Category — w. Most Recent Stuff

I like getting surveys from Walt Disney World–not the ones about satisfaction with the hotels, because they are too long and boring, but the ones about real business issues, like this one about room deals.

These surveys about real issues help to illuminate what Disney is thinking about.

So I’m getting ready for my second test of MyMagic+, MagicBands, and Fastpass+, coming up in mid-November, and Monday I got a really interesting survey emailed from Disney about my process for getting ready for that visit.

Now I am OK with FastPass+–so far–for first time visitors following the approaches recommended by this site, as among other things they’ll have their target parks set months ahead.

But repeat visitors have raised a number of issues with this new Disney program that’s being tested now–and so far as I have seen til now there’s not been much response.

The survey, though, raises some real hope that some of these concerns might be heard…

The first interesting thing about the survey is that there are typos in the emailed invitation. (Frequent readers of this site know I’m an expert on typos–though usually in their creation, not their discovery.)

The word “we’re” in the first line is rendered as “were.”  And–as Heidi notes below–the “We’d” that should begin the second para has also lost its apostrophe.  Mandy notes below that the comma in the second para is wrong, and the “for” before “we” in the last para, though perhaps not a typo, is certainly not idiomatic.

Not a big deal…but one could reasonably infer–not certainly, but reasonably–that this survey was created in a bit of a rush…which is itself interesting…

I usually just “spam” unsolicited emails with both links and typos, but I was hoping this survey was real, and so tested the survey link–and it passed Sucuri with all green.

But it’s still a bit of a bummer, because, as you’ll see in a second, I see this as an important survey, and many who notice the typo will assume because of it that the email is a phishing attack, and dump it to spam.

That would be too bad, as there are some important questions here that are worth your answering…and answering well!

The survey is pretty short, and soon into it you get asked about aspects of preparing for the MyMagic+/MagicBands/Fastpass+ test that were troublesome.

I noted issues I’d had with online check-in (eventually resolved), and also checked that I had some problems with Fastpass+ selections.  I had no technical problems with them–rather, I had problems of desire.

Like about ten million other people, I wanted more Fastpass+ than 3, more parades, and the ability to park hop. And I wasn’t sure what screen would come up next…

And what’s above was the next screen. Note that I got to explicitly address the issues of not enough Fastpass+, attractions offered, and no park hopping. Fascinating…and potentially quite important.

Disney did not need to do this survey, and if it wanted to duck some of the widespread complaints about the emerging Fastpass+ program, while claiming it had surveyed its guests, it could easily have done so–like this (I’ve seen similar surveys):

What did you think about your FastPass+ Selections? (Click the one answer that best fits)

1. Spectacularly Marvelous
2. Quite Marvelous
3. Marvelous

But that’s not what this survey question is…it’s a real question that gives as options real concerns.

And guess what the next page (above) was about? Spontaneity, or lack of same–another of the resounding issues with Fastpass+.

Despite the firmness with which some make their predictions, no one really knows anything about the final implementation of Fastpass+. It’s way too early for any of us–even Disney.

Me, I’m delighted that the program will have the opportunity to be influenced by surveys like this…but dismayed that the typos in the emailed invitation will lead many to not trust it enough to answer it…and if enough people “spam” it, it’ll get classed as “spam” when delivered…and many will never see it at all.

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Welcome to the first stop aboard the Magical Blogorail! Enjoy the ride as a bunch of us participate in a special edition of the Magical Blogorail: Disney World Transportation!

Because of my previous bus work I’ve been asked kick us off with some help on the Disney World buses!

The Disney World bus system is both the bane and the savior of a Disney World trip…and for many families of young children, the source of future fond memories.

Disney offers transportation from all of its resort hotels (and also the Swan and Dolphin) to and from all the theme parks, the water parks, and Downtown Disney.

While there are exceptions all over the place–for the Magic Kingdom and Epcot at the monorail resorts,  for the Magic Kingdom at Fort Wilderness and the Wilderness Lodge, Epcot and the Studios from the Epcot resorts, Downtown Disney from Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs–in general most of the time most of your transport will be by the Disney World bus system.

Disney’s official Transportation FAQ notes (see above) that the buses to a park generally operate from one hour before opening to one hour after close. In fact the buses typically start much earlier than this, and will run later, but this is a good general point to keep in mind while planning.

