Looks for thoughts, options, and opinions

[TiggerBouncy]

Not really DVC related directly, but as a very large group of like minded people who have a lot of Disney experience, I figured I would check here for thoughts.

For off, let's talk my available points. I have 60 from AKL in my 2020 UY (November) that I can bank into next year, and I have 268 in my 2021 UY (60 AKL and 208 BLT). So that is what I am working with. In theory some 2022 as well if I could borrow....

Normally just my SO and I travel. However in 2022, we would like to bring her daughter (21) and her SO (also 21). In addition, we would like to bring my son (he will be 18) and his best friend. So we are looking 6 adults - 2 pairs of couples and 2 individuals (the boys don't mind sharing a room though). We want each group to have some privacy and the ability to do their own thing, HOWEVER we do want to see them on occasion as well. So I am looking for ways to make that happen. it would be nice if we had access to at least 1 full sized kitchen - so I think we need at least 1 1-BR in the mix. Target time is maybe Feb 2022 and I would like to make it a week if I can.

ON PROPERTY IS A MUST. The kids do not drive, and I do not want them to have to Uber everywhere they go, so they must have access to Disney transportation.

I do not have enough points to get a 3BR for a week and there is no way I am paying rack rates for that. Not even sure I want to rent the points for it. I did consider the tree houses, but I think the bunk beds are too small for any of the kids. Although I guess they could pull out the couch - but I don't know that I love that. I don't think the boys would.

Honestly the kids don't care about having nice DVC rooms. They will be happy they are at Disney and might even like some privacy. I am pretty sure given the option, they would prefer to have their own place rather than shack up with Mom and Dad. So I thought about getting one / both groups of kids their own rooms at either a value or a moderate resort (I was thinking maybe pirates at Caribbean for the boys). I also thoughts about renting some cabins at FW. I have not done that before - maybe 2 cabins next to each other would accommodate everyone?

But again, not sure. I want to keep the price to a reasonable level. I am not made of money and I am already going to have to shell out for 6 airline tickets, 6 park tickets for a week (well - 4... we already have tickets). Maybe even some food. I also don't want to use ALL my points since we will certainly want to take at least one more 1 week trip as well. We like to do 2 a year. So I am not adverse to some cash reservations - or even all of it cash if it's reasonable ($5000/night is out of my range!).

So given the requirements, give me some opinions. Rent points and try for a 3BR? Force them into a 2BR? Put one or both groups into moderates or values and get a 1BR that they can come hang out in? Which resorts would you put on your list? AOA for the kids or stretch out for a moderate?

Other thoughts? Help me think this one through! You are my people!

 

[CarolMN]

How about a 2 bedroom for the "kids" and a studio for you at your hone resort? That way each "couple" has a bedroom. List the two of you on the 2B as well as the kids, so you all have keys to the 2B. (List one of the kids or your SO as lead on the 2B). You can choose when to hang out with them (prepare a meal, do laundry, etc), but then disappear when you are tired or want privacy.

If you book Kidani standard (dedicated) point use isn't too bad, there are plenty of beds, a very large balcony, dinibg able tha will seat 6 and there is that third bathroom off the entry. You can ask MS to note "traveling with" on both reservations so that the rooms can be near each other.

Good luck - sounds like fun!

P.S. There is no November use year. Did you mean December?

 

[CraigInPA]

In many cases, I think you'll find the combination of a dedicated 2 bedroom and a studio to command fewer points that the 3 bedroom grand villa. Of course, if one of the groups can relax on "privacy", you could get away with just the 2 bedroom by having one group in the living room or 2 groups in the second bedroom of a dedicated 2 bedroom.

 

[princesscinderella]

I would go for a two bedroom at either BLT or kidani as all the groups would have their own bathroom to use. You guys take the master, put the 21 yr olds in the the second bedroom and put the 18 yr olds in the living room. The living rooms have two beds in both a couch and chair bed so the boys wouldn’t have to share. The jump in points from a one bedroom to a two bedroom is not that bad and a much better value than a one bedroom and a separate studio.

 

[Marionnette]

Just an FYI - there is no such thing as a November UY. You might have a December UY (points expire November 30). Or an October UY (points expire Sept 30). But November UYs don’t exist.

It looks like you can bank 60 AKV points, use 60 from you 2021 annual allotment and borrow 30 from 2022 for a total of 150 AKV points.

Then for BLT, you‘ll have 208 from the current allotment and half of the 2022 points available to use. This gives you a total of more than 300 points to work with before any banked points expire (end of Sept or Nov of 2022, depending on your actual UY).

A lot will depend on when you plan to go but you could easily get a 2BR plus a studio at OKW in May of 2022 for around 325 points for a week. The 2BRs at OKW are very spacious and would give you a large area to gather in while providing everyone with real beds. Who sleeps where would be up to you. That‘s just an example but two things work in your favor by choosing OKW. The first would be the very generous points chart regard of the dates you choose. The second is that it is a large resort and tends to have availability at 7 months which is when you will be able to combine the AKV and BLT points for use (and purchase any OTUPs if needed).

