Villa vs. Concierge

[litlpixie]

I really dont know if this is the appropriate place for this, but I know this is where the DVC owners lurk and I'm looking especially for their opinions. Seriously considering a renting points next Summer to stay at BCV. Tell me about staying in a villa. How better is it than staying in a room on Concierge level? Are you saving alot of $$ cooking in your room, or do you find it inconvenient to have to go back to the room for meals? Tell me your thoughts.

 

[lacool]

What size villa are you considering? My family stayed two days at AKL conceirge followed by 5 days in an OKW 1-bdrm, and found the OKW stay much more luxurious. The extra space, the ability to put the kids to bed in their own room, not to mention the large jacuzzi tub, all made those 5 days much more pleasant than the first 2. Obviously, that difference wouldn't be as important if you are planning on a studio-size room at BCV.

We found it very convenient to have breakfast in our room most days, and dinner in our room a couple of times. Dining in your room is especially nice at BCV, because when you are done you can stroll on the beach or walk over to the Boardwalk.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[jel0511]

I have stayed concierge 4 times, at 4 different resorts. And it truly depends on what type of person you are. If you are going to use the pre-planning staff to make your PS's, concierge is great. Me, I like to do those myself, so I really never used the concierge for that. The food laid out is nice and delicious, but I can eat breakfast in my room, and not have to worry to be presentable to eat it. I can also keep snacks, drinks, etc in my room and eat them at will, and not have to worry about what is and isn't out in the lounge. Also, the lounges usually close around 10PM, and my kitchen is open 24 hours per day. We usually only have cereal, bagels, etc in the room for breakfasts, and usually eat most other meals out. I prefer the larger accomdations that DVC gives us ( 1 bedroom or larger). We used to couple our DVC stays with a concierge stay, but have now added on enough points so we dont' have to do that anymore. We prefer the casual feel and larger rooms and the ability to do what we want. Concierge is a GREAT treat, and when I stay at a deluxe hote., I'll only stay concierge. But, if given the choice, I'd choose a DVC villa every time.

 

[Scoootch]

Originally posted by litlpixie
How better is it than staying in a room on Concierge level? Are you saving alot of $$ cooking in your room, or do you find it inconvenient to have to go back to the room for meals? Tell me your thoughts.

Again, depends on what size villa you're talking about

To stay concierge, you get all the extras between the food offerings and having the concierge staff at your fingertips but you also as far as accommodations go are getting just a hotel room - albeit a nicer room as it's in the deluxe catagory.

If you're staying in a 1bdrm villa or larger at a DVC resort whether it be BCV's or any other DVC, you're getting a mini-condo or in the case of OKW a regular size condo lol. It's actually more luxury to have at least 2 rooms plus a bathroom and laundry as far as space goes - you have an entire living room to lounge in beyond just the master bedroom and when you add the fact that you'd have a king size bed and jacuzzi tub along with the ability to cook an entire meal in your villa if you choose. It really IMO is more luxury than a concierge stay in that case. If you'll only be in a studio though, concierge would be better as a studio is basically a nicer size hotel room with a kitchenette.

HTH's

 

[rocketriter]

If you're going on rented points (as opposed to paying WDW cash for a DVC villa), you'll only get 1 trash-and-towel and 1 room cleaning each week (although you can order more for a small fee). Many of us prefer it that way, but you should know going in.

 

[litlpixie]

Thanks so much, these opinions were exactly what I was looking for. I would be looking for a 1 bedroom, and it sure seems like having the room and the freedom to eat breakfast in your bathrobe would be something we're not too used to while staying at a Disney resort. Thanks again.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I have stayed conceirge and loved it, but the only way to make it worth your while is to sit in that lounge all day and take advantage of the food and drink. If you stayed at AKL, for example, conceirge runs about $400+ per night, and all you get is a regular room which you could get for under $200 per night without conceirge, so conceirge runs about $200 per day for that food. Renting points for a one bedroom is about $10 X 22=$220 per night (at OKW) for a lot more space--can't you eat for about $200 per night, even in a restaurant? I would say that you most certainly will save money at a DVC resort, and breakfast in the villa is fast and easy and a money-saver, even if you eat your other meals in a restaurant. Most of us do eat dinner out, although there are some real savers here who actually do eat all their meals in the villa. Going DVC isn't about giving up the luxury of being waited on, it's about the luxury of SPACE where you sleep.

 

[llp479]

We're planning a quick four day trip this month. We originally wanted a cash ressie at a DVC resort, but there was no availablility, so we got an AP rate on Concierge at BC.

This week, we were able to get availability at OKW so we cancelled the ressie. Now I don't have to worry about where I'm doing my laundry! Even for a four day stay I can't be without a washer and dryer!

 

[DrTomorrow]

We've stayed Concierge only once (Polynesian) and that was only during the Fairy Tale Package (hadn't bought into DVC at that time). Other than any "prestige" value, we identified two main benefits of Concierge:

1. The planning/scheduling services. While I'm certain that some folks take advantage of this, it wasn't much use to us. Between our do.it.ourselves attitude and the fact that we prefer to have less rigid schedules, we just didn't use this for much than a couple of PSs.

2. The food. While this was nice - iced bottles of water available, rolls & bread for breakfast, snackie meats & treats for dinner - it wasn't worth the cost. Plus, even with just a DVC Studio, the fridge, toaster and microwave makes it easy to have warm bagels for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch/dinner and cold beverages 24/7. Add in the full kitchen of a 1- or 2-BR and you're set for all meals.

And yes, the added room does make a difference; not to overuse the DVC cliche, but it does feel more like "home".

So - IMHO - DVC seems to be the better choice....

 

[MJS]

We are DVC members at the BCV, after staying in several Disney concierge rooms at different deluxe resorts. We like to go on longer trips (10 days to 2 weeks), and the villa works much better for us. We stock the kitchen with snacks and drinks, as well as breakfast items, and eat when we feel like it. We almost always dine out for lunch and dinner, with an occasional character breakfast. My DH says its great to get have a snack in his underwear without scaring the other concierge guests (Just kidding! He did dress to go to the lounge!)

Also, having a washer/dryer is great. We pack less and don't have to rely on the valet for clean clothes. We have had clothes ruined that we sent out for cleaning. I would much rather just do it myself.

We actually joined the DVC after a 2 week stay in a deluxe concierge room at the GF Royal Palm Club. Disney's concierge service, relative to other non-Disney concierge places we stay, is not that great. We generally make our own PS as part of our trip planning, so we don't need the CMs that much. I have also found that given that I am a Disney nut and get so much great info from these boards, I know as much if not more than some of the CMs! The villa is a much better choice for us! Good luck with your decision!

 

[spiceycat]

depends upon what you want -

do you like to be waited upon by staff - if yes then stick with conceirge

do you like daily maid service - if yes - then stick with concierge

now if you want more room and privacy - go with DVC

 

[LisaSt]

I would stay in a BCV room over a concierge room rent points and you will be hooked on DVC that is what we did. I wouldn't waste the money on a concierge level room.

 

[kweaver]

FWIW, I've never stayed in a concierge room at Disney (plenty of other properties...mostly Westin).

My advice is to go with the 1BR and splurge on some fancy snacks and breakfast items. Set up your own concierge buffet on the breakfast bar...you will love it!

We use the kitchen a lot less than I thought. However, the full sized fridge and freezer makes it all worth it! I'm sure the oven, etc. will come in handy during some real budget trips. We did use it once in June...to heat up leftover french fries.

The laundry is a god-send with three kids. We used it almost every day this summer.

I can't wait to get back next year!