help w/ hotel choice

[amyminzey]

I know this is a pretty broad question, but we need help! We are trying to find a great hotel for our honeymoon in January that is less than $100/night, that has good/great transportation to all of WDW and all of Universal and SeaWorld areas. At the moment we are thinking of going to Coronado Springs, but it is a little pricey for us, and we would have to find/pay for transportation to the Universal/SeaWorld areas. We don't really like the looks of the disney value resorts for our honeymoon.
Thanks for any ideas!!

 

[spiceycat]

Pop has a nice lake.

that say sign up for the magicard
http://www.orlandoinfo.com/magicard/index.cfm?act=home

you might try this place
http://www.comfortinnorlando.com/

but I think I would stay at a WDW resort first.

just do US/IOA on the next trip - or stay at a Universal hotel and do WDW on the next trip.

you might consider renting points from a DVC member and stay at OKW. It is quiet and relaxing.

however to easily get around when staying offsite - a car is best...

or do the area in between US/IOA and WDW - Seaworld
http://www.hiltongrandvacations.com/ownership/resorts/seaworld.html

 

[utahkennedys]

I second the idea of renting points from a DVC member at OKW, for about $80/night you could do that in Jan. without any additional fees or taxes (Sun-Thurs. nights, more for Fri/Sat nights), and get all of the disney benefits.I would rent the cheapest car you can if you plan to go to Universal or outside of WDW. I see car rentals for $80/week for economy, plus you'll get free parking at Disney parks which will save you $10/day if you stay on property. Can't beat that in my opinion!

 

[horseshowmom]

I second the idea of renting points from a DVC member at OKW, for about $80/night you could do that in Jan. without any additional fees or taxes (Sun-Thurs. nights, more for Fri/Sat nights), and get all of the disney benefits.I would rent the cheapest car you can if you plan to go to Universal or outside of WDW. I see car rentals for $80/week for economy, plus you'll get free parking at Disney parks which will save you $10/day if you stay on property. Can't beat that in my opinion!

Almost makes the car free, doesn't it?

How long are you planning on staying in Orlando, and how many of those days wouldn't be Sun-Thurs?

 

[utahkennedys]

The other option is to rent someone's timeshare week at one of the nice Marriott Vacation Club properties or Hilton Grand Vacation Club. We got 7 nights in a 3BR villa at HGVC for Sept. (Jan. is also slow season) for $650 total - no taxes or fees! Can't beat that, we saved our DVC points and went this route this trip. If you need help finding places to rent timeshares, send me a PM. eBay is also a great option for finding nice Orlando rentals.

 

[amyminzey]

Oh, wow, I didn't even know about renting points and being able to stay at OKW for so cheap! Thanks!
I have no idea how renting points works, can anyone help me out?
We will be in Orlando for 2 weeks (Jan 6-19, 2008).
Thank you!

 

[horseshowmom]

I've never done it, but one of the boards on this site deals with it.

If you look at the menu at the section for DVC (just above Universal, I believe), you'll find that one of them is for renting. I'm sure you can get lots of information there (people with points to rent and there's a points calculator there to help you figure out how many points you need for the different times - I know the Fri and Sat points are significantly more).

I'm sure someone else can give you more in depth information.

 

[spiceycat]

fri/sat you don't want to rent.

they will be at least $200 a night for fri/sat - vs sun-thur for $80 a night. This will mean moving - but believe me it is worth it if you are trying to save money.

goto Pop for the weekends or a moderate love POR or POFQ.

 

[onelugnut]

how do you go about finding points to rent?
how many points would it take for a a sun to thurs thing?
and how much should that cost?

sounds like a great idea.

that has to be cheaper than going thru disney? right?

 

[spiceycat]

it is most of the time. but some people rent for $15 a point instead of $10. they do provide more services. but only you can determine if their services are worth the extra price.

tell me when you are going.

the rental site here on the Dis
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29
no housekeeping

the point chart
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/DVCpoints.shtml

okw is the least expensive

bwv and bcv are the most expensive - especially for bcv - expect to pay more than $10 a point. this is the more demanded of the DVC resorts and their owners know it and can ask more per point.

vwl is the closest one to the MK - boating/bus distance.
BWV & BCV are within walking/boating distance to both Epcot and Studios
OKW & SSR are withint walking/boating distance to DD.

