Which WDW DVC resort feels the most exclusive?

[DizBub]

But you hear the most complaints about BCV being dirty and worn. Far from "exclusive".

Maybe Aulani? It excludes a lot of members because it is expensive to get there.

I think of Four Seasons and maybe some Omni resorts as being more exclusive. And none of the DVC resorts fit that bill. I don't think VGF will even fit, more like Gramma's Florida beach home than Mar-a-lago.

Was just answering OP's question about the 7 on-property DVC resorts.

Haven't stayed at any really exclusive resorts and guess I'm just really easy to please.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I feel the most special when I stay at VWL. It was the first DVC that caught my eye as they were building it, and we were staying at WL. I remember saying to DH that I just "knew" it would be out of our reach to own there, ever! It took a few more years for us to think about DVC, and at that time, 2003, we bought what was sold with the incentives, BWV, but almost immediately bought some VWL too!

It's not only the lodge, it's the Villas, the Springs pool, the Carolwood Pacific room, the whole package, even the skiing ads on the wall! VWL is the most special place that DH & I can stay at!

We don't own at BLT, but do at all the others on the East coast. I love the DVC resorts, but feel the magic most at VWL. I smile more when I stay there!

Bobbi

PS. It's internal. I do not think that

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Perhaps exclusive is not the right word.

I am just wondering if DVC members feel more special and valued than non-members at one of the resorts.

What came to my mind for this would be the resorts that are DVC only and not part of one of the hotels. So SSR, OKW and also Kidani. But it's only a very slight attitude difference and nothing too driving IMO.

 

[crisi]

Perhaps exclusive is not the right word.

I am just wondering if DVC members feel more special and valued than non-members at one of the resorts.

No.

If anything, cash guests are where Disney is going to invest the time in making sure they come back - members have handcuffs to Disney.

Want a corporation to value you? - spend a lot of money on something that has high margins and for which you have to remake the purchase decision with regularity - that isn't the timeshare model.

 

[Starr W.]

I don't think VGF will even fit, more like Gramma's Florida beach home than Mar-a-lago.

, that's a good one Deb.

 

[Sammie]

Actually since we stay often at the deluxe resorts before or after a DVC stay, I feel less special at DVC than any deluxe resort.

Not saying they should be the same as one is a timeshare and one is a deluxe resort, but there is a difference.

 

[Sammie]

What came to my mind for this would be the resorts that are DVC only and not part of one of the hotels. So SSR, OKW and also Kidani. But it's only a very slight attitude difference and nothing too driving IMO.

Agreed, I really do not like the DVC add ons, as I do not think members are appreciated by some of the staff. Maybe we have some rotten members ruining it for all of us, but there is a difference.

 

[disneynutz]

Agreed, I really do not like the DVC add ons, as I do not think members are appreciated by some of the staff. Maybe we have some rotten members ruining it for all of us, but there is a difference.

A cash guest is where the money is at so naturally they will get better treatment.

DVC pays a fee to the resort to process us, clean the rooms, maintain them, and the fee is guaranteed and paid automatically. Not much incentive to plus it for DVC people.

That being said, there are wonderful CM's that try to make our experience magical but they are limited by policy and as our family has learned, the policies for DVC and cash guests are different.

Bill

 

[wendydarling826]

A cash guest is where the money is at so naturally they will get better treatment.

DVC pays a fee to the resort to process us, clean the rooms, maintain them, and the fee is guaranteed and paid automatically. Not much incentive to plus it for DVC people.

That being said, there are wonderful CM's that try to make our experience magical but they are limited by policy and as our family has learned, the policies for DVC and cash guests are different.

Bill

Can you elaborate on the policies that are different for DVC members than cash guests? I was not aware of this.

 

[disneynutz]

Can you elaborate on the policies that are different for DVC members than cash guests? I was not aware of this.

Based on years of staying in DVC and cash rooms at WDW there is a difference. If you are a cash guest you deal with the resort directly and they work hard to make sure that you are satisfied. If you are a DVC person, DVC has a contract with the resort to provide service but they are different departments within a large company. DVC has to ask the resort to do things as if they or we are a third party.

There is a limit on what the resort can/will do to make a DVC problem go away. They often say that "it's a DVC policy, while DVC says that "it's a resort policy". We have had room problems that should have moved us to another room but DVC people don't move so they offer some money or a meal or a balloon. We have had maintenance in our room until 11:00 at night working on a problem, one time they brought us 3 different apartment size refrigerators until they got one that worked. Apparently the buyer for the DVC rooms bought a bad batch of units for a rehab.

