Question about points & BWV

[chaoscent]

I need some help from experts as I am a newbie in DVC. We just recently bought 200 points in AKV.
I am going to WDW in Sept. with 2 girlfriends. We are celebrating 41 years of friendship (We are only 40, we met before we were born ). I couldn't get a standard view in a studio so I changed it to a 1 bedroom for Sunday to Thursday. It was 45 points to stay in a one bedroom for the weekend so we are switiching to the preferred view (still hoping for a standard view). I read on this site that you can use cash to stay at BWVillas on Friday & Saturday. I have an AP, AAA, & AARP (Ok, my friends and I didn't meet before we were born ). Is this something that is available? If so is the room expenesive? I am picking up the cost for my the room.
The reason I am checking is because I am making a second trip down with my mom in January. We are only staying Sunday through Thursday. I am hoping for BWVillas Standard view and that will be 120 points. If you combine that with my Sept trip it is 228 points. I will either have to rent the points from someone on the boards or borrow from next year?
Soooooo - Questions are
1. Can I use cash (rent) to stay at BWVillas in a studio on Friday and Saturday night the first week of Sept?
2. If so, what is the cost of the room?
3. Is it better to rent points or borrow from next year for my January trip?
4. What are the chances of getting a standard view for a 2 bedroom the last week of January?

& lastly. One of my friends is having knee surgery. She will not be in a wheelchair by Sept, but will be using a cane. I have a problem with degenerative discs and I will be in an ECV. It would be helpful to have a room near an elevator for my friend. Any advice for a room to ask for? They currently have us listed for a room on the first floor or near an elevator. I realize the first floor is not very good if you want a view, but her comfort is more important than a view.

Thanks for answering. Penny
aka Chaos Cent

 

[crisi]

You chances of getting a BWV Standard View room as a non BWV owner are pretty small - its only 20% of the resort and they are usually first to book up. September and January are good times to try however.

There are sometimes cash discounts at the Villas for DVC members - 25% off rack rate. You have to call and check for availability.

Renting or borrowing, depends. I think I'd rather borrow and then rent when I need to. What are you planning on doing next year with your points?

At BWV, the first floor of the resort on the lobby side is the second floor on the Boardwalk side. Go for the elevator, since it will be hard to get to the bus stop or parking lot from the first floor, and hard to get to the Boardwalk from the second floor.

 

[chaoscent]

thanks for your advice. I haven't considered myself a newbie at Disney for 7 years. I normally stay at WL or AKL & just decided to buy into DVC this last trip as the WL rooms were becoming too expensive. Thanks, Penny

 

[KennySC]

You might want to consider moving your trip back a few weeks so that you could attend the Food and Wine Festival with your friends. The only problem that might make getting a room even more difficult but nothing is ever impossible...

 

[fkj2]

Penny, I'm slightly confused by your OP. Are you staying the Friday-Saturday at BWV? And is it in a studio or a one-bedroom?

If you're staying in a one-bedroom the Fri-Sat nights, had you considered trying to spend those nights in a studio and then move to the one bedroom on Sunday? I try to spend my arrival night in a studio to conserve points, esp. on either of those two nights, or alternatively, stay in a mod or value resort and then have the resort transfer your luggage. Even if you wanted to stay on points, you might consider a studio at OKW or SSR to take advantage of lower point usage and then move to BWV. I know moving isn't really inconvenient but it isn't a horrendous experience either. All you'd need to do is arrange with bell services for your luggage to be checked, and they transfer it to the resort you'd be moving to. OKW has a lot of rooms on the ground level, and you could ask for a HA room.

I don't know if you'll be taking your own ECV but I was on a bus last year with an elderly mom, and her son, both of whom had rented their ECVs locally. I guess this company delivered them directly to the resort. I would think that either MS or the resorts may have their number since they accept and return them for the guests.

Whenever you make your ressies, just let MS know the medical needs of your party. They always tried to be helpful when I had special requests to accommodate my mom travelling with me. Good luck.

