Disney villas vs. resort hotel - The DIS Discussion Forums

jlsfagan · 07-07-2011, 03:02 PM

Hi I am planning my honeymoon for september and I was wondering if the Disney villas are worth getting? I was looking into getting a room at port orleans riverside but saw that you could get dvc points towards a villa. I would like to know what is better a resort hotel on Disney or the villas? Also which one of the villas is the best for the money? I am thinking about getting a studio or a one bedroom. I am staying 6 nights 7 days.

dzorn · 07-07-2011, 03:21 PM

Not a big differnce in studios and regular hotel rooms. The studios will have a queen bed and sleeper sofa(except OKW has two queens) . It will also have a kitchenette. 1 bedrooms will have a full kitchen, washer & dryer and jacuzzi tub

Denise in MI

Pakey · 07-07-2011, 03:46 PM

For 2 people, I much prefer a studio villa over a regular hotel room. The sleeper sofa gives you a living area plus a sleeping area which is nice. If you really want to do it up, then get a 1 bedroom which comes with a kitchen/laundry, king bed and a whirlpool bathtub.

Other advantage at some of the villas are quiet pools in addition to the main themed pool.

Also, the villas, depending on which one you select, can give you a huge advantage in location. I own at BCV and for us, the location is priceless since you can walk to both Epcot and DHS plus it has the best pool on property. The BWV also has the same great location and BLT is on the monorail loop and you can walk to MK. All of the others require some form of transportation to all parks, same as POR.

Note: If you stay on points, you will not get daily mousekeeping in your room unless you want to pay extra. If you stay in a villa on a cash reservation made through Disney, you will get same mousekeeping as the regular hotel guests.

fla4fun · 07-07-2011, 04:24 PM

Most of my trips are solo, and I've stayed at both PO resorts as well as most of the DVC resorts.

September is peak hurricane season. Odds are that a hurricane won't come here, but if it does, it's better to be in a resort with interior corridors (like most of the DVC resorts) than exterior corridors like PO. If you are in a resort with exterior corridors, and are confined indoors for the duration of the storm (can be as long as 36 hours) you will be cooped up in your room. Granted, on a honeymoon you might not mind being confined

but I know I get restless being confined to a space like that.

With the interior corridors, there may be short time periods where you are asked to stay in your room, but at other times you can walk throughout the resort. Also, with a kitchen/kitchenette, you will have the option to prepare some food in your villa if the restaurants are closed (yes, that happened to us once).

Now, other than the chance of a hurricane, I would still recommend a studio over a regular room. As a pp said, you have a seating area as well as a sleeping area, which makes the room feel bigger. Also, you have a larger fridge, a microwave, and a toaster, for preparing meals and snacks. Studios are a great size for one or two adults, and many of them are in great locations for getting to the parks easily. The bathroom size of a studio is comparable to a regular room.

If you can afford the one bedroom, I would go for it. You will have a king bed instead of a queen size, plus the full kitchen (I love having the full size fridge for beverages and the freezer for ice) and the laundry. Having a laundry in your room means you only have to pack half as much clothes because you can pop a load in any time instead of sitting around a laundromat. I find this especially helpful during hot September weather, when I have been known to change clothes two or three times per day because of the heat. I also like having a free standing shower stall instead of the shower in the tub. September is the one time of year I splurge and get a one bedroom for myself - otherwise, I go with a studio if booking DVC.

There's nothing wrong with PO - but for something as special as a honeymoon, I think I would go with a villa.

As far as which villa, that would depend on what themes appeal to you most. I would probably stay away from OKW and SSR, because those don't have the interior corridors that I mentioned earlier. If you think you will spend more time at Epcot, either BWV or BCV are good choices. BWV is more centrally located between Epcot and DHS, and the boat dock is right at the resort. At BCV, you are very close to Epcot, but you have to walk to either Epcot or YC to catch the boat for DHS. If you are spending more time at MK, I would pick VWL as the first choice and BLT second. The only reason I would pick BLT second is that the studios there are smaller than at VWL - but location wise BLT is closer to MK. If you want to be a little more secluded, AKV is great - it has a very romantic atmosphere and the animals are fun to watch.

lsenquiz · 07-07-2011, 05:52 PM

If you are looking at using DVC points for a villa for this September(2010) then your only options will probably be OKW or Saratooga Springs. I am not a big fan of either of those resorts because they both are just too big and quiet for me. I prefer to be in the middle of a lot of action.

dzorn · 07-07-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsenquiz

If you are looking at using DVC points for a villa for this September(2010) then your only options will probably be OKW or Saratooga Springs. I am not a big fan of either of those resorts because they both are just too big and quiet for me. I prefer to be in the middle of a lot of action.