Bus frustrations include

• Unpredictable schedules
• Full buses
• Standing room only
• Waiting for them at park close
• Getting off at the wrong stop
• Mistaking for what they are best suited

Unpredictable Disney World bus schedules

The buses run from the hotels to the parks on average every 20 minutes.

But this is not a schedule, it’s an average.  Vagaries in dispatch and loads mean that your bus could be there when you arrive at the stop or 30 minutes later.  Your average wait really is about 10 minutes, but it is often longer–and often feels much longer as what seems like the fifth Epcot bus goes by while you are waiting, somewhat patiently, for a Magic Kingdom bus.

If something seems wrong, call the resort’s front desk, or better yet, ask the driver of the next bus that stops what’s up–after he has finished the unload and is almost done with the load. The bus drivers are some of the nicest, wisest, and most knowledgeable cast members at Walt Disney World.

Full Disney World buses

You’ve been waiting for an Animal Kingdom bus for what seems forever, you finally see one…and it drives by, because it’s already packed from its prior stops.

This is never an issue at Art of Animation or Pop Century, because they are the only resorts that both have just one stop and also don’t share buses with any other resort.

But it can be a problem at any other resort (unless you are at the first stop for the route at hand) and is particularly common at Port Orleans Riverside and All-Star Movies.

The way to avoid this is to go to the parks when hardly anyone else is–well before open.  Disney will also soon be deploying (for some resorts) articulated buses to and from the Magic Kingdom with 50% more capacity than standard buses, which will alleviate some of these issues–and also help with park closures.

Standing room only

The layout of the Disney buses is designed to optimize flow on and off them, and to help enable securing wheelchairs and scooters.

As a result, they don’t have many seats, the seats are often taken, and you often have to stand.

There’s nothing to be done about this–except, if you are sitting, to keep your eyes open for someone who may need the seat more than you do…

Waiting for the Disney World buses at park close

Even on a less crowded quiet night, tens of thousands of people will leave at the same time after Illuminations at Epcot and on nights when Wishes closes the Magic Kingdom.

You’ll see the same problem to a slightly lesser extent when Fantasmic closes Disney’s Hollywood Studios (lesser because unlike the other two, Fantasmic has a fixed capacity, and it’s slightly less than 10,000).

Many of these people head straight for the bus stops, and of course the bus stops become overwhelmed. The image at the right is the Hollywood Studios bus stops after Fantasmic on a really quiet September evening.

The best way to avoid these mobs is to go on nights when the evening shows don’t happen right around close.  This is the single best reason to go to evening Extra Magic hours at Epcot and the Studios.

The other option is to watch the shows from a spot near the exits and walk fast. In Epcot this means near Future World, at the Magic Kingdom it means watching Wishes from Main Street near the train station, and at the Studios it means watching the show from as near the top of the amphitheater as you can.

Some will recommend shopping while waiting for the lines to drop, or eating right at show end. Your family will vary–for mine, that’s too late to dine, and shopping without buying is no fun.  And after 50+ trips to Walt Disney World, I won’t pay for any more souvenirs!!

The new big articulated buses that are coming will help a bit with this…

Getting off at the wrong stop

At the hotels with multiple stops within their own grounds–the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Riverside, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs–it’s really easy to get off at the wrong stop and get yourself a little lost.

Well, at least it’s easy for me.

You would think there would be a simple solution to this–like memorizing the name of your bus stop when you get there to pick up the bus. And that’s certainly recommended.  But too often the bus stop names aren’t announced, especially at Riverside, and if you are not seated on the right side of the bus, you can’t see the stop well enough to read where you are.

The best answer is to ask the bus driver.  If the bus is too crowded for that, ask your fellow passengers. Someone likely will know. But don’t ask me…

Mistaking for what the Disney World buses are best suited

The buses are best for trips between the hotels and the theme parks, water parks, and Downtown Disney.

You also can take them from theme park to theme park (not from Magic Kingdom to Epcot–for that, you head first to TTC, then from there get a monorail to Epcot; TTC is also where currently you find the buses to the Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios–though rumor is that soon you’ll be able to find these at the main MK resort bus stop right outside the park).

