June QoTM: Condo style or hotel style - which do you prefer?

[tomandrobin]

(posted for OttawaWendy)
I am posting this just to get a discussion going. However, there are parameters to this question. I am really interested in whether you generally like condo style spread out resorts (i.e. OKW, SSR) or all in one building resorts (BWV, VWL). For DVC, unfortunately there are other "issues" that are coextensive with the condo/hotel distinction; in particular, the hotel type resorts are connected to deluxe resorts and the condo style are independent, and the hotel type resorts are (generally) connected to a park and the condo style are not. AKV is the only resort that is both hotel style (phase 1) and condo style (phase 2).

So, this isn't a question about OKW/SSR versus the others. :tapedshut It is about the style of the resort, separating out the factors of attached to a deluxe or attached to a park.

Stuff that might be considered:
ease of parking at condo style
closer to amenities at hotel style
shorter walks to bus because of multiple stops at condo style
etc.

[glypnirsgirl]

In general, I prefer the condo style resorts, but either style is okay to me, so that is how I voted.

What I prefer about the condo style resorts:

1. The immediate entry into the room instead of a walk down a long hallway;
2. The sense of serenity due to large, open, beautifully landscaped spaces;
3. I prefer the pools and laundry room set up. On a long stay, I prefer to do laundry about half way through the trip and have a fairly relaxing day at the resort. At the condo resorts, the laundry room is right by the pool so I can swim and do laundry at the same time.

What is not important to me that is a plus to others about the hotel type resorts:

1. Proximity to parks;
2. Being near one of the deluxe hotels

Elaine

[OttawaWendy]

Thanks TomandRobin, for reposting my thread in the form of a question (This Is Jeopardy!).

I prefer condo style, just because the views are nicer (the three times we've stayed in OKW or SSR) and the feeling more relaxed. I like the multiple bus stops rather than walking a long way to a centralized stop (VWL, BCV, BWV). I like quiet pools (of course, some of the resort ones have that too). I like the shorter walks in hallways (the one time we stayed at BWV in particular we seemed to have the walk that never ended).

I like the increased amenitities in the hotel-style resorts, especially restaurants, but I think that's a function of being attached to the Deluxe Resorts rather than being inherent in the hotel-style design. I guess we'll know if they ever build a stand-alone DVC resort in the hotel-style, but my guess is that the restaurant options still won't be spectacular. (Having said that I do want to say my parents at at Turf Club and enjoyed it).

[AFMom]

I voted for either - I think they both have thier pros and cons - and I like having the option to choose which one works the best for that particular vacation.
Here's how I see the pros:

Condo Style Pros: parking, open landscaping and views and layout or resort, not having to go through the lobby to get to the pool areas (I've never felt comfortable walking in a nice lobby in my swimsuit), dedicated busses (SSR and OKW don't share busses with any other resorts), more of a "vacation home" feeling than a "hotel" feeling, closer access to bus stops, feeling of seclusion from other WDW areas

Hotel style pros: "hotel" feeling, access to main lobby and main areas of the resort, kids clubs availability at the resort, more restaurant options within walking distance (although SSR does have DTD)

[DVC Mike]

Well, let's see -- of the six DVC resorts at WDW, I own at the 4 "hotel-style" resorts (AKV, VWL, BWV and BCV) and don't own any points at the "condo-style" resorts (OKW and SSR). That answers the question of which I prefer.

While I do like the very short distance from my car to my room at the condo-style resorts, that's about the only thing I like about them.

Unfortunateley, I can't really comply with tomandrobin's request to "separate out the factors of attached to a deluxe or attached to a park", as these are very important factors to me.

If they built SSR right outside the MK, I'd definitely own points there. If OKW provided a short 5-minute walk into Epcot, you'd bet I'd own points there too. These resorts are remote from the parks and don't offer anything special (like AKV does) that would make up for it. DTD isn't enough of an advantage for me.

These are the reasons that I'm definitely going to add-on at the Contemporary DVC and will probably add-on at the VGC.

