Another newbie desperately seeking help!!!

[weba]

Hi all you experts! I am so overwhelmed. Just starting to plan our trip for May 2009. We are coming from the Caribbean so this is all brand new to me.

First question.. I have been in touch with a Dreams Unlimited coordinator requesting an on-site reservation with a kitchenette. There are five of us.. DH, DD (12), DD (8), DS (4) and myself. She recommended AS Music or a cabin at Fort Wilderness. Does anyone have any other options? I thought a kitchette would be useful because of the children but it really limits the options.

Second.... Is it really worth it to stay on-site just to get in early? There are soooo many placed off-site to choose from. Any suggestions?

See?? I'm totally lost!! Help!!!

 

[forcbwyou]

Here is the official info from Disney on rooms of 5 or more:

disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/promo/genericPromoLandingNav?id=GroupTravelPromoPage&bhcp=1

I think the new villas at the Animal Kingdom Lodge should be done in time for May 2009, too.

As to whether to stay on or off, my preference has always been on for the convenience and experience. Those extra hours are nice, too.

 

[weba]

Here is the official info from Disney on rooms of 5 or more:

disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/promo/genericPromoLandingNav?id=GroupTravelPromoPage&bhcp=1

I think the new villas at the Animal Kingdom Lodge should be done in time for May 2009, too.

As to whether to stay on or off, my preference has always been on for the convenience and experience. Those extra hours are nice, too.

Thanks for your quick response! I would love to stay at Animal Kingdom but I thought those were only available for club members or something.??

 

[Hopefully]

Disney Vacation Club Villas can be rented nightly directly from Disney (CRO and expensive) or by renting points from members. Check out the DVC boards here on the DIS to read more about that option.
On our first trip to WDW with 3 children we stayed in the Fort Wilderness Cabins and we absolutlely loved them. There is a bedroom with a double bed and a set of bunk beds, a vanity sink and a closet, a full size bathroom, a completely equipped full kitchen and a living/dining room. There is a pull down double Murphy bed in the living area which DH and I slept on. It was great having a full kitchen, if only for breakfast and snacks. We saved a lot of money this way. There is daily maid service in the Cabin and lots and lots of things to do in the campground.
Another option is the All Star Family Suites. These have a kitchenette with a microwave, a small refrigerator and a coffee maker. It is 2 rooms, and 2 bathrooms. One room has a Queen bed and the other has a total of 3 pull outs.
There is lots of great info here on the DIS you have come to the right place.
Good Luck

 

[Djali]

If you are a Disney Visa card member they often offer discount rates for studios at Old Key West and Saratoga Springs resort and Spa for studios. Studios come with a mini-fridge, microwave and small sink. I think the last offer was for $169 a night. Also, similar offers are also released for Annual passholders sometimes. Hope this helps!

 

[mmmears]

I think you should check out the DVC resorts, too. They are spread all over WDW so you could have your pick of themes/locations, and you could still get your kitchen that way. We prefer to stay on-site because the hotels have great themes and we like to stay in the middle of it all.

Have fun!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are a Disney Visa card member they often offer discount rates for studios at Old Key West and Saratoga Springs resort and Spa for studios. Studios come with a mini-fridge, microwave and small sink. I think the last offer was for $169 a night. Also, similar offers are also released for Annual passholders sometimes. Hope this helps!

Studios at OKW and SSR only hold four. This family has five.

 

[love070899]

I agree with everyone, we have stayed at the all stars many times, and I think spending the extra money is worth it. The value resorts to me seem cleaner, then the AS resorts. The villas are a great idea too! And definately stay on disney property, the convience of the buses and monorail system is fab! Have great time!!!!

 

[weba]

I think you should check out the DVC resorts, too. They are spread all over WDW so you could have your pick of themes/locations, and you could still get your kitchen that way. We prefer to stay on-site because the hotels have great themes and we like to stay in the middle of it all.

Have fun!

Wow, you guys are so wonderful!

Now.... another stupid question... I tried using the DVC points calculator but it would not allow for May 2009. How would I know how many points I would need and do I need 100% of the points or do you buy some and pay cash for the rest?!? Also, this might sound ridiculous but these points can be purchased by overseas visitors like myself?

Please bear with me!

