DVC against Resort.

[real mad hatter]

Hi Everyone,Is there any disadvantages staying at a DVC rather than a Disney resort?Someone told me today you can't get Your Souvineers sent back to the resort?and also theirs a limited bus service from 12.00 till 6.00 pm to all parks?This can't be correct can it?:shrug:

 

[Master Yoda]

It is not correct. Many DVC resorts share buses with regular resorts. No idea where they got the idea that package delivery does not happen. The only con to a DVC resort over a regular one would be housekeeping. Daily housekeeping is not done for free on DVC rooms when you are staying using points.

 

[dreamfinder]

Neither of those are true. From a resort services perspective, there is no difference between a DVC resort, and a normal WDW resort. Keep in mind, that many of the DVC resorts share space/utilites/infrastructure with a regular WDW resort. AKL, WL, Boardwalk, etc. As the villas at each of those locations shares a bus stop, desk services, shops, etc with the normal hotel guests, how could they possibly have less services available.

The only guaranteed difference is that if you are staying at DVC on points, then you get reduced mousekeeping. If you stay using cash, its just like a normal WDW hotel room. The food at some is more limited, (OKW I'm looking at you) but they all have similar pools, amenities, transportation as any other deluxe on property.

It would appear that overall the bus service has less buses running during mid day, only because most people are going to be in the theme parks, not going to or fro, but they still shoot for that every 20 mins timeline.

 

[Crush Dude!]

Neither of those are true. From a resort services perspective, there is no difference between a DVC resort, and a normal WDW resort. Keep in mind, that many of the DVC resorts share space/utilites/infrastructure with a regular WDW resort. AKL, WL, Boardwalk, etc. As the villas at each of those locations shares a bus stop, desk services, shops, etc with the normal hotel guests, how could they possibly have less services available.

The only guaranteed difference is that if you are staying at DVC on points, then you get reduced mousekeeping. If you stay using cash, its just like a normal WDW hotel room. The food at some is more limited, (OKW I'm looking at you) but they all have similar pools, amenities, transportation as any other deluxe on property.

It would appear that overall the bus service has less buses running during mid day, only because most people are going to be in the theme parks, not going to or fro, but they still shoot for that every 20 mins timeline.

The room size and serenity of this resort more than makes up for it

 

[LowesChevy]

Space and flexibility are key factors in the selling point.

If you stay at a DVC on a cash reservation you will receive daily mousekeeping. Being a DVC member I enjoy the fact that I can come back to my room and not worry about whether the room was serviced. We do not mind picking up after ourselves and it still feels like vacation.

Having the kitchen space is lovely as well. Most studios are limited to the kitchenette, but the larger villas have full kitchens and if you are staying for a longer period of time, it may really come in handy for saving some $. Being able to have bread, cereal, milk on hand are nice for breakfast or snacking.

I also agree with Crush Dude (especially on the Old Key West Resort)-the extra space in the 1-2 bedrooms or grand villas is nice. Since we come back to the room during the day (vs. commando style touring) you can lounge in the family room area or retire to your own bedroom for a quick nap. You do not feel as couped up in the smaller space that the regular resort rooms offer. Plus there is more closet space, drawer space and most importantly-restrooms!

The villas tend to be more in the quiet side imho as well.

Otherwise-you will enjoy almost all of the benefits of staying in a regular rooms-wake up call service, transportation etc.

 

[harryk]

DVC - way to go if you can. You get the same service as regular resort guests. No one knows you are in a DVC suite. If mousekeeping forgets to service your room you just let the front desk know and they take care of it.
This happened when we first stayed in DVC room at The Boardwalk Villas and mousekeeping was quickly made aware of it and our rooms were serviced every day. Staying in the DVC suites caused us to eventually buy into DVC (at Wilderness Lodge).
The DVC pools are restricted to DVC guests but naturally you have access to the regular resort pools if that is your choice.
We have found the greatest advantage, other than more space, full kitchens and on occassion more than one bath (depending on suite size) is the in-room laundry. Great not going home with a ton of laundry to deal with. (Of course we only bring wash 'n wear on our vacations -- ironing is not our thing at such times.)

 

[real mad hatter]

There You Go!

I thought so,what a lot of piffle.Friend said info was from " the unofficial guide to WDW "2010 edition.Cheers to everyone and will pass on correct info to him.

 

[jpittore1]

Mousekeeping

In AKL, with DVC we received mousekeeping every 4th day and we stayed with our points. You can purchase more clenaning if needed. They will bring you more towels if needed, you just need to call. We just put the towels in the washer and dryer in the room and cleaned them ourselves. They provided the laundry detergent.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I thought so,what a lot of piffle.Friend said info was from " the unofficial guide to WDW "2010 edition.Cheers to everyone and will pass on correct info to him.

I can also assure you that your friend misread the book. There's nothing about that in any edition of the Unofficial Guide. Len Testa knows his stuff.

 

[Crush Dude!]

I can also assure you that your friend misread the book. There's nothing about that in any edition of the Unofficial Guide. Len Testa knows his stuff.

I will second that :wave: