A 2-BR or 3 Studios?

[DisneyStarWisher]

We are currently planning our WDW trip next year with the whole family. It sure gets interesting when trying to plan around jobs and college breaks! I think this will be the last DVC family trip for a while as it is just difficult to plan so far out. It looks like the Thursday-Sunday before Columbus Day will work the best due to fall breaks. My initial plan was to book a 2 BR at Kidani. But now I'm thinking it might be better to book 3 studios instead. That way if someone can't go, we can cancel one of the studios and book something for that family member at a later time. Sleeping arrangements will work either way. To have enough points though, I would really need to book at least two value studios at Jambo if not three. I've always been able to book one value, but I've never tried for multiple. Would this be completely impossible the Thursday before Columbus Day? If slightly possible, any advice?

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are currently planning our WDW trip next year with the whole family. It sure gets interesting when trying to plan around jobs and college breaks! I think this will be the last DVC family trip for a while as it is just difficult to plan so far out. It looks like the Thursday-Sunday before Columbus Day will work the best due to fall breaks. My initial plan was to book a 2 BR at Kidani. But now I'm thinking it might be better to book 3 studios instead. That way if someone can't go, we can cancel one of the studios and book something for that family member at a later time. Sleeping arrangements will work either way. To have enough points though, I would really need to book at least two value studios at Jambo if not three. I've always been able to book one value, but I've never tried for multiple. Would this be completely impossible the Thursday before Columbus Day? If slightly possible, any advice?

Getting three value studios is going to be extremely difficult. Getting two is going to be very difficult as well. You'd be better off trying to get three standard studios.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Getting three value studios is going to be extremely difficult. Getting two is going to be very difficult as well. You'd be better off trying to get three standard studios.

I totally agree. If the trip goes off without a hitch, three standards will work. It would be 156 points. I had saved 161 points for the 2 BR standard at Kidani for next Thanksgiving, which was the original time planned. The problem is going to be if I have to cancel one of the studios and book another trip back with the other family member. Cancelling one studio will give me 52 points back (plus the 5 I have extra for a total of 57). That will be nearly impossible to book two studios for any length of time with that few points.

 

[BillPA]

I have seen too many posts about friends/family canceling when they find out they have to pay for pass... So get the 3 studios, then you can cancel when they drop out.

 

[momto3pirates]

I haven’t run the numbers but would a value 2 bedroom at Jambo be less than the standard studios? It would be easier to grab one value than 3.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I haven’t run the numbers but would a value 2 bedroom at Jambo be less than the standard studios? It would be easier to grab one value than 3.

I love the value 2-BR except for the strange master bath that isn't attached. We really need three bathrooms, which is why I was planning on booking at Kidani even though I love Jambo so much better. The three studios have the three bathrooms we need. The issue isn't with the value 2-BR being less points. If we don't have a couple of people join us, then we would still be stuck with a 2-BR with no extra points to book another trip with the ones who couldn't come.

 

[cvjw]

October is a super tough time to book. You may have a hard time booking 1 value studio for that holiday weekend. I would plan on booking the standard studios. If you need to cancel one, buy the 24 one time use points so you have a decent amount of points for your other trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I love the value 2-BR except for the strange master bath that isn't attached. We really need three bathrooms, which is why I was planning on booking at Kidani even though I love Jambo so much better. The three studios have the three bathrooms we need. The issue isn't with the value 2-BR being less points. If we don't have a couple of people join us, then we would still be stuck with a 2-BR with no extra points to book another trip with the ones who couldn't come.

And that's when you say to the others who didn't come that you can't bring them on a trip for a few years unless they want to purchase their own lodging.

 

[bobbiwoz]

And that's when you say to the others who didn't come that you can't bring them on a trip for a few years unless they want to purchase their own lodging.

I agree and think you are being very generous. Enjoy the two bedroom option with the friends who do come. Let the future play out as it will.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

I would look into a 1BR + 1 Studio. You would get a full kitchen, private BR, a nice common area and still have the ability to jettison the studio if one of your guests backs out. (This may cost a few ore points, however. Pricing for 1BR is weird.)

Another good option, but I have not tested it.... Get a 2BR lock off. If someone cancels, use the new Modify function to convert it to a 1BR. If you have 1 2BR lockoff reserved, it should work to modify it to a 1BR with the new functionality, but haven’t seen actual reports of this yet.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

And that's when you say to the others who didn't come that you can't bring them on a trip for a few years unless they want to purchase their own lodging.

I agree and think you are being very generous. Enjoy the two bedroom option with the friends who do come. Let the future play out as it will.

I guess I am generous. The people who will be coming with us are our two sons and their girlfriends. This will be the last trip with them for a while. I want to be able to enjoy time with both of them.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

October is a super tough time to book. You may have a hard time booking 1 value studio for that holiday weekend. I would plan on booking the standard studios. If you need to cancel one, buy the 24 one time use points so you have a decent amount of points for your other trip.

Buying the OTU points is a good idea. I’ll have to play around with the numbers.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I would look into a 1BR + 1 Studio. You would get a full kitchen, private BR, a nice common area and still have the ability to jettison the studio if one of your guests backs out. (This may cost a few ore points, however. Pricing for 1BR is weird.)

I really don’t want to spend that many points. A good value is a priority to me. Actually I am good with studios. It gives everyone their own space. We have no use for the kitchen or laundry at WDW. Now when we go to HHI it’s a different story.

ETA—Actually after thinking about it, if we had to drop the studio, a 1-BR would not work as far as sleeping arrangements. If only one son and his GF were going, they would need separate sleeping spaces. With two studios, our son would be with us and his GF would get her own studio. That wouldn’t work with a 1-BR since the master has a king.

 

[bwang123]

I wouldn't count on multiple value studios. In 2015, we successfully booked 3 values for an October trip right at 11months. In 2017, we tried to book 2 and could only get one. For our upcoming October trip, we tried to book two at 11 months and were completely shut out. This seems to be the trend.

 

[CarolMN]

I wouldn't count on multiple value studios. In 2015, we successfully booked 3 values for an October trip right at 11months. In 2017, we tried to book 2 and could only get one. For our upcoming October trip, we tried to book two at 11 months and were completely shut out. This seems to be the trend.

Agree. More and more are purchasing small contracts planning to stretch their points by booking the least expensive categories. That's adding to the number of members booking as soon as the 11 month window opens.

 

[Frederic Civish]

Agree. More and more are purchasing small contracts planning to stretch their points by booking the least expensive categories. That's adding to the number of members booking as soon as the 11 month window opens.

As prices for DVC Points go higher and higher, maybe a lot of people will be able to afford it with no problem. But people who really can't afford a bigger contract, will buy smaller amounts. So, the 'range' of points purchased will spread out and have an increased number of people purchasing on the lower end.