Looking for the best option for my guests

[Lora]

I have my sister & her family coming as guests in Sept. I originally booked them a room for Sun-Thurs. nights to stay with/near us at BWV. They have decided to extend their stay and fly out Monday. I'm trying to advise her and help her get the best hotel option for the additional 3 nights. If I could, I'd love to have her stay at BW (we have a 1BR for the weekend). They have 5 in their family, so that would mean getting them a 2BR (eek!). Not only is it a lot of points, but there isn't any BW availability that weekend right now. It's the first weekend of F&W, so I will be surprised if much opens up.

She was thinking of going to Double Tree at DTD (??), but I was really looking forward to relaxing at the pool some on the weekend and having at community hall or in the room. What are my options? I don't intend to break rules, etc., so don't suggest I sneak them into my room or something . I just want to make sure I'm considering all of my options.

Some of these questions are coming into the decision process:

Can I book a cash reservation w/ DVC or AP discount for guests? (if "no", I'm assuming I would switch the point res. to their name and do the cash res room for my family.)
Can I have pool guests while I'm staying at BWV if they are no guests? (MY guess is no).
Can my guests hang out at Community Hall with us?
Where can they get the best price on Disney property for 5 people (no little ones, so they need real beds).

The other concern is that they will be using DME on the way to WDW, but if they don't stay at a WDW property on their last night, they don't get their return trip to the airport. So, we have to weigh that into the decision process.

I've been stressing a little about this over the last few days. I really want to make this work without spending $1,000 or 1,000 points to make it happen.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have my sister & her family coming as guests in Sept. I originally booked them a room for Sun-Thurs. nights to stay with/near us at BWV. They have decided to extend their stay and fly out Monday. I'm trying to advise her and help her get the best hotel option for the additional 3 nights. If I could, I'd love to have her stay at BW (we have a 1BR for the weekend). They have 5 in their family, so that would mean getting them a 2BR (eek!). Not only is it a lot of points, but there isn't any BW availability that weekend right now. It's the first weekend of F&W, so I will be surprised if much opens up.

She was thinking of going to Double Tree at DTD (??), but I was really looking forward to relaxing at the pool some on the weekend and having at community hall or in the room. What are my options? I don't intend to break rules, etc., so don't suggest I sneak them into my room or something . I just want to make sure I'm considering all of my options.

Some of these questions are coming into the decision process:

Can I book a cash reservation w/ DVC or AP discount for guests? (if "no", I'm assuming I would switch the point res. to their name and do the cash res room for my family.)
Can I have pool guests while I'm staying at BWV if they are no guests? (MY guess is no).
Can my guests hang out at Community Hall with us?
Where can they get the best price on Disney property for 5 people (no little ones, so they need real beds).

The other concern is that they will be using DME on the way to WDW, but if they don't stay at a WDW property on their last night, they don't get their return trip to the airport. So, we have to weigh that into the decision process.

I've been stressing a little about this over the last few days. I really want to make this work without spending $1,000 or 1,000 points to make it happen.

Thanks for any input.

Can I book a cash reservation w/ DVC or AP discount for guests? (if "no", I'm assuming I would switch the point res. to their name and do the cash res room for my family.) DVC discounted rooms are supposed to be only for the member. Not sure about AP discounts because we've never purchased a room for anyone.
Can I have pool guests while I'm staying at BWV if they are no guests? (MY guess is no).No. The pools are only for the guests of the resort, not the guests of the guests.
Can my guests hang out at Community Hall with us? Maybe. Ask Customer Satisfaction about this one.
Where can they get the best price on Disney property for 5 people (no little ones, so they need real beds).How about an OKW one bedroom villa? They sleep five with one king, one queen sleeper sofa and one twin sized sleeper chair. Then you could all hang out at the OKW pool together - as long as pool hopping wasn't blacked out for the holiday. Or you might try POR. They have rooms with a Murphy bed (used to be a trundle bed).

 

[mousefan1972]

5 can legally stay in a 1 BR if booked through MS (either points or cash), but bedding will not be provided for the 5th person.

