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Ok, so having been around here a couple weeks now I have to ask what all the fuss is about DVC? I see many people wanting to trade into them and waiting for deposits, so what is so special about these resorts vs others in the area? Can I assume they have some very special perks to go along with them.
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Yes, there are perks that go along with staying at a Disney property. In addition to the properties & staff being nice......
First off, obviously, you are as close as you can get to the parks, and do not even need a car if you prefer to stick with Disney transportation.
You can use the Disney shuttle to get to and from the airport, for free. They will also pick up your bags for you at the airport, and deliver them to your room.
You can shop in the parks, and whatever you purchase, will be delivered to your room. No need to carry stuff around with you while you're having fun in the parks.
You get to go to the parks during special times when the parks are open to Disney guests only. Usually, and hour before, or after the park's normal operating hours.
You have the option to choose Disney's Dining, which is only available to Disney's guest.
There may be some other perks, too, but those are the ones that come to mind.
Angela
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
BTW, I'm still keeping track of how many times you annoy me.
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I would have to be dragged to Orlando kicking and screaming. no matter what property I was staying in.Lawren
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There are many wonderful places in the world, but one of my favourite places is on the back of my horse.
- Rolf KopfleComment
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I am in Orlando (going to a golf tournament) and we went to Downtown Disney for dinner and we got terribly lost in Disney and drove round and round in circles trying to get out. I am staying away from that place. I did pass all the places i have heard of on the timeshare boards.Comment
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Does Disney still have the $ 95 "perk" charge for exchangers since they switched to the dark side?Comment
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For me......I like to stay in TS's - couldn't imagine a week vacation in just a hotel room. I use to pay out of pocket at Disney, then I traded with II and now I stay off site (and still happy)
If you were to book a DVC directly with Disney for a one bedroom you can easily pay $450+ per night! Ok, you can rent from an owner and possibly by around $250 per night. BUT, if you can TRADE into DVC - the cost is much lower.
So.....I would say the pull for me...it is the savings on the room.Comment
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Disney is one of those places that you either get it or you don't.
I guess since DVC was so hard to get in the past, everyone thinks they need to experience it at least once. I already own DVC so I'm not as fanatical about exchanging in as others, but I do check availability anyway, just cause it's my happy place. It's definetely not for everyone though and I understand that.
But where else can you sit on your balcony and watch African animals while you watch the sunset or else sit on your balcony and see the Fireworks close up like you can in Boardwalk and Bay Lake Tower. It's also nice to hit Epcot for Food & Wine festival and stumble back to your resort by boat or even walking and not have to worry about driving home. And when you stay in the DVC timeshares the cast members always say "Welcome Home" which as silly as it may sound makes you really feel like you're home.
Once you stay onsite without a car, you're pretty much in the mousetrap and will be paying big chunks of cheese for everything. That's the only downside to staying onsite without a car but others don't seem to mind it. I always have a car so I can escape if need be to eat real pizza or buy something at Walgreens etc.
Most of the resorts in Orlando are nice so really the only reason you'd want to stay onsite is if you are only doing Disney. For doing anything else in Orlando you're better off staying offsite.Comment
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All interesting stuff to now, so there is definately some advantages if you are a big fan. I love Disney World and was at Downtown Disney on our most recent trip. Loved the House of Blues (with a restaurant.com certificate no less) and admit we did have a bit of a hard time finding it.
When we went to Disney world back in 2008 we stayed right at Disney at Port Orleans? Nice but EXTREMELY small. There was the advantage of the shuttle and such, early parks but not sure how much of a premium I would pay. If it is like Universial the parking for two cars get's pretty expensive.
Much preferred the two bedroom we got this time offsite, but no Disney this time. As I can see from the previous responses not everyone is as big a fan. I will definately be going there again, as Karen has never been there. I agree, no way would a hotel for a week work for me any more.Comment
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Tom,Originally posted by gandalf252002 View Post
DVC is not the hotel portion of Disney but the timeshare portion.
You stayed in the hotel at Port Orleans. Parking is free when you stay in DVC unless you do valet parking. Actually parking is free all over when you stay in a Disney resort whether thru DVC or not. You can come and go to the parks for free also if you have your car and don't want to do Disney transport.