OKW - best bargain
BWV standard views (these are very hard to get - you must find an owner and get it long before the 7th month)
SSR
VWL
BWV - all other views
BCV

between 11 months and 7 months before your arrival - you must deal with an owner of that resort.

after 7 months it doesn't matter who you deal with - everyone is equal.

 

[amyminzey]

OK...so then the DVC chart says 140 points for a stay at OKW at the time we're going, which means $1400, correct? Well, that's a bit better than $2000 at a moderate! I'll have to keep this in mind, and read up on renting.

 

[spiceycat]

if you take out the weekend - it might be $400 for each sun-thur stay - so $800 for both.

the only problem you would need to change resorts over the weekend fri & sat. which is why I suggest Pop or Po

 

[f7prez]

If you choose to stay on Disney property by renting DVC points, you could rent a car for the few days that you need transportation to Universal/Seaworld. I believe there are car rental locations at the Dolphin hotel http://www.swandolphin.com and several of the hotels at Downtown Disney: Buena Vista Palace, Double Tree Suites and Hilton http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/. The Downtown Disney hotels may also be a viable choice for a hotel in your price range. They also offer transportation to the Disney parks.

 

[onelugnut]

one more question since you are all DVC members and are feeling helpful.
I have a friend, with a DVC at the wilderness.
I am thinking of going in january anyway.
what would be a fair price to offer him for his sunday to thursday stay in january. (i would want hopper tix and DDP but that would be a side thing right?)
Like i said i am going anyway, but if i could save myself some money and
help him too then we both win right?
but I feel funny asking, so if i knew up front what i should expect to offer him, it might make it easy on both of us.
I dont want him to feel like he has to give me anything.
i just want whats fair for both of us.
Anyone want to take a stab at this one?

 

[f7prez]

ONELUGNUT

Typically DVC points sell at a rate of $10 per point. Some people will take less, maybe $8 per point if they are going to lose the points for not using them. You would need to calculate the number of points needed for your length of stay. This can be done by using the points calculator at the DIS site.
Point requirements are based on resort, time of year and day of the week. Friday and Saturday night stays require more points than the other 5 days of the week. If for example you calculate that your length of stay will require 150 points, you can figure it will probably cost you $1,500 to purchase the necessary points. If you offer your friend the going rate, maybe they will discount the price for a friend.
As far as passes to the parks. These would need to be purchased seperately.

Good Luck

 

[spiceycat]

if it is a studio - then 12 points a night - so $120 for one night Sun-thurs (leaving on Friday) will be $600

although as 7prez says someone might take less.

I would ask upfront what he might take.

the worst he could say was no - then you come to the DVC rental/trade site here.

You want to hurry up on Jan - it is selling out - Disney is having several special things that money - a race and something else that I forget. Plus MKL week is sold out.

if that is the week your friend has and you want - I might offer $650.

 

[onelugnut]

hmmf, thanks,
yes i found that in january wilderness is 12pts per, and i was figuring from what i found here, that i would do sunday to friday. (60 pntsx$10=600)
I thought January was the slow time? anyway, thanks for the warning and the advice.
but
I am not sold on the idea yet, not really seeing the savings.
could just go to a allstar which i dont mind, and not have to depend on my friend and still have my bed made everyday.


just saw this info and made me think.
ah maybe i will ask him anyway,
i think i have another friend in animal kingdom
well not in animal kingdom, i mean with a DVC in A.K.
but then i am looking at buses to M.K.
ahhh, but i digress.
thanks again.
this is only my 2nd trip and am still learning the ropes.

 

[onelugnut]

wait a minute,
i cant pass up the chance for a difference in $50 to stay in a place like the wilderness right?
and have a boat access to the M.K.?

 

[rcraw45425]

Oh yeah, the WL is a lovely property plus to have a boat directly to the MK is a plus. Also, the values have full sized beds and no free fridges, so add $10 a day for a fridge and you will have mede up the difference right there.

 

[utahkennedys]

Plus, you need to factor in room tax (which I think is like 12% or more?) which you won't have if you rent DVC points. Taxes really add up on your bill!!! WL is a deluxe resort, not the All Stars. I can't sleep with DH in a double bed, but WL will have queens.