The buses are not so great for getting from resort hotel to resort hotel for dining.  If you choose them to do this, the best move is to check the park calendars, take a bus from your resort to the open park that’s nearest to the dining venue, and then take a bus (or monorail or boat if you are dining at a Magic Kingdom resort) to the destination hotel.

But don’t do this. Instead, take a cab! You could save more than an hour in the round-trip, and eliminate frustration.  It’s not that expensive compared to the time saved…and if it seems too much, then a couple of skipped appetizers will pay for it!

For years, you’ve also not been able to get to and from Downtown Disney from the theme parks via bus, and vice versa. People have assumed there’s a couple of reasons behind this–to limit the demands on the Downtown Disney parking lot, and to keep people from not paying for parking at the parks.

Recently there’s been an experiment of transportation to and from Downtown Disney from the Animal Kingdom.  This is a smart move, since the Animal Kingdom is usually the earliest park to close, and Disney would like you to spend more money that evening…we’ll see if this continues…

*  *  *

The Disney World buses can be frustrating.  But they save you from having to rent a car–and from getting lost driving around. You may create future fond memories of sleeping children, exhausted by joy, rumbling with you and the bus back to your room in the evening darkness. And the bus drivers are some of the best cast members around!

MORE ON DISNEY WORLD TRANSPORTATION FROM THE MAGICAL BLOGORAIL

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on today’s special Magical Blogorail transportation loop is The Disney Kids, discussing Disney’s Magic Express!

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail loop should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard!

• The Disney World Buses at yourfirstvisit.net
• Disney’s Magic Express at The Disney Kids
• The Monorail at Heidi’s Head
• Ferryboats to the Magic Kingdom at DISTherapy
• Motor Launches & Motor Cruisers at Focused on the Magic
• Friendship Boats at The Disney Point
• Port Orleans-Downtown Disney Ferryboats at Can Do It Mom aka Mouse Fan Diane
• The Walt Disney World Railroad at Return to Disney
• Surrey Bikes at Magical Mouse Schoolhouse
• Parking Lot Trams at A Disney Mom’s Thoughts
• Disney World Walking Paths at Disney Living

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News on Fastpass+, MagicBands, a possible meet up, Pinterest, and more!

FASTPASS+ INVITATIONS STILL COMING BY EMAIL, MAIL, PONY EXPRESS, ETC.

I’m getting ready for my next test of FastPass+ and MagicBands in November.

(For the last test, see this; if you have no idea what I’m talking about, see this.)

As happened last time, I did everything first in MyDisneyExperience.com, but also got an emailed invitation—on the right—and a mailed invitation—see below.

I’d thought that maybe these weren’t coming out anymore to those who have already tested FastPass+.

Wrong again.

BTW—Josh reported last week that the ability of FastPass+ testers using MagicBands to also get regular Fastpasses (using the backup Key to the World Card all testers have been getting), may be “scaled back” beginning today.

Josh is almost always right… but while this program so far has been a leaky as a sieve, many of the reported leaks have not quite panned out…so I guess we’ll see…

I have no actual information or sources on the issue, but do have a guess forecast.  My forecast is that since Disney’s discussion of FY13 results is 11/7, and there might be a howl–and resulting bad press–if this cut-back actually begins today, Disney World will hold off killing the ability of testers to use both Fastpass systems til after November 7th.

I don’t feel strongly about this forecast–I can argue the opposite side almost as compellingly. I balance between the two possibilities by noting that Disney doesn’t lose much by delaying til after 11/7…and delaying avoids the chance that a lot of complaints by sell-side analysts from New Jersey (as most are) will clot up the earnings call…

CUSTOMIZING YOUR MAGIC BAND

The scoop on customizing your MagicBands is here. The link tells the tale of my red MagicBand.

While I love my red MagicBand, I got a blue MagicBand for this visit.

(You can re-use your old ones, or get new ones.  I’ll be getting new ones for each visit until 1. the tests are over and the MyMagic+ program is stable, and 2. I have one of every color…)

The two gray MagicBands are ones I didn’t customize—that’s the default color.

You get a total of nine characters for customizing, including spaces, and can’t use special characters like commas or periods.  We had a spare—long story behind that—so I did what I could with the new red one.

