Disney help please?

[StellaMoosh]

Ok so we took a little break from Disney World for a good two years because my husband, the one who pays, was sick of it.
And my 13 year old daughter has been begging, and begging, AND begging to go back for the last year! She recently made a 20 minute video on iMovie convincing us to go back! It had old pictures of the family, our favorite foods, rides, etc. Just about anything to make you miss Disney!
So, finally we said, "Well we should look into going over Thanksgiving break. Because, we hate the summer heat."
Ok, im pretty sure my daughter did backflips. Or maybe it was me

So now, it comes to the resorts! DUN, DUN, DUNN!!
Ok its been two years. Our last like 4 trips were at the Swan/Dolphin. And, before that it was the Contemporary for ever since my oldest daughters(25/27) were 2! And, with the occasional BC/YC, BW, Poly, GF trips. We've never been to the WL or AKL and have no interest in staying there because we just love the location of the other Deluxe resorts. But, we hold a special place in our hearts for the CR!
But have you seen those prices?! They've gone up since 2006!! And, along with every other deluxe! And we've been going for many years and have NEVER gotten a PIN. EVER. So who knows when thats comin?

So.. Do we stay Swan/Dolphin, rent DVC points, or hold out for a deal/splurge?

I think the idea of renting DVC points is cool. But i really dont get it. Does someone have some words of advice for someone like me on the DVC points?

Any words of wisdom would help!

Thanks

 

[BearcatsFan]

I don't know anything about DVC, so I can't help you there. You say you've never gotten a pin ... have you tried calling to see if there is a pin attached to your name? Occasionally when calling, people have found they have a discount waiting for them they never even knew about.

 

[spiceycat]

although love the deluxes and dvc - if paying cash my first choice is Pop Century - it is cute!!!

over on the DVC rental/trade board is a pretty good explanation - but I will try.

you rent a reservation (points won't help you - only the price is determined by the points/resorts) from a DVC member not DISNEY. Disney will not help you in anyway. With a DVC reservation there is no housekeeping. You do get DME and can get DDP although that now takes trust.

okay you need to find someone that you can trust. You will be sending this person your cash and in return they should promise (in writing) not to cancel your reservation and to keep their membership in good standing - so ask for a contract.

now although I love BLT - the studio is small. Now the 1 and 2 bedroom are BIG. so hint Dvc wants members to stay in the 1 or 2 bedroom... It does not work on me - especially since they want twice the points for a 1-bedroom.

BLT has 3 types of rooms/view - standard (floors 2-5), lake view (6-16) and MK view (2-16)- this will change shortly (4-16)

it has studio, 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms (GV)

the time you go can also effect the price.

here is the DVC rental/trade board
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29


here is the DVC point charts
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/DVCpoints.shtml

if this makes you nervous you can rent from an independent broker - he takes other points and makes the reservation. You don't deal with the owner - he does. So if something goes wrong you are dealing with him.

http://www.dvcrequest.com/?oid=29_1

 

[spiceycat]

forgot a studio has a queen bed and double sleeper sofa (except OKW which has 2 queen beds) - plus a kitchennett

a 1-bedroom has a master bedroom with a king bed, master bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower stall - it has a living room with a queen size sleeper sofa and a chair bed, a kitchen with everything you should need - also BLT and AKV have another full bath.

the 2-bedroom is the same except it has a second bedroom and another full bath. the beds can vary - it can be either 2 queen beds or 1 queen bed and a double sleeper sofa - depends upon the resort and what type of villa - dedicated generally has the 2 queens - lockoff has the one queen bed and double sleeper sofa.

 

[thr33boys]

I'm also looking into renting points. I've learned a lot in the last 24 hours on the DVC boards and am hoping to finalize the reservation this evening. It is a substantial discount off disney's rack rates, and still a good savings even with the pins or free dining promos. This is our first trip to WDW and I think I've exhausted every lodgiing possibility. So, for the same price that I would pay at AoA for 1 week, I can do a split stay and get a 1 bedroom Villa at AKV (4 nights) and a 2 bedroom suite at BLT (3 nights) - really hoping for BLT availability.

