? for those who have rented pts for DVC AND stayed "regualar" onsite

[d4est]

For those of you who have done both, which did you prefer?

I am considering renting a studio at OKW or BWV, that or staying onsite at CSR or maybe a deluxe if AP codes are good. Just wondering what people prefer. TIA

I am just looking for the best bang for my buck here. *Nice* accomodations without breaking the bank!

 

[blanq]

Well, I have done both. I have rented points at BCV from a DVC owner, but also have stayed onsite at AKL, WL, the Swan, OKW (booked through CRO for that trip before learning about renting points), and CBR. I have loved all of my WDW trips, and cannot really say that one over another has been better (although I wouldn't probably stay at CBR again).

I do think that renting points is a great way to stay in more deluxe accomodations for less. I know that the DVC properties are considered home-away-from-home properties, but several are directly attached to deluxe properties, so you have all of those additional amenities. I just can't see paying to stay at the BC, even with a code, and paying those high rates. I was able to stay in a studio for a week, averaging $139/night ($9 per point and no tax). I could never have stayed in a standard room at the BC for that rate.

Sometimes you can get really great rates at AKL and WL, making a stay comparable to renting points in a studio. But, if you really want to stay at one of the resorts that has higher nightly rates (like BW or BC), then renting points is the best way to go, IMHO.

One thing to factor into your decision would be your desire for housekeeping services. They are not daily at the DVC resorts unless you pay an additional fee. When we stayed at BCV, I didn't mind having a cleaning once every three days, and tidying up myself inbetween, but others may feel differently.

 

[crisi]

Another thing to keep in mind is that DVC owners don't have a lot of flexibility in cancellations. So you will likely pay for that reservation if you use it or not - even rescheduling might be tough. So if you make arrangements to rent, and great AP rates come out - you are renting.

The resorts and rooms are lovely - and renting points can be a great deal - but it isn't the slam dunk comparision a lot of people believe it to be.

 

[geetey]

We've done both, and I would go with the deluxe.

I *do* mind not having maid service. We called to ask for additional towels and were told we were only allowed those in the room and that we could just wash those we had. I didn't know that beforehand.

Also, I personally don't think the accomodations are better when you are comparing a DVC studio with a standard deluxe room. We definitely prefer having 2 queen sized beds versus a queen bed & sofa sleeper because we are a family of 4. If you are just 2 people, I would be okay renting points for a studio at BWV over staying at CSR.

Now, if you are comparing a 2 bedroom unit with 2 deluxe rooms, the DVC accomodations are FAR superior!

Good luck with your decision.

 

[d4est]

Thanks for the replies. It would be me, DH, and DS (who will be 8). I think I would miss mousekeeping, but really want *nicer* accomodations for less $ and REALLY enjoy a balcony. I don't know about the dis hotels (this will be our first), but in Feb we stayed at the Royal Pacific Resort in Universal...paid $200/night and had no balcony OR functioning windows. I hated that.

This is a tough decision...

 

[simpilotswife]

You can pay an additional daily charge if you want mousekeeping, however, it may eliminate most of your savings if you do it that way. Personally I don't miss having to worry about staying out of the room until they are done but that is me.

Honestly if you can stay at the BWV for the same (or less) price as CSR you should go for it. The convenience of walking to Epcot and having access to the activities at the Boardwalk make it well worth it IMO.

Even if you are able to score a deluxe with an AP code it would still be cheaper to stay at a DVC property (even with an extra daily charge for mousekeeping).

 

[hockey mom]

We have done both and I have loved both. We have rented a one bedroom at OKW, a 2 bedrom at WLV, and a studio at SSR. All of these were great deals and great accomodations. I also take the theme into consideration. When we stayed at ASM are kids were younger and Toy Story was hot so even though we could have stayed nicer we loved our stay there.