I doubt even this late you will have many options for Sept in a villa.

Denise in MI

nolanboys · 07-07-2011, 11:29 PM

We just booked OKW for September. This is what we wanted, so I can't speak to availability at other resorts. I think OKW would be great for a honeymoon. The grounds are beautiful and it is quieter. It is also centrally located, so travel to all the parks.

nolanboys · 07-07-2011, 11:31 PM

Forgot to add that I agree with the above poster - if you can afford a 1 bdrm go for it. Huge jacuzzi and king bed!

jlsfagan · 07-12-2011, 10:10 AM

I am still thinking but... what about the resorts do you guys have any Ideas I am staying 6 nights 7 days? I am also trying to get the meal plan so I want the best place for the best price.

Disneygal27 · 07-12-2011, 12:13 PM

is september free dining for your dates? you may be able to book the deluxe room and get free dining for the same price as renting points and paying for dining (plus i think you get the higher DP, not sure though as we've never used it). Personally i love BWV for the location, we love going to epcot for dinner and spending the night on the boardwalk (BCV would be a better choice if you want the best pool).

07-07-2011, 03:02 PM	#1
jlsfagan Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 12	Disney villas vs. resort hotel Hi I am planning my honeymoon for september and I was wondering if the Disney villas are worth getting? I was looking into getting a room at port orleans riverside but saw that you could get dvc points towards a villa. I would like to know what is better a resort hotel on Disney or the villas? Also which one of the villas is the best for the money? I am thinking about getting a studio or a one bedroom. I am staying 6 nights 7 days.

07-07-2011, 03:21 PM	#2
dzorn DIS Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 6,624	Not a big differnce in studios and regular hotel rooms. The studios will have a queen bed and sleeper sofa(except OKW has two queens) . It will also have a kitchenette. 1 bedrooms will have a full kitchen, washer & dryer and jacuzzi tub Denise in MI __________________ ASMu,AKV, BLT Aug/Sept 2012, AKV April 2012, BCV/AKV November 2011, BB April 2011, CBR,BCV,BWV Aug/Sept 2010, ASMu,VWL Nov 2009, CSR September 2009, AKV August 2009, CSR April 09 ,AKV/VWL/OKW Feb 09, TL April 08, DCL January 08, POR August 2007, POR May 2006, ASMo May 2005 Last edited by dzorn; 07-07-2011 at 08:31 PM.

07-07-2011, 04:24 PM	#4
fla4fun DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: near Orlando Posts: 8,110	Most of my trips are solo, and I've stayed at both PO resorts as well as most of the DVC resorts. September is peak hurricane season. Odds are that a hurricane won't come here, but if it does, it's better to be in a resort with interior corridors (like most of the DVC resorts) than exterior corridors like PO. If you are in a resort with exterior corridors, and are confined indoors for the duration of the storm (can be as long as 36 hours) you will be cooped up in your room. Granted, on a honeymoon you might not mind being confined but I know I get restless being confined to a space like that. With the interior corridors, there may be short time periods where you are asked to stay in your room, but at other times you can walk throughout the resort. Also, with a kitchen/kitchenette, you will have the option to prepare some food in your villa if the restaurants are closed (yes, that happened to us once). Now, other than the chance of a hurricane, I would still recommend a studio over a regular room. As a pp said, you have a seating area as well as a sleeping area, which makes the room feel bigger. Also, you have a larger fridge, a microwave, and a toaster, for preparing meals and snacks. Studios are a great size for one or two adults, and many of them are in great locations for getting to the parks easily. The bathroom size of a studio is comparable to a regular room. If you can afford the one bedroom, I would go for it. You will have a king bed instead of a queen size, plus the full kitchen (I love having the full size fridge for beverages and the freezer for ice) and the laundry. Having a laundry in your room means you only have to pack half as much clothes because you can pop a load in any time instead of sitting around a laundromat. I find this especially helpful during hot September weather, when I have been known to change clothes two or three times per day because of the heat. I also like having a free standing shower stall instead of the shower in the tub. September is the one time of year I splurge and get a one bedroom for myself - otherwise, I go with a studio if booking DVC. There's nothing wrong with PO - but for something as special as a honeymoon, I think I would go with a villa. As far as which villa, that would depend on what themes appeal to you most. I would probably stay away from OKW and SSR, because those don't have the interior corridors that I mentioned earlier. If you think you will spend more time at Epcot, either BWV or BCV are good choices. BWV is more centrally located between Epcot and DHS, and the boat dock is right at the resort. At BCV, you are very close to Epcot, but you have to walk to either Epcot or YC to catch the boat for DHS. If you are spending more time at MK, I would pick VWL as the first choice and BLT second. The only reason I would pick BLT second is that the studios there are smaller than at VWL - but location wise BLT is closer to MK. If you want to be a little more secluded, AKV is great - it has a very romantic atmosphere and the animals are fun to watch. Last edited by fla4fun; 07-07-2011 at 04:30 PM.

