just wanted to share this story (long post)

[zurgswife]

What a great story...I'm sure your GF will have a wonderful first trip at WDW....especially if it is starting out with $500 from strangers....

 

[chell]

That made me teary eyed.

Wonder if your regular is also a DISer?

If you can't rent points cheaper than the cost of the Vaule Resorts I'd pick the Value.

If you want some help trying to plan meals feel free to PM me and I'll show you some of the stuff I have made for previous trips. I LOVE doing that by the way!

 

[sholtz77]

renting points looks like a pretty good way to go, i'll start looking into that right away. how can i find out how many points each room will cost?


by the way, how do i get the count down on the bottom of my post?

and once again, thanks to everyone for your support and help

 

[MELSMICE]

Also, in a studio you would get a kitchenette with a small fridge, micro, toaster, coffee maker & "kitchen sink". This could defray the cost of light meals like breakfast or even lunches if you are going to be at the pool anyway.

The bus service from OKW is great to all the parks. You can also get a boat from OKW to DTD where Pleasure Island is. You would most likely have to return to OKW by the bus if you did do Pleasure Island late into the evening as I think the boat only runs until about 9:30 or 10:00.

As far as renting points & how many you would need - you need to know the dates you'll be there. I don't have my point book right in front of me, but I believe as another poster said - the BWV are about the same point value as OKW & the Boardwalk is an AWESOME place to stay!!

Head on over to the Rent/Trade Board in this forum & ask A LOT of questions! If you do end up renting, before sending any money make sure you ask for & check references. We had a great experience renting points from someone on the boards before we bought & became owners at OKW, but we checked references & also made sure that the person we rented from had a lot of posts.

Oh - just a tip on food. Someone mentioned splitting meals. At the counter service restaurants you can also order a sandwich without the fries & it is a little less expensive. One order of fries from one meal is probably enough for 2 girls to share. You can also just get ice water in a cup if you ask at the counter service restaurants, you don't always have to get the bottled water for $2.50. Sometimes I want a soda, but other times it just won't quench my thirst & I really want water, but don't want to shell out $2.50 when I know it will just get warm because I won't finish the whole thing right away.

Head on over the Budget & Tip Boards for a lot of other money saving tips & some additional tips in general. The information you'll get will be very helpful.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

WELCOME TO THE BOARDS

 

[smilingmouse]

Have a MAGICAL trip!!!!!!!!!!

SmilingMouse

 

[Muffy]

WOW, what a wonderful story! You folks have to go to www.mousesavers.com for some tips and advice on budget trip planning. We will be at WDW the same time as you! Have a wonderful trip and start making those reservations! You don't have alot of time!

 

[CaptnHook]

Plus if you rent points from DVC owner a Studio does sleep four and no additional charge for extra adults. (I had read your earlier post about someone joining you and GF)

 

[mmeb144]

Evaluate your ticket needs. When my family goes to WDW, we don't spend every day in the parks. It's fun to visit Downtown Disney or just resort hop. You can get parkhoppers with pluses on them from ticketmania at really good prices. You will need to subscribe to the mousesavers newsletter. Mary Waring is really good about finding these deals for us. The waterparks are totally awesome, but January may not be a good time of year for them.

Marie

 

[Tiggerlover91]

TRULY A BLESSING!! Never turn away someone's blessing. How wonderful! Enjoy your trip and Happy Holidays to you!

 

[sholtz77]

well, i'm gonna start looking to rent 80 pts jan 7-14. will post on rent/trade board.

has anybody used paramount international for thier park hopper passes? they have good prices and someone else said that they had breakfast vouchers with them(whatever they are).

hope to see some of you there that week.

 

[KarenC]

Originally posted by sholtz77
i grew up in the midwest, my girlfriend grew up in seattle. it seems as though everyone west of the rocky mountains went to disneyland on vacations as a child, and everyone east of the rockies went to disney world.

i tried to tell her how much better i thought dw was than dl, but she really didnt understand.

We have this situation in our family. My SIL grew up in California. She went to DL as a kid. My folks took us to DW the first Christmas after it opened and several times after that.

The other week my brother was going to a conference in Orlando. My niece was complaining that they weren't going along. She did go to DL when she was 2 (she's 13 now). My SIL thought that was enough...my poor deprived nieces and nephews!

 

[chell]

Another way to save a little money on drinks at counter service is to order a large drink with no ice. It's plenty of drink for 2 adults to share. Since the drinks come out of the fountain they are already cold.

We found this out by accident because we couldn't stand the taste of the drink after the ice started melting so we started getting them without ice.

 

[DisneyObsessed]

What a wonderful story. It does restore your faith in humanity. I, too, am in the restaurant industry, and a lot of people are downright miserable. It's really sad. Who knows, maybe someday you will be in a position to do something wonderful for someone. In the meantime, have a magical trip and head over to the technical board for your countdown timer. There are directions there.

 

[WeLuvBuzz]

What a wonderful story of Christmas Spirit and Disney Magic!! Have a great trip!!!!!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Welcome to the DIS, sholtz77, and how wonderful for you to have had this experience, and how nice of you also to share it with all of us!

One item you asked and I didn't see answered was points info... the DVC boards have a link to this, and maybe it will still come in handy for you: DVC Points Charts for all the DVC Resorts
If you can rent points for a studio, you can really save significant $$$ by getting some groceries and eating some of your meals in the room. At least buy bottled water and breakfast foods.

Have a wonderful time and enjoy your planning!

 

[two-foxes]

How exciting for you! That amazing gift is indeed Disney magic! My DH and I are hunting on ebay to buy DVC points for Sept 04 We found one seller, smw, who offered 5 nite rates (weekdays) from $499 at an OKW studio. The rates went up with other DVC properties. His feedback was great, too. (I just get a bit leary of not being able to cancel if needed....but it is something to look at, just the same!) I just entered "Disney Vacation Club" in the search and you have to sort thru the pins and such, but the week rentals are there...just look for the items priced in the hundreds vs. $4.99!

Regardless, your friend will love WDW, although DLR has its own amazing feel! (A girlfriend and I just went there for our birthdays...too much fun!)

Enjoy your trip!

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by two-foxes
My DH and I are hunting on ebay to buy DVC points for Sept 04 We found one seller, smw, who offered 5 nite rates (weekdays) from $499 at an OKW studio.

FYI - Weekday nights in Sept. at OKW are 8 points per night in a studio, weekends are 20 points. If a renter asks $10/point (the average rate) that is $80 per night or $400 for the 5 nights, saving you almost $100.

You may want to check the Rent/Trade board on this site before buying anything on EBay yet.

Just wanted to let you know that.