First Time DVC Planner - need some advice and planning feedback!

[myxdvz]

Hi all,

We bought our DVC points last year and this year is the first time we're using it. It was such a paradigm shift for me as I am normally a last minute planner and crammer - and I'm seeing many mistakes, points of improvements and Duh moments this time around

Our vacation is centered around using our Free Cruise perk from the purchase. I've booked our DCL Dream cruise back in August and my first preferred date is sold out. So I finally settled on doing it a week earlier and pulling the kids out of school for a few days. At the same time, I also booked my first DVC ressi at my home resort (BLT) because its just over the 7 month window.

The rub: I have this Hilton Vacation prepaid vacation that's been a PITA since last year that I've been sales talked into (I regret it now, but it's paid for). I can't get my money back and they just extended the date I can use if for to April 2011, so I have to use it. So I booked it and cancelled my BLT ressie, paying extra $ for the extra days. By November, I still have all my points so I banked them all.

After a while, I realize, why am I paying extra $ at a non Deluxe hotel when I have points I can use from DVC. This is when I realized the importance of UY. Since my UY is April, and my vacation is March, I can't use any of my banked points anymore. I had to borrow from next years points to use for March, and if I change my mind or cancel, I'm SOOL because its the end of my UY.

A couple more angsty decisions, calls, ressie changes and here's what I have:

• 3/23 : Fly In (I just did this today, as the storm last week scared me into flying in the day of the cruise) . Staying at 1 BR Jambo Savannah View AKV
• 3/24 : Go to the Port (picking up my brother and his family at the airport)
• 3/24 - 3/27 : Disney Dream Cruise 3 night Bahamas
• 3/27 - 3/29 : 2 BR Dedicated near HH @ OKW
• 3/29 - 3/31 : Hilton Resort (by Universal Studios)

The only solid park plans we have are MK (3/28), and Universal (3/30). The rest of the days, we're planning to take it easy, enjoy the hotel amenities and maybe explore Downtown Disney.

Now I'm thinking of making changes again (MS prob hates me already!

- Thinking of switching OKW and AKV so that we get 2 days post-cruise at AKV and 1 day pre-cruise at OKW instead. Same # of points, I'm hoping I get availability.

- I asked MS if we can use Magical Express to go back to the airport 3/24 to meet our party but we're told no. I hate losing 3 hours at the airport so hate that part of ME. But not being able to use it if I'm not flying out is weird for me. I need to get to the airport, what's the diff if I'm getting on a plane or not?

- Need recco on what activities we can do on our non-park days: 3/23, 3/27, 3/29, 3/31. I'm thinking of adding Islands of Adventure either 3/29 or 3/31.

- Need a way to get from WDW to Airport to Port and back. Deciding between private transportation or rental car. If I rent a car, do I have to worry about car seats (kids are ages 2, 4, 6) ?

- Need a way to get from OKW/AKV to the Universal Hotel (rental or MEARS)


ETA: I am also trying to decide how to do tickets since this is not really a park vacation. Do I stick with a 1 day ticket from DU? Get a 10 day no expiration? Get an AP if I do book a trip in Jan 2012?


I'm sure I could have planned this better or more efficiently. It may be too late to change the plans, but if you were me - what would you have changed? Thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

First thing, you have learned a bunch of lessons about DVC including banking, borrowing, and scheduling.

Your first problem will be changing the reservation this close to your trip. You are talking spring break, so AKV might not be available.

Then you may have a problem getting a rental car big enough to get everyone to the port and back again. You usually can get car seats with the rental car.

 

[myxdvz]

First thing, you have learned a bunch of lessons about DVC including banking, borrowing, and scheduling.

Yes, I definitely learned a LOT of lessons. I wished I researched DVC more before I purchased but I'm glad I did anyways. I did the tour and bought. Did I mention I was an impulse buyer?

After I learned my lesson about UY, I called my guide to ask if I could change it and was told I can't. To me, this means - no more WDW vacations around Spring Break, which is fine. I'm thinking of just doing a Jan (MLK) or Feb (President's Day) moving forward since Spring Break/Memorial Day are busier times anyway.

Your first problem will be changing the reservation this close to your trip. You are talking spring break, so AKV might not be available.

Plans to change are subject to availability. But considering I got an AKV 1BR Jambo today, I'm hoping a 2BR AKV tomorrow may just work (1 day only) *cross fingers*.

Then you may have a problem getting a rental car big enough to get everyone to the port and back again. You usually can get car seats with the rental car.

We should fit in a mini van (8 seater)... no? If not, I guess we just have to use private transportation. Definitely DCL transfers are out of the question as they are too expensive, right?

 

[dairyqueenmom]

Why don't you purchase the transfers from your resort to the cruise and have your family do the transfers from the airport to the cruise?

 

[myxdvz]

Why don't you purchase the transfers from your resort to the cruise and have your family do the transfers from the airport to the cruise?

Because its cost prohibitive. DCL transfers is $70 round trip so for a party of 8 (my family of 5 and my brother's family of 3), that comes out to $560.

Based on all research I've done so far, its cheaper to either rent a car and drop at the port, or get a private transportation. Renting might be an issue cause we'd have to get an 8 seater, which unless I get and return from the airport, is in limited quantities in other specialty locations.

 

[disneycruising]

We are a family of 6 and we have done DCL transfers, private car service and rental cars.

You might be able to do a mini can if it seats 8. Not all of them do. Ours at Christmas only seated 7. Plus, mini vans are very expensive. Your biggest issue will be luggage. We always end up, folding down one-side of the back seat to fit all the luggage.

It might be better to get two smaller cars. It should be cheaper!