PC or POFQ vs. borrowing points? UPDATE

[lenshanem]

We have an AP. Hubby suggested we take a quick three night getaway trip to WDW w/o the kids this September. (Evil, evil AP!)

Our points are already tied up for future trips. Would you borrow or just go with something cheap like PC or POFQ? We have both agreed we won't be in the room much and this is an extra trip not really budgeted for.

If we borrow points we'll have to include a Saturday night stay as he can only do a Saturday thru Tuesday trip.

Right now I can get PC for $55 or POFQ for $85. I'm watching to see if I can get even lower with our AP soon. I mean at $55 or even lower that is pretty dirt cheap!

If we do borrow do you think there will be any availability anywhere the last weekend in September at this point?

The thing with borrowing is we are already doing that to finish up a trip to VB next summer with his family. It is going to leave us with little points that next use year. We were planning on taking a cruise anyway with cash, but yikes! I dunno, might be good for the kids to have a break from WDW anyway for a year. They have burn out and aren't as excited anymore.


What would you do?

 

[Candace]

I would do POFQ. I stayed there in May because of no availability with DVC, and it was great. Just re-done, with fresh paint, new bedspreads, etc. I enjoyed the boat ride to DTD and the small size of the resort - short walk to food court, pool, etc. I have not stayed at Pop century, and of course, it is also new. I just like POFQ and would not want to borrow more points. As far as availability in late September, there should not be a problem.

 

[JimC]

We really like PO (the original!). Very appropriate for the two of you for a private getaway. Keep looking for an AP code though.

I would go with PC only if you have never been there, have stayed at value resorts and enjoy them or if the price differential is critical to the trip. We will probably stay at PC as some point because we have stayed at the AS and enjoyed it for a short and unplanned trip. But if I had a good rate at PO that would be my first choice.

 

[Scoootch]

Hi Shan!

Take it from someone who just finally got caught up again on our points after borrowing a few yrs ago -- don't do it if you can avoid it. It took us 3yrs to catch up and be using points in our current use year again. We borrowed from the next use yr the one year and then borrowed 2yrs in a row for our regular trips because we didn't have the points the following yr after having borrowed them

Since you're taking a short trip and will be staying over on a Saturday night, go for that AP rate. That's what gave you the idea to take this last minute trip anyway right?!

As you know, personnally, I love FQ but PC for that price is wonderful too. Either way though, go on the AP rate. Have a great trip!

 

[DebbieB]

I would do POFQ, I really liked that resort when I stayed there last year before they closed. Their food court is nice, we stopped over a couple times when we stayed at OKW in May.

I don't mind doing a non-DVC for an "extra trip".

 

[Laurabearz]

I would pay cash instread of borrowing... since your not taking your kids a regular room would be fine.

I like POP and when the kids are older (outta diapers and bottles) we will stay there on weekends.

I also like PO.... lovely resort.

I book PC and switch to PO if the AP rates are good.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I'd book the cheapest and then watch for A.P. rates. You may end up at a deluxe for a very low price if you watch carefully. Those do sound like some good prices though.

HBC

 

[ErinC]

We did POFQ after our BCV studio in May. I really enjoyed the resort. The small size of it is nice, nothing is that far away, and I would have liked to have tried the boat ride, but didn't get around to it. I'd only go to PC again if the kids are going. Hey if AP rates are that good, maybe you could land WL for a great rate. I wouldn't borrow the points since its the weekend, and if its just you and DH you'll be enjoying all those wonderful meals "ALONE" in a restaurant at WDW, so you won't need the kitchenette! Have fun!

 

[stacy6552]

sonsidering you dont have the points to spare and the rental vaule of a weekend in Sept, at its lowest is $400. I voted for PC.

 

[Laurabearz]

I wanted to add... If you stay at Pop... maybe you can take the money you saved and start rebuilding your snowglobe collection.....

((((((hugs)))))) again for your loss...

 

[magsmom]

I am paying the $84.00 AP rate for POFQ for our stay at the end of August (25-30). This was a impromptu trip and my points have already been banked to next year. I COULD borrow, but ... since I would be paying a premium for the weekend I did not see the point, and I have heard good things about POFQ. I'll let you know.

 

[Lesley]

We were at WDW last week....paid $84 for one night at POFQ and borrowed 22 points for 2 nights at OKW. So I guess we did both.

I guess if it were just the two of us and we had a more limited budget, one of the value resorts would be okay....but there were 5 of us (including the baby) and we found those rooms to be too small for the whole family in the past. Then again, I really like the moderate resorts...so we'd probably chose that anyway if at all possible.

