All Stars Music vs. renting points for a Beach Club Villa

[hswillia07]

Hi all! We currently have a reservation at All Stars Music because I was trying to be really frugal this trip...but of course I couldn't stop looking at all of the other options available. We can get a studio villa at the Beach Club for about $100 more per night than what we're paying for Music. I've never stayed at an All Star and I've wanted to stay at Beach Club for awhile now...should we switch?? We've never rented points before, so that's a factor as well. Just looking for your thoughts! Thanks so much

 

[starry_solo]

Is there actual availability for the BCV for the time that you're looking for? How many nights are you planning on staying? Do you know that a DVC rental transaction (through a broker or owner, not direct through DVC) is a final transaction? No refunds, exchanges, etc.?

 

[dansdad]

Hi all! We currently have a reservation at All Stars Music because I was trying to be really frugal this trip...but of course I couldn't stop looking at all of the other options available. We can get a studio villa at the Beach Club for about $100 more per night than what we're paying for Music. I've never stayed at an All Star and I've wanted to stay at Beach Club for awhile now...should we switch?? We've never rented points before, so that's a factor as well. Just looking for your thoughts! Thanks so much

How many in your party? When are you going?

 

[StageTek]

I've never stayed at an All Star and I've wanted to stay at Beach Club for awhile now...should we switch??

If there is availability on your dates then you should switch!

 

[hswillia07]

Okay, so 6 nights in October. I had forgotten that the point rental wouldn't be refundable and that does sort of change things because weather can be unpredictable in the Fall. Thanks for that!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Okay, so 6 nights in October. I had forgotten that the point rental wouldn't be refundable and that does sort of change things because weather can be unpredictable in the Fall. Thanks for that!

The studio will not be available. I just looked at all of October for BCV.

 

[hswillia07]

That settles that, thanks so much for the info!

 

[Hopefully]

As @_auroraborealis_ stated, this October is completely booked. BCV must be booked 11 months in advance in October

 

[Lynne M]

As @_auroraborealis_ stated, this October is completely booked. BCV must be booked 11 months in advance in October

Yes, and that goes for BWV as well. The Food & Wine festival is very popular with DVCers, so anything near Epcot books up very quickly.

 

[hswillia07]

This is great to know, thank you! We're looking at renting for Aulani in October 2019, so I'll be on it 11 months before. Changing my question then - now thinking of just booking a room at the Beach Club for our first night and then switching to the other resort. We're arriving around 4pm and we're going to hang out at the Boardwalk, eat at Trattoria al Forno, etc. and then the next morning was going to be an open morning for swimming etc. Do you think it would be worth it to spend extra on just that one night to be able to be in the area we want to be on our first night and also to have access to that amazing pool the next morning? Thanks again

 

[CinderellaDream]

This is great to know, thank you! We're looking at renting for Aulani in October 2019, so I'll be on it 11 months before. Changing my question then - now thinking of just booking a room at the Beach Club for our first night and then switching to the other resort. We're arriving around 4pm and we're going to hang out at the Boardwalk, eat at Trattoria al Forno, etc. and then the next morning was going to be an open morning for swimming etc. Do you think it would be worth it to spend extra on just that one night to be able to be in the area we want to be on our first night and also to have access to that amazing pool the next morning? Thanks again

I think it would be a big adjustment to go from BC to ASM and for me it would be a disappointment. For us, when switching resorts, I would always start with a value and then move up to moderate or deluxe - not the other way around.

 

[hswillia07]

I was thinking that too. I think I'm nervous about trying out the All Star lol. I'm sure it'll be great

 

[_auroraborealis_]

FWIW, Aulani is a different bird than anywhere on WDW campus in October, although I'd still not count on renting one of the 5? 8? hotel rooms even then, and if your dates include Columbus Day 11 months is a good plan regardless. A lot of Hawaiian owners staycation at Aulani on school breaks, and often book the cheapest units/views since they are regulars.

 

[hswillia07]

I think we're looking at the 27th-2nd and I did some research and I don't think there are any holidays in that time period...but please correct me if I'm wrong! We will be going either way, but I should would rather go on points - so I'll check at that 11 month mark