I HATE too many choices!!!

[chager]

Ok originally we were thinking staying in DTD at Doubletree or one of them to save a little money. Was thinking of making a store stop for milk and snacks. Well I've read so much about losing the Disney feeling and about transportation that now I'm not sure. I was also wanting to spend a night or two at the Contemporary becuase DH made a comment he would love to stay there next time. Price is an issue though. Ok then I read about DVC and renting points. Several people say that is a great way to go. I also was thinking of POR becuase I think it looks neat, but so does WL! I'm Sooo stressed over where to stay. Renting DVC points sounds good, but even after reading all the info I still don't get them. We are planning on going mid November so I know I need to get a room settled on. In considering room prices I'm also trying to figure out if it is worth it to buy a AAA membership or one AP for the discount. I can't stand having more then 3 choices!! Not having long bus rides anywhere is a selling point too. All this is over at most a 6 night stay!! I'm starting to have nightmares about not picking the right place to stay. I'm dreaming we get there and the resort we picked either is closed for remodeling or our room isn't there. How easy is it to really switch between resorts? I know the COntemporary is going to cost us over $200/night so I was thinking 2 nights there and 3 somewhere else. The question is where would the best other place be?????

 

[tiggersmom2]

What month are you going in? I have never paid over $179 a night for a garden wing at the contemporary (but I do stay during the off season)

 

[GoodFairies]

Ok, mid-November for six nights.
First, on property is definitely the way to go in my opinion.

Second, here's what I would do right now. Book what you can afford. Keep an ear out for discounts. This site as well as mousesavers.com will help with that. Right now discounts are only available through April. If discounts do come out for November, it may be quite a while before they are listed; therefore, if you definitely want to go in November, book what you can afford now so you don't forfeit your vacation totally by not booking in time.

You can book an AP discount (if available) without having an AP in your hand at the time of booking; you will need to have it at check-in. But you must do your calculations to determine if the extra cost of the AP is compensated by a large enough decrease in room price.

Are value resorts out of the question? I ask because 4 days at a value would go a long way in helping to save money for those last 2 special days at the Contemporary.

How many are in your party and what are the ages? This can help a lot in determining the best resort.

 

[dzneelvr]

Don't dive into the DVC or any other club that have a million extra "fine print" to read until you've done the world a few times.

My advice is to buy Annual Passes (AP) and use their discounted rates on most everything--hotel, food, selected purchases (all will be detailed for you).
Stay at a Value Resort for most of the trip. We love the Movies. And then splurge for a 2 night/3 days or some such combo at the resort of your dreams.
Stay at the Value first. Never move from a Deluxe to a Value. Always move up.
You will not regret staying onsite. There is just something wonderful about stepping into Disney from minute one and never stepping out until you leave. You can rent a refrig at the Movies for $10 a day, so you cold purchase basic food items and eat some meals in your room.

Once you're more comfortable with all the planning options thrown at you, you can sort out for other years and see if joining clubs, etc. is really for you. We researched the DVC ourselves and found it to limit what we really needed from Disney. It's not for everyone.

Above all--relax and don't second-guess yourself. There is always room for improvements and that's what additional trips are for!!

Here we come--June 2004!!

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

Theres really no "fine print" to renting points from a DVC member. Ive done it twice and its very straightforward.
Average cost per point is ~$10. There is a point calculator on the DVC boards on this site. Plug in your dates+your type of room--get your total number of points X 10 and that is what you will be paying. No tax.
Ive gone through 2 different members and have not had a problem. They usually just ask for a deposit to hold the points then a payment or 2 after reservations and confirmation of reservation. If I can do it I really think anyone can.
It does limit where you can stay (deluxes only) so we decided not to buy into DVC till we've hit most of the other resorts first. (with codes of course )

 

[chager]

I am actually just planning for my family, DH,Ds9,and me. There is a possibility my parents and inlaws may go but they have not decided yet. LAst June we stayed at All Stars Sports. It was nice except for the bus ride which going wasn't usually too bad, but coming back was really crowded. Of course it was June and alot of people were there. Our anniversary is Nov 17, so I want to spend it at the Contemporary as a suprise for DH. I know my parents really want to go but my grandmother's health will determine what they do. My inlaws would need a smoking room so they will most likely not be "right next door" anyway. ALthough to be honest I just don't see them going. The plan is to fly down sometime between the 12-14 spend until the 18-19 at WDW then go to Universal for 2-3 days. I have thought about PopCentury just becuase it is new. At any rate I need to make sure DS will be occupied since the park hours are shorter. I'm hoping it will still be warm enough for him to swim in the evening. If we can keep the first part of the trip no more then $120 or so then all would be well