Couple of Questions From A Newbie...

[speedyf]

We are new DVC owners and will be using our points for our first visit this year. I have 2 separate questions for 2 separate trips....

Question #1 -
I am looking at the possiblity of doing 6 nights at Disney. We would arrive on Saturday and pay cash and then stay on points Sun-Thurs at Saratoga in a studio. I noticed last year that Disney offered an AP rate around $200 for a night in a studio at Saratoga. If I am able to get an AP rate at Saratoga, is there any way to link it to my points reservation so that we can stay in the same studio without having to move? Do I make the reservation through member services or CRO?

Question #2 -
This is more of an opinion question. We are planning a trip to Disney in early June 2010 with friends. The entire party will consist of our family of 4, a friend's family of 4, and another friend's family of 4 for a total of 12. We are again planning a Sun-Thur stay and I'd like to keep the points down to around 50 pts per night. What (in your opinion) is the best accomodations setup for our party? Would you do 3 studios, Grand Villa (hopefully, at OKW to keep the pts down), a 2BR and a Studio? All of these scenarios keep the points in the 50 pts per night range...I'm just curious to know what has worked the best in the past for others.

Thanks....
Speed

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

I have a newbie question as well- just passed ROFR today... I am hoping to use these new points in July. I know there may be slim pickings but we are flexible.. Since I only have 100 points ( 50 from previous year) and we probably want a 1 bedroom, I may need to see if I can find a transfer of about 50 points right away.. How does this work? how fast are points transferred into your account? If I do not use them all, can they be banked?
Would you transfer points from someone ? I am considering a small add-on but may want to just rent/transfer until I get a better feel of what it's like to be an owner...

 

[CarolMN]

We are new DVC owners and will be using our points for our first visit this year. I have 2 separate questions for 2 separate trips....

Question #1 -
I am looking at the possiblity of doing 6 nights at Disney. We would arrive on Saturday and pay cash and then stay on points Sun-Thurs at Saratoga in a studio. I noticed last year that Disney offered an AP rate around $200 for a night in a studio at Saratoga. If I am able to get an AP rate at Saratoga, is there any way to link it to my points reservation so that we can stay in the same studio without having to move? Do I make the reservation through member services or CRO?

No. A CRO reservation cannot be linked to a DVC reservation. If you make the cash reservation through MS, then MS can link the cash and points reservation.

That said, you can request to stay in the same room if you book through CRO. Ask CRO to note the DVC reservation number on the CRO reservation with a request to stay n the same room. Then ask MS to note the CRO reservation on the DVC reservation , also with a request to stay in the same room Keep in mind that the cash and points reservation must be for exactly the same type/view or you will have to move for sure. Some room types/views are not available for cash. However, I do not think any of those are at SSR.

If you book cash through MS, you may be able to get the member cash discount of 25% off rack. It's subject to availability just like the AP discounts.

Question #2 -
This is more of an opinion question. We are planning a trip to Disney in early June 2010 with friends. The entire party will consist of our family of 4, a friend's family of 4, and another friend's family of 4 for a total of 12. We are again planning a Sun-Thur stay and I'd like to keep the points down to around 50 pts per night. What (in your opinion) is the best accomodations setup for our party? Would you do 3 studios, Grand Villa (hopefully, at OKW to keep the pts down), a 2BR and a Studio? All of these scenarios keep the points in the 50 pts per night range...I'm just curious to know what has worked the best in the past for others.

Thanks....
Speed

I'd go for the Grand Villa if you can get it and if all 3 families get along very well and have traveled together in the past..

If not, I'd elect the 3 studios, so that each family can have their own space and can make an independent decision on the Dining Plan. This would also allow you to cancel if one or both other families back out on you. It happens, unfortunately. Lots of horror stories here from members who were treating friends and families who backed out at the last minute Hope that doesn't happen to you.

JMHO. YMMV.

 

[speedyf]

Thanks for the response....

I think AP price on a Saratoga studio was around $204 last year and the 25% off member price is around $244 for the Summer. We may just stay at a moderate instead and then make the move, but I wanted to be informed in case we do book Saratoga for cash on the Saturday.

On the other question....I'd like to try the Grand Villa, but really...the only one I can afford would be at Old Key West. Since OKW is not my home resort, it will probably be tough to get a Grand Villa at 7 months out for an early June 2010 reservation. I'm kinda leaning more towards the 3 Studios...but, I'm going to talk it over with the other 2 families and see what they think.

Thanks Again...
Speed