new and really wanting to take family to wdw

[caine family of five]

Hi everyone
My name is Christine and mother of 3 teen girls and dear husband.
Have a really weird question about renting the points are they for one person when you calculate or the room. Does it matter how many people are in room since I have five people to take was wondering what would be the most inexpensive way to go?

Thanks for all the help in advance and can't wait to go in jan. 2006 last week probably.
Christine

:thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

 

[goofy4dvc]

The point requirement is per room, no matter how many people are going.

 

[magicalmcwho]

Hi Christine,

Rent points per size of room needed. You would need a 2 bedroom for 5 people.
How long were you planning on staying in Jan?

Jim.

 

[caine family of five]

Hi was planning on staying for 7 days. This sounds too good to be true and everyone knows what moms say about too good to be true.

 

[RobDoc]

You may want to read this link, it will give you some <a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dvc/renttrade-faq.htm">basic information about renting</a>. Keep in mind that weekend nights use about twice as many DVC points as weekdays- so take that into consideration when renting from a member. (You may want to rent Sunday- Friday from a member and make a cash reservation on the weekend.)

Once you know your exact dates and which resort you are interested in, post your request on the DVC Rent/Trade Board or reply to one of the offers to rent already there.

Enjoy!

 

[caine family of five]

Thanks web doc
I read that website and am really thinking about renting dvc points.
I still need to buy tickets for the theme parks and plane tickets right everyone.

 

[magicalmcwho]

Hi,

Jan 22 thru Jan 27 (5 nights) at OKW would be 110 points adding Fri and Sat night would make it 218 points.

Jim.

 

[JimMIA]

When you get ready to post on the Rent/Trade Board, your post will be most effective if you can tell people specifically what you are looking for.

"Need 2 BR at OKW from xx/xx/xxxx to xx/xx/xxxx" is a lot better than "New to this - please help!" You will get much better response if you make it clear that you know what you are looking for.

I'd also suggest reading Doc's "A word to the wise" on the Rent/Trade board, in addition to the FAQ. Very good info in both threads.

You should also understand that renting is probably not for you if your plans are subject to change. Changes can sometimes be accommodated, sometimes not. Everything is subject to availability, and if your plans change, your new dates/accommodations may not be available. Last minute changes can pose real problems for both the DVC owner and the person trying to rent points.

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

I second magical's advice that you MAY want to rent DVC for the weekdays when rooms are pretty inexpensive, and then stay elsewhere on the weekend.
What I often do my self is arrive late Saturday and stay offsite in an inexpensive motel and then check in on Sunday and stay to Friday. If you don't fly back til Saturday you could always spend the last night near another 'tourist' attraction like Kennedy Space Center, the beach or Universal.

Although 4 is the adult limit for a one bedroom DVC unit, Disney has now made a slight exception for 2 adults and kids. Depending on your family preferences (like could you comfortably share one bath) you could maybe downsize to a one-bedroom. If so, the OKW units are larger than the others and especially nicely laid out.

Good luck, and if I can be of any help re finding a ressie, IM me!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I second magical's advice that you MAY want to rent DVC for the weekdays when rooms are pretty inexpensive, and then stay elsewhere on the weekend.
What I often do my self is arrive late Saturday and stay offsite in an inexpensive motel and then check in on Sunday and stay to Friday. If you don't fly back til Saturday you could always spend the last night near another 'tourist' attraction like Kennedy Space Center, the beach or Universal.

Although 4 is the adult limit for a one bedroom DVC unit, Disney has now made a slight exception for 2 adults and kids. Depending on your family preferences (like could you comfortably share one bath) you could maybe downsize to a one-bedroom. If so, the OKW units are larger than the others and especially nicely laid out.

Good luck, and if I can be of any help re finding a ressie, IM me!

If you get a one bedroom, you will only get one king sized bed and one queen sized sleeper sofa. You will only get four bath towels. You will need to bring your own extra linens, pillows, bed, etc.

 

[valeriekc]

Although 4 is the adult limit for a one bedroom DVC unit, Disney has now made a slight exception for 2 adults and kids.

I believe that DVC has raised the occupancy limit on a one bedroom to 5 now.
In fact we recently had a one bedroom villa with 3 adults and two children with reservations having full knowledge and authorizing this stay.
We wanted to be sure it was ok not to mention now needing a room card for all guests to be able gain access for the EMH programs.
Now regarding how comfortable you might be with 2 adults and 3 teens and only one bathroom is a different discussion altogether.
Good luck!

 

[Merilyn]

You will get 2 beds if you stay at OKW, not just a bed and a sleeper sofa. You will have a sleeper sofa too if you get a 1 bedroom. It will give you more room also. Good luck with your renting. You will be spoiled after your stay in a DVC resort.

