Pls help me pick a resort - August 19 update

[Maddysdaddy]

August 19 update - Just received notification that my waitlist came through for the Grand Floridian, so bye bye BLT, and hello VGF.

Given how popular we assume VGF is going to be, thought that if we don't stay there now (on what will likely be our last 'off season' holiday for the next 10 years or so), we're never going to stay there (don't foresee a heck of a lot of 7 month availability there during summer, xmas or spring break).

Once again, thanks to everyone who provided their input on this.

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Original post

Hi all. I was hoping to get some opinions on where I should book for three nights at the beginning of February 2014 before we hop on DCL.

Background facts:

- I have 43 points from my 2013 use year left. That is the exact amount that I need to book a value at AKL (my home). I am currently waitlisted for those 3 nights. Have to say that having stayed there for the first time in March (we bought on the cruise back in 2011 and had previously used our points at VGC) we were not a huge fan of AKL.

- I could also use the points to stay at Saratoga (where we spent the second half of our March trip and absolutely loved it).

- Or... I could borrow from our 2014 point allotment and stay at BLT or the GF. I'm leaning towards this option as (for this trip) we will not be renting a car, so being on the monorail is a positive. The "point hoarding" part of me doesn't want to borrow, but I fully acknowledge that this may be a penny-wise/pound-foolish attitude.

If we do choose BLT or GF (we have never set foot in either resort), is there a particular studio category that those who have stayed there could recommend to me?

- Are there other options that I'm not considering and should?

Thanks.

 

[holula]

Have you looked at staying at OKW? It's a lower points resort than SSR.

What do you plan to do with your three days? Parks? Resort time? Other?

 

[spruce]

Save your points and stay at okw then check out blt and dgf during an mk day doing the monorail loop. Then you can book them next time. If you liked ssr you'll like okw too. We like hh at okw is our preferred booking category.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My choice would be either of the monorail resorts. BLT has good Community room activities if you have a child, you would be right there to see the fireworks at the top of the World Lounge if that is still an option.

I just went to the GF models and think the bath configuration in the studio is really great, and if you have a child the Dumbo themed pull down bed is cute.

We own at BLT, and have had standard & lake view studios, and we like the point savings of standard.

We do not hesitate to borrow, but if it makes you uncomfortable, I would go with SSR. We prefer the queen, sofa bed layout of those studios as opposed to 2 queens at OKW.

Bobbi

 

[d3boyz]

We look like crazy people when we're trying to optimize our points usage (tables of points per night for our possible locations and a calendar ... all littering the kitchen table). We try to get the most out of them, like everyone else, but for such a short stay, I'd suggest you be bold and try somewhere you've never been! At only three days, it's short enough that if you don't like it, you've not even invested a week ... and if you LOVE it, you have your own great 'insider information' to make future plans!

Enjoy your stay and I'm SURE you'll enjoy DCL!
d3boyz

 

[brertoad]

Are you looking at studios? (Because a 1BR AKL Value is more than 43 pts. for 3 days.)

3 nights beginning of Feb. AKA Dream Season

AKL Value Studio 30 pts.
AKL Standard Studio 39 pts.
AKL Savannah Studio 51 pts.
BLT Standard Studio 51 pts.
OKW Studio 39 pts.
SSR Studio 42 pts.

I think you will find better availability at OKW and SSR. Also, you can probably find availability at AKL for standard or savannah, Value books up quickly.

I don't know if you all want to try a new resort or stick with one you love. SSR is lovely. OKW is also very nice, the rooms seem a little more dated than SSR, but it's not a huge deal to us. We usually prefer OKW since they provide 2 queen beds and no sleeper sofa. So the slightly outdated kitchenette and bathroom isn't a problem for us. Overall OKW is a laid back resort, we haven't stayed anywhere but near the main building area, so we swim in the large pool. The room is also a bit larger.

I really like the look of SSR, the room décor is cute, the main pool is beautiful, and proximity to DTD is cool. There may be construction that blocks the walking paths during that time, so if the boats are still operating that would be useful to get to and from DTD. OKW also has the boats too.

BLT has very modern décor, everything is like new. The bathroom and kitchenette are awesome. We had a theme park view, and you can't beat that, but it is costly on points. It was amazing. There isn't much going on there in my opinion, they have the Top of the World Lounge, but you probably aren't going to spend much time there. Other than that, the studio is noticeably smaller than what we are used to. But it's very nice for what it is. You can walk to the CR to get QS or TS food, and obviously you have the monorail access, or as we choose to do, we usually just walk to MK. I would recommend everyone try BLT theme park view at least once in their life. It's really that cool, to watch fireworks from your balcony is priceless.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

We are looking at studios (and I erred in my original post, we need 4 nights).

While the point hoarder in me wants to stick with AKV or SSR so we don't have to borrow, thinking this thru again last night, this will be our last chance for an off-season vacation for quite a while since my daughter is going back to a 'normal' school year.

Accordingly, if an when we travel to WDW again (we're DL people) it will be high season and the odds will be slim that we'll get into VGF or BLT, so I should just suck it up and stay at one of them while we have the chance.

Now I just need to wait for my 2014 points to be put into my account (assuming it will be August 1 since we have an August use year?) so I can actually make the reservation (and hope that something is still available - it was when I last checked a couple of weeks ago - otherwise this entire thread has been a waste of time).