[OttawaWendy]

Unfortunateley, I can't really comply with tomandrobin's request to "separate out the factors of attached to a deluxe or attached to a park", as these are very important factors to me.

This was my question (TomandRobin reposted for me - thanks) so I'll field this. If we were comparing OKW/SSR with the others, then all the factors would be legit. But I'm really thinking about type of set-up. So, let me ask the question in a more theorectical way:

If DVC announced they were building a new resort, and it would not connected to an existing Deluxe, and would have bus service to all Parks, would you prefer condo style or hotel style?

[tomandrobin]

We prefer to condo style vs the hotel style. Yes, the Epcot resorts are close to Epcot. But we just don't go to Epcot. Our preference on the Condo Style is based on relaxation and quietness. The hotel resorts do not have that at all. The hotels resorts always seem busy and crowded. The halls/corridors are noisy and the noise transmits between rooms.

I think it will be interesting to see how AKV plays out, since it will be both condo and hotel styles. The fact that the resort is not next to a Disney attraction, with both styles, is a good test. Once Kidani Village is complete, I think the condo side of the resort will be better then the hotel style. My opinion, but in about a year we will know.

[carolina_yankee]

I voted that either is fine with me. It really depends on the overall theme and amenities of the resort. I like SSR for layout and location. Parking close is a great plus. But I don't like the OKW condo style. Probably because it looks more like townhouse than SSR does (maybe I lean a little more towards hotel than condo). Also, HH isn't centrally located, but at the entrance.

I will say that the benefits of AKV, BCV, BWV or VWL vastly outweigh the negative of walking forever to get to your car, though (or paying valet).

Dirk

[tomandrobin]

Unfortunateley, I can't really comply with tomandrobin's request to "separate out the factors of attached to a deluxe or attached to a park", as these are very important factors to me.

Sure you can, AKV will have both.

[DVC Mike]

I think it will be interesting to see how AKV plays out, since it will be both condo and hotel styles. The fact that the resort is not next to a Disney attraction, with both styles, is a good test. Once Kidani Village is complete, I think the condo side of the resort will be better then the hotel style. My opinion, but in about a year we will know.

Ahh, but AKV offers it's own built-in attraction -- the savannas with the animals right outside your room.

[carolina_yankee]

I think it will be interesting to see how AKV plays out, since it will be both condo and hotel styles. The fact that the resort is not next to a Disney attraction, with both styles, is a good test. Once Kidani Village is complete, I think the condo side of the resort will be better then the hotel style. My opinion, but in about a year we will know.

How is AKV condo style? They have a separate building, but the hallways are interior, aren't they? It's basically the same set up as Jambo House, just a different pattern to the wings.

Dirk

[tomandrobin]

This was my question (TomandRobin reposted for me - thanks) so I'll field this. If we were comparing OKW/SSR with the others, then all the factors would be legit. But I'm really thinking about type of set-up. So, let me ask the question in a more theorectical way:

If DVC announced they were building a new resort, and it would not connected to an existing Deluxe, and would have bus service to all Parks, would you prefer condo style or hotel style?

I edited the first post to credit you for the thread!

[DVC Mike]

I will say that the benefits of AKV, BCV, BWV or VWL vastly outweigh the negative of walking forever to get to your car, though (or paying valet).


:iagree:

[DVC Mike]

If DVC announced they were building a new resort, and it would not connected to an existing Deluxe, and would have bus service to all Parks, would you prefer condo style or hotel style?

Hotel style, as I would probably be closer to all the ameneties (dining, etc).

[tomandrobin]

How is AKV condo style? They have a separate building, but the hallways are interior, aren't they? It's basically the same set up as Jambo House, just a different pattern to the wings.

Dirk

They are a series of condo buildings, all in a row. Architecturally, they are definately separate buildings, not one standing structure like BLT.

