Plan B Rental Options?

[Maine_Belle]

We're planning a split stay trip next fall and already have reserved a rental through an agency for a 1BR Standard at Riviera (so excited!) and are waiting on our request for a Poly studio. We still have plenty of time, but I'm not oblivious to the reality that Poly is super popular, points are limited, and we may have to change course with a plan B so I have time enough to get reasonable flights and put everything else in place. I can't hold out hope that something will magically work out 3 weeks ahead of time! This is the BIG TRIP- we're not coming back again any time soon.

What would you recommend for a back up option if we're still ~6 months out with no owners renting our Poly dream? My husband loves the idea of being at Poly (the whole vibe and monorail) and I like that it has a big bed for us adults, the pulldown cabinet bed for the (to be) 9 year old, and the murphy for the (to be) 13 year old. The convenience to MK and Epcot is a big factor, as is the rental price point.

Things I've considered:

• not renting and hoping for a decent rate for a normal room at Poly (they can be SO expensive!)
• a different monorail DVC (the rooms seem small and the bed configuration is NOT great with my kids sharing a pullout)
• an AK lodge DVC for a totally different, unique vibe (but it is SO FAR AWAY! and I don't know the room set up)
• Wilderness Lodge DVC something (we've stayed at the actual Yellowstone lodge, so it isn't super appealing)

What do folks think? Want to sell me on another location that is in a similar price range, has the two bed options for the kids, and isn't a pain to get to MK from? We stayed at POR for a quick visit a few years ago and it was cute, so we're open to Deluxe or Moderate if it's at least kind of comparable. (What can compare to Poly though?! Having a room is better than not though...)

 

[_auroraborealis_]

What would you recommend for a back up option if we're still ~6 months out with no owners renting our Poly dream?

Depending on what you mean by "fall," if you don't have a DVC unit at 7 months, you're also unlikely to get anything resembling another monorail resort. Fall Frenzy is a real thing, and for those who do not have their unit secured before 7 months, the day of 7 months supply disappears fast. If you want any other DVC you'd need to make that switch before the day 7 months before your check in date.

An AKV Studio has a queen bed and a sofabed (2 sleep surfaces). An AKV 1BR has a king, a sofabed and a chair bed. At Wilderness Lodge, the Boulder Ridge Villas have 3 sleep surfaces in a studio, but only 2 in a 1BR. It may be under refurbishment. Copper Creek Villas, the other WL DVC, has two sleep surfaces in both the studio and 1BR. AKV might be available after 7 months, but neither Wilderness Lodge DVC is likely to be.

If you wait it out until 7 months, you'd be looking most likely at a DVC rental at Saratoga Springs or OKW, both of which have only 2 sleep surfaces in studios. Have to upgrade to 1BRs to get 3 surfaces.