help me decide!

[lookame]

So we have two options for us.
There 4 of us. Two adults, two kids will be ages 4 and 12 when we go in January. My 4 yr old is a girl loves Ariel, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and overall princesses and essentially everything Disney. My 12 yr old is a boy who's love of Disney has tempered. He loves Stitch, and the gang (aside from Donald), and Jack skellington. At this point I feel he gets excited for things but I feel he also does things for the want of doing them with his little sister and not wanting to feel left out. We also plan to rent a car (or perhaps drive from Ohio to Florida) so well have a car and we plan to drive to the parks over using Disney transportation. Four park days and one day at Universal.

-a room at Pop century. Cheaper that AOA. The decor is less in your face Disney but I'm not sure what the chances are of getting a refurbished room so it may or may not work out for us. Also, not a huge fan of how the grounds look...
-a mermaid room at art of animation. My daughter is so excited about this room but my son may be very underwhelmed. There are playgrounds though so if Jan is to cold for swimming they could play.
-renting DVC points from a broker for animal kingdom lodge studio. Again, decor is toned down. IDK if parking is free since we'd be using someones DVC points (if it is free thatd be AWESOME). I think this also works out to be a cheaper option.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Of these options, I'd go with renting points to stay at AKL.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

AKV studio! Especially if that is the cheaper option. The resort is gorgeous. You'll have access to pool at both Kidani and Jambo, there is a splash pad for your younger child, great restaurants and lots of activities.

PoP is nice, but if you aren't a fan of how the grounds look, I would skip it. The Little Mermaid rooms are the furthest from the main areas - I really can't recommend them.

 

[lookame]

I am leaning towards AKL but I cant move dates around or change my reservations. I'm also not sure the option is 100% available until I submit a form asking for the reservation.

 

[Disneylover99]

I expect all rooms at Pop to be refurbished by January.

 

[Ben E N]

Yes, parking is free if renting DVC points. I would get on that rental process, though, as you are presently under 7 months out.

 

[Marionnette]

So we have two options for us.
There 4 of us. Two adults, two kids will be ages 4 and 12 when we go in January. My 4 yr old is a girl loves Ariel, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and overall princesses and essentially everything Disney. My 12 yr old is a boy who's love of Disney has tempered. He loves Stitch, and the gang (aside from Donald), and Jack skellington. At this point I feel he gets excited for things but I feel he also does things for the want of doing them with his little sister and not wanting to feel left out. We also plan to rent a car (or perhaps drive from Ohio to Florida) so well have a car and we plan to drive to the parks over using Disney transportation. Four park days and one day at Universal.

-a room at Pop century. Cheaper that AOA. The decor is less in your face Disney but I'm not sure what the chances are of getting a refurbished room so it may or may not work out for us. Also, not a huge fan of how the grounds look...
-a mermaid room at art of animation. My daughter is so excited about this room but my son may be very underwhelmed. There are playgrounds though so if Jan is to cold for swimming they could play.
-renting DVC points from a broker for animal kingdom lodge studio. Again, decor is toned down. IDK if parking is free since we'd be using someones DVC points (if it is free thatd be AWESOME). I think this also works out to be a cheaper option.

AKV would be my first choice but just be aware that the Value Studios are very limited in quantity and you are probably too late to book one for January. If that's the studio that you're basing your numbers on, it's time to make new calculations using a stay in a Standard View studio as you reference point.

My second choice would be POP with the LM room an absolute last. Not many 12-year-old boys with a waning interest in Disney are going to be wow'd by the decor.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I am leaning towards AKL but I cant move dates around or change my reservations. I'm also not sure the option is 100% available until I submit a form asking for the reservation.

If that's your first choice, you might as well go ahead and try. If you can't get it, you can still go with your second or third choice.

 

[Marionnette]

Yes, parking is free if renting DVC points. I would get on that rental process, though, as you are presently under 7 months out.

We've just entered the 7-month booking window for Dec. 2018. Jan. 2019 is still 8 months away.

 

[Ben E N]

We've just entered the 7-month booking window for Dec. 2018. Jan. 2019 is still 8 months away.

Haha I should have known that. I'm waiting on early June to book for early January myself. Caught me not thinking just after a nap.

 

[Marionnette]

Haha I should have known that. I'm waiting on early June to book for early January myself. Caught me not thinking just after a nap.

LOL! I had to count on my fingers twice to make sure that I hadn't missed something.

 

[lookame]

So I’m leaning towards AKL. I’m waiting for my parents to confirm if they want to go (if they do plans change as our party size will be more) I’ve given them till Mon to decide and then I’ll submit a form. Just curious though...when are you able to do a DVC points rental booking? How far in advance?

 

[DaisyDuck001]

DVC members who have that resort as their home resort can book starting 11 months ahead. The rest of the DVC members can book starting 7 months ahead. If you are booking through a broker, they probably have access to owners in both categories.

 

[Ben E N]

So I’m leaning towards AKL. I’m waiting for my parents to confirm if they want to go (if they do plans change as our party size will be more) I’ve given them till Mon to decide and then I’ll submit a form. Just curious though...when are you able to do a DVC points rental booking? How far in advance?

Make sure you are ready to lock into your trip months in advance with renting. You can change your dates up to 3 days out if you book through Disney, but rental agreements are typically locked in.
Checking out a website like David's DVC rentals gives you an idea of accomodations and typical cost. As was previously mentioned, the rooms that seem too good to be true in terms of deals typically are. They were booked by owners months ago most likely.

 

[lookame]

We decided to see if AKL value studio is able to reserve. I know it's probably very unlikely to be reserved but I wanted to see if it's possible anyway. If not it's fine...at least I know its not a possible option. We'll see

 

[DaisyDuck001]

We decided to see if AKL value studio is able to reserve. I know it's probably very unlikely to be reserved but I wanted to see if it's possible anyway. If not it's fine...at least I know its not a possible option. We'll see

Kidani usually seems to have some availability.

 

[lookame]

Theresa a savannah view studio available but its to much. The other option is old key west studio. Tell me about Old Key West...

 

[lookame]

Also...I know DVC gets free parking at the resort does it also get you free parking at the parks or is that a perk of staying on site no matter where you’re staying?

 

[Ben E N]

Also...I know DVC gets free parking at the resort does it also get you free parking at the parks or is that a perk of staying on site no matter where you’re staying?

Should be free for both.
In response to your other post. What dates are you looking at? Limited to only OKW at over 7 months away doesn't sound quite right, unless you are stating that you can only spend so much.

 

[lookame]

We’re looking at jan 4-13. They had animal kingdom lodge savannah view and saratoga springs standard and preferred views. So there’s a little more options at the 8 month mark but we can’t spend a lot.