Walt Disney World Resorts: Intro to DVC Properties
Welcome back to our resort rundown, where we detail every Walt Disney World resort. We are nearing the end of our exploration, and it's time to talk about Disney Vacation Club ONLY properties.
What is the Disney Vacation Club?
The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is Disney's answer to a timeshare. You enter a contract wherein you pay a set amount each year and in exchange, you get points that you can use to book a stay at a Walt Disney World resort, typically at a pretty steep discount. You select a "home resort" which is any of the Disney World resorts that have DVC units available, but you don't have to use your points at your home resort. The main advantage of a home resort is the ability to book before other DVC members at that resort.
Guests who are not members of the Disney Vacation Club can "rent" points from Vacation Club members who will not be using their points on a third party site, such as David's DVC Rentals. This can be attractive for a few reasons. One is that, again, using points means the stay is typically less expensive than if you were to pay the asking rate. The other advantage is that the DVC has some exclusive units and properties that you can typically only guarantee a stay at if you are a DVC member or are using DVC points because they get swooped up quickly. However, when DVC units are not booked by DVC guests, they are made available to regular guests at a per night cost.
All Walt Disney World deluxe resorts have DVC units available. Some are quite run-of-the-mill while others are truly unique such as the Bora Bora Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Units range from studios which typically include a king bed, a pull down queen bed, and a kitchenette with dishes and flatware to Villas which are more like apartment rentals. In addition to the DVC units that can be found at deluxe resorts, there are three properties that ONLY include DVC villas. Two were the original DVC properties, and the final is the newest resort at Walt Disney World.
Those are:
Disney's Old Key West Resort and Spa
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Disney's Riviera Resort
... and those are the properties we will detail in this article.
Disney's Old Key West Resort
As the name implies, Disney's Old Key West is themed like Key West at the turn of the century. If you really want to feel like you are in Florida, this is a great place to stay. The resort is closest to EPCOT, being across Bonnet Creek Parkway from the theme park. It's nestled between the fairways of one of Walt Disney World's golf courses, and sits along a branch of the Sassagoula River.
There are a total of 761 units at Old Key West. Units are laid out in several bungalow-style buildings, each of which could contain more than one unit. Units available range from studios to three-bedroom deluxe villas. All units except the studios have washers and driers. For those staying in studios, washers and driers are available near the pools. The smallest of the units is the studio, which still comes in at a healthy 376 square feet.
When it comes to recreation, there are four pools. The main pool is themed as a sand castle and has a waterslide within the towers of the sand castle, and a hot tub inside of a lighthouse. There are three other "quiet pools" laid out around the property. There are also tennis courts, volleyball courts, and shuffleboard courts. There's a fitness center, and two arcades. Finally, there is a community hall where you can rent things such as surrey bikes, DVDs, ping-pong, board games, bikes, pontoon boats, canopy boats, and pedal boats, or you can participate in organized activities, some of which have a fee. Examples of some activities you might find at Old Key West include tours, arts and crafts, wine tasting, sandcastle building contents, and fishing excursions.
For dining, there is a quick-service location, two pool bars, and a table-service location:
Good's Food to Go - This is the quick-service location near the pool where you will order at a counter. There are sandwiches, salads, and other typical quick service foods available here.
Gurgling Suitcase - This is a full-service bar near the pool featuring cocktails and small bites. If you want conch fritters, this is where to get them!
Turtle Shack Poolside Snacks - Is a pool bar at the other end of the resort from the Sandcastle pool, near the Turtle playground. It serves snacks, pizza, desserts, sandwiches, ice cream, and drinks.
Olivia's Cafe - This is the resort's table-service restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The focus here is on Southern comfort food, and of course, key lime pie or tart for dessert.
Although there are only 761 rooms, the resort is very spread out, so there are several bus stops around the resort. The good news is you will never be far from a bus stop or a pool. The bad news is this means buses going to or coming from theme parks will make several stops around the resort before your stop. And yes, all theme parks are served by bus from Old Key West. However, due to it's excellent location, EPCOT, the Magic Kingdom, and Disney Hollywood Studios are all under 10 minutes away. There is also a boat to Disney Springs, which is right around the corner from this resort.
Our take on Old Key West is that it has a real sense of place and the theming is outstanding. However, with the amenities and transportation options, as well as the way the resort is laid out bungalow style with several small pools and a main pool, it has the feeling of a moderate resort rather than a deluxe resort. Which, for some, is exactly what they want.
