Help! Room prices for dvc resorts when paying cash

[Deb & Bill]

Sorry Deb & Bill i am still a little wet behind the ears on all the DVC reservation stuff, do you mean if i choose to book cash as well as using points, that if i purchase AP and tell MS when i phone, if a discount becomes available they will then discount the cash reservation part?

Also do you pay cash balance when making the reservation or when you arrive, another kind Dis Boarder seemed to think you pay when you arrive and check in.

Thanks

Not quite. You can make a cash reservation through MS or through Disney Reservation Center (DRC). If you make a cash reservation through MS, you might be able to get a discount, but they aren't always available. But, if you buy APs (with the DVC discounted rate) since you are staying three weeks (makes sense to me), you might be able to get an AP Discounted rate through DRC. You can't get an AP discount through MS, only DRC.

If you do get a reservation through DRC, they can't link a DRC reservation with a MS reservation, so you have to note each reservation number on the other reservation so you can stay in the same room.

 

[buzz5985]

How about doing 1 week in an AKV 1 BR - since you have the sleep chair and the sleep sofa for the kids, and then move to a 2 BR at OKW. I think you would only be short 2 weekend nights. Or the whole trip at OKW. You would save about 200 points compared to AKV.

 

[Anal Annie]

How about doing 1 week in an AKV 1 BR - since you have the sleep chair and the sleep sofa for the kids, and then move to a 2 BR at OKW. I think you would only be short 2 weekend nights. Or the whole trip at OKW. You would save about 200 points compared to AKV.

That's what I was going to say (well, not the move to OKW part 'cuz AKV is so much nicer). OP - your points will stretch just fine! The AKV 1 bedroom Std. view & above are designed to sleep 5 and provide both a sleep sofa and sleep chair. OR as someone else pointed out you could bring an air mattress to put down & they could alternate taking turns on it. A std. view 1 bedroom at AKV in "Magic" season for 3 full weeks is only 672 points! You COULD book 2 weeks in a std. view for 448 points then upgrade to a savanna view for the last week for another 270 pts. (a total of 718 pts.). OR you could do 2 weeks in a std. view 1 bedroom then upgrade for the final week to a Std. view 2 bedroom to finish off (for a total of 729 pts). I would either pick one of those options or I would shave a night or two off the trip. The kids can deal with it or stay home if they want 3 weeks at Disney. As long as they each get their own "bed" - that's the big thing here, right? You want them separated at night??

OP - for what airfare from the UK and 3 weeks at Disney is going to cost you I wouldn't be looking to spend another cent on other accomodations. But I'm frugal that way and would probably just stay in 1 studio so I could save the points. You could do a savanna view studio for 402 pts. for 3 weeks and not have to borrow even.

BTW, I think the biggest problem with trying to snag an AP rate is that they often don't even publish what's available until about 60 days out. I'm sure with planning a 3 week long trip & coming from the UK that the OP would rather have a solid plan in place than wait & see what's offered for the AP rate.

 

[lugnut33]

In August we are staying in the THV and needed one extra night for 8 people preferrably somewhere on property (would have needed 3 rooms at any other hotel). We ended up getting a 2 bedroom at Old Key West for $406 less taxes for that one night. That way, I call up bell services, they'll move our stuff one resort over (OKW and THV are right next to each other), and it's that easy. Should be simple!!

 

[Bumbleink]

Can i just say a big thank you to everyone for their help, The problem is just difficult with a 16yr old going on 23yr old girl who just doesn't like the idea of sharing with her older brother,at that strange age i think. And it is quite a daunting thought to have to pay out even more money.

Oh i have just thought of another question,, if i decide to book either a value room or standard for the 2 wks and then a Savana view for the 3rd wk which is the most difficult to book, thanks to some of the posts. i gather that some rooms are more difficult to get than others. Being our first DVC trip i am so worried about getting this wrong Also has anyone booked a value room and then wished they hadn't, sorry for all the questions but my 11th month window is on Sat so am running out of debating time

 

[Claire L]

I would book a value room for the first two weeks and then end on a high in the savanna view rooms, even if it means paying OOP for one or two nights it would work out the same as another type of accommodation for a week if you have done 2 weeks in a savanna view room Or you could cut down the visit to 19 nights.

