Qs about split stay incl. TH villas

[dr&momto2boys]

We are just now planning a trip for September. The choices of 2 bedroom villas are slim. Yes, we could stay at OKW or SS or AKV the whole time, but choose not to. We love staying near the BW and using SAB at BCV, so that's worth a short stay. We also want to check out VGF and be near those monorail hotels and restaurants, so that's worth a short stay. (Can only get 2 nights at each.)

We're experienced WDW tourists and experienced DVC resort hoppers, but have a couple questions. It's a two week trip. I'll give you the current rundown then the questions. It may be important to know how we tour... we go to parks at open, usually taking advantange of EE. We usually eat lunch there then return to resort to swim and rest in the afternoon. We usually will go to dinner and see a nighttime show too...sometimes catching a few more rides. Maybe we'll use our FP picks for the afternoon rides. We might decide not to go to any park on a particular day too. We'll definitely spend one of the days at DTD...just not sure which one.

Wed: Arrive and check into BCV
Thu: Epcot
Fri: DHS, Check into Universal hotel
Sat: Universal
Sun: Universal
Mon: Universal
Tue: MK, Check into VGF
Wed: MK
Thu: AK or Blizzard Beach, Check into AKV
Fri: AK
Sat: Epcot, Check into THV
Sun: MK
Mon: Epcot
Tue: MK
Wed: Go home

I don't need advice on touring and we know the ins and outs of changing resorts. Not that difficult. I'll pack light (3 outfits each, 2 pjs, 1 swimsuit plus the outfit we wear on the plane) and do laundry often.

Wondering about the THV part of the stay. I know there's a bus to the main bus stop. Didn't like that when we stayed at Fort Wilderness. But want to experience THV once. We COULD stay at THV for 6 nights and eliminate AKV. This would allow us to get some basic groceries that we don't have to move. (Eggs and fruit in the morning. PB&J, water, and snacks for pool time.) Is it a pain to stay there? Also the pool looks boring compared to the main pool. OK to cool off in, but will we want to take a bus to the main pool? Is SS spread out like OKW where you may have to take a bus or take a longwalk to the pool anyway? (By long, I mean longer than we may have at BWV which I assume would be the longest at a DVC at a deluxe resort.)
Advantage to staying at AKV is ease of eating at the restaurants there those nights which we enjoy.
Advice on this? Advantages/disadvantages to staying at the THVs?

One more question... Can we still get a DDP for one or two sections of our trip? Sometimes that actually is worth the money. Like if we get DxDDP for a two night stay and spread it over the 3 days we're allowed to use them. We could do that for the BCV and VGF stays if that's still allowed.

Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

IMO THV is remote, small pool good for cooling off, spread out, all the action is at SSR. Since the location is swampy/woodsy THV can have skeeter and bug issues but Disney does do a good job keeping them under control.

Bill

 

[deedisneydream97]

We are just now planning a trip for September. The choices of 2 bedroom villas are slim. Yes, we could stay at OKW or SS or AKV the whole time, but choose not to. We love staying near the BW and using SAB at BCV, so that's worth a short stay. We also want to check out VGF and be near those monorail hotels and restaurants, so that's worth a short stay. (Can only get 2 nights at each.)

We're experienced WDW tourists and experienced DVC resort hoppers, but have a couple questions. It's a two week trip. I'll give you the current rundown then the questions. It may be important to know how we tour... we go to parks at open, usually taking advantange of EE. We usually eat lunch there then return to resort to swim and rest in the afternoon. We usually will go to dinner and see a nighttime show too...sometimes catching a few more rides. Maybe we'll use our FP picks for the afternoon rides. We might decide not to go to any park on a particular day too. We'll definitely spend one of the days at DTD...just not sure which one.

Wed: Arrive and check into BCV
Thu: Epcot
Fri: DHS, Check into Universal hotel
Sat: Universal
Sun: Universal
Mon: Universal
Tue: MK, Check into VGF
Wed: MK
Thu: AK or Blizzard Beach, Check into AKV
Fri: AK
Sat: Epcot, Check into THV
Sun: MK
Mon: Epcot
Tue: MK
Wed: Go home

I don't need advice on touring and we know the ins and outs of changing resorts. Not that difficult. I'll pack light (3 outfits each, 2 pjs, 1 swimsuit plus the outfit we wear on the plane) and do laundry often.

