Dialysis patient with question about renting points

[sweetb]

I am trying to plan a trip to Disney for the month of *****. My kids are seven and eight years old so this might be the last trip where they are still in love with the characters which makes the magic of disney that much more exciting. We have only been to Disney one other time and it was only for two days so we didn't get to see that much, We stayed at an off park timeshare hotel that my aunt let us use.

My mom will be coming with us on the trip since I am a single mom and I am ill. I am a dialysis patient and I am awaiting a kidney transplant. I would love to stay at a Disney resort (specifically the ***) to make our trip more magical but the prices to rent a room are way too much for me. Plus we really need a one or two bedroom villa because my mom and I need our own beds and the kids could sleep on a pull out sofa.

I saw that renting points is cheaper and I am trying to find out more information about this. Here is the big concern and question. I am on the list to get a kidney transplant and I could get the call at any time. I am afraid to rent points for a villa and then get the call for a transplant either before or during my trip and then lose out on all that money and not even be able to go on a vacation.

Is there a trip insurance I could purchase that would cover me? I have no idea if there is a way to avoid losing out if I should get "the call." I have been sick for the past two years and have been in and out of the hospital. My kids have been through a lot because they see what I'm going through. They really do deserve a wonderful Disney vacation where we can make memories and where they can forget about it all and just have fun for a week.



If anyone has any ideas or any knowledge on the subject, it would really help us out. Thanks!

EDITED to remove travel month and desired resort

 

[Chuck S]

Most popular DVC resorts are difficult to get reservations short notice, and anything less than 6 months prior to arrival is, for all practical DVC purposes, short-notice.

As far as insurance, private travel insurance is probably available, but I've never seen a travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions. But you may want to contact Travel Guard insurance and explain your situation to see if it is possible.

It is unlikely that any DVC Member would allow for any changes or cancellations, even with your situation, as there are restrictions on the points for short notice cancellations.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Unless you can get an insurance that covers pre-excisting conditions (in which case; make sure the contract between you and DVC-owner fits the requirements of the insurance) I don't think renting points is something you should want to investigate, let alone actually do in your situation.

Don't get me wrong, I know a bit what I'm talking about. My health isn't what it should be to say the least. But there is one huge difference; my travel insurance would cover in case something were to happen as long as can not literally predict it at the moment of booking (anything else than that is not allowed to be used as an escapeclause by insurance companies in our country, so in that aspect I then don't fit "pre-excisting" conditions). Have rented for some trips and others not. It is what it is.

Last year I did rent and ended up having to cancel due to another hospital stay at that time. Time to suck it up, but then again; I have coverage which would be a huge pain to even get, let alone afforably in the US. I ended up running into an amazing DVC-owner that had the p.o.v. that the points were "mine" and I could do with them whatever I wanted, including rescheduling, renting out to another guest or whatever. All as long as it would fit within the limitations DVC puts on points and with me obviously taking care of any extra costs DVC would tag onto those changes. Let me repeat; this is NOT the norm but the true exception. It took quite a lot of work to get my trip rescheduled because of the combination short term booking (september/october changing around for december which is very popular for DVC). I didn't even want any of the popular resorts but was looking for SSR or OKW. It being a long trip didn't make it easier, eventhough we could play some with the dates. It was another small miracle that we ended up getting me something -let alone an accessible studio-, after having to waitlist some days.

Unless you can get insurance that covers pre-excisting conditions the risks are not worth it, IMHO. As far as finances goes; try to work with the cheaper times of years. Yes, it is a different level, but you should be able to find something affordable at one of the values. Two rooms would more than do the trick for seperate beds for you and mom and even 2 solid beds for the kids. Keep an eye out for when they publish public discounts and if need be tweak your resort or date to fit availability. This should be possible to do around the same price as renting points or (a lot) less depending on season and the fact that you are looking into renting a villa and the resort I'm pretty sure you are looking at.

The kids? They'll be happy as a kid could be just to even be able to go. They would appreciate the amenities of your desired resort, but when booked at another resort they will enjoy those amenities also. The values have some great pools for instance for kids that you might very well find it a task to try to get them out of again. An amazing trip is not made or broken by the choice of resort. It will be made by the fact they are there and the outlook on the whole thing they will be shown as examples by the grown ups. Teach by example and all. If still need any convincing of that; just read reports on the DIS. More than enough examples of how so many kids don't need resort X to have life long memories. Also including busloads of kids that have seen their share of life lessons for loved ones or themselves.