Your guests will not be able to use the pool at BWV if they are not staying there.

You can't book an AP rate or DVC cash discount for someone else, so you'd have to stay in that room and your guests could use the points room.

Your best option will likely be to book a 1 BR on cash, either through MS or CRO. Good luck.

 

[com_op_2000]

Some of these questions are coming into the decision process:

Can I have pool guests while I'm staying at BWV if they are no guests? (MY guess is no).
Can my guests hang out at Community Hall with us?
Where can they get the best price on Disney property for 5 people (no little ones, so they need real beds).

Can I have pool guests while I'm staying at BWV if they are no guests? (MY guess is no).
I have had day guests over on multiple occassions and have taken them to the pools.
Can my guests hang out at Community Hall with us?
I have done this many times.
Where can they get the best price on Disney property for 5 people (no little ones, so they need real beds).
The new Art of Animation Resort has rooms that can sleep upto six adults plus one infant.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Can I have pool guests while I'm staying at BWV if they are no guests? (MY guess is no).
I have had day guests over on multiple occassions and have taken them to the pools.....

Though you have done it, the pools are for the guests of the resort, not the guests of the guests.

 

[RobDoc]

...

Some of these questions are coming into the decision process:

Can I book a cash reservation w/ DVC or AP discount for guests?

Yes, if available, MS has been allowing members to reserve cash villas for others even though the member will not be in the room.

Can I have pool guests while I'm staying at BWV if they are no guests?

Yes.

Can my guests hang out at Community Hall with us?

Yes.

Where can they get the best price on Disney property for 5 people

You should check any of the Value resorts. There may even be AP discounts if they have an AP.

Good luck!

 

[com_op_2000]

Though you have done it, the pools are for the guests of the resort, not the guests of the guests.

I knew someone was going to try and dispute my comments. I talked with CMs at VB, BWV, OKW, and AK and each time I was told it was fine to bring my guests to the pool.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I knew someone was going to try and dispute my comments. I talked with CMs at VB, BWV, OKW, and AK and each time I was told it was fine to bring my guests to the pool.

Ah, had you said that originally, I wouldn't have made my comment. I agree if the lifeguard says it is okay, then it is okay.

 

[Lora]

No wonder I wasn't sure about all of these questions...I can't seem to get a consensus here either! Thanks for the info, everyone. I know she really wants to have some time to relax toward the end of their trip, so I'm going to try to do what is less stressful...if only money was, as they say, "no object".

 

[Dean]

I knew someone was going to try and dispute my comments. I talked with CMs at VB, BWV, OKW, and AK and each time I was told it was fine to bring my guests to the pool.

From what I can tell, the official policy is no outsides guests at the pools. However, in practice, it seems to be handled on a case by case basis based on the occupancy at the time and the particular situation. The less crowded locations are easy, some are more difficult and unlikely to be given permission to use. BCV and BLT are likely the least likely to give permission, AKV in the middle and the rest would normally say OK. I'd point out that talking to a single front line CM really means nothing. You really need to get permission from someone who can control it such as a Front Desk Manager or lifeguard.

 

[bdoleary]

If you end up having to pay cash - you may want to check out the Swan and/or Dolphin - I think you can get a rollaway in the rooms with 2 doubles at the Dolphin. The Swan has 2 queen beds in their two bedded rooms and I'm not sure if they can fit a rollaway as well. They have some great fall rates. Good Luck.

 

[Pirate Granny]

A of A starts at $350... Way lot of $$$ for a value

 

[sarahk0204]

A of A starts at $350... Way lot of $$$ for a value

FW cabins also sleep 6, and they are very relaxing!

 

[loveswdw]

bdoleary has a good suggestion with the Swan or Dolphin. Nice rooms & you can find a more reasonable rate there generally than the BW. It's a deluxe hotel but doesn't have the Disney "perks" like dining plan or Magical Express. Your guests would have to use a Mears shuttle to get to the airport. And the S&D are right next to BWV.