Help me decide!

[Donald is #1]

Well the AP rates just came out through December. I am currently booked at Kidani for 11 nights at Kidani on points. However, with the nice AP rates, I am considering changing either the first 2 nights (Friday, Saturday) or the last 2 nights (Sunday, Monday) to either a moderate or deluxe resort so that I can check out a resort that I have never been to before.

The options are:
1) Stay as is, save the money
2) Beginning of trip: CSR
3) End of trip: POR
4) End of trip: POFQ
5) Splurge: end of trip: Poly and don't do the sunset safari to offset the cost.

Of course this discussion may be academic, if the good rates are taken before I make up my mind.

 

[Sandisw]

I know that I am new to DVC but I think you should just stay where you are and use your points, unless you really really want to spend the extra money.

Isn't that what the points are for? So that you no longer have to spend cash (other than MF's) to stay at WDW.

Now, if you know that you will be planning another trip in the near future that will be short points, then maybe, go with cash knowing you have a good rate.

Good luck!

 

[Disneypirate85]

We do 2 trips a year so we ALWAYS book dvc Sun-Friday on points and 1 saturday either before or after on $$ to save some points. 1 weekend night saved on Points will get us 3 nights studio at AKV Value if we play it right depending on resort we are at
Shawn

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don't know what to tell you, but I was tempted to go for the AP rate for a single night we have in a value studio for the Friday before we start our "real" VWL holiday trip. In the end, I'm staying with the value, I really want to wake up at AKV.

Bobbi

 

[arthur06]

For me, there is no point to ending the trip at a lesser hotel then a deluxe. Starting at CSR and "trading up" IMHO is the way to go. Also, that gets you out of 2 high point nights. If you could I would start the trip at POR instead of CSR, if available. Or I would leave it as it!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I voted to hang with what you have. I think it's a waste to pay cash for a room that you already have points for. If you are short of points, in the long run it's cheaper to buy more points than to pay cash for the hotels (maybe not this exact situation, but usually).

If you did change, IMO it would make more sense to stay non-DVC at the beginning. The reason is two fold. First, you would save weekend points instead of weekday points. Second, it's likely a let down to transition from DVC to a hotel room, especially a moderate. I think you will be much happier upgrading to DVC mid trip, rather than downgrading to a mod.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

For me, there is no point to ending the trip at a lesser hotel then a deluxe. Starting at CSR and "trading up" IMHO is the way to go. Also, that gets you out of 2 high point nights. If you could I would start the trip at POR instead of CSR, if available. Or I would leave it as it!

I see we are on the same wave here...
I didn't even read your post!

MG

 

[quirty30]

Well I'm in agreement with a couple of others about CSR at the beginning of your trip. Even though I just bought DVC, I am a little fascinated with CSR right now - it looks like it's almost on par with some of the deluxe resorts for the price of a moderate. I'm even toying with a birthday present for myself at the end of October - $99 a night with the AP discount. I think it would be a great resort to "check out" for that price (but I'll call MS first to see if I can get in anywhere on points.)

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Well I'm in agreement with a couple of others about CSR at the beginning of your trip. Even though I just bought DVC, I am a little fascinated with CSR right now - it looks like it's almost on par with some of the deluxe resorts for the price of a moderate.

I think once you walk into the lobby it will more resemble a moderate.

MG

 

[quirty30]

I think once you walk into the lobby it will more resemble a moderate.

MG

I wouldn't spend much time in the lobby.

But honestly, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of finding anything DVC that weekend and using my points. Since I'm traveling alone with that AP, I can have a nice little solo vacation with R & R, and it'll only cost me for airfare. I mean, isn't that just the sort of thing one would join DVC to be able to do?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I wouldn't spend much time in the lobby.

But honestly, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of finding anything DVC that weekend and using my points. Since I'm traveling alone with that AP, I can have a nice little solo vacation with R & R, and it'll only cost me for airfare. I mean, isn't that just the sort of thing one would join DVC to be able to do?

The point being is you would see it's not on par with a deluxe once you entered the lobby.

If you would like to try CSR, or any other resort for your birthday, than by all means I think you should go for it!

MG

 

[quirty30]

The point being is you would see it's not on par with a deluxe once you entered the lobby.

If you would like to try CSR, or any other resort for your birthday, than by all means I think you should go for it!

MG

No, no, now I am thinking use points - I mean isn't that why I joined DVC, to actually use it? I want to change my answer for the poll - use your points. You paid for them, why not use them?????

Did I mention I'm in a bit of a wacky mood tonight?

 

[bookwormde]

My perference 1st sat/sun WL for $300-400

bookwormde

 

[Shleedogg]

I picked other. Personally I would save the weekend points, Fri & Sat. I wouldn't waste the money to save the cheaper weekday points.

However, I wouldn't use them at CSR. We just got back (and bought DVC while we were there! ) and stayed at POR. It was a huge resort. Bus transportation took awhile and even just going to refill our mugs took awhile. It really made a bad impression on me. When we were considering which DVC to buy, SS was on the table because it was so beautiful, then our guide told me how big it was and we'd basically be in the same situation as at POR. I've heard CSR was even bigger than POR. I would pick POFQ. The resort is small, not to mention beautiful!

 

[rentayenta]

If you bought your points to use them, then I would use them.

 

[Donald is #1]

Excellent opinions everyone!!! Thank you so much! To be honest, I am still debating in my mind. I agree that the weekend before would be best. However, there just wasn't as many good options with the AP discount. The only moderates available were CBR & CSR. Since I have already been to CBR, I discounted that one. On the other deluxe resorts, the only ones that I haven't stayed at (either the hotel or DVC) are Poly, GF, and Contemporary.

Do I need to save the points? No not really. When I was originallly thinking about this, the points would have been useful to use for my trip next Aug. However, for a totally different reason, I cancelled a reservation that I had for September because we are going to stay near the port for our cruise. So I don't need the points.


Decisions, decisions.....

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Well... If you can do it on points without sacrificing in the future, than go ahead and splurge at the Poly!

MG

 

[Donald is #1]

Well after lots of thought and changing my mind more than a few times, I have decided to keep everything as it is and stay at Kidani for my entire stay.

Thank you again for providing your thoughts! It was great to have other ways to look at the situation.