[carolina_yankee]

They are a series of condo buildings, all in a row. Architecturally, they are definately separate buildings, not one standing structure like BLT.
OK - but aren't the wings constructed the same way at Jambo House? I'm pretty certain they are . . . They are individual pods with walkways connecting them. It looks like one long hall from the interior, but each 'link in the chain' is its own building.

Dirk

[tomandrobin]

I will say that the benefits of AKV, BCV, BWV or VWL vastly outweigh the negative of walking forever to get to your car, though (or paying valet).

See this is not even a factor for us. We never drive at WDW to the parks.

[tomandrobin]

Hotel style, as I would probably be closer to all the ameneties (dining, etc).

Partially true. BWV has "ZERO" restaurants inside the hotel. At VWL you have to walk over to Wilderness Lodge, same for BCV.

As far as walking to the pools, its hit or miss. Both VWL and BCV, you have to walk over to the hotel portions to get to the feature pools.

[SSRFred]

With kids, I prefer less busy, quieter condo style. The kids need a place to decompress. I found that it was much easier with condos vs. hotels. In addition, the close parking does make the transfer of bags, groceries, sleeping kids, etc. easier.
I was debating between another condo timeshare and DVC. DVC worked out better for us because the buses give us the flexibility of letting guests and eventually the kids venture off on their own.

[tomandrobin]

OK - but aren't the wings constructed the same way at Jambo House? I'm pretty certain they are . . . They are individual pods with walkways connecting them. It looks like one long hall from the interior, but each 'link in the chain' is its own building.

Dirk

Architecturally similar, but they are classified differently. Can you access the hotel wings from any other way then the main lobby? No. That is the difference.

At Kidani Village you can park under you building and take the elevator up to your floor.

[AZeno]

This question really got me thinking about our overall Disney experience. Over the past thirty odd years we've stayed at everyone of the Disney resorts, from All Star to Grand Floridian. I have to honestly say that I prefer the condo style, but within limits. The Value resorts would be considered a condo style, and this would be one of my last choices for accomodations. Dont get me wrong, I would, and have stayed in a value, but only under certain circumstances.

For me I think it's a mobility thing, I like being able to shuttle to and from the vehicle easily. It may be a carry over from the good ole days when we would drive to Disney as part of a family vacation, and you have to believe it was convenient to run out to the car to get something that the kids needed but forgot to bring in.

[DVC Mike]

Partially true. BWV has "ZERO" restaurants inside the hotel. At VWL you have to walk over to Wilderness Lodge, same for BCV.


I think it's a closer walk from my BWV room to Flying Fish Cafe or Spoodles than from the The Carousel at SSR to DTD (or even the Turf Club). Same for OKW.


As far as walking to the pools, its hit or miss. Both VWL and BCV, you have to walk over to the hotel portions to get to the feature pools.


Yes, if you exclude the quiet pools. However, do the same for OKW or SSR (exclude their quiet pools) and you have a much longer walk from the outer reaches of these large resorts to their feature pools.

[carolina_yankee]

Architecturally similar, but they are classified differently. Can you access the hotel wings from any other way then the main lobby? No. That is the difference.

At Kidani Village you can park under you building and take the elevator up to your floor.

I wasn't aware that you could access your building from the garage underneath. In that case, I cede the point and bow to your more thorough reading of released data. :)

Dirk

[tomandrobin]

I think it's a closer walk from my BWV room to Flying Fish Cafe or Spoodles than from the The Carousel at SSR to DTD (or even the Turf Club). Same for OKW.

Maybe, but it depends on your room location. If you are at BWV and are at the end of the hall nearest to DHS, its not so close. But if you are in the Springs or Grandstand section, Turf Club is a short walk. (since you used SSR as the example, and took the farthest section for discussion)

Yes, if you exclude the quiet pools. However, do the same for OKW or SSR (exclude their quiet pools) and you have a much longer walk from the outer reaches of these large resorts to their feature pools.

I do/did exclude the quiet pools. They are always disregarded or when pool discussion comes up, its always about the feature pools. But if we do include the "quiet pools, then they all equal out.