Wondering about the THV part of the stay. I know there's a bus to the main bus stop. Didn't like that when we stayed at Fort Wilderness. But want to experience THV once. We COULD stay at THV for 6 nights and eliminate AKV. This would allow us to get some basic groceries that we don't have to move. (Eggs and fruit in the morning. PB&J, water, and snacks for pool time.) Is it a pain to stay there? Also the pool looks boring compared to the main pool. OK to cool off in, but will we want to take a bus to the main pool? Is SS spread out like OKW where you may have to take a bus or take a longwalk to the pool anyway? (By long, I mean longer than we may have at BWV which I assume would be the longest at a DVC at a deluxe resort.)
Advantage to staying at AKV is ease of eating at the restaurants there those nights which we enjoy.
Advice on this? Advantages/disadvantages to staying at the THVs?

One more question... Can we still get a DDP for one or two sections of our trip? Sometimes that actually is worth the money. Like if we get DxDDP for a two night stay and spread it over the 3 days we're allowed to use them. We could do that for the BCV and VGF stays if that's still allowed.

Thanks!

Wow, that is a busy trip.

I have never stayed at the treehouses, but do know they are remote and can be buggy; but that being said, they are still on my bucket list. If you are having second thoughts about the treehouses, could you maybe extend the AKV part of the trip? But...since the treehouse is at the end of your trip, maybe it would be more relaxing to wind down your trip there.

Regarding the dining plan....yes you can do what you are thinking. We always get a great meal at Narcooses when we use the DxDP for one night before we move to another resort. You just have to make sure your credits carry over on moving day. Double check at the front desk. Those credits are good until midnight of your check out day, even though you are checking in to another resort or room. Plus you will get your mugs and you can use them at any resort for I think it is twelve days? Yachtman's Steakhouse is another great place to get the best bang for your buck with the DxDP.

We've been members since 1997 and still have not yet had the desire to go to Universal. One day, though. I really want to do the Harry Potter thing.

Have fun.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Thanks for the info!
It used to be mugs were only good at the resort you bought them at. (Although no one would know if you were using them at another.) Has that officially changed?
I love. love. love WDW, but it's amazing the amount of research I feel I have to do each time we haven't been for awhile! It won't quite have been 2 years since our last trip but much has changed with DDP, magic bands, etc. Still have to research best use of magic bands! Last time we went they were in the testing phase and we got to use those and paper FP tickets too...that was awesome!

 

[deedisneydream97]

Thanks for the info!
It used to be mugs were only good at the resort you bought them at. (Although no one would know if you were using them at another.) Has that officially changed?
I love. love. love WDW, but it's amazing the amount of research I feel I have to do each time we haven't been for awhile! It won't quite have been 2 years since our last trip but much has changed with DDP, magic bands, etc. Still have to research best use of magic bands! Last time we went they were in the testing phase and we got to use those and paper FP tickets too...that was awesome!

When we went last month, after we were handed our mugs we were told they could be used at any resort (not theme parks). And I have read elsewhere they are good for 12 (14?) days when you purchase them with your meal plan. And I can tell you from experience that the soda machine still filled our cups 6 days later (remember...we only had DxDP for one night). Although the mugs probably won't do you much good at the tree house villas....you'd probably have to hike over to Saratoga Springs (but I don't know the pool set up at the tree house villas and if they have a beverage station).

No more paper fast passes. It's a little hard to get used to, especially since as of right now, you can only choose fast passes for one park per day....unless you use up your three, then you can get more at a kiosk at either the same park or a different one. Problem with that is, all of the good ones will probably be gone. You will definitely need FP for Seven dwarves mine train and if you want preferred viewing for Wishes (but I don't think you can get both because of the different "tiers" (popular things...you can only get one I think), Soarin and Toy Story Mania. Also, if you want to go to Be Our guest for dinner, it is still extremely difficult to get a spot. Some people have success if they look for a spot towards the end of their vacation. I still haven't been able to snag a spot.

I know there are lots of tips and stuff for theme park planning on the Theme Parks and Strategies boards on the Dis....but I can't ever get through them because there are just too many posts.

