Big Decision to Make!!!

[castleri]

If you were planning to get the DDP with your DVC stay you might want to consider what some people said they did last year. They booked and checked into the value resort room for free dining but actually stayed at their DVC reservation because the cost for the DDP was more than what they had paid for the value room. You have already paid for your tickets with the free dining reservation I imagine so you would just use the Pop keys to enter the parks and pay for dining and the key to your DVC villa to get into the villa. I also thought the idea of the split stay between POP and BCV as being a good idea. Have the free dining for a few days and then just pay for your meals or pay for the DDP for you DVC stay. Just be sure to keep the number of park days on your tickets for you whole trip which would be on your POP room key (don"t know if you could have them changed over to the DVC key when you change resorts to make it easier). Your last day of free dining would be good through midnight of your check out day from POP. Good luck and have a great time.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

I love POP! I would do a split stay of POP with free dining for a few nights that include the weekend portion of your trip, and stay the other portion at VWL or SSR or wherever you can get in.
It will save you a lot of points, still let you try the free ddp, and also give you a chance to have your 1st dvc experience.

My kids LOVE pop, the craziness of it never drove me crazy. My 1st DVC stay was at SSR. It is very quiet and peaceful there, but I did kind of miss the excitment/hustle/bussle like you get at POP.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I would stay with DVC. You got 2 really great hotels to try out with fun pools with slides (I am a big slide person and pop doesn't have one). VWL has the boat to MK and BCV has the boat/walk to mgm and epcot. Both really big advantages, IMO. Plus I always figure why pay cash when I have points to use? Good luck with your choice, and have a wonderful time!