help me pick a disney hotel (dvc full)

[dlr25]

We were counting on a week at BWV in early Dec. Sadly, they are booked. Worse, OKW, BCV and VWL are also unavailable. I am less than pleased to use my points for a regular hotel room but skipping our trip would be worse.

Do I go with the CS or CB for less points or spend the big points for something nicer or more unique? I'm thinking about AK Savannah View. I've never even seen the hotel. Do you really see animals from your room?

Any opinions or experiences you can share are greatly appreciated.

 

[ZerasPride]

I'm sorry the dates you wanted are unavailable. Have you considered going on the waitlist? I know waiting on the waitlist can be a nail biting experience, but I was successful in getting a Thanksgiving ressie under the five month window by using the waitlist.

I do admit that I was determined to spend some of our vacation days at Disney (we already had HH booked) and I was willing to use points for a cash stay (I even considered the SwanDolphin for their great rates and wonderful location). We've stayed (on cash) at the Poly, Beach Club and Grand Floridian and since I had decided if the waitlist did not come through, I was going to "treat myself right", I had decided to book the Grand Floridian because we had the best time there!

Since you asked for opinions, I would never use my precious points at a moderate but that's just me and my family. I'm spoiled by DVC and would only consider a deluxe resort if I felt forced to use DVC points on a regular hotel room.

Unfortunately, I cannot comment on AKL as I've never stayed there but others may offer their experiences. I hope whatever you decide, you have a great trip!

 

[cindy_k]

I stayed at AKL it was my last trip on cash right before I became a member.

You really do see animals from your room with a Savannah view at AKL. Depending on which savannah you are facing you will see Giraffe's, Bongos (big bull like animals), Gazelles, Zebras, Ostrachies and others that I can't remember. No meat eaters.
Some of these animals don't get a long with each other so they are on seperate plains.

There are African guides at all the public viewing areas who will tell you about the animals. I even got to see a baby while I was there. They were so cute.

The hotel is beautiful and similar to Wilderness but still different.

The Pool has a Zero entry and was really warm when we were there in June.

Boma has some really good food.

Hope this helps!

Cindy

 

[Laurabearz]

We have used our points to stay at BC and The Poly.... It was a wonderful trip and we will spend out points at other Deluxes in the World. Next on our list is AKL.....

We dont feel it is a waste of points.

SOmeone mentioned waitlisting..... we had to wait list for OKW for the second week in December and just got the call that all our days are availible.... so waitlisting does work.....

Good luck with your decicison (sp)

 

[SleepyatDVC]

This is what I would do:

Waitlist for BWV, BCV, OKW, and VWL. (Will they let you wait-list for all? Can't imagine why not)

Reserve a back up (cash) room with a discount code. Remember if you use your points for a non-DVC resort, you CAN NOT use those points for a DVC resort room if the wait-list comes through. They stay reservation points if cancelled.

Check availabilty at the non-DVC resort of your choice. If it's ample, then wait it out for a bit.

The wait-list should have a good chance of working if you don't mind which DVC resort you stay at. If the wait-list works, then book it with points and then cancel your cash ressies.

Set a cut-off date where you would have to make a decision to use points for a non-DVC resorrt if the wait-list doesn't work. Be careful of the 30 (or 60 day?) window before the end of your use year when you CAN NOT use points to book at a non-DVC resort. Maybe someone else can elaborate on this?

In addition, I would call MS once or twice a week to check on my wait-lists and to check on the points availability of the non-DVC resort I want to trade out to. If the availabilty is low and I don't want to stay elsewhere on points, then I would probably bite the bullet and reserve it on points and give up on the wait-list. If I had a secord or third choice and there's availability, I would probably wait a bit more.

If I had to use my points at a non-DVC resort, I would probably choose either the AK Savannah or the Poly (for the monorail if I were bringing young kids).

Good Luck!!!

 

[sgtdisney]

One other thing to consider CBR is being closed through the end of December so that would rule that out as an option. Also they are moving the displaced people from CBR into other Moderates as well as some Deluxes. I second the other's posters suggestion. Reserve a room on cash now and waitlist for a DVC resort. I think you can get a room at some of the moderates for a fairly decent price now.

