ferries, cruisers and launches. I feel like you are complimenting him directly
Moms, am I right????

It's true, all the boats are amazing.
I honestly like the friendship boats on Crescent Lake best, not sure why, maybe they remind me of the ferry we take to SF Giants games (even though those are much more like the Ferry your son works on). lol

 

[jcolvin5]

It's true, all the boats are amazing.
I honestly like the friendship boats on Crescent Lake best, not sure why, maybe they remind me of the ferry we take to SF Giants games (even though those are much more like the Ferry your son works on). lol

Yes! Nothing like taking in a game at Oracle...very unique.

And I love Crescent Lake. That's my jam right there. Love all the boats, but the friendship boats are perfection!

 

[marmentrout85]

In my mind I still can't realistically consider VGF in the SAP+ conversation since any contract priced below $150/pt appears to have a high chance at being bought back (please someone correct me if I'm misinformed on that).

At this point I think our top SAP+ would have to be Poly. The decrease in dues definitely helps make that decision easier. We basically love all the rooms (including Island Tower) and the whole vibe of the resort. Resale prices will hopefully continue to drop a bit and the ROFR aspect doesn't seem to be much of a factor here any longer. Having Island Tower closer to MK makes staying there a bit of a closer walk to MK too.

Copper Creek rooms are a no for us (REALLY wish Boulder Ridge had the longer deed) and, although I really love the WL vibes as a whole, the lack of walkability is hard to ignore since walkability is probably my most heavily-weighted criterion when choosing a resort.

Lastly, even with the BLT refurb underway, let's assume for the sake of argument that we'll like the refurbed rooms as much as Poly. We still really just don't vibe with the Contemporary that much as a whole (my wife in particular) and Poly also has those 6 additional years over BLT.

 

[PrincessGidget]

SF Giants games

You lost me…big time Dodger fan here!
This past September I was floating around the lazy river at SAB, in my Dodger hat, and the life guard says, “what is that smell?” I look at him and say, “really? You must be a Padres fan.” He says “no, Giants!” I laughed, he had no dog in the fight, what else could I do?

 

[nalababybear]

You lost me…big time Dodger fan here!
This past September I was floating around the lazy river at SAB, in my Dodger hat, and the life guard says, “what is that smell?” I look at him and say, “really? You must be a Padres fan.” He says “no, Giants!” I laughed, he had no dog in the fight, what else could I do?

We can not be friends.

 

[kboo]

@kboo do you have any preference to inside the ring or outside facing rooms? I feel like I don’t want to face across from other rooms.

I’ve only stayed in the outer ring - if you are in the north side (our first was 8202, lake view) you will be able to see fireworks and MK by leaning left, and Bay Lake almost square/right. The outer ring rooms are slightly larger but the inner rooms have a laundry room rather than a closet. But it’s probably quieter on the inner ring - when fireworks are going on, you can hear and feel the windows vibrating.

Having Island Tower closer to MK makes staying there a bit of a closer walk to MK too.

I cannot imagine walking from Poly to MK - we barely walk from Grand Flo if ever. I think I walked back from MK in December 2021 (so nice weather, early evening) to see what it was like. It was fine, but the boats are better for going home and the monorail is easier to go to MK. I’m usually in favor of walking everywhere and I love that there’s now the option of walking, but the reality is that the VGF walk is just a little too far given the convenience of the monorail and boats. And I don’t shirk from walking: at home any day under 10,000 steps (5 mi) is unusually low.

Before they closed the walkway for construction, we used to walk to Poly for early breakfast on our Epcot days and then take the monorail at TTC. I’m excited to stay at a larger unit at Poly. (Someday)

 

[Chili327]

outer ring rooms are slightly larger but the inner rooms have a laundry room rather than a closet

In a studio, or there are villas with no laundry??

 

[CarolynFH]

In a studio, or there are villas with no laundry??

The outer rooms have the stacked washer/dryer combo in a closet like other DVC resorts. The inner ring villas have laundry rooms with full size, not-stacked, washers and dryers.

 

[Chili327]

The outer rooms have the stacked washer/dryer combo in a closet like other DVC resorts. The inner ring villas have laundry rooms with full size, not-stacked, washers and dryers.

Ahh, gotcha. A laundry room instead of a laundry closet.

 

[jess2022]

For me, the boat ride back to CCV is the thing that cannot be beat. Yes, I might need to wait for a boat, but I just love the ride across the lake, and the theming of CCV (and PVB) is so much more my jam than BLT.

Totally agree!

 

[kboo]

Ahh, gotcha. A laundry room instead of a laundry closet.

In a studio, or there are villas with no laundry??

Yes - thanks @CarolynFH!
Drifted from OP saying they liked larger units and comparing monorail MK resorts, and my saying for the combination of n+1 bathrooms,
Walking to MK, and low point costs, BLT is a good combo.

@Chili327 - If you’re staying primarily in studios, I’d want to see what the studio layouts look like to see if they’re for you. I prefer the VGF and Poly studio layouts, but we rarely stay in studios now.

 

[eticketplease]

The outer rooms have the stacked washer/dryer combo in a closet like other DVC resorts. The inner ring villas have laundry rooms with full size, not-stacked, washers and dryers.

