Planning a big trip from the uk, it’s been 10 years need help please!

[helenreed]

We used to be members of the VC and stayed in Boardwalk villas every year for 2 weeks throughout my children’s childhood which as you can imagine, has made for magical memories. My 60th birthday is coming up and I would like to plan a trip for myself and my 4 kids. Sadly I am now divorced and we are not members of the VC anymore!
We really want to stay in boardwalk villas but need to find a strategy to keep the budget down! Everything g has changed so much in the last 10 years! I used to be a fastidious planner and we had a laminated spread sheet for every trip, all restaurants booked etc.
I am feeling completely overwhelmed and don’t know where to start!
I would really appreciate any help or guidance.
Thank you.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

If you want to stay at the villas again perhaps consider renting points from another member? For bigger rooms it can be cheaper than renting through Disney. I haven’t done the math on studios vs renting hotel rooms with whatever discounts are available.

 

[cruising spud]

If you reserve a Tiffany Towncar to take you from the Orlando Airport to Disney, the town car will give you a twenty-minute stop at the Publix Grocery Store at 9930 Universal Blvd. You can place an order ahead of time, and a staff member will bring the order out. If you don't rent a town car, you could go into the store and shop yourself. You could buy breakfast foods and snacks and drinks.
Double and triple check your packing list. Anything you leave at home and have to buy at Disney (Tylenol, sunscreen) will cost twice as much at Disney.
Don't make a lot of sit down restaurant reservations. Not only have these restaurants gotten very expensive, a reservation also gets in your way of making MPLL reservations.
A thought-you could stay in the Boardwalk area with five people to a room, but perhaps (if this is the direction you are going), it might be a happier holiday to stay at a moderate with two rooms (meaning two bathrooms and more space). The French Quarter is just finishing up a room renovation.
Hope this helps.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Good idea. This last trip I placed an order through Target for curbside pickup (where they bring it out to our car), and had the Uber stop on the way from the airport. They won’t have everything that you need but it worked well enough for us, and it’s much cheaper than hiring a towncar.

 

[Travel60]

Given your upcoming age and the story, it is likely your children are young adults now. How about enlisting them to help in the planning? If you plan to go to the parks, it has become more complicated and expensive.

As mentioned above, renting points may be the cheaper option but getting a reservation at Boardwalk could be difficult. You would have better luck at Saratoga Springs or Old Key West. I realize you are trying to recreate memories but both of those resorts are walking/boating distance to Disney Springs and your family might like going there more than the parks on some days.

Happy 60!

 

[mrsboz]

Take a look at Dave’s DVC. They have available DVC points at great prices. I’ve used them before and are using them again next month.

Check out mousesavers. This website is very helpful with discounts.

 

[Best Aunt]

Do you want to stay at BWV because you want a full kitchen with washer and dryer (which you would get in a 1-bedroom or larger villa)?
Or do you just like the location?

If you just like the location and don't need a full kitchen with washer and dryer, a lot of people go on the www.marrriott.com website and price out Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve. They are in the same area as Boardwalk.

Renting points can be done through agencies or directly from a member. But all have different rules regarding cancelling or changing a reservation. Make sure you know what the rules are before you book.