 

[Djali]

If you go through Disney then you do not need to buy points. You just pay their rate. The points are for those who wish to buy into the Disney Vacation Club. This is a long-term commitment, 42 years I think, and is really expensive. You can however rent points from someone who is a DVC owner and has extra points to spare. Renting is typically cheaper than going through Disney. We have rented points on multiple trips and have never had any problems.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Wow, you guys are so wonderful!

Now.... another stupid question... I tried using the DVC points calculator but it would not allow for May 2009. How would I know how many points I would need and do I need 100% of the points or do you buy some and pay cash for the rest?!? Also, this might sound ridiculous but these points can be purchased by overseas visitors like myself?

Please bear with me!

DVC is Disney's version of a timeshare. If you are not a member, the points are useless to you. What you do is rent a reservation from a member who has made the reservation using their points. The arrangement is between you and the member and Disney is not involved in any way. You cannot confirm the reservation since Member Services will not talk to non-members. You get a very nice vacation for a lower price, but you give up any control over the reservation.

 

[weba]

Thanks everyone.

 

[GranddadTom]

You will be amazed at how BIG Disney World is and how congested the highways leading to it are. Even travel within WDW can take a long time. We always stay on property to avoid the hassle of driving through the highway traffic every day. Plus you get the Disney Magic by staying on property. If you can figure out how to work with a DVC member to get a reservation at one of the DVC resorts you will be more than happy with both the price (usually around $10 to $12 a point) and the resort. There is a DVC Rental Board on this site.

 

[weba]

You will be amazed at how BIG Disney World is and how congested the highways leading to it are. Even travel within WDW can take a long time. We always stay on property to avoid the hassle of driving through the highway traffic every day. Plus you get the Disney Magic by staying on property. If you can figure out how to work with a DVC member to get a reservation at one of the DVC resorts you will be more than happy with both the price (usually around $10 to $12 a point) and the resort. There is a DVC Rental Board on this site.

Okay, you've convinced me... on-site it is!

Next decision.. where? My options are limited with 5 persons and wanting a kitchenette.... Fort Wilderness does not sound like our 'thing'; we see enough of that at home, lol! We would probably be okay with AS Music but I want this to be the trip of a lifetime! Which leaves me with DVC points rental which scares the hell out of me. I think my children would absolutely love Animal Kingdom!! I also have no idea how many points I would need for 10 days in May 2005. My wild guess is about 400?!? Would I have to rent all from one person??

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Yes it is best to rent them all from one person. If you know your dates post over on the DVC rental forum and someone there will be happy to help you get what you want. Good Luck and I hope you have a great trip!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Here is the link ~

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

You make a post to start a thread. Reservation Wanted: and list your dates.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Weekend nights are twice as much as weekdays for points. You might find the price per point a bit higher for Animal Kingdom since it's big opening is for May it might be hard to get into.

You also could try to pay for a room there through www.disneyworld.com and not actually stay in the Disney Vacation Club area but in the main hotel. All the deluxes allow 5 to room as well as Port Orleans which is a moderate. The other suggestion would be for a family suite at All Stars. You will just need to check the prices and see what works out best for your family.

 

[ElizabethB]

There are often code offers and AP rates that make the DVC units much cheaper than they would be paying rack rate. This is what we do because we don't want to deal with renting points and paying thousands of dollars to a stranger. And, we like having daily maid service and turn down service, which you don't get on points. And, we hate that at $10 a point, the weekends are more expensive renting points that if you simply book rack rate with CRO. We don't want to bother picking up and moving to a value resort on the weekends, which is the only way, IMO, that renting points becomes cheaper than just booking with CRO on a code.

As for deluxe rooms at AKL, they got rid of them when they turned many of the rooms into DVC. I understand AKL rooms are limited to 4 now and one under three unless you book at 1 bedroom villa.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I left off the Dolphin www.swandolphin.com the locations is in Disney even though not Disney owned. They are in a great location minutes from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The Dolphin will allow 5 to a room. If you or spouse are teachers, nurse they have great discount rates.

 

[weba]

Weekend nights are twice as much as weekdays for points. You might find the price per point a bit higher for Animal Kingdom since it's big opening is for May it might be hard to get into.

You also could try to pay for a room there through www.disneyworld.com and not actually stay in the Disney Vacation Club area but in the main hotel. All the deluxes allow 5 to room as well as Port Orleans which is a moderate. The other suggestion would be for a family suite at All Stars. You will just need to check the prices and see what works out best for your family.

You're wonderful! Thank you!