In need of expert advice!

[Davids-Coco]

Well, we have thought about and gone around the idea of DVC quite a few times... and it is in our mind once again. So here are my questions...

1. If we are probably NOT going to stay at our home resort, but at one of the hotels (we're GF concierge junkies), is it worth it? Either that or taking the cruise. We would still probably be going every other year or so. If we didn't do WDW/Cruise every other year, we would probably go down to Disneyland.

2. For the above situation, when can you make reservations? Could we do it before 11 mo mark?

Thats all I have at the moment....

 

[Dean]

It would not be reasonable to buy to use for non DVC hotel stays or the cruise exchanges in any volume at all. You're far better off with cash both in terms of more flexibility and a lower short and long term cost. Buy DVC for DVC stays only.

 

[Slakk]

Well, we have thought about and gone around the idea of DVC quite a few times... and it is in our mind once again. So here are my questions...

1. If we are probably NOT going to stay at our home resort, but at one of the hotels (we're GF concierge junkies), is it worth it? Either that or taking the cruise. We would still probably be going every other year or so. If we didn't do WDW/Cruise every other year, we would probably go down to Disneyland.

2. For the above situation, when can you make reservations? Could we do it before 11 mo mark?

Thats all I have at the moment....

DVC works best for people who want to stay at DVC properties. Both of your scenarios are two of the least efficient way to spend your points. My opinion is DVC is not for you.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I agree. Hotel stays and cruises are nice flexibilities for DVC members who may not want to stay in their DVC accomodations every year, but they certainly aren't a reason to buy into DVC. If you're not planning on staying in the DVC resorts more than you exchange out, you're going to loose money.

 

[Lynne M]

Just to give you a concrete example, you could get a studio at Saratoga Springs for 11 points per night Mon-Thurs, or 20 points a night Fri-Sat.

For Grand Floridian RPC, it's 70 points a night Mon-Thurs, 126 points a night Fri-Sat.

So, for your initial buy-in of 160 points, if your stays are always on weeknights, you could stay for 14 nights a year in an SSR studio. You could stay at GF RPC for ... 2 nights.

Another very important thing to understand: The point cost per night is, to some extent, fixed at the DVC resorts. It is NOT fixed at the non-DVC resorts. It's renegotiated every year, and goes up every year. That 70 point/night at GF RPC could very well be 100 points/night in a few years.


Bottom line: DVC is intended for stays at the DVC resorts. If you use your membership to stay at non-DVC resorts, it will almost certainly cost you far, far more than paying cash would.

 

[RobDoc]

In addition thot he other good advice and examples given, you could still only mkae those GF reservations 11 months in advance. Cruise reservations may be made farther ahead, but the actual points needed usually aren't negotiated for publication and planning until the spring each year for the following year. (The 2008 cruise point chart was just recently released.)

I agree with the other comments, based on the way you plan to use your points, DVC probably would be more limiting and mre costly than if primarily used at DVC resorts.

Have you ever stayed in a 1BR villa at any of the DVC resorts? You might want to try that at least once - you might see a different aspect of DVC that would compare more favorably to what you're used to at the GF.

 

[Davids-Coco]

Thanks everyone for your help, info and examples!!!

Have you ever stayed in a 1BR villa at any of the DVC resorts? You might want to try that at least once - you might see a different aspect of DVC that would compare more favorably to what you're used to at the GF.

We haven't. We actually did the tour and liked it... but I am trying to figure out if I really want to do pay extra for the daily towel service, cleaning, etc. I'm a bit of a "vacation means no work" type.

However, I can see where this would be a better option since our lifestyle changed 8 months ago - when our son was born - and has the possibility of changing in the future again.

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)....However, I can see where this would be a better option since our lifestyle changed 8 months ago - when our son was born - and has the possibility of changing in the future again.

I had the same concerns re the lack of housekeeping, but soon came to really LIKE not having daily housekeeping. Even when staying in a traditional hotel room, I sometimes request no maid service. Prefer the privacy.

