Why do people like the DVC resorts?

[DJ Disney Kid]

It seems that the DVC resorts don't have the best views. For example, Wilderness Lodge and the Villas. When I go there I get a courtyard view and it overlooks the main pool, the whole lodge and the beautiful bay lake where i can see the boats coming and going, etc. Yet the Villas can't really see the lake and would have to look at the quiet pool. It seems that the DVC people are Disneys best customers, so why give them the worst views?

 

[Spine_DR]

We always stay in the BWV at the BW view great view, but If you own DVC points thats why you like DVC resorts its complicated but I love DVC and its resorts.

 

[eliza61]

It seems that the DVC resorts don't have the best views. For example, Wilderness Lodge and the Villas. When I go there I get a courtyard view and it overlooks the main pool, the whole lodge and the beautiful bay lake where i can see the boats coming and going, etc. Yet the Villas can't really see the lake and would have to look at the quiet pool. It seems that the DVC people are Disneys best customers, so why give them the worst views?

Not sure if we're the best customers, we just know we'll be returning often. Remember though a lot of the DVC units like the ones at WL and the BC were built AFTER the original hotel went up, so they had to work with the space they had. Saratoga Springs and OKW all have lovely views. Have to wait and see what happens with the AKL villas as they are being built. Also at the many of the deluxes you pay a little extra for a better view.

 

[deedeetoo]

Also, view isn't that important to everyone. We always reserved standard view when we were staying at one of the regular resorts. I could never understand the point of paying more money for a better view. The trees at VWL suit me just fine.

 

[minnie61650]

It seems that the DVC resorts don't have the best views. For example, Wilderness Lodge and the Villas. When I go there I get a courtyard view and it overlooks the main pool, the whole lodge and the beautiful bay lake where i can see the boats coming and going, etc. Yet the Villas can't really see the lake and would have to look at the quiet pool. It seems that the DVC people are Disneys best customers, so why give them the worst views?

That is one reason even though we can well afford to buy into DVC we never bought a DVC.
I have been waiting 15 years for Disney to build a DVC with a MK view.
If the new construction at CR is a DVC tower with views of the MK than we will become members.

I am hoping for a DVC at the CR.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

One reason DVC members like DVC resorts is because they can vacation at WDW in a studio with a kitchenette, or a villa with a full kitchen and washer and dryer that can accommodate anywhere from 4 - 12 people and pay much less than they would for hotel rooms to accommodate that number of people. I think I was getting a one bedroom, full kitchen, washer/dryer, for about the cost of a moderate resort room. Makes vacationing much nicer to have that extra space and ammenities.

 

[spiceycat]

love DVC - for some of the reasons that Pete listed.

my big one - I am allergic to lots of food. At a DVC resort even in a studio I can control what I eat. So I don't get sick as often. Still do - I just can't exist eating out at WDW.

 

[spiceycat]

oh by the way I love OKW water views, hate some of the other views.

VWL has a couple of nice views on the lake side. Some of the quiet pool, others of the lake, some of both.

BCV you can see Illiuinations from your room. but you have to put with the back side of Epcot plus a service road.

one of the parking lots at BCV you can see both Illiuinations and Wishes.

so even a bad view has some good things.

SSR has some wonderful views too - of DD or water (my opinion).

 

[AJKMOM]

I love to pay less, or use points for, a view that isn't so great. We save points that way, and can stay longer or go more often. I am one for which the view doesn't matter. Love my washer, dryer, and fridge.

 

[Sammie]

It seems that the DVC resorts don't have the best views. For example, Wilderness Lodge and the Villas. When I go there I get a courtyard view and it overlooks the main pool, the whole lodge and the beautiful bay lake where i can see the boats coming and going, etc. Yet the Villas can't really see the lake and would have to look at the quiet pool. It seems that the DVC people are Disneys best customers, so why give them the worst views?

At Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club the DVC section was added after the orginial resort was built so yes the views are not as good as those in the resort section. They basically put the DVC section where there was available land. At WL it is a much nicer view than Beach Club Villas which were built in the parking lot.

However the other DVC resorts were not added on as an after thought so they have as good as views as any other resort.

The location of being attached to the Lodge and to the Beach Club is enough to appeal to many DVC members therefore they are willing to take the views for the location of the resort and the larger accommidations.

 

[Tink10]

We love the BWV and stay there most of the time, but here are a few of our reasons.....

Boardwalk Views (only DVC members can get them)....

Whirlpool tubs.....

Guaranteed King beds.....

Private sleeping arrangements......

Having our own washer & dryer......