[tomandrobin]

I wasn't aware that you could access your building from the garage underneath. In that case, I cede the point and bow to your more thorough reading of released data. :)

Dirk

Its not that, I work with architects every day. I own a A/E firm, so I am very familiar with a set of drawings.

[OttawaWendy]

I think there's a sense that the walks generally (to restaurants, lobby, themed pool, fitness centers etc.) are shorter in the hotel style resorts. But I'm not sure that is true in reality. I've walked through the halls in AKL and its huge, and the same for my stays at VWL and BWV.

I think for me part of it is that walking through SSR or OKW feels like a nice relaxing walk (this is true at a place like POR as well) whereas walking a long way through interior halls feels like "I got stuck with the bad location and now I have to shlep". That's just me, of course.

[JimP]

I cannot separate out the difference between the location, and the style of structure. I like the hotel type better than the condo-type based heavily on my desire to be at BWV/BCV... but if PRV ends up being condo style... especially if they built "Bora Bora" type huts on stilts over seven seas lagoon... I would definitely like "condo style" !!!!

/Jim

[AFMom]

Just a quick question about the hallways at the new Kidani part of AKV - from the pictures I saw earlier (at Mousesteps in another thread) - I don't know if I was seeing this wrong, but it kinda looked like there were outside hallways? Or maybe there were unfnished balconies. Hard to tell. Anyone know?

[apurplebrat]

I like hotel style. I like having a main lobby and hotel style just feels more like vacation to me (maybe because i live in a condo at home)
:)

[vwl mom]

I vote hotel - I just 'feel' more spoiled there. :cool2:

[nono]

I prefer condo style over hotel style. I chalk this up to always traveling and staying in hotels for business, and renting homes for vacations. In a hotel, including Disney hotels, I've just spent entirely too much time working. I still can't walk in the Swan/Dolphin/Yacht/Beach/Boardwalk without several convention trip flashbacks. :headache:

[Rozzie]

Condo style for us all the way. I guess it's because our "dream" is to retire, move to Florida and buy a condo. For 2-3 weeks out of a year, we can pretend our dream has come true. :tilt:

To be honest, I like to be away from the parks when we are not at a park. Looking back on trips, our most relaxing trips have been at the condo resorts, and our most commando style have been at the hotel resorts. We never order room service, waste of money. I like having my car right at my fingertips. We like to leave the bubble.

I guess we have been so much, we feel that we don't have to be at the park every single minute of our vacation. We do lots of pool time, wine and beer time, more pool time, beer and wine time again...

To each their own, it takes all kinds. ;)

[bruinfan]

I voted for both styles although I lean towards condo style. Our upcoming trip in August is a split stay - Part 1 at Wilderness Lodge (then a weekend at Portofino Bay at Universal to appease my wife and save points), then Part 2 will be at Saratoga. The condo feels more like 'home' to me but our last stay was almost 2 weeks at Beach Club in a 2BR and I liked that.

[DSNY FN]

To be honest it depends on my mood I love the feel of the hotel inside hallway feeling but at times I love stepping out my front door into the sunshine so it truly is a tossup.

[carolina_yankee]

I voted for both styles although I lean towards condo style. Our upcoming trip in August is a split stay - Part 1 at Wilderness Lodge (then a weekend at Portofino Bay at Universal to appease my wife and save points), then Part 2 will be at Saratoga. The condo feels more like 'home' to me but our last stay was almost 2 weeks at Beach Club in a 2BR and I liked that.

I wonder if there's a significant difference in preference between those who stay in studios and those who stay in larger accommodations? I'm already in a hotel-like room, so that may be why I really don't care.

Dirk

[Niki]

I love BWV, a hotel style resort. I like being close to everything, and I can walk to my room in the air conditioned hallways. DH prefers condo style, especially now that you can't smoke on the balcony. Our last BWV stay was on the fourth floor at the end of the long hallway. It was a real haul for him to go outside.