Claire

 

[Bumbleink]

Hi Claire

Thanks for coming to the rescue again as you can tell i am still pondering, i was just debating which booked out the quickest as i think my tribe will be v disappointed if we don't manage to get a Savanah view for at least part of the trip. I know in one of your other post you did say that some of the standards have Savanah views as a possibility but if i get this wrong So when i phone on Sat i think that i will need to be v sure i am doing the right thing, i know that i can make adjustments but i don't want to miss out due to my lack of knowledge about DVC.

 

[Claire L]

Some of the values have a savanna view, but it is pot luck. Standard at Jambo is pool view and only two bathrooms, but Kidani is pool view or parking lot view and has 3 bathrooms.

Claire

 

[Anal Annie]

Can i just say a big thank you to everyone for their help, The problem is just difficult with a 16yr old going on 23yr old girl who just doesn't like the idea of sharing with her older brother,at that strange age i think. And it is quite a daunting thought to have to pay out even more money.
Oh i have just thought of another question,, if i decide to book either a value room or standard for the 2 wks and then a Savana view for the 3rd wk which is the most difficult to book, thanks to some of the posts. i gather that some rooms are more difficult to get than others. Being our first DVC trip i am so worried about getting this wrong Also has anyone booked a value room and then wished they hadn't, sorry for all the questions but my 11th month window is on Sat so am running out of debating time

OH! So the root of the problem really is that she doesn't want to even share OXYGEN with her brother!? Sorry, I'm a tough nut on that one. I'd be inclined to tell her she gets her own bed and be happy with that much! I remember when I was a kid and my parents had this tiny little like 19' long camper and my brother & I had to share a bed that was made out of the dining table & its cushions!!! Talk about cozy!

We had a value studio for 3 nights last summer. That was tight but it was only for 3 nights. I wouldn't recommend THAT size for you. Also, a Value 1 bedroom wouldn't help you 'cuz the value units don't have the sleeper chair. You have to go up to at least the STD. size in order to get the 2 separate sleeping arrangements in the living room. But I really think that AKV is large enough that you'll be fine getting whatever you want at your 11 month window. I think the only REAL problem people have is getting the Concierge level rooms. The worst thing for you is that you'll only be able to book your first 10 nights on the first call and then you'll have to call again in another 10 days to add the other 10. And then yes, if you really want that final night # 21 you'll have to call AGAIN and get the ressies linked together. They won't let you book ALL 21 days at once unless you wait until the last day to call.

Good luck with your decision!!

 

[AnnaS]

How about doing 1 week in an AKV 1 BR - since you have the sleep chair and the sleep sofa for the kids, and then move to a 2 BR at OKW. I think you would only be short 2 weekend nights. Or the whole trip at OKW. You would save about 200 points compared to AKV.

I was going to suggest almost the same thing - one week in a 1 BDR at the beginning of the stay (or # of nights so you would have enough for the remainder of the trip in a 2BDR) and the remainder of your time in a 2 BDR.

 

[Bumbleink]

Hi everyone back again,

Thanks Annie for the advice, Anal Annie that did make me laugh sooo much, kids today

I have confused myself yet again, as i am going 1st of July 2010 for 3wks is my 11 month window this Saturday and can i book 10 nights then, only MS told me i could only book 7 nights at that time, not for the first time as you have all probably gathered i am slightly confused

 

[Anal Annie]

Hi everyone back again,

Thanks Annie for the advice, Anal Annie that did make me laugh sooo much, kids today

I have confused myself yet again, as i am going 1st of July 2010 for 3wks is my 11 month window this Saturday and can i book 10 nights then, only MS told me i could only book 7 nights at that time, not for the first time as you have all probably gathered i am slightly confused

It's probably me that's wrong. Maybe it is only 7 nights at a time that you can book so you'll have to call every 7 days. I might be thinking of the ADR's...they let you book those at 90 days +10 so if you're staying for 10 days you can book up to 10 days worth. That's silly too. I mean, they only let you make a ressie for 7 days but then they'll let you eat for 10?!