 

[DebbieB]

There are some great code and AP discounts for December, around 40% off. Check mousesavers.com. Moderates are $79 with AP rate, $85 with code (plus tax). Points are 19 for weekdays, 34 for weekends (yikes!).

 

[#1Mouse]

I'm soooo jealous - Laurabearz. Glad to hear your waitlist worked out! It gives me some hope. We also are waitlisted for the second week of December. They waitlisted us for BCV, BWV, VWL & OKW (2 bedroom or a GV), so yes the waitlist can cover more than one resort and type of room. MS offered to have them all covered without me having to ask. MS told me that the waitlist will expire 7 days before my check in date. If we aren't able to get our waitlist we will try and get the Poly or AKL on points. One way or another we will be there during that week. Do I have a problem using my points at a Deluxe - Sure don't, if it gets me a room at Disney I guess I wouldn't do it on a regular basis, my idea of buying into DVC was to use those resorts.

 

[twinglefam]

Just another option; we didn't want to use 61 pts. for our last night at Vero...which is the Fri. after Thanksgiving - so we're heading up to Disney one day early and paying only $129.00 for a pool view room at Port Orleans Riverside....heading over to BCV the next day for a week. There was a discount code listed in my area paper on Sunday so I called and got a cheaper room that way, cheaper than my AAA discount. Wanted to try Animal Kingdom but we are 5 people; only certain hotels will let us stay in one room. I believe the discount code is CKO, yes it is.

 

[Jimmac]

The Pool has a Zero entry and was really warm when we were there in June.

What is a Zero entry?

 

[baileybrad]

Zero entry means that you walk right into the water without have to step down "into" the pool from a wall. The depth of the water starts at "zero" and then slowly gets deeper. Think of it as a beach entry without the sand, instead you have concrete. These type of pools have become more commonplace in the last 2 to 3 years. You can almost have a pool like this and not have a "baby" pool. Hope this helps.

 

[dlr25]

Thanks for all of the great advice. I am on the waitlist for all four DVC resorts and am keeping my fingers crossed. If nothing comes up, I'll try for AKL Savannah view. After looking into AKL, I'm actually really excited about it.

The many options I have is what is so great about DVC. Sure, I wanted a 1BR at BWV but AKL as a back up plan is not a bad problem to have!

Thanks also for the discount codes. I was going to book my back-up plan cash ressies off-site (gasp!) but with the discounts I may not have to.

Thanks also for reminding me about the use year window. It doesn't effect me but I hadn't even thought about it. Luckily, MS reminded me about the reservation points because I didn't know that either.

Buying DVC was a great decision for us - finding this board has made it even easier to enjoy. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by #1Mouse
I'm soooo jealous - Laurabearz. Glad to hear your waitlist worked out! It gives me some hope.

I did book (waitlist) our rooms right before the 7 month window opened up..... The hardest night for us to get was Sunday the 8th.... (cheap points) And we just got the call last week that the Sunday was availible.... for both our two bedrooms... so not only did we waitlist for ONE two bedroom we were n the list for TWO two bedrooms.... I was really biting my nails, since the second two bedroom was a gift for my BIL and family..... Oh and we waitlisted one night at a time....

Dont give up..... a lot of people have changes of plans, so try not to worry!!!

 

[Laurabearz]

DLR.... you also have the option of splitting your stay between a DVC resort and AKL.... Incase all your nights dont come thru.... We love splitting our stays between DVC and the Deluxes.... it is the best of both worlds....
We found SUnday nights are the hardest to get.... dont know why, but it was the last of our waitlist to some thru.... So maybe the weekend at AKL (I know I know the highest points) then the rest of the trip (hopfully) at BWV.

I wish you the best of luck and please keep us posted!

 

[dlr25]

Great advice about Sunday night! We're already staying offsite Saturday night so one more night is not a big deal - especially if it means being able to stay at DVC the rest of the time. Thanks for the good idea.