Arrival Day DVC Question

[amypetecar]

We are staying at BLT for 3 nights in mid-January. We will arrive 1 day before our reservation starts, and do not have enough points for the 4th (1st I suppose) night. We must therefore pick a disney hotel to stay at on cash for our arrival night.

We priced out a cash room at the contemporary and BLT and both seemed expensive for the experience. For roughly the same money we could stay at the Poly or GF.

So my question is, where, and how, should we stay on arrival night for an easy transition to BLT the next day? Should we spring for a monorail resort in the hopes of an AP discount? Should we rent points at another DVC? Should we just get a value room and take the bus to MK in the morning to check in at BLT?

I'd love any opinion or perspective if anyone else has done this!

 

[Sammie]

Well for me I pick a deluxe resort I love. I did this before our last trip, I chose the Yacht Club because I wanted to have dinner and breakfast there and wanted to use the pool.

I would feel the same way toward the Grand Floridian.

 

[cloudnut220]

The one time we arrived a day before our reservation we stayed at the cheapest onsight option, all star sports. Then we paid a cab to take us and our bags to AKV, mostly because I travel with camera equipment. If I did it again, I would probably let the bell stand move my luggage.

 

[ToddyLu]

Dh and I arrived late the night before our DVC reservation so we stayed at Pop. As the PP stated I would grab a cab and check in with my stuff. Dh has very expensive camera equipment and when we had Disney move our stuff through bell services it went missing for about 45 minutes. So I would taxi it over with luggage and leave my stuff with bell services, check in, head to a park and pick my stuff when I got back--already at the resort.

It was very easy and nice staying a Pop--started the trip out with over the top theming

 

[Disneypubgal]

We have stayed at a mod when arriving a day early, we leave resort for EMH and head to park first thing leaving our luggage with Bell staff. Mid afternoon we head to DVC resort and get checked in and new room keys... For the most part we have been pretty lucky and our room has been ready when we check in later in the day...

We don't like to waste park time in the am when Disney can move everything for us (we also don't have expensive camera equipment - which would probably change our plans)...

 

[hollis]

I think renting points from another DVC member, or buy points from Disney (if you are not too many points short) are certainly options. For my trip coming up, we are actually staying the last night (as opposed to the first night) offsite by the MCO airport. The thought is, we can be in the parks as late as possible on the last night. Then drive to the airport, return the car, and take the hotel shuttle first thing the next morning to the airport and head home.

 

[amypetecar]

All great options, and a few I haven't considered. To recap the votes:

Monorail Deluxe - 1
Value - 2
Moderate - 1
Rent DVC - 1

Keep the suggestions rolling in! This is the first time that I have posted a question on DIS. I didn't realize how fun it is to have people help you with advice!

 

[NC State Tigger]

How many in your party and what size villa do you have for the rest of your stay?

If a studio, I would rent points and have the reservations linked so I would not have to move. If a 1 or 2 bedroom, how many adults? I would compare rates for the deluxe you would consider vs renting points. Remember on cash reservations thru CRO there are additional charges for more than 2 adults in a room.

 

[jdkdorn]

we stay at a different dvc resort than the one for our main trip. This time we have 1 night at blt and 9 at bcv. That way when we come in late we don't get the room that was left over for 10 days. We drive over and check in early and then hit Epcot for the day.

good luck

Judy
8 days and counting till we are home