first time - best use of points

[dfamily]

This board has already helped so much - hope you can give me more advice!

We're traveling to SSR for our first DVC visit in September. We'll be arriving on Saturday and leaving on Friday. After reading different threads, I'm wondering if we should spend Saturday night at one of the value hotels and move to SSR on Sunday. We've reserved a 2 bedroom at SSR b/c there are 4 adults, 2 kids, 1 baby. We'd need to reserve 2 rooms at the value hotel. I'm not sure what the DVC discount is for a resort, but I think we could stay at an All AMerican for around $70. I'd like to bank the 54 points I'd save, but at the same time I'm not sure if I want to be moving the first time we're traveling as DVC members.

What to do, what to do. HOpe you can help!

 

[rocketriter]

This is a personal call, since it depends on priorities only you can set.

That said, if it were my family, I'd stay put. I'd figure we're on vacation to have fun and pamper ourselves, and moving around to save some points would neither be fun nor pampering.

I guess it all depends on whether you have a really good use in mind for those points. If so, then save them. If not, then stop guilt-tripping yourself. No matter what you do on a vacation there's always a cheaper way that you could have gone, but if you keep sliding down that path you'll ruin what is supposed to be a pleasure, not a business investment.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'd stick with the points stay in the 2 bedroom. So much easier, and you really don't want to have to do two rooms or move with a baby.

 

[lsutigger2]

Another vote for not moving! I agree with the two previous posters. Moving is not my idea of fun or pampering. I like to stay put once I'm settled in.

That said, it really is a personal choice. The points are yours to with what you want, just remember ...

Have fun and enjoy!!!

 

[BillPA]

There is not a DVC discount for rooms at the Disney resorts, only at DVC resorts and only if there is availability. Sept should be available. If anyone in your party has an annual pass, the Value resort were $49 a night in prior value seasons, and are $59 thru August. You only need 1 AP to get that rate on 2 rooms.

I think it depends on what your arrival time is and what those points would be used for if you didn't stay at SSR Sat night. If you don't get to Disney until Sat. evening, I would just stay anywhere and save the points for a longer trip next time. Or rent them and use the $$ to pay for the AP and the rooms.

 

[kweaver]

dfamily -

Our family just did this in June. We drive from Atlanta...and took our time getting started...so we didn't arrive in the LBV area until 5pm or so. Our reservations were at SSR on Sunday. We got a $60 Priceline deal at the Wyndham across the street for Saturday night. FWIW, While I personally wouldn't consider this a resort level hotel...the rooms were clean and decent (steer clear of the pool and hot tub).

I packed one bag with toiletries, PJs and clothes for one day and that's all we took in with us. The rest of the luggage stayed in the car. Sunday AM we got up, checked out of the hotel and headed over to SSR around 9am. They had a room ready for us, but we wanted water view so we hung out at DTD til 11 when our room was ready. We could have played at the pool or gone to a park just as easily. To save 54 points, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

However, we didn't have extended family with us (just three small kids of our own). That might put a cramp in things.

 

[InstImpres]

I was in a similiar situation at BWV last Feb. I ended up with an AP discount room rate and rented the points to pay for it. This allowed me to pay for the ressie and save 20+ points. I gave CRO & MS the other ressie number and they noted it. I reminded them at checkin. I had to get new keys after the first night, but the CM's were kind enough to handle that and slipped them under the door while we were sleeping.

JMHO

 

[JimC]

If you are arriving early on Saturday, stay at SSR. If you are coming in at night then a stay elsewhere may be worth it. One advantage of staying at a Disney resort as the alternate is that they will transfer your luggage to SSR and you don't need to deal with it.

 

[disneycrazed139]

I would think about how much you personally will mind moving. I think it bothers some more than others. If you really need a relaxing getaway from it all getaway, I wouldn't move, but I wouldn't rule it out. It really just depends on your mindset about packing it all up. You could look at it as fun and exciting and in anticipation of your arrival at SSR, too.

 

[crisi]

I wouldn't move. Not with two kids and a baby.

We may spend some Saturday nights (we fly in on Saturdays) in a seperate resort to save points and also to visit some of the other resorts. My husband joined DVC on his second trip - he's only stayed at WL and CBR before making BWV his "home." He'd like to stay at the Poly and the CR. I never got a chance to stay at the GF - and think it would be a lovely grown up weekend some time. AKL interests me, and flying in on Saturday and staying Saturday night at Y&BC so the kids can spend travel day at SAB sounds wonderful....

But not when the kids are little. And especially not for your first trip. And not with guests (though I'm going to do the same to my picky family when we do our reunion trip - but only because they've expressed a preference for two bedrooms over studios and I'll run out of points.)