Made my first reservation...now need help

[arthur06]

We just added on 125 at BLT this week. We planned an Oct 11th to 15th trip with Me, DW, DMIL, DS2, DS11months.

I called today to make my reservation and I got some good and some bad!

Start with the bad!

Its Colombus Day weekend 10, 11, 12th! So there were ZERO 2br's available! (Its last minute and F&W, and holiday weekend, so not real surprised). I am borrowing '09 points for this trip so I only have 125.

The Good!

I was able to get my last 2 nights in a 2br at BCV!!!! However, since there were no 2br's anywhere I had to do the first 2 nights in a 1br. They did have the last 3 at SSR in a 2 br! (just not the first) I could WL for that one night!

Is switching resorts for a 4 night stay really stupid? Also, is 5 in a 1br for 2 night really pushing it! DW does not want to switch rooms and only wants a 2br! Not real practical since its only 3 months out!

Should I switch to the 2br for the last 3 nights at SSR and WL for the other day? Or should we suck it up in a 1br the first two so that we can get SAB @ BCV for the last 2 days!?

I NEED MORE POINTS!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Right now, do you have the first 2 nights in a 1 bedroom and the last 2 in a 2 bedroom all at BCV? If that's the case, I would just waitlist for the first two nights in the same sort of 2 bedroom that you already have. That may not come through because it is the holiday weekend, but at least you won't be moving resorts, and you have SAB to enjoy when you are homeless.

I wouldn't move to SSR, but still, I'll bet if you did move what you could and waitlist for the rest, I think you would eventually not have to move at all if you do want a vacation that you didn't have to move. However, really being at BCV for F&W is very convenient.


Bobbi

 

[arthur06]

My trip is set up like this

Sunday 11th - SSR 1br
Monday 12th - SSR 1br
Tuesday 13th - BCV 2br
Wed 14th - BCV 2br
Thursday - return home

 

[rowbear]

This seems to be a popular debate here. It doesn't bother some people to switch but for a 4 night stay I wouldn't even want to go. It is still going to be quite hot, very crowded, and then add a hotel switch too? Not my idea of a vacation.

I am assuming since getting a 1br and a studio was not an option you have young children that cannot be in a room of their own?

Try the waiting list and then decide which is more important. Having a vacation with a few hassles or waiting for a better moment.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I "see" what you have now.

I wouldn't give up my trip because I had to move. If staying in 1 resort is the most important criteria for you, I would waitlist for a 2 bedroom at SSR for the entire trip because I do think that would more likely come about. I also think that being in a 2 bedroom with your group will just be a nicer stay.

A consideration would be food...I know that gets moved, even cold/refrigerated food, but that's where, I draw the line at moving.

Your children are very young, and they will have many many trips to enjoy SAB. We didn't bring our DGC to BCV until last November when they were 3, 4 and 5 and believe me, it took all of our adult eyes to feel safe at SAB. At SSR, they have the little sprinkle area as well as the zero entry pool.

So, what I would do is take what SSR has in the 2 bedroom...and waitlist for the other, keeping the 1 bedroom there for the first night. Whatever you do...it will be fun fun fun! Enjoy the anticipation and then the actual trip!!!!

Bobbi

 

[Sandisw]

I think it depends on which is more important. Being a little "cozy" for two of the four nights, or switching resorts.

If it were me, I would change the first two nights to SSR, 2 bedroom (for the room), and then WL those 2 nights at BCV. I would keep the last 2 nights at BCV and just change resorts. EDT: Just re-read your post and saw that SSR is not available the first night so this does not work.

We are doing a split stay in August--2 nights at BWV, garden view room, 2 nights at BWV, standard room, and then over to VWL for 3 nights.

Of course, you get 2 WL's, so you could WL a 2 bedroom somewhere else for all 4 nights (ie: maybe at BWV?).

Good luck!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Oh the problems caused by being restricted to two waitlists! - ok, an old gripe of mine since I hate that change.

I would think that with the kids being so young staying in a 1BR will be doable. I also wouldn't put emphasis on having SAB b/c they are so young. Moving isn't so terrible but it does take time and is a disruption. You may not have to wait long for a room at your new resort but you should count on not having a room for most of the day. Will that work out with your kids?

Here's the options I'd think about.....
Being that SSR probably has the best chance to come thru I'd keep the 1BR there for the first night, take the 2BR for the last 3 nights and waitlist for a 2BR for the 1st night. I think odds are pretty good you'll get that and wouldn't have to move.

Then......I'd think about a waitlist for the full time for either BLT Lakeview or AKV. BLT will put you right at MK which I bet will be important for the young kids. Or, AKV b/c of the animals which are entertaining for most kids. I'd select one of those two resorts b/c they are still selling and you may get lucky with some new units being declared before Oct.

 

[arthur06]

Then......I'd think about a waitlist for the full time for either BLT Lakeview or AKV. BLT will put you right at MK which I bet will be important for the young kids. Or, AKV b/c of the animals which are entertaining for most kids. I'd select one of those two resorts b/c they are still selling and you may get lucky with some new units being declared before Oct.

