Planning a Boardwalk trip in 2008

[iloveboardwalk]

Hello everyone! I used to be a member here at the DIS several years back but I cannot for the life of me remember my log in or even what email I used to register. My husband and I have been DVC members since 2001. We are located in the South West so we generally take a lot of short trips to Disneyland and save up points for less frequent but more elaborate trips to Florida. We had a fabulous week at the Boardwalk in September, we went from a Sat-Sat. We ended up changing resorts for the Sat and the Fri nights to save points. It was ok, but I felt like we wasted a lot of valuable park/pool time changing rooms. Plus, I hated packing/unpacking. So, for our next trip, we decided to bite the point bullet and stay the whole week at Boardwalk. For the record, changing resorts did not ruin my vacation at all, in fact it was the best of many Disney vacations I've ever had. We had a 2 bedroom boardwalk view, the weather was perfect, there were hardly any lines, we never had to wait at the restaurants, the pool was never crowded, etc... It was so good that I started planning my next trip the day I got back. We're having a quickie trip to Disneyland next month to tide us (well...me) over. ANYWAY!!

So, that brings me to my question for those of you who have done this before. We are planning (already) for September '08 with our two kids (to be 4.5 and 6.5 at the time of travel) and my mom and dad. We would like to stay at a Grand Villa at the Boardwalk check in on a Sat (13th) and check out the following Sat (20th) I know we could get away with a 2 bedroom, but frankly, I like the privacy and space afforded by the Grand Villa. Everyone gets their own room, plus you have the larger dining/living space. Some other family members will be staying elsewhere on site and we would like to "entertain" a little.

Do any of you pay cash for the weekend nights to save points? We'll be able to swing it point wise by skipping a few weekend get aways to California, borrowing a little, banking a little, etc... When I showed my Dad the point chart and explained to him how we planned to use our points for this vacation, he offered to pay for the two weekend nights in cash. I don't think he has any idea what he actually offered to do! It's quite expensive, as you know, to pay cash for those nights. However, I was looking for the cash rates for the Grand Villa and cannot find them anywhere on the internet. Incidently, I haven't looked at cash rates for years and MAN do we have a good deal or what! I can't believe it's over $600/night for just a two bedroom for one Saturday night.

So, do you know where I can find the rates for the Grand Villa? I know cash rates for 2008 are not even available yet, but 2007 rates will at least give me a reference point. The same is true of the points chart for 2008, but I know where to find the 2007 rates for points.

Also, any other tips? Thanks in advance!

Jen

 

[DisneyBill]

Sorry to see you're getting such a late start on planning your next vacation, but even so you may be able to pull it off. I don't know if you can pay cash for a GV at BWV, because I know that you can't pay cash for a BW view there, it has to be on points. I thought all the GVs were BW view. Someone will give you better more exact information I'm sure. You can always rent/transfer points if your heart is set on a GV, and have Dad pick-up that portion.

 

[paults]

Not sure but since all the GV at BWV are BWview, I think you can only use pts for stays unless they are unoccupied after a certain time. Only DVC'ers can book standard view and BW view with pts. These rooms are not available for cash until late.
I could be wrong so maybe someone will give more info.

 

[iloveboardwalk]

Sorry to see you're getting such a late start on planning your next vacation, but even so you may be able to pull it off.

LOL! I know, I'm SUCH a procrastinator!!

I don't know if you can pay cash for a GV at BWV, because I know that you can't pay cash for a BW view there, it has to be on points. I thought all the GVs were BW view. Someone will give you better more exact information I'm sure. You can always rent/transfer points if your heart is set on a GV, and have Dad pick-up that portion.

I forgot about the view/points thing. You're probably right. We have enough points on our own to do the whole week...but I'll probably price out renting just to see if it's worth the trouble. I'm not to keen on renting (personally)just because there is a little too much risk involved...but maybe. Maybe I'll try to find someone to do a point transfer for cash instead of renting because then at least then points/reservation would be under my control.

Anyway, thanks for the response..I would have thanked you guys sooner, you too paults but I got busy with Christmas and all.

Maybe I'll just make my Dad pay for all the park hoppers....or maybe the airline tickets!!

 

[Dumbo]

I hope your home resort is Boardwalk Villas because you will need the 11 month window to get the Grand Villa.

Dumbo

 

[iloveboardwalk]

I hope your home resort is Boardwalk Villas because you will need the 11 month window to get the Grand Villa.

Dumbo

Really...even a chance on the waitlist? ABout 1/3 of our points are at Boardwalk, but the rest are at Vero Beach. Shoot. I'm going to have to think,think,think...