Boardwalk Villas pool vs Stormalong bay

[CindarellyCindarelly]

Hey All!

I posted a few weeks ago about how I was trying to play my 'dream' vacation for my first Disney trip and I needed a little assistance on what resort recommendations you all had. As mentioned in the topic, I loved the idea of Beach Club bc I think my kids would love Stormalong Bay. Well, looking at the slide, it looks like it is a bit too intimidating for my 6 year old. I'm thinking we might try to save a little money (1K!) and do boardwalk villas. I was looking at the 1BR, and was really interested in renting DVC points. I've looked a lot into it, and I think the 'risk' is worth the savings and bigger room. I was also thinking that if we book it on our chase sapphire card the trip is somewhat protected...


So I needed two things from you all before I actually pull the trigger!
1- Do you think booking by renting DVC is too risky during these 'uncertain' times?
2- Do you think we will get any good promotions regarding dining for late April/early May 2022? I was so heartset on the DDP before the pandemic. Do you think that disney will either start that up again or give us the dining promo that the UK customers are getting? I know it's all speculation, but I appreciate your input!

 

[Belle83]

Boardwalk Villas will be tough to get, is it available during your dates? I would start there before spending too much time looking into it. Also I'm not sure how you use a visa to pay for rented points unless it's tied to Paypal in which case you have fees (?).

 

[CindarellyCindarelly]

Boardwalk Villas will be tough to get, is it available during your dates? I would start there before spending too much time looking into it. Also I'm not sure how you use a visa to pay for rented points unless it's tied to Paypal in which case you have fees (?).

I didn’t realize you couldn’t use a credit card. I have no idea what I’m doing
I did look at this dvc availability tool and it claimed it was available during my dates? Not sure how accurate that is.

 

[Marionnette]

Hey All!

I posted a few weeks ago about how I was trying to play my 'dream' vacation for my first Disney trip and I needed a little assistance on what resort recommendations you all had. As mentioned in the topic, I loved the idea of Beach Club bc I think my kids would love Stormalong Bay. Well, looking at the slide, it looks like it is a bit too intimidating for my 6 year old. I'm thinking we might try to save a little money (1K!) and do boardwalk villas. I was looking at the 1BR, and was really interested in renting DVC points. I've looked a lot into it, and I think the 'risk' is worth the savings and bigger room. I was also thinking that if we book it on our chase sapphire card the trip is somewhat protected...


So I needed two things from you all before I actually pull the trigger!
1- Do you think booking by renting DVC is too risky during these 'uncertain' times?
2- Do you think we will get any good promotions regarding dining for late April/early May 2022? I was so heartset on the DDP before the pandemic. Do you think that disney will either start that up again or give us the dining promo that the UK customers are getting? I know it's all speculation, but I appreciate your input!

1. The risk can be variable, depending on who you are renting from. Private owners set their own terms based on when their points expire and what they are charging for them. Some will offer full refunds under certain circumstances while others have a no refunds/no changes policy. The rental agencies tend to charge more but will give you a partial cash refund or a voucher for future use depending on why or when you cancel. Credit cards can offer a certain level of protection and many renters successfully claimed charge backs from the brokers during the COVID shutdown.

2. Disney will probably have some kind of offer in April/May. They always do. The question becomes whether it will be a good offer, whether it will be at a resort that you want and whether it is better than renting. You cannot get any offers like *free* dining if you are renting a DVC reservation. And since most DVC rentals cannot be canceled without some kind of penalty, you really have to decide early on that you're either going to rent or hope for a discount.

 

[CindarellyCindarelly]

2. Disney will probably have some kind of offer in April/May. They always do. The question becomes whether it will be a good offer, whether it will be at a resort that you want and whether it is better than renting. You cannot get any offers like *free* dining if you are renting a DVC reservation. And since most DVC rentals cannot be canceled without some kind of penalty, you really have to decide early on that you're either going to rent or hope for a discount.

thank you for the response! When would Disney usually come out with promos for those months??

 

[Belle83]

I was wrong, you can pay with a CC it just depends on how you do it. Ignore me lol

 

[Marionnette]

thank you for the response! When would Disney usually come out with promos for those months??

Lately Disney has been taking their good, sweet time with announcing discounts. But you can get an idea of when discounts have been announced in the past from:

https://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/
BTW, DVC rentals are usually not abundantly available in the last few months before a planned arrival. Most owners book their home resort 11 months in advance and at 7 months any owner can book (almost) any resort. Popular like BCV and BWV resorts go quickly, especially if there is a festival at Epcot.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Getting a standard studio at BWV less than seven (or even more) months out probably won't happen. Closer to 11 months out is the norm. So plan on the preferred (non-BW view) which is about the same amount as BCV which doesn't have any different booking categories. You have to plan on not cancelling or needing to change your reservation if you "rent points" (you are really purchasing a reservation the owner of the points made with their points - your are not booking with Disney so they are not involved in the reservation in any way). Any cancellation or change might require a completely new reservation and loss of anything you have already paid.