Howdy Folks!

[CBtoDisney]

Hello everyone, I am new to the DIS, and just wanted to introduce myself.

My wife and I are currently in ROFR with Disney on an AKL property, very excited!!!

I was wondering if any of the veterans of DVC could offer me some suggestions or advice; I am trying to find my best available options for a 10 day or 2 week stay for end of January 2013. There will be 6 adults and 2 small children in my party and I am trying to find the property that would best sleep us all comfortabl, as well as use the fewest # of points.

So far based on this years points chart it looks to me like the THV @ SS would be our best bet (3Brdm) ??? What do you guys think? Do I have any other options?

Thanks in advance, look forward to meeting you all!

 

[drusba]

With that I can say "almost" welcome home and to the DVC member group and hope you pass ROFR (likely).

As to what you can do with 6 adults and two small kids, the THV's would be fine but in considering points make sure you are looking at the 2013 chart and not 2012 because they did a shifting of points for 2013, lowering regular SSR rooms and significantly increasing the point cost for THV's. (In fact the THV now requires more points than a 2BR savanna view at your home resort for the time you are considering).

Also you would be using the 7 month reservation window there. You would face a risk of not getting THVs at 7 months out because they are very popular and of limited numbers and thus can often be booked full by SSR owners at 11 months out.

It is always a wise choice to book your home resort 11 months out, or in your case, during the 11-7 month time period to assure you will have a room; then if you want something else try to switch at 7 months out. Many things can be available 7 months and time of year you are considering, end of Jan, is not a very high demand time and thus you even have a chance at the THV at 7 months but you should still reserve at AKV as soon as you can.

As to what you can do with 6 adults and two small kids, be aware that all the two bedrooms sleep up to 8 and many 9. At AKV, the Jambo standard and savanna view 2BRs sleep 9; they have a king in the master bedroom, a queen pull-out and a large sleeper chair in the living room, and a queen and a pull-out double in the 2d bedroom. The standard and savanna view 2BRs at Kidani have the same except that the dedicated 2BRs (meaning single room and not a combined studio and 1BR) have two queens in the second bedroom.

Those 2BRs at Kidani also have other advantages. They are much larger (by 100 sg ft) than the ones at Jambo and have three bathrooms instead of the two at Jambo. Those would likely be ideal for your group size.

An option but one I do not recommend unless points are critical is the 2BR "value" rooms at Jambo. They are fine rooms but they are smaller than any other 2BRs (about 100 sq ft smaller than Jambo and 200 smaller than Kidani), do not have the sleeper chair and though they technically can sleep 8, I would not recommend them because they are too small in my view for a group that size; six or less is better. Others would disagree. Also, because they are such low point cost, values are the first to go (after concierge rooms) when reservations begin and you might have difficulty getting one since you will be calling about 9 months out instead of 11 assuming you close by next month.

Other options at 7 months are 2BRs elsewhere. The OKW 2BRs are huge, signficantly larger than any others and also have that extra sleeper chair. BLT are also has larger 2BRs than most, although somewhat smaller than Kidani, and of course, it has higher point requirements than any other resort.

 

[dgaston]

I agree with the advice that you received in the prior post. AKV -- Kidani, and OKW would be good choices for you. In the THV, there are 2 Qs, a 2 bed bunk room, and a Q sleeper and a sleeper chair. With the dedicated 2 br, you get more beds, I think.

 

[Sandisw]

Welcome to the DIS!!! And here is that you pass ROFR quickly and are a DVC member in no time.

In terms of your stay, I agree that OKW will give you the most room as those are the largest 2 bedrooms on property.

 

[CBtoDisney]

Thank you very much for the quick responses, they are appreciated!

The 2bdrm @ AKL or OKW look like they may be the best options... could you tell me where I could find a 2013 points chart to view?

Thanks again!

 

[Canadian Disney Mom]

Welcome!!!!

 

[drusba]

Thank you very much for the quick responses, they are appreciated!

The 2bdrm @ AKL or OKW look like they may be the best options... could you tell me where I could find a 2013 points chart to view?

Thanks again!

Go to top of this page on the right and click on DVC Point Charts. Both 2012 and 2013 are there.

 

[TosaTrio]

One thing to note with the 2BR- one set of adults will be sleeping in the living room. Kidani will have an extra bathroom which is an advantage IMHO. If you have the points you may want to see about a 2BR and a studio.

 

[rpk1951]

I prefer 3 studios. That way you get some alone time in the evening and early morning.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

THV is hard to get if your aren't an owner. I've tried 4 times and have been unsuccesful, I think to get them, since there are only 60, you have to travel during times that aren't so popular! SSR, followed by OKW as a previous poster mentioned will be easier to get, but Kidani and BWV are also possible! That's the best part of DVC, trying out all of the different resorts!

Congrats on your DVC ownership, hope everything goes well!

 

[drusba]

^Time of year makes a huge difference but end of Jan when OP intends to go is a slower time so there is a good chance. For example, you can get THVs for the first week in September that includes Labor Day weekend even today and we are already 10 days into the 7 month window.