Can I rent points to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

[mnbrowns]

I noticed Animal Kingdom is on the points calculator but it doesn't return an answer with any dates. Is it possible to use points to stay at this resort?

 

[crisi]

It is, but renting points to stay at a non-DVC resort is seldom a good value.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Paying cash would be a better value.

 

[CarolMN]

Why don't we think it's a good value? Here's an example -

For 2005, the least expensive room category for the AKL (Pool view in Value Season) costs 29 points for a weeknight (Sun - Thur) and 52 points for a Friday or Saturday night.

Compare that to DVC accomodations -

OKW studio costs 8 points for a weeknight & 20 points for a weekend night
OKW 1 bedroom costs 16 /40

BCV studio runs 12/22 (same as for VWL,& BWV preferred - these are most expensive DVC resorts)
BCV 1 Bedroom runs 22/45

The seasons aren't quite the same between DVC & the deluxe resorts, but the general concept still applies.

It will always cost more to stay at one of the non-DVC resorts using points than it will to use points to stay at a DVC resort. (If you are thinking of renting points, you'll be better off paying cash and booking directly through Disney in nearly every case).

Except under very special circumstances, most DVC members would choose to stay in a 1 bedroom DVC unit for less points over staying in a standard deluxe hotel room that costs more points.

Anyway, thought a fellow Minnesotan would like a little more info than our standard "trust me, it's not a good value" response.

Best wishes -

P.S. The point cost to stay in non-DVC WDW resort rooms have gone up every year. Point costs for DVC have not.

 

[crisi]

I was actually thinking that the rack rate for that room (cheapest season, cheapest room) is only $200 a night. Even after adding tax, if you value the points at $10 per, you are better off paying cash.

My assumption is that the OP is looking to rent points. Staying at a non-DVC resort is a better value if you own points and can set your own value. If I value my points as "dues only" that 29 point room costs me about $123.00, but $221 on the weekends - I'm barely breaking even on Friday and Saturday - and that is the lowest possible "value" I can assign to my points.

 

[LakeAriel]

I stayed in AKL lodge last Spring on my points. Though the balcony view of the animals is awesome, I wouldn't do it again. Like someone else said the "Home away from home studio's" have it all over the standard room for a lot less!

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by crisi
..(snip)....... Staying at a non-DVC resort is a better value if you own points and can set your own value. If I value my points as "dues only" that 29 point room costs me about $123.00, but $221 on the weekends - I'm barely breaking even on Friday and Saturday - and that is the lowest possible "value" I can assign to my points.

That's certainly true.

But no matter how you value your points dollar wise, you can still stay in a larger unit (1 bedroom) for less points than it costs to stay in a room at a non-DVC resort. For me, that's the value proposition.

I do recognize that there are other reasons (non-economic) someone might choose to stay in a non-DVC WDW resort.

Best wishes -

 

[kathleena]

Members may not want to rent for any cash resort unless they already have the points in the reservation point mode.