help a rookie understand DVC

[jmw67]

My family and I (DH, DS-6, DD-4) are planning our first trip to Disney. I have been doing reserach on places to stay and came across this site. I was interested in the Wilderness Lodge Villas. Can I rent points for another location and use them here? What is the layout of the Studio vs. the 1 bedroom? Can you reserve these through the CRO or only through DVC? Does anyone have another suggestion of a place to stay with this age children? We will likely be staying 8 days.

Thanks for any help!

 

[scran]

I just want you to know we stayed at Wilderness Lodge Villas 2 years ago after renting points from an owner on this site. It was such a pleasant experience, hassle free, that I am doing it again. We rented a 2 bedroom villa for a week.......4 adults, 3 young children (5, 3 and 18 months). The WLV are wonderful for families and the perfect atmosphere. I'd highly recommend finding someone that has points to rent and do the villas. You will not be sorry, especially if you're staying as long as you plan!

 

[chunkygal]

You definitely want a 1 bedroom for this long a stay. For comfort, for privacy and spaces in your toghthernes and economy. The studio's only have a microwave and refridge. THe 1 bedroom has a full kitchen. Bring your own groceries and save some bucks on eating to spend on something else. You also have a laundry so you can pack less and go home with clean clothes.

The best 'bang for your buck" is Old Key West. We've stayed at all of them and like the restaraunt here and the convenience.

Every resort has it's pluses and minuses.

If you go to The disney website, they have a vacation club part and I bet floor plans are displayed. They are all basically the same, just different themes.

 

[y2khardtop]

You can rent any DVC point, but "home" point can book further out (11 months vs 6). 1-bedroom gives you a small kitchen, bedroom, and living room with pull out sofa (also get a tub with jets, as well as washer dryer). Studio is just a hotel type room with a mini fridge and a microwave.

My wife and I usually stay in a 1-bedroom, just for the extra room and space.

 

[mtheiss]

My wife and I have stayed both at the studios and one beds. We have no kids, yet, and found that the savings we gained from meals made in the one bedroom were significant. We usually bring at least one guest and found that the extra space in the one bedroom is very helpful. For a family, i would expect that the ability to pack lighter and do laundry in the room with the provided washer/dryer and laundry soap package (we usually brought some extras from home) made it much easier to pack for a week. It also meant packing clean and folded clothes for the trip home.
The best part is that there is a full kitchen. We stop at the Wal-mart in Kissimee (i think it is off international blvd?) for our full week trips and pick up food and other necessities at non-tourist prices. Just eating 4 breakfasts and 2 dinners at the room meant that we saved something like $300 for three people.
Our friends with children say that the advantage of having the seperated bedroom with a television and seperate entrance to bathroom made it much more convenient and meant disturbing the children less.
Good luck on your choices

 

[goldilocks_63]

Can anyone tell me if the tile shown by the previous poster is still available, and whats it called.

Thanks, Goldi

 

[DisneyBill]

Goldi,
That is a paver from the "walk around the world" that encircles the MK. I'm pretty sure they are still selling these, it is a 20 year lease if I remember correctly.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Originally posted by DisneyBill
Goldi,
That is a paver from the "walk around the world" that encircles the MK. I'm pretty sure they are still selling these, it is a 20 year lease if I remember correctly.

Nope, not selling these anymore. Just the "Leave a Legacy" at Epcot.

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by jmw67
My family and I (DH, DS-6, DD-4) are planning our first trip to Disney. I have been doing reserach on places to stay and came across this site. I was interested in the Wilderness Lodge Villas. Can I rent points for another location and use them here? What is the layout of the Studio vs. the 1 bedroom? Can you reserve these through the CRO or only through DVC? Does anyone have another suggestion of a place to stay with this age children? We will likely be staying 8 days.

Thanks for any help!

Yes, you can rent the points from any DVC owner, but the owner would make the reservation for you. A non-VWL owner can make ressies for you at 7 months out, but VWL is a small resort so your best bet is to try to find a VWL owner.

The studio is a bigger hotel room with a wet bar..a 1BR has a separate bedroom, "ensuite" laundry, and a 'full' kitchen (though I don't consider it full sized.

You can reserver through CRO for cash, or through a DVC member from whom you rent points.

Any of the DVC resorts would be great for kids 2-102. OKW, while costing fewer points to reserve a room, is more sprawling and (for now) doesn't have the cool poolslide nor the same level of 'zing' as the other onsite DVC resorts in some people's opinion. However, it does have larger rooms and parking right out front.

Regarding the 'Leave a Legacy', if you don't know, it's a small metal plate with your photograph on it on large blocks of stone at the main entrance of Epcot. Disney will probably sell out Eagle Pines before they sell out Leave a Legacy.

-Joe

 

[jmw67]

Thanks to all who have responded to my request. This is great information. Those who have rented points - have you considered buying into DVC?