Lakeshore and Lakeside mean the same thing, but I'm guessing they thought Lakeshore sounded more upscale. I'm glad they're building the tower. I think it'll give some presence and connection to the FW cabins, and make the whole Wilderness Lodge area seem less out of the way. My December 2024 trip was full of great new experiences. So, my final word on SSR. Was it good? Well, yes and...basically yes. I really enjoyed my two resort days there. Walking to DS was easy and a very nice way to enjoy the best dining and shopping. The rooms were beautiful (maybe could use a bit more color and artwork,) the pools were top notch and the Carriage House was very pretty. I absolutely loved the bike rental! So great to get out and move along the paths around the resort, the Treehouse Villas and the bridges to OKW. But by the end of my second day, I had grown tired of seeing the same green building everywhere and yes, it absolutely begins to feel like you're at a nice but ordinary condo complex after a while. It's hard to make a case that it's a particularly unique place, even if it's enjoyable. I think it'll be a go to for a few resort days focused on DS dining, pools and bike riding, and then a split stay to get into the Disney vibe. So my last night was an add on because I'd found one day available at Boulder ridge, and I'd never stayed there. Wow! What a beautiful place and what a great room reno. I really hope they go in this direction for the AKV reno. The colors and artwork were beautiful. And I got an unexpected upgrade to a one-bedroom! Just a little sad to get pixie dusted like this for one night and when I was alone, but never a complaint from me! Except for the transportation. I think WL is the worst for transportation. The boat to MK takes a long time and their busses, even for the half mile trip to MK, are really slow. This has been the case both times I've stayed there and every time I've done park breaks there. Thanks, Jacqueline! Hope your month is going well!
Great recap! One thing to note for Membership Magic Beyond: for the using points for APs at WDW benefit, it was confirmed with Member Services that only direct points can be used for this conversion. Resale points do not qualify.
Oh yes totally, good point. I totally glossed over it because I feel like we've all been smacked in the face over and over about 'qualifying members' haha, but yeah I 100% assumed it would be direct only points and thank you for letting me know that got confirmed!!
This is such a great update on many DVC news bits, and I'm new to annual passes; never purchased, but it's good to know I can use DVC points towards this. Also, eager to learn more about Lakeshore Lodge too! Thank you, Jacqueline!
I've never purchased an AP either, but personally I don't think I would spend my points on it. 75 direct DVC points for a uh ~$1150-ish AP values the points at roughly $15/point. That's not awful, but I mean DVC itself sells the one time use points for $20 per point... so... definitely the AP conversion rate definitely undervalues them imo. That being said, I also only have 150 direct points to spend, so I certainly would not throw half of them to an AP I could just put on a credit card and call it a day. But if I had, I don't know, 300+ points I might be singing a different tune! No judgement from me, just adding some layers of perspective to the convo :)
@@PixieDustPhD ahh and totally agreed and thanks for the further details on the DVC to AP pricing! - I won't go there, ha, as it does take a big bite away from DVC points that could be much better used for a resort, cruise, etc IMHO.
Great video! Thank you for all the information!
Lakeshore and Lakeside mean the same thing, but I'm guessing they thought Lakeshore sounded more upscale. I'm glad they're building the tower. I think it'll give some presence and connection to the FW cabins, and make the whole Wilderness Lodge area seem less out of the way.
My December 2024 trip was full of great new experiences. So, my final word on SSR. Was it good? Well, yes and...basically yes. I really enjoyed my two resort days there. Walking to DS was easy and a very nice way to enjoy the best dining and shopping. The rooms were beautiful (maybe could use a bit more color and artwork,) the pools were top notch and the Carriage House was very pretty. I absolutely loved the bike rental! So great to get out and move along the paths around the resort, the Treehouse Villas and the bridges to OKW. But by the end of my second day, I had grown tired of seeing the same green building everywhere and yes, it absolutely begins to feel like you're at a nice but ordinary condo complex after a while. It's hard to make a case that it's a particularly unique place, even if it's enjoyable. I think it'll be a go to for a few resort days focused on DS dining, pools and bike riding, and then a split stay to get into the Disney vibe.
So my last night was an add on because I'd found one day available at Boulder ridge, and I'd never stayed there. Wow! What a beautiful place and what a great room reno. I really hope they go in this direction for the AKV reno. The colors and artwork were beautiful. And I got an unexpected upgrade to a one-bedroom! Just a little sad to get pixie dusted like this for one night and when I was alone, but never a complaint from me! Except for the transportation. I think WL is the worst for transportation. The boat to MK takes a long time and their busses, even for the half mile trip to MK, are really slow. This has been the case both times I've stayed there and every time I've done park breaks there.
Thanks, Jacqueline! Hope your month is going well!
Great recap! One thing to note for Membership Magic Beyond: for the using points for APs at WDW benefit, it was confirmed with Member Services that only direct points can be used for this conversion. Resale points do not qualify.
Oh yes totally, good point. I totally glossed over it because I feel like we've all been smacked in the face over and over about 'qualifying members' haha, but yeah I 100% assumed it would be direct only points and thank you for letting me know that got confirmed!!
This is such a great update on many DVC news bits, and I'm new to annual passes; never purchased, but it's good to know I can use DVC points towards this. Also, eager to learn more about Lakeshore Lodge too! Thank you, Jacqueline!
I've never purchased an AP either, but personally I don't think I would spend my points on it. 75 direct DVC points for a uh ~$1150-ish AP values the points at roughly $15/point. That's not awful, but I mean DVC itself sells the one time use points for $20 per point... so... definitely the AP conversion rate definitely undervalues them imo. That being said, I also only have 150 direct points to spend, so I certainly would not throw half of them to an AP I could just put on a credit card and call it a day. But if I had, I don't know, 300+ points I might be singing a different tune! No judgement from me, just adding some layers of perspective to the convo :)
@@PixieDustPhD ahh and totally agreed and thanks for the further details on the DVC to AP pricing! - I won't go there, ha, as it does take a big bite away from DVC points that could be much better used for a resort, cruise, etc IMHO.