Grand Floriadian..Is there a chance??..

[Wendybird55]

Just looking ahead to next year...in your experience, do you think there's a better chance of being able to book 10 nights studio standard view for mid August OR 2 studios standard view for 5 nights end of May at GF 7 months out? For the 10 night stay in August, do you think there's a better chance of getting fewer nights at GF and it a split stay?

Thanks

 

[McCrae]

Just looking ahead to next year...in your experience, do you think there's a better chance of being able to book 10 nights studio standard view for mid August OR 2 studios standard view for 5 nights end of May at GF 7 months out? For the 10 night stay in August, do you think there's a better chance of getting fewer nights at GF and it a split stay?

Thanks

I think you would be very lucky to get either option.

1st option .... Would be shocked if you could get a standard studio for 10 nights at the 7 month window.

2nd option... If your luck is in....maybe

 

[Dean]

Just looking ahead to next year...in your experience, do you think there's a better chance of being able to book 10 nights studio standard view for mid August OR 2 studios standard view for 5 nights end of May at GF 7 months out? For the 10 night stay in August, do you think there's a better chance of getting fewer nights at GF and it a split stay?

Thanks

May but before the holiday weekend will be easier. If it's the holiday weekend then mid August will likely be easier. I wouldn't count on either, a 1 BR is likely to be an easier exchange. If you want to go all in, take any days for GF that fit and WL1-2 days at a pop to round out. Then if you match any of those WL, just add new ones if needed. You should be able to get SSR or OKW those times for any days you need if you haven't had much luck at GF by say 2-3 months out. IF you don't want to chance it for OKW or SSR, I'd go with something else then WL GF in larger chunks that you're OK with moving from one resort to another for.

 

[Wendybird55]

Thanks for input...I have 2 trips I want to plan for 2015 and 425 points to play with. SSR is the home resort, but not my first choice.

first trip I need 2 studios for 5 nights in May beginning Wed. before Memorial Day weekend....I'm hoping to get 2 value or standard studios at AKV for that stay.

Then the next tips is 10 nights beginning Aug. 12. The only 1 bedroom for that stay I would have enough points for (providing I get AKV in May) would be standard view at BWV (BW is our favorite).

Otherwise I can get at studio at any DVC resort in most categories and I'm open to a split stay if need be. One of my favorite options for both stays is:

2 value studios AKV 5 nights May
1 standard studio at GF first 4 nights of Aug. trip
1 bedroom standard of BWV or 1 bedroom OKW or 1 bedroom AKV last 6 nights

We first started renting points from our friends in 2008 (they have points they haven't been using but don't want to give the up so it's been a win-win with us renting) and were always able to get BWV standard 7 months out with no problem..but now it seems it's hard to get anything at anytime! I'm thinking of having them book their home resort SSR at 11 month mark for both then seein if we can change at 7 month just to make sure we have something...

 

[Pirate Granny]

Wendy, have them book their home resort at 11 months (2 studios). GF is extremely hard to get at 7 months for more than a couple of days. We snagged a lake view 2 bedroom lock off for early June this year. I started watching the availability a couple of months out...nothing...then one night popped up and we took it and then walked it for three nights...now, most of the time that doesn't work, but we were lucky. Since you don't own the points, your friend would have to be looking and calling every day...not a good thing. Getting two values at AKL at 7 months may be hard also. So that would put your ten day trip at risk to begin with....

Best of luck

 

[DisneyDiana]

AKV is one of our home resorts. I have to tell you, you won't get two value studios at 7 months. They are booking at 11 mos. and I believe people are walking their reservations because I could not get one for my June 2015 dates when I tried. I was online at 8 am and the first day was gone. I was also looking at May and there are only a few scattered days available for value studios. Standard are a possibility especially if you consider Kidani.

 

[drusba]

Thanks for input...I have 2 trips I want to plan for 2015 and 425 points to play with. SSR is the home resort, but not my first choice.

first trip I need 2 studios for 5 nights in May beginning Wed. before Memorial Day weekend....I'm hoping to get 2 value or standard studios at AKV for that stay.

Then the next tips is 10 nights beginning Aug. 12. The only 1 bedroom for that stay I would have enough points for (providing I get AKV in May) would be standard view at BWV (BW is our favorite).

Otherwise I can get at studio at any DVC resort in most categories and I'm open to a split stay if need be. One of my favorite options for both stays is:

2 value studios AKV 5 nights May
1 standard studio at GF first 4 nights of Aug. trip
1 bedroom standard of BWV or 1 bedroom OKW or 1 bedroom AKV last 6 nights

We first started renting points from our friends in 2008 (they have points they haven't been using but don't want to give the up so it's been a win-win with us renting) and were always able to get BWV standard 7 months out with no problem..but now it seems it's hard to get anything at anytime! I'm thinking of having them book their home resort SSR at 11 month mark for both then seein if we can change at 7 month just to make sure we have something...

