My whirlwind DVC Christmas plans

[Jasminerk13]

Here are our plans for our first ever DVC trip:

OKW - Grand Villa: 12/13 to 12/19 (my sister and her family will be joining us through the 19th)
BWV - 1 bedroom, standard view: 12/19
AKV - 1 bedroom, savannah view: 12/20-12/22
???? - 1 bedroom - we are thinking about staying one extra day, but haven't booked this night yet, since we are waiting on a waitlist.

phewwwww, I'm pooped already!
haha!!!

We have never stayed at any DVC resorts, so we were trying to get in as many as possible after my sister and her family left. 2 isn't bad, but hoping for 3!

 

[spiceycat]

you really need more time at BWV to enjoy it and being so close to Epcot.

what other resort are you hoping to get?

 

[Jasminerk13]

I would love BCV or BLT at some point. We are also discussing the possibility of going down 2 days earlier than my sister in order to get another resort or 2 in.
I know 1 night isn't going to be enough to really enjoy the resorts and all they offer, but at least we'll get a little sampling of as many as we can.

 

[MinnieGi]

Are you planning on doing the parks or just hang out at the resorts? All that moving can be a time killer. We've switched resorts on our longer stays and Disney makes it easy to do, but I couldn't do anymore than one switch, especially with two little ones.

 

[Hopefully]

Do you realize that you are virtually "homeless" on the days you change resorts? You need to check out of one by 11 AM and are not guaranteed a room until "after 4 PM" in the next. I see that you will have an infant. You won't have anywhere for naps etc. And infants require a lot of "things".
It is just too much moving for me. As a DVC owner you have years and years to enjoy all the resorts. I wouldn't enjoy your itinerary at all.
Good Luck

 

[dianeschlicht]

That's way too much moving to leave much time for "vacation". One move is more than enough for me in a trip, and then I want to make it for more than a couple of days before I have to pack up again.

 

[mamaprincess]

I would try to get BWV or AKV for the rest of your trip instead of one random night at one. 2 resorts is enough for your length of stay. In order to sample the resorts, I have dinner or breakfast at them on my non-park days and even pool hop if that's allowed which it is at most resorts except BCV, AKV and BLT. We really love hanging out on the boardwalk getting some snacks over there, eating at Cape May at the BCV. You could also do a tour of WLV and eat at Whispering Canyon etc. AKV has tons of activities for visitors. You can also enjoy dining and activities at the non-dvc resorts. You don't have to stay at a resort to enjoy activities there and get a feeling for where you'd want to stay next time. Moving takes a lot of time out of your day. We are doing a split stay for our upcoming trip of 10 days. I wouldn't move twice or more. It takes to much time packing the night before then moving and unpacking. We love trying out more than one resort and plan on doing it again but we will never do more than two on one trip.

 

[starstruck93]

Oh My... that's alot of moving! We were at OKW last Dec. and got stranded at Disney for 2 extra days due to the Blizzard back home. We had to change rooms to SSR for the 2 days. It was terrible having to pack unpack and I only have 1 child. Disney does a GREAT job with helping you with you bags and stuff (not to mention the CS was amazing with the DVC and checking in to our room at SSR).... but having to uppack and repack for just 2 days was exhausting. We will never do a split stay....I agree with the previous poster who said it takes up too much time. I think you should reconsider moving so much. What's the hurry in trying to get in all of those resorts in one trip? I hope everything works out for you... drink lots of coffee! April

 

[vicki_c]

For Christmas 2008, we did:

• 1 night at Wilderness Lodge (regular cash AP rate reservation) - to see the decorations, added when AP rates were released
• 9 nights at BCV in a 1 BR - the "original" vacation plan! (LOL - funny how that expanded as the year went on)
• 1 night at BC Resort - added on at some point, no DVC rooms available on this night - it was 12/29 - cash, no discount! (got upgrade to water view though)
• 2 nights booked in a BCV studio - cash, no discounts available - also added later because "we just had to see the NYE fireworks"! Got upgraded to a 2 BR!

So you can see that we were only at the BC/BCV for most of that - no problems with moving far, transporting luggage far, etc. And it was STILL a royal pain. I would do it again, given the same set of circumstances, and we often do split stays on our trips with no problem, but all that moving around is excessive. Mostly because you never feel "settled" - you don't want to really unpack because you know you're just going to have to pack it all up again.

So I would try to get your nights at the same place for the consecutive days, if at all possible. It's just a lot more relaxing.

 

[Crystal_27]

Nothing like experiencing some of the best DVC has to offer all in one trip. Hope its a good one (and hopefully you don't drive yourself too nutty with the all the changes)!

 

[Jasminerk13]

Well poo!
I was super excited about our trip, but now I'm scared!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Well poo!
I was super excited about our trip, but now I'm scared!!!

Don't be scared. Just take it from those of us who have had the experience....moving around that often takes LOT of time out of your vacation. It's certainly worth it if those are the only accommodations you have available, but that much moving wouldn't be the ideal if you had a choice.

 

[DiznyDi]

Not to rain on your parade, but from one who generally does split stays, my rule of thumb; only 1 move per trip and for no less than 3 days. Anything else simply isn't worth the hassle. We just returned from 3 days at Kidani followed by 6 days at SSR. DH and I decided we're really too old for all this moving and will try to avoid splits if at all possible. It's just he and I and we aren't moving kids. Disney does make it extremely easy, but it is still terribly time consuming.

It's the Christmas season, you'll really want to enjoy the decorations and all that the resorts and parks have to offer. Good luck to you with your decision. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Hopefully]

Well poo!
I was super excited about our trip, but now I'm scared!!!

Can you make any changes to your reservation to decrease the number of moves?

 

[Alexander]

Considering you may not get your room until 4 PM and have to be out by 11 AM, you only will have those rooms for 19 hours. Is it really worth all the moving? I don't know many people who like living out of a suitcase, and with your schedule, you won't really have a choice. Ugh! Unpacking and repacking the toiletries alone!