 

[CarolAnnC]

You may want to check out some of the WDW Moderate and Value hotels as they now have family suites in some cases. I believe Art of Animation is one of them..you can find more info on the Resorts Board here on the DIS. You will then be subject to CRO policies of cancellation which will be more generous than renting from a private DVC owner in most cases. Good luck to you...

 

[sweetb]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond to my question. You guys are the best! I kinda thought that renting the points wouldn't be a good fit for me and I guess I was right. Thanks for clearing that up. I had no idea you had to rent your points well in advance.

The reason I want to go in October is because the kids want to go trick or treating at MNSSHP. Plus it's my birthday and I thought it would be fun to go to Disney. I checked out the new Art of Animation resort and I was surprised that it was still pretty expensive. I am thinking about maybe the swan and dolphin or one of the universal resorts. It's just been my dream to stay at AKL. But I think the kids would enjoy that hotel at any age so it's something maybe we can shoot for in the future.

Anyone have an opinion on those places for a seven and eight year old?

 

[DoryDorito]

How long are you planning on staying? Where are you going to receive your dialysis while on vacation? Have you looked into pop?

 

[sweetb]

We are going to stay for about eight or nine days. I am really hesitant to stay at an older value resort. I am a clean freak and I need a nice, clean hotel room that is on the newer side. And when I say clean freak, I mean OCD clean.

 

[heynowirv]

The previous poster has a valid question,how are you going to receive dialysis while on vacation?

 

[Chuck S]

We are going to stay for about eight or nine days. I am really hesitant to stay at an older value resort. I am a clean freak and I need a nice, clean hotel room that is on the newer side. And when I say clean freak, I mean OCD clean.

Given the sheer number of guests at WDW, probably no WDW hotel will meet with the standards of OCD clean. I mean, most standard rooms take 15 to 20 minutes to clean, and most turn daily. Even with daily housekeeping, that doesn't allow for much deep cleaning when you have a high volume of guests in and out. And the DVC resorts usually are cleaned only a couple of times a week, so there is bound to be some normal wear, tear and dirt just from so much usage.

They don't shampoo carpets between each guest. They give the floor tiles a quick mopping, but nothing I would call a thorough cleaning. And I'm sure it is probably true of most hotels/motels, not just Disney. I do understand the need for someone with health issues to be as germ free as possible, especially with a possible transplant on the horizon at any time, really any high traffic volume resort is likely to have some issues as far as cleanliness. Add to that the higher percentage of young children versus a hotel in other locations, and there is bound to be more general wear in the room than in a hotel used mostly by business clients.

 

[crisi]

We are going to stay for about eight or nine days. I am really hesitant to stay at an older value resort. I am a clean freak and I need a nice, clean hotel room that is on the newer side. And when I say clean freak, I mean OCD clean.

DVC is NOT for you. We've never, in twelve years of ownership, walked into an OCD clean DVC room. We've never walked into a room as clean as any other hotel room we've used over the past twelve years. They are clean, but certainly not OCD clean.

 

[heynowirv]

DVC is NOT for you. We've never, in twelve years of ownership, walked into an OCD clean DVC room. We've never walked into a room as clean as any other hotel room we've used over the past twelve years. They are clean, but certainly not OCD clean.

I'm going to continue from a medical point of view.Even if these villas were clean enough i don't understand how a person who is listed for a kidney and probably receiving dialysis 3x's week would receive the clearance to go to Disney for 8 or 9 days.

 

[jekjones1558]

I'm going to continue from a medical point of view.Even if these villas were clean enough i don't understand how a person who is listed for a kidney and probably receiving dialysis 3x's week would receive the clearance to go to Disney for 8 or 9 days.

Perhaps the OP has one of the portable type dialysis units for travel or has made arrangements in Orlando.

 

[heynowirv]

Perhaps. Generally speaking if a person is in irreversible renal failure (they would need to be to be listed for a transplant) and requires dialysis their blood pressure is too low for what's called CRT which uses a persons own circuit (Blood Pressure) to cleanse the kidney.The other way which it sounds like she would require is done every other day @ a Dialysis center and would take anywhere to 3-5 hrs. completing each treatment from start to finish.It's very taxing on the body and again generally takes the better part of a day to
recover.