Did this change? It’s been a while since staying in one with the laundry room. I remember them still being stacked but had shelves in the room to put things. Also no stools at the island for these rooms correct?

 

[tom1944]

Definitely! The boat workers are top notch!

One of them gave my granddaughter a captain's hat and made her an honorary captain. We have a great picture of her wearing the hat while dressed in her BBB gown.

 

[marmentrout85]

I cannot imagine walking from Poly to MK - we barely walk from Grand Flo if ever. I think I walked back from MK in December 2021 (so nice weather, early evening) to see what it was like. It was fine, but the boats are better for going home and the monorail is easier to go to MK. I’m usually in favor of walking everywhere and I love that there’s now the option of walking, but the reality is that the VGF walk is just a little too far given the convenience of the monorail and boats. And I don’t shirk from walking: at home any day under 10,000 steps (5 mi) is unusually low.

Before they closed the walkway for construction, we used to walk to Poly for early breakfast on our Epcot days and then take the monorail at TTC. I’m excited to stay at a larger unit at Poly. (Someday)

I hear that, it's for sure a bit longer walk from VGF and I'm probably in the vast minority of those who'd consider walking from Island Tower.

Comparing the walks from BLT to Grand Floridian I timed it out this last trip and it took about 4 minutes longer than the BLT walk. I think we always took the monorail to MK, but I walked back to Grand Flo from MK nearly every time (I think I took the monorail back once). I guess at the end of the night I have no patience to stand still and wait for anything lol, even for a couple minutes, so I'd rather keep moving and make the walk back instead of wait for a boat or monorail.

One last thing I wanted to mention about walking, I was surprised to find out that the walk from our room at BWV to Hollywood Studios took less time than the walk from Grand Flo to Magic Kingdom.

 

[jcolvin5]

I hear that, it's for sure a bit longer walk from VGF and I'm probably in the vast minority of those who'd consider walking from Island Tower.

Comparing the walks from BLT to Grand Floridian I timed it out this last trip and it took about 4 minutes longer than the BLT walk. I think we always took the monorail to MK, but I walked back to Grand Flo from MK nearly every time (I think I took the monorail back once). I guess at the end of the night I have no patience to stand still and wait for anything lol, even for a couple minutes, so I'd rather keep moving and make the walk back instead of wait for a boat or monorail.

One last thing I wanted to mention about walking, I was surprised to find out that the walk from our room at BWV to Hollywood Studios took less time than the walk from Grand Flo to Magic Kingdom.

Maybe a 25 min walk from Poly Tower to MK? I'm guessing. Certainly doable for some.

 

[DanCali]

Comparing the walks from BLT to Grand Floridian I timed it out this last trip and it took about 4 minutes longer than the BLT walk.

If you actually time the walk from the VGF (original building) the distance to MK is almost double, so at normal walking pace it'd take definitely more than just an extra 4 minutes relative to the BLT walk.

If you time it from the GF lobby (or BPK) it saves about 0.2 miles. I'm still not convinced it's just an extra 4 minutes, but maybe an extra 5-6 minutes.

Maybe a 25 min walk from Poly Tower to MK? I'm guessing. Certainly doable for some.

All of these walks are certainly more pleasant between November to April.

If I'm going on the 4th of July or Labor Day, my preference is BLT and it's not just because of the view. I wouldn't want to do the hike from GF in that humidity....

 

[eticketplease]

All of these walks are certainly more pleasant between November to April.

If I'm going on the 4th of July or Labor Day, my preference is BLT and it's not just because of the view. I wouldn't want to do the hike from GF in that humidity....

Absolutely!! The monorail broke down in August and we didn't want to wait on the boat. Next time we are waiting or getting a MinnieVan!

Thankfully we were in a 1 bedroom so clothes went right into the wash lol

 

[Chili327]

I was surprised to find out that the walk from our room at BWV to Hollywood Studios took less time than the walk from Grand Flo to Magic Kingdom.

Hmm, that’s interesting, it looks much further.

Maybe a 25 min walk from Poly Tower to MK? I'm guessing. Certainly doable for some.

Especially if I’m used to walking from good neighbor to DLR. (not just across harbor)

 

[nalababybear]

I hear that, it's for sure a bit longer walk from VGF and I'm probably in the vast minority of those who'd consider walking from Island Tower.

Comparing the walks from BLT to Grand Floridian I timed it out this last trip and it took about 4 minutes longer than the BLT walk. I think we always took the monorail to MK, but I walked back to Grand Flo from MK nearly every time (I think I took the monorail back once). I guess at the end of the night I have no patience to stand still and wait for anything lol, even for a couple minutes, so I'd rather keep moving and make the walk back instead of wait for a boat or monorail.

One last thing I wanted to mention about walking, I was surprised to find out that the walk from our room at BWV to Hollywood Studios took less time than the walk from Grand Flo to Magic Kingdom.

As a vgc person. All you wdw folk are crazy walkers.

Beach club for epcot.

Otherwise it's skyliner or the monorail.

Or when at akl....Savanah view and call it a day.