Getting a 2 Bedroom and Sharing with Non-DVC Friends - Question

[Melrosgirl]

*Possibly* going to take a combined trip with my friend's family. It would be for summer of 2005.

Here's where it gets confusing! They don't want to stay in a deluxe b/c they "aren't buying the place" as they put it, lol. I understand that. I was hoping they would at least stay at the same hotel we would be (Beach Club Villas for us Beach Club for them as they aren't DVC members). Instead they want to stay at All Stars. I think that would be a nightmare as far as arranging to meet them at dinner, parks, etc. KWIM?

So I figured out my point situation and I could pull off a 2 bedroom.

My question is for those who have offered friends their shared accommodations, is it awkward, lol? I presume they will be thrilled to not have to pay for a room. I just don't want to act like I'm giving them charity. KWIM?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

staying at two resorts would not necessarily be a nightmare, in fact it might give both groups a little time to themselves. This past Christmas, I had a 2 bedroom full of family and then gave a week of "other" timeshare to the in-laws who stayed off property. It worked out fine. We met at the designated park for the day, had lots of meals together and often went back to OKW for some quick meals together. But we weren't together all day every day, and that was a good thing.

If your friends family is more the "all-stars" type, then they might not be as comfortable at one of the DVC villas. You might also want to check into Pop Century, the location is a lot better than AllStars, in my opinion.

 

[CarolMN]

Many people have cell phones with national service and no "roaming" charges. If you and your friends are among them, you can easily keep in touch via cell phone.

If you do decide to share a 2 bedroom, you might offer them the 2nd bedroom for the cost of the All Stars or some other amount you are comfortable offering - perhaps the cost of dues for the "extra" points required.

I do agree with RweTHEREyet about too much togetherness. You might book them a BCV studio instead of sharing a 2 bedroom - either with your points or with rented points. Again, offer a price you are both comfortable with. Perhaps you could entice them a bit with the features of the studios (some meals in the room), SAB and/or Beaches 'n Cream, LOL! It would be a lot more convenient and fun if you wre staying at the same place.

Best wishes -

 

[kathleena]

"My question is for those who have offered friends their shared accommodations, is it awkward, lol? I presume they will be thrilled to not have to pay for a room. I just don't want to act like I'm giving them charity. KWIM?"

Awkward depends on how many people there are and how close you are. Yes, it absolutely can be awkward.

And them not to have to pay for a room? You mean you would use additional points and let them stay with you for free? Well, that would be your choice - but for my points - if they are happy with the All Stars, I will keep my points for another trip. And if I used extra points for a 2br, I would most definately charge them.

You don't mention how many/ages of people but being all together may be more of a headache than them being somewhere else.

Good luck.

 

[crisi]

It really isn't horribly hard to hook up with folks - especially with cell phones - and responsible people who show up when and where you want them to be.

If you do a two bedroom, how about a requesting a lockoff? That way they have their own hotel room. You can then decide if you want the connecting doors open or closed. We did this with my mother in law last year - they kept the door closed and locked on their sleep in mornings - or my kids would go wake grandma.

Then take the added points and figure out what dues cost you. Is it comparable to what they will pay at the All Stars? Then I'd make the offer of the room based on your dues costs. Rather than explain points and more points on weekends, etc - I'd figure cost for the whole trip and divide it out over nights.... so tell your friends - "we could book you space in our timeshare for the cost of our dues - you'd have the second bedroom in our unit and it would cost you $67 a night." (whatever 2 bedroom stay-1 bedroom stay X dues are) You may want to clue them in that the catch is the cancellation policy - if they cancel you will be stuck having unused points, so they'd need to commit.

Also, before you make the offer, consider how it will change the friendship if they do stand you up and stiff you. A lot of people here have had problems with friends (others haven't). You know your friends - how committed are they to the trip? How much will they understand the consequences of cancelling? Are they the type to take a lockoff and respect your space?

 

[DSNY FN]

We have had many trips where 2 or more families go and we all stay at different resorts you just pick a meeting time for the parks or meals and stick to it.

