Pick My F&W Resort!!!

[kristenrice]

DH just told me today that we can buy a 50-pt add on!! I called our guide and she said the points will be in my account tomorrow. Since we have a Feb UY, we are getting 2010's points too. So now I can use DVC points for my birthday trip in October instead of booking Pop Century through CRO.

Here's the details...

1) We have 11 AKV points from our 2012 UY left...
2) We will have 50 HHI points banked from 2010 plus 50 HHI points for 2011...
3) We are taking a family vacation in 2012 on dad's points so we will not need any of our points in 2012
4) In 2013, we will be travelling to HHI with the 50 banked 2012, 50 current 2013 and 35 borrowed 2014 points...

So, the way I'm seeing it, I will have a total of 111 points to use towards a vacation this October. I know that I *must* use the 50 banked HHI and 50 current HHI points since they would expire before our next trip (April or June 2013) even if I banked them. I could leave the 11 AKV points alone and bank them into 2013, but that might not help us at all since we will be travelling over Easter 2013 to HHI. Those points probably wouldn't help us at the 7-month window. It's not even enough to add one night so I'm thinking I might just be better off borrowing them to use towards the October trip.

I'm planning on travelling Th-Tu over my birthday weekend. I think that my BFF is coming along since DH says he'd feel too guilty "ditching the kids for Disney". BFF and I have stayed at AKV and Pop Century for our last two trips. Although I am open to trying something different, I *love* my AKV home too. I will definitely be calling at 9am on the day my 7-month window opens so that I can maximize my chances.

Here are some of my random thoughts regarding my plans....

1) BLT: I've always said that I would never stay in a studio here unless I was travelling with only one other person. This would be my chance to try it out. I like the transportation options, particularly the monorail to Epcot and the nearby MK bus depot to get to other resorts. It would also afford me the opportunity to visit the TOTWL. The downside is that, not being an owner, I would probably need a lake view studio which is *only* 89 points. This would leave me with more points leftover than I'd care to lose, but not really enough to bother trying to rent out. *If* I could get an MK view studio, that would use up 106 points which would be much better, but the chances of that seem pretty slim.

2) OKW: I could easily do a split stay with the first night in a studio and the last four in a 1BR. This would be 112 points so it is closer to my "point budget". I'd have to fork over $15 to add my one point, but I think I can swing that. But...we are staying at OKW in June 2012 and I've already stayed there twice already. I'd like to try some of the other DVC resorts. But I do love OKW...

3) BWV: I could do a studio (Preferred would be my best shot at availability) for 92 points...still a few less than I would like to spend. On top of that, I am very doubtful about the availability of anything at BWV for a weekend during F&W. A studio/1BR split stay is only possible in the standard category and that won't happen during F&W.

4) AKV: Oh, my wonderful, happy place. I could do a standard studio for 2 nights and then a standard 1BR for the next 3 nights for 104 points. That is probably the best choice, points-wise, because it is the closest to 111 that I can get without going over. I would do the studio at Jambo and the 1BR at Kidani. But, again, I've stayed at AKV three times already and I think I still want to try something new....but I *REALLY* love it there.

5) SSR: I can do a studio/1BR split (2/3) for 115 points which means I'd need to spend $60 to add the points. I've never stayed at SSR and the only thing about it that really appeals to me is the fact that I've never stayed there and I would eventually like to try it. It is an option that I wouldn't rule out, but it isn't my first choice.

My BFF really wouldn't care at all so asking for her input would be pointless. She'd just say, "You pick". So, I am turning to you, my DVC comrades....WWYD? Any thoughts, suggestions or criticisms are welcome.

 

[Rob S.]

I had to read though this twice to make sure I didn't miss anything. It looks like you could book something for as low as 100 points without losing anything. You could bank your remaining 11 AKV points to 2013.

I suggest BLT. Since this seems like the only time you would be able to try it, go for it. Book the Lake View and waitlist for the MK view. It might come through. You will be able to watch the Halloween party fireworks from the TOWL regardless.

 

[cvjw]

Another vote for BLT, two people in a studio seems the perfect fit. I would personally just use the 100 HHI points and bank the rest of the AKV points to use another time. I also vote for not moving rooms - it is just too much of a pain for only 5 nights.

 

[timandlesley]

If the main reason for your trip is food and wine then I vote for Beachclub or Boardwalk. We just went in November and stayed at Boardwalk and LOVED being able to walk back and forth to Food and Wine!
Lesley

 

[Starshine]

I also agree you should at least try for BWV or BCV first. Nothing better than leaving F&W and stumbling back to your resort easily! (Ask me how I know...)

 

[kristenrice]

You could bank your remaining 11 AKV points to 2013.

I suggest BLT. Since this seems like the only time you would be able to try it, go for it. Book the Lake View and waitlist for the MK view. It might come through. You will be able to watch the Halloween party fireworks from the TOWL regardless.

I totally forgot about Hallowishes!!! OMG, that would be so awesome! Even if I couldn't get a MK view, I could still enjoy them from the TOTWL!

I would personally just use the 100 HHI points and bank the rest of the AKV points to use another time.

If I banked the 11 AKV points into 2013, I don't think it would help me at all. We will be going to HHI in 2013 using 2010 banked (50), 2013 current (50) and 2014 borrowed (35) points for a spring break trip over Easter. I doubt anything will be available at 7 months. In order to use the banked AKV points, I'd have to book only 4 nights at the 11-month window and cross my fingers that the 5th night will be available at 7 months. It's not a chance I am willing to take. Unless, I can book all 5 nights and then reassign the points at 7 months, freeing up some current (2013) points. That would allow me to bank 26 points and have them available at 7 months for our trip to WDW in 2014. Is that possible?

I also agree you should at least try for BWV or BCV first. Nothing better than leaving F&W and stumbling back to your resort easily! (Ask me how I know...)

Oh, BWV is probably my #2 choice for the location alone. I am just a little concerned about availability at 7 months over a weekend with F&W.

BLT and BWV are probably my first two choices, but I can't stop thinking about how nice it would be to have a 1BR at OKW or Kidani. The split stay is not a big deal for me since we do it all the time to conserve points. I would stay within the same resort so it is just a matter of bringing the luggage down to bell services on the way to the park in the morning.

Hmmmm...decisions....decisions....

Thanks for all the input!

 

[nyck]

Another vote for BCV or BWV. Since they are so close to Epcot, I love going to F&W and not having to take a bus or 2 monorails back to the resort. Also helps me walk off the food and drinks

 

[bnk1120]

Obviously, BWV would be ideal for F&W, but I think trying BLT sounds like a lot of fun. You would be doing something different from the usual and could do some more "grown-up" things - TOWL etc. It's still easy enough to get to Epcot too. It sounds like a really fun trip to plan ! Have a great time!

 

[Disneyhappy]

My vote is BLT. We did F & W and MNSSHP this past October while staying at BLT and loved it. I couldn't get into the BCV and was so bummed until we started our trip at BLT. We have BCV booked for our early November 2011 F & W and MVMCP and hope to switch to BLT at 7 months. In all honesty, you can't go wrong with BLT, BWV or BCV.

 

[Inkmahm]

I'd pick BCV first, BWV second and BLT as third choice. For F&W, it is great to stay as close as possible to Epcot. That's BCV. BLT is great if you are also planning to walk to HS. BLT would work due to the monorail making it convenient.

I own at BWV just for October F&W trips.