 

[SueM in MN]

YAt BWV, the first floor of the resort on the lobby side is the second floor on the Boardwalk side. Go for the elevator, since it will be hard to get to the bus stop or parking lot from the first floor, and hard to get to the Boardwalk from the second floor.

very good point. Because of the way that the Boardwalk is constructed, First floor will be good for access to the Boardwalk/park boats and Second floor will be better for access to the bus stops or parking.

I don't know if you'll be taking your own ECV but I was on a bus last year with an elderly mom, and her son, both of whom had rented their ECVs locally. I guess this company delivered them directly to the resort. I would think that either MS or the resorts may have their number since they accept and return them for the guests.

If you go to the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the disABILITIES Board, you will find a list of companies that DIS posters have used and recommend. All of the companies listed will deliver ECVs directly to your resort.

 

[chaoscent]

Thanks for the responses.
I will be coming in on a Sunday but staying off property (labor day weekend) as they had no rooms at the villa for sunday night. I check into the 2 BR on Monday and stay 4 nights. I check out of the 4 br and check into a villa for Friday and Saturday night. I did that because points are higher on the weekend. I didn't switch to another resort completely as I am attending the pin event in Epcot Friday & Saturday. I won't have a car (my friends will and they aren't going in the parks ). Staying at BW Villas will allow me to wheel my way to Epcot on both days. the other alternative was to stay in the swan/dolphin for 2 nights and I figured, what the heck, I would sprlurge and stay at the BW.

I found the names/numbers of a couple of ECV renters and I am now just narrowing them down. I was going to try and rent from the parks each day but it turns out to be cheaper renting off site. That way I can ride myself to either Epcot or MGM. I ride very few rides because of my back (have never ridden EE much to my chagrin ) I think having the ECV at the hotel will work out better. I will let people know.

Thanks for all of your advice everyone. Penny

 

[CarolMN]

....(snip)....I found the names/numbers of a couple of ECV renters and I am now just narrowing them down. I was going to try and rent from the parks each day but it turns out to be cheaper renting off site. That way I can ride myself to either Epcot or MGM. I ride very few rides because of my back (have never ridden EE much to my chagrin ) I think having the ECV at the hotel will work out better. I will let people know.

Thanks for all of your advice everyone. Penny

Good plan to rent the ECV from off site so that you have it at the BWV. It's a bit of a hike from BWV to EPCOT and it can even be long to the dock from your room to catch the boat to either EPCOT or MGM - even if your room is near the elevators. I think you will tire less quickly, have a few more options when your friends aren't around and just be much happier to have the ECV with you at the resort.

Enjoy the trip - sounds like lots of fun!

 

[dis-happy]

I'm still confused on whether your ressie is standard view or preferred view. The member cash discount is 25% off rack rate (you can find those published on the mousesavers link). However, standard rooms and boardwalk view rooms are only available on points, never for cash so if your ressie is for standard you'll have to switch rooms. You should also check for AP rates and compare which is better.

 

[Boston5602]

I'm still confused on whether your ressie is standard view or preferred view. The member cash discount is 25% off rack rate (you can find those published on the mousesavers link). However, standard rooms and boardwalk view rooms are only available on points, never for cash so if your ressie is for standard you'll have to switch rooms. You should also check for AP rates and compare which is better.

I have no experience with Boardwalk View rooms but I do with Standard view rooms. You MAY get a standard view room with cash , though there will NOT be a discount if you get a STD room cash , it will always be rack rate ( as ms has told me ) and I have experienced first hand .

 

[chaoscent]

Sorry for the confusion.
I come in on Monday, 1 BR, standard view on points
Change to Studio, preferred view (couldn't get standard, that's what I wanted.) on Friday I was waitlisted for standard, but it never came through. If I could get a standard view studio, that would help with my points problem. I decided I am going to stay with the points and just borrow the points I need for my next trip in Jan from next year or see if I can buy some up from someone on the Boards. Thanks for all of your help.
I am going to start calling in the week after next to try and reserve a 2 bedroom, standard view at the BW. Wish me luck. Penny