 

[nowellsl]

"If your friends family is more the "all-stars" type, then they might not be as comfortable at one of the DVC villas. You might also want to check into Pop Century, the location is a lot better than AllStars, in my opinion."


There's an "all-stars" type?!!!!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by nowellsl
"If your friends family is more the "all-stars" type, then they might not be as comfortable at one of the DVC villas. You might also want to check into Pop Century, the location is a lot better than AllStars, in my opinion."


There's an "all-stars" type?!!!!

Yeah I find that odd too. I have stayed at moderate everytime but once and the one time I stayed at POP century I loved it as well. I haven't stayed in a DVC resort yet but I am assuming it will be a nice experience since the studio's are bigger then the pay value moserate rooms. But I did not realize that where I stayed gave me a type. Why wouldn't someone who enjoys staying at a value resort not like a DVC resort. I figured they would like it more?

 

[Beca]

I understand what nowellsl meant by the "all-stars" type, and I don't think he meant to offend anyone. I have very good friends who think I am NUTS for buying into DVC...not because they don't think they would like the rooms, but because they think that is WAY too much money to put into the wrong "area" of a WDW vacation. They are people who spend all of their time in the parks, and use the rooms only to "lay their heads" at night. They might be willing to "splurge" to pay for our points used if we offered them the option, but since they can get the Pop Century for $59.00/night (which they seem to get EVERYTIME they go), even the $90-$120 (min., based on $10/point if we had to rent the points for them) per night (almost DOUBLE what they pay now) would definitely be a splurge...and, that doesn't include weekends...I cannot imagine their faces if I were to tell them that price went up to $220 points on the weekend !!!! Now, granted, if we HAD the "extra" points left, we could probably sell them to them a LOT cheaper...but, we don't have a lot of points...maybe when we add on!!

In my friends' opinions, why pay SO much for hotel rooms when they can get all the "perks" they need at Pop Century/All-Stars...free WDW transportation (they told me Pop Century gets its own buses...they said they were NEVER full, and they never had to wait more than 5 minutes), they LOVE the food court...cheap food at almost ANY hour, they think the theming is really cool, and best of all...they have a LOT of money left over for whatever they want in the parks!! They say that, as far as "luxury" goes...the resort really is a "clean" step up from a Motel 6, but when they only pay $59.00/night...they can "happily" deal with that!!

I'm sure our friends would LOVE to stay with us for free, but at the times when we split off from them, I'm sure they would be talking about what "suckers" we are to pay the prices we are paying for DVC...heck, they'd probably say it to our faces...oh, wait...they've already done that!!!

I guess what I am saying is this....yes, I think there is a "type" of person who chooses the All-Stars/Pop Century over all other resorts at WDW. I imagine they are very intelligent people who "shop" for bargains, often don't have any credit card debt, have both of their vehicles paid off, and have more money in their savings account than I do!! Different people have different values. I wouldn't trade the "luxury" vacations I take for ANYTHING, but secretly...I WISH I could be happy at Pop Century...I'd have a lot more money!!! I think those All-Stars types are definitely on to something!!!

:thewave: :thewave:

Beca

 

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

I have done exactly what you are planning. We have close friends, non DVC members that we travel with a lot. One year we did get a 2 bedroom for all us, did not charge them anything and had a blast. They bought us a thank you gift of a nice framed picture of BCV and took us to dinner one night. That was absolutely not necessary and we loved having them. We take each others kids for a week at a time while the other goes on vacation alone. We take care of each other.

How many in each family? If they were not traveling with you, what size unit would you get? How long are you going? How many weekend nights? Where are you staying? If it's 4 or less per family, then maybe two studios for fewer points instead of a 2 bedroom will work. If you are getting a 1 bedroom anyway then the 2 bedroom is usually 10 points or less extra per night or 2 studios can be about the same as a 1 bedroom.