Here’s a close up.

Maybe it’ll be a giveaway if we do the meet up!

A POSSIBLE MEET-UP IN DISNEY WORLD ON NOVEMBER 13?

Our last night at Disney World on the November trip, Wednesday November 13, overlaps with the first night of the trip of my favorite Disney World blogger.  He and I are chatting about doing a joint meet up with any fan who wants to meet us the afternoon or evening of the 13th.

Planning is still at the early stages—largely emails: “Got any ideas?”  “Nope. You got any ideas?” “Nope.  How about you—had any ideas since my last email?” “Nope”—so I’m not even naming him, and you shouldn’t view this as an invitation. Yet.

But I really like the idea of a joint meet-up–the cool thing about both of us hosting it is that each of us is guaranteed that the meet-up will be attended by at least one fan!

More to come, maybe…

A REALLY COOL PINTEREST BOARD

I had a chance to chat Thursday with Linda, a Facebook friend who has given me a lot of really great advice.

We had a nice talk, and it reminded me that I’ve never recommended her pinterest stuff.  So if you are a Disney World fan, you should check out her pins and follow her boards!

Linda’s goal is to present only the best of what she’s seen about Disney World…which will save you a lot of time!  And you may learn about some great other sites.

I know, I know…I’m really lousy at Pinterest—some of the most important stuff on this site isn’t really even pinnable…but I’m beginning to work on it, with the help of some of the best in the world at this—like Linda!!!

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There’s a room-rate deal out for Disney World that needs to be booked by November 3–a week from now.

This deal offers 15-30% off various resorts for stays into later December.

See the end of this page for more details!!

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: OCTOBER 26 TO NOVEMBER 3, 2013

The material below details operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

The same stuff is in the image, but organized by park, not by topic.

(And for more on September 2013 at Walt Disney World, see this, and more on October, this.)

[Read more →]

This review of the pros and cons of the Disney Vacation Club (“DVC”) resorts is the second entry in a new series highlighting the pros and cons of every Walt Disney World resort.

(The first entry, which explains the background, is here.)

The Disney Vacation Club resorts (sometimes called Disney Deluxe Villas–which I ignore, as many of the rooms in them aren’t villas) are time share resorts that are also available to the general public to rent just like any other hotel room–or for points.

There’s four basic room types–Studios, One-Bedroom Villas, Two Bedroom Villas, and Grand Villas–and eight Disney Vacation Club resorts, which I typical count as ten because of some key differences at two of them.

The material below first does the pros and cons of the Disney Vacation Club resorts themselves.  It’s followed by pros and cons by room type.   For more on the resorts themselves, click the links. And for a basic overview of the DVC rooms types, see this.

Because I’ve stayed in every single Disney World resort hotel for multiple nights in the past four years, usually more than once,  you will find fewer errors of fact, and far fewer questionable judgments, here than you’ll see in other sources written by people who have not actually stayed in the hotels…

…But I’m sure there are errors, omissions and points of disagreement here anyway!  So leave your thoughts/corrections/disagreements in the comment section below!

PROS AND CONS OF DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM VILLAS, JAMBO HOUSE

(Located within Jambo House; excludes the various “value” studios and villas)

Pros

• Spectacular theming with great kid appeal
• Unique views of animals
• Great dining options, running the gamut from exotic to cheeseburgers
• More livable than some of the other smaller-roomed DVC resorts
• Only DVC resort with concierge DVC rooms (but they are just about impossible to get…)
• Spa services

Cons

• Among the least convenient of the DVC resorts
• Poor access to off-grounds dining unless you have a car
• No character meals or distinctively fun dining offerings
• Smallish rooms, except for Grand Villas
• No marina

PROS AND CONS OF DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM VILLAS, KIDANI VILLAGE

(Paired with Jambo House)

Pros

• Nice theming—spectacular if you also spend time in nearby Jambo House
• Unique views of animals
• Among the more livable DVC rooms
• Fairly convenient parking
• Own very nice pool and workout room
• Wonderful restaurant on site, access to other great dining venues at Jambo House
• Spa services

