The Official VILLAS at DISNEYLAND HOTEL (Discovery Tower) Owners and Fans Info Thread

[wnwardii]

I definitely like the Disneyland DVC tower better than the new Polynesian tower. The Duo studios at VDH are way better than the ones at the Polynesian… and better than the tower Studios at the Riviera.

While I haven't stayed in a Poly Studio, I got a tour of it this past January. I don't like that the sink, for the bathroom, is not in the bathroom. It suddenly made me feel like I was back in College, since I was in a "suite" where the shower and toilet were shared between two rooms and each room had their own sink.

I have stayed in a Duo Studio at both VDH and Riviera. Riviera was my first home resort and I just bout a contract for VDH. For me, what I feel like that is missing from the Duo Studio at VDH is a desk of some sort. At Riviera, you have that side desk built into the wall.

Hopefully the architects and designers are listening to feedback on all of these Duo Studios, so that when new resorts are built they make them more functional.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I never thought I would, but I ended up making VDH my third home resort. AKV & VGC being my first two. I was originally going to buy a 50 resale contract for VGC to have more points there… but buying VDH direct was both cheaper and easier… and I also like the flexibility that it gives me. I’ve already stayed there twice and really kind of like the hotel. I mainly wanted the points to stay a couple of nights in the fall… and I could potentially get three nights by booking a duo studio at the 11 month mark… and I figure if I want to I can always waitlist the grand cal.. and if I don’t get it, I still have a nice room… a little variety can be good. And I think it will be cool to own at the original Disney hotel.

I still don’t like the transient tax… but for a couple of nights in a smaller room, it’s not too bad… I’m definitely glad that my bigger contract is for a VGC.

I definitely like the Disneyland DVC tower better than the new Polynesian tower. The Duo studios at VDH are way better than the ones at the Polynesian… and better than the tower Studios at the Riviera.

Congrats!!

 

[Bucketfoot]

I definitely like the Disneyland DVC tower better than the new Polynesian tower. The Duo studios at VDH are way better than the ones at the Polynesian… and better than the tower Studios at the Riviera.

I've got no problem with the VDH tower as it fits in with the rest of the DL Hotel. I just don't like the idea of towers at WDW. I see it as a part of the cheapening of things there. The Poly tower has ruined the atmosphere in the the area and frankly there is nothing "Disney" about the Riviera.

But then some people love the towers there, so I guess it's just something for everyone

 

[robinb]

I just got back from 5 nights at VDH in a hearing accessible studio. What a wonderful place! I had always stayed offsite at Disneyland and thought that the whole onsite thing didn't matter. Boy, was I wrong. I was soooo spoiled. The studio was huge, the bathroom was large and dual showerheads were cool, the bed was super comfortable and the seating was spacious. My only complaint was that the curtain closed toward the head of the bed and didn't close all the way so light leaked in right at the pillows which made our late afternoon naps a little more difficult. I loved being able to walk to both parks and we used the monorail nearly every day.

You guys have a dandy place on your hands! If I were in the market for more points, I would certainly consider 100 points at VDH.

 

[RickNJane]

I've got no problem with the VDH tower as it fits in with the rest of the DL Hotel. I just don't like the idea of towers at WDW. I see it as a part of the cheapening of things there. The Poly tower has ruined the atmosphere in the the area and frankly there is nothing "Disney" about the Riviera.

But then some people love the towers there, so I guess it's just something for everyone

I'm with you. Gone are the original resort ideas and theming such as BW, BC, GF. It is replaced by sterile lifeless towers. I get that towers are cheaper to build, but come on. DVC is supposed to be a premium experience, not just some Ramada inn! It is easy to feel like you are at home at OKW. It is more of an apartment complex than hotel. Rivera just doesn't do it for me. We do own at BLT. However, BLT is at least next to the original tower, the Contemporary so it sorta fits in. As does VDH and given the space constraints it is understandable. WDW has space so really no excuse to only build towers. I really hate the lakeshore project as well. Totally destroys the vibe IMHO. The magic is dying for the sake of profit. Before I get a lot of hate, I understand that Disney is a business and needs to make profit. But they did it in the 90's with BW, OKW, etc. Why can't they do it now? Perhaps if the C-level guys were not paid so much? Sorry just venting a bit and waxing nostalgic.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I just got back from 5 nights at VDH in a hearing accessible studio. What a wonderful place! I had always stayed offsite at Disneyland and thought that the whole onsite thing didn't matter. Boy, was I wrong. I was soooo spoiled. The studio was huge, the bathroom was large and dual showerheads were cool, the bed was super comfortable and the seating was spacious. My only complaint was that the curtain closed toward the head of the bed and didn't close all the way so light leaked in right at the pillows which made our late afternoon naps a little more difficult. I loved being able to walk to both parks and we used the monorail nearly every day.

You guys have a dandy place on your hands! If I were in the market for more points, I would certainly consider 100 points at VDH.

Haha I honestly thought my husband was just too tired and lazy to shut the curtain all the way when we were there.

Love staying in the Disney bubble at DL.

 

[robinb]

Haha I honestly thought my husband was just too tired and lazy to shut the curtain all the way when we were there.

Love staying in the Disney bubble at DL.

I really seriously didn't think it would matter. But it did! I said to my DH nearly every day, "I am so spoiled!".

 

[Bucketfoot]

How far out can you do online check-in for VDH?

The app is telling me 5 days in advance and I don't see an option on the DVC website yet like I would for WDW.

 

[cruisehopeful]

How far out can you do online check-in for VDH?

