General questions about non-DVC members renting points, etc.

[LordAthens]

Hello all,

Right off the bat i'm fairly new to the boards, though i've been lurking for quite a while now.

My girlfriend and myself are looking to book a Disney trip again. This would be our 4th trip together. The past 3 times, we've book through AAA and have always had a great time and got a pretty good rate. Last time we went to the best place on earth, (Feb. 2004) we went through the DVC sales pitch and really wanted to do it, but decided that in our point in life, only being 21 and 22 at the time, that we weren't financially stable enough to get into a timeshare.

As I said, i've been lurking for a while now and saw the point rental forum. I did some quick math and it's a bit cheaper to rent points than to go through AAA and it seems to be a nicer overall experience. Right now, through AAA the best rate I got was ~1150 for 7 nights @ CRS (02\08\06 - 02\15-06). That's without tickets, airfare, etc. Going through a DVC member, we would like to stay 7-9 nights at either OKW or BCV, so I know we would need 98-~145 points, depending on where and how long we end up staying. We were hoping to go somewhere around the 7th through the 15th (give or take a night) in Feb.

I have a number of questions that I'd like to get some straight answers on.

Right off the bat, I'm not sure if either of those resorts are even available for the timeframe we want. How would I go about finding out? Additionally, if we stayed at OKW we would probably stay 9 nights where if we stayed at BCV we would probably only stay 7 to save some money. Are the amenities, like Stormalong Bay that much nicer at BCV? OKW looks to be a little more adult oriented (less kids?) and a little more laid back. And we do really like the fact that it's in walking distance to Downtown Disney. I myself love the water, so being able to rent the Mouse Boats on the Sassagoula is a big plus to me. Of course, being in walking distance to Epcot from BCV is nice too. And the sand bottom pools at BCV look like they are to die for! Personally, from the pictures we saw, we like the BCV decor a little bit more and the resturant selection looks a little nicer. Any opinions on if we should make the tradeoff of a "nicer" resort for less nights?

Back to my lack of knowledge about DVC resorts, other than daily maid service, is there anything that we would be "missing out" on at a DVC resort rather than a "standard" resort (booking through AAA)? I'm still a bit aprehensive about the DVC thing, I guess simply because it's "new" to me, compared to how we've always booked before.

As for payment, from what I have gathered we would pay the DVC member directly and they would book the res. for us?

And as for some little details, I assume because i'm not going to be booking our stay through Disney directly, we can't take advantage of the shuttles between Orlando Airport and Disney via the "Magic Your Way" package? If not it's not a big deal, we can use Mears like we've always done in the past. Also, I assume we just purchase our tickets from Disney on property or at a Disney Store? Also, would we still beable to "charge" to our room key like we've done in the past so we don't have to carry wad's of cash around? Do non-DVC members staying at a DVC resort still get the extra hour at open \ close at the parks (obviously depending on the park's extra hour schedule). Can we still have packages from Disney stores delivered to our DVC room? Lastly (I think!), no meal packages available, correct? We're not AP holders so we can't get the meal discount via that. It's not a huge thing, but it would probably save us ~$15 a day.

The only thing that we seem to be losing out on by not booking with AAA is the "Diamond Card" that saves us some cash at resturants and things like the "prefered viewing" for Wishes.

Sorry for all of the questions, we're just trying to figure out what's going to be best for us and the most economical.

Thank everyone!

 

[spiceycat]

DVC resorts are WDW resorts. You won't lose any of the benefits of staying on-site.

so you still get WDW transportation, DME (magical express from the airport), surprise (both morning and evening), you can charge to your ID, have the packages deliver - everything you get with a regular WDW room you get with a DVC villa.

OKW has 2 queen beds in the studio.

all the other DVC resorts have a queen bed and double (full) sleeper sofa.

most of the DVC studios have a balcony. (I think there is one or two at BWV, BCV and VWL - that don't)

so other than daily maid service you don't lose anything.

since I don't like people in my room when I am not there - this works great for me!!!

Yes, you pay the DVC member. the terms are between you and them.

It is a good bargin!

 

[LordAthens]

Thanks Pat! I really appreciate the information.

We don't have the cash at the moment to go renting points but we should have it in 2 or 3 weeks. Does anyone have an idea on what my chances at getting a Studio at OKW or BCV would be for early\mid Feb of 06?

Also, when we stayed at POFQ in 04, we really liked the boat shuttle down to DTD. It was great because we would sometimes come home early from the parks and head to DTD for dinner, shopping or just to walk around. We both really love the atmosphere of DTD and we both really enjoyed the laid-back feel of taking the boat down and back. Does the boat stop at OKW? I know we can walk (I read it's about a mile?) and I'm almost positive there is a bus from OKW to DTD, we're just curious about the boat.

And i'm sure this is a stupid question, but the DVC resorts also have in-room safes, yes? I assume they are the quite small in-room hotel variety? I'm an amature photog and have a few thousand dollars worth of lenses and bodies that I don't like leaving in the room, but I don't always take them with me to the park, sometimes just a little point & shoot if I know we are going to be very active on a certain day.

Thanks again!

