Advice needed for UK based family - its just too expensive

[kirstyeb78]

We've been to WDW twice before as a family of 4. Both vacations were incredible - we stayed at AKL and got free Disney Dining with our trip. We've begun pricing one last visit as a family of 4 (before eldest goes to uni) for October 2021 and I cannot believe how much more expensive it now is. The free Disney dining offer now doesn't cover the school break (we're in Scotland) and we'd have to go without car hire due to the resort parking fees. TBH staying on property looks as though it's going to be out of our budget, and since we've kind of spoiled ourselves twice now we're thinking that if we aren't staying on property then we don't want to go at all. I've begun looking at renting DVC points - but no idea where to start. I guess I'm looking for a bit of help and advice from anyone who can suggest the best way to approach booking a semi affordable vacation and still be able to stay on property? I am realistic as to what to expect to pay but the price just now is actually outweighing the WDW experience.

 

[LIPeter]

Renting DVC points is much cheaper, and you don’t have to pay for parking either. Search online for DVC rental points, and you will find sites that rent them out. I just booked for the first time last month. I got a great deal.

 

[Disneylover99]

We've been to WDW twice before as a family of 4. Both vacations were incredible - we stayed at AKL and got free Disney Dining with our trip. We've begun pricing one last visit as a family of 4 (before eldest goes to uni) for October 2021 and I cannot believe how much more expensive it now is. The free Disney dining offer now doesn't cover the school break (we're in Scotland) and we'd have to go without car hire due to the resort parking fees. TBH staying on property looks as though it's going to be out of our budget, and since we've kind of spoiled ourselves twice now we're thinking that if we aren't staying on property then we don't want to go at all. I've begun looking at renting DVC points - but no idea where to start. I guess I'm looking for a bit of help and advice from anyone who can suggest the best way to approach booking a semi affordable vacation and still be able to stay on property? I am realistic as to what to expect to pay but the price just now is actually outweighing the WDW experience.

Have you priced out value resorts like Pop? Many deluxe resort people who try Pop are finding out they really like it, especially with the addition of the Skyliner.

 

[Rowlf the Dog]

Room discounts or Free Dining offers for 2021 - especially the second half - are not released yet - neither in US nor UK. So of course it is much more expensive comparing with your previous stays including such offers. Regarding possible discounts you should simply wait. Even if you can't get free dining during your time period, perhaps there are free nights or room discounts instead. If you are unsure regarding DVC (can't help with this, sorry) perhaps have a look at other / moderate resorts. Although I loved my stay at AKL, I fell in love with Port Orleans too... Or have a look at a Skyliner resort for easier transportation to HS and Epcot

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

It is also worth pricing the trip with a US travel agent who specialises in WDW. They are very good at applying and reapplying US discounts as they come out and offer a lot more flexibility.

 

[kirstyeb78]

Have you priced out value resorts like Pop? Many deluxe resort people who try Pop are finding out they really like it, especially with the addition of the Skyliner.

I think our problem is that to us AKL now feels like home - I love the feeling of it when I walk in the front door, staying there has been a massive part of the amazing family memories that we have. I'm not sure we'd be 'brave' enough to try another resort

 

[kirstyeb78]

It is also worth pricing the trip with a US travel agent who specialises in WDW. They are very good at applying and reapplying US discounts as they come out and offer a lot more flexibility.

Was going to email Dreams Unlimited but I'd heard they can't book air fares? We need a package to save some money

 

[DisLiss]

I think our problem is that to us AKL now feels like home - I love the feeling of it when I walk in the front door, staying there has been a massive part of the amazing family memories that we have. I'm not sure we'd be 'brave' enough to try another resort

The price savings would be substantial, though, so if you really want to go, it's definitely worth considering. One year DH & I stayed at an All Star in order to pull of a bonus trip to WDW and while we didn't love the resort, we certainly had a wonderful time everywhere else. And while we haven't opted to go back to an All Star (at least not yet), we in no way regret opting for one that time to allow us to sneak in that trip before our first child was born.

 

[kirstyeb78]

Room discounts or Free Dining offers for 2021 - especially the second half - are not released yet - neither in US nor UK. So of course it is much more expensive comparing with your previous stays including such offers. Regarding possible discounts you should simply wait. Even if you can't get free dining during your time period, perhaps there are free nights or room discounts instead. If you are unsure regarding DVC (can't help with this, sorry) perhaps have a look at other / moderate resorts. Although I loved my stay at AKL, I fell in love with Port Orleans too... Or have a look at a Skyliner resort for easier transportation to HS and Epcot

Yeah - I'd looked at Port Orleans - looks really nice, would possibly consider it. Was going by this years Disney Dining offer - the time available has been cut back so now hardly covers any of October.

 

[Miffy]

Be aware that if you rent DVC points, you're basically locked in to the reservation. What I mean is the reservation can't be changed and you're out the entire cost of the rental should anything happen. Yes, there's travel insurance you can purchase, but you'd have to do some research to see what travel insurances would actually cover a situation like renting time-share points. There's some discussion about this on the DVC forum here. Also, with a DVC reservation, you have to pay upfront for the entire trip, you'd get maid service only every 4 (or is it 3?) days, you wouldn't be able to request a different room if you were unhappy with the room you were assigned (because DVC capacity is usually at or near 100%), and all your interactions regarding the resort would have to take place through the DVC owner.

This seems like a very risky thing for someone overseas to do.