 

[dmunsil]

Now I just need to wait for my 2014 points to be put into my account (assuming it will be August 1 since we have an August use year?) so I can actually make the reservation (and hope that something is still available - it was when I last checked a couple of weeks ago - otherwise this entire thread has been a waste of time).

You don't need to ever wait for the points to be put into your account. They're in there already. The use year is just the 12 months that those points are valid for trips. They are always "loaded."

So book today!

 

[lisaviolet]

You don't need to ever wait for the points to be put into your account. They're in there already. The use year is just the 12 months that those points are valid for trips. They are always "loaded."

So book today!

Just came on to say the same thing. Just book. They're already there.

___________________________________

Also, go for GF or BLT. Hands down and back around. GO FOR IT.

There is nothing wrong with borrowing. One thing people don't understand about borrowing is that you never have to worry about banking deadlines.

I don't know how old Maddy is but the monorail is so relaxing on vacation with small children and with adults for that matter. ( EDIT: Whoops, I just caught that you already understand the joy of that option!)

I know this is not my vacation but please for the love of God if BLT and VGF are available you must! (Plus, you're not a fan of AKL so why even consider AKV on this one?)

It's not just the MK right there. It's FW so close by boat - actually so many boats for transportation (heaven for me) so many eating possibilities at various resorts right there, both CS and TS - and the monorail to Epcot.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Thanks everyone. Your thoughts and comments are very, very much appreciated.

I will admit that I am confused though about the comments from lisaviolet and dmunsil regarding borrowing.

When we were at WDW for two weeks in March, we used up all 200 of our August 2012 points, and borrowed 157 from our August 2013 points.

For the 4 nights before the cruise in February, I'll need to use up the balance of our August 2013 points (43) and (if we stay at BLT or VGF), I'll need to borrow points from my August 2014 use year.

So... even though I'm currently a year and a week away from receiving those points, I can still borrow them? I thought that I could only borrow from the subsequent use year, and (for another week anyway) my subsequent use year is August 2013.

 

[lisaviolet]

Thanks everyone. Your thoughts and comments are very, very much appreciated.

I will admit that I am confused though about the comments from lisaviolet and dmunsil regarding borrowing.

When we were at WDW for two weeks in March, we used up all 200 of our August 2012 points, and borrowed 157 from our August 2013 points.

For the 4 nights before the cruise in February, I'll need to use up the balance of our August 2013 points (43) and (if we stay at BLT or VGF), I'll need to borrow points from my August 2014 use year.

So... even though I'm currently a year and a week away from receiving those points, I can still borrow them? I thought that I could only borrow from the subsequent use year, and (for another week anyway) my subsequent use year is August 2013.

It's not where we are in your UY as far as it starting. It's the vacation date. It's where the vacation is in your UY not anything to do with the date right now. You can borrow now for that vacation.

February 2014 vacation time is part of your 2013 August UY where you have most of the points for your vacation (since you're totally going for GF or BLT!!! - LAUGHING!). So it is in line to borrow from your 2014 UY now for those vacation dates.

(IE. If your travel dates started tomorrow for four days - you would still be in your 2012 August UY and couldn't borrow from 2014 for that vacation time.)

 

[hakepb]

As an extreme example, you can book a Disney Cruise or an RCI trade 2 years in advance.
(Based on you currently being your 2013 UY):
So, you could call right now, and book a cruise that sails July 25, 2015 (if available) and you can make that booking using points borrowed from your 2016 use year....just look online, those 2016 points already exist in my account, you should see yours, too.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

It's not where we are in your UY as far as it starting. It's the vacation date. It's where the vacation is in your UY not anything to do with the date right now. You can borrow now for that vacation.

February 2014 vacation time is part of your 2013 August UY where you have most of the points for your vacation (since you're totally going for GF or BLT!!! - LAUGHING!). So it is in line to borrow from your 2014 UY now for those vacation dates.

(IE. If your travel dates started tomorrow for four days - you would still be in your 2012 August UY and couldn't borrow from 2014 for that vacation time.)

You're awesome. Thanks.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

So...

Based on what I just learned, I logged onto the DVC site. Between BLT and VGF, the only studio with all 4 nights was at BLT-Lake View. I bit the bullet and booked.

I then went and waitlisted a studio at VGF. Either way, accommodation pre-cruise has now been sorted.

Thanks everyone.

 

[dbs1228]

We just booked GF for 4 nights in Feb - using more points then we wanted but there was availability and I have no idea going forward if I will be able to get into the resort at 7 months so its my chance to try it! I am excited now just waiting for my purchased points to get loaded to figure out where we want/can spend the additional 4 nights!

Enjoy

 

[lisaviolet]

So...

Based on what I just learned, I logged onto the DVC site. Between BLT and VGF, the only studio with all 4 nights was at BLT-Lake View. I bit the bullet and booked.

I then went and waitlisted a studio at VGF. Either way, accommodation pre-cruise has now been sorted.

Thanks everyone.

YEAH!

What fun. I got a MK view, looking out on the balcony, out of a LV on my last stay.

And you're welcome on the other! I'm surprised I made any sense since I ramble like no other.

We just booked GF for 4 nights in Feb - using more points then we wanted but there was availability and I have no idea going forward if I will be able to get into the resort at 7 months so its my chance to try it! I am excited now just waiting for my purchased points to get loaded to figure out where we want/can spend the additional 4 nights!

Enjoy

Hi Denise.

New points!!!! Umm, jealous.

Enjoy your GF stay.