First trip to DL, use DVC points?

[voxparse]

Planning our first trip to DL Oct '24. We have a small DVC contract so I'm trying to decide where to use my points and where to pay cash for a room. I'm balancing between two trips. One is the DL trip and the other is Spring Break '24 at DW. I've checked availability and should be able to get what works for us for either trip with the points I have available. The question is which trip to book cash and which to book points? Any strong opinions? Pros and Cons maybe I haven't thought of? We're experienced at DW but this will be our first trip to DL. If we book cash at DL I'd likely go with Pixar, if that matters.

 

[sndral]

Planning our first trip to DL Oct '24. We have a small DVC contract so I'm trying to decide where to use my points and where to pay cash for a room. I'm balancing between two trips. One is the DL trip and the other is Spring Break '24 at DW. I've checked availability and should be able to get what works for us for either trip with the points I have available. The question is which trip to book cash and which to book points? Any strong opinions? Pros and Cons maybe I haven't thought of? We're experienced at DW but this will be our first trip to DL. If we book cash at DL I'd likely go with Pixar, if that matters.

I have no idea how availability will play out w/ VDH in the mix, but how are you seeing availability 12 months from now for any resort? I know that when I tried to use WDW based points for a VGC stay in Oct. of 2022, everything looked promising until we neared 7 months & then poof availability disappeared & I was unsuccessful despite being on it at 7 months exactly & willing to take a studio or a 1 br.. My waitlists never filled & I stalked regularly. This was for a 4 or 5 night stay, I ended up going w/ a cash room. Maybe you’ll have better luck than I did w/ the extra villas at VDH now available.

 

[voxparse]

I have no idea how availability will play out w/ VDH in the mix, but how are you seeing availability 12 months from now for any resort? I know that when I tried to use WDW based points for a VGC stay in Oct. of 2022, everything looked promising until we neared 7 months & then poof availability disappeared & I was unsuccessful despite being on it at 7 months exactly & willing to take a studio or a 1 br.. My waitlists never filled & I stalked regularly. This was for a 4 or 5 night stay, I ended up going w/ a cash room. Maybe you’ll have better luck than I did w/ the extra villas at VDH now available.

I realize I wasn't totally clear in what I was saying. I should say I "think" availability will be fine. I obviously can't know for sure as it is too far out. Just looking at available data.

 

[DonnerB]

Personally, I'd rather be at VGC or VDH on points than Pixar Place on cash for October at DL if you're set on staying on property. BUT, I've been shut out at the 11 month mark as an owner at VGC (not October). I wouldn't count on anything being available there at 7 months (I'm assuming your home resort is at WDW?), but that doesn't mean you won't get lucky. As @sndral pointed out - we don't have enough data yet to accurately comment on how VDH will change things. Halloween season is massively popular out here, so factor that in if you haven't already.

Spring Break at WDW with your DVC points seems like the surer bet, although there are so many more onsite cash options.

Long story short, I'd value knowing I have a place [I want] to stay for each trip and book cash for DL and on points for WDW.

 

[jtopp]

Save your points for WDW, use cash for DL. We stayed at VGC and were underwhelmed, but rarely disappointed at WDW.

 

[zavandor]

I would keep the points for WDW. There are a lot of good hotels within walking distance of DL, some even nearer to the main gate than the VDH.

 

[mort1331]

As others have said, book WDW with points. Now I would rent points, or transfer, from an owner at VGC. I know a pp said they were underwhelmed, but we were overwhelmed. Location, location, location. Yes the rooms are dated, but cant beat being on property. And renting points from an owner, you can book 11months out, and prob close to the same $ as Pixar