 

[AFMom]

Hi there! Yes - OKW has in-room safes - the small hotel variety. They do have a boat to DTD - it's a nice ride! It's a long walk - and the path isn't lit at night and can be uneven- so the boat is your best bet! We did walk it during the day - it was nice - but took the boat back after it got dark.
It's very possible to get a room for your stay. I would start looking on the rent/trade board now for someone with points available for rent for that time period - maybe let them know when you'll be ready to rent. When you are ready to rent - they can check the reservation for you. Or they may be willing to check for you now - but the availablility may change between now and when you're ready to book. Some members require all of the cash up-front, while others will require only a deposit and then full payment within (add a number) of days to check in.
Good luck!

 

[spiceycat]

And i'm sure this is a stupid question, but the DVC resorts also have in-room safes, yes? I assume they are the quite small in-room hotel variety? I'm an amature photog and have a few thousand dollars worth of lenses and bodies that I don't like leaving in the room, but I don't always take them with me to the park, sometimes just a little point & shoot if I know we are going to be very active on a certain day.

Thanks again!

do not trust the safes for you really value stuff. put it in your car trunk

there was a thief working OKW that would actually break in the rooms and take the safe out of the wall...... or so has been reported here.

anyway I would make sure that your stuff is safe in your car...

the boat to DD does not go to PO - that is another boat. it only goes to SSR and DD. dvc members pay for this transportation. the Po boat is paid for by the DD business and can be cancelled without warning.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm going to guess that OKW may be a bit easier to get later on the BCV, because it is much larger with more units, etc. Also, OKW villas are larger. There will be a mini kitchen in the studio of all DVC resorts, so you will have the ability to save money on breakfast etc, if you choose. The plus to BCV would be proximaty to Epcot. The plus to OKW would be proximatey to DTD and a larger room for less money. The bus service from OKW is very good, so parks are very easily accessed. There have been some complaints about bus service from BCV, but my guess is February wont be bad because it should be smaller crowds (unless you go during President's week).

 

[LordAthens]

Oooo, good to know about the safes! It *almost* makes me not want to stay there, but then again, no matter where you go you always risk something I suppose.

We won't have a car as we are flying down and renting a car is out of the question for us. We have used the Disney Transportation the last 3 times we've gone and i've been quite impressed at how well it actually works. My biggest complaint was at CBR, way to many stops!

The rental car rates are good, until they tack on the under-24 "surcharge". At most rental companies it's $35 per day! That's another $315 over the course of 9 days, in addition to the actual rental cost itself then the taxes. We are both rather mature for our age (atleast I think so ; ) and both have spotless driving records, but I guess they don't care.

I'm glad to hear about the boat, that was my one big hangup on OKW. Though, I would have rather heard "nope, no boat! Walk or bus!" simply because that would have made my decision on where to stay much easier.

We are really torn between the 2 resorts.

 

[spiceycat]

I would go with BCV if you don't have a car.

then at night you have access to the BWV area for nightlife.

OKW is lovely and I do love it. but it and SSR are better if you have a car.

the complaints I have heard about BCV and BWV are: that after the morning rush all the Epcot resort buses share one bus per park.

in the morning rush, every Epcot resort has it own bus.

since these parks are only MK and AK - then you can plan accordingly.

 

[Anewman]

do not trust the safes for you really value stuff. put it in your car trunk

there was a thief working OKW that would actually break in the rooms and take the safe out of the wall...... or so has been reported here.

I do not have any stats to back this up but, I am willing to bet that there have been more cars stolen @ WDW than there have been safes broken into.

 

[spiceycat]

I do not have any stats to back this up but, I am willing to bet that there have been more cars stolen @ WDW than there have been safes broken into.

You are probably correct!!!

 

[cruise-o-matic]

If you think you may wind up going to DTD quite a bit, you may want to consider SSR since it is in walking distance.

Since you're going in Feb, I wouldn't be too concerned about SAB. Sure you may get an 80 degree day (we did in Feb '03), but the weather could also be too cool for the pool.

Feb, before Pres Day, is also has pretty light crowds. Since you have to pay a surcharge, I wouldn't bother with a car. Use DME and the Disney Transportation and you ought to do OK.

Good luck and maybe we'll welcome you home someday.

 

[AFMom]

Just my 2 cents - but we were at OKW with out car for 8 days - never pulled it out of the parking place once!!! Never found that we needed it for anything. The busses to the parks were great. Took the boat to DTD, and took busses (and a boat) to the other resorts if we wanted to go. We stayed very busy and had a great time!

 

[momloveson]

do not trust the safes for you really value stuff. put it in your car trunk

there was a thief working OKW that would actually break in the rooms and take the safe out of the wall...... or so has been reported here.

anyway I would make sure that your stuff is safe in your car...

My guess, its easier to break into a car then to steal a safe. While at Pop C last thanksgiving we kept husbands laptop in the safe at the desk. Pain to pick up, but didn't have to worry about it, plus, laptop wouldn't fit in the room safe. Laptop fit fine in the newly renovated POFQ room safe. We used the safes in each room for my meds (expensive and high theft risk).

If you have a car during your vacation, don't plan to keep any meds or things like photo equipment/film in your car. The excessive heat/humidity in the summer--and even temp changes throughout the year can damage all these things. Not all car insurance policies are the same, so if you do decide to keep items in your vehicle, make sure you're insured.

 

[castleri]

Once you have a reservation number you can book Magical Express like any other reservation can to get you from the airport to Disney and back. Yes you can charge to your room key. dHave fun making a decison.