Of the ones you mention, AKV standard view and OKW, either studios or 1BRs, are highly likely to be available at 7 months out for both May and Aug. The others all have a risk otherwise and a higher risk otherwise for AKV value and VGF studios than for a BWV standard 1BR, since its 1BRs are usually the last to fill, although getting 10 nights in a row has much less of a chance than 6.

 

[Wendybird55]

Thanks....I emailed my friend today asking her to book the 2 studios at SSR for May. Even though it's 10 month mark, I think (hope) she'll be able to get them. Then in Sept. I will have her book 10 night studio at SSR for August.

I'm sure SSR is a lovely resort...it's just that we've gotten use to the convenience of BWV location and, as others, would like to try GF as I wouldn't pay regular room rates to stay there.

I know SSR is big...any suggestions as to room locations (building, etc. ) to request. Is there an area that is closer to the main building?

After that we'll see what the 7 month options bring.
But with the way room prices for deluxes are going any DVC rental room is a great value and I won't complain.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for input...I have 2 trips I want to plan for 2015 and 425 points to play with. SSR is the home resort, but not my first choice.

first trip I need 2 studios for 5 nights in May beginning Wed. before Memorial Day weekend....I'm hoping to get 2 value or standard studios at AKV for that stay.

Then the next tips is 10 nights beginning Aug. 12. The only 1 bedroom for that stay I would have enough points for (providing I get AKV in May) would be standard view at BWV (BW is our favorite).

Otherwise I can get at studio at any DVC resort in most categories and I'm open to a split stay if need be. One of my favorite options for both stays is:

2 value studios AKV 5 nights May
1 standard studio at GF first 4 nights of Aug. trip
1 bedroom standard of BWV or 1 bedroom OKW or 1 bedroom AKV last 6 nights

We first started renting points from our friends in 2008 (they have points they haven't been using but don't want to give the up so it's been a win-win with us renting) and were always able to get BWV standard 7 months out with no problem..but now it seems it's hard to get anything at anytime! I'm thinking of having them book their home resort SSR at 11 month mark for both then seein if we can change at 7 month just to make sure we have something...

I really don't see any of your preferences as being workable other than possibly standard view at AKV. Value at AKV, Standard at BW & GF are all unlikely. IMO you need a plan that includes workable options as a springboard to work from. I don't know your group makeup and I realize personal preferences play a huge roll but my planning for such a situation might look like this, assuming a 1 BR isn't a good choice for May.

2 BR at SSR for May booked now (or 2 studios if you must) and try to change to AKV value if available but since it won't be, AKV standard view. WL AKV value and ? BWV standard.

Book as many nights at SSR in a 1 BR for August as possible with the points available at 11 months out. Go back and book an extra night if possible once the May trip is changed to less points. Then try to change at 7 months out to desired options and WL accordingly. Also book at AKV standard view since it's less. I'd shorted the trip rather than do 10 days in a studio and I likely wouldn't move either to make it longer.

Supplement any nights needed with a second rental, cash option or similar.

 

[Wendybird55]

Thanks Dean...my two main considerations are points and budget. I only have so many to use and based on how I book total cost could vary around $1,000 (which is still within reason for us)

My family is me, DH and DS for which a studio is fine. We like 1 bedrooms, but again we're trying to get the most nights with the amount of points we have.

For May my sister is joining us. We can get a 1-bedroom at OKW or AKL as I believe both include a separate pull out chair in addition to the pull out sofa.
But 2 studios are less points and gives us 2 bathrooms and privacy. We've rented a 2-bedroom before and loved it, but again, we don't have enough points.

Another constraint is our APs. We will activate them this August 21. We have 8-day trip in August, then 5-day trip in Sept. for DS birthday and MNSSHP (his favorite event). We we're then trying to figure a way to get 2 more trips on this AP since we've been going twice a year for the past few years. To do this our trip next August can't go much past Aug 21.

Also, DS will be in 3rd grade this fall and it's first year of state testing for him. So taking him out of school anytime prior to end of April is not a good idea and frowned upon . We can go duringr any of the typical school breaks, but I prefer to avoid that time as it's busier, more points and probably harder to get rooms. So we picked right before Memorial Day weekend figuring all testing is done and school year is winding down so DS won't miss much and we're hoping they will have another 24 hour event that weekend which might be fun to experience.

I've been figuring all types of point options and it seems our best is to get studios for both visits. There is enough variety of options that I hope one works out. Yes, we have our preferences, but are flexible and agree that the quality of all DVC resorts is very good...it's just location and theming and we've been to Disney so many times, we can go with the flow.

