New to Board

[ahill004]

Hi guys,

I'm new to posting but I have been reading the board for a few months now. We are planning a Disney trip for the first two weeks of December 2008. I have a couple newbie questions I am hoping someone will be kind enough to answer.
We are not DVC owners at the moment. We traveled to Disney in September and stayed at Bonnet Creek but ended up sharing a room with our one and three year old. This upcoming trip we would definitely like more space and we are trying to decide whether to stay off-site in a villa (ughh!) or use a current DVC's member's points to stay in a Disney villa somewhere. Will it be difficult to find someone with enough points for us to rent two weeks in a Disney villa at the beginning of December (1-14)? Also, can someone please explain the difference in standard vs. preferred rooms? Finally, I know everyone has different preferences, but which resort would you recommend for a then 2 and 4 year old as well as two fairly picky parents? Sorry for the obviously newbie questions and thanks in advance for anyone who can help me!
Anne

 

[eva]

You are right that everyone has their favorites. I love OKW and DH loves BCV. But they all are great. You will need to decide whether you would like to rent a 1 or 2-bedroom. Here's a couple links that describe the different resorts:

https://secure.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/resortOverview?id=ProspectsResortsOverviewPage
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/resortmain.htm#dvc

Be sure to note that Hilton Head and Vero are not at WDW. And here is a link that shows the point cost for each resort:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/DVCpoints.shtml

Points normally go for around $10-12 to rent. Hope that gets you started.

 

[2tink4u]

I know that one bedrooms are much less points and will save $$$$$ also, with 2 small ones you probably want to be close to MK. I recomend Wilderness lodge. It's vast and highly themed it has a boat dock out back for a very easy and pleasant boat trip to MK. A fabulous restaurant and fun activities. I also recomend planning your day and buying a book called the passporter. It has everything you'll need and touring plans for little ones and recomendations descriptions of scariness of rides everything you will need. www.passporter.com
Happy Hopping

 

[mikesmom]

That 2 week period is one of THE most popular times for DVC members because of low point costs and great holiday decorations. Your best bet is to start asking ASAP as you will need the 11 month window to secure a 14 day ressie at that time. If you wait until the 7 month window you are very unlikely to get 14 consecutive nights at any one resort.

 

[eva]

That 2 week period is one of THE most popular times for DVC members because of low point costs and great holiday decorations. Your best bet is to start asking ASAP as you will need the 11 month window to secure a 14 day ressie at that time. If you wait until the 7 month window you are very unlikely to get 14 consecutive nights at any one resort.

Thanks for noticing the dates! I can't believe I missed that one.

To the OP, be sure to have this lined up by the middle of December. The member will probably need to start calling right at the 11 month window in January. As mikesmom says, I would start looking the minute you decide.

 

[senecabeach]

Go to the rent/trade board here on the DIS. READ the "stickies" at the top then you can browse rentals.

Also...allearsnet.com has wonderful pictures of all the DVC's.

 

[threegoofys]

Another thing to keep in mind is the bonus of extra magic hours for people staying on Disney Grounds. This could be a big advantage in planning your day espically with little ones. Good luck

 

[ahill004]

Thanks for the help everyone! I truly appreciate all the information. I am now actively searching for which resort we would prefer!
Can anyone tell me the difference between preferred and standard villa rooms?
Also, is it worth doing extra magic hours or does that just make for even busier days? We cannot decide whether to avoid those days because of the potential crowds or take advantage of them?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[nboicepardee]

I personally wouldn't wake my kids for extra magic hours (my kids are the same age as yours), but if they are up super early anyway, you might want to do the parks on those days. then, you could finish up earlier in the day. the parks are busier on those days, so if you don't do the EMH, then you would definitely want to avoid them. just for me personally, i don't like to set my alarm on vacation. my kids are generally up by 7 or 7:30am anyway. that is early enough!
have fun planning! it is almost as fun as going!

 

[ahill004]

That was my thought about extra magic hours. My kids sleep later than us on vacation (really later than me because I want to get up and going)!
And I am having so much fun planning this. My husband thinks I'm crazy because I spend so much time on planning it a year in advance! He doesn't even want to talk about it anymore. Just point him to the plane when its time. Of course that means I have to pick the perfect place to stay with little to no input from him.

 

[mjy]

Hi guys,

I'm new to posting but I have been reading the board for a few months now.

 

[eva]

The difference between preferred and standard at BWV refers only to the view. But it is difficult to get a standard view room because there are fewer and many people try to book them for the point savings.

There are value rooms at AKV. But they are smaller than the standard rooms. There are also savannah view and concierge rooms at AKV.

All the other resorts have no distinction between rooms.

 

[2tink4u]

My husband is the same way. Just keep right on having a good time. Check out www.***************** for how busy each park will be and the best park to visit. Also info. galore and touring plans.