DVC Newbie Renter-- QUESTIONS

[tubachick]

Thanks everyone for the wealth of information and the selection of rentals on the DIS!! I appreciate it.

However I do have a few questions.

Finally after 6 years of begging the entire family to choose a single date to travel together we finally set a date for early Nov 2008. Now the question is if we share a room/villa, or book separate rooms. There will be six adults, one 4 year old and a 2 year old. we will be there for 9 nights/10 days.

we were looking into either the WL villas 2 bedroom or the Grand Villa at OKW.

1) would you suggest renting points for all 10 days/9 nights in a row, or is there a more cost effective way to go?

2) How many points does a 10 day stay tipically get? I know that seasons and years may cause an increase so an estimate would be helpful for budgeting.

3) is there a better configuration for our stay then the two suggested above? we were considering the grand villa so each family could have their "own space". Or would our own rooms at the resort be more cost effective for our "own space"?

Any help is appreciated, and again, thank you for all of your useful posts.

 

[shellbelle1971]

Thanks everyone for the wealth of information and the selection of rentals on the DIS!! I appreciate it.

However I do have a few questions.

Finally after 6 years of begging the entire family to choose a single date to travel together we finally set a date for early Nov 2008. Now the question is if we share a room/villa, or book separate rooms. There will be six adults, one 4 year old and a 2 year old. we will be there for 9 nights/10 days.

we were looking into either the WL villas 2 bedroom or the Grand Villa at OKW.

1) would you suggest renting points for all 10 days/9 nights in a row, or is there a more cost effective way to go?

2) How many points does a 10 day stay tipically get? I know that seasons and years may cause an increase so an estimate would be helpful for budgeting.

3) is there a better configuration for our stay then the two suggested above? we were considering the grand villa so each family could have their "own space". Or would our own rooms at the resort be more cost effective for our "own space"?

Any help is appreciated, and again, thank you for all of your useful posts.

1. I doubt you'll find a cheaper way to go than renting--if you do, it will almost certainly involve convoluted room changes mid-trip.
2. Points vary dramatically depending on what type of unit you want and your travel dates. Check the DVC Points Charts link at the top of this message board to look at specific dates, resorts, and villa types.
3. Studios may be fewer points than a grand villa, but you would not have any common space (living room, dining room, kitchen) for "hanging out" together. On the other hand, giving each family their own room has advantages--there is such a thing as too much together time. Our family has had the best trips when we've gotten a 2-bedroom for us and studios for anyone else "tagging along" (grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins).

Just a caution when renting that you understand that usually you cannot cancel or change your reservations. If for some reason you have to cancel you could end up out a lot of $. So if I were in your shoes, I'd consider having each family book their room themselves. That way, if anyone backs out, at least they haven't cost YOU any $.

 

[BillPA]

Just a caution when renting that you understand that usually you cannot cancel or change your reservations. If for some reason you have to cancel you could end up out a lot of $. So if I were in your shoes, I'd consider having each family book their room themselves. That way, if anyone backs out, at least they haven't cost YOU any $.

I agree, if you scan this board you will find this happens more often than you would think.

Have a great trip.

 

[tubachick]

thanks for the input!

 

[castleri]

We had the same number of people in a 2BR at OKW last September and it worked well for us. My DH and I had the MB and our 20 yo son had a raised air bed we put between the bed and the window, our daughter, son-in-law and two DGSs (ages 1 1/2 and 4) had the second BR. The final adult had the pull out couch. We were there 10 days and it worked for us but I think I would do a 2BR and studio if we did it again for the extra bath and for the privacy it can provide. We would still have the large balcony and common space for when everyone was together. Also booking a 2BR and studio is usually less points than a GV and if someone cancels you have the option of cancelling one of the rooms. Of course if you rent points you may not have the option of cancelling but you might be able to rent the reservation to somone else with the original owners approval that is. I have stayed in a GV with only 5 people and they are great units but renting points is going to be expensive especially with a weekend included.

 

[byoung]

Only problem is once you ret and stay at the DVC resort it might cost you, you will want to buy in. Good luck and have a great vacation.