Options if you are short points and resort opinion

[Beckyb3]

i have a two bedroom booked at VGF for the week of Feb break for my family and another couple that I was so excited for but now a third couple is joining us. Unfortunately because I am passed the seven month booking window, our options are limited to begin with. On top of that, we don't have enough points for seven nights in a three bedroom. I figured I could book six nights and then use a points rental service to book the seventh night. Are there any other options? DVC only offers a cash option if it's available to the public right which doesn't seem a possibility for a three bedroom.

Also, what I really wanted to book was a three bedroom at AKL with a Savannah view. Of course I waited a day too long and one night isn't available. Is a Standard View worth it? My only other choice would be to book Saratoga Springs. Also, what's the chance the Saturday night would open up in the Savannah view. Because I have to book one night separately, it doesn't give me too much flexibility to move things around. I am a little bummed because I really wanted this trip to be special. We have been talking about all going together for years and it will be the first trip for both other couples.

Sorry for the long winded rambling. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated

 

[hayesdvc]

Have you purchased your annual allotment of 24 points @ $15 from DVC? Would not help in a 3BR, but might help with a Studio to complement your 2BR reservation.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'd also recommend looking at a studio for the third couple if more room is needed than the 2 br provides.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think the standard view GVs at Kidani are on the Pembe Savannah, so I would book that if you can afford and get it.

 

[CarolMN]

I'd also recommend looking at a studio for the third couple if more room is needed than the 2 br provides.

Agree. This option also gives you a better option if one of the couples has to cancel.

 

[disneynutz]

I would only travel with one other couple. Odd couple out can be a real problem and it's harder to make more people happy. With one other couple you can devote the time necessary to make the vacation special for them and you can take the other couple next time.

Bill

 

[SL6827]

Have you purchased your annual allotment of 24 points @ $15 from DVC? Would not help in a 3BR, but might help with a Studio to complement your 2BR reservation.

What is this "allotment" you speak of?

 

[hayesdvc]

Each UY you are able to purchase 24 points from DVC if you are trying to complete a reservation at the 7 month mark where you are short of points instead of having to borrow.

 

[SL6827]

Each UY you are able to purchase 24 points from DVC if you are trying to complete a reservation at the 7 month mark where you are short of points instead of having to borrow.

So you can purchase 24 extra points, or up to 24 extra points each year if you need them? At $15 a point, and only at the 7 month mark? Is this usually a good idea to do verses borrowing points?

 

[CMNJ]

So you can purchase 24 extra points, or up to 24 extra points each year if you need them? At $15 a point, and only at the 7 month mark? Is this usually a good idea to do verses borrowing points?

Yes you can purchase up to 24 points per UY in order to book a new reservation at the 7 month window or less (they can't be used for a waitlist). You have to cal member services to purchase them and you will not be able to see them online or (use them online) if you cancel that reservation. You would have to call in again to make a reservation with them. They cannot be banked either. Depends on your situation if it is a good idea to buy them or borrow. If you have a home where you often use home resort advantage then borrowing may not be as desirable as purchasing OTU points for a 7 month reservation. However since MF are much less than 15 per point borrowing can be a less costly option. Of course sometimes people borrow and still need those OTU points lol.

 

[disneynutz]

So you can purchase 24 extra points, or up to 24 extra points each year if you need them? At $15 a point, and only at the 7 month mark? Is this usually a good idea to do verses borrowing points?

DVC came out with the OTU points right after causing a member uproar when they increased the point requirement to stay in the THV. During the active marketing of the THV, we were told that you could stay in a THV for around the same points as a 2 bedroom at SSR. After completing sales of the additional THV/SSR points, they increased the points required to stay there while lowering the points somewhere else.

Only you can decide on how you plan to use your points, if buying an additional contract, borrowing, or OTU points makes better financial sense.

Bill

 

[SL6827]

DVC came out with the OTU points right after causing a member uproar when they increased the point requirement to stay in the THV. During the active marketing of the THV, we were told that you could stay in a THV for around the same points as a 2 bedroom at SSR. After completing sales of the additional THV/SSR points, they increased the points required to stay there while lowering the points somewhere else.

Only you can decide on how you plan to use your points, if buying an additional contract, borrowing, or OTU points makes better financial sense.

Bill

Interesting. I have absolutely no desire to ever stay in a tree house. But I will go look at the point difference in those and a 2-bedroom. Makes me wonder if Disney might pull something like this at the Poly. Lower the bungalow points and raise the studios.

 

[disneynutz]

Interesting. I have absolutely no desire to ever stay in a tree house. But I will go look at the point difference in those and a 2-bedroom. Makes me wonder if Disney might pull something like this at the Poly. Lower the bungalow points and raise the studios.

Anything can happen, they raised the point requirement at SSR for congress park and the springs buildings.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

Anything can happen, they raised the point requirement at SSR for congress park and the springs buildings.

Bill

And they lowered the Padfock, Grandstand and Carousel sections a bit!

 

[RangerPooh]

Rather than echoing what everyone else had already said, I will chime in and say that a few years ago we stayed in a 3 bedroom grand villa at SS and it was wonderful! Our family still talks about "that one time we stayed in the 2 story suite". We have stayed in 2 bedrooms many times, but the 3 bedroom grand villa was more space than we've ever had.