 

[Jedana]

Perhaps. Generally speaking if a person is in irreversible renal failure (they would need to be to be listed for a transplant) and requires dialysis their blood pressure is too low for what's called CRT which uses a persons own circuit (Blood Pressure) to cleanse the kidney.The other way which it sounds like she would require is done every other day @ a Dialysis center and would take anywhere to 3-5 hrs. completing each treatment from start to finish.It's very taxing on the body and again generally takes the better part of a day to
recover.

DH has stage 5 ESRD. He lost one kidney and adrenal gland to adrenal cancer, and the other kidney is the lazy brother.

We've done diaylsis treatments at the hotel before. I go in, wipe down everything--and I mean everything--doorknobs, drawers, tv, chairs, etc, with Lysol wipes. I also bring my mini-vacuum and to a quick vacuum of the floors. I pull the comforters off the beds and put them in either a corner or under the bathroom sink--along with a note to mousekeeping to leave them in there and why.

Once I'm done, we bring in the machine--I put down chuks and the machine goes on top. Dialysate is in it's own boxes, and those in the closet. The other supplies are in a plastic tub, placed on top of the dialysate boxes. We bring our own sharps box (we take it home with us) and we take all the trash out when we are finished (boxes, dialysate bags can be thrown away--the cartridges are placed in a trashbag and brought home with us to be added to the ones used at home--those were being picked up by a service, along with the sharps boxes, but we now have to take them in to the clinic when he goes in for his monthly visit.

The machine is kept covered by it's case when not in use. I also go and speak to the manager, and if possible, the head of housekeeping. I explain what we have in the room, and why it is necessary to keep the room the way we have it, and so far, we haven't had any issues.

If in center, it takes the better part of 14 hours for DH to recover. Doing treatments at home, 6 days a week, for 3 hours a day---he can get up half an hour later and function. two hours later, he is up for almost anything, except things in heat (like washing the car) or physical (like mowing the lawn). What a way to get out of his outside chores, huh? A couple more hours and he is good for the rest of the day. But we've moved to doing them before bed, so it is easier on his recovery.

DH is just starting his transplant journey (we go in to the Mayo clinic next week, to start the process) and one of the questions we will ask is "what about vacations?"

 

[sweetb]

Ok, I will explain a bit further. I will be having dialysis while on vacation. I would be dead if I didn't. The dialysis machine is what is keeping me alive. I am going to have my center arrange treatments at a center near Disney. Now I am just starting the process of where I am going to stay and when I am going to go to dialysis. I am hoping that they have a night shift at the center near Disney. The plan would be to go to dialysis at five or six at night. My treatment is three and a half hours. Afterwards I will come home and go to bed for the night. My mom will be watching my kids during this time and they can hang out at the pool at the hotel while I am at treatments.

I was also considering early morning treatments but honestly I don't think I'll feel up to hitting the parks even after a nap so I figure the night shift would be best if I can get that.

As to OCD clean, I only say that because germs are bad for me. And I have heard that most of the value resorts are older and feel more like a motel than a hotel. For the prices I am seeing online, I would rather stay at a newer, cleaner hotel for less money. But again, this is what I have read. I have no knowledge first hand, which is why I am here asking all of these questions. Does anyone know of a value or a moderate that have been renovated or is just nice and clean.

Waiting for a kidney can take years. The average is five years. I have only been on dialysis for one year this time around. I can't stay at home and not vacation because I am waiting on something that may not come for a very long time. Plus my kids are young now. Really, I would like to no more than 1500 to 2000 on a room considering the tickets for all four of us will be a little over 1000 dollars.

Again, any suggestions woud be great for those who have been in a disney resort.

Thanks!

 

[jekjones1558]

Ok, I will explain a bit further. I will be having dialysis while on vacation. I would be dead if I didn't. The dialysis machine is what is keeping me alive. I am going to have my center arrange treatments at a center near Disney. Now I am just starting the process of where I am going to stay and when I am going to go to dialysis. I am hoping that they have a night shift at the center near Disney. The plan would be to go to dialysis at five or six at night. My treatment is three and a half hours. Afterwards I will come home and go to bed for the night. My mom will be watching my kids during this time and they can hang out at the pool at the hotel while I am at treatments.

