Caribean Beach or French Quarter end of May?

[jennab]

Have you considered renting DVC points? Next month in late October will be the 7 month window. For DVC means owners can book anything (not just their home resort) which also means cheaper price per point for rentals too. I’m helping a friend rent DVC and sent them something similar for their dates:

You should be able to find an owner here offering $18pp, sometimes less.

At $18pp, something like 6 nights late May runs roughly $250 to $350 a night. I used May 25-31 for point totals, and listed some example resorts. The first 3 will very likely have availability, the other 3 have good chance. There are other resorts and rooms too.

115pts BLT Lakeview - $2,070 - $345/nt
98pts AKV Savannah - $1,764 - $294/nt
80pts SSR Standard - $1,440 - $240/nt

80pts AKV Standard - $1,440 - $240/nt
117pts Poly Standard - $2,160 - $351/nt
97pts BWV Pool/Garden - $1,746 - $291/nt

Of course DVC rental is different than cash. The biggest difference is losing the ability to cancel. And the danger is getting hooked on DVC lol. That’s what happened with us. We were booking moderates and about 10 trips ago moved to DVC rental for a few trips and then bought our own DVC.

Caribbean Beach is around $350/nt that time of year. A good discount would probably get it in the $250-$300/nt range.

I’m not OP, but have rented DVC points a few times. It can be a great deal, however as you stated, there is also pretty much no cancelling or flexibility.

 

[Genie+]

I’m not OP, but have rented DVC points a few times. It can be a great deal, however as you stated, there is also pretty much no cancelling or flexibility.

Yes, you really need to weigh the pros and cons, especially your own personal risks. Things that may be higher risk to one person over another: kids’ school or extracurriculars, graduation of a loved one, weddings, health issues of yourself and loved ones, etc.

Cancelling is usually no. Rentals work best when you’re 100% committed to the trip.

Depending on the owner and rental, there may be a little bit of flexibility. They may allow one change but of course that risks not getting as good a resort/reservation since availability gets tighter as time goes on, and the date change would also need to be before those points expired.

Brokers and personal owners all have sightly different terms.

One rental I did the owner offered one date change and since they were using current UY points and were willing to bank to make one date change, I had 15 months after my initial to move my dates should something arise, if I did so before a certain date. And any change would need to be done at least 31 days out from our trip.

The times we rented DVC we knew were going come hell or high water lol. And we knew if something prevented that, we’d still eventually go. So not being able to cancel didn’t matter, but if flexibility was offered that gave us peace of mind that we could at least salvage a trip from the money laid out. Fortunately never needed to use it. For higher risk people, some of the brokers offer point insurance. Might be worth the extra costs if you’re not 99.9% sure and committed to your trip and dates.

 

[firstwdw]

I’m still over here deciding too. Booked at POFQ for now but waiting for discounts to be released. That may help me make a final decision as many times FQ is not included in discounts, or at a lesser rate. I just keep thinking it would be way easier to pop over to the pool, food court, bus, from room at FQ than it will be for CBR….

Exactly. And then I think the Skyliner would be nice, multiple pools, being able to see fireworks from the resort etc is also appealing!

 

[firstwdw]

I’m not OP, but have rented DVC points a few times. It can be a great deal, however as you stated, there is also pretty much no cancelling or flexibility.

I agree, the no cancelling or flexibility are deal breakers for DVC points even though you can get a decent deal.

 

[firstwdw]

Even though I love POFQ I think we may still stay at CBR for my older teenager. So hard to decide!

 

[DVC Gma]

We stayed 1 night this past May at CBeach. We decided to fly in a day early. It was building 51. It was horrible! Old, dirty come to mind.
However in past years, we have stayed in “Trinadad” near the pool and bus stop. Rooms were cleaner and not so beat up. The last time was a couple years ago, but I will not pick “Aruba” unless I know all the room are redone. Love it there otherwise!!

 

[DVC Gma]

Yes, you really need to weigh the pros and cons, especially your own personal risks. Things that may be higher risk to one person over another: kids’ school or extracurriculars, graduation of a loved one, weddings, health issues of yourself and loved ones, etc.

Cancelling is usually no. Rentals work best when you’re 100% committed to the trip.

Depending on the owner and rental, there may be a little bit of flexibility. They may allow one change but of course that risks not getting as good a resort/reservation since availability gets tighter as time goes on, and the date change would also need to be before those points expired.

Brokers and personal owners all have sightly different terms.

One rental I did the owner offered one date change and since they were using current UY points and were willing to bank to make one date change, I had 15 months after my initial to move my dates should something arise, if I did so before a certain date. And any change would need to be done at least 31 days out from our trip.

The times we rented DVC we knew were going come hell or high water lol. And we knew if something prevented that, we’d still eventually go. So not being able to cancel didn’t matter, but if flexibility was offered that gave us peace of mind that we could at least salvage a trip from the money laid out. Fortunately never needed to use it. For higher risk people, some of the brokers offer point insurance. Might be worth the extra costs if you’re not 99.9% sure and committed to your trip and dates.

