Miffy2003
<font color=orange>I've got Saratoga Springs - mak
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2003
- Messages
- 12,175
Saturday Spotlight is aimed at helping you get a little bit extra from your trips to Orlando. The tips mentioned here may already be known to you, but perhaps you can contribute some of your own which others might not know.
Were not trying to rewrite the guide books and web pages dedicated to the nuts and bolts information, but hope we can add a little bit of our own icing on the cake.
Check out the Saturday Spotlight 'sticky' thread at the top of the board where we're collecting all the tips from each week's threads covering the different topics.
Here are this week's starter tips for Disney Vacation Club,
Currently, Disney's Old Key West, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Beach Club Villas are DVC properties located at WDW. Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, 16 acres of lakefront property at the former Disney Institute, opened in May of 2004 and is the newest DVC property. Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is the only resort being actively marketed by DVC at this time (though it can be possible to buy points at other resorts under certain circumstances). There are also 2 offsite locations at Vero Beach on the East Coast of Florida, and Hilton Head in South Carolina.
Unlike many traditional timeshares where owners buy a specific size unit at a set time of year, DVC works on a point system giving owners the flexibility to travel when they want, as often as they want, for however long they want, and in whatever size unit they choose (assuming they have enough points to do so!)
The unit sizes very from a studio to a 3 Bedroomed Grand Villa so there should be something for everyone!
General Tips
* Guests staying at OKW, BWV or SSR should check out the activities offered at their resort's Community Hall.
* Try to pick a place that matches what you want from your holiday.. The different DVC's all have distinct "feelings" to them. For example, Old Key West is very laid back and has a relaxed atmosphere. The Boardwalk Villas are a favorite of Epcot fans as you can walk to the park, and have a bustling atmosphere with lots going on. The Wilderness Lodge has a rustic elegance and feels like a rich man's camping lodge.
* All DVC resorts have free use of washer/dryers on site. 1 Bedrooms have them in the room.
* Consider checking out for Friday and Saturday nights to conserve points. Alternatively, it may be possible to pay cash for your room and receive a discount of 20% (based on availability) if you are DVC members.
* Dont forget to take advantage of the many dining, shopping and recreation discounts available to DVC members. List here
Boardwalk Villas is located at Disneys Boardwalk with a myriad of dining, shopping and recreational activities.You can walk or catch a boat to Epcot and MGM Studios.
*If you are taking a bus back to the BWV from anywhere, the quickest way to get back to your room is to exit at the Swan and walk across the bridge to the Boardwalk.
* For walker/joggers/runners out there, it is .79 of a mile around Crescent Lake which takes you past the Boardwalk and the Yacht and BC.
* If you want to play mini golf, walk over toward the Swan. Fantasia Gardens is a short distance away.
*If walking from BWV to MGM, do not go to the main resort entrance. Instead go the opposite direction, to the far end of the BWV rooms wing, and exit out the door at that end. You'll already be a lot closer to the MGM studios by beginning there.
Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is Disneys newest resort and is located within walking distance of Downtown Disney
*You can get a view of the brief fireworks display at Pleasure Island if you are staying in the Congress Park area of the resort and facing the right way. Why not request a Downtown Disney view?
* The quiet pool at Congress Park has a lovely view of Downtown Disney. It is very nice to swim at night and have the backdrop of the lights of DTD.
Old Key West Resort is Disneys original DVC resort and is designed to look like bungalows you would expect to see in Key West, Florida.
*OKW has a walking path to DTD, beginning near building 55, going along the waterway, and meeting DTD Westside near House of Blues restaurant
*The rooms at OKW are larger than at the other DVC resorts and have a different layout.
Please add your own DVC tips! Particularly for any resorts not covered
You can find the DIS main site information about DVC here!
You can take virtual tours of all the DVC resorts here!
Dont forget to join us for Sunday Chat at 7pm (BST) when this week well be continuing the theme of Disney Vacation Club resorts!
Were not trying to rewrite the guide books and web pages dedicated to the nuts and bolts information, but hope we can add a little bit of our own icing on the cake.
Check out the Saturday Spotlight 'sticky' thread at the top of the board where we're collecting all the tips from each week's threads covering the different topics.
Here are this week's starter tips for Disney Vacation Club,
Currently, Disney's Old Key West, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Beach Club Villas are DVC properties located at WDW. Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, 16 acres of lakefront property at the former Disney Institute, opened in May of 2004 and is the newest DVC property. Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is the only resort being actively marketed by DVC at this time (though it can be possible to buy points at other resorts under certain circumstances). There are also 2 offsite locations at Vero Beach on the East Coast of Florida, and Hilton Head in South Carolina.
Unlike many traditional timeshares where owners buy a specific size unit at a set time of year, DVC works on a point system giving owners the flexibility to travel when they want, as often as they want, for however long they want, and in whatever size unit they choose (assuming they have enough points to do so!)
The unit sizes very from a studio to a 3 Bedroomed Grand Villa so there should be something for everyone!
General Tips* Guests staying at OKW, BWV or SSR should check out the activities offered at their resort's Community Hall.
* Try to pick a place that matches what you want from your holiday.. The different DVC's all have distinct "feelings" to them. For example, Old Key West is very laid back and has a relaxed atmosphere. The Boardwalk Villas are a favorite of Epcot fans as you can walk to the park, and have a bustling atmosphere with lots going on. The Wilderness Lodge has a rustic elegance and feels like a rich man's camping lodge.
* All DVC resorts have free use of washer/dryers on site. 1 Bedrooms have them in the room.
* Consider checking out for Friday and Saturday nights to conserve points. Alternatively, it may be possible to pay cash for your room and receive a discount of 20% (based on availability) if you are DVC members.
* Dont forget to take advantage of the many dining, shopping and recreation discounts available to DVC members. List here
Boardwalk Villas is located at Disneys Boardwalk with a myriad of dining, shopping and recreational activities.You can walk or catch a boat to Epcot and MGM Studios.*If you are taking a bus back to the BWV from anywhere, the quickest way to get back to your room is to exit at the Swan and walk across the bridge to the Boardwalk.
* For walker/joggers/runners out there, it is .79 of a mile around Crescent Lake which takes you past the Boardwalk and the Yacht and BC.
* If you want to play mini golf, walk over toward the Swan. Fantasia Gardens is a short distance away.
*If walking from BWV to MGM, do not go to the main resort entrance. Instead go the opposite direction, to the far end of the BWV rooms wing, and exit out the door at that end. You'll already be a lot closer to the MGM studios by beginning there.
Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is Disneys newest resort and is located within walking distance of Downtown Disney *You can get a view of the brief fireworks display at Pleasure Island if you are staying in the Congress Park area of the resort and facing the right way. Why not request a Downtown Disney view?
* The quiet pool at Congress Park has a lovely view of Downtown Disney. It is very nice to swim at night and have the backdrop of the lights of DTD.
Old Key West Resort is Disneys original DVC resort and is designed to look like bungalows you would expect to see in Key West, Florida. *OKW has a walking path to DTD, beginning near building 55, going along the waterway, and meeting DTD Westside near House of Blues restaurant
*The rooms at OKW are larger than at the other DVC resorts and have a different layout.
Please add your own DVC tips! Particularly for any resorts not covered
You can find the DIS main site information about DVC here!
You can take virtual tours of all the DVC resorts here!
Dont forget to join us for Sunday Chat at 7pm (BST) when this week well be continuing the theme of Disney Vacation Club resorts!
I am looking forward to this.
,then SSR has an impressive spa and massive gym.For walkers and joggers,Congress Park and lakeside paths are great to explore!!