I was also considering early morning treatments but honestly I don't think I'll feel up to hitting the parks even after a nap so I figure the night shift would be best if I can get that.

As to OCD clean, I only say that because germs are bad for me. And I have heard that most of the value resorts are older and feel more like a motel than a hotel. For the prices I am seeing online, I would rather stay at a newer, cleaner hotel for less money. But again, this is what I have read. I have no knowledge first hand, which is why I am here asking all of these questions. Does anyone know of a value or a moderate that have been renovated or is just nice and clean.

Waiting for a kidney can take years. The average is five years. I have only been on dialysis for one year this time around. I can't stay at home and not vacation because I am waiting on something that may not come for a very long time. Plus my kids are young now. Really, I would like to no more than 1500 to 2000 on a room considering the tickets for all four of us will be a little over 1000 dollars.

Again, any suggestions woud be great for those who have been in a disney resort.

Thanks!

Gosh, OP, I wish I had advice for you. Because we always stay in DVC resorts, I have no recent experience with regular rooms. Art of Animation is so new. It would be great if you could find a super deal for that resort. Good luck! God bless!

 

[crisi]

Ok, I will explain a bit further. I will be having dialysis while on vacation. I would be dead if I didn't. The dialysis machine is what is keeping me alive. I am going to have my center arrange treatments at a center near Disney. Now I am just starting the process of where I am going to stay and when I am going to go to dialysis. I am hoping that they have a night shift at the center near Disney. The plan would be to go to dialysis at five or six at night. My treatment is three and a half hours. Afterwards I will come home and go to bed for the night. My mom will be watching my kids during this time and they can hang out at the pool at the hotel while I am at treatments.

I was also considering early morning treatments but honestly I don't think I'll feel up to hitting the parks even after a nap so I figure the night shift would be best if I can get that.

As to OCD clean, I only say that because germs are bad for me. And I have heard that most of the value resorts are older and feel more like a motel than a hotel. For the prices I am seeing online, I would rather stay at a newer, cleaner hotel for less money. But again, this is what I have read. I have no knowledge first hand, which is why I am here asking all of these questions. Does anyone know of a value or a moderate that have been renovated or is just nice and clean.

Waiting for a kidney can take years. The average is five years. I have only been on dialysis for one year this time around. I can't stay at home and not vacation because I am waiting on something that may not come for a very long time. Plus my kids are young now. Really, I would like to no more than 1500 to 2000 on a room considering the tickets for all four of us will be a little over 1000 dollars.

Again, any suggestions woud be great for those who have been in a disney resort.

Thanks!

DVC Units are renovated less often than Disney hotel rooms. The newest one is BLT - and its been open a few years. They are cleaned less often - probably once every week on average as opposed to the daily vaccuum a hotel room gets. You are better off at a Disney hotel. But honestly, you are probably way better off at a Hilton or Hyatt in downtown Disney - those rooms are CLEAN.

 

[WsPrincess]

I know they just finished a remodel of All Star Movies this year and it is amazing! A friend stayed there and said it looked great. They are starting a renovation of the Poly at the beginning of the year so those might be options or they are working on SSR right now, maybe you could do a cast ressie from Disney there.

 

[owensamo]

While the newer resorts might be newer, I don't think they're necessarily any cleaner. The housekeeping staff seems to have the same standards of cleanliness at all the resorts I've stayed at - and we've stayed at All Stars and Pop as well as some of the Moderate resorts.

Honestly, Pop is our favorite non-DVC resort - it has a great food court, it's got a lot of energy and interesting decor, and we've never had a problem with the room being old or dirty or tired or even really feeling more "motel" than "hotel" (even with the exterior walkways).

That said - if germs are a problem, be prepared to re-clean *any* hotel room you stay in. There's no telling who was there before you or how well the housekeepers did their job (or even *if* they did their job) no matter how new or expensive the hotel is. You might actually be better off looking into an off-site house rental and seeing if you can pay extra for a deep clean before you get there.

 

[Chuck S]

Remember that the Value resorts are newer than many of the DVC Resorts, and POP Century opened in December 2003.