One last option we have is to use as many points as we need for our longer August trip and book POP for May. That's what we're doing this year. We're using DVC points for August trip and then going to POP in Sept. for shorter trip. We've stayed at POP before and like it and think it's a great value and allows us that 2nd trip.

I'm pretty sure we can get SSR for both trips booking 10 and 11 months out. And that would be fine if we stay there. We've never been before and it's always nice to try someplace new. Or, if we're so determined to get specific resorts and it's easier to get 1 bedrooms for August we can always change May to POP and use more points for August.

Our friends are wonderful and will check and change things around if we need them too and we pay based on how many points we end up using. I guess I just got used to my first few years renting points getting what I wanted at 7 month mark...never had a problem.

I'll see about May as soon as my friend gets back to me, then all I can do is wait until September and so on. But I do enjoy trying to figure out all the different ways I can use the points I have...it's kinda like a big jigsaw puzzle..

 

[Dean]

Thanks Dean...my two main considerations are points and budget. I only have so many to use and based on how I book total cost could vary around $1,000 (which is still within reason for us)

My family is me, DH and DS for which a studio is fine. We like 1 bedrooms, but again we're trying to get the most nights with the amount of points we have.

For May my sister is joining us. We can get a 1-bedroom at OKW or AKL as I believe both include a separate pull out chair in addition to the pull out sofa.
But 2 studios are less points and gives us 2 bathrooms and privacy. We've rented a 2-bedroom before and loved it, but again, we don't have enough points.

Another constraint is our APs. We will activate them this August 21. We have 8-day trip in August, then 5-day trip in Sept. for DS birthday and MNSSHP (his favorite event). We we're then trying to figure a way to get 2 more trips on this AP since we've been going twice a year for the past few years. To do this our trip next August can't go much past Aug 21.

Also, DS will be in 3rd grade this fall and it's first year of state testing for him. So taking him out of school anytime prior to end of April is not a good idea and frowned upon . We can go duringr any of the typical school breaks, but I prefer to avoid that time as it's busier, more points and probably harder to get rooms. So we picked right before Memorial Day weekend figuring all testing is done and school year is winding down so DS won't miss much and we're hoping they will have another 24 hour event that weekend which might be fun to experience.

I've been figuring all types of point options and it seems our best is to get studios for both visits. There is enough variety of options that I hope one works out. Yes, we have our preferences, but are flexible and agree that the quality of all DVC resorts is very good...it's just location and theming and we've been to Disney so many times, we can go with the flow.

One last option we have is to use as many points as we need for our longer August trip and book POP for May. That's what we're doing this year. We're using DVC points for August trip and then going to POP in Sept. for shorter trip. We've stayed at POP before and like it and think it's a great value and allows us that 2nd trip.

I'm pretty sure we can get SSR for both trips booking 10 and 11 months out. And that would be fine if we stay there. We've never been before and it's always nice to try someplace new. Or, if we're so determined to get specific resorts and it's easier to get 1 bedrooms for August we can always change May to POP and use more points for August.

Our friends are wonderful and will check and change things around if we need them too and we pay based on how many points we end up using. I guess I just got used to my first few years renting points getting what I wanted at 7 month mark...never had a problem.

I'll see about May as soon as my friend gets back to me, then all I can do is wait until September and so on. But I do enjoy trying to figure out all the different ways I can use the points I have...it's kinda like a big jigsaw puzzle..

For four people total including one child and one single adult, it would really depend on the group, ages, flexibility, etc. I'd suggest that a 1 BR and 2 studios are the same price and that the 2BR would be a little cheaper than 3 studios would be. For me personally for 5 days or more, I'd definitely do a 1 BR for the August strip for most or all of it and I would not move more than once (likely not at all) during the 10 days. For the 5 days, I'd either do a 1 BR or 2 BR and not 2 studios and the determining factor would be the ease and comfort level of the child and single adult sharing the room. Remember AKV has the 2 Baths for Kidani 1 BR. You pick up the master suite, kitchen, etc. I realize that you will not likely have enough points from the one source to do it all the way I would but for us personally we'd either pay cash, do a second rental or shorten the 10 day trip. The extra costs are modest compared to the overall trip and IMO, are worth it. Just thinking out loud, would reducing the 10 day trip by a day or 2 (assuming it's over 2 weekends) give you enough points to do the larger units or preferred locations from the one source? If you do decide to rent for a portion from someone else, the GF portion or AKV value are likely the best due to almost certain lack of availability. That's not to say you couldn't get these, you might, but the almost certain lack of availability added to renting from someone else makes it dramatically unlikely even with the WL. Your chances of being successful would be a little higher if you were the member and were willing to stalk the days you wanted.