Cons

• Some distance from Jambo House, meaning access to Jambo House restaurants, pool, etc. can be a hike, especially if dining there—e.g. at its counter service (no counter service at Kidani)—is frequent
• Rooms are quite spread out down long undulating halls, with no real shortcuts
• Among the least convenient of the DVC resorts
• Poor access to off-grounds dining unless you have a car
• No character meals or distinctively fun dining offerings
• No marina

PROS AND CONS OF BAY LAKE TOWER AT DISNEY’S CONTEMPORARY RESORT

(Paired with Disney’s Contemporary Resort)

Pros

• Most convenient of the DVC resorts—only one from which you can walk to the Magic Kingdom
• Monorail resort
• Monorail running through sister Contemporary Resort a thrill to many kids
• Great and wide-ranging dining in the Contemporary; easy access to even more dining options via boat and monorail
• Character meals
• Most room types—but not studios—have very livable floor plans
• Nice pool, reserved for Bay Lake Tower guests
• High-rise architecture makes it more compact than most DVC options
• Spa services

Cons

• Smallish rooms
• No real theming or distinctive kid appeal

PROS AND CONS OF DISNEY’S BEACH CLUB VILLAS

(Paired with Disney’s Beach Club Resort)

Pros

• Very easy access to Epcot via boat or walking; Hollywood Studios accessible through a longer boat ride or walk
• Access to many nearby table service restaurants, even more if you have tickets for Epcot
• Character breakfast
• One of the most compact DVC resorts
• Shares great pool with Beach Club and Yacht Club guests

Cons

• No distinctive theming or particular kid appeal—though they are lovely to the eyes of adults
• No real counter-service offering
• Rooms on the small side
• No Grand Villas
• No spa services

PROS AND CONS OF DISNEY’S BOARDWALK VILLAS

(Paired with Disney’s BoardWalk Inn)

Pros

• Easy access to Epcot via boat or walking; Hollywood Studios accessible through a longer boat ride or walk
• Access to many nearby table service restaurants, even more if you have tickets for Epcot
• The BoardWalk itself is kinda fun
• Spa services

Cons

• No distinctive theming or particular kid appeal
• Among the more sprawling DVC resorts
• Inconvenient parking
• No real counter-service offering
• No character meals or other fun dining.  Closest restaurants not really aimed at kids
• BoardWalk-view rooms can be noisy
• No marina

PROS AND CONS OF DISNEY’S OLD KEY WEST RESORT

(Standalone resort)

Pros

• Largest and most livable rooms in every type except for Grand Villas
• Each room type is offered at the least expensive price among the DVC alternatives
• Great balconies, especially in one and two bedroom villas
• Easy parking
• Great views from rooms
• On-site marina

Cons

• Sprawling and distinctly inconvenient if you don’t have a car
• Theming, for kids, is unremarkable
• Weak and limited on-resort dining, with no great access to alternatives unless you have a car
• No character meals or other distinctly fun dining
• Most buildings have no elevators—only buildings 62, 63 and 64 have elevators
• Many buildings (numbered 30 and lower) are missing a door from the living area to the baths in the one and two bedroom villas
• No spa services

PROS AND CONS OF DISNEY’S SARATOGA SPRINGS RESORT AND SPA, MAIN RESORT

(Stand-alone resort)

Pros

• Easy parking
• Great views from rooms
• Some areas have easy access to Downtown Disney
• Typically as inexpensive as any DVC offering
• Great spa
• Great pool
• Not popular, so easy to reserve

Cons

• Rooms are smallest or among the smallest DVC options (but see below for the Treehouses)
• Sprawling and distinctly inconvenient if you don’t have a car
• Theming, for kids, is unremarkable
• Weak and limited on-resort dining, with no great access to alternatives (other than Downtown Disney) unless you have a car
• No character meals or other distinctly fun dining
• No marina

PROS AND CONS OF DISNEY’S SARATOGA SPRINGS RESORT AND SPA, TREEHOUSES

(Part of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa)

Pros

• The only DVC space priced and sized like a Two-Bedroom Villa, but with three bedrooms—two with one queen each, and one with a pair of bunk beds
• Especially livable kitchen/living /dining area
• Sleeps 9
• Huge deck with charcoal grill
• Very quiet spaces
• Nice views, close to nature
• Unusual architecture
• (Hotel services pros as per Saratoga Springs main resort)