 

[CarolMN]

.....(snip)....I still need to buy tickets for the theme parks and plane tickets right everyone.

Yes, you will need to arrange for transportation, food and theme park admission in addition to renting the points for your lodging. The points cover only the cost of your lodging. There is no additional tax to add to the cost of the points, though.

Best wishes -

 

[Scoootch]

You will get 2 beds if you stay at OKW, not just a bed and a sleeper sofa. You will have a sleeper sofa too if you get a 1 bedroom. It will give you more room also. Good luck with your renting. You will be spoiled after your stay in a DVC resort.

ACTUALLY, what you will get in the 1bdrm is 1 king bed and 1 queen sleeper sofa (at OKW or any other DVC). DVC is allowing 5 in a 1bdrm now but they will not give you extra bedding or towels for that 5th person. Since you're talking about teenagers here, be aware of this. Unless 1 of them is on the smaller size and could sleep on the love seat or make a makeshift bed out of the sofa cushions, not so sure how comfortable they will be unless you'll be able to bring an areo-bed with you. Since you say you're flying, not sure how much of a hassle it would be to bring one with Anyway, if you're talking about 3 older teens and need that extra bedspace you may really want to get that 2bdrm. JMO

 

[caine family of five]

Hi everyone thanks for all the info. I might be taking my mom also and would need enough space for six adults(grandma, mom, dad, and three teen girls). I would like some resort that is central since we are not renting a car. Any ideas would be great from people who have gone.
Chris

 

[Rpsemont]

I might be taking my mom also and would need enough space for six adults(grandma, mom, dad, and three teen girls). I would like some resort that is central since we are not renting a car. Any ideas would be great from people who have gone.
Chris

Food for thought:
You could rent 2 studios or you would need a 2br. 2 studios would be less points, but the 2BR gets you a full kitchen, with kitchen table and a washer and dryer in the room

You may not want to discard renting a car too quickly. Depending on time of year, etc, it can be cheaper than arranging for transportation for the six of you, (Barring ME) plus givesyou the flexibility to go to the outlet stores, take grandma to a mall (in case she gets bored), get groceries, etc.

Central is a relative term - depends on what you think will appeal to most. Disney internal bus system can take everyone in different directions if need be. OKW and BWV Standard view use lower points, so there's a $ savings there. I percieve central to be BWV (or BCV) because you can walk to 2 parks, but that's just my opinion. If the teens can go out on their own, they may prefer SSR for it's proximity to DTD - shopping and Disney Quest.

It really boils down to research, research, research since you're the best one to know what will appeal to your family

 

[caine family of five]

Thanks Rpsemont
I think we will be going from jan 29 to feb 5 06. I have looked at so much material about wdw think I should be able to run it. We have looked at the wilderness lodge villas 2 brm since we get a kitchen. I have been told that the transportation system is alright if you have patience.

Chris

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

There is only 4 of us and we always book the 2BR. We LOVE the kitchen and the extra room. This way, if someone wants to rest they can do so while the others watch TV, chat, or whatever. IMO, the 2BR is the ONLY way to go.

As far as the car goes, I think it would be cheaper for you to find a deal on a mini van for the week. We rent ours from National and usually pay around $200 for the week. A shuttle could run you close to that anyway!! We always drive to Animal Kingdom and DD since it's quicker than the bus anyway. Just food for thought.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree about the transportation costs to and from the airport. we have always found renting a car from National to be much more cost effective than paying transportation for everyone to and from the airport. Magical Express might make that different though. We always stay at OKW and usually in a 2-3 bedroom. The transportation from OKW MGM, Epcot and MK is super fast and we rarely wait for buses. AK is a bit more of a trek, since it is quite a ways from OKW, and buses to there stop at the water park first. We sometimes drive to AK if we have a time schedule. If we are winging it (like we usually do when we are going so often), we just take the bus and chill out a bit. With 6 adults, I would definitely get at least a 2 bedroom. You will need it for the bathrooms alone! The in room laundry room will be a real plus too, and the room at OKW is big enough for a small child to bed down there!

 

[Alphatexana]

I think we will be going from jan 29 to feb 5 06. I have looked at so much material about wdw think I should be able to run it. We have looked at the wilderness lodge villas 2 brm since we get a kitchen. I have been told that the transportation system is alright if you have patience.

The WLV would do the trick just fine. It sounds like your research is leading you in the right direction (it sounds like you are asking the right questions). While I understand why others might suggest renting a car or van, we have not had much trouble with Disney transportation from WLV. If you don't plan to make too many special trips just for meals, you should be satisfied with the Disney transportation.