 

[CMNJ]

When we went last month, after we were handed our mugs we were told they could be used at any resort (not theme parks). And I have read elsewhere they are good for 12 (14?) days when you purchase them with your meal plan. And I can tell you from experience that the soda machine still filled our cups 6 days later (remember...we only had DxDP for one night). Although the mugs probably won't do you much good at the tree house villas....you'd probably have to hike over to Saratoga Springs (but I don't know the pool set up at the tree house villas and if they have a beverage station).

No more paper fast passes. It's a little hard to get used to, especially since as of right now, you can only choose fast passes for one park per day....unless you use up your three, then you can get more at a kiosk at either the same park or a different one. Problem with that is, all of the good ones will probably be gone. You will definitely need FP for Seven dwarves mine train and if you want preferred viewing for Wishes (but I don't think you can get both because of the different "tiers" (popular things...you can only get one I think), Soarin and Toy Story Mania. Also, if you want to go to Be Our guest for dinner, it is still extremely difficult to get a spot. Some people have success if they look for a spot towards the end of their vacation. I still haven't been able to snag a spot.

I know there are lots of tips and stuff for theme park planning on the Theme Parks and Strategies boards on the Dis....but I can't ever get through them because there are just too many posts.

Regarding the tiering of fast passes-that is only applicable at Epcot and DHS
MK and AK do not have tiering (at least so far) so you could get 7DMT and wishes or any 3 popular fast pass attractions

 

[deedisneydream97]

Regarding the tiering of fast passes-that is only applicable at Epcot and DHS
MK and AK do not have tiering (at least so far) so you could get 7DMT and wishes or any 3 popular fast pass attractions

Thank you....I did not know that (mostly because we did not do MK or AK this last trip).

I did speak to some of the FP+ CM's at the kisok one day...I was told that they are "exploring" the idea of being able to choose more than one park ahead of time. I would really like that....being AP holders makes park hopping very desirable (morning park, early afternoon resort/swim, evening park and dinner).

 

[deedisneydream97]

We are just now planning a trip for September. The choices of 2 bedroom villas are slim. Yes, we could stay at OKW or SS or AKV the whole time, but choose not to. We love staying near the BW and using SAB at BCV, so that's worth a short stay. We also want to check out VGF and be near those monorail hotels and restaurants, so that's worth a short stay. (Can only get 2 nights at each.)

We're experienced WDW tourists and experienced DVC resort hoppers, but have a couple questions. It's a two week trip. I'll give you the current rundown then the questions. It may be important to know how we tour... we go to parks at open, usually taking advantange of EE. We usually eat lunch there then return to resort to swim and rest in the afternoon. We usually will go to dinner and see a nighttime show too...sometimes catching a few more rides. Maybe we'll use our FP picks for the afternoon rides. We might decide not to go to any park on a particular day too. We'll definitely spend one of the days at DTD...just not sure which one.

Wed: Arrive and check into BCV
Thu: Epcot
Fri: DHS, Check into Universal hotel
Sat: Universal
Sun: Universal
Mon: Universal
Tue: MK, Check into VGF
Wed: MK
Thu: AK or Blizzard Beach, Check into AKV
Fri: AK
Sat: Epcot, Check into THV
Sun: MK
Mon: Epcot
Tue: MK



Wed: Go home



I don't need advice on touring and we know the ins and outs of changing resorts. Not that difficult. I'll pack light (3 outfits each, 2 pjs, 1 swimsuit plus the outfit we wear on the plane) and do laundry often.

Wondering about the THV part of the stay. I know there's a bus to the main bus stop. Didn't like that when we stayed at Fort Wilderness. But want to experience THV once. We COULD stay at THV for 6 nights and eliminate AKV. This would allow us to get some basic groceries that we don't have to move. (Eggs and fruit in the morning. PB&J, water, and snacks for pool time.) Is it a pain to stay there? Also the pool looks boring compared to the main pool. OK to cool off in, but will we want to take a bus to the main pool? Is SS spread out like OKW where you may have to take a bus or take a longwalk to the pool anyway? (By long, I mean longer than we may have at BWV which I assume would be the longest at a DVC at a deluxe resort.)
Advantage to staying at AKV is ease of eating at the restaurants there those nights which we enjoy.
Advice on this? Advantages/disadvantages to staying at the THVs?

