Independtly booking Disney hotels

[pickers1982]

Looking at our next trip(although it's a long way out). Have always booked through travel agents in the past and got standard rooms (Virgin or Travelcity)

Got a tonne of airmiles now so going to look at booking ourselves (hopefully with disney dining as it takes so much stress out of it). What we would really like to do is get the apartments/villas preferably boardwalk or beach club. I just don't know the best way of going about this (or if it's possible). We d want 14 day disney tickets too and I don't know if booking yourselves affect that. Is booking with disney direct the best.

People have mentioned renting DVC points but to be honest that totally confuses me!

Has anyone done this themselves. We would want two bedrooms and definitely on site given young children

 

[wayneg]

If you want free dining and it is available then look at booking direct with Disney (via Quidco for 3% cashback) http://www.quidco.com/walt-disney-world/?ac
Also look at http://www.completeorlando.co.uk/
I have used both these, twice each. Personally prefer direct with Disney for better T&C's and I had problems with Complete Orlando last time with Online ADR's. But if there is a big saving I would use CO again.
Tickets available with both options.

For renting DVC points you have to decide on either a company and pay more(around $14/point) or looking to rent direct with a member which will be cheaper(around $11)

 

[BlueGiraffe]

We booked direct with Disney, it was very simple. We originally had 4 nights, but I phoned to upgrade it to 5 nights, and added the dining plan and tickets whilst I was on the phone. We bought 21 day passes as we're staying off site once we check out of POFQ, but they are still all linked with our 5 night stay

Your best bet would probably be to phone them and explain what you want, and they will be able to help.

 

[scoobydooby]

If you call them ask directly if they have any offers they can apply to the price they give you. They don't have to offer them up front. But they have to tell you if there are any if you ask. However. I have never seen good deals at Beach Club. It's fab there, we stayed 16 nights one year, but two rooms will hurt. If we have the same deals as other years your cheapest two room deal at a deluxe or DVC will be the 30% off with free dining at Saratoga Springs or Old Key West. The advantage there over two hotel rooms is that you'd also get a kitchen and washer and dryer. I've never seen deals on Beach Club DVC on the UK Disney website in the last 8 years. In fact. I'm not sure I've even ever seen their DVC rooms offered as available.

 

[pickers1982]

We booked direct with Disney, it was very simple. We originally had 4 nights, but I phoned to upgrade it to 5 nights, and added the dining plan and tickets whilst I was on the phone. We bought 21 day passes as we're staying off site once we check out of POFQ, but they are still all linked with our 5 night stay Your best bet would probably be to phone them and explain what you want, and they will be able to help.

Great tips

 

[orangetiggs]

We have used disney direct but last three times complete orlando has been better savings even with quidco.

Have never had a problem with them and they are very helpful with any problems

 

[Elise79]

Looking at our next trip(although it's a long way out). Have always booked through travel agents in the past and got standard rooms (Virgin or Travelcity)

Got a tonne of airmiles now so going to look at booking ourselves (hopefully with disney dining as it takes so much stress out of it). What we would really like to do is get the apartments/villas preferably boardwalk or beach club. I just don't know the best way of going about this (or if it's possible). We d want 14 day disney tickets too and I don't know if booking yourselves affect that. Is booking with disney direct the best.

People have mentioned renting DVC points but to be honest that totally confuses me!

Has anyone done this themselves. We would want two bedrooms and definitely on site given young children

You will have 3 choices probably:
1) OKW/SSR which historically have been offered with a combined discount and free dining
2) BCV/BWV with either free dining or a room discount
3) BCV/BWV using DVC points.

OPs have covered your booking options for 1 and 2. If you are looking at a 2 bedroom villa at BCV you might not find one with the UK free dining offer as it is a small resort. Also depending on how many in your family and the mix of adults/kids you might find a room only discount a better deal than free dining.
BWV are more often found with discounts. Both resorts will be around double OKW/SSR if they are discounted again.

If you are looking at option 3 - it comes with some differences. You will have no chance for free dining. If you want a DDP you can add it but you will have to pay full price - I would not recommend doing this without running the numbers as it is very difficult to break even let alone be better off.
You are also going to be tied to paying in full for your reservation and cancellations will not usually be allowed - it is a private transaction and by you booking you are tying up the members points. Trust will be involved as well as you do own that reservation until you are standing at the check in desk.
Other things about DVC reservation - you do not get daily housekeeping. It is a four day cycle alternating between a full clean and a trash and towel service (they just replace the towels and take out the trash - nothing more).
If you don't like your room they will not move you without charging you a fee once you have entered the room (they won't charge if there is something wrong such as a maintenance issue).
These things are why you get such a good price by renting points. I am not saying don't do it but it comes with warnings

 

[pickers1982]

You will have 3 choices probably: 1) OKW/SSR which historically have been offered with a combined discount and free dining 2) BCV/BWV with either free dining or a room discount 3) BCV/BWV using DVC points. OPs have covered your booking options for 1 and 2. If you are looking at a 2 bedroom villa at BCV you might not find one with the UK free dining offer as it is a small resort. Also depending on how many in your family and the mix of adults/kids you might find a room only discount a better deal than free dining. BWV are more often found with discounts. Both resorts will be around double OKW/SSR if they are discounted again. If you are looking at option 3 - it comes with some differences. You will have no chance for free dining. If you want a DDP you can add it but you will have to pay full price - I would not recommend doing this without running the numbers as it is very difficult to break even let alone be better off. You are also going to be tied to paying in full for your reservation and cancellations will not usually be allowed - it is a private transaction and by you booking you are tying up the members points. Trust will be involved as well as you do own that reservation until you are standing at the check in desk. Other things about DVC reservation - you do not get daily housekeeping. It is a four day cycle alternating between a full clean and a trash and towel service (they just replace the towels and take out the trash - nothing more). If you don't like your room they will not move you without charging you a fee once you have entered the room (they won't charge if there is something wrong such as a maintenance issue). These things are why you get such a good price by renting points. I am not saying don't do it but it comes with warnings

Thanks all very helpful. Might knock the idea of a villa on the head and squeeze the four of us into a standard room. 3 in beds and 1 in cot

Yes agreed ddp isn't great value for us at all as we rarely eat dessert etc but we love the stress being taken out of having to worry about prices. Wouldn't pay for it

Okw and ssr has the best position? Love the beach club for Epcot eating and the monorail option to magic kingdom. Wouldn't want to be too far from Epcot