Touring actual DVC rooms?

[Golden Rose]

DH and I are seriously considering buying into DVC, (although since we want to pay cash, it probably won't be immediately.) That said, we've never actually seen any of the DVC rooms at any of the resorts.

In the interest of buying where you want to stay, we're most interested in BWV and BCV because we love the location, or AKV because we love the animals. When I mentioned to our guide (Jim) that we would be there in September and would like to see what rooms look like, he said something about a model. (I think it is in SSR?)

So here's my question... is it possible to actually tour rooms to get a feel for what the different room types feel like? Are the models just of SSR and AKV, and are they really just like the rooms at those resorts? What sizes of rooms do they have models of?

Are there real differences between the studios, one bedrooms, etc at two different DVC resorts? How different do the rooms at BWV feel from BCV? (We usually stay at the BC when we go to WDW. Our September trip will put us at BW.) Are the rooms pretty similar to the hotel rooms at the same resort? If we harass, er um, ask nicely at, the concierge desk, do you think they could arrange to let us just see a room on the villas side if there are any unoccupied?

 

[dianeschlicht]

The models at SSR are the new AKV models. They will be exactly like the rooms at AKV with the exception of those rooms now available in jambo house, since those will have many different sizes and styles to accommodate the existing room footprints from what used to be the AKL rooms.

There are also model rooms at BWV to view, but not at BCV. The studio, 1 and 2 bedroom units at most of the DVC resorts are the same footprint with different decor. I say most, because BWV, BCV, VWL, and SSR are basically the same footprint. OKW is significantly different because the units are a lot larger, and they are "down and out" style, so no hotel like hallways. The AKV units are also different because they have an extra bathroom that the others do not have. You can usually go to any of the resorts and ask to see a room. They will usually let you do that if there is one made up and not yet occupied.

 

[flyerron]

Not to worry, the models are the same as the real thing. Both SSR & AKV are available to see.

 

[RobDoc]

The AKV models are of the villas in Kidani Village - due to open in 2009. The AKV rooms now available are different than the models now available. (The 1BRs in Jambo House do not have the extra bathroom.)

As Diane suggested, you can certainly ask at any of the resorts about seeing a vacant villa - but there won't be a tour at any resort except SSR where the SSR and AKV models are located. The models at BWV are accessible from the Boardwalk between Big River Grille and Jellyrolls.

I would suggest taking the "official" tour to get a good idea of the program and see the model rooms available (the SSR models are a Studio/1BR = 2BR villa plus a GV and the AKV models are a Studio/1BR = 2BR villa).

Enjoy!

 

[Golden Rose]

Yeah, we are definitely planning on taking a tour when we'll be there. I just wondered what we'd see on the tour, and how close to the actual rooms it would be. Since we're particularly interested in BCV and BWV, which we would have to get on the resale market, I wasn't sure how much luck we would have seeing them...

 

[been2marceline]

You'll find that the DVC reps are more than willing to let you see the vacant rooms at a resort.

We actually owned VWL for years before we ever saw one ( we bought sight unseen ).

We stopped by the lodge once and asked if we could see the accomodations, no problem at all.

 

[castleri]

Yeah, we are definitely planning on taking a tour when we'll be there. I just wondered what we'd see on the tour, and how close to the actual rooms it would be. Since we're particularly interested in BCV and BWV, which we would have to get on the resale market, I wasn't sure how much luck we would have seeing them...

You can buy BWV and BCV from Disney but you may have to push a guide a little to do so and sometimes there is a waitlist but people have reported a fairly short wait time for these resorts. As others have said the rooms at other than OKW have the same configuration just different decor. You can get some ideas by going to the DVC website and looking at the pictures of the rooms or there are some good pictures at Allearsnet also. We will be there in Sept also and I plan to stop in at the preview center to see the AKV models. Some of the details such as the shower in the one or two bedrooms at AKV and the jacuzzis may be different than the ones at the other resorts from the pictures I have seen so want to see them first hand.

 

[chalee94]

yeah, as long as a room is available and they are not too busy, the resorts will be happy to show you a room.

and it's not the same, but the resorts forum has a room picture thread that occasionally shows a DVC room, so you can get a sense of their style:

BCV studio

BWV studio