help me decide our 2003 plans!

[Rock'n Robin]

I am tossing around options for 2003. I have several:

1) pay for all 5 of us with points, category 4, for a 3 day DCL cruise sailing 7/3, preceded by 4 nights in a hotel on cash. Pros: everything will be paid but air and room (our 2002 APs will be good). Cons: we tend to like places like the Poly that could cost $300 or more a night.

2) pay for both adults and one child for a cat. 4 with points, plus 4 nights at BWV on points. Pay cash for 2 kids ($800) plus the $75 for the exchange. BIG CON: Needing $900 up front in August, less than one month after our 2002 trip! Pros: NO cost in 2003 except air.

3) doing the 4 day sailing 6/29/03 followed by 3 nights in a resort. Of course this would cost more--at least one kid with cash, and the resort too. I WAS leaning to the 4 day cruise though

4) an add-on for more points HA HA just kidding honey!
I will probably make our decision after our July trip when DH is in the "I love Disney so do anything you want honey" mode. But I'd love some feedback from my buds here on the DIS.
Robin M.

 

[chris1gill]

I vote for option # 2!! I think this is your safest bet. I don't think any of the deluxe resorts beat out BWV's either... You're right about paying for the cost of 4 nights at the deluxes, it could definitely exceed the 800.00 you're looking at with option #2. Now if you're looking to try out another Disney resort, that would be different, it would cost you more $$$, but if it was something you'd be happier with, then go with option # 1.

 

[mouseclick1]

Robin,
Are you planning on borrowing points for this cruise? If you aren't already doing so, that would be one way to cut back on the $$ out of pocket.

I actually think the add-on idea sounds pretty good!

If you went with option #3, it would be less $$ immediately up front, and give you more time to save for the the resort cost. Also, you would be getting 4 days on the ship as opposed to 3.

Good luck with your decision! I know I drive myself nuts batting around so many different vacation options!

 

[SINK]

Add On BCV and get the 5 Nights at Deluxes (with 150pts). Not sure if still available. And if you are from CA or NY, just forget about it.

 

[Terry S]

I have been tossing around this same thing but in May. As much as I would like to do the 4 day cruise instead of the 3 day cruise I ruled that one out for myself for 2 reasons. 1) It would put us in WDW on the weekend which is busier and 2) I would be using weekend points for the resort instead of weekday points.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

The 3-day cruise is too short. I'd do the 4 day and stay DVC studios or AS. Do the resort stay first and then the cruise so your trip ends on the high point.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

mouseclick, we are using 18 leftover 2002 points, all of our 2003 points (160 at BWV and 100 at VWL) plus our 160 points at BWV for 2004. This way we can go to VWL in 2004.
Johnny Fedora, I wish we could stay at AS or a studio, but we have 3 kids--that's why we are looking at category 4 for sailing. Our resort options are limited to the 2BR villas, most deluxes or PO/Riverside with a trundle.
Just 50 points at BCV (or more VWL if available in Feb.) would be a big help--it's just that darn MONEY thing!!

Robin M.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Our next cruise will be with 5 as well. We are tossing around the idea of 2-catagory 9's or 10's--all on points. I think it works out to be cheaper than the catagory 4 with three kid--all on points. I also wonder if there is an on board DVC credit, if we would get two (one for each stateroom)? Good Luck

 

[nezy]

I had a similar dilemma a few months ago.

I bought 50 add-on points. Figured the $ I would spend on the cruise would be better spent if I used it to buy points that I would use and enjoy again & again. Used banked & borrowed points for the cruise for me, DH & 1 DS. Paid for 1dd & 1Ds for a 4-day. Rec'd vouchers on the cruise for a Fall of 2002 cruise for $99/pp that we will take in Dec. I am using my add-on points to stay at VWL before cruise.

P.S. Tery--I missed you on the Jan. cruise.
We never left the ship until Castawa Cay!!