$2000, 7 nights- which resort??

[lolobug]

Hi!
We are planning a Jan 22-29 vacation for 4 (2 adults and 2 kids). MK will be our biggest draw! I know discounts often come out on resorts around this time but I would like to find a resort for 7 nights that is $2000ish BEFORE discounts. Suggestions? We'd love the MK area

 

[Marionnette]

Hi!
We are planning a Jan 22-29 vacation for 4 (2 adults and 2 kids). MK will be our biggest draw! I know discounts often come out on resorts around this time but I would like to find a resort for 7 nights that is $2000ish BEFORE discounts. Suggestions? We'd love the MK area

Rates are not out for 2014 yet. If I were to venture a guess, based on your per-night limit of $286/night BEFORE any discounts, I would say that you would have to eliminate any monorail resorts from your list. In fact, I would imagine that all deluxe resorts would be off the table because the 2013 rate for AKL and WL for those dates in 2013 was $279 and $284 per night for the least expensive rooms. After taxes and a price increase for 2014, you've gone beyond your price limit.

So, that means choosing from the Value Resorts and Moderates. I happen to like CSR for a number of reasons but any of the Moderates would be good

 

[Abby Wednesday]

If you really want deluxe/close to MK, this hotel budget is doable, but you have to use the discounts. If you go when they are offering room only discounts, Wilderness Lodge will be your best bet at that price- as far as being close to the MK. For our dates, we can get BC for $252 per night and CR garden wing for $262-not including tax. Those are value season plus discount prices, so if you're not going during value season you have to factor that in. You will be within your budget if you choose a value or moderate standard room without discounts, as the pp said.

 

[mdsouth]

Hi!
We are planning a Jan 22-29 vacation for 4 (2 adults and 2 kids). MK will be our biggest draw! I know discounts often come out on resorts around this time but I would like to find a resort for 7 nights that is $2000ish BEFORE discounts. Suggestions? We'd love the MK area

Does this amount include room and tickets? If so, you will need to look at values. Even mods with room and tickets will be more than that

 

[gilsan]

You could try renting points. I checked your dates and BLT is under $2000 for all rooms based on the price chart at David's DVC rental, WLV were under $1500. Good prices if there is availability.

 

[Marionnette]

If you really want deluxe/close to MK, this hotel budget is doable, but you have to use the discounts. If you go when they are offering room only discounts, Wilderness Lodge will be your best bet at that price- as far as being close to the MK. For our dates, we can get BC for $252 per night and CR garden wing for $262-not including tax. Those are value season plus discount prices, so if you're not going during value season you have to factor that in. You will be within your budget if you choose a value or moderate standard room without discounts, as the pp said.

She said that her budget was $2000 for 7 nights BEFORE discounts.

 

[JeannieKY]

Wilderness Lodge! It is so cozy in the Winter with the big fireplace in the lobby and the pool is kept so warm. The boat ride to MK is relaxing and never too crowded.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

You could try renting points. I checked your dates and BLT is under $2000 for all rooms based on the price chart at David's DVC rental, WLV were under $1500. Good prices if there is availability.

This.

The points aren't always that easy to come by, but if you get in before the 7 month mark you'll hopefully have a higher chance of rooms being available.

 

[Jenna319]

I agree with renting points. Get a deluxe villa resort at a fraction of the cost! We are renting points in September for 5 nights in a studio and it cost around $1000.

 

[cheesemouse]

WL standard room or rent points for WLV or BLT. I think WL is just a tad over the budgeted price of 285/night? 2013 rack rates for those dates are 284 weekday and 304 weekend. The weekday rates are in your budget but the weekend dates (Fri & Sat) would be a total of $40 above budget.

 

[geraghty]

I agree with Bay Lake Tower. A lake view studio is 123 points @ $14/pt it would be $1722 for the week. If Disney has any discounts you won't be able to get them if staying on points.

 

[lolobug]

Thank you, booking now!

 

[lolobug]

You could try renting points. I checked your dates and BLT is under $2000 for all rooms based on the price chart at David's DVC rental, WLV were under $1500. Good prices if there is availability.

Can someone explain the points to me?

 

[lolobug]

Can someone explain the points to me? I don't think 4 of us will fit in a studio, right?

 

[WanderlustNZ]

If your kids are happy sharing the sofa bed you should be able to fit in the studio. It's not that different to a hotel room with two Queen beds except one bed has been replaced with a sofa bed. You get the bonus of a kitchenette, but not the bonus of a daily housekeeping.

For my upcoming trip, I have 5 nights booked in a boardwalk studio and 6 nights in an AK studio (Jambo) house all made using rented points. I went through brokers (David's DVC Rentals and The DVC Rental Store) for the added security over renting privately. You do need to be prepared to pay upfront and there are small risks, but with some research you will see the the pros mostly outweigh the cons. The potential to save thousands being one of those pros.

Usually the biggest problem is whether or not the broker has any points available. It's not a given that points will instantly be available, so it pays to be a bit flexible and have some back up options. When I first enquired with both brokers, they had no points for any of my choices (which were anywhere except OKW or SSR). But as soon as points did become available, I took the first ones offered and I'm really happy with what I've got.

The Disney Tourist Blog did a good write up on the basics behind renting points. It won't let me post a link to the website, so let me know if you want me to PM it to you.

 

[married2mm]

I'm in the UK and prices (and free dining!) Are already released for 2014.

I've input your dates and okw,ssr,all the mods and obviously values come in under budget.

Have you gone ahead with renting points?

 

[Marionnette]

I'm in the UK and prices (and free dining!) Are already released for 2014.

I've input your dates and okw,ssr,all the mods and obviously values come in under budget.

Have you gone ahead with renting points?

I think that I remember reading that UK visitors get very good rates on OKW and SSR. The rack rate for a studio at those resorts was $327/night in 2013 for the OP's dates. It would be very surprising if the rates fell for 2014.

I agree with the others who suggested renting points. The OP will get the most for her money that way. But she would have to start looking now if she wants BLT or any of the smaller DVC resorts. And she would need to be ready to pay for it when the reservation is made.

 

[lolobug]

Can someone PLEASE tell me which rooms have the best views of the fireworks? My husband told me he wants to stay where he did when he was a kid but he doesn't know which room it was. ALSO, can I get this room if I go with a DVC rental? And, can you take the magical express from the airport if you go with a DVC rental? Thanks!

 

[mickeynut1]

Can someone PLEASE tell me which rooms have the best views of the fireworks? My husband told me he wants to stay where he did when he was a kid but he doesn't know which room it was. ALSO, can I get this room if I go with a DVC rental? And, can you take the magical express from the airport if you go with a DVC rental? Thanks!

If your husband went as a kid, he would have stayed in a regular hotel room at the CR, rather than a villa/studio. If you rent points, you will be in BLT (which is right next to the CR). You will be able to use DME to your resort as that service is available to anyone staying at a Disney resort, whether it be a cash reservation or on points.

 

[lolobug]

If your husband went as a kid, he would have stayed in a regular hotel room at the CR, rather than a villa/studio. If you rent points, you will be in BLT (which is right next to the CR). You will be able to use DME to your resort as that service is available to anyone staying at a Disney resort, whether it be a cash reservation or on points.

Yay! Thank you!!