AKL Reservation...should I rent AKL-DVC instead?

[MamaQ]

I am not a DVC member and really don't know all that much about it but was playing around on dvcrequest and discovered (if I did it right) that if we rented points for our stay in November, I could save $500. Now here are my questions.
I would pay dvcrequest (David) for the room and then get my dining and park tickets through Disney correct?
I currently have AKL reservation for 11/28-12/4 with free dining and 6 day park hopper passes. So I'd have the same thing just with a DVC room, and saving $$$?
I have paid about 1/2 of my trip off. Could I cancel the reservation and apply that $ towards park tickets and dining?

I hope I'm thinking about this right. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!!

 

[dizzneebabe]

DVC does not qualify for free dining.

 

[MamaQ]

I did see that. I think even paying for dining with DVC would save me money, IF I'm not missing anything!

 

[StitchFan73]

Before you release your ressie with Disney make sure Davids' can get you your dates. If so go for it

 

[drusba]

1. With DVC you go through owner. Dining plan, if you want it, should be done through owner, park tickets through Disney, and those are separate costs. (I really don't know whether you would get a savings through DVC when you have a Disney package giving free dining although I would want to look closely at the math because I question whether you would.)

2. You do not get daily maid service with DVC. They come in and empty trash and give new towels on 4th day. Thus, you have something that is of additonal value in your Disney package that is not in the DVC rental.

3. You are now "late" in making a DVC reservation (best to do about 11 months out) for that time period and there is chance that you may not be able to get anything at AKV through an owner as that is a high DVC demand time.

4. What you get back from Disney if you cancel reservation through it is between you and Disney but my understanding would be that this far out you would get full refund; however, that does not mean you would get that refund immediately as it might take days or weeks to be returned. When you get it, you could use it to purchase Dining plan through the owner and park tickets through Disney but you won't be able to just flip the money from canceled reservation to those.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don't know what sort of room you have at AKL, but a studio has 1 queen bed and a pull out sofa.

 

[MamaQ]

1. With DVC you go through owner. Dining plan, if you want it, should be done through owner, park tickets through Disney, and those are separate costs. (I really don't know whether you would get a savings through DVC when you have a Disney package giving free dining although I would want to look closely at the math because I question whether you would.)

2. You do not get daily maid service with DVC. They come in and empty trash and give new towels on 4th day. Thus, you have something that is of additonal value in your Disney package that is not in the DVC rental.

3. You are now "late" in making a DVC reservation (best to do about 11 months out) for that time period and there is chance that you may not be able to get anything at AKV through an owner as that is a high DVC demand time.

4. What you get back from Disney if you cancel reservation through it is between you and Disney but my understanding would be that this far out you would get full refund; however, that does not mean you would get that refund immediately as it might take days or weeks to be returned. When you get it, you could use it to purchase Dining plan through the owner and park tickets through Disney but you won't be able to just flip the money from canceled reservation to those.

Thank you, this is helping me alot! So just because dvcrequest site gave me a points estimate on their calendar, doesn't mean something is AVAILABLE? I automatically assumed since the dates were not in grey something would be open.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thank you, this is helping me alot! So just because dvcrequest site gave me a points estimate on their calendar, doesn't mean something is AVAILABLE? I automatically assumed since the dates were not in grey something would be open.

That's going to be a very tough time to get a reservation.

David doesn't work for DVC so his knowledge of what is available and what is not is the same as any member who would have to call DVC to find out. Plus availability changes moment by moment.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Akv,studios are sold out for that time period.

 

[ercrbc]

I am not a DVC member and really don't know all that much about it but was playing around on dvcrequest and discovered (if I did it right) that if we rented points for our stay in November, I could save $500. Now here are my questions.
I would pay dvcrequest (David) for the room and then get my dining and park tickets through Disney correct?
I currently have AKL reservation for 11/28-12/4 with free dining and 6 day park hopper passes. So I'd have the same thing just with a DVC room, and saving $$$?
I have paid about 1/2 of my trip off. Could I cancel the reservation and apply that $ towards park tickets and dining?

I hope I'm thinking about this right. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!!

We rented from David last year and stayed in a Value 1BR at AKV for less than a mod would have cost us. Having the w/d, kitchen and HUGE bath was fantastic. Absolutely worth missing free dining. He was also extremely helpful in finding discount tickets and signing us up for the dining plan. Comparing renting to rack rate there was a huge cost savings even though we still had to pay for dining.

Happy planning!

 

[magicaldisney]

If on the very ODD chance you would find a dvc room available, keep in mind there are two buildings that dvc rooms are in, Jambo and Kidani. If this will make a difference to you, think that through before making any reservation. Jambo is the main lodge which you would refer to as AKL. In this building they took two upper floors and converted them into DVC rooms. Kidani is strictly DVC rooms. Kidani does not offer counter service if that is a deal breaker for you. You can walk over to Jambo in about 10 minutes or so. Kidani is the first bus stop then Jambo when going to the parks.