Points v cash

[dbanzai]

Next year I'm going to use my points and take a friend from home and her mom and daughter to WDW. At first I was hoping to get a MK view room at CR, but her mom would rather two rooms.

So now I'm weighing my options... Obviously we can get a two bedroom vacation home, which is what I'll suggest first. However, I have some questions for alternatives:

If we decided on something a little more private, i.e. two studios, is that possible at a DVC? I know most connecting rooms are studios to 1BR to make the 2BR homes. Do they offer studios adjacent to one another?

If we decide to get two rooms but pay for one, what is our best option? To have her buy the points through me or to just go through WDW booking. The latter I know at least she'll get park passes included. If we book separately (points and cash), do you think there'd be any problem linking the reservations so we get agoining or connecting rooms?

 

[carolina_yankee]

I'm not sure if there are two studio adjacent anywehre, but I don't think they would be connecting, if so.

We took friends on a trip last fall, booking 2 studios on points at SSR. We were on the same floor, but not super close - about half a hall's length apart. Of course, that was no problem, but it's not like they were 2 doors down. MS did link the reservation and note our request to be close to each other. Quite frankly, I'm impressed with how well they did since we had Congress Park over Thanksgiving weekend and the place was full.

About mixing booking one studio cash, and one points, I don't know whether MS would let you use the member discount for a studio you aren't occupying. Of course, you could use your points to book the studio for your friend, and then use cash for your own room (or just renting your points to your friend - which would be cheapest for them, providing you want to use the extra points that way.)

Dirk

 

[castleri]

Next year I'm going to use my points and take a friend from home and her mom and daughter to WDW. At first I was hoping to get a MK view room at CR, but her mom would rather two rooms.

So now I'm weighing my options... Obviously we can get a two bedroom vacation home, which is what I'll suggest first. However, I have some questions for alternatives:

If we decided on something a little more private, i.e. two studios, is that possible at a DVC? I know most connecting rooms are studios to 1BR to make the 2BR homes. Do they offer studios adjacent to one another?

If we decide to get two rooms but pay for one, what is our best option? To have her buy the points through me or to just go through WDW booking. The latter I know at least she'll get park passes included. If we book separately (points and cash), do you think there'd be any problem linking the reservations so we get agoining or connecting rooms?

If you book a two bedroom lockoff unit then you will have a one bedroom and a studiio that can be adjoining or not as you so desire. The studio will have its own balcony and kitchenette and the one bedroom part will have a full kitchen, full washer and dryer, balcony and living room as well as the MB with jacuzzi. You will have a king size bed, and either two queen sized beds or a queen and a sofa bed in the studio and a sofa in the living room depending on which resort you want to stay at. The only resort with two queen beds in the studios is OKW - all others have a bed and a pull out sofa. If the Mom is the one that wants two rooms let her pay you for the points for the second room if you decide on stuios or the equivalent of the studio towards a two bedroom unit. Your total point cost may not be that much more than the MK view at the CR but I would ask her to pay something towards it. Taking family and friends can sometimes be a challenge and it sounds like this could be one since you are offering to pay for the room to begin with and she is wanting something different already. I would just nicely say this is what I can do with the points I have for this trip. If you would like to do something else please feel free to say so and we can investigate what it will cost you as this is all I can afford. We needed two units last year in Sept and in Dec and they were in the same building at OKW but not on the same floor so if you decide on two studios you may be able to get something like that.

 

[MrsNick]

If the Mom is the one that wants two rooms let her pay you for the points for the second room if you decide on stuios or the equivalent of the studio towards a two bedroom unit. Your total point cost may not be that much more than the MK view at the CR but I would ask her to pay something towards it....If you would like to do something else please feel free to say so and we can investigate what it will cost you as this is all I can afford.

ITA 100%.

I personally would never tell someone that was kind enough to cover a room on vacation for me that I want them to book a second room unless I also said I would pay the difference. I think it's a little bit tacky to look a gift horse in the mouth. That said, I think it's awfully nice of you to go with the flow and be so accomodating.

 

[dbanzai]

Our families have been friends for a long time. I met the daughter in about '89 only to find out my mom lived in the same building as her mom and where they live now. They were friends back then, when my parents moved only two blocks away in preparation for their bouncing baby boy... Me!

They seemed alright paying for another room if need be, but all factors considered, I'd like to pay for the accomodations or just use points.

I know about the 2 br being a studio & 1 br, but thanks for the reminder. I think I will tell them that's how it is, so if mom feels uncomfortable, she knows she can still lock me out. I just have to point out that I get the hottub!

This would actually be cheaper point-wise than the room I was looking at at CR. I had wanted to get a MK-view tower room, but 2 br @ SS would be about 15 points less. What I may do now is (when the 11 mo window opens) book a 2br for the trip and then maybe try swapping it to a 2br @ OKW so we can be right there at EPOCT... Just as I think the granddaughter would get a kick of being so close to a park. Or maybe at AKV. I should have bought more points there. Or will buy more there in the future.

Thanks, all.

 

[abeyst]

OKW is not at Epcot - BWV and BCV are at Epcot.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you book at OKW after you cancel at SSR, you will use fewer points. So you'll either have to bank them (if you are within your banking deadlines) or use them before the end of the year.

 

[dbanzai]

OKW is not at Epcot - BWV and BCV are at Epcot.

I realized this after looking at a map later in the day... Now I'm looking at BWV and BCV as you say or maybe WLV.

 

[Mtnman44]

That's a pretty slick idea. Simple, but I don't think I've ever thought of that. it looks to me also that a 2BR is always a few points cheaper than getting a studio and a 1 BR.

Where can one be assured a lockoff unit?

If you book a two bedroom lockoff unit then you will have a one bedroom and a studiio that can be adjoining or not as you so desire. The studio will have its own balcony and kitchenette and the one bedroom part will have a full kitchen, full washer and dryer, balcony and living room as well as the MB with jacuzzi. You will have a king size bed, and either two queen sized beds or a queen and a sofa bed in the studio and a sofa in the living room depending on which resort you want to stay at. The only resort with two queen beds in the studios is OKW - all others have a bed and a pull out sofa. If the Mom is the one that wants two rooms let her pay you for the points for the second room if you decide on stuios or the equivalent of the studio towards a two bedroom unit. Your total point cost may not be that much more than the MK view at the CR but I would ask her to pay something towards it. Taking family and friends can sometimes be a challenge and it sounds like this could be one since you are offering to pay for the room to begin with and she is wanting something different already. I would just nicely say this is what I can do with the points I have for this trip. If you would like to do something else please feel free to say so and we can investigate what it will cost you as this is all I can afford. We needed two units last year in Sept and in Dec and they were in the same building at OKW but not on the same floor so if you decide on two studios you may be able to get something like that.

 

[salmoneous]

Where can one be assured a lockoff unit?

All 2BR at BWV are lockoffs. All other resorts have at least some dedicated 2BR.