One more question... Can we still get a DDP for one or two sections of our trip? Sometimes that actually is worth the money. Like if we get DxDDP for a two night stay and spread it over the 3 days we're allowed to use them. We could do that for the BCV and VGF stays if that's still allowed.

Thanks!

I just thought of something. Are you DVC members that can "purchase" the dining plan? If you are not DVC members and are renting points, I do not have a clue about the dining plan....i.e. if you can purchase it via the owner and all of that. I am pretty sure you can....but don't take my information to the bank!!

 

[bumbershoot]

The treehouse question confuses me because with all that moving I would have assumed you have a car. You don't have a car? Have you priced out a car? I'd get a car. That's a lot of moves without a car.

I like rental cars.

As long as you're moving room types (and moving between resorts definitely counts) you can get the dining plan for JUST that reservation.

It used to be mugs were only good at the resort you bought them at. (Although no one would know if you were using them at another.) Has that officially changed?

When RFID came in with the mugs, they allowed used at all other resorts. Recently they dropped the 1, 2, or 3 day options and now it's just 14 days (they call it length of stay but that's not what it is) and you can officially use them at all onsite resorts.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I just thought of something. Are you DVC members that can "purchase" the dining plan? If you are not DVC members and are renting points, I do not have a clue about the dining plan....i.e. if you can purchase it via the owner and all of that. I am pretty sure you can....but don't take my information to the bank!!

Yes, we're DVC members. We're moving so much on this trip because at 3 months out, this is the best we could string together for 2 bedrooms.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

The treehouse question confuses me because with all that moving I would have assumed you have a car. You don't have a car? Have you priced out a car? I'd get a car. That's a lot of moves without a car.

I like rental cars.

No car. I think no car is easier. Using Magical Express, we don't have to go to baggage claim, our usually massive pile of luggage just shows up at our door a few hours later. And it's super easy to move. When we check out of one resort, we just drop off our luggage at the bell desk and they deliver it to the next resort by the time our room is ready. We just head out to a park and then go to the next resort when we're ready and check in and have our bags delivered. The only real downfall to split reservations is packing and unpacking and not having a room for a part of a day. But if we plan well that won't be a problem. For this trip I'll pack light and we'll do laundry often.

 

[deedisneydream97]

No car. I think no car is easier. Using Magical Express, we don't have to go to baggage claim, our usually massive pile of luggage just shows up at our door a few hours later. And it's super easy to move. When we check out of one resort, we just drop off our luggage at the bell desk and they deliver it to the next resort by the time our room is ready. We just head out to a park and then go to the next resort when we're ready and check in and have our bags delivered. The only real downfall to split reservations is packing and unpacking and not having a room for a part of a day. But if we plan well that won't be a problem. For this trip I'll pack light and we'll do laundry often.

Yikes!! No car...but I can see your point of trying to corral 5 kids, luggage, etc. Sounds like you have a good plan and are very organized. You have to be with such a large family! I sometimes think people like you actually stress less than people like me (two kids, now grown, just DH and I and I still stress about our Disney trips!!). Just go with the flow! I hope (and am sure you will) have a wonderful trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You could pack light since you'll have a washer and dryer at each of your DVC stays.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

You could pack light since you'll have a washer and dryer at each of your DVC stays.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

We stayed in a treehouse a couple of years ago and enjoyed it, but we had a rental car and drove almost everywhere. I don't know if I'd want to do them without a car. There is a dock nearby where you can catch the boat to DTD, and a bus to the carriage house so you can swim at the main pool and grab food and groceries.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Also, we often take the DME in, then after a couple of days rent a car so we can go into town and get groceries. Then a few days before we leave we drop off the car. There are several rental car counters at the hotels on Hotel Plaza Drive. I just walk from SSR or DTD to whichever has the cheapest rental rate, but you could probably call for a pick up too.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Just checked into it and found it cheaper to get a car service to take us to Universal and back. Don't think we'll rent a car for the treehouses. We're fine with Disney transport. More fun for the kids than buckling into carseats like they do everyday.