You might come to the same conclusion after staying in a 1 bedroom - especially when traveling with your young one. Imagine - no worries about when the maid will be in the room. You can sleep in, go back to your room anytime you like (think nap time) without worrying about what time the maid will arrive.

FWIW, it takes about 2 minutes to make a bed. And about the same to throw the towels in the washer before you leave in the morning. Put them in the dryer when you get back to the room and then hang them right back up on the rack. Also, if you need more towels, it only costs $6 for a pack that has 4 bath, 2 hand, 4 facecloths and a bath mat. Not work as far as I'm concerned - now cooking meals, that's another story and I consider the DVC stove to be merely "decorative"

If you go ahead with DVC, buy only enough points to use at a DVC resort. As the others have already said, it is not a good economical choice to buy DVC points for non-DVC use.

 

[DrShifty]

I agree with Doc. Try the 1 or 2 BR. Once you stay in a 1 or 2 BR, you probably will not go back to the GF again except to eat at Citricos.
Also, my family was very worried about no daily maid service. Our fears were unfounded. We (like CarolMN) do not use the "decorative" stove and do not do "work" on vacation. (We will put drinks in the fridge, however.) We love the privacy- sleep late, no "do not disturb" sign needed. We don't even usually make the beds (sorry Carol) especially if we have a 2 BR and no one is in the living room.
The W/D is GREAT to have- can pack fewer clothes and not worry about the kids or us getting dirty, wet, etc.

 

[Traveliz]

I had the same concerns re the lack of housekeeping, but soon came to really LIKE not having daily housekeeping. Even when staying in a traditional hotel room, I sometimes request no maid service. Prefer the privacy.

You might come to the same conclusion after staying in a 1 bedroom - especially when traveling with your young one. Imagine - no worries about when the maid will be in the room. You can sleep in, go back to your room anytime you like (think nap time) without worrying about what time the maid will arrive.

FWIW, it takes about 2 minutes to make a bed. And about the same to throw the towels in the washer before you leave in the morning. Put them in the dryer when you get back to the room and then hang them right back up on the rack. Also, if you need more towels, it only costs $6 for a pack that has 4 bath, 2 hand, 4 facecloths and a bath mat. Not work as far as I'm concerned - now cooking meals, that's another story and I consider the DVC stove to be merely "decorative"

If you go ahead with DVC, buy only enough points to use at a DVC resort. As the others have already said, it is not a good economical choice to buy DVC points for non-DVC use.

I totally agree -- I much prefer not to have dailyhousekeeping - its so nice not to worry about timing my time in the room to be different than when housekeeping wants in.

Liz

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip).... We don't even usually make the beds (sorry Carol) especially if we have a 2 BR and no one is in the living room......

No need for sorrow, LOL - it's my DH who can't stand the unmade bed. I can quite happily ignore it.

And I think it is simply wonderful when no one needs to sleep in the living room - love to keep it free for those who like to stay up late or get up early. I have actually reserved a 2 bedroom (for 3 adult women) to avoid using the living room sleeper - talk about spolied, huh?

 

[Davids-Coco]

What are the thoughts on AKL vs. Saratoga... I like AKL because it has what I think of as regular hotel stuff but seems far from anything but AK. Saratoga seems closer but has a SPA (which may be the deal breaker for my DH... I am a spa lover!)

 

[mjy]

I totally agree -- I much prefer not to have dailyhousekeeping - its so nice not to worry about timing my time in the room to be different than when housekeeping wants in.

Liz

I thought I was the only one for so long. Glad to find others.

Most anytime I check into a hotel for a few nights, the first thing I tell the manager is: "Please inform the staff that I do not want daily housekeeping."

I like my privacy and I do not like unpredictability. You never know when housekeeping can come in at hotels.

