Pre and/or Post DVC Hotel Stay?

[toocherie]

I am planning to stay in DVC Sunday-Thursday nights on points. Because I am traveling from Califronia, I will lose most of a day coming and going to travel. I am thinking of flying in on Saturday and flying out on Friday or Saturday so as to maximize the time in the parks Sunday-Thursday. I believe I have read somewhere that DVC members are entitled to a discount on Disney resorts on a cash basis? Or would you stay at your regular resort -- just on a cash basis-- for this purpose? Suggestions for where you would stay? It would be nice to stay somewhere that has a special dinner (like a character dinner) to ease into the WDW vacation without a lot of traveling on the first day. I would also like to stay at a WDW resort to utilize ME.

Thanks!

 

[paults]

need more info. what DVC are you staying at so we can suggest the best place to be.

 

[CarolMN]

I am planning to stay in DVC Sunday-Thursday nights on points. Because I am traveling from Califronia, I will lose most of a day coming and going to travel. I am thinking of flying in on Saturday and flying out on Friday or Saturday so as to maximize the time in the parks Sunday-Thursday. I believe I have read somewhere that DVC members are entitled to a discount on Disney resorts on a cash basis? Or would you stay at your regular resort -- just on a cash basis-- for this purpose? Suggestions for where you would stay? It would be nice to stay somewhere that has a special dinner (like a character dinner) to ease into the WDW vacation without a lot of traveling on the first day. I would also like to stay at a WDW resort to utilize ME.

Thanks!

DVC members do not get cash discounts at non-DVC WDW resorts. If available, they receive a 25% discount (off rack rates) for a cash night at a DVC resort booked through Member Services.

Since I don't like to move (even if Disney is moving the luggage), my family just uses points for our entire stay. Now that we don't feel the need to "commando the parks", we generally limit our DVC stays to 6 nights, either Saturday - Friday or Sunday - Saturday.

If you want to use ME, my advice would be to stay near the airport on the Saturday of arrival. Ideally, in the Hyatt that is located right at MCO. Use ME early on Sunday (by telling ME you are arriving on a flight that is scheduled to land around the time you want to go to the resort. You'll need to take care of own luggage and take it with you on the ME bus, though).

Check out of DVC and return home on either the following Friday or Saturday, depending on airfare and the number of points you have allocated for that trip.

Of course, you should compare the cost of the cash stay at your DVC resort with the cost of the cash stay off site on the first night. If you book the cash stay through MS and don't want a "specialized" category (like Boardwalk view at the BWV), you won't have to change rooms between the cash night and the points nights. The member discount at the DVC resorts is not always available, but it is more often available on the weekend nights than it is on the weekday nights.

 

[Chuck S]

DVC Member only receive a 25% discount off off rack rates at DVC resorts only, not regular Disney resorts. The discount is subject to availability, and those rooms have to be booked through Member Services, not the regular Disney reservation line.

If you are looking for relatively inexpensive, you might want to try a Disney value resort like POP Century. Otherwise off-site is the most cost effective alternative.

Otherwise, a DVC studio accomodation will run (with discount) about $220 per night, depending upon resort & season, to about $370 in 2008.

 

[bcpage]

When we have flown, we stayed at POP (Dec07) and All-Star Movies (Sep06) on the day of arrival (Saturday) and then checked in to our DVC resort on Sunday. Disney moved our luggage from the value resort to DVC while we went to a park on Sunday.

I prefer to get to WDW as early as possible on Saturday and spend time at the pool relaxing so we can get an early start on Sunday. We have done this on two occasions and it has worked out well.

 

[supercalafragalistic]

When we come in early and don't want to use our points on weekends we will stay at one of the All Star Resorts. Concerige will transfer you bags over to the vacation club you are staying at. It's alot cheaper, your on disney property and I know that as of last year one of the All Star Resorts have family suites if you need it.