My only problem is points! I only have 125 for '09! And I am borrowing those! I have a Dec UY. I bought a stripped BWV resale so no points until '10! If my trip was in dec, I could borrow, but in october I am stuck with only 125!

Anything that is over 31 points a night I can't get a 2br for my 4 nights! at 32 points per night it would be 128, so 3 short!

We got the 4 night cruise with our add on, so borrowing '09 points is no big deal, as next year we will be cruising, plus in '10 we will have all of our BWV points too!

I am thinking of switching to the 2br at SSR for the last 3 nights and WL for the other night!

How hard is it to get a transfer of only 5-10 points from a member? I know there is only one per year!?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

My only problem is points! I only have 125 for '09! And I am borrowing those! I have a Dec UY. I bought a stripped BWV resale so no points until '10! If my trip was in dec, I could borrow, but in october I am stuck with only 125!

Anything that is over 31 points a night I can't get a 2br for my 4 nights! at 32 points per night it would be 128, so 3 short!

We got the 4 night cruise with our add on, so borrowing '09 points is no big deal, as next year we will be cruising, plus in '10 we will have all of our BWV points too!

I am thinking of switching to the 2br at SSR for the last 3 nights and WL for the other night!

How hard is it to get a transfer of only 5-10 points from a member? I know there is only one per year!?

I'm finding us in the borrowing mode also - funny how that can happen!

AKV Standard view - would only be 100 points but if you switch to SSR 1BR for first night and 2BR for the last 3 you would have already borrowed 109 points and be left with 9 to be used by Dec. I'd be tempted to write that off to the cost of staying in one room though if the waitlist came thru and AKV has so many animal viewing areas that Standard isn't bad at all. We were in Jambo with a pool view in May and I didn't feel like I missed out on animal viewing at all. Plus you'd be in a new resort with 3 bathrooms.

I just had another thought - how about switching so you are at least at SSR, waitlisting for the 1st night for 2BR and then all 4 nights for a treehouse villa? They might declare more of those also and it could be fun if you like that setup.

Otherwise it may be possible to find a transfer - you just need someone who has a few extra points and hasn't done one already for the UY.

 

[5forDiz]

You might be able to find a member with points leftover in amount you'd

need to transfer to you. Keep an eye on Rent / Trade Board or post

what you're looking for - - just be sure to get enough points in the transfer

( like if there is one resort that requires more points than other)

even if that means you will end up with couple of points going unused.

Have you considered AKV for your waitlist ?
1 bedroom with extra full bathroom in living room will run you approx 20 - 28 pts and 2 bedroom value or standard 23-25.

Since you mention you will not be back at WDW for about 2 years I'd go with
the split stay - I think it is a nice way for your family to get a taste of more than one DVC resort especially BCV !!!

I would leave the BCV reservation for last 2 nights as it is.

On your switch day just go over to BCV early in morning to do the checkin formalities on your own before checking out of first resort (by about 7 AM the computers are usually up for day & you can check the family in). When you check out of first resort you can use SAB if your villa isn't available and it may be a nice way to get some relaxation in as it will be day 3 of your trip.

Best wishes

 

[arthur06]

Let me just add...you guys are awesome! So helpful and quick with responses!

I talked to DMIL and she is ok with a split stay, its DW that doesn't care for it! I even offered to get DMIL a studio and she said no!

Is SAB "too much" pool for my little guys? DMIL has a pool at her house so they are familar with swimming and rules on jumping in (well not my 8 month old), but my DS2 is! Would I be better off at another pool with those little guys!

Personally I don't want a spilt either, but being that we are NEW members, I really could go for trying out 2 resorts!

I know its not the best thought, but I am ok with "losing" a few points. I have borrowed 108 to get a reservations. If I got a 2br standard at AKL, that would be 100, I am ok with losing the 8.

Also, it was mentioned that there might be Treehouse declared yet??? that could be neat!

Also, one last thing. I am down for 2 WL right now. Once one is filled, does the other drop off?

 

[wdwfan1]

Would you consider OKW for the entire trip? I dont know if it is available, but I have gotten a 2 BR there beyond the 7 month mark.

The resort really is lovely and the rooms are much larger. There would be plentyh of room for all of you and a stay there usually requires fewer points.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your vacation.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I think the big plusses for SAB are the slide and the lazy river which wouldn't be for small children. Since yours are so small you wouldn't have the problem of keeping an eye on them, but they will probably be just as happy with other pools and would enjoy the full use of SAB when they are older.

I mentioned the treehouses b/c I heard that approx. 1/2 have been declared. If that is correct then it's always possible more will be declared.

And with two waitlists it seems that if one fills then the other will cancel and would need to be restarted. You could always tell the CM to note that you would like the second one to continue even if the first fills and hopefully it would.

 

[jamstew]

I think SAB is way too much pool for kids that young. We stayed at VWL with my grandchildren (3, 4 & 5) this time because everyone agreed they weren't old enough for SAB. I probably wouldn't be comfortable with kids younger than 7 or 8 there.

 

[arthur06]

If I adjust my trip by one day, Mon to Friday they have a 2br at SSR for the entire stay! However, I can make that work it is less then desirable for my work schedule! But right now that is the way that I am leaning!