Cons

• Massively inconvenient in every dimension—don’t dream of staying here without a car, and don’t plan on using much of the Saratoga Springs amenities without a hike or a bus ride
• Unusual architecture
• Bunk beds in third bedroom are short, limiting the usability of the nine sleeping spaces
• (Hotel services cons as per Saratoga Springs main resort)

PROS AND CONS OF THE VILLAS AT DISNEY’S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT AND SPA

(Paired with Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa)

Pros

• Most room types are the second largest on property, after Old Key West; Grand Villas are largest
• Distinctive floor plans—split shower and tub, and Murphy Bed for 5th occupant in Studios; dine-in kitchen in One and Two bedroom Villas, plus more Murphy Beds; media room in Grand Villas
• Higher end fixtures, furnishing and finishes than other DVC resorts
• Full balconies on every bay
• Monorail resort
• Access to wonderful dining at Grand Floridian and easy access via monorail to more
• Character meals
• Good convenience for Magic Kingdom
• Mary Poppins and Dumbo elements may enhance the otherwise weak Grand Floridian kid appeal
• Lovely to adults
• Most compact of the DVC resorts
• Great spa

Cons

• Limited distinctive kid appeal in the rest of the resort—though lovely to adults
• The best dining options aren’t really aimed at kids
• Highest prices
• A little distant from some Grand Floridian services—e.g. the boat dock.  Has its own check-in, however.
• Not many rooms, so hard to reserve

PROS AND CONS OF THE VILLAS AT DISNEY’S WILDERNESS LODGE

(Paired with Disney’s Wilderness Lodge)

Pros

• Most spectacular and kid-appealing theming of all the Disney World resorts
• Reasonably convenient for the Magic Kingdom
• Studios one of only two (the other is Grand Floridian) that sleep 5 rather than 4
• Great and fun on-site dining, and easy boat access to more great dining at the Contemporary and Fort Wilderness.
• One of the most compact DVC options
• Spa services

Cons

• No Grand Villas
• Other DVC room types on the small end of the scale
• No character meals
• Small number of rooms and wildly popular, so hard to reserve

PROS AND CONS OF THE DVC STUDIOS

Most studios sleep 4 in a queen bed and on a fold-out couch.  The couch is both a pro and con—smaller and less comfortable than a queen, but creating a more flexible and livable room when not in use.

Pros:

• Best theming:  Wilderness Lodge, Jambo House, Kidani
• Sleeps 5: Villas at the Grand Floridian and Villas at the Wilderness Lodge, with the fifth on a Murphy Bed
• Two queens: Old Key West
• Largest: Old Key West, then Grand Floridian
• Least expensive:  Old Key West and Saratoga Springs
• Full-width balconies: AKL Jambo and Kidani Villages; Old Key West; Bay Lake Tower, Grand Floridian
• Separate tub and shower: Grand Floridian
• Most convenient: Bay Lake Tower, Grand Floridian

Cons

• Weakest theming: Bay Lake Tower
• Smallest—Bay Lake Tower
• Small:  Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, Saratoga Springs,
• Small balconies: Beach Club, BoardWalk, Saratoga Springs, Wilderness Lodge
• No elevators: Old Key West
• Most expensive: Grand Floridian
• Least convenient:  Saratoga Springs, Old Key West

PROS AND CONS OF THE DVC ONE-BEDROOM VILLAS

The DVC One-Bedroom Villas typically sleep 4 on a king in a private bedroom and a fold-out couch in the living room, with one bath.  Exceptions are noted.

Pros:

• Best theming:  Wilderness Lodge, Jambo House, Kidani
• Sleeps five: Jambo, Kidani, Old Key West, Bay Lake Tower, and Grand Floridian. In all but GF, the fifth sleeping spot is a fold-out chair; at the Grand Floridian, the fifth is a murphy bed.
• Two bathrooms: Bay Lake Tower, Kidani
• Largest: Old Key West
• Large: Grand Floridian
• Best balcony, living room, kitchen, dining space: Old Key West
• Next best balcony, living room, kitchen, dining space: Kidani Village, Bay Lake Tower, Grand Floridian
• Least expensive: Old Key West, Saratoga Springs
• Most convenient: Bay Lake Tower, Grand Floridian

