December Availability This Late?/Which Resort?

[wareagle57]

We are going to the World in December XXXX. Those include our travel days and one day (and possibly 1-2 nights at Universal).

Our problem is we don't know how many are going. It's changed several times. There are 3 of us for sure, and it is now extremely likely 2 more might be joining us. It would be my mom, stepdad, me (28 m), my cousin (18 f) and my stepsister's daughter (age 6). The 3 for sure going are me, my mom, and my cousin.

1. We are on a budget, but our preferred option at the moment is to stay at one of the DVC rentals through David or someone else. But there is no way to check availability without putting money down. So I'd like to know, is renting points even an option this late in the game or should we forget about it?

The 3 we are looking at are Boarkwalk, Bay Lake, and Grand Floridian in that order. Those are our choices mostly due to location and price. Beach Club villas would be a distance 4th since location is basically the same as Boardwalk, but boardwalk is much cheaper.

2. Assuming there is availability, which of these 4 would sleep us the most comfortably with either the 1 or 2 bedroom option? I think we would either go with the roomiest 1 bedroom option, or the cheapest 2 bedroom option.

3. I noticed in the floorplans they mention a "sleeper sofa". I'm assuming due to my gender I would probably be the odd man out and have to be the one sleeping on this if there were only 2 beds. I have trouble sleeping as it is and am not a back sleeper. Is this simply a reclining chair or does it turn into a real bed? Will I be comfortable?

4. We are mainly looking at the DVC because (a)with 5 people we are pretty sure we'd have to get two rooms pretty much anywhere else other than AoA and it would end up costing close to the same anyway, and (b) we want to stay at an Epcot or MK resort because we never have. Do you have any other suggestions for us outside of renting DVC? I should mention that we would be eligible for the military discount if we stayed on Disney property vs DVC.

Thanks so much in advance. I tried to be as detailed as possible, but if anything else would be helpful to give us an answer please let me know!

 

[jekjones1558]

We are going to the World in December XXXX Those include our travel days and one day (and possibly 1-2 nights at Universal).

Our problem is we don't know how many are going. It's changed several times. There are 3 of us for sure, and it is now extremely likely 2 more might be joining us. It would be my mom, stepdad, me (28 m), my cousin (18 f) and my stepsister's daughter (age 6). The 3 for sure going are me, my mom, and my cousin.

1. We are on a budget, but our preferred option at the moment is to stay at one of the DVC rentals through David or someone else. But there is no way to check availability without putting money down. So I'd like to know, is renting points even an option this late in the game or should we forget about it?

The 3 we are looking at are Boarkwalk, Bay Lake, and Grand Floridian in that order. Those are our choices mostly due to location and price. Beach Club villas would be a distance 4th since location is basically the same as Boardwalk, but boardwalk is much cheaper.

2. Assuming there is availability, which of these 4 would sleep us the most comfortably with either the 1 or 2 bedroom option? I think we would either go with the roomiest 1 bedroom option, or the cheapest 2 bedroom option.

3. I noticed in the floorplans they mention a "sleeper sofa". I'm assuming due to my gender I would probably be the odd man out and have to be the one sleeping on this if there were only 2 beds. I have trouble sleeping as it is and am not a back sleeper. Is this simply a reclining chair or does it turn into a real bed? Will I be comfortable?

4. We are mainly looking at the DVC because (a)with 5 people we are pretty sure we'd have to get two rooms pretty much anywhere else other than AoA and it would end up costing close to the same anyway, and (b) we want to stay at an Epcot or MK resort because we never have. Do you have any other suggestions for us outside of renting DVC? I should mention that we would be eligible for the military discount if we stayed on Disney property vs DVC.

Thanks so much in advance. I tried to be as detailed as possible, but if anything else would be helpful to give us an answer please let me know!

I am sorry to rain on your parade but there really is almost no hope of getting those 3 resorts. There may be 1 or 2 days available here or there, but that is it. The time you want to go is very popular with DVC owners and books up quickly, often at 11 months out. Your best shot for DVC for those dates will be at Saratoga Springs in a 1 bedroom. Or you could watch the Rent/Trade board here on the DIS for a reservation that somebody already has and cannot use, but the odds of the right dates and resort being posted are not good.
I am not familiar with any special offers for military, so hopefully someone else will post.
Good luck.

 

[drusba]

This far beyond the 7 month reservation window for that time of year likely means that your choices, if you have any at all, will be limited to 1BRs and possibly 2BRs at SSR and some chance possibly for 1BRs at OKW or AKV. Chances of getting the ones you want are slim to none. Also be aware that BWV is "cheaper" than BCV only in the standard view booking category and the BWV standard view rooms are usually booked full for that time of year shortly after the 11 month reservation window opens.

You are also not likely going to find any DVC owner or broker who can rent a DVC room at your desired resorts since they would have the same problem as as any owner trying to get those resorts now for that time in Dec. You would need to find someone who already has a reservation for that time and needs to give it up and that is unlikely. You could possibly still rent a DVC resort room through Disney central reservations but the room prices are high if you do that unless there is some great military discount for them (I do not know which rooms Disney is offerring for a military disocunt or rates) A different option would be to reserve connecting hotel rooms at one of the Disney MK or Epcot resorts, again paying a high price (probably even with a military discount).

As to DVC accomodations, be aware that none of the DVC resort 1BRs have two beds. SSR, VWL, BCV, and BWV 1BRs have a king bed in the bedroom and a pull out queen couch in the living room and no other sleeping arrangements (for a fifth, you have to provide your own like a sleeping bag). The 1BRs at BLT, AKV (other than vlaue rooms), and OKW have an additonal pull out twin size chair in the living room. VGF has an additonal pull-down murphy bed in the living room.

 

[wendybeth75]

POR riverside and some CBR that are newly refurbished (not DVC) sleep 5, but the 5th person would have to be a child I think to be comfy. They have a Murphy bed in some of the rooms. It could be pretty crowded, but you may have difficulty finding much in the way of accommodations this close to time. Several of the regular Deluxe rooms will accommodate 5 people, but again it's not going to be as roomy as a villa.

 

[moreisgood]

Since your WDW options are very limited, and you'll be going to Universal too, you may want to consider renting a timeshare outside of WDW. You can google red week and timeshare rentals and get some options.

 

[Sandisw]

As others have said, availability for December at this point is going to be very limited as it is a popular time for members and most book at the 11 month window. I edited your post to remove specifics.

As we do not allow posts of specific availability on the board since it changes so often and until you are ready to book, it really doesn't do someone any good.

Remember, in addition to going through a rental company like David's, you can always post a response in our Rent/Trade thread to someone offering their points to make a reservation.

Be very cautious of responding to PM's in which you did not initiate contact.

Since the OP got their answer, I am going to close the thread.