 

[Deb & Bill]

What are the thoughts on AKL vs. Saratoga... I like AKL because it has what I think of as regular hotel stuff but seems far from anything but AK. Saratoga seems closer but has a SPA (which may be the deal breaker for my DH... I am a spa lover!)

You can buy both if you like. A minimum of 160 at one of them and another as many as you like at the other. We own at three resorts.

 

[PIERCEDRN]

In your case, being from Portland and with your very point heavy tastes (GF concierge..ouch 70 points a night ) you would be best served by holding on to your money until the very possible Grand Californian Villas are officially announced for the first Disneyland DVC. Then you would be able to get the best of both worlds, luxury and proximity, and be able to jaunt to WDW for a really cheap trip to whatever dvc resort you like. So get yourself a "wishing for GCV" banner and lurk on the disboards for the next couple years !!!!

 

[Davids-Coco]

In your case, being from Portland and with your very point heavy tastes (GF concierge..ouch 70 points a night ) you would be best served by holding on to your money until the very possible Grand Californian Villas are officially announced for the first Disneyland DVC. Then you would be able to get the best of both worlds, luxury and proximity, and be able to jaunt to WDW for a really cheap trip to whatever dvc resort you like. So get yourself a "wishing for GCV" banner and lurk on the disboards for the next couple years !!!!

Ah, if it was only that easy... we have family in OC and that is a good/bad situation. I hate doing the dineyland trip where we end up "obligated" to spend days sitting around in a livingroom chatting and not doing anything. Our upcoming trip is secret for that reason.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I was also worried about the lack of DVC housekeeping. I posted the same question here five years ago, and I received the same responses you're getting.
Sure enough, I love not having daily housekeeping. This is especially nice since we don't have kids and tend to sleep in.

A few years back we brought my sister and her husband. They ended up purchasing DVC, and they were also worried about the lack of housekeeping.
Guess what? After their first stay, they admitted they loved not having housekeeping.

Anyway, put me in the minority on one issue raised here.
While I wouldn't buy DVC just to stay in the Disney Hotels, I don't think it's a terrible use of points to do so. That mostly holds true for weekday, concierge level stays. That's because it's rare to find a good cash discount on concierge level rooms, but the weekend points can be outragous.

By the way, if you look at my sig prior to DVC, you will see I was a Poly junkie (club level). Although I have, and will stay there again, the 1br villas blow it out of the water!

Good luck!

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We haven't. We actually did the tour and liked it... but I am trying to figure out if I really want to do pay extra for the daily towel service, cleaning, etc. I'm a bit of a "vacation means no work" type.

In addition, if you actually find that you miss daily housekeeping , I promise you it's cheaper to purchase than a concierge level room at the GF!

On a side note, we usually stay at VWL for eight nights (after four at VB).
This gives us one full cleaning in the middle of our stay, in addition to one trash & towel service at no charge.

MG

 

[ddhoeg]

By the way, if you look at my sig prior to DVC, you will see I was a Poly junkie (club level). Although I have, and will stay there again, the 1br villas blow it out of the water!
MG

Ditto what Maistre Gracey said. We used to be GF SL and RPC junkies prior to DVC 4 years ago. We hadn't stayed at the GF in a few years so we booked a honeymoon RPC room (on $$ not points) for our anniversary last summer to reminisce a bit. We so wished we would have splurged on a 1 bedroom DVC unit for the 2 of us and enjoyed the additional space and privacy, washer/dryer and kitchen. We will always enjoy the resorts and visit them to shop/dine and even pool hop occasionally (within the rules), but the DVC rooms are much better in our opinion.

Good luck!

 

[DeeCee735]

I agree with everyone who suggests that you try a 1 or 2 bedroom at a DVC resort. It's IMHO, as nice as concierge level - with privacy. I too don't want maid service in the room every day, and don't really see the need to clean that much each day anyway. I usually order one extra set of towels, and don't make the bed unless I'm in the mood

Give it a try and good luck with your decision.