Need some "what would you do" opinions..

[mbb]

please

We're thinking of Christmas 2006, we normally travel in Jan/Feb, but witht he kids getting older, it's getting harder to take them out of school.

I know we're spoiled by lower crowds, and I can't even imagine how packed things could get...we're not commandos, we park early in the morning, pool after lunch, and back in the evenings - sometimes. Here's our options - which would *you* pick, and why

Time Frame: December 22/23 - January 2,3,4,

1) Whole thing onsite.
Would need to buy/transfer extra points to cover shortfall , and we'd like to have a one bedroom, prefer BCV home resort, but OKW would be the "smarter" point choice...which means I have to wait until 7 month window to book - what are my odds??

2) Vacation villa rental for Christmas week, then over to DVC for remainder.

3) Vacation villa rental for whole thing...

I'm thinking #2 would be the easiest to arrange - from my point of view..but if I'm goin' to WDW for Christmas, I want to go to WDW for Christmas, KWIM?

#3 is good too, though..we find the whole offsite villa thing really relaxing.

TIA!

 

[mikesmom]

The one down side of an offsite Villa is that if the parks fill (and they often do on Christmas and New Years) you might not be able to get into the park if you are staying offsite. They can and will close the parks and only allow in resort guests.

 

[Scratch42]

If you go between Christmas and New Year, DEFINATELY stay on site!

Make sure you have all ADR's in place also! Car rental is definately way out there at that time of year, but if you want to go shopping, rent for the day, but get the rental done early.

Be flexible with your plans and you will survive!

It's a great time to go as long as you know you are going during a busy, busy time!

janet

 

[lovinthemouse]

Stay on Site. It is so much easier to do the parks that way. Plus if you stay offsite you have to pay for parking. Good Luck!!

 

[JimC]

Stay on site and possibly mix points and cash reservation at DVC or do DVC and another WDW resort split.

 

[mbb]

so if I have to arrange to rent some points from another DVCer, and we're waiting for the 7month window to open up for OKW - what happens if I can't get a reservation? (other than waitlisting?)

Or...can I transfer *my* portion of points to an OKW owner - along with payment for their additional OKW points, and they make the reservation at 11 months??

That leaves us feeling a little vulnerable, though...

Now what would you do??..my head is starting to hurt

 

[pumpkinboy]

Hey MBB, didja notice you just hit post #3000? cool!

I'd suggest looking into a few more BCV points so you can be all reserved at 11 months, then switch to OKW at 7 months if that's what you decide to do. Either that or make the ressie for the peak times at BCV at 11 months, make a backup ressie at one of the Mods for the remaining off-peak nights, then switch to all OKW at 7 months and cancel the cash nights. Or go out and rent some OKW points to get the most popular days at 11 months, reserve the rest at BCV, then switch at 7 months (or when your waitlist comes thru).

I am with mikesmom and scratch42: stay on site for those peak days just to ensure that you can get into the parks if you should want to.

Good luck!

 

[spiceycat]

You are going during peak and I mean peak times.

staying on site will help to get you into the parks. If you really want to go. being in the MK with 125,000 other people is not my ideal of fun - 40,000 is crowded for me....

spring break is not much better - but it is some!

 

[dianeschlicht]

As long as you accept the fact that it will be very busy, I would definitely stay on-site. How about starting your vacation after the 25th, and then the crowds will settle down after the 1st. OKW should be possible to get into at the 7 month mark depending on the size unit you are talking about, but I would call day by day at the 7 month mark. I changed my Dec. 31st ressie at OKW for this year in July without any trouble, and that was only 5 months out.

 

[vascubaguy]

"IF" I ever go back to WDW for Christmas, the parks are the last place I'd go on Xmas Day! However, the parks weren't really too bad the few days before Xmas. Regardless, if I was going to go to a park during any of that time, I would definately stay on property. Probably mix between points and ressies at a mod.

I am thinking about a trip sometime between Thanksgiving and Xmas, maybe the week before Xmas (right after exams), but hopefully before everyone else gets off for the holiday.

 

[mbb]

3000 posts - I'm here waaayyy too much! Who ever said laundry and housework *has* to be done before Christmas?? Thanks for the congrats, pb

Well, here's what we've got..

OKW Studio 10 nights..122 points
1 bedr..10 nights..244 points

BCV Studio 10 nights ..162 points
1 bedr...way too many points!! LOL!

Staying in a studio.. no problem, no extra points to buy.. doing the OKW 1 bed, I would have to buy 24 points from someone else...and head for a moderate on the weekends.

Suddenly, I'm getting excited

So, the plan then would be book the BCVStudio, and at 7 months, switch to OKW - if we decide we really *need* the one bedroom..

HA! Of course I will need the one bedroom

Thanks all, for your help And if dining is available, we're good to go

 

[Cinderella]

If it were me i would take the one bed option at okw - much more relaxing - and either rent, borrow or buy the extra points.

 

[mbb]

If it were me i would take the one bed option at okw - much more relaxing .....

ITA

Although it would be nice to just walk on over to Epcot and MGM - and skip the crowds at the bus stops!

...and I think we're going to take Dianne's suggestion, and possibly fly out on the 25th or 26th instead. Our school Board doesn't have the calendar ready for next year yet, but I'm anticipating a Friday noon school closure..we'll see

Thanks, all, for your help