What are the differences between a deluxe and a deluxe villa?

[Richard M Nixon]

I didn't realize that the deluxe villas were significantly cheaper than the associate deluxe resort if I were to rent someone's points. (I'm specifically looking at the Contemporary and the Bay Lake Towers) I'm now curious as to what the differences would be for someone expecting to stay at a normal hotel. I understand that there isn't housekeeping until the 4th day, but what about room service? Concierge? Free parking?

Has anyone stayed in a villa and a 'normal' deluxe room that can provide a breakdown of the differences? What sort of amenities will I miss out on in exchange for the price? Will my early fastpass selection or anything be different? I also understand that I can't do the premium/platinum dining plans, right?

E: Basically, is this a viable alternative to having a nice, inclusive, adult-only vacation?

 

[mcconnellfam96]

We have stayed in Saratoga Springs via DVC points and then opted to book normally at BLT. The housekeeping on the fourth day is accurate. While this is likely not a big deal to other people, I missed the daily services - fresh towels, empty trash cans, freshly made beds, etc. BLT is a wonderful resort - i just love the decor! We were in a 1 bedroom villa and it was a very roomy villa. In the end we didn't end up using many of the features (during our eight day stay, we never used the full kitchen or the laundry). We did love the second bathroom though! Also, parking is free either way,

We are returning to Contemporary at the end of the summer and opted to stay in the Contemporary main tower. Becuase we spend so much time on the go while in Disney World we felt CR was the best fit for our family of four needs. (Myself, DH, DD17, DD10) We would rather be closer to the resort amenities (Contempo Cafe, stores, etc.)

Either chose will be amazing! We also opted for the lake view rooms with both stay. So pretty.

 

[shelly3girls]

I didn't realize that the deluxe villas were significantly cheaper than the associate deluxe resort if I were to rent someone's points. (I'm specifically looking at the Contemporary and the Bay Lake Towers) I'm now curious as to what the differences would be for someone expecting to stay at a normal hotel. I understand that there isn't housekeeping until the 4th day, but what about room service? Concierge? Free parking?

Has anyone stayed in a villa and a 'normal' deluxe room that can provide a breakdown of the differences? What sort of amenities will I miss out on in exchange for the price? Will my early fastpass selection or anything be different? I also understand that I can't do the premium/platinum dining plans, right?

E: Basically, is this a viable alternative to having a nice, inclusive, adult-only vacation?

Housekeeping is the main difference. Another big difference is that most DVC studios have a queen bed and a queen sleeper sofa. We actually prefer this because it gives so much space during the day with the sofa folded up. The studio also has a kitchenette with a toaster which is great for a quick breakfast.

Most things are the same including parking, fastpass selection, Magical Express, etc. You are correct that you cannot get the premium/platinum dining plan but you can get the others.

 

[Richard M Nixon]

Can you get room service in a DVC room?

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

For me, the biggest difference is that the villas have a tiny kitchenette, WITH a microwave and a toaster. In the kitchenette you have a tiny sink to wash dishes. I LOVE the villas! The regular deluxe rooms don't have all that.

 

[purple figment]

The studios have a kitchenette, but the 1-2-3 bedroom villas have a full kitchen with a full size refrigerator, stove, microwave, double sink, dishwasher, dishes, silverware, pots and pans, etc. They also have a stacked washer & dryer combo which I really appreciate.

We usually stay in a one bedroom villa at the BWV or BCV and there's so much more space than in a regular resort room. The living room area is separate from the bedroom and the 2 closets provide lots of storage space.

We've not used room service, but there's a menu in the room and we've seen trays outside of rooms when we've walked down the hallway. You can purchase a dining plan, but cannot get free dining or the platinum and premium packages.

You will have free parking.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Can you get room service in a DVC room?

Yes.

 

[bookwormde]

DVC is made up of studios and deluxe villas.

The studios are like a hotel room with a microwave and sink.

The deluxe villas are like an apartment with a living room, full kitchen, laundry etc. they come in 1,2 and sometimes 3 bedrooms

The deluxe hotel rooms will accommodate 6 with a sleep sofa in a separate sitting area.

Warning, if you stay in a villa, you will never want to go back to a hotel room for a stay of any length.

 

[vicki_c]

Yes.

This depends on the resort. SSR and OKW don't offer room service. All of the other DVCs are attached to a regular deluxe resort and therefore have room service.

 

[vicki_c]

The deluxe hotel rooms will accommodate 6 with a sleep sofa in a separate sitting

Not really correcting this, but clarifying.
This refers to a room that is classified a as a deluxe room, and doesn't pertain to ALL the rooms in a deluxe resort. It's confusing terminology that Disney uses.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Renting points is great (we've done it three times) but you have to have a bit of flexibility. You might not be able to get the resort and/or view that you want, and you won't have the ability to cancel, so you're locked in.

We've enjoyed our DVC stays as renters. Though we don't cook on vacation (other than breakfast a couple of times during a stay) we like to be able to spread out when we do eat in the room. I don't mind not having housekeeping come in every day. But after we stayed at BLT in 2012, but then it had no availability for our dates in 2013, I knew that our days of renting were essentially over. For us, the location is important enough that we're willing to pay more to get what we want.

 

[shocker]

Depends on how many are in your party. For my family, I am unwilling to pay those kind of prices and someone to have to sleep on a pullout sofa. We would have to get a 2 bedroom for everyone to have a bonafide bed, so it's much cheaper for us to stay deluxe than 2 bedroom villa.

 

[Sammie]

At Bay Lake Towers if you are considering booking a Studio, the biggest difference will be the size of the room compared to a room at the Contemporary resort.

The BLT studios are really small. I would never consider one myself for more than 2 people.

Studios have a queen bed and full size sleeper sofa. Only one and two bedrooms have a queen sofa sleeper.