That being said, discounts for next year aren't out yet and with things the way they currently are, I expect pretty decent discounts for next year.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Was going to email Dreams Unlimited but I'd heard they can't book air fares? We need a package to save some money

I book everything separately, flights direct with BA or KLM about 3/4 weeks after they are released, which are generally around the £400 mark from Gatwick, then hotel through US TA (I use Marion at Small World and we communicate easily and quickly via email). I have an AP so I don’t need tickets. I have always found booking separately to be cheaper than booking a package.

 

[JordanClark9]

I book everything separately, flights direct with BA or KLM about 3/4 weeks after they are released, which are generally around the £400 mark from Gatwick, then hotel through US TA (I use Marion at Small World and we communicate easily and quickly via email). I have an AP so I don’t need tickets. I have always found booking separately to be cheaper than booking a package.

Got to agree that booking separately is often cheaper.

 

[Searc]

Have you priced out value resorts like Pop? Many deluxe resort people who try Pop are finding out they really like it, especially with the addition of the Skyliner.

Most people that come from overseas stay for 2+ weeks. I would not want to stay in a Pop room with 4 people for 2 weeks.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I think our problem is that to us AKL now feels like home - I love the feeling of it when I walk in the front door, staying there has been a massive part of the amazing family memories that we have. I'm not sure we'd be 'brave' enough to try another resort

We love AKL, and are staying there for our upcoming trip. I totally understand what you are saying about it feeling like home. We also love Pop though, and for completely different reasons. It's just a lot of fun. The rooms are newly refurbished, and with skyliner access it just doesn't have that motel feel anymore. If AKl is jut out of your budget, I would encourage you to give it a try. i was hesitant to stay value after AKL as well. We started with a short trip to test it out and were pleasantly surprised. We will gladly stay there for a week rather than not go.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Be aware that if you rent DVC points, you're basically locked in to the reservation. What I mean is the reservation can't be changed and you're out the entire cost of the rental should anything happen. Yes, there's travel insurance you can purchase, but you'd have to do some research to see what travel insurances would actually cover a situation like renting time-share points. There's some discussion about this on the DVC forum here. Also, with a DVC reservation, you have to pay upfront for the entire trip, you'd get maid service only every 4 (or is it 3?) days, you wouldn't be able to request a different room if you were unhappy with the room you were assigned (because DVC capacity is usually at or near 100%), and all your interactions regarding the resort would have to take place through the DVC owner.

This seems like a very risky thing for someone overseas to do.

That being said, discounts for next year aren't out yet and with things the way they currently are, I expect pretty decent discounts for next year.

We have rented points multiple times and not all of this is entirely accurate.

You get trash and towel service on day 4 and a full clean on day 7

You definitely CAN request a room move and have it happen. We have done it multiple times. Sometimes it requires a move after the first night, but most of the time they can make it happen.

Once you have your confirmation number, you can add your reservation to your own MDE account. It is true that anything your would have to call Disney for, like adding dining must be done through the member, but things like online checkin and magic bands can be done through MDE. Once you arrive at the resort, you no longer have to go through the member for anything.

Yes you are pretty much locked into your dates once you book. Most rental companies will not change dates under any circumstances. There are DVC rental companies that offer insurance at the time off booking that covers you in case of cancellation. Not all companies require full payment up front, and any payment you make to them is only for your room. We paid a portion upfront and the balance was due 45 days from checkin. Flights, tickets ect would be booked separately on your own. With most companies, if you chose to add DDP you can wait until 30 days before the trip to do so.

Yes, DVC rentals carry some risks, and everyone has to decide for themselves if the risk is worth it. For us, it makes since since once we lock in a date we are set, and it saves us a ton. We were able to book a studio at AKV for $30 a night more than the Pop, and we are not paying for parking.

 

[Sparkly]

Airfare from the UK for October 2021 isn't out yet, really. So travel agents will always be extremely expensive. I would wait for free dining in April.

 

[MomOTwins]

We’ve never rented a car since with onsite stays, you can take disney transportation for free or even uber for cheaper than car rental. So I wouldn’t worry too much about being priced out on car hire. As for resorts, we feel there is really no point in even trying to price out options until discounts are released. DVC rental is not for us; we really value having daily room cleaning, and like having the flexibility to change plans easily.

 

[Disneylover99]

Most people that come from overseas stay for 2+ weeks. I would not want to stay in a Pop room with 4 people for 2 weeks.

We are a family of four who stay at Pop for 2+ weeks. Love it!
It’s no problem at all. That’s why I recommend it.

The rooms at a moderate are not that much bigger and we prefer the Pop footprint, food court and buses over CBR, CSR and POR.

Choosing a value resort over a deluxe on a two week trip is going to save a huge amount of money. Probably well over $3000. It’s definitely something people should consider.

 

[HHMcG]

Maybe consider a split stay. Since you are coming from Scotland I am assuming it is a 'longer' trip. Maybe try Pop (or whatever looks good to you) for half the trip and then switch over to AKL for the second half. Maybe you end up loving another resort and realize you could try other resorts. And even if you don't love Pop in a few days you'll be returning 'home' to AKL.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I'm a DVC Member and we rented out our points for the first time in 17 plus years using David's Vacation DVC Rentals. Believe me, my husband and I researched them up and down and any which way because we're generally very cautious people. I found them extremely helpful and very, very easy to use (as an owner). Our points rented very quickly. Would definitely use them again.