We don't cook on vacation, but the fridge is nice because we stock it well....

and most of all...

WELCOME HOMES!!!!

 

[sunee]

It's cheaper.

You can get more space for less money than a hotel suite. Sometimes, you get more space for less money than a hotel room!

And there are some very pretty views at OKW and WLV. Not as pretty as staying at the Poly and looking at the water or staying at the Beach Club and looking at the water and BWI, in my opinion...but still pretty and relaxing.

I like Key West a lot, but there are hotels I like a lot more.

 

[magicmouse2]

Sometimes the view isnt as important. Having stayed a week in a 2 bed villa at OKW we greatly appreciated the room, cooking facilities and washer/dryer. Having the 2 sofas to lounge on meant we didnt have to escape to the balcony for some space and air. I think the ultimate DVC would be a 2 bed POLY DVC with magic kingdom view Personally our family does not spend much time in the room other than washing and sleeping, but we do like to use resort facilities like nice pools, eating areas, recreation and walks. I think when the new AKL DVC areas are done they will have nice Savannah views.
Good question though!

 

[BionicEar]

I think the ultimate DVC would be a 2 bed POLY DVC with magic kingdom view

Oh man... if that ever happens (which I don't see), my DH will fight to be first in line to buy DVC. He won't stay anywhere but the Poly now. He is so spoiled.

However, our interest has been piqued with all this Contemporary DVC talk.

 

[ChefBilly]

We consider a nice view just icing on the cake.
That said, we've stayed at SSR twice with our DVC points, and both times we had fantastic views of Downtown Disney.

Here's the view from our first floor studio last week:

 

[twinklebug]

For the duration of our visits to WDW, our room is not a hotel room, it is home. You just don't get that with a hotel room.

If there are DVCs you don't care for but you prefer the main hotel, like you mentioned VWL, what many members do is they book Sun-Th at the DVC they do love and switch to a hotel they also love for the weekends using their member discount & save the points for another stay.

 

[n2mm]

DVC member here and the view has never been an important issue for us. We spend no time looking out the window at the view because there is too much to see and do outside of our room. We've never understood the attraction to the view when the last place we want to be is in our room looking out. However in April we had the cheap rooms at BWV (standard view) and from our 3rd floor balconey we watched the fireworks at EPCOT (for 12 nights), but we would've been just as happy looking at the tennis court too! We love the DVC because we know that we can vacation there and stay in great resorts for very little and as often as our points allow. (We brought enough points to vacation 6-8 weeks a year). We also can't wait to see what happens with the CR because we'll be adding points there too!

 

[ElizabethB]

We love to stay at BWV. Because it was built as DVC from the start, there are nice views available. We enjoy everything the one-bedroom has to offer, separate sleeping quarters, guaranted king bed and whirlpool tub, full kitchen, washer/dryer. We don't cook, but we stock the fridge with drinks, ice cream, etc. And, we like to bring in breakfast and have it in the room. With the kitchen, there's full dishware, silverware, microwave to heat things, etc. The one bedroom is just very comfortable.

We haven't purchased DVC. We just stay through CRO. There are often good rates available for AP holders -- and there was availability when we booked using the 40% off postcard promotion. With a CRO reservation, we get daily maid service and turndown service, which we enjoy. And, with CRO we don't have to engage in a several thousand dollar transaction with a stranger in order to rent points.

I have to say, the studio DVC units hold no appeal for me. They seem just like a hotel room, but with a sofa bed instead of a the second bed.

I don't think it's a secret anymore (is it?) that the north wing of CR was torn down to build CR DVD. Folks have posted here that the land use permits, etc. show that the new building will be DVC. Seems like WDW is trying to keep it quiet until AK DVC is sold.

Does anyone wonder why they keep building so many DVC properties? I guess they are popular and profitable. But, it seems like the bulk of the profit has to be in selling new memberships. I guess that's why they keep building new ones.

 

[Maxwell]

We always book BWV Standard views and love it. We watch the EPCOT fireworks and its a lot of fun watching the new people coming in to the resort. It's definitely worth saving some points for a longer stay or for another stay.

 

[Starr W.]

Does anyone wonder why they keep building so many DVC properties? I guess they are popular and profitable. But, it seems like the bulk of the profit has to be in selling new memberships. I guess that's why they keep building new ones.

Alot of members like myself buy more points(the dreaded addonitis disease). AKV went on sale to members first and my guide told me that DVC management was really amazed at the sales from members(# of buyers and the number of points/per member).

I know a few owners who own at every DVC, it all has to do with the resort style,location and that "home resort" window.