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Post by Kathy O on Jan 5, 2024 18:09:14 GMT -5
Resort monorails are iffy at times and using that to get to Epcot was awful. We did walk to the TTC most of the time. And with the walkway closed right now I would be rather grumpy trying to get to Epcot and back. We stayed at VGF for 9 nights a few weeks ago (early December). We REALLY missed being able to walk to TTC. Between the extra people using it to resort hop and see the gingerbread houses and lots of people heading to Christmas Party (usually right when we wanted to head to Epcot for dinner), the resort monorail was a nightmare. It seemed like they had extra trains running, which might help, but that caused them to just sit at each stop forever. After two days of that we started taking the bus the DHS and walking to the International Gateway from there. Far less aggravating! Later in the trip we used Uber a few times. The other thing we noticed was that they had moved the MK smoking area onto the walking path, right near the monorail station. It was awful walking by that, because we were actually walking through a cloud of smoke. Having had tuberculosis a few years ago, I do not willingly subject my lungs to smoke. We complained to a manager at the Grand Floridian. We ran into him a few days later and he said that right after we talked to him, he got an email from the MK people regarding the new smoking area and asking if he had gotten any feedback. So I’m hoping ours was not the only negative feedback and that they have moved the smoking area away from the path. |
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Post by nickys on Jan 6, 2024 7:10:45 GMT -5
Walk-in shower? Whilst a lot of people will be OK with that, and may well prefer it, I suspect families with little kids would have preferred a bath with overhead shower. Getting babies and toddlers washed in a shower isn’t easy. |
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Post by helenabear on Jan 6, 2024 10:18:40 GMT -5
Resort monorails are iffy at times and using that to get to Epcot was awful. We did walk to the TTC most of the time. And with the walkway closed right now I would be rather grumpy trying to get to Epcot and back. We stayed at VGF for 9 nights a few weeks ago (early December). We REALLY missed being able to walk to TTC. Between the extra people using it to resort hop and see the gingerbread houses and lots of people heading to Christmas Party (usually right when we wanted to head to Epcot for dinner), the resort monorail was a nightmare. It seemed like they had extra trains running, which might help, but that caused them to just sit at each stop forever. After two days of that we started taking the bus the DHS and walking to the International Gateway from there. Far less aggravating! Later in the trip we used Uber a few times. The other thing we noticed was that they had moved the MK smoking area onto the walking path, right near the monorail station. It was awful walking by that, because we were actually walking through a cloud of smoke. Having had tuberculosis a few years ago, I do not willingly subject my lungs to smoke. We complained to a manager at the Grand Floridian. We ran into him a few days later and he said that right after we talked to him, he got an email from the MK people regarding the new smoking area and asking if he had gotten any feedback. So I’m hoping ours was not the only negative feedback and that they have moved the smoking area away from the path. Bummer about the smoking area. I wonder when that was done. I loathe the IG location as well. Walk-in shower? Whilst a lot of people will be OK with that, and may well prefer it, I suspect families with little kids would have preferred a bath with overhead shower. Getting babies and toddlers washed in a shower isn’t easy. Funny, I missed the line about the shower. I thought it was a bathtub. I don't know how common this is, but as soon as my kid outgrew a small tub insert at like 2 or 3 we move to a shower. As long as there is a handheld shower head, that's much preferred as to not waste water. We could do showers much faster than we could do baths and save on the water. Those who can't stand and walk the only ones I wouldn't want to shower vs in a bath. Actually do wonder what the lack of storage there if they have pack and plays easily available anyway. |
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Post by jackson6 on Jan 10, 2024 6:17:41 GMT -5
As a family of 6, we are certainly looking forward to trying out the new Fort Wilderness cabins. The only other DVC accomodations that fit our family are 2BR's or Studio x 2.
The Fort for Christmas sounds like a trip we need to plan. 😊🎄
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Post by dlwdwdvc on Jan 10, 2024 18:27:34 GMT -5
You might want to make a cash reservation if you are serious about this coming holidays for your family at the Fort.
Just in case you need a backup plan with a cancel policy too.
We don’t really have that much information yet .
I hope you are not disappointed .
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Post by jackson6 on Jan 10, 2024 19:06:15 GMT -5
You might want to make a cash reservation if you are serious about this coming holidays for your family at the Fort. Just in case you need a backup plan with a cancel policy too. We don’t really have that much information yet . I hope you are not disappointed . Hi dlwdwdvc,
Thank you for your thoughtful advice. We're considering the Fort Wilderness cabins for a holiday in future years, once the DVC section is open and we can book on points. You're right, The Fort during Christmas is indeed a popular choice! Might need to own to book Christmas. Will be interesting to see how this shakes out.
Best, J6 |
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Post by helenabear on Jan 10, 2024 19:09:43 GMT -5
An interesting bit to add on the FB group there seemed to be much more interest there than here. I still plan to do a poll once details (exact points and costs) are listed.