I recommend you looking more into, it works great for us since there are 5 of us and are fairly limited with options.

Good luck!

 

[StellaMoosh]

I don't know anything about DVC, so I can't help you there. You say you've never gotten a pin ... have you tried calling to see if there is a pin attached to your name? Occasionally when calling, people have found they have a discount waiting for them they never even knew about.

Yes, I called and checked and there was no PIN. But we have a little thought on getting one soon based on what the man told me.

although love the deluxes and dvc - if paying cash my first choice is Pop Century - it is cute!!!

over on the DVC rental/trade board is a pretty good explanation - but I will try.

you rent a reservation (points won't help you - only the price is determined by the points/resorts) from a DVC member not DISNEY. Disney will not help you in anyway. With a DVC reservation there is no housekeeping. You do get DME and can get DDP although that now takes trust.

okay you need to find someone that you can trust. You will be sending this person your cash and in return they should promise (in writing) not to cancel your reservation and to keep their membership in good standing - so ask for a contract.

now although I love BLT - the studio is small. Now the 1 and 2 bedroom are BIG. so hint Dvc wants members to stay in the 1 or 2 bedroom... It does not work on me - especially since they want twice the points for a 1-bedroom.

BLT has 3 types of rooms/view - standard (floors 2-5), lake view (6-16) and MK view (2-16)- this will change shortly (4-16)

it has studio, 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms (GV)

the time you go can also effect the price.

here is the DVC rental/trade board
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29


here is the DVC point charts
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/DVCpoints.shtml

if this makes you nervous you can rent from an independent broker - he takes other points and makes the reservation. You don't deal with the owner - he does. So if something goes wrong you are dealing with him.

http://www.dvcrequest.com/?oid=29_1

First of all, thank you for your response.
We will never stay value. This is because when all-star resort opened we tried it, thinking its new so its great. No, we had cockroaches in our room. Not one, but many. We switched to the Contemporary, with a free night.
I have checked the points charts, and saw the BLT tends to be the most, and the BWV is the least. But, i have seen pictures and BLT looks nicer, newer(well it is), and has a monorail. Were still deciding on the whole trust thing.

forgot a studio has a queen bed and double sleeper sofa (except OKW which has 2 queen beds) - plus a kitchennett

a 1-bedroom has a master bedroom with a king bed, master bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower stall - it has a living room with a queen size sleeper sofa and a chair bed, a kitchen with everything you should need - also BLT and AKV have another full bath.

the 2-bedroom is the same except it has a second bedroom and another full bath. the beds can vary - it can be either 2 queen beds or 1 queen bed and a double sleeper sofa - depends upon the resort and what type of villa - dedicated generally has the 2 queens - lockoff has the one queen bed and double sleeper sofa.

It will only be my husband, my daughter(13), and I. So we would be fine
Thank you for your posts!

I'm also looking into renting points. I've learned a lot in the last 24 hours on the DVC boards and am hoping to finalize the reservation this evening. It is a substantial discount off disney's rack rates, and still a good savings even with the pins or free dining promos. This is our first trip to WDW and I think I've exhausted every lodgiing possibility. So, for the same price that I would pay at AoA for 1 week, I can do a split stay and get a 1 bedroom Villa at AKV (4 nights) and a 2 bedroom suite at BLT (3 nights) - really hoping for BLT availability.

I recommend you looking more into, it works great for us since there are 5 of us and are fairly limited with options.

Good luck!

Ok i have been looking for about 2 months and i didnt fully understand it. But i think i get it now. Please tell me how it goes with your booking, and any tips you could give us! It would be appreciated



Thank you everyone for your responses, we keep checking and talking about it. I hope all goes well.

Maggie