Need to decide right away-waitlist, pay cash, larger room?

[A1A1]

Hi friends! I have to decide right away. I would like to stay one night in late December. Of course, everything seems to be sold out on points. I only really need a studio...somewhere....anywhere!

I saw a one bedroom come available today. It's more points than I want to use, as I plan to take another trip at the end of 2014 and two trips in 2015.

The discounted cash rate seems really high to me, but not as high as the rack rate I have been quoted. That price is outrageous!

I can also waitlist a room, but I don't have any idea if that will come available at this late date.

Any opinions, thoughts, ideas?

Please help.

Thank yoU!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would grab what I could using points. You could buy those 1 time use points, so the 1 bedroom would use a combo of points and cash.

Good luck.

About 2 weeks ago, I got a studio for this Friday at OKW through a wait list. The cash price for the room I had booked at All stars was over $170 with tax! But since you want the end of the year, I really would book the 1 bedroom.

Bobbi

 

[Minniesgal]

I'd take the one bedroom

 

[A1A1]

Thanks for your comment/suggestion! I don't know how to do the one time points purchase. Can you help me with some instructions? Thank you!!!!

 

[Msmithmd]

For one time use points you call. (Cannot book online). They are up to 24 points per use year that you buy cash at time of reservation, at $15pp. But you have to have exhausted current UY points before you can buy them. So it's a way to stretch if your points are too low to book without borrowing. But not helpful if you still have current points remaining.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

One of the rules of late booking 'you have to be willing to waste some points" I have often taken a 1 bedroom when all i needed was a studio.

Now there's no way in HECK I am paying $170 for a Disney Value (heck a Disney "deluxe" is barely worth that) So if I can't get a late room I am off site!

(Just out of curiosity I just check for next Friday night and without even trying for a discount I could have the Dolphin for $249. Much better deal then a $170 value )

 

[A1A1]

Thanks for the insight and assistance! Just one more question about the buying of points...sorry if this is a dumb question, but do I ask that of DVC reservation when I call to reserve? I have been a member for over 15 years, and I have never heard of this! Head in the sand, I guess.

BTW, I did reserve the one bedroom at VWL. I stayed there with DD years ago. It might be nice to return, but I wasn't crazy about it then. I actually live in the cold North, so staying at a resort that looks like where I came from isn't appealing to me in the winter.

Thanks, again!!

 

[deedisneydream97]

Do you have your DVC Insiders guide, Living the Magic, 2013-2014, handy? Go to page 108.....there is a very good guide regarding one-time use vacation points. Lots of rules....but a great thing! However, they are not always "available", it can be hit or miss regarding availability. This is how we were able to go to Alauni a couple of years ago. We have multiple DVC contracts and membership numbers, so were able to do more than the 24 point limit (and wow wee, so glad we did; and are going again without having to do that as we were able to get what we wanted at 7 months out and used our SSR and VWL points).

Quickly, tho....non-refundable, non-trasnferable and cannot be banked or borrowed....and your current UY must be tapped out....although I do not see that in the printed guidelines. When you call member services you have to ask about it....they will transfer you to someone else that handles this transaction. And the rate right now is $15/per point.

Good luck.

 

[deedisneydream97]

Oh....and my own opinion, the Wilderness Lodge should look wonderful at that time of year. It is not my favorite resort, but mostly because of transportation issues. It is a beautiful place to be....so peaceful, the small lobby at the villas is wonderful (make sure you walk behind the fireplace area...so cozy). The quick service place to eat is wonderful too. And their signature restaurant is great.

 

[A1A1]

You are quite helpful.

Another question....we will only be staying one night. I reserved the one bedroom at VWL, but am waitlisted for a studio at VGF. The GF studio is 10 fewer points, and since I borrowed the 53 points for the VWL, I would be throwing away the 10 that make up the difference between the VWL and the VGF. I am wondering if it is worth that much to stay at the brand new and luxurious GF or stay in the larger room at VWL.

What do you think?

