Almost New DVC Member Needs Help Deciding on First Reservation

[tigergrad]

We just passed ROFR today. We are hoping to close by the first of January. We will have 430 points available in April. We are planning to take our family to WDW this summer to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. I am looking for advice on what might be available within the 7 month booking window. Our home resort will be SSR.
A little background:
Not sure how many will be able to go- one daughter is in nursing school and may have class this summer. If everyone goes there will be 9 of us.
Me(48), DH(53), DD(28) DSIL(33), DGS(3), DD(22) DSIL(25), DS(16) DS's friend (16)
We have all stayed in a 2 bdrm at AKV Kidani before- but we were a little cramped.
We have stayed at AKV, BCV, & VWL in the past.
We are open to suggestions as to what might be available and good options for our family celebration trip.

 

[disneynutz]

I would guess that you will be staying at your home resort, SSR due to the late booking but you never know until you check availability.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

It seems to me that summer is a time when you can get other resorts. Since you'll be within the 7 month period through August, there probably will be more openings in August than earlier. I would break it up into at least 2 villas, but if you have the points, a 2 bedroom and and 1 or 2 studios. Ask for the "travel with" notation and you stand a better chance of not being far away from each other.

For summers when swimming is most likely, I really like BCV the best. With the little one you may want to try BLT and at 7 months, I think you could get lake view. You've been to VWL, but that would also be an pick for me.

I think you'll have more options than SSR, but waitlist if that's what's available. Here's ..and Welcome Home!

Bobbi

PS. People here rave about the size of OKW, so you won't be as cramped there, however the 2 bedrooms only have 2 baths. All of the DVC's have something good about them...enjoy your stay and your membership!

 

[lopi212]

how about trying SSR since it sounds like you have not been there...

SSR is our home resort as well. We did a family reunion there for our 15th wedding anniversary and had a blast. SSR has now become one of our favorites

 

[MouseMomx2]

I would guess that you will be staying at your home resort, SSR due to the late booking but you never know until you check availability.

Bill

I wouldn't consider this late booking. They will barely be into the 7-month window.

OP, do you want to all stay in one villa? If so, and you want a 2BR, you will be limited to Bay Lake Tower, Animal Kingdom Villas or Old Key West as they are the only 2BRs that sleep 9.

I would recommend Old Key West as it has the largest villas with the lowest point cost. The resort is lovely...laid back, beautifully landscaped, etc...and we consider it our favorite (although we love them all.)

 

[DreamChasers]

I would recommend Old Key West as it has the largest villas with the lowest point cost. The resort is lovely...laid back, beautifully landscaped, etc...and we consider it our favorite (although we love them all.)

I totally agree Mouse Momx2.

I would be checking availability of the Grand Villas at Old Key West. If you were able to get one of these it would give you more room. The Grand Villas at other resorts just cost too many points. The Grand Villas at Old Key West are typically difficult to get but if you are flexible with your dates or try a waitlist you may get lucky. I just checked a random week in July at it was available for the full week. In July it runs 477 points for a full week, but if you wanted a full week you could probably barrow points to make it work.

 

[bookwormde]

OKW is hard to beat for having extra room and if you want to be even less crowded you can also book a studio in addition to the 2BR. Availablilty is good. An OKW grand villa is a special place to stay also if you are flexible and can snag one.

Typically BVW garden views are available, but that will be over you point count since you would need a 2br and a studion unless a good part of your trip is after 8/16. Treehouse is fun even though transportation is a little more complicated, and availability is variable although with the higher points in 2013 I am guessing availabiity will be much easier.

Even a LV BLT is a good possibility if you do not mind crowding into a 2br.

if you settle in January I think you will be in good shape if you have any schedule flexibility

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd get two studios (for the married ones) and a one bedroom (or a two bedroom if you have the points) for you, husband, son and son's friend.

And OKW would be a great choice because of the space to gather together at times. The separate studios just give the married couples a little extra space.