Many times in conversation with a Front Deck CM, things are going great when addressing a problem until they say "oh, you are a DVC person", they often excuse themselves to the back room only to return and say that there isn't anything they can do. Doesn't happen often but it did happen a couple of times and it quickly taught me that DVC and cash guests are treated different.

Bill

 

[bangzoom6877]

I don't feel like DVC members get special treatment as opposed to cash guests...but what is special about it to us is having all the space to spread out, which is why we bought a DVC membership in the first place. It affords us to stay in a 1-bedroom villa because we couldn't afford to do that on cash each time and keep going to WDW. I'm sure regular deluxe hotel guests get treated more "special" but it doesn't bother us. We're simple and easy to please.

On our last trip, the villa was guaranteed to be ready at 4pm (BWV's policy, and I think the other DVC properties as well), but it wasn't ready for about an hour more. The CM at the front desk immediately told me that she was giving us a $50 credit on our KTTW cards. I don't think this was any more than they would have done if we were staying on cash, but I thought it was great that they did that.

 

[sandieb]

I think by and large the CMs try to make guests feel special. There are exceptions - usually in the parks. The exclusitivity comes from being at WDW to begin with. The left out people are on their way to work or dricing the carpool.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

On our last trip, the villa was guaranteed to be ready at 4pm (BWV's policy, and I think the other DVC properties as well), but it wasn't ready for about an hour more. The CM at the front desk immediately told me that she was giving us a $50 credit on our KTTW cards. I don't think this was any more than they would have done if we were staying on cash, but I thought it was great that they did that.

You actually did receive special treatment for the villa not being ready by 4PM - that is not BWV's policy. The policy is that check-in is at 4PM and they won't guarantee a Villa being ready prior to 4PM. AFAIK Disney does not have a guarantee time for any room being ready although they try and target by 4pm.

 

[downontheBW]

When I first read your question, I had thought you meant exclusive as as in snobbish. One of the main reasons we like Disney is that it does not seem that way - you see all types there. I can walk around in a tee shirt and shorts and not feel out of place except at certain restaurants. Totally casual and comfortable.

But answering the question of what I feel is most stylish is the Boardwalk; assume the Beach Club would be as well but haven't stayed there yet. AKV and WLV are themed so beautifully, but I don't think of them being "stylish" as they are more rustic. BLT is also very stylish but also very casual.

Catering most to DVCers would be the non-hotel resorts as PP said. Also, as others said, cash guests are where the resorts make their money and the ones they need to keep happy so they'll come back. They've made their money on us owners and we will be coming back - unless something is bad enough to make us sell. But, I've never felt second-class to cash guests.

All that said, what makes me feel like I belong (which is better than exclusive in my book) is hearing the "Welcome Home" when I arrive. That's the best!

 

[Brian Noble]

if DVC members feel more special and valued than non-members at one of the resorts.

Generally no. DVC resorts tend to treat Members and non-Members who are staying at the same resort more or less the same. There are some minor differences in perks offered---a few restaurant discounts, free movie rentals, etc. And, there are at least two ways that non-Members can stay at a DVC resort without being a guest of a Member: renting directly from Disney, or an RCI exchange.

One of the main reasons we like Disney is that it does not seem that way - you see all types there.

While this is true, I am sometimes struck by how...monochromatic...the guests at DVC resorts are vs. those at offsite places; the guest mix is a little more diverse even at some of the top-shelf offsite resorts. I'm not sure why that is, but it is noticeable.

 

[Brancaneve]

I would add that Aulani seems to be quite exclusive in that you must have a wristband to enjoy all the amenities. Anyone not on the list is Out! It seems that you can get away with that a little more at the other dvd resorts.

 

[Simba's Mom]

All of them have "gentlemen" who don't remove their headgear indoors.

Sorry about that [hangs head in shame]. I keep trying to remind DH to take off his golf hat indoors, but it doesn't work.

 

[crisi]

Sorry about that [hangs head in shame]. I keep trying to remind DH to take off his golf hat indoors, but it doesn't work.

I have a fourteen year old son who I never see the top of his head.....he looks at me like I'm crazy. But then, I don't take him wearing a hat to anywhere "exclusive." My house is far from it.

 

[RoutemanDan]

While this is true, I am sometimes struck by how...monochromatic...the guests at DVC resorts are vs. those at offsite places; the guest mix is a little more diverse even at some of the top-shelf offsite resorts. I'm not sure why that is, but it is noticeable.

Wow.

 

[Caren90]

For us, I feel the size of the room gives the sense of specialness (not using "exclusive" here). When we stay in a Grand Villa there is definitely a different feel and excitement.

Stephen