Maybe they can pay cash for the weekend nights with your member discount and it will cost what the entire stay would have been at the all stars and they get a nicer resort and you can be in the same resort. I'd go the extra mile to all be at the same resort. There's nothing like kicking back at the end of a busy day with a cocktail and friends by the pool.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by Beca
I understand what nowellsl meant by the "all-stars" type, and I don't think he meant to offend anyone. I have very good friends who think I am NUTS for buying into DVC...not because they don't think they would like the rooms, but because they think that is WAY too much money to put into the wrong "area" of a WDW vacation. They are people who spend all of their time in the parks, and use the rooms only to "lay their heads" at night. They might be willing to "splurge" to pay for our points used if we offered them the option, but since they can get the Pop Century for $59.00/night (which they seem to get EVERYTIME they go), even the $90-$120 (min., based on $10/point if we had to rent the points for them) per night (almost DOUBLE what they pay now) would definitely be a splurge...and, that doesn't include weekends...I cannot imagine their faces if I were to tell them that price went up to $220 points on the weekend !!!! Now, granted, if we HAD the "extra" points left, we could probably sell them to them a LOT cheaper...but, we don't have a lot of points...maybe when we add on!!

In my friends' opinions, why pay SO much for hotel rooms when they can get all the "perks" they need at Pop Century/All-Stars...free WDW transportation (they told me Pop Century gets its own buses...they said they were NEVER full, and they never had to wait more than 5 minutes), they LOVE the food court...cheap food at almost ANY hour, they think the theming is really cool, and best of all...they have a LOT of money left over for whatever they want in the parks!! They say that, as far as "luxury" goes...the resort really is a "clean" step up from a Motel 6, but when they only pay $59.00/night...they can "happily" deal with that!!

I'm sure our friends would LOVE to stay with us for free, but at the times when we split off from them, I'm sure they would be talking about what "suckers" we are to pay the prices we are paying for DVC...heck, they'd probably say it to our faces...oh, wait...they've already done that!!!

I guess what I am saying is this....yes, I think there is a "type" of person who chooses the All-Stars/Pop Century over all other resorts at WDW. I imagine they are very intelligent people who "shop" for bargains, often don't have any credit card debt, have both of their vehicles paid off, and have more money in their savings account than I do!! Different people have different values. I wouldn't trade the "luxury" vacations I take for ANYTHING, but secretly...I WISH I could be happy at Pop Century...I'd have a lot more money!!! I think those All-Stars types are definitely on to something!!!

:thewave: :thewave:

Beca

Yeah I see what you are saying about being a "pop star type" but I guess you can say to your friends who think you are nuts that after your vacation club is paid off you will only have maintanence fees to worry about . Those should be less then what the value resorts will be charging in 10 years. Also with doing some creative renting you could get your rooms for free so to speak. Like if you rent out part of your points to pay your dues and save the rest to use yourself.
We normally travel ourselves on off peak if we decided to rent 55 points out that will practically cover our maintanence fees
and taxes. Then we would have 95 points left over for that weeks vacation we would like to take for the year. So after our DVC is paid off we will be going for 'free" if we rented,see what I mean?Explain this to your friends who will still be paying for accomodations long after your dvc is paid off

 

[luv2vacation]

Back to the OP question--
I have to say I disagree with the other post. We went last year and stayed at OKW and my parents and brother stayed at All Star Sport (only thing they could get at last minute). We ALL found it hard to meet and get togther. Someone was always waiting for the other group. Due to odd reasons (bus, kids, etc). If I were you and had the extra points get a two bedroom lock off. If the other couple really wants to pay for there own room, work out something. Maybe the cost of the place they were going to saty at. Let them know of the full kitchen you will be sharing. Good luck and let us kno what you decide and how well it worked out.. Have fun and enjoy!!

 

[nowellsl]

Originally posted by nowellsl
"If your friends family is more the "all-stars" type, then they might not be as comfortable at one of the DVC villas. You might also want to check into Pop Century, the location is a lot better than AllStars, in my opinion."


There's an "all-stars" type?!!!!

