2011 planning - need some advice

[quirty30]

The last several years we've done 3-4 shorter trips and I'm tired of the airfare expense. Next year I thought we would do one long stay around July 4th, and just one other short trip in December so we can see the Christmas decorations. For 2011, I will have 345 points at BLT and 116 at AKV - here is what I've been thinking about doing - book 7 nights (7/2 thru 7/9) in a 1BR SV at BLT, then 2 nights (7/9 thru 7/11) in a 1BR CL at AKV Jambo. At the 7 month mark I'd like to try and change the last 3 nights at BLT to 3 nights in a 1BR SV at AKV Kidani. I don't have enough AKV points to book it this way at 11 months ad I know the CL is a must at 11 months. This all leads me to 2 questions:

1) Am I likely to get a 1 BR SV at Kidani at the 7 month mark for midweek after the 4th of July?

2) Am I crazy to do a 3 way split over 9 days? I'm think the move from Kidani to Jambo won't be so bad, especially since we will just make it a pool day.

Now to December. I'm thinking about 12/2 thru 12/5. If the above all goes according to plan, I will have used 268 BLT points and 97 AKV points for the July trip. I will have 77 BLT points left and 19 at AKV. Again, I'd like to book a 1BR SV at BLT for 3 nights, which will require 90 points, so I will have to borrow 13 BLT points from my 2012 UY. And if I'm lucky, I'd love to switch out to a 1BR at VWL at 7 months (I know this is iffy and I'm content with BLT if I can't.) If I do get lucky, I will need 2 more points, but I can use 2 of the 19 AKV points I have left, and bank the other 17.

Does this all seem like a reasonable and well thought out plan? Would apppreciate any comments or advice. I just want to make sure I've applied all the DVC rules properly and this will all work. I think the only real flaw is I won't be able to cancel my December stay without repercussions, but I can live with that (by the way, I have a Feb UY.) In 2012 I'm gonna borrow my points from 2013 and just take a cruise and be done with it!!!!!!!

Thanks in advance!

 

[bobbiwoz]

1. Do you mean savannah view or standard view? In either case, I think at 7 months either of those would be available at Kidani, just because it's large and 1 bedrooms tend to book last. In my experience, for March spring break, at less than 7 months I could only get a standard 1 bedroom at Kidani, but 3 months before the trip, a savannah view became available. I really think you'll be OK.

2. If it's what you want to do, try it...if you say "never again" OK. We had 9 night recently, 1 BWV, 4 VB, 4 BCV...over the 4th of July and it was a wonderful trip, except maybe too short! We had DGC's family with us the whole time, and not one peep of complaining from anyone!

As far as December VWL...a 1 bedroom is possible at 7 months, waitlist if you can, but don't waitlist beyond the banking date, but you can then borrow if it does come through and you need more points.


Bobbi

 

[quirty30]

1. Do you mean savannah view or standard view? In either case, I think at 7 months either of those would be available at Kidani, just because it's large and 1 bedrooms tend to book last. In my experience, for March spring break, at less than 7 months I could only get a standard 1 bedroom at Kidani, but 3 months before the trip, a savannah view became available. I really think you'll be OK.

2. If it's what you want to do, try it...if you say "never again" OK. We had 9 night recently, 1 BWV, 4 VB, 4 BCV...over the 4th of July and it was a wonderful trip, except maybe too short! We had DGC's family with us the whole time, and not one peep of complaining from anyone!

As far as December VWL...a 1 bedroom is possible at 7 months, waitlist if you can, but don't waitlist beyond the banking date, but you can then borrow if it does come through and you need more points.


Bobbi

Yes, I meant Savannah view. DS loves BLT, I love CL and DD loves Savannah views. We have yet to experience a split stay - ask me again in about a month. I would never want to do a night here and there out of necessity, but next month, I think 4 nights at BCV and 4 nights at BLT will be just fine. And I think we can live with the plan I suggested for next summer...again, doesn't seem like the move from Kidani to Jambo will be all that bad.

Thanks so much for your input, Bobbi!

 

[DenLo]

I didn't double check the points but your plan sounds viable and you should be able to make a July reservation at 7 months.

As far as December 2011, we hope to switch from BLT Std view studio to a VWL studio. No matter where we stay it will be pretty exciting for us as it's our first December stay as a DVC member. IMHO, WL (and VWL) just seems to be the perfect resort to be decorated for Christmas. Good luck on all of your reservations and here's a little to help you get those pesky reservations.

 

[owensamo]

If you know you want to move to AKL from BLT for the first trip, why not book as many nights of the AKL SV as you can at 11 months - since you have points? This should free up some of your BLT points to book the BLT room in Dec for the full time without needing to borrow.

 

[MinnieGi]

We have done several split stays over 10 day trips and like them, however I don't think I could personally do it a third time. While Disney makes it super easy to move with their luggage service the fact is you have to pack up and unpack no matter how close your next room is and that is the pain in the butt part. But there certainly is no harm in trying it out and seeing what you think of a split stay.