 

[deedisneydream97]

Well, since it will be for one night only...here are my thoughts (for what they are worth). First a studio vs. a one bedroom anywhere....kitchen and extra sprawl out space can be priceless to some...not so important to others. A studio vs a one bedroom...GF vs. VWL. You will only have one full bath at VWL...not sure how they split it up to make toilet private. However, you get the wonderful kitchen space and the private bedroom plus nice master bath with jet tub. At the GF studio you get the new type "split shower"...but not two toilets and storage space is hard to come by. And you all sleep in the same room. And no kitchen. But the rooms are brandy new and nice. You need to figure out what is important to you and your travel team. Good luck.

 

[A1A1]

Thanks. I am inviting my dad to come stay with dd and me for a night at WDW before we go to stay with him at his Florida home. He likes the GF. I thought it would be a special treat for him to stay there since it will be new. My biggest concern is that he is a MAJOR snorer. I thought it would be better for me to be in a one bedroom, where I wouldn't have to be in the same room as the freight train that is his snoring.

There are always ear plugs, I guess.

 

[Minniesgal]

Do you have your DVC Insiders guide, Living the Magic, 2013-2014, handy? Go to page 108.....there is a very good guide regarding one-time use vacation points. Lots of rules....but a great thing! However, they are not always "available", it can be hit or miss regarding availability. This is how we were able to go to Alauni a couple of years ago. We have multiple DVC contracts and membership numbers, so were able to do more than the 24 point limit (and wow wee, so glad we did; and are going again without having to do that as we were able to get what we wanted at 7 months out and used our SSR and VWL points). Quickly, tho....non-refundable, non-trasnferable and cannot be banked or borrowed....and your current UY must be tapped out....although I do not see that in the printed guidelines. When you call member services you have to ask about it....they will transfer you to someone else that handles this transaction. And the rate right now is $15/per point. Good luck.

Can you bank first from your current use year to tap it out?

 

[Pirate Granny]

There are very limited studios in VGF, I think you would be better off wait listing OKW or SSR...even VWL may be hard to get at this late date. Then again, it's only one night.

 

[bobbiwoz]

One of the rules of late booking 'you have to be willing to waste some points" I have often taken a 1 bedroom when all i needed was a studio.

Now there's no way in HECK I am paying $170 for a Disney Value (heck a Disney "deluxe" is barely worth that) So if I can't get a late room I am off site!

(Just out of curiosity I just check for next Friday night and without even trying for a discount I could have the Dolphin for $249. Much better deal then a $170 value )

Off site would mean a rental car...I am (was) willing to pay for convenience. As it is, life changes, I wound up giving the OKW studio to a friend!

 

[samfsu]

One of the rules of late booking 'you have to be willing to waste some points" I have often taken a 1 bedroom when all i needed was a studio.

Now there's no way in HECK I am paying $170 for a Disney Value (heck a Disney "deluxe" is barely worth that) So if I can't get a late room I am off site!

(Just out of curiosity I just check for next Friday night and without even trying for a discount I could have the Dolphin for $249. Much better deal then a $170 value )

The issue with that rate at the Dolphin is that they charge $15 for parking and $20 for their "resort fee".

 

[DizBub]

We have multiple DVC contracts and membership numbers, so were able to do more than the 24 point limit

Quick question......What does this mean? We have 3 contracts (2 resorts) under 1 membership. How many 1 time points can I get if I am tapped out?

 

[Minniesgal]

Quick question......What does this mean? We have 3 contracts (2 resorts) under 1 membership. How many 1 time points can I get if I am tapped out?

I think if it is one. Membership it is 24

 

[twinsouvenirs]

I would stick with the one bedroom at VWL if he's a snorer. your ability to sleep will definitely have a large impact on the next day. And IMHO, space is really incomparable in accommodations when it comes to comfort.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The issue with that rate at the Dolphin is that they charge $15 for parking and $20 for their "resort fee".

And .., For a Disney "deluxe" that same time they want over $300.

I pay the fees, Better hotel service, great beds and a real reward program. I used my Starwood points for a free stay in Venice. What does Disney give me for $170. Small room, exterior corridors no real appreciation hmmmm