 

[MissLiss279]

I don’t know if you can use your points at Riviera or what 1 bedroom availability would be at 7 months for February, but in theory you could do a 1 bedroom there, and then get a couple rooms at Caribbean Beach. Since these resorts are close, they would be either within easy walking distance or a short skyliner ride apart.

 

[Sandisw]

I’d do a two bedroom lock off and a studio and ask for the stuff to be close to the 2 bedroom.

I’d sleep in the master, boys in the second bedroom and the couple in the studio.

Lock off gives the boys their own entrance. As already mentioned, get a key for the other group So all have access.

I’d probably book at whatever resort allows you to book as many nights as possible.

 

[LPnerd]

Old Key west has the best sq ft and lay out for a larger group, and a bigger kitchen too. I'd do as others mentioned, and get a 2 bedroom and a studio in same building. Put the couple in the studio, and boys in second bedroom. Beware, in some two bedrooms, there is a queen bed and a queen pullout. If thats the case, you might as well book a 2 bed and put the boys in the sofa bed in living room. IMHO. save you points .

 

[DVCanadian]

I like the OKW 2 bd + studio option but that is around 440 points.
Could do a 1 bedroom + studio, you get the bedroom, kids get the living room, other couple gets the studio. Around 360 points.
3 studios also 360 points
Assumed stay in 7 days feb 1-15 2022.

let the points be your guide

 

[Leight19]

I like the OKW 2 bd + studio option but that is around 440 points.
Could do a 1 bedroom + studio, you get the bedroom, kids get the living room, other couple gets the studio. Around 360 points.
3 studios also 360 points
Assumed stay in 7 days feb 1-15 2022.

let the points be your guide

Can you confirm your numbers? I thought seemed high so checked and I’m getting much different numbers. For okw 6 night 7 day sun to sat (feb 6 to feb 12 2022) I get:
studio: 76 pts
1 bedroom: 166 pts
2 bedroom : 227 pts
This would give 303pts for 2br+studio, 242 pts for 1br+studio (though would just book as 2 bedroom and avoid lock off premium), and 228 for 3 studio. Please let me know if I misread something or if I’m way off.

 

[Sandisw]

Can you confirm your numbers? I thought seemed high so checked and I’m getting much different numbers. For okw 6 night 7 day sun to sat (feb 6 to feb 12 2022) I get:
studio: 76 pts
1 bedroom: 166 pts
2 bedroom : 227 pts
This would give 303pts for 2br+studio, 242 pts for 1br+studio (though would just book as 2 bedroom and avoid lock off premium), and 228 for 3 studio. Please let me know if I misread something or if I’m way off.

I just looked at 2022...for 7 nights in early February at OKW it is 92 points for a studio and 269 for a 2 bedroom...total 361 for both.

So your numbers for 6 nights are accurate.

 

[DVCanadian]

Can you confirm your numbers? I thought seemed high so checked and I’m getting much different numbers. For okw 6 night 7 day sun to sat (feb 6 to feb 12 2022) I get:
studio: 76 pts
1 bedroom: 166 pts
2 bedroom : 227 pts
This would give 303pts for 2br+studio, 242 pts for 1br+studio (though would just book as 2 bedroom and avoid lock off premium), and 228 for 3 studio. Please let me know if I misread something or if I’m way off.

Sorry, I was doing 7 nights and using BLT so who knows what I was doing!
there is no lock off premium that I’m aware of for the 2 bd. Just whether available or not. Only the view categories change the points

 

[Sandisw]

Sorry, I was doing 7 nights and using BLT so who knows what I was doing!
there is no lock off premium that I’m aware of for the 2 bd. Just whether available or not. Only the view categories change the points

The lock off premium is what you pay at any of the resorts when you book a 1 bedroom and a studio on their own. It is cheaper to book those as a 2 bedroom lock off.

Some people don’t because they want the ability to drop one part and when you book as a 2 bedroom you are not allowed...well, not supposed to be allowed..to do that.

 

[kniquy]

I would look into a 2 BR. OKW is enormous and would give everyone plenty of space. Like you mentioned - the kids won’t care - they will be at WDW. Sometimes accommodations by the kids need to happen when on vacation. You are fitting the bill for the room so they really don’t have a complete say in where they sleep.

You could have the master, there are 2 full queen beds in the second bed room so the 21year olds could have that room and the 18 yos could be in the living room , which has the queen pull out and a chair pull out if they didn’t want to share. plus technically another queen in that second bedroom.

You would be close to DS which might be a night time spot for the kids to go. This would give you the space for everyone, the full kitchen you want.
This would make it easier for the kids too- you are together no need to worry about getting rooms assigned close to each other and everyone would have access to the kitchen for snacks and breakfast.