Newbie needs some info please

[AlwaysEeyore]

My family (Me, DH, DD(will be 6) & DS(will be 3) are planning on going to WDW with my MIL the beginning of December 2008. We would like to rent points for BWI, I know this is a very hard time to get. But that's about all I know about DVC. So my questions are...
What are our chances for a 3 bedroom villa?
How much can we expect to spend for a 3 bedroom or a 2 bedroom?
Would WL villas be cheaper?

I know a 3 bedroom is pretty big but I don't like my MIL so the more space the better and I don't think my kids would sleep on a sleeper sofa together. If we get two separate rooms MIL has already commented she want's DD to stay with her and I really don't want any extra stress.

Thanks in advance!

 

[missymouse]

You would not be able to even think about booking this trip until Jan. 2008 because the soonest a member can do anything is 11 months before you want to travel. You would need to find a member that is willing to rent you the points probably a month or two before the reservation needs to be made. IF you make the arrangements enough in advance your chances may be fair to get the 3 bedroom.

The cost would be approx. $10-$14 a point so for example Dec. 6-10 would be 370 points so to rent would be between $3700 and $5180. This is a Sun-Thurs. stay, if you were wanting a longer trip point cost goes up alot for the weekend. Adding the two weekend nights would add another 188 points.

A 2 Bedroom would be about 150 points for the Sun-Thurs. and 270 points for a 7 night stay.

Also the point costs change on Dec. 15th and are a little more (about 2-5 points per night)

Wilderness Lodge doesn't have the Grand Villas (3 bedroom). The point cost is the same for a 2 bedroom villa at VWL, BWV, and BCV. Saratoga is a little less, and Old Key West has the lowest point cost but the biggest rooms.

 

[AlwaysEeyore]

Thank you so much. I'm a planner so I needed to know what I was in for. DH & I are taking the DVC tour when we go on our trip in November so maybe we'll buy and be a part of the DVC family too.
Thanks again!

 

[salmoneous]

Mini DVC primer…

Every DVC member has a home resort where they can make reservations 11 months in advance. All DVC members can make reservations at any DVC resort 7 months in advance.

Each room has a point cost per night - the only way to really understand them is to spend time looking at the point charts (you'll find a link at the top of the page.) The first thing you will note is that weekends tend to be much more expensive that weekdays. If you are renting points to be economical, you may want to focus on Sun - Thursday stays. Also, you'll note that there's often a big premium for the 3BR. They can cost much more than a 2BR + studio (there are exceptions - on weekends and at OKW there premium is not as high).

There are only a handful of 3BR and they tend to be very popular. Most of the time they are long gone when the 7 month window opens up, so if you want to rent one you are going to have to find a member with points at that resort. You are also going to have to find a member with lots of points to rent. Finding a person with lots of points at a specific home resort who is willing to rent them out far in advance is (1) going to take some work and (2) likely cost you more than a typical rental. No one can say for sure what it will cost, but for budget purpose you should be planning for $14+, not $10/point.

Going for a 2BR + studio would make your task much easier than going for a 3BR.

Hope this helps a little…

 

[Caskbill]

Feel free to download my DVC-Chart program. It's color coded and will quickly show you the points you need.

Or, if you're really into planning, download DVC-Planner. (or download both)

One Comments If you're willing to spend $4,000 to $5,000 for 5-7 days one time, shouldn't you consider actually joining? With the current incentives, $5,000 is 40% of the purchase price.

One other correction, you said BWI. That's the hotel. You really meant BWV.

 

[AlwaysEeyore]

Thanks again!