It is so complicated!

[MinnieVanMom]

How hard can it be to organize a DVC vacation? VERY.

I will try to stay focused and to the point. There are several issues and options to consider.

1. We can fly out anytime from May 28th on to MCO.
2. Our passes black out on 6th.
3. We arrive very late for our flights and don't want to waste points for a place to put our head for the evening.
4. We want to also go to VB.
5. We want to be at WDW for Star Wars Weekend.

I am thinking of either coming in and getting a value for the weekend nite or nights, then going to BCV, then staying through to the next Sunday and leave for VB.

Or, renting a room near the airport for the night. Avoiding the park during Memorial day weekend. Get a car and got to VB for 1 or two nights then go back to BCV for the rest of the holiday.

What would you do and how would you put this holiday together?

 

[hakepb]

How hard can it be to organize a DVC vacation? VERY.

I will try to stay focused and to the point. There are several issues and options to consider.

1. We can fly out anytime from May 28th on to MCO.
2. Our passes black out on 6th.
3. We arrive very late for our flights and don't want to waste points for a place to put our head for the evening.
4. We want to also go to VB.
5. We want to be at WDW for Star Wars Weekend.

I am thinking of either coming in and getting a value for the weekend nite or nights, then going to BCV, then staying through to the next Sunday and leave for VB.

Or, renting a room near the airport for the night. Avoiding the park during Memorial day weekend. Get a car and got to VB for 1 or two nights then go back to BCV for the rest of the holiday.

What would you do and how would you put this holiday together?

I always arrive late after a long day of driving (sometimes at midnight) and never even contemplated that it was a "waste" to go asleep knowing you made your destination (vacation can begin) and wake up the next AM in WDW!

If the points really matter, and you want ME (and are not renting a car), then the value may be the best option..

 

[MouseMomx2]

How hard can it be to organize a DVC vacation? VERY.

I will try to stay focused and to the point. There are several issues and options to consider.

1. We can fly out anytime from May 28th on to MCO.
2. Our passes black out on 6th.
3. We arrive very late for our flights and don't want to waste points for a place to put our head for the evening.
4. We want to also go to VB.
5. We want to be at WDW for Star Wars Weekend.

I am thinking of either coming in and getting a value for the weekend nite or nights, then going to BCV, then staying through to the next Sunday and leave for VB.

Or, renting a room near the airport for the night. Avoiding the park during Memorial day weekend. Get a car and got to VB for 1 or two nights then go back to BCV for the rest of the holiday.

What would you do and how would you put this holiday together?

I would do WDW first and save Vero for last. Vero will be a nice way to relax after your WDW touring. If Star Wars Weekend falls on those dates then I'd do it first...getting a room by the airport for the first night and heading to Vero the next morning.

Personally, I would either do a value for that first night or get something near the airport via Priceline or Hotwire. We've had great luck with each, although if you are going with more than 2 people you might want to use Hotwire as Priceline only guarantees a room for 2. We've never had trouble getting a room for the 4 of us at check-in, but it isn't guaranteed so you might not want to risk it. If you are not getting a rental car for the entire time then I'd go with the Value as you can use Magical Express. Disney will then transfer your bags to your DVC resort the next morning.

Have Star Wars Weekend dates been announced yet? If not, and you really want to be there then, you're going to have to wait to plan everything out until that time. You can still go ahead and book airfare now, but the details of your stay will have to wait until you have all of the necessary information.

Everything will fall into place, don't' worry!

 

[ohtarabell]

Stay at the Hyatt in MCO. Book your car for pickup in the morning instead of the night you land, or have ME pick you up first thing in the morning. Get your luggage and go to bed.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would book the night with DVC and know that I didn't have to move in the morning. We did as you are talking of doing once, and staying offsite for a night at the beginning and end of the trip was a real downer. We now make sure we travel so that our 10 days span only one weekend, and if we need to conserve points, we do it with a studio on one end or the other of the trip.

 

[saintstickets]

I too am new to DVC and have about a 10 hour drive to get to WDW which means I will be getting in late the first day. I would probably stay at a Value resort the first night to keep from using my points. If I drive in, I can leave my luggage in the vehicle the 2nd day and then check in to the DVC resort sometime mid-afternoon at the normal check in time. If I fly in and stay at a Value Resort the first night, will they transfer your luggage for you to the DVC Resort the next day? If so, do you go ahead and check in to the DVC resort 1st thing in the morning the 2nd day before heading to the parks or will you have to leave the park mid-afternoon and go back and check in? Would they go ahead and put your luggage in your room or would it be held at the reservation center? Just trying to iron out some of the logistics before I start packing!

 

[chainkid]

When I go on vacation I consider my time very valuable and worth something. I like to check in once and get the room. If you check in at a value first night you spend time waiting in line at front desk and then the next day having to wait in line to check in again. Rarely does it take less than a half hour to check and sometimes it takes alot longer. I also find
I am now so spoiled staying at DVC resorts that the value rooms don;t give me the feeling of being where I feel comfortable. If you check in once, the next day you have the whole day to be on vacation rather than having to keep checking back to see if your room is ready and if you want too come back from the parks mid day to rest you can. The added convenience is worth it to me every time. When you come in late from the airport generally there are no lines to check in and your room is always ready so you can pick up groceries knowing you have a place to put them as soon as you arrive. Next morning we have breakfast in our room and then we are free to have a full day fully refreshed.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

If we fly in late, we often use Priceline or Hotwire to get a hotel by the airport. You can usually get a nice place for very cheap.

 

[rlovew]

Last year the Star Wars Weekends started late and there was only 1 day- the first Friday that you could go to using a Seasonal Pass.

 

[DenLo]

We usually drive to WDW and never spend our first night on property. We are considering staying at a Value resort for our next trip, but so far the rate is still to high compared to an off property hotel. The next day we check out early and check in early at WDW and since our room won't be ready go on to the parks after checking in. We just leave our luggage in our car. But if you stay on property Disney will transfer your luggage to your DVC resort while you enjoy the parks.

Regarding when to go to WDW for Star Wars Weekends. It has not been announced as to the dates for SWW in 2010. There is discussion that it might be move back to June dates only or even all the way to August due to a JediCon might be held in Orlando.

As to which to do first VB or WDW, I like the idea of going to WDW first and the rest up afterwards, unless you are worn out before you go. Sometimes you need the rest and relaxation first.