 

[Disney-Kim]

We are planning on booking 7 months out the first week of May 15...and I have pretty much given up getting 2 studios at GF....we are going to try for a 2 bdrm instead and we have a list of backup choices.

we don't have the option too book earlier as we won't close soon enough

good luck

 

[Wendybird55]

For four people total including one child and one single adult, it would really depend on the group, ages, flexibility, etc. I'd suggest that a 1 BR and 2 studios are the same price and that the 2BR would be a little cheaper than 3 studios would be. For me personally for 5 days or more, I'd definitely do a 1 BR for the August strip for most or all of it and I would not move more than once (likely not at all) during the 10 days. For the 5 days, I'd either do a 1 BR or 2 BR and not 2 studios and the determining factor would be the ease and comfort level of the child and single adult sharing the room. Remember AKV has the 2 Baths for Kidani 1 BR. You pick up the master suite, kitchen, etc. I realize that you will not likely have enough points from the one source to do it all the way I would but for us personally we'd either pay cash, do a second rental or shorten the 10 day trip. The extra costs are modest compared to the overall trip and IMO, are worth it. Just thinking out loud, would reducing the 10 day trip by a day or 2 (assuming it's over 2 weekends) give you enough points to do the larger units or preferred locations from the one source? If you do decide to rent for a portion from someone else, the GF portion or AKV value are likely the best due to almost certain lack of availability. That's not to say you couldn't get these, you might, but the almost certain lack of availability added to renting from someone else makes it dramatically unlikely even with the WL. Your chances of being successful would be a little higher if you were the member and were willing to stalk the days you wanted.

My sister will be joining us only for the May trip. It will just be the 3 of us for August. My son will be 8 for these trips. In the past when DS was young my sister joined shared 1 bedroom with us and it was fine with DS and my sister sharing pull out (or in OKW there was chair and sofa pull outs). Now DS is getting much more interested in the differences between boys and girls and I think sharing a pull out with my sister is not the best option.

When I was figuring May1 bedrooms were more points then 2 studios for same resort. I think AKL value or standard and OKW 1 bedrooms could be options within my points plus I believe both have pull out sofa and chair which works.

Based on the DVC point charts on this site and the times we're going for May I will need 112 (AKV value) up to 252 (BLT MK view) for 2 studios. SSR (friends home resort) is 156 for 2 studios and 165 for 1 bedroom.
AKV 1 bedroom value is 121
AKV 1 bedroom standard is 144
OKW 1 bedroom is 145.

Preferred choices for May would be:
AKV value 2 studios for 112
AKV standard 2 studio 138
AKV value 1 bedroom 121*
AKV standard 1 bedroom 144*
OKW 1 bedroom 145

*providing they have both pull out sofa and pull out chair beds.

This leaves me at the most 313 and least 280 points for August trip.

Again, based on point charts the 1-bedroom options I have with these points for 10 nights in August are:
OKW 304, BWV 308 (can only do either if get 2 value studios at AKV in May)
AKV Value 254
AKV Standard 288

For the home resort (SSR) my only option seems to be studios for both trips. There is not enough points for anything else. Yes, I can do 1 bedroom in May and studio in August...but 2 studios I think would be better in May then 1 bedroom.

So for now I will book SSR so that I at least have something. When 7 month marks come up I'll see if I can get something more to my preference.

I am very happy to be able to rent points from my friends...because of it I have these options of 2 nice length trips in 1 year. I'm sure if I have an unlimited bank account I can call Disney directly and get what I want where I want. For August I think we would prefer a longer stay in a studio then a shorted stay in a 1 bedroom. We tend not to stay in the room that much...we'd rather relax at the pool and such when hanging out at the resort. Plus the small fridge works fine for us as we don't cook in room and we only use the washer/ dryer to dry bathing suits.

Thanks so much for the thoughts and options...it is now just a waiting game.

 

[Dean]

As I've tried to convey, you have little to no chance at the AKV value options. You could take the AKV standard view (Kidani best IMO) for May and WL the value option and hope it came through before you have to book your August trip. Go ahead and book SSR with the remaining points even if it's only for a portion of your stay. Good luck.

 

[rlovew]

The AKL value 1 bedroom does not have the sleeper chair.

 

[Wendybird55]

rlovew - Thanks for the info re AKL 1 bedroom value.

Dean - I totally understand I have a slim to none chance of getting my preferences at 7 month mark. That's why I'm booking SSR at 11 month for both trips. I haven't heard back from my friend yet, re May. But I hope there will be no trouble getting the 2 studios.

I also have on the back burner booking POP for May so I have more points for August allowing me more options. If I do that I can book 1 bedroom at SSR for August trip at 11 months to assure I get a room 10 nights in a row and then see what's available at 7 months.

Thanks again

 

[DenLo]

Good luck and I hope you get the villas at the resort of your choice.