How do you all manage to work this out?!

[Cinderella]

Hi,

The points system is driving me mad. I am amending my ressies slightly because we are now getting to go for 14 nights instead of 11 and also having to go a week early. How do u all manage to work this out?

We are going the last week in August and first week in September. This is the best I can work out so far: Stay first night in airport hotel, then four nights one bedroom Vero. Pay cash at one of the Disney hotels for the next two nights (Friday and Saturday) then seven nights one bedroom WLV. The only part I have booked so far is WLV. I am thinking with two kids we may need the one bed at Vero as there isn't much for them to do at night but sleep and we would just keep them awake in the same room.

Does this sound ok? I was trying to work it so that we could stay 3 or 4 nights in a studio at BCV or Boardwalk, instead of doing the cash nights, then the remainder in a one bedroom at WLV but, I just don't seem to be able to work it out properly! Is there a better way we can do this than my original plan? We had considered the three night cruise but, couldn't even work that out - even though our arrival and departure dates and set in stone! Thanks.

 

[DavidRoss]

How many points to you have to work with?

I once changed my reservations so many times when I would call MS I would get this low sounding groan on the phone because they had to weed through all my changes.

I assume you have 4 in your party? 2 kids and 2 adults?

 

[Cinderella]

Hi David,

Yes - we have two adults, two kids and three hundred points to work with. Thanks.

 

[fkj2]

So, it's 300 points without borrowing from your next use year?

And, I take it you do want to spend time at Vero and not just at WDW?

 

[Cinderella]

Hi the 300 points is with borrowing from next year. But, I messed up a bit with my points - so I have a week in a 2 bedroom with II to use sometime next year! We do want to spend time at Vero - the kids are keen to do the Beach thing but, I am not sure how many nights. Four nights plus a night at the airport leaves only nine nights for WDW and we won't be visiting again for at least 20 months. But, I know we will be tired when we fly in and don't think we would make the journey to Vero on our first night!

 

[fkj2]

You might want to consider using cash for the high point Fri-Sat nights; there is a small discount for members. I know you'd rather not use cash when you have points but it would stretch those points you do have OR


check over at the DVC Rent/Trade Board; sometimes owners rent points that might soon expire a little more reasonably and they could make the ressie for you and Member Services will link them together.

 

[PamOKW]

Try writing everything down and looking at it, then playing around with the numbers. I'm not sure how many points are being used but what would be the effect of cutting out one night at Vero and maybe one night at VWL and getting a studio at one of the DVC resorts? How about a studio at OKW for those nights?

 

[Cinderella]

Thanks everyone. I will try working that out Pam. How are the studios at OKW - are they nice? I have stayed in a one bedroom and I loved that.

 

[PamOKW]

I forgot you had been to OKW! A studio is not as luxurious as the one-bedroom but it's very nice and certainly comparable to any other deluxe hotel room....but better because of the balcony and kitchenette. You get two queen size beds so everyone gets a "real" bed.

I'm not sure if that will "save" you enough points, but it's worth looking at.

 

[DVCDAVE]

Here is a link to some software to help you out !!!!!

And it is free !

http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/dmfredrick/Download.html

Keep your sanity and have fun with this DVC 'game'

 

[spiceycat]

I won't get a 1-bedroom at VB - we had a 2-bedroom and I feel that the 2 inn rooms would have been better - less points too - yes there are things for you to do at night - it has a lounge and sometimes live entertainment. you can go out on the baloncy and see the ocean - it is a nice view - just make sure you are in the hotel part above the 3rd floor,

 

[JillU-DVC]

The biggest reason I bought into DVC was to be able to take no-hassle vacations, and not have to worry about money (being able to afford to take a vacation).

Because of this, I don't change resorts and I don't pay cash for any nights. I either schedule the vacation so I use the points I have available, shorten the vacation because I don't have enought points, or don't go.

Just my 2 cents, but sounds like you're spending a lot of time dealing with different resorts, paying cash, etc; I just can't do that, so I keep things simple.

Having said that, I hope everything works out great, and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time on vacation!!

 

[robinb]

Jill:

Not all of us have enought points to move in and stay for an extended period of time. Other, like me, enjoy getting the best value fron our DVC points. I like playing the points game .

Here is what I came up with ... I hope I have the dates right!

300 Points available

Vero Beach Studio or Ocean View Inn Room
4 Nights Mon 8/26 - Fri 8/30
48 Points

Beach Club Villas Studio
3 Nights Fri 8/30 - Mon 9/2
70 Points

Villas at Wilderness Lodge 1 BR
6 Nights Mon 9/2 - Sun 9/8
176 Points

Total: 294

Since you were willing to stay in a studio or a standard hotel room at BCV and/or WDW, I went ahead and figured it out using a studio at VB. You'll have a balcony, so you can at least sit out there while your kids sleep.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I would use some cash in your vacation. The end of August is frequently off season especially down in the hot end of the country. A lot of the college kids have gone back & families are back home in the northeast getting ready for school (in the southeast they are already in school). Labor Day is a popular day off but that's just one weekend.

If you have AAA, Disney Club or an Annual Pass (which may be worth buying for your lengthy stay in the kingdom for at least one person) you may be able to get a discount.

www.mousesavers.com is very good for finding discounts.

I would do the following:

VB 88pts in a 1 bedroom

BWV or BCV with Fri & Sat cash plus Sunday on points in a 1 bedroom 22 points. I would find the best discount to use which wouldn't necessarily be the member discount.

VWL 176 points for 6 nights.

Leaves 12 points over but you stay in a 1 bedroom continuously.

 

[marley]

Thought I'd throw in my 2 cents as well.

We just came back from a week (one night Cape Canaveral, one night Vero, 4 nights OKW, 1 night VWL).

I have two small children (2 and 5) and by the end, I was so sick of packing and unpacking that I wish we had just done Vero and OKW and made just two moves. I constantly had to rearrange things and it was not worth the points I saved to switch constantly. Next time, we are planning to pick one spot and just suck up the weekend points

I also moved from a one bedroom at Vero and OKW (which I HIGHLY recommend) to a Studio our last night and hated it. I LOVED VWL but the reason I joined DVC is so that I never have to be right on top of my children and the one bedroom has now spoiled me

Enjoy your trip!