Just a vent - quibbling with the DH!

[ScubaCat]

Got more back on our capital one credit card for cash back rewards versus just letting it sit in the bank for six months.

Can't quibble about that!

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Can't quibble about that!

Took the sting out of it...just a little bit lol.

 

[kboo]

Well, our money's probably going to sit for another 6 months or so, since there's no contracts that fit what we (okay, I) want.

 

[DduzDis]

Well, our money's probably going to sit for another 6 months or so, since there's no contracts that fit what we (okay, I) want.

It is tight out there right now. There were a lot better contracts when we bought earlier this year. I am (kind of) glad we don't have the money for a bit to purchase again right now.

 

[ScubaCat]

There will be a lot more closer to when maintenance fees are due.

 

[DduzDis]

There will be a lot more closer to when maintenance fees are due.

I thought that too. Fortunately that will also be after our bonuses are paid out where I work.

 

[ScubaCat]

I thought that too. Fortunately that will also be after our bonuses are paid out where I work.

There you go! No quibbling needed whatsoever!

Thanks to OP by the way. I have a new favorite word

 

[kboo]

There you go! No quibbling needed whatsoever!

Thanks to OP by the way. I have a new favorite word

Happy to help! And it really is quibbling - if that - because with some careful planning I just figured out how to get us into 1BR (standard) at BLT through 2019 (3 trips!) with only borrowing 1 point. That gives us a lot of time to wait for the right EP resort contract (and no, it's not going to be Riviera). This is also thanks to buying a non-stripped contract. Sometimes I think I like the chase more than the actual trip...

If we manage to close on a 100ish-point BCV/BWV by mid 2019, we will be all set. (Of course, by then we'll probably decide we "need" 2BR going forward.)

 

[Matty B13]

Happy to help! And it really is quibbling - if that - because with some careful planning I just figured out how to get us into 1BR (standard) at BLT through 2019 (3 trips!) with only borrowing 1 point. That gives us a lot of time to wait for the right EP resort contract (and no, it's not going to be Riviera). This is also thanks to buying a non-stripped contract. Sometimes I think I like the chase more than the actual trip...

If we manage to close on a 100ish-point BCV/BWV by mid 2019, we will be all set. (Of course, by then we'll probably decide we "need" 2BR going forward.)

And bring your folks along for a trip.......

 

[kboo]

DH and I just had a long conversation...

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

DH and I just had a long conversation...

A good one or a bad one? I'm rooting for you! Lol.

 

[ScubaCat]

A good one or a bad one? I'm rooting for you! Lol.

Hopefully not too much quibbling involved...

 

[kboo]

So... Of course the conversation had to go from 11:30pm -12:30am, but it was worth it! What spurred it on was that I just missed a 1BR std at BWV yesterday because we'd been texting back and forth at work about whether to try to switch or not. Then the thought of the 4 of us (including a toddler in a pack and play) being squished for 7 nights in a studio at BLT, which doesn't have the single murphy bed, led to us decide to book a 1BR P/G view at BWV (~same points at the 1BR BLT we waitlisted). Driving the discussion was whether we wanted a 1BR or studio at BLT over Thanksgiving, where we're sure to need to book at 11 mo and stay at our home resort, so how many points should we "save" for that.

Some of the points we discussed/agreed on:

BLT: we like walking distance to MK, love the 1BR and 2BR, we like the theming, and confirmed that studios are probably a tight squeeze in the next 1-2 years, especially with a toddler in a pack and play

BWV: 1BR p/g view was our first DVC experience (booked through Disney), walking distance to both EP (DH and my favorite park) and HS (new lands!! new lands!!), the studios at BCV, BWV and several other resorts are bigger and have the pull down bed, BWV (unless there's a reallocation) costs fewer points for a stay, etc.

Our current points situation: We have enough at BLT now for a week every year alternating in a studio and 1BR, or a 2BR every other year.

An additional contract at BWV (or BCV) would allow us some more flexibility w additional home resort and ability to alternate years at diff home resorts, and we could walk to 3 out of 4 parks. Plus we love the BW area.

DH: "How many points at BWV, and how much would it cost?"

(yes!!)

 

[DduzDis]

So... Of course the conversation had to go from 11:30pm -12:30am, but it was worth it! What spurred it on was that I just missed a 1BR std at BWV yesterday because we'd been texting back and forth at work about whether to try to switch or not. Then the thought of the 4 of us (including a toddler in a pack and play) being squished for 7 nights in a studio at BLT, which doesn't have the single murphy bed, led to us decide to book a 1BR P/G view at BWV (~same points at the 1BR BLT we waitlisted). Driving the discussion was whether we wanted a 1BR or studio at BLT over Thanksgiving, where we're sure to need to book at 11 mo and stay at our home resort, so how many points should we "save" for that.

Some of the points we discussed/agreed on:

BLT: we like walking distance to MK, love the 1BR and 2BR, we like the theming, and confirmed that studios are probably a tight squeeze in the next 1-2 years, especially with a toddler in a pack and play

BWV: 1BR p/g view was our first DVC experience (booked through Disney), walking distance to both EP (DH and my favorite park) and HS (new lands!! new lands!!), the studios at BCV, BWV and several other resorts are bigger and have the pull down bed, BWV (unless there's a reallocation) costs fewer points for a stay, etc.