Cons

• Weakest theming: Bay Lake Tower
• Smallest: Saratoga Springs, Jambo House, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge
• Smallest closet:  Saratoga Springs
• No elevators: Most Old Key West
• No door from living space to bath: Many Old Key West
• Small balconies: Beach Club, BoardWalk, Saratoga Springs, Wilderness Lodge
• Most expensive: Grand Floridian
• Least convenient:  Saratoga Springs, Old Key West

PROS AND CONS OF THE DVC TWO-BEDROOM VILLAS

The DVC Two-Bedroom Villas typically sleep 8 –two on a king in a private bedroom, 4 more in another space laid out like a studio, and 2 more on a fold-out couch in the living room–with two baths.  Exceptions are noted.

Pros:

• Best theming:  Wilderness Lodge, Jambo House, Kidani
• Sleeps nine: Jambo, Kidani, Old Key West, Bay Lake Tower, and Grand Floridian. In all but GF, the ninth sleeping spot is a fold-out chair in the living room; at the Grand Floridian, the ninth is a murphy bed, found in both the living room and the second bedroom
• Three bathrooms: Bay Lake Tower, Kidani
• Largest: Old Key West
• Large: Grand Floridian
• Best balcony, living room, kitchen, dining space: Old Key West
• Next best balcony, living room, kitchen, dining space: Kidani Village, Bay Lake Tower, Grand Floridian
• Least expensive: Old Key West, Saratoga Springs
• Most convenient: Bay Lake Tower, Grand Floridian

Cons

• Weakest theming: Bay Lake Tower
• Smallest: Beach Club, Saratoga Springs, Jambo House, Wilderness Lodge
• No elevators: Most Old Key West
• No door from living space to baths: Many Old Key West
• Small balconies: Beach Club, BoardWalk, Saratoga Springs, Wilderness Lodge
• Awkward access from second bedroom to living room: Wilderness Lodge, BoardWalk
• A little too small for families that need to use the fold out couch in the living room: Beach Club, Saratoga Springs, BoardWalk, Wilderness Lodge, Jambo House
• Most expensive: Grand Floridian
• Least convenient:  Saratoga Springs, Old Key West

PROS AND CONS OF THE DVC GRAND VILLAS

The Grand Villas typically occupy six bays and sleep 12 in two four person bedrooms with queen, a two person bedroom with a king, and one or more sofa beds. Most have four baths. Exceptions are noted. (There are no Grand Villas at Wilderness Lodge or Beach Club)

I have not stayed in a Grand Villa—when I do, I’ll be taking Flying Pigs Airline—so these observations are based on floor plans.

Pros

• Best theming: Jambo House, Kidani Village
• Largest: Grand Floridian
• Single level layout: Jambo, Grand Floridian, BoardWalk
• Dramatic two story living area that wastes living space: Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Bay Lake Tower, Kidani Village
• Really nice views from dramatic two story living area that wastes living space: Bay Lake Tower, Kidani Village
• Best overall use of space:  Grand Floridian
• Six bays of balconies: Jambo, BoardWalk
• Five bays of balconies: Kidani
• Least Expensive: Old Key West, Saratoga Springs
• Most convenient: Bay Lake Tower, Grand Floridian

Cons:

• Weakest theming: Bay Lake Tower
• Smallest: Saratoga Springs and Bay Lake Tower
• Three baths: Boardwalk Villas
• One balcony: Old Key West, Saratoga Springs
• No elevators: Most Old Key West
• Most expensive: Grand Floridian
• Least convenient:  Saratoga Springs, Old Key West

MY TOP DVC RANKINGS FOR FIRST TIME FAMILY VISITORS

My top two or three choices focus first on kid appeal, and then on convenience, and are listed in order:

• Studio rooms: Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Jambo House Villas, Kidani Village
• One-bedroom Villas: Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Kidani Village
• Two-bedroom Villas: for families that can fit into two queens in one bedroom and a king in a second, Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Jambo House Villas.  For families that can’t, and thus also need to use the sleeper sofa and/or sleeper chair in the combined living/dining/kitchen space, Kidani Village is the best of the DVC options
• Grand Villas: Jambo House, Kidani Village

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