 

[Princess Mommy]

We've done both...
Stayed at OKW 2x b/c I had gone when my oldest was barely 2, then again when my youngest was 4 months so I NEEDED the washer/ dryer/ kitchen etc... it was great, don't get me wrong- but I would stay at a deluxe now (b/c those tihngs aren't as needed as the girls are getting older) over a DVC resort, but choose a DVC over a moderate or value.

 

[d4est]

Hmmm, I am really leaning toward renting, but...now I am thinking the MYW dining plan might be really good for us. Sheesh, if it's not one thing, it's another! We would easily spend around $100/day on food. The dining would cost us $80/day. I guess I need to run numbers doing it each way and see what comes up. I think the cheaper will win out, unless the difference isn't enough to matter.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[geetey]

Definitely run the numbers and see where things pan out.

It looks like you plan on traveling in February (based on your countdown) which is a low points time, so a studio at BWV would run you approx $1177, plus any housekeeping you would want to add, based on 2005 info. (107 points at the current going rate of $11 per point) I couldn't find anything that stated the price for daily cleaning of a studio.

We really enjoy BWV. LOVE the area and the activity at night.
Good luck with your choice!

 

[d4est]

Definitely run the numbers and see where things pan out.

It looks like you plan on traveling in February (based on your countdown) which is a low points time, so a studio at BWV would run you approx $1177, plus any housekeeping you would want to add, based on 2005 info. (107 points at the current going rate of $11 per point) I couldn't find anything that stated the price for daily cleaning of a studio.

We really enjoy BWV. LOVE the area and the activity at night.
Good luck with your choice!

We would only be staying in the studio for 5 nights, Sun-Thurs...Fri & Sat stays are TOO much. So, by my calculations, I would need 55 pts. (This would be Pres. week) so approx $605 at $11/pt. (although I thought the going rate was $10/pt). I would add a Sat night stay at POP ($100?) and then move to the studio.

By my calculations renting and getting everything else separate would be about $2700. I ran a package thru Dis (using Christmas week, as Feb dates aren't available yet) and got $2039.61 for POP, dining, and tix. Add another $800 for flight and spending money and the total is $2839.61 Of course, this is rack. I would hope for AT LEAST AAA discount, maybe even AP.

As of now, getting everything separate and renting points seems to be the best and cheapest way to go. Cheaper, and better accomodations.

Thanks for all the advice/opinions I have received!

 

[welovedis]

Here's my .02! We've stayed at the values (ASMo), mods (CBR & CSR), deluxe (Poly) & rented DVC points (BWV). We are renting points again for BWV for our Jan '06 trip.

The main renting drawbacks (IMO) are:

• less flexibility for cancellation
• lack of maid service
• inability to get the dining plan

However, there are some nice benefits from renting:

• far less cost to stay at a deluxe/home away from home resort
• access to a kitchentte to prepare quick meals/save $$ on snacks & breakfast
• free valet parking at home resort (BWV in your case)
• free access to laundry facilities

For us, the benefits ( & obviously there are more) outweight the drawbacks. We are perpetual planners so we are going in Jan '06 barring any devastating events. We don't mind the lack of maid service (there are just 3 of us-me, DH & DS) and we don't really make a big mess. Contrary to what someone else posted we did ask for more facecloths/shampoo and bath towels and they were brought up to us immediately. Last year the dining plan was not in place and we felt that we did use the kitchenette enough to save us money on breakfasts, snacks and even a quick meal or 2.

This year we are renting a 1 bedroom unit with a full kitchen, bath w/jacuzzi and laundry facilities in the unit & we can't wait!

Edited to also add that the going rate is somewhere around $10-$11/point and that is a steal for a room in one of these resorts!

 

[poohj80]

If you are only renting a studio it may not be worth it depending on how many people will be traveling. Most DVC studios have a queen bed with a sleeper sofa but OKW has two queen beds. When renting points, I prefer 1BRs as there is SO much space and your own w/d if necessary. The DVC 1BRs are MUCH nicer than regular hotel rooms.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

I just wanted to let you know the cost of cleaning DVC units so that can figure into your decision.