Our first (& only) time renting we used a broker. We also bought the insurance, since it was new & scary to us to do it. It was reassuring and not that much more considering what we were paying already. But not a bad idea to do it if worried about having to cancel.
Never needed it again because while on that trip the my ROFR came through and I was an owner after that trip!

 

[maxiesmom]

I would rather stay at Pop than CBR. My one stay at CBR I wasn't a fan. The resort is so darned large, that you can be a good walk away from the main area and the themed pool and food.

I have POFQ booked for next year. The refurbed rooms look like a smaller version of the Yacht Club rooms I just stayed in. Plus POFQ is so much smaller and easier to get around. Plus one bus stop!

 

[firstwdw]

I would rather stay at Pop than CBR. My one stay at CBR I wasn't a fan. The resort is so darned large, that you can be a good walk away from the main area and the themed pool and food.

I have POFQ booked for next year. The refurbed rooms look like a smaller version of the Yacht Club rooms I just stayed in. Plus POFQ is so much smaller and easier to get around. Plus one bus stop!

I keep going back and forth on this dilemma! I have Caribbean Beach booked but considering switching to POFQ. I just feel like CBR offers more for older teens (volleyball, hammocks, multiple pools, better pool slide). However maybe be closer to food at POFQ would be enticing for a teen

 

[peachiepie]

I'd absolutely go CBR - we love it there and find the Skyliner an amazing bonus!

 

[Angel Ariel]

I keep going back and forth on this dilemma! I have Caribbean Beach booked but considering switching to POFQ. I just feel like CBR offers more for older teens (volleyball, hammocks, multiple pools, better pool slide). However maybe be closer to food at POFQ would be enticing for a teen

We just got back from a week at CBR. The AC is loud, yes - that was the biggest drawback of the room. We loved the resort. I haven't done a water slide in years, and loved it! The resort was peaceful, had tons of options for pools, activities, etc , the skyliner was amazing for midday breaks from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. We drove to MK and AK easily. Could have bused it, but have a mobility device in our party so chose not to. We are at both CBR and Riviera and enjoyed both.

Could the decor of the rooms use a refresh? Sure. But it was clean, and even with how loud the ac was we all slept well. I wouldn't hesitate to go back and will be looking at our bounce back options!

 

[jennab]

We just got back from a week at CBR. The AC is loud, yes - that was the biggest drawback of the room. We loved the resort. I haven't done a water slide in years, and loved it! The resort was peaceful, had tons of options for pools, activities, etc , the skyliner was amazing for midday breaks from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. We drove to MK and AK easily. Could have bused it, but have a mobility device in our party so chose not to. We are at both CBR and Riviera and enjoyed both.

Could the decor of the rooms use a refresh? Sure. But it was clean, and even with how loud the ac was we all slept well. I wouldn't hesitate to go back and will be looking at our bounce back options!

Did you feel it was far to walk to the amenities at the resort (skyliner, food, pool, activities) from your room? That’s one thing holding me back and making me lean towards POFQ.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Did you feel it was far to walk to the amenities at the resort (skyliner, food, pool, activities) from your room? That’s one thing holding me back and making me lean towards POFQ.

We made a room request based on walk times touring plans' maps gave, and it was honored. Worked out really well!!

 

[firstwdw]

We just got back from a week at CBR. The AC is loud, yes - that was the biggest drawback of the room. We loved the resort. I haven't done a water slide in years, and loved it! The resort was peaceful, had tons of options for pools, activities, etc , the skyliner was amazing for midday breaks from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. We drove to MK and AK easily. Could have bused it, but have a mobility device in our party so chose not to. We are at both CBR and Riviera and enjoyed both.

Could the decor of the rooms use a refresh? Sure. But it was clean, and even with how loud the ac was we all slept well. I wouldn't hesitate to go back and will be looking at our bounce back options!

That's great!!! What area did you end up in and did you like it? For now, we are keeping our reservation at CBR. I like that there are multiple pools, hammocks, lawn games, volleyball, etc for the older teens and being so close to Riviera is a nice perk too. So glad you had a wonderful trip. Wish Disney would replace the AC units but Riverside and POFQ are the same with the loud window units

 

[Angel Ariel]

That's great!!! What area did you end up in and did you like it? For now, we are keeping our reservation at CBR. I like that there are multiple pools, hammocks, lawn games, volleyball, etc for the older teens and being so close to Riviera is a nice perk too. So glad you had a wonderful trip. Wish Disney would replace the AC units but Riverside and POFQ are the same with the loud window units

We were in Jamaica and loved it!

 

[jennab]

We were in Jamaica and loved it!

I was just going to ask which section! Would you say it was about a 5min walk to main areas and skyliner then?

 

[Angel Ariel]

I was just going to ask which section! Would you say it was about a 5min walk to main areas and skyliner then?

Yeah that's about right!

 

[Tripscarcare]

Jamaica Block 46 is were we stayed, and re-requested area for our 2025 trip. Close to everything

 

[maxiesmom]

Jamaica Block 46 is were we stayed, and re-requested area for our 2025 trip. Close to everything

My one stay was in Jamaica 44, and I didn't feel close to everything at all. That was what I really disliked about CBR. And it is not like I am lazy, I love POR!