Newbie looking for veteran help

[sluggo77]

Hello!

Just joined your wonderful group. Have some questions that I hope a veteran can answer. We are part of DVC and our home resort is Saratoga. We have stayed at OKW and most recently Saratoga and Carribean Beach. My daughter might be heading to Orlando for a cheerleading comp 12/5 thru 12/8, but we won't know for sure until she has her qualifying competition on 11/25. THUS my problem, not much time to plan -- I usually plan for 1 - 2 years in advance. I have already banked my 2007 points and my anniv date is Feb.

Now to put you vets to the test... I'll fire off my list of questions....

1. First and most important is it too late to book my trip on the night of the 25th or the morning of the 26th?

2. Any suggestions on how to handle the point problem?

3. Will I be able to get a vacation club resort or will we end up in a place like Carribean Beach without cooking facilities?

You might not have the answers - but I thought I would throw the life boat out there and see if anyone call pull us in!!! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR EXPERTISE AND TIME!!

 

[ADisneygirl]

Welcome!

Getting any room reservation in the month of December might be tricky. This is a busy time at WDW. You could try renting a DVC room from Disney. They will cost more than a standard hotel room but at least you'd have a place with a kitchen. You could try renting points from another DVC'er. Or you might end up taking whatever is available, wherever. Have you looked into staying at the Swan or Dolphin?

Calling for a ressie last minute or within a few weeks of your trip is something we as Florida residents have done before successfully, but it is more difficult in busy seasons like around holidays.

As for the banked points question you'd probably get a better answer over on the DVC boards.

Good luck!

 

[sluggo77]

Thank you for all the info!

I'll check on the Dolphin and Swan.

 

[Micca]

Good luck with the planning, and welcome to the Dis!

 

[kidzmom3]

the competition usually has rooms blocked of for the participants. You should ask the director of your program before you book anything. For our Pop Warner teams, they had rooms and flights ready to go as soon as they are sure they will be going to florida.

 

[mikesmom]

DVC rooms are all sold out for that period. You won't be able to use points OR to rent unless you find another owner who can't use an already existing reservation. Points can be used for WDW hotels outside of DVC, but the point cost is usually pretty high (look in your DVC guidebook) and there is a $95 fee on top of the cost. Also, Value rooms cannot be reserved with DVC points.