Our current points situation: We have enough at BLT now for a week every year alternating in a studio and 1BR, or a 2BR every other year.

An additional contract at BWV (or BCV) would allow us some more flexibility w additional home resort and ability to alternate years at diff home resorts, and we could walk to 3 out of 4 parks. Plus we love the BW area.

DH: "How many points at BWV, and how much would it cost?"

(yes!!)

Sounds like success!

 

[kboo]

The conversation actually helped me think about my proposed strategy - with a moderate BWV add on, we'd have enough points overall to:

1br at BWV every other year OR long weekend in a 1BR every year (e.g. F&W, F&G, split stay, etc)
AND
1BR at BLT for almost a week every year, or a 2BR for almost a week every other year (good for bringing family, etc), pretty comfortably.

(and 2 home resorts we like)

Since there's no inventory anyway, we decided it was good we had this discussion now without any pressure of whether to make an offer NOW. One thing that may have sold DH is that a BWV add'l contract would open up a lot more flexibility to use our BLT points to bring friends and family, and realistically we wouldn't invite another family every year anyway.

And as for current reservations, without borrowing points (or borrowing 3-4 points) we are looking at Thanksgiving 2018 in a BLT studio. Which is also a win-win - if we haven't bought another contract by then, staying in a studio might push DH over the edge. Or we could decide we are ok with studios (DH is more high maintenance than I am, so I don't really see this happening). If the waitlist for the BWV 1br std comes through (not holding my breath), then we'll have enough points for a 1BR at BLT over T-giving.

The only wrinkle might be if DH really loves VGF or BCV, our 2 upcoming studio stays next month on rented points. Then we might have to consider the risk/cost of using SSR points to book preferred 1BR at 7mo v. buying higher priced points resale to get the 11mo window. (and getting me off of wanting to buy BWV)

 

[DduzDis]

We have a BCV Studio trip with our girls next March and then we are taking my brother and his family (if they follow through). We are booking 2 LV studios at BLT for that next Sept. We will get plenty of experience with Studios next year to help develop an opinion on what works for us. Our 17 month old won't sleep in a P&P anyway so that is not really a factor for us. While we bought with the idea of a 1BR Lake View every other year at BLT, if studios work we have a lot of opportunity to expand our trips. My hope is that DW falls in love with BCV/BWV so I can go shopping next year.

 

[kboo]

We have a BCV Studio trip with our girls next March and then we are taking my brother and his family (if they follow through). We are booking 2 LV studios at BLT for that next Sept. We will get plenty of experience with Studios next year to help develop an opinion on what works for us. Our 17 month old won't sleep in a P&P anyway so that is not really a factor for us. While we bought with the idea of a 1BR Lake View every other year at BLT, if studios work we have a lot of opportunity to expand our trips. My hope is that DW falls in love with BCV/BWV so I can go shopping next year.

DH loves BWV already! He just had to be reminded of why (SW land in 2019 is a big thing for him). We've stayed in hotel rooms, 1BR and 2BR at WDW, and studio-like accommodations elsewhere with the kids (Hawaii in January), but I think the Hilton Waikoloa hotel rooms have a much bigger living area than a BLT studio. Our failing was that we bought with the idea that we'd be fine in studios without ever having seen a BLT studio (durrrrr) and so the extra points were a "cushion." I think the only reason DH isn't all "Buy BWV now!" is because he is intrigued by SAB, and we really loved the GF when we stayed there last year - in a hotel room large enough to hold a crib, a pull out couch for DD1, and a king bed for us. So of course we thought a studio would be big enough for us...

 

[ScubaCat]

So of course we thought a studio would be big enough for us...

I'm surprised how many people do. Obviously budget has a lot to do with it, but the Studios in general are really small. I saved for a few years until I had enough for a week in a 2BR during summer prices. We usually do 1BR, but get 2BR lockoff when we bring others. All our points are at BCV, and while you can get in there at 7 months usually, a 2BR lockoff is pretty tricky due to studio popularity.

 

[mustinjourney]

I'm surprised how many people do. Obviously budget has a lot to do with it, but the Studios in general are really small. I saved for a few years until I had enough for a week in a 2BR during summer prices. We usually do 1BR, but get 2BR lockoff when we bring others. All our points are at BCV, and while you can get in there at 7 months usually, a 2BR lockoff is pretty tricky due to studio popularity.

I think it's one of those situations where you don't miss what you have never had.

Our first family WDW trip we stayed in a studio for a week (split stay with POR and GF). The POR studio felt extremely cramped, but the Grand Floridian hotel room didn't feel nearly as cramped. On our next trip, DW and I did split stays for F&W last minute, so we had to go with 1BRs. We then did a trip with GPs in a 2BR. Without a doubt, now that I've stayed in 1 BR and 2BR rooms -- hotel rooms (even non-disney ones) really feel cramped.

If you're going park commando, then the studio isn't quite as bad. A lot depends on if everyone has similar sleeping/waking habits. I like to stay up and watch TV, so the separate living space is nice.

 

[amccu18007]

A lot depends on if everyone has similar sleeping/waking habits. I like to stay up and watch TV, so the separate living space is nice.

I really think that this is one of the most important things to consider when deciding what size room to book. Our family all tends to be on the same schedule. We have no problem being in a studio together as we don't spend much time in the room.