The hooplah that you're seeing for DVC is about staying in 1 or 2 bedroom units in Disney. A world of difference compared to the Port Orleans although IMO that's the nicest moderate at Disney.
You can do an exchange into DVC with your BG points thru RCI. The DVC TS's are considered deluxe accomodations by Disney standards so you get a few of the hotel perks like valet parking, room service, bell service, concierge, etc.Comment
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Since DVC no longer trades with II, we had to make a choice to pay to stay on site or travel by car and fight the traffic and crowds in the parking lot (last year). We compromised. We got a family suite at All Star Music (a 1 BDRM with a small fridge, microwave and coffee pot) for four nights. I took a TS in Kissimmee for another 7 nights so we could do all the non-Disney stuff. The family suite was a good choice. We got a private BDRM for us and the kids could sleep on the coverted sofa bed at night. There were two full bathrooms and it provided much more space than a regular room. If you have more than four guests, this is a cheaper option than two regular hotel rooms.Originally posted by gandalf252002 View PostComment
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Yes. I was there last year, and I think I paid $99 at check-in.Originally posted by tonygAngela
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
BTW, I'm still keeping track of how many times you annoy me.
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Thanks for providing the corrections. It is nice to know that I can trade up when going down to Florida next time. Karen and I will definately be checking out Disney in the years to come but I would like to do off peak and save the $$$ / Points. As they say in life, timing is everything. If what I have seen so far from comparing resorts to hotels is an indication of what I have to look forward to it will surely be an enjoyable trip.
Originally posted by chriskre View PostComment
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I haven't stayed onsite with DVC yet but will probably bite the bullet at some point. Just to be able to say I've done it
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For me, I am too cheap to feel that paying a $95 extra surcharge is worth it. Also it's cost 25-30 TPUs for a 2 bedroom where I can get (and have gotten) very very nice other 2 bedroom timeshares for 6-7 TPUs.
But in my situation, we get in free thru employee friends so go often enough that we don't need extra magic hours. We have our own car so am not looking to try to not have to rent a car (ie: use Disney transport instead). My MIL buys an annual pass so we get free parking with that.
I can totally understand other's desire to stay on property however. If it's a once (or twice) in a lifetime visit, then having those extra hours in the park, especially at the ticket prices Disney charges, can be worth it. Also being immersed in the Disney atmosphere on such a lifetime trip can be worth it.
And who knows, once I finally stay onsite I might come away feeling it's the only thing to do after all!Comment
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I would have to agree that spending an extr $95 is not worth it, and not fully understanding the TPU's yet not sure what the value difference is "per TPU". Although I do have to admit, the idea of waking up, and being to sit out on you balcony in the Animal Kingdom would be kind of nice. It is a same to be so far away from retirement, that is surely when I will be able to make the best us of timeshares. With only 3 weeks vacation, with at least 1 week to the MIL's there's not much time to get the best Sunday to Thursday value deals.
Originally posted by jlwquilter View PostI haven't stayed onsite with DVC yet but will probably bite the bullet at some point. Just to be able to say I've done it.
For me, I am too cheap to feel that paying a $95 extra surcharge is worth it. Also it's cost 25-30 TPUs for a 2 bedroom where I can get (and have gotten) very very nice other 2 bedroom timeshares for 6-7 TPUs.
But in my situation, we get in free thru employee friends so go often enough that we don't need extra magic hours. We have our own car so am not looking to try to not have to rent a car (ie: use Disney transport instead). My MIL buys an annual pass so we get free parking with that.
I can totally understand other's desire to stay on property however. If it's a once (or twice) in a lifetime visit, then having those extra hours in the park, especially at the ticket prices Disney charges, can be worth it. Also being immersed in the Disney atmosphere on such a lifetime trip can be worth it.
And who knows, once I finally stay onsite I might come away feeling it's the only thing to do after all!Comment
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And once you do you will want to come back onsite again.Originally posted by jlwquilter View PostI haven't stayed onsite with DVC yet but will probably bite the bullet at some point. Just to be able to say I've done it.
And who knows, once I finally stay onsite I might come away feeling it's the only thing to do after all!
Paying the $95 is a wash if you stay off site and have to pay for parking.
Parking is $14 a day for the parks so in a few days of visiting you recoup what you paid to stay off site.
But you also have to pay $10 a day for internet if you exchange in.Comment
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