Any secrets for points savings?

[Pig Pen]

Last year we very hesitantly bought 150 points. During our first trip home in May we stayed in a studio at VWL and are now DVC converts. We can't wait to go back!

We bought only 150 points because neither of our 20-something kids were ever very interested in Disney (or in hanging with us) so imagine our surprise when my daughter asked to go with us on our next trip....along with her significant other.

The next thing I know, my son wants to go too!

I am thrilled that they want to go, but trying to stretch 150 points to cover a 2 week vacation for 5 is a bit much. My budget is tight so renting points is probably not an option.

But, I think I have a plan.

We want to go at the end of April, first of May. AND we are driving AND we are going to visit relatives while there:

Sat / Sunday - travel to Florida.
Sun / Thurs - rent an OKW 2 bedroom for 150 points
Fri / Sat / Sun - visit parents (mine live in Ocala, DH's live near Tampa) - we can stay with them for free (yippee).
Sun / Thurs - return to WDW and stay at a standard view 2 bedroom at BWV for another 150 points.

Friday - check-out and start the drive home.

This will use 300 points (I will have 85 banked, 150 current, 65 borrowed). Does anyone have any other suggestions or secrets?

 

[Michelemouse]

Your plan is exactly what I would do. You don't mention which resort is your home-resort. If it is not BWV then I would book at my home resort at 11 months (for that second 5-day stay) and then call day-by-day at the 7-month window to switch it to the BWV standard view...they can be hard to come by.

Have a great stay!

 

[Dean]

I agree, this is the best plan but not the only option. It partly depends on how much you will eat in or out. One option is to get 2 studios, esp if you will eat out except the basics. Personally I'd go with the 2 BR unitsfor the King bed, togetherness with privacy, full kitchen and jacuzzi. 300 points is a bargain for that situation.

 

[Caskbill]

We've done what you're thinking of doing lots of times.

My sister and BIL live in Clearwater FL, so we spend weekends with them and do the Sun-Thurs days at WDW. We always get a 1-B/R and invite them for a few days at OKW while we're staying there. They use the sofa-bed and DW and I keep the master B/R.

 

[adamak]

That's exactly my plan too. We also have 150 points only. No kids yet, so it's plenty for us.

We normally only get studio room when it's just the 2 of us. Even that is quite luxury to us. When we treat a big group of family or friends, we did it every 3 years. Sunday to Friday trip, off season, 2 or 3 bedroom. I was surprised that 150 points is plenty.

Of course, more is better, so if anyone wants to donate their points to my account, you're very welcomed to.

 

[Pig Pen]

Thanks for the feedback. I was very proud of myself for coming up with this plan.

My home resort is Vero, so that won't work. I would love to go there sometime, but my daughter's boyfriend hates the beach so I won't subject him to that (He is also a Disney hater, but a 2 bedroom in the Boardwalk area should go a long ways towards changing his opinion).

 

[Mary Anne]

He is also a Disney hater, but a 2 bedroom in the Boardwalk area should go a long ways towards changing his opinion).

LOL, I bet it will. I also bet that the few times he's been to Disney he's stayed at a Motel 8; offsite, about 40 mint from the maingate and another 30 minutes to the MK and was with someone who complained about the cost of everything.

We have 230 points and have really stretched them, getting 3 weeks a year not staying week-ends on points.

 

[Disney Doll]

The other thing DH and I have done is to get a regular hotel room for the weekend nights when the points per night rate is highest.

For example, if we are going for a week, we will leave on Friday, stay at a moderate Friday night,Saturday, and sometimes Sunday night, and then move to the DVC property for the rest of the trip. usually, there is a pretty decent discount if you watch Mousesavers etc, it gves you the chance to see different WDW resorts without "breaking the bank" on cash, WDW makes it easy to move IMHO. When we have gone, we have always rented a 1BR unit, so it also saves on packing to know that you have 3 days in a regualr hotel, then you will go to a unit with a washer/dryr, so you really only have to pack enough for 3-4 days, even if you're staying a week!

 

[spiceycat]

I like my privacy - I would go with the 2 studios - you save points and your kids (grown as they are ) have they own place - they can share you don't have to....

Also getting a standard view at BWV in May might be a problem at the 7th month time - OKW should be fine - but standard views go fast at BWV - and the garden festavial would be going on at the time.

I would look for someone who owns BWV to trade with you.

All DVC resorts are lovely - I think you will impress no matter what you stay in or where you stay.

I take this means that you aren't going to go in 2005 - you really sure you want to do this.

 

[Olaf]

Wow you're a nice Mum. You might let them know just how much those rooms would cost them if they were paying cash.

Last year I gifted three nights at the Boardwalk to my parents (they live in Tampa). It's so nice to be able to do that for them.

 

[twinglefam]

Just curious about the reply that says "you'll not be going in 2005, are you sure you want to do this?" Just wondering why you are bringing that up....