Views - What am I missing?

[Dtw002]

BLT and AKV aside, what am I missing on spending more points for a view? I've never really cared since most of the time you are not in the room; and if in the room than the curtain is closed. I'm new to DVC though, so maybe I'm missing something.

Would be interested in people's opinion of where an upgraded view really makes a difference? View fireworks? To me though it seems like an arbitrary way to charge extra points, but again I might be missing why people value views. Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

At BLT and BWV, standard views are hard to book.

Elsewhere it is about preference. At SSR, preferred is a location, not a view.

 

[davper]

Everybody is different.

Some, like yourself, just needs a place to crash in between excursions. So having amenities at the resort is less important
Some, like myself, enjoy sitting on the balcony at the end of the day and have a beer while watching the view. We are willing to pay more for the privilege.
While others don't spend every waking moment at the parks and spend quality time at the resort. So having the best room takes precedent.

 

[Dtw002]

Makes sense. Kids are too little yet to enjoy the view...:until they go to sleep. I presume that will change over time.

I could see spending more points for a more desirable location or room amenities, but I guess that is all subjective too

 

[Roxyfire]

If it's me and my son, a view is not super important to us in most cases, except out upcoming WL stay. But if I'm taking my mother, she will want to spend her evenings in the room and seeing the fireworks from the balcony would be quite nice.

 

[Halefamilyof6]

Now, at VGC, view is paramount!! You get a REAL park view and you can watch color of wonder from your room! But, to be fair, there is no point difference in views. I always always request specific views at VGC. At Aulani, we were there 2 weeks and sometimes it was neat, when we get back to the resort from a day out, sit out on the balcony and watch the activity below (we had an ocean view...it was a last minute booking and all we could get).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

People put different priorities on things. Some may spend more time in the room and want something to look at while there. Others spend less time and it doesn't matter. Keep the curtains closed? For me - never. Only once we're going to sleep.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm a view junkie. I love looking out and seeing the lake at Boardwalk, the lake and castle at BLT, Poly & VGF. One time I could actually see Spaceship Earth from bed. My first trip after I bought at BWV, I booked preferred view (before the boardwalk view split) and got quiet pool. Very disappointed, especially when I was sold on "those who book first get first priority for the boardwalk view" (I booked at exactly 11 months). So after that, I booked standard view to save the points and avoid being disappointed. When boardwalk view became a category, I couldn't resist.

 

[bwvBound]

BLT and AKV aside, what am I missing on spending more points for a view? I've never really cared since most of the time you are not in the room; and if in the room than the curtain is closed. I'm new to DVC though, so maybe I'm missing something.

Would be interested in people's opinion of where an upgraded view really makes a difference? View fireworks? To me though it seems like an arbitrary way to charge extra points, but again I might be missing why people value views. Thanks!

Sometimes 'view' relates to 'location' and that might make a difference. When we book BWV for a business week of conference activities at the Swan/Dolphin -- we will gladly pay the Boardwalk/Garden-view points to get a room located nearest the Dolphin to save a few steps of walking back and forth.

At Aulani we are still testing out different views and do, certainly, spend much time on the lania. For our first visit, we paid the extra points for an Ocean view and were disappointed to be stuck with what we consider a 'pool view' but in a great location relative to the main building. On our return, we booked island view and were thrilled to have a great view to the ocean, far better than the prior ocean-view unit. So we continue to experiment.

Sometimes you have little choice. You book what is available rather than what you intended. Often that will mean booking the more expensive view or a 1BR vs Studio.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Everyone is different. I like the Lake View at Poly and the Savannah View at AK, but I prefer Standard View at VGF. If we were all the same, half the villas would stay empty.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I used to be like you, and not understand why anyone would ever care about the view. As we've been DVC members for 5 years now, and have started to slow down quite a bit, I have been finding myself enjoying the views more and more lately. To the point where I think I might be broken, or maybe just old and boring. I was magically upgraded to a Savannah view studio one trip recently, and LOVED it. It was so nice to sit out and watch the animals after my son had gone to sleep. Before the free upgrade I never would have spent the points to upgrade to a Savannah view, now I would consider AKV-Savannah view over many other resort options just for the view. Our BLT park view studio last trip was AMAZING! It was so neat to watch Wishes right from our room and fall immediately into bed afterwards.

I also find I appreciate the view more when we are in studios because we spend more time out on the balcony while my son naps or sleeps. In one or two bedrooms we tend to watch TV over enjoy a view.

