Welcome to the Beth's Best RU-vid Channel! This channel is all about Disney travel, specifically Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. As Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member I travel to Disney World multiple times year and love staying at different resorts. I'll bring you with me as I share with you room tours, resort guides, dining reviews, and the occasion vlog. If you like Disney resorts, you've come to the right place.
My videos are created with the intention of helping you plan your best trip by "experiencing" potential locations via video first. Be sure to comment and let me know where you'd like to go.
Sorry, poor word choice on my part, @AS-sg5hb! I should have said safari lodge. The clues are that the heavy curtains are designed to look like canvas tent flaps and there used to be “bug netting” over the headboards but that was removed a few soft good refurbs ago. Thank you for the opportunity to correct myself! 😊🦒🦓
Great question, @TritonPlz! Boardwalk Villas has three view categories: standard, garden/pool view, and Boardwalk view. The garden/pool view and Boardwalk views are both considered preferred views and cost more than standard. Interestingly, the garden/pool view and Boardwalk view categories are the same number of DVC points. 🎪🎢🌊
Have you stayed at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows? If so, what did you think? Let me know if you have any questions and thank you for watching!
Great question, @MeryNolazco! With the large, mounted headboards at Destino Tower I don’t think you’d be able to safely move the beds. I’m not sure if it would be helpful, but bed rails are available on a first come, first served basis. Just call housekeeping when you get there. Thank you for watching and have a great day! 🌴☀️😎
Good question, @sarahross2853! It’s inconsistent; my most recent preferred location studio at Saratoga Springs did have a freezer section in the fridge but my most recent standard studio didn’t. 🤷🏻♀️ Do you need the freezer for medications? If so, I believe you can request a freezer from housekeeping.
I nearly fell out of my chair when you said Saratoga Springs is better than Grand Floridian or Beach Club. It’s soooo spread out that you can only walk to Springs if you book a preferred room location, it has horrible restaurant choices on site, etc. Oh, and Abracadabar isn’t a restaurant (you said it was). Sorry, this video clearly heeded more research.
Hi @markolwick2223, thanks for the feedback. I’ve actually stayed at each DVC resort multiple times. My recommendations aren’t in ranked order because the best choice is going to vary based on preferences. Which resort is your favorite for an adults only stay?
You produce quality content, but please get a wireless mic so you don’t get the horrible echo constantly. It will make you sound much more professional.
There's a lot to love about Saratoga Springs. Availability is often no sweat, points charts are reasonable, and you can park right in front of your villa. Just to name a few!
Question! Is the mattress on the single bed removable? We will be there next year with our (will be 2.5 y/o) and I’m curious if we can put a little bed rail on this bed. One that has bars that slips underneath the mattress?
I’m a new BLT resale owner, and I do not have a “blue card”. I’m doing my first BLT stay on points in a few weeks. How “strict” are the CM’s enforcing access restrictions to the top of the world lounge? Do you think they’ll let us in since we are actually staying on points at BLT? Would be nice to see the lounge even if it’s during the day.
Great question, @derekhellmann5509. I wish I had a more definitive answer but it really spends on the cast member at the lounge check in podium. The last two times I’ve been to the Villains Liar, the CM has verified both my point reservation and my blue card. It used to be a lot looser but they’ve been enforcing eligibility more since the lounge refurbishment. It certainly doesn’t hurt to try while you’re starting there though, the worst they’ll say is “no”!
We are considering the Saratoga Springs preferred studio as well. We have planned our vacation around Disney Springs. Hoping to get building group 16 for easy access.
Great question, @mebourquin! It really depends on the view category you typically book. In my experience, standard view rooms have been increasingly hard to get even at 11 months. However, theme park and lake view isn’t usually an issue for owners. The only exceptions are the big firework holidays (NYE & July 4th) where everyone wants to book Bay Lake Tower for access to the top floor viewing area. Overall, I would highly recommend for your next contact. Where do you own currently? 😎
I love this! A beautifully appointed room that follows the lines of Riviera (I believe it was renovated right after Riviera opened.) Beautiful colors and that gorgeous headboard! Do those draperies have a purplish cast? So pretty with the pistachio green walls! I just bought a small add on contract at SSR and I can't wait to stay here for the first time. SSR is not glamorous like Riviera or Grand Floridian, but it's very tailored and spiffy. A very decent option. One thing--I believe the spa has not reopened and will not reopen as Senses. Perhaps as something else, though.
Hi @nycp1969, congrats on your new add-on contract! Saratoga was an excellent choice. 😀 The renovated rooms are so gorgeous, the point chart is reasonable, and the proximity to Disney Springs is super convenient. I hope your first SSR stay is coming up soon! 🎠🧲🏇
Not for me. Boardwalk is one of my least favorite DVC resorts, and this is from a Jersey boy who's old enough to remember pre-casino Atlantic City. I like the artwork, but the color palette is bland and, yeah, five people who are encourared to re-use towels and only one towel hook? One gripe from me that is relevant to all DVC resorts is the all white bed. The lack of color, pattern and embellishment is very obvious to me. I've heard they took away the bed runners and throw pillows because of sanitary concerns, but I don't think this is the case on the hotel side and have you seen the renovated rooms at the Disneyland Paris Hotel? Unacceptable that they've taken this touch away from DVC. They can launder thenm for what we pay. Thanks for the tour, Beth!