Just to clarify, I did not make the original statement in quotes on my post - I was just responding to it. I haven't quite mastered the quote thing, and left off the identity of the original poster (it's several posts back). While I'm sure the original poster did not mean to offend anyone I can sure see why it would!

 

[mowog]

Sometimes you never know how things will work out. We have some friends that are great in small doses but we would go crazy if we had to spend a lot of constant time together. If you've traveled before with your friends I think a lockoff 2BR would be ideal. If you've never traveled with them I would do seperate accomidations and meet say early AM, then part ways until a pre-arrainged dinner.

Good luck

 

[crisi]

You are right in that someone is always waiting for someone. And if your "meet up" plans are 11:00am in front of Spaceship Earth, someone will get there at 10:50 and someone will get there at 11:05 - unless they tried to fit in one more ride - in which case, 11:20. It depends on how much of an inconvience that is. And it depends a lot on how you plan to meet and who is in the party - kids can definately throw a wrench into "here at this time." Meeting first thing in the morning at opening in front of the gate with cell phones will involve less time wasting than meeting up at 2:00pm.

 

[WOW]

We have had friends and family many times. Sometimes they stay with us, sometimes not. We had a family reunion last year --there were 25 of us scattered all over the place. It was never a problem meeting......Since we have been there, done that in your situation I would just let them stay where they want and not offer up any of your accommodations.....It honestly is a good thing to not be tooooo close tooooo long. Everyone has a chance to experience WDW as they choose. Good Luck

 

[Pa@okw95]

I have invited friends down to DVC a number of times. I don't charge anyone for the room, I did invite them. Now just because I do it that way it does not mean you have to, I also paid for the tickets to the parks which is something you do not have to do also. What I do with my guests is tell them ahead of time that they will get the room free, that is understood with me, and I tell them I will pay for the park tickets, everything else they pay for. I do expect them to treat me to a few meal while down there.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We recenlty took a trip with good friends with a son the same age as our 2 year old DD. We stayed at VWL and they stayed at WL. It was convenent having them close by, and we could use the same pools and travel together. We also spilt up some too.

I think the idea of a 2 bedroom, lock off sounds like a great idea. That way they will have there own space with mini kicten, but can use the your bigger one, DVD player and Washer Drier too. Also since you are staying at BCV you have SAB and can both use the same pool and eat at the the ample restrants around the area.

You can offer what ever you are comfortable, the price of the points, the price they would pay at PC, a few meals or the price of your park tickets. Also they can save a bit by staying in the studio, keeping food in the room, and can eat some meals in your room too.

 

[MAC3]

Just to share our experience with you...

When we first bought DVC, we were thinking about who to ask to go with us (we like to share our magic).... Question was your family or mine?

We decide it should be NON-Family. 1st we asked friends who had shared their DVC with us (hence us buying in) they declined.

So we asked friend (actually it is DD's daycare provider for the past 10 yrs) and we had worked with her husband at a prior job.

I was extremely nervous about it as we have never vacationed with these folks before but it turned out to be the best time we've ever had in Disney. It is truly my best DVC/Disney memory. I think the same applies for my husband and DD too.

We have asked them to join us this year in VA beach. I am hoping we will be able to do Disney again sometime soon. I think

I'm going to need more points?

Hope everything works out for you and your decision.

Lisa

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by nowellsl
Just to clarify, I did not make the original statement in quotes on my post - I was just responding to it. I haven't quite mastered the quote thing, and left off the identity of the original poster (it's several posts back). While I'm sure the original poster did not mean to offend anyone I can sure see why it would!

Why would the term ''All Star type" offend anyone is way beyond me.

People who prefer to stay at All Star resorts are the "All Star" type.

I do know some who as stated, absolutely refuse to pay more than the least amount necessary to stay anywhere. At Disney that is All Star. This does not say they can't afford more, it is a choice. They are at times vocal about it, letting others who spend more know they are wasting their money.

To the OP if you have traveled with these folks and are comfortable with them, then you should be fine in a 2 bedroom. If you have not spent the night with them before, I would not recommend it now.

While being at seperate locations can have it's issues, it can also help give you and them some space.