With Amy and I heading to Disney this weekend for some much-needed balcony and pool time, I thought it would be fun to revisit one of my favorite DVC pastimes…
Prior to becoming a DVC owner, mornings at a Walt Disney World Resort were quite hectic and usually involved three steps:
1. Waking up after hitting the snooze button multiple times
2. Frantically showering and getting dressed as fast as possible
3. Running to the bus stop and heading to a long day in the parks
This was before I found my new favorite pastime: relaxing on the balcony of my Disney Vacation Club Resort.
Now, I can be found most early mornings or evenings sipping a cup of coffee, reading, and taking in the views.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa holds a special place in my heart because this was the first resort my wife, Amy, and I stayed at as DVC owners. With our room located in The Springs, our balcony overlooked the lake and running trail and provided a nice escape that could make you forget you were even on Disney property.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas
Another great view can be found on the savanna of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas. There is something very serene about sitting on your balcony and watching animals calmly grazing. My wife had a particular fondness for an ostrich that slept curled up outside our room in the early morning hours.
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
As far as theme parks are concerned, nothing can beat the view from Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. On a trip last October, we purposefully came back to our room multiple times and relaxed on the balcony in the evenings. It was great to enjoy Happily Ever After and Happy Hallowishes from the comfort of our private space. You can even pipe in the music through your TV for the full effect of the shows.
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
My absolute favorite is the balconies at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Even most of the standard views at this resort are great. I enjoyed having my morning coffee and watching the monorail go by.
Let me know what your favorite balcony views are related to Disney Vacation Club and take a few extra minutes to enjoy it for me on your next trip!
Are you going to the BW by chance?
We will be at Beach Club! 😎
Just came from Beaches and Cream!
I really enjoy the balconies at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort!
Some of them are double size balconies!
While we also enjoy Saratoga in the Springs area and the Polynesian lake view, we particularly enjoy the Luna Park pool view balcony in a 2nd floor room at the Boardwalk. I enjoy watching the activity and families just having fun!
I can’t believe you left out Aulani. With ocean view it’s the best balcony by far
Sorry Paul and Amy. Gonna have to go with the Aulani balcony views 🙂 We had a 2 bedroom Garden View that had views of the Ocean and some of the mountains. Beautiful every morning and evening. Plus could even watch the Luau some nights.
i have to agree with others – Aulani beats WDW balcomies. Seeing the sunsets everyday over the Pacific is just amazing
Enjoy the Beach Club, Paul and Amy. It’s our first home resort, and while its balconies are nothing special compared to the ones you mentioned, I have fond memories of hanging out on them in the early moening.
My favorite balconies are on the 3rd floor of the Moorea building at the Poly (now DVC). If you get a room near the TTC, you can enjoy the MK fireworks at night and wake up with Disney and the ferryboat in the morning. Give me a Lapu Lapu and that balcony, and I’m in heaven.
From the Grand Floridian picture, I think we stayed in the same room