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Disney's Saratoga Springs is very near Old Key West! It's basically across the Sassagoula river from parts of it. However it is much larger with 1,260 units ranging from studios to three-bedroom deluxe villa treehouses. Yes, treehouses, which is often a draw of this resort because they are one of those unique DVC property types.
The resort is themed to the key-day of upstate New York country estates. There's a heavy horse-racing theme here as well. There are several neighborhoods at Saratoga Springs, some of which look more like a turn of the century upstate New York village, and others that are, well treehouses. The treehouses themselves are set well apart from the rest of the resort. Each features it's own parking spot at the base of the treehouse, and each is raised 10 feet from the ground. If you are staying in a treehouse, expect your scenery to be lovely cypress and palm trees, and the Sassagoula river. If you're staying at another part of the resort, your scenery may vary, but can also include a golf course or a view of Disney Springs.
Saratoga Springs is within walking distance of Disney Springs, and you can also take a boat there. The theme parks are all served by bus from this resort and there are several bus stops located around the resort, with the same advantages and disadvantages we listed before.
The main pool at this resort is called the High Rocks pool and has water gurgling from rock features, a zero entry, a twisting waterslide, and several hot tubs nestled among grottos. There is a secondary main pool called the Paddock Pool in another area of the resort, and then three other "quiet" pools. There are also tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, volleyball courts, bike and surrey rentals, and watersport rentals available. Guided fishing excursions are available for a fee from the marina. There is also an arcade.
This resort also has a fitness center and a Senses Spa. Senses is Disney's affiliate spa, and here, for a fee, you can get a variety of spa treatments like facials, massages, manicures or pedicures.
Dining here includes a table-service restaurant, three quick-service locations, and two lounges.
The Turf Club is the table-service restaurant that serves dinner only. It is classic American cuisine with a view of the golf course or Disney Springs.
Turf Club Lounge is a full service lounge near the restaurant with a full bar and a light food menu
Artist's Palette is the first of two quick-service locations with your expected salads, sandwiches, pasta, and entrees. You can also pick up groceries here.
The Paddock Grill is the other quick-service location in a different part of the resort serving sandwiches, soups, salads, and other entrees.
The Backstretch Pool Bar serves sandwiches, snacks, beer and cocktails near the pool
On the Rocks is near the High Rock Spring main pool and serves alcoholic drinks as well as smoothies and soft drinks.
Our take on Saratoga Springs is mixed. If being able to walk to Disney Springs is a perk for you, then this resort might make sense if you stay in the Congress Park neighborhood of the resort, which is closest to Disney Springs. The treehouse villas are another major draw, but the only option here is to go big and spring for the three-bedroom grand villa. We like how these are quiet and secluded from other parts of the resort, but then again, because of that, you likely won't be able to partake in the amenities of the rest of the resort without a bit of travel. Another possible reason to stay here is because you enjoy golfing or watching golfing since views of Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.
Disney's Riviera Resort, including the lawn and beau soleil pool, taken from Topolino's Terrace
Disney's Riviera Resort
Disney's Riviera Resort is the newest resort built entirely for DVC (There has been more recent DVC construction at Wilderness Lodge and Polynesian Village, but those are DVC portions of those deluxe resorts). It is themed to the French and Italian Riviera, and, in our opinion, of these three, feels the most like a deluxe resort due to architecture and amenities.
It is located on land that was formerly part of the Caribbean Beach Resort, at the end of Barefoot Bay and is easily walkable to that resort. On a map, it is also across the street from EPCOT (behind the Mexico pavilion in World Showcase, if you want to picture this). It's on the skyliner, which you can take directly to EPCOT, or to Caribbean Beach to transfer to Disney Hollywood Studios or Pop Century and Art of Animation. The Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom are served by dedicated bus, meaning you won't stop at other resorts.
The Riviera Resort is small with only 300 rooms! Because of this, you might actually start to recognize your neighbors. The resort is all enclosed in one 9-story building, meaning you don't have to step outside to access food or shopping from your room.
As for room configurations, the Riviera resort introduced the most controversial room of all: The tower studio. Why is it controversial? Well, it's tiny. It accommodates only 2 people on a queen-sized pullout couch. Once the couch is pulled out, there is just enough room for a television and closet, and then a bathroom, but don't expect much more room. It may be ideal if all you need is a place to crash, though.