07-07-2011, 05:52 PM	#5
lsenquiz DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canton, Ga Posts: 2,218	If you are looking at using DVC points for a villa for this September(2010) then your only options will probably be OKW or Saratooga Springs. I am not a big fan of either of those resorts because they both are just too big and quiet for me. I prefer to be in the middle of a lot of action. __________________ Lisa - NEW - SWW, BCR, & Technically, we were literally on Mars! PTR - September 2013 with a twist- In Progress PTR - SWW 2013:One tiny goal: A picture with every character! - Complete

07-07-2011, 11:29 PM	#7
nolanboys DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 1,532	We just booked OKW for September. This is what we wanted, so I can't speak to availability at other resorts. I think OKW would be great for a honeymoon. The grounds are beautiful and it is quieter. It is also centrally located, so travel to all the parks. __________________ DWDH:DS(13)DS(13)D S(11)DS(8)

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07-07-2011, 03:46 PM	#3
Pakey Lobster A Boo Boo Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central California Posts: 19,060	For 2 people, I much prefer a studio villa over a regular hotel room. The sleeper sofa gives you a living area plus a sleeping area which is nice. If you really want to do it up, then get a 1 bedroom which comes with a kitchen/laundry, king bed and a whirlpool bathtub. Other advantage at some of the villas are quiet pools in addition to the main themed pool. Also, the villas, depending on which one you select, can give you a huge advantage in location. I own at BCV and for us, the location is priceless since you can walk to both Epcot and DHS plus it has the best pool on property. The BWV also has the same great location and BLT is on the monorail loop and you can walk to MK. All of the others require some form of transportation to all parks, same as POR. Note: If you stay on points, you will not get daily mousekeeping in your room unless you want to pay extra. If you stay in a villa on a cash reservation made through Disney, you will get same mousekeeping as the regular hotel guests.

07-07-2011, 11:31 PM	#8
nolanboys DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 1,532	Forgot to add that I agree with the above poster - if you can afford a 1 bdrm go for it. Huge jacuzzi and king bed! __________________ DWDH:DS(13)DS(13)D S(11)DS(8)

07-12-2011, 10:10 AM	#9
jlsfagan Earning My Ears Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 12	I am still thinking but... what about the resorts do you guys have any Ideas I am staying 6 nights 7 days? I am also trying to get the meal plan so I want the best place for the best price.

07-12-2011, 12:13 PM	#10
Disneygal27 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 241	is september free dining for your dates? you may be able to book the deluxe room and get free dining for the same price as renting points and paying for dining (plus i think you get the higher DP, not sure though as we've never used it). Personally i love BWV for the location, we love going to epcot for dinner and spending the night on the boardwalk (BCV would be a better choice if you want the best pool). __________________ 05/91 (when I was a little bitty baby) Fort Wilderness 1995 & 1997 offsite 1999 POFQ, 2005 POFQ 2007 BWV (first extended family trip I can remember!) 08/2008 YC 12/2008 BWV for MVMCP 08/2009 GC at DL 08/2010 BWV/Hard Rock Hotel (yay WWoHP!) 08/2011 at the POLY!!! 06/2012 Aulani Ocean View, VGC for Carsland opening week, and San Diego! 07/2012 Universal RPR

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