Need some advice: WDW/Magic/WDW/US Trip

[myxdvz]

OK - so our Nov trip is finally coming together, but now, I'm faced with some choices/questions:

Current booking:

• 11/24 - 11/28 : staying at BLT
• 11/28 : drive from BLT to FTL/Miami area. Pick up DB/SIL at FTL. Need a hotel to stay in.
• 11/29 - 12/4 : Cruise
• 12/4 - 12/7 : Currently booked at AKV Kidani, ME to MCO

DB/SIL finally booked their flights and have confirmed they're joining us post-cruise. This is now where we need to make some decisions. This is from 12/4-12/7, which unfortunately is also the tough week for DVC. We also have MVMCP booked on 12/5. We have PAPs, they don't.


Option 1a: Stay at WDW

• Waitlist a studio for them at AKV (35 points), we have a 1BR at AKV

Option 1b: Stay at WDW

• Move ressie to SSR 2 BR

They can join us for MVMCP, and at least DN9 will want to come with us at the parks or enjoy the resort pool on 12/6.

Option 2a: Do MVMCP and WWoHP

• Keep DVC booking for 12/4-12/6 only
• Book a Universal onsite hotel for FOTL access to IoA for 12/6-12/7. Get 1-2 day US tickets.

We'll have to buy 1 day tickets for us (~$500) + (~$300) for hotel. Also, we'll be losing ME, so we have to extend our car rental and drive to the airport. Our flights differ though, they leave at lunch, we leave at night so 1 of us has to commute (cab or hotel to airport transfer). We can't take advantage of the FOTL on 12/7 because of early flight out.

Option 2b: Do MVMCP and WWoHP

• Keep DVC booking for 12/4-12/5 only
• Book a Universal onsite hotel for FOTL access to IoA for 12/5-12/6. Get 2 day US tickets. Enjoy FOTL for 2 days.
• Back at DVC for 12/6-12/7, for ME to airport

We have to drive to US, park there for the night. We can enjoy 2 days of FOTL and not worry about our outbound flights. But, we'll have to drive to MK on 12/5 for MVMCP.

Option 3: Rent points, Do MVMCP and WWoHP

• Rent my ressie or points (105 points)
• Stay at RHR the whole time, 12/4-12/7 using above $$$

Just do MVMCP and US/IoA for the post-cruise, keep it simple. Keep the car. Maybe move the flight to match DB/SILs and move it up earlier.

Help?!

 

[myxdvz]

Bump!

 

[thepops]

My suggestion would be to go with option 1a (but I am an AKV lover!) but be sure to have a backup room for them (cash most likely, which can be cancelled if the WL comes through). I think there is so much to see at WDW during Christmas time that I wouldn't try and pop in HPWoW (unless someone is a HUGE fan). All the resorts, the Osbourne lights, it's just fantastic.

 

[myxdvz]

My suggestion would be to go with option 1a (but I am an AKV lover!) but be sure to have a backup room for them (cash most likely, which can be cancelled if the WL comes through). I think there is so much to see at WDW during Christmas time that I wouldn't try and pop in HPWoW (unless someone is a HUGE fan). All the resorts, the Osbourne lights, it's just fantastic.

So, my family will be there before the cruise for 5 days to see all that. My DB/SIL/DN won't be, and if given a preference, they'd rather do WWoHP than WDW (DN9 is a HUGE fan) - we are going to do MVMCP one night.

 

[myxdvz]

Ended up staying at a 2BR AKV for 1 day, 12/6 - 12/7 and the rest at RPR for Universal 3 day...

Releasing/Cancelling our 1 BR @ Kidani

 

[taaren]

I'd do option 1b, because 2 bedrooms are so nice, especially after a cruise when you've been in a 200 sq foot room.

FWIW, we did a very similar trip last year in the first two weeks of Dec. (2 bdr BLT/Dream/1 bdr BWV.)

One thing I'm noticing ... we went to WWOHP completely by accident (had a friend offer us free passes at the last minute, you can read about it in my TR link below), and there were NO LINES that weekend. Other than one ride (Pteradon Flyers) we literally walked on to every ride at Universal. My friend, the employee who gave us the passes said it was a great week to go precisely because it was so uncrowded.

So to me, for that week, staying at the HRH for the FOTL would not be worth it. Summer or Xmas, yes. First weekend of Dec, no. Stay at AKV or SSR. Go to Universal anyways. Enjoy the lack of lines.

 

[myxdvz]

So to me, for that week, staying at the HRH for the FOTL would not be worth it. Summer or Xmas, yes. First weekend of Dec, no. Stay at AKV or SSR. Go to Universal anyways. Enjoy the lack of lines.

Now you tell me!

At least the RPR are cancellable. I still have the 1 BR AKV (12/4-12/7), I did book 2BR AKV (12/6-12/7). I was hesitant to pay extra $$$$ for RPR when I have perfectly nice-r hotels for free (at least prepaid)! We've been sooo spoiled.