Just Got Back

[eva]

We just returned from 2 wonderful weeks at WDW. The first week we stayed in a grand villa with my sister, her husband and our two daughters. The grand villas are definitely fantastic. We stayed in building 48 and were right next to the South Point bus stop. The villa was in great shape except for a few scratches on the hardwood floor. Definitely not anything that I noticed untill the second day. When we arrived housekeeping had made all of these great towel decorations, two swans kissing in the window of the jacuzzi tub, roses everywhere, etc. It was a nice touch and made the villa even more special. The bus service was really good. I was a bit worried after all that was written about it lately, but we didn't wait for more than 15 minutes for a bus at any time.

My sister and her husband were so impressed that they bought 200 points. And we decided to add on 100 points at Vero. They still had the $10 buy back for the first years points at Vero. I'm pretty excited because we have always wanted to rent a beach cottage for our family at Vero. A special thanks to our guide, Mayra, who came in on her day off to talk to my sister and her husband when they really didn't know if they were going to buy. We had never met our guide but I must say that she is absolutely wonderful.

We went to the member update at OKW and actually discovered something about trading and how it works. We are definitely thinking of using the Passport Collection now. I never realized that they are trading the lowest points that are avaialble. At the update there was a very irrate man that had traveled all the way to WDW to buy BCV (lives in NY) only to find out that the $5 incentive had ended in April and was now a first year buy back. He was very upset because they would not make an exception to the rule. I found it hard to believe that he didn't contact his guide before heading down there to buy. Just shows that these boards are fantastic for keeping everyone up-to-date.

The second week everyone but my husband and I went back home and we stayed at WL for a few nights while my husband was at a conference at the Dolphin. Boy, do I hate hotel rooms! I did really enjoy the quite pool over by the villas. I had the place to myself most days until about 2 or 3 pm. I hate to say it but the bus service to DD from WL is awful. I went there all three days and had to wait over 30 minutes everytime. We did enjoy the boat to the Contemporary. Towards the middle of the week we moved back to OKW and a 1-bedroom for the rest of the week.

Well we had a great time and the weather was great except one day that it rained. If you have any questions just ask.

Oh yeah, my husband and I were interviewed for the new WDW video. We may end up on the cutting room floor, but you never know.

 

[Patricia]

Eva.
Happy to hear you had a nice time. I love OKW too. We are leaving in 28 days and I for the first time in 6 years, we will have a car with us at WDW. I just have not found it necessary as I am perfectly happy with the bus service. We are taking the Autotrain down for the first time. I am glad to hear that the busses are up to par. I still don't plan on using the car much, maybe to Downtown Disney. Absolutely not to MK. We are then heading to Vero. The combination of WDW and Vero is my favorite vacation for sure. Imagine when you take an GV in OKW and then a Beach Cottage at Vero! Wow, that'll be some vacation! We did the Beach cottages once, it was wonderful!! Congratulations on the add on and Welcome Home to your sister!Thanks for the info!

 

[Doctor P]

Sounds like a great trip. Congrats on your add on!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by eva
We went to the member update at OKW and actually discovered something about trading and how it works. We are definitely thinking of using the Passport Collection now.

They started this a few years ago. Once they decide what "Season" you must give up at DVC when you get a trade, they then look to see what the cheapest week that you can give to II that fits the season. That usually means HH off season or OKW regardless of your home resort. Sometimes you can't get the lowest possible week due to points availability, unit availability, banking/borrowing rules and the 7/11 months windows. The big change was that prior, you had to give up your home resort in most situations.

It's still a lot of points for an exchange, even if you give up a 1 BR and get a 2. There are very few locations one couldn't rent their points then rent and come out ahead but it does give a little more value to the program.

 

[PamOKW]

Thanks for the nice report, Eva. Glad you had a good time.

 

[ncligs]

Glad you had a great time!!!!!! Thanks for the update.

 

[eva]

Dean I was with you until I asked MS to give it a try for next spring. They had a 1-bedroom at the Marriott in Maui for 160 points for the week. That's the same as a 1-bedroom at OKW adventure season. I then called the Marriott and found out even with a AAA discount a 1-bedroom with mountain view would be $289 before taxes for the same time of year. The room even includes daily maid service and breakfast for two each morning. I guess that I can't see where we would be losing money on this deal.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by eva
Dean I was with you until I asked MS to give it a try for next spring. They had a 1-bedroom at the Marriott in Maui for 160 points for the week. That's the same as a 1-bedroom at OKW adventure season. I then called the Marriott and found out even with a AAA discount a 1-bedroom with mountain view would be $289 before taxes for the same time of year. The room even includes daily maid service and breakfast for two each morning. I guess that I can't see where we would be losing money on this deal.

You can rent the room from a Marriott owner for less or do a direct exchange. The top trades however will be an exception to this generalization and Maui Marriott is definitely a comparable exchange any way you look at it. The advantage to renting or a direct exchange, even when comparable dollar value is to guarantee the view and get the room in time for good air fare or FF miles.