Looking for Hotel Recommendation to extend VWL Stay : 2016 Dec 27-Jan1

[Shawn]

Hi folks,

We are from Oregon and have been to Disney World twice before. We own points at VWL, where we have stayed in the past.

However, I am a bit late planning our next trip. We want to spend Dec 19th through Jan 1 at Disney World. There are 5 of us (2 adults, 2 teens and 1 11 year old). In the past we stayed in the 1 Bedroom, but this time to stretch our points we have booked the first 8 days in the VWL studio. However, I had to wait list the final 5 nights.

That is, we have booked

Dec 19 - Dec 27th at VWL booked.
Dec 27th - Jan 1st wait-listed.

I don't hold out too much hope for actually getting that studio at such a prime time of the year.

So, I am open for suggestions on where the 5 of us could stay on those dates, other then VWL. Other DVC studio type rooms that would allow for 5 that I could wait-list at the 7 month window. Or other Disney or Non-Disney hotels that I should look at. Cost is a consideration. We don't need the cheapest place, but also don't want to spend $500/night.

Suggestions anyone?

 

[cruisin5]

Would you consider renting a house?

You already have your "Disney Fix" at WL - staying in a house will give you options to explore outside of Disney.

Think about it ... your own heated pool, pool table, foos-ball table, lots of space ...

The Orlando area has TONS of rental homes. Of course, you'll need to rent a car and cook .....

 

[Shawn]

I hadn't thought of that. I'll add that to my list of options. Thank you.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I wouldn't discount getting that waitlist. People cancel all of the time.

If that doesn't fill then Poly will likely be your next best chance for a studio for 5. While its not sold out yet it has availability at 7 months. You will want to be online booking right at 8am eastern at 7 months out though.

 

[Shawn]

Thanks kat4disney. I have not wait listed before, so I don't know the odds. As you suggest, I'll wait list at the Poly as well, and keep an eye on the 7 month window.

Any advice on how long I should wait before booking alternative options? 2 months before the trip? 1 month?

-Shawn

 

[drusba]

Thanks kat4disney. I have not wait listed before, so I don't know the odds. As you suggest, I'll wait list at the Poly as well, and keep an eye on the 7 month window.

Any advice on how long I should wait before booking alternative options? 2 months before the trip? 1 month?

-Shawn

You cannot wait list for any DVC resort other than the one you own before 7 months out, and thus you cannot wait list for the Poly now. The only studios that allow 5 are VGF, Poly, VWL, and BWV, and BCV may join that group by the end of the year since it is being redone this year to add the murphy bed to the studios. Of those, Poly is likely your best shot at possbly being open at 7 months out for the nights you want. Thus, you should make sure you are on the VWL wait list now and if it does not come through by 7 months out, you may be able to get another resort such as Poly then.

What you may want to also try to do now is a room only reservation at a Disney resort where you can get a room for 5 for well under that $500 a night you mention, such as the Carribean or Port Orleans. Not sure of current policies but I believe you will have a long period beyond 7 months out in which to cancel that room only reservation without penalty, and thus you will be able to cancel if wait list comes through at VWL or you get another DVC resort at 7 months out. You can do a second wait list at 7 months out at another DVC resort if you cannot get anything at 7 months out, and then how long you remain wait listed will simply depend on the last date by which you can cancel that Disney hotel reservation without penalty. Disney hotels can also fill for that holiday time and you should likley not wait too long to do a room only reservation.

 

[Shawn]

>drusby,

Thank you. I'll look into booking a Hotel soon, and make sure I can cancel it without penalty by some date if a wait list comes through. I will add another wait list at the 7 month window if my current one does not come through by then.

 

[ktate82]

The studios at AKL Kidani also sleep 5 and are pretty reasonable for points. You can get a standard or Savannah view depending on how many left over points you had.

 

[drusba]

The studios at AKL Kidani also sleep 5 and are pretty reasonable for points. You can get a standard or Savannah view depending on how many left over points you had.

The Kidani studios sleep four not five. It is the 1BRs at Jambo (other than value) and Kidani that have the sleeper chair for a fifth.