My guess is 5 years from now you will start to enjoy the views more too!

 

[BillPA]

If you're new to Disney/DVC you will most likely still be doing the parks commando style. Once you have been a DVC member for a few years you will learn to relax and enjoy the resort, the pools the views etc.

 

[disneynutz]

For us the view is very important. We spend almost all of our time at the resort, very little in the crowded parks waiting in long lines for a 4 minute attraction. We sleep in if we feel like it, have gotten to know the resorts inside and out, along with the management and CM's. Often get behind the curtain opportunities and have met some really great people.

Bill

 

[Murron]

I've lost count of our trips to WDW. Seriously we started with the original Disney Vacation Club (OKW) and on it goes. After all these years, we tend to spend a lot of time at the resorts and patios. I love to people watch with a BWV view (magicians, jugglers), or AKL savanna view of the animals, or at VWL the 7 seas electrical pagaent, Disney Springs music from SSR Congress Park.....it goes on.... Morning coffee out there, evening wine....all good. It's so personal. It's where you are at your point in life and what makes you happy. After all these years, the room has become more than just a place to sleep, but a part of our vacation.

 

[alldiz]

Now, at VGC, view is paramount!! You get a REAL park view and you can watch color of wonder from your room! But, to be fair, there is no point difference in views. I always always request specific views at VGC. At Aulani, we were there 2 weeks and sometimes it was neat, when we get back to the resort from a day out, sit out on the balcony and watch the activity below (we had an ocean view...it was a last minute booking and all we could get).

Ok 1st trip coming up at GCV (Disneyland)this July on way to Aulani, so excited to get the room(studio) never requested a view. What should I request?

OP. As for view... at minimum I start and end every day relaxing on the balcony. I love beautiful views and I do pay extra for it. It was a real splurge for our upcoming Aulani trip for the Ocean view though!

And yes enjoy those lower point no view hopefully studio rooms now. Because once you go 1BR in a good view you might be hooked like I am.
I was quite happy in a moderate at one point
Kerri

 

[Chuck S]

As others have said, it is all a matter of personal taste. For me, I love OKW, and there one view is about as good as any other, though I have a few preferences. On the rare occasion that I go to a different resort, especially an MK area resort, I will spring for a view of the park, if it is available.

 

[n2mm]

At BLT and BWV, standard views are hard to book.

Elsewhere it is about preference. At SSR, preferred is a location, not a view.

I agree...one of the reasons both are my home resorts. Always book at the 11 month window at these two

 

[kniquy]

We recently had to decide between 2 BR AKV standard for 7 nights or Savannah view for 6 nights. And opted to stay an extra night and save some points for future trips and we went with the standard view. Like you mentioned -- we will likely be at the parks more than in the room to actually enjoy the view of the animals. There are many areas on property to get a nice view, so not worth it to us to spend the points on the room. At BLT or Poly maybe a view for fireworks, but then again -- how many evenings are you going to be in your room to watch the fireworks. You would almost be better going to an area at the resort where they also pipe in the music. And with the new Happily ever after show -- more of the show is viewed when in front of the castle.

If you are intending on having more resort time, planning dinners in room, then i could see that spending more points on a view that you will "use" or appreciate will be worth it. It really depends on what you have to spend in points. Maybe splurge one trip to see if you really feel it was worth it.

 

[Dean]

BLT and AKV aside, what am I missing on spending more points for a view? I've never really cared since most of the time you are not in the room; and if in the room than the curtain is closed. I'm new to DVC though, so maybe I'm missing something.

Would be interested in people's opinion of where an upgraded view really makes a difference? View fireworks? To me though it seems like an arbitrary way to charge extra points, but again I might be missing why people value views. Thanks!

It's all subjective but so is staying on property or even going to Orlando for Vacation. If one doesn't care or gets no value, it foolish to pay for view if one can avoid it. Often that makes the cheaper resorts or off property the best choices. For us AKV savannah is the only view type that's worth paying more for.

 

[crisi]

The other thing about BWV and views - standard views are less points. Boardwalk and Preferred are both the same amount of points. So if you can book BWV, and know that you'll be in a room overlooking the Boardwalk - and can't (because they've already been booked) or don't want to save points with Standard, why not? Your chances for a view that really doesn't work (BW has a few inside corner rooms where you sort of see the room next to you, for instance) go way down. In my years of ownership, we've never had a preferred view - but we've done Standard to save points, and Boardwalk because we had guests we wanted to impress.