Trash and Towel service is only $10 per day (for all size units). With this service they remove the trash, take away all dirty towels and replace with clean and replenish soaps, coffee, creamer, sugar, and all paper products(such as toilet paper, facial tissues).

Full cleaning is $25 per day in a studio. The cost is higher for one and two bedrooms.

When we have stayed in a studio, we have always paid for Trash and Towel for each day. I really like my towels to be dry, which does not always happen in Florida overnight!

I cannot offer advice on renting verses paying because we are members!


Hope this helped!

 

[d4est]

Unless something comes up, my decision is made. I am going to try and rent points as soon as I get next year's school calendar. I would like to start looking right now, but there is a chance we won't be getting Feb break this year (I WILL BE SO MAD!!!).

But I have definitely decided on a studio at BWV or OKW. The mini kitchen will be handy and I will love having a balcony/patio.

Thanks to all who jumped in with advice here!

 

[welovedis]

I am going to try and rent points as soon as I get next year's school calendar. I would like to start looking right now, but there is a chance we won't be getting Feb break this year (I WILL BE SO MAD!!!).

What part of NY? Downstate, Upstate, WNY? We are going to have one for our area, that is already decided by the powers that be and we are in WNY, Rochester to be exact. Curious as to where there might not be one!

 

[canwegosoon]

I am just back from our first DVC trip, and I have to say I have very mixed feelings. Last year we stayed at POR and had a wonderful time...we were in building 15, and felt close to everything. We lived the dining choices, the pools, the speed of transportation, gift shop, etc...I did not have a disappointment. This year we stayed at SSR/BWV in a Stuido. We had a great view at SSR of DTD, and the rooms were really nice. Actually the beds were great. Liked the little micro, fridge, toaster, and coffee maker. But found the transportation really slow, the choice of foods at the Artist Pallet marginal/slim. Wished there was a bigger gift shop, wished the pools were bigger like POR (there is no waterfall, or quiet area). But everything was nice, and the people were great. BWV was a little more my speed, but was not impressed with the common areas not being clean. The pool was nice, views again were fantastic. Again the transportation was the key issue...the busses took forever to get back from MK.

Next year we will be staying in a 1 BR, and might rent a car the entire time...I don't know, but it seemed like that might have helped us saye a lot of time. But I was a little dissapointed that we were not staying at WL/POR ...I miss the mousekeeping. If I had the same choice, And I may..).I think I would use the AP rate for WL/POR/GF, and bank my 2006 points to get a bigger unit in 2007.

 

[Blondiex46]

you can call the school and ask. I know that Easter is April 16th (I believe) which tells me when Spring Break is!!!

And maybe it is just me but I never get maid service in any hotel I get, I do all of it myself. I do not want to take the chance that anyone will take something that is not theirs, just feel more comfortable.

 

[bigsis1970]

I am a single mom who travels with my 2 kids and we have done it all seems like -- haa haa , offsite HIFS & Vistana/ values Movies & Sports/ mods CBR & CSR/ deluxe Dolphin and studios OKW,SSR & BCV w/ rented DVC points .. Each and every trip is great for us and so far we have not duplicated stays anyplace (its a personal goal to try out all the resorts ) however my upcoming trip will be a return to OKW - We really liked it there and decided with the "new" pool slide to try it again plus it has the 2 beds vs the 1 bed sleeper sofa. Its all about what a person likes -- sure its nice to have daily maid service but if you just throw up your bed covers and put the towels on the rack to dry in a Studio its really not that different. I LOVE having the Micro, Toaster, Coffee pot & Fridge (altho in the Mods i think there are now fridges and maybe coffee pots) that come in a Studio . I do agree that what ever has the best deal altho you are locked in once you rent points . Best of luck Michelle

 

[CarolA]

One concern. If you are going President's Day week in Febuary you need to start contacting someone to rent points soon. Especially if you want BCV or BWV. I think SSR and OKW will be easier.

That week is one of the few times I have done the day by day thing 11 months in advance.