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Post by lovindisney on Jan 11, 2024 8:01:52 GMT -5
An interesting bit to add on the FB group there seemed to be much more interest there than here. I still plan to do a poll once details (exact points and costs) are listed. That is always the determining factor! |
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Post by baymaxfan on Jan 11, 2024 10:36:54 GMT -5
An interesting bit to add on the FB group there seemed to be much more interest there than here. I still plan to do a poll once details (exact points and costs) are listed. It has been said many times, but the MouseOwners/MagicOwners crowd definitely does not seem to be an accurate representation of most DVC owners. |
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Post by helenabear on Jan 11, 2024 12:52:02 GMT -5
An interesting bit to add on the FB group there seemed to be much more interest there than here. I still plan to do a poll once details (exact points and costs) are listed. That is always the determining factor! For some I don't think it actually matters as much what the specifics will be. For some having a single unit that can sleep six that is not a two-bedroom is a game changer for them. I've seen quite a few saying they're all in even just seeing a floor plan. It's interesting to see the differences in owners. An interesting bit to add on the FB group there seemed to be much more interest there than here. I still plan to do a poll once details (exact points and costs) are listed. It has been said many times, but the MouseOwners/MagicOwners crowd definitely does not seem to be an accurate representation of most DVC owners. I agree we are not the average DVC owner. I think we're the average of an owner maybe 10 or 15 years ago but now? No. It's interesting on my Facebook group to read because there are probably less what I would call legacy owners AKA those who purchased when there were zero restrictions of any kind, and more modern owners who have purchased in the past 5 to 10 years or so. The newer owners do you have completely different mindsets then someone like me who has owned 20 years and was able to buy in when it was nowhere near as expensive. Even accounting for inflation. I adore both groups for their own reasons but they definitely have different mindsets as a whole |
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Post by baymaxfan on Jan 11, 2024 13:17:23 GMT -5
Six in a room that is not a 2-bedroom is definitely a selling point for many. That was also the impetus for the conversion of 5 to a studio from a few years ago. For many people, it comes down to how many can I fit in the room for the least amount. Maybe in 50 years, DVC will have the "Warehouse Series" where it is just an open space that has cots to fit 15 in a room. LOL.
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Post by lovindisney on Jan 11, 2024 18:05:19 GMT -5
Not for me! I have renters who are happy with 6 people in a studio and that is not a vacation for me! I need my personal space!
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Post by DrMinnie on Jan 11, 2024 21:19:26 GMT -5
That is always the determining factor! For some I don't think it actually matters as much what the specifics will be. For some having a single unit that can sleep six that is not a two-bedroom is a game changer for them. I've seen quite a few saying they're all in even just seeing a floor plan. It's interesting to see the differences in owners. It has been said many times, but the MouseOwners/MagicOwners crowd definitely does not seem to be an accurate representation of most DVC owners. I agree we are not the average DVC owner. I think we're the average of an owner maybe 10 or 15 years ago but now? No. It's interesting on my Facebook group to read because there are probably less what I would call legacy owners AKA those who purchased when there were zero restrictions of any kind, and more modern owners who have purchased in the past 5 to 10 years or so. The newer owners do you have completely different mindsets then someone like me who has owned 20 years and was able to buy in when it was nowhere near as expensive. Even accounting for inflation. I adore both groups for their own reasons but they definitely have different mindsets as a whole It’s now been 5 years since we bought in! We are definitely not legacy owners! lol. I’m so impressed that you’ve owned for 20 years. You’re not that much older than I am. |
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Post by Ludwig Von Chuck on Jan 11, 2024 21:30:43 GMT -5
I purchased in 2009. I see the new cabins as a "Super-Studio". For the cost of a high-point studio, I get a full kitchen and more space (including a deck and a grill). I wouldn't want to fill one up (sleep six), but for us and a couple Grandkids, yes Siree.
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Post by helenabear on Jan 12, 2024 8:31:18 GMT -5
For some I don't think it actually matters as much what the specifics will be. For some having a single unit that can sleep six that is not a two-bedroom is a game changer for them. I've seen quite a few saying they're all in even just seeing a floor plan. It's interesting to see the differences in owners. I agree we are not the average DVC owner. I think we're the average of an owner maybe 10 or 15 years ago but now? No. It's interesting on my Facebook group to read because there are probably less what I would call legacy owners AKA those who purchased when there were zero restrictions of any kind, and more modern owners who have purchased in the past 5 to 10 years or so. The newer owners do you have completely different mindsets then someone like me who has owned 20 years and was able to buy in when it was nowhere near as expensive. Even accounting for inflation. I adore both groups for their own reasons but they definitely have different mindsets as a whole It’s now been 5 years since we bought in! We are definitely not legacy owners! lol. I’m so impressed that you’ve owned for 20 years. You’re not that much older than I am. I should say it will be 20 years this spring, so I rounded up a few months out of being lazy. I was a Disney nut from a young age though. Married at 23, house at 24, DVC at 27 (OKW resale around $60/point). Took us a while for me to get pregnant and a bit longer to have a kid, but it was nice to have this as he's been growing up, but I was a regular visitor just myself which is why we bought in. We lasted 11 years on that original OKW contract before adding on too. Now I'm debating selling it and keeping just PVB & CCV. |
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