[OttawaWendy]

I voted for both styles although I lean towards condo style. Our upcoming trip in August is a split stay - Part 1 at Wilderness Lodge (then a weekend at Portofino Bay at Universal to appease my wife and save points), then Part 2 will be at Saratoga. The condo feels more like 'home' to me but our last stay was almost 2 weeks at Beach Club in a 2BR and I liked that.

Bruinfan, I love the horizantal Bobby Orr in your avatar (although of course I am a Senators fan and therefore hate you on principle. :laughing:

To be honest it depends on my mood I love the feel of the hotel inside hallway feeling but at times I love stepping out my front door into the sunshine so it truly is a tossup.

Where did you get the cool avatar with the Mickey head in hockey pucks and the Hockey Canada logo?

[tomandrobin]

Where did you get the cool avatar with the Mickey head in hockey pucks and the Hockey Canada logo?

You can right clck the avatar and save it to use as an avatar.

[CRSNDSNY]

So far from our experiences, we'd prefer the hotel style. Things seem to be in a closer proximity to each other and we like that.

When staying condo style, having a rental car is a MUST for us.

[mikayla73]

Either one is good for us ... although we stayed in a studio at SSR and DH kept saying it was like staying in hotel rather than a condo.

We have our first stay in a 1BR coming up. :clappingh It is a split stay between BWV and OKW. I am into conserving points, DH usually is too, but really wanted to try the 1BR. I am just afraid we won't be able to go back to the studio! :upsidedow

But that trip will give us a better "feel" for both of the styles at WDW.

[JimP]

I am just afraid we won't be able to go back to the studio! :upsidedow

Nothing to worry about... I don't this this has ever happened to anyone before. :ROTFL:

/Jim

[mikayla73]

Well I feel better now! Knowing that it has never happened and I am never the first person to get anything ... I think I am safe! :ROTFL::lmbo:

[BWV Dreamin]

I haven't stayed in a condo style resort yet. I did walk over to OKW to try and see a room, non available to see. I didn't like the fact that you had to walk some distance to the pool at HH. I like the bus stop at one place at the hotel/resorts. I think I would prefer SSR for a condo trip, but I am waiting for the preferred booking (Grandstand yes!). Also, we haven't brought a car to the world yet. So maybe once we do, my preferences may change. But for now, I am happy with all the transportation amenities, Garden Grocer delivery, and the conviences of hotel type resorts.

[Daitcher]

My vote is for Hotel style all the way and I will seperate the location on this one.

Hotel for us because of the features it adds. We pay good money for DVC and to pay that kind of buy in for a condo resort seems silly to us. I can get far better condos in Orlando for far less money if that is what we wanted, heck I could rent pool homes each year for way less. Service is what seperates it for us. The hotel styles just offer more things that we enjoy and it feels like we get more bang for the buck. We like room service, we like valet parking, we like the bellman bringing our stuff to the room, we like the lobby (of course the bar:)), we like the multiple restaurnats on site,etc. We just feel like we are on vacation and that we are getting more bang for our buck. I can get a do it yourself experience anywhere.


P.S. We love condos elsewhere. We always rent houses or condos when we go to the beach. For some reason that works the best for us when we want that family beach vacation. Normally we love REAL deluxe hotels with all the services.


DAVE

[AFMom]

Just have to comment that the results of the poll have suprised me. I assumed more would vote for "hotel" just based on what I've percieved on the threads here. Always seems like BWV, BCV, and WLV are in such high demand. But I guess their small size might be more of the reason for that than a bias against condo style.
Very, Very Interresting!

[Daitcher]

Just have to comment that the results of the poll have suprised me. I assumed more would vote for "hotel" just based on what I've percieved on the threads here. Always seems like BWV, BCV, and WLV are in such high demand. But I guess their small size might be more of the reason for that than a bias against condo style.
Very, Very Interresting!



Yes, if you take the condo resorts and total those rooms it outweighs the number of rooms at the others combined. You also have to remeber that the new SSR owners haven't tried the other hotel like DVC's yet so that skews the numbers.