For us it depends on what the following years' plans are as well....since we don't have definite plans for next year, it didn't seem to be a big deal to borrow some points. But if you'll always be adding one more trip...pay cash when its just the two of you and save the DVC for family stays! That's when you'll need the 1br and the washer and dryer.

Have fun! I can't wait until my kids are older and dh and I can go by ourselves!

Oh, magsmom....POFQ was wonderful! Its very romantic...though we could not take advantage of the ambiance with all the kids. Enjoy your stay there!

 

[lenshanem]

Lesley, such a sweet pic. Love it!

Have fun! I can't wait until my kids are older and dh and I can go by ourselves!

This will be my first trip away from my 3 1/2 year old. I feel very guilty for being excited about it! Not to mention we are also going away for our ten year anniversary in February. Should I feel bad for leaving them twice within six months? I really feel like I need a break. My oldest is pretty easy, but my youngest is so much work!

 

[lenshanem]

By the way, I love that nobody has voted on my poll so far that we shouldn't go at all.

 

[Lesley]

Do you want to hear about guilt? LOL....I had been soooo looking forward to a trip with just my dh and a year or so ago and I knew we could do it in just another two or three years. My second child is extremely high needs and attached to me, so I knew I'd have to wait until she was at least 5, maybe even 6yo. But the only thing that was getting me through the "terrible threes" was the thought that soon enough I could get a break. Then I got pregnant with the beautiful baby in my sig line. Oh boy. Now I have to wait even longer! But I feel bad for even worrying about that.

If its possible for you to go without completely traumatizing your 3yo....DO IT! And I'm sure you wouldn't even be considering it if it would be that traumatic.

My dh and I have had one night away by ourselves since our 9yo was born. Its hard. Luckily my first was more easy going than my second or we wouldn't have even had that one night! And believe me....as soon as Alethia will be comfortable with Grandmom for a long weekend, you know where dh and I will be! And probably as often as we can get my mom down here to stay with the kids!

Have a great time!

 

[lenshanem]

Lesley, my kids are the same way. Six year old an angel. Very easy. I never felt like I had to get away with her. We left her once for our five year wedding anniversary for a long weekend in NYC.

But, my three year old? OMG! I NEED a break. She is high intensity, strong willed, whatever you want to say. My parents were over yesterday and my Mom was like I don't know how you do it. EXACTLY, please Mom won't you help me have a quick break?

I was so looking forward to our ten year wedding anniversary trip at VWL next February, but when hubby suggested we take an additional quick trip I was OK, let's start figuring this out! I feel guilty for wanting it so badly. I know I'll get to WDW and see all the kids and start crying, though.

Let's see... I'm actually dreaming about the car ride down. Listening to the Beatles, sleeping while hubby drives, no screaming in the back seat, no turning around every other minute, no potty breaks every thirty mintues... Maybe I just need to go on a long car ride?!?

 

[joepoe]

Agree here. I think the moderates are great. Having said that, we have a family of 5 and would have to get two rooms to be able to stay there, unless my wife and I sleep in separate beds, each with a kid, and the third kid sleeps on the floor. But then it is t

 

[Laurabearz]

DH and I have left our kids and gone to WDW without them.... it was wonderful, except for the fact that I was cooking our third at the time.... very sick with morning sickness and everything!

In a couple of weeks, DH and I are taking a quicky trip to Vegas without the kids.... No bun in the oven this time!!!!

I do feel a tinge of guilt... but at the same time I really need a break... being a mom of a 5,3, and 1 yo is wonderful, but also stressful!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Should I feel bad for leaving them twice within six months? I really feel like I need a break. My oldest is pretty easy, but my youngest is so much work!

You shouldnt but you will, I know I did. I went to MH in May and Dh and I are returning in Sept. for a wedding and leaving the boys with granny. Although we went as a family in June, I felt guilty about leaving them twice and that's when I decided I would take them the week before christmas, just the 3 of us. (Dh has to work and save vacation time for our extended trip next June)

I would go for the moderate just to be well "moderate". Plus since it's more of a romantic trip, PO may be more suitable.

I always say if your first child was easy the second one will give you the shakes! I know my second DS ruined it for all future offspring! LOL

 

[lenshanem]

I always say if your first child was easy the second one will give you the shakes! I know my second DS ruined it for all future offspring! LOL

How funny. We had planned if we had two girls we would try one more time for a boy. HA! After my youngest came long that did us in! No more... I figure she is about the equivalent of three boys or more anyway...
My family calls her Denise the Menace in a dress!