Other room configurations are more typical. There are studios which include a queen-sized bed, a murphy queen-sized bed, and a single-bed that is made by pulling down the television sideboard. These also include a kitchenette with all your plates and utensils, and a split bathroom. There are also one- two- and three-bedroom deluxe villas. All rooms have a private porch or balcony. Best views are either facing the resort's courtyard, or facing the Skyliner station from which you can see EPCOT's fireworks.
The resort has two pools that are roughly the same size, but different in character. The main pool is called the Riviera Pool, and it is where activities take place during the day. Next to it is S'il Vous Play, a children's play area themed after fountains of Europe. Outside the pool gates is a large lawn where movies are shown at night. There are also lawn games set up like bocce and lawn chess. Out the other side of the main pool is Barefoot Bay and a walkway along the bay, where you can find a firepit. The secondary pool is called Beau Soleil which is a quieter pool, surrounded by greenery.
For other recreation, there is a running path around Barefoot Bay, and a fitness center, Athletique. It's also worth noting that while a gift shop is standard at a Disney Resort, this one has the added bonus that you can order Disney fine art prints using a kiosk in the shop. Around the resort are several prints inspired by Rapunzel and Peter Pan, and Walt's travels in Europe. If you see one you like, changes are you can order it at this kiosk.
Pastry selection at La Petit Cafe
The Riviera Resort has 1 signature table-service restaurant, a quick-service location, a coffee bar, a lounge, and a pool bar.
Topolino's Terrace - This is one of the fancier dining experiences now on Disney property. Located on the 9th floor with expansive views, this signature table-service restaurant serves Italian and French inspired cuisine. For breakfast, there is a character breakfast where you will see Mickey and Minnie in European outfits. (Topolino is the Italian name for Mickey Mouse)
Topolino Terrace bar - Any guest can also come up and order a drink at the bar to take outside of Topolino's Terrace to the 9th floor patio.
Bar Riva - This is considered the pool bar, though it is located outside the pool gates of the main pool, and has covered and al fresco seating. You can get a variety of mixed drinks or wines, and you can also order small bites like sandwiches, kebabs, and flatbreads.
Primo Piatto - This is the resort's quick-service location. You can order food to be made fresh, or select from a fairly extensive grab-and-go collection. (We particularly loved the grab-and-go charcuterie and cheese plates here). This is also where you can refill your resort mug.
La Petit Cafe - This is a place that serves (much needed) decent coffee, conveniently located off the resort lobby. If you know Disney, you know finding decent coffee can be a struggle, and this place is fantastic. They can make a variety of coffee drinks, have syrups including sugar-free syrups, and milk alternatives. There are also adorable single serving pastries such as key lime pie in a display case if you like to indulge your sweet tooth. After 4pm, this transforms into a wine bar and also serves things like charcuterie.
In addition to these options, there is room service available. There is also a chance of a gelato cart near the main pool. We say a chance because it is a temporary cart and comes and goes. It was not there when we went last November, so it might be a hot weather only thing.
Our Take on the DVC Resorts
Full disclosure, the only one of these we have stayed at is the Riviera Resort, and we were absolutely smitten with it. We find it gorgeous. We love its smaller size. The amenities were just enough, and just right. And most important of all, it was incredibly conveniently located. The skyliner is a game-changer when it comes to getting around, and we used it to the full advantage. And we bring that up because while Saratoga Springs and Old Key West have always intrigued us, we're just not sure we would want to pay DVC prices for moderate resort style transportation (bus only). Perhaps one of you have stayed at Saratoga Springs or Old Key West and can change our minds!
We also feel that while Disney will open rooms for regular guest booking directly through Disney, it will be expensive. It will save a lot of money to "rent" DVC points from a DVC owner via a site like David's DVC rentals, which is how we were able to afford to stay at the Riviera. So, if you are considering trying this out, strongly consider looking into DVC rental. There are drawbacks as with anything, such as you have to put a request in and hope it opens up, and while at the resort, you will be a treated as a DVC member, which is good (hearing "welcome home" when you arrive) and also bad (housekeeping is less frequent and is not the full housekeeping you might be used to as a regular guest). But we would do it again in a heartbeat.
Have you stayed at a DVC property? Tell us about it over on our Facebook page, and don't forget to follow us to see when new articles are posted each week. Until next time....
Comments