The beauty of this is that DVC offers both. That part I like, different strokes for diffferent folks.


DAVE

[kiapgh23e]

To be honest it depends on my mood I love the feel of the hotel inside hallway feeling but at times I love stepping out my front door into the sunshine so it truly is a tossup.

:thumbsup: Ive stayed only hotel rsorts at disney, but have stayed at condo styles elsewhere. But no matter where I stay I ALWAYS have a car. (need to get out of the bubble, as someone posted earlier). For my subsequent trips to disney it will all depend on my mood.

[dianeschlicht]

Well, I definitely prefer the "condo" style, although I would refine it further and say I prefer the smaller buildings rather than the larger ones. I do not see SSR and OKW as that similar at all. To me, SSR is still a bit "hotel like" with its larger buildings and needing to park in a parking lot that requires more than just walking out your door.

What I like about the "vacation home" accommodations over the hotel ones:
1. parking outside your door
2. the feel like it's a home and not a hotel
3. isolation and insulation from the hustle and bustle of the parks
4. good transportation options.

Now, some will say that a few of those are available at hotel style resorts as well, but there IS a difference. I have always felt we had a lot more waiting at hotel resorts than OKW when it came to buses. It does sound like SSR has been having their issue on that front lately too.

We also own at AKV, and I must say it was a challenge getting used to the hotel aspect of the place last trip, but the lure of the animals and activities more than made up for the hallways. Besides, we were in concierge most of that trip, and the short walk to the elevator made it not feel so much like a big hotel.

[spiceycat]

like them both - own at OKW, BWV and VWL - would own at BCV and AKV too if I could.

will own at BLT....

OKW is for relaxing - yes I do go to a couple of parks - AK, Epcot - maybe Mk.

but not for the entire time.

At bwv go to epcot just about every day.

at VWL - Mk again just about every day.

now I definitely like room service in the hotel ones - really wish OKW has it - if they kept upping the maintence fees - since they have taken away things from OKW - then giving us room service should definitely come with higher fees.

guess next year need to write a letter!

this trip going to SSR, Akv, Pop - ssr is definitely for resting and going to a couple of parks - AKv - swimming pool - Pop - parks.

[bavaria]

I have mixed opinions. On the one hand I tend to agree with Dave about the service offered by a full service hotel style DVC. I do like to use the features he listed

Hotel for us because of the features it adds. We pay good money for DVC and to pay that kind of buy in for a condo resort seems silly to us. I can get far better condos in Orlando for far less money if that is what we wanted, heck I could rent pool homes each year for way less. Service is what seperates it for us. The hotel styles just offer more things that we enjoy and it feels like we get more bang for the buck. We like room service, we like valet parking, we like the bellman bringing our stuff to the room, we like the lobby (of course the bar:)), we like the multiple restaurnats on site,etc. We just feel like we are on vacation and that we are getting more bang for our buck. I can get a do it yourself experience anywhere.

On the other hand, as someone who pretty much lives in hotels the entire year, I really like having my own entrance, and not having to pass and talk to staff every time I enter or exit a building. I know that sounds cranky, but envision your house, and leaving for work in the morning. Now imagine that before you can leave your front door, you have to greet someone and possibly make small take (no, not your spouse, just a random stranger dressed in a uniform). Then you need your car, but you have to ask someone to get it for you, or at the least greet them as you pass. When you return at night, they are friendly, but may comment that you are bringing in a box of doughnuts, or got home a little late, or gosh bought dinner at Noodles and Co for the third time that week.

I just don't like having to see people any time I want to enter and exit, and that is the appeal of condo buildings to me. At Disney there are multiple entrances to the hotel style DVCs so I can somewhat avoid people, but in many hotels there is one entrance for safety reasons.

And THAT is why I will stay at any of the DVC properties onsite; because my opinion is split.

[greenban]

We like 'em both.

Each has great aspects, so different styles for different styles of vacation!

-Tony