Thank you for sharing your perspective, @nycp1969. Totally agree, the renovated villas are an improvement, but I would also love to see more embellishment and color! 🎡🎠🎢
@@BethsBest Looking forward to that video. I read on planDisney which is straight from the source that they are supposed to have a murphy and the single sleeper for kids allowing the room to sleep 5. But so far the rooms I have seen seem to either have a murphy with no sleeper or a pull out with no 5th sleeper in the 1 bedrooms. Even a dvc cast member told me over the phone that they should sleep 5 when finished. Would be awesome if you can confirm this to be true or not. Thanks!
Hi @BillyRiffinDaTube, it would be great if the new Boardwalk Villas 1 bedrooms slept 5 adults but I’ve only seen them sleep 4 plus an infant under 3 in a rollaway. I have one booked in a few months so I’ll check with the cast members and, of course, I’ll be filming it for you!
I love the newly renovated Disney's Boardwalk DVC rooms! I enjoy the subtle Disney theming. The Disney detail on the drapes is adorable. I really appreciate the tasteful Fab 5 touches in the deluxe resorts, I think it is just perfect. If I want over-the-top theming, I stay at the Art of Animation or Pop Century resorts -- both fun! If I want more understated Disney decor, then I appreciate the theming USUALLY found at the Deluxe Disney Resorts. While I am not a fan of the "stencil" decor at the Contemporary, I am hoping that the Bay Lake Tower renovation is a more tastefully done. Like you, I am so happy to see the wall beds at the Disney resort hotels! Oh, and my friend & I laughed when you said "the entrance to Epcot is literally outside your door." 😉 While the entrance to Epcot is nearby, a short 10-15 minute walk, it isn't LITERALLY outside one's door at the Boardwalk. 😂 Thank you for another excellent tour, Beth. Always appreciate your insight, tips, and beautiful tours. 💙🙏
Thank you, @debbabe2254. Okay, you got me! 🤣 Totally agree on the new theming, fingers crossed they do as great of a job at Bay Lake Tower. Thank you so much for the support and I hope you have a wonderful Saturday!
What do you think of the refurbished rooms at Boardwalk Villas? Do you prefer the old rooms? Let me know if you any questions and thank you for watching! 😎
Great review! Stayed here in July 2022. The hotel was very quiet … almost deserted. Had breakfast in the restaurant and it was ok; nothing to write home about though. The staff was kind and the room was nice. Parking was a bit difficult (lots of circling to find a spot) so keep that in mind if you have a rental. The pier over the lake was very tranquil and a good place to retreat to read a book or just watch the flora and fauna. I recommend it if you are a business traveler or just looking to stay away from all of the amusement park crowds.
Thank you for sharing your experience, @HRuiz-kt5ui. Totally agree with your assessment, the Marriott Orlando Airport Lakeside is definitely away from all the theme park crowds! I appreciate your support and have a great day. 😎🌺🌴
Thank you for the subscribing, @MissLauraSquared. I really appreciate your support and encouragement. I just love sharing my passion for Disney and Disney resorts! 😊
I did stay at Saratoga Springs in a Preferred Studio in 2021. I liked I had a 1st floor room the and was within walking distance of Disney Springs.❤ I was there a few days and then one of my nieces joined me. I thought it was a great place for a Solo 62 yr old to stay. I watched your video on the Tower Studio at The Riviera and for my next trip I was thinking of trying it. Which Studio do you think would be best for a senior woman staying for a week? The Tower Studio, or one of the Standard or Preferred Studios at either the Riviera or Saratoga Springs? I would be renting my points from one of the DVC companies and would not be going until 2025. Thanks for your insight.
Those are great questions, @enidjensen571! Do you plan on making any meals in the room (light breakfast, etc.)? If so, you’re going to want a standard studio and I’d vote with the new rooms at Saratoga Springs. If not, then I would absolutely go for the tower studio at Riviera! It’s a lot less points, so it’s save you a bundle on renting, and you’d get try out a new resort! Thank you so much for watching and have a great day! 🐎🧲🏇
Have you stayed at Disney's Saratoga Springs in preferred studio? If so, what did you think? Let me know if you have any questions and thanks for watching! 😎
Thank you, @AlphaTraveler1. Can’t agree more, I’m hoping the new Polynesian DVC addition will be worth the wait but we’ll have to wait and see! 🤞🏻I hope you’re well and have a great weekend. 😎
Honestly, this resort is not worth the money. Especially for those tower studios. Over $500 per night, no turn down service, so i have to clean the room during my vacation. And nothing complimentary. Go to drury plaza. About 1/5 the price, free breakfast and snacks, walking distance to disney springs, free shuttle, turn down service, no resort fees, and 3 FREE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS PER ADULT PER DAY! *mic drop*
@BethsBest I look forward to your review! The expensive deluxe resorts are honestly not worth it. The only actual bonus is the extended magic hrs, which hasn't been a reliable perk the past couple of years. Or simply different means of transportation to the park via skyliner or boats. You don't go in earlier than anyone else who stay in the dozens of different good neighbor hotels. But you can book lightning lanes earlier than others 😒 So sad that there's no real incentive to stay on property. Whereas universal gives unlimited express passes for every guest.
Hi Ashy, I actually do! DVC just finished a modest refurb at Beach Club but the bones are the same. Link: ru-vid.com/group/PLolpwNERihABe7beRHyUHXGP1lK4ZbkJT
We are doing a split stay at BC & then GF in end of Jan./beginning of Feb. Stayed at both multiple times but this is our first time trying 2 bdrm villas. Thank you for posting this video. Very helpful!
