Disney Villas vs. Standard Hotel

[iluvtig2]

We are planning a trip the first week in December. There are 6 adults & 2 two & a half year olds. We have great rates at the All Star Movies, but are wondering if it is possible to get a great rate on a 2 Bedroom villa, or is this just wishful thinking? We do not want to spend a fortune, but think it would be nice to be able to put the kids to bed, and not have to go at the same time. If not a villa, should we consider upgrading the hotel? 3 in the party are on a very tight budget. Thank you for all input.

 

[shrpgrl]

The two bedroom villas are wonderful and worth every penny. Not sure what they go for because we are DVC members. The ones at OKW are the largest. You might want to go to the DVC rent board and see what it would cost you that way. Many folks have points for rent and it is sometimes cheaper that way. IMHO nothing beats a kitchen and washer dryer when staying with a group.

 

[Lewisc]

Since you're on a budget your best bet is an offsite home or condo. Try the consolidators for Vistana.

 

[CarolMN]

FWIW, I think you will have a difficult time renting points from a DVC member anytime during the first two weeks of December. This is a very popular time for DVC members to visit, so availability is already virtually non-existent. I know BWV is completely booked right now with several members already on the waitlist. As far as I know, so is VWL. I am not sure about OKW.

However, there may be rooms available for cash through CRO. Rack rates for a 2 bedroom villa in value season (11/3 -12/19) range from $535 plus tax/night (BWV) to to $469 plus tax/night (OkW). I doubt there are any "deals" on these right now, but there may be more rooms released for cash later in the year.

Two (or even three) rooms at the All Star resorts (rack rate is $77 plus tax/night) will be less expensive than a 2 bedroom villa at one of the DVC resorts even if you do get a good discount on the villa. If you want/need a villa/suite, off site accomodations may be the way to go if you are on a tight budget.

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip!

 

[niks81]

I think you should go for renting points. Carol MN does have a very valid point about availability. However it is very possible that Old Key West or Beach Club Villas are still available. If this is the case I think it would be a better deal overall. Everyone could be in the same vicinity and you'd have a full kitchen to work with. If you rented points it would run about $250-$350 per night depending on the resort. If you are intersted you should check out the DVC board and request renting points.

 

[JonHM]

the 2 bedroom DVC Villas are *STUNNING*!!! They are what convinced us to join DVC in the first place. We had just splurged and spent $$$$ to stay at the Grand Floridian, and when we saw the 2 BR DVC Villas, it had SO MANY amenities that even our incredibly expensive room at the GF did not have. Full kitchen, big whirlpool tub, washer/dryer, extra tv/vcr in the living room, pull out sofa in the living room, separate room for the kids... they are just gorgeous, too! I would definitely check into the possibility of renting at OKW for that time period. OKW is HUGE, so it doesn't sell out nearly as fast as Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge Villas.

 

[brittsmum1998]

OKW is very nice. A few years ago (b4 joining DVC) we stayed in a 2 bdrm at OKW. We arrived the Sunday after Thanksgiving for a week. It is not considered "peak" time. We were able to get a great discount thru the Disney Club. Not sure what it was but it was very reasonable for our two families. I'm sure there will be some discount available on cash rooms.

 

[jaguar9748]

The villas are wonderful - I love the extra room, the kitchen, the living room. It's nice to have a suite where some can watch TV's while others sleep in bedrooms. This being said, you will probably pay a lot more for a villa than 2 rooms at the All Stars or 2 rooms at the moderates (depending on the rate you get). You will have to decide whether the potentially higher room rate justifies itself to you. You will have a washer and dryer - a wonderful thing! I wash clothes daily and have to bring far less! You will save money by cooking your own meals. It's nice to have quiet, peaceful dinners! You will enjoy all of the amenities of a deluxe resort. You will enjoy excellent customer service! On the flip side, the All Stars and moderate resorts still give you the Disney magic you're looking for with not as many amenities. It all boils down to 2 things - your budget and what type of accomodation you really want.

 

[KCritter]

One nice thing about the villas that will save you some money is the full kitchen. It has a refrigerator, stove, toaster, microwave and dishwasher and is fully stocked with dishes, silverware, cookware and utensils. You can save a ton of money just by having breakfast in your room every morning and cooking the occaisional lunch or dinner. Also, there's nothing nicer than sitting out on the balcony drinking your coffee and watching the world go by.

 

[AF Brenda]

I don't know if they will be open by then, but you might also want to try the Villas at the Disney Institute, if they are available. We stayed there 3 years ago, and we were extremely pleased. Also, you might want to look at Wilderness Cabins.