The app is telling me 5 days in advance and I don't see an option on the DVC website yet like I would for WDW.

It's always been 5 days for me.

 

[Bucketfoot]

Any idea how much room they have for storing cold/frozen things if your room isn't ready yet?

We get into SNA a little after 1:00PM and will be picking up a bunch of Thrifty ice cream (chocolate malted crunch) from Rite-Aid. I'm debating whether we should pick it up along the way or just play it safe and run back out for it after we're in our room.

It would be easier to do on the way, but then again the Rite-Aid only about 15 minutes away down Harbor in Garden Grove. So not too big of a deal if we needed to do that.

 

[Canchaser143]

Any idea how much room they have for storing cold/frozen things if your room isn't ready yet?

We get into SNA a little after 1:00PM and will be picking up a bunch of Thrifty ice cream (chocolate malted crunch) from Rite-Aid. I'm debating whether we should pick it up along the way or just play it safe and run back out for it after we're in our room.

It would be easier to do on the way, but then again the Rite-Aid only about 15 minutes away down Harbor in Garden Grove. So not too big of a deal if we needed to do that.

I have found that it is hit or miss if they will put things in a freezer at VDH. If I were you I would not count on having freezer access via bell services

 

[AstroBlasters]

@ehh

How close do you think we may be to DVC needing to declare some more rooms?

 

[VGCgroupie]

Good morning my fellow VDH owners from AKV. This morning after my 10th walk down a never ending hallway to my room I have a whole new level of love and respect for the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, its towerness and its proximity to the parks.

Edit to add and to not come off as super negative, AKV is special in its own way. . But now I know why people used to tell me to shut the F up when I said VDH was a long walk to the turnstiles.

 

[Canchaser143]

Good morning my fellow VDH owners from AKV. This morning after my 10th walk down a never ending hallway to my room I have a whole new level of love and respect for the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, its towerness and its proximity to the parks.

Edit to add and to not come off as super negative, AKV is special in its own way. . But now I know why people used to tell me to shut the F up when I said VDH was a long walk to the turnstiles.

LOL It is crazy how much walking is required at some of WDW Resorts. We are spoiled over here at DLR! You are making me want to skip trying Kidani lol Is it worth the extra bathroom?!

 

[VGCgroupie]

LOL It is crazy how much walking is required at some of WDW Resorts. We are spoiled over here at DLR! You are making me want to skip trying Kidani lol Is it worth the extra bathroom?!

We were in a studio this time. Id say wait til the refurb is completed.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Good morning my fellow VDH owners from AKV. This morning after my 10th walk down a never ending hallway to my room I have a whole new level of love and respect for the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, its towerness and its proximity to the parks.

Edit to add and to not come off as super negative, AKV is special in its own way. . But now I know why people used to tell me to shut the F up when I said VDH was a long walk to the turnstiles.

I love the VDH tower and it IS a long walk to the turnstiles. I think part of the problem is that I am a naturally fast walker and it feels like walking through mud when DTD is crowded.

My first ever DVC stay was AKL for a few nights before a cruise. It's the only time I have been to WDW. When I look at it now, the activities sound great, as does the food, but it will never be on list of places that I want to stay.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I love the VDH tower and it IS a long walk to the turnstiles. I think part of the problem is that I am a naturally fast walker and it feels like walking through mud when DTD is crowded.

My first ever DVC stay was AKL for a few nights before a cruise. It's the only time I have been to WDW. When I look at it now, the activities sound great, as does the food, but it will never be on list of places that I want to stay.

0.6 miles, 13 minute walk

Not a long walk.

 

[RickNJane]

Good morning my fellow VDH owners from AKV. This morning after my 10th walk down a never ending hallway to my room I have a whole new level of love and respect for the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, its towerness and its proximity to the parks.

Edit to add and to not come off as super negative, AKV is special in its own way. . But now I know why people used to tell me to shut the F up when I said VDH was a long walk to the turnstiles.

VDH is a long walk to the turnstiles. BWV can also be a long walk to the room. We are taking our first trip to AKV in November and will hold judgement on the walk until then. For DLR I love VGC over DLH, that being said. DLH is pretty great! When we were last there the monorail was down, so the walk seemed even longer at the end of the day!

 

[MartyParty]

Ok, I feel like Rocket getting mad and kicking something. I just had to pull some data together and see how these walking distances and times mapped out.

Had some available time today and worked out via Google Earth (distances) and average walking times (AI: average 308 feet per minute). Starting points are tricky. In general, it's from the hotel front lobby area unless of course your Boardwalk or Beach Club and exit through the back of the resort. For VGC I started at the DVC wing which is basically walking through the VGC lobby and then turning towards the resort entrance to DCA or exiting in Downtown Disney and heading to Disneyland. Walking distances are tracked along walking paths and available roads (no as the crow flies' distances)

Here's the table. Apologies to the Shanghai Disneyland folks. I'm not familiar with that park and hotels.

 

[wnwardii]

Back in January, I stayed at BWV in a 1-bedroom that was at the end of a wing. If I recall, just to walk to the elevator seemed to take almost 5 minutes (based on where my room was located). Then to walk to Epcot was another 10-ish minutes. Last summer I stayed in a Duo Studio at VDH. While the total walk time, to DL/DCA main entrance, was probably about the same, it "felt" different since I was walking through Downtown Disney. Walking on the Boardwalk and up over the bridge and to International Gateway just seems like a very long walk (and with little to no shade). Where as to me, walking through the length of Downtown Disney feels "quicker".