Renting Points/Newbie

[Nic4483]

I am new to this and a little wet behind the ears so please bear with me! I'm looking to take my daughter for our first WDW trip Dec 14-17, 2006 for her 5th Birthday. Since I am a college student, mother of three, and military wife I am on a BUDGET! The resort itself isn't important as long as it is inside WDW and non-smoking. The one that would best meet my needs would be the one that requires the fewest amount of points based on my travel dates and someone who is kind enough to offer me a deal! I am also looking for someone willing to buy park tickets (because DVC members get discounts) and Disney Dinning (available in April to DVC members) along with the resort reservation. My travel dates are somewhat flexible. I choose these days because I wanted to go during a Value season and needed fewer weekdays. I have two other children who require babysitters($$$$) during the week when dad's at work I am open to all offers and advice for that matter!

Thanks in advance to everyone!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I wouldn't be surprised if my response gets moved or deleted (and I won't be upset if it does, Moderators ) but have you considered Shades of Green? It's on longterm lease to the military (or some employees of the DoD), Guests have to be active or retired military or their dependents, the cost per night is based on your - or in this case your husband's - rank, the rooms are large, there are NO rooms in which Guests may smoke (although they can smoke on balconies/patios), you can get discounted Stars & Stripes passes right at the hotel... check out www.shadesofgreen.org for more information. Oh, but you wouldn't be eligible for the Disney Dining Plan; otoh, the two of you can probably eat for less than the $49 per day the DDP would cost.

 

[BurkeTribe]

For your dates (mostly weekend) you would be better off dollarwise staying at Disney's Shades of Green or a Disney All-Star resort or PopCentury. Weekend point requirements for DVC timeshares are much, much higher than weekday point requirements. If your dates are flexible, you should try scheduling the trip on Sun - Thursday. Then you could possibly get an OKW studio for just 8 points a night (about $80 a night at the current average rate per point), as opposed to 21 points per night ($210) for the weekend.

 

[lovetoseemickey]

The cheapest time to go in Dec would be Dec 1-14 (Sunday-Thursday). The weekends (Fri & Sat) are three times as much! I would also suggest doing the mickey's very merry christmas party one night. The tickets are cheaper than day tickets and they give out cookies and hot chocolate for free. They also have it snowing on Main street. It is really, really neat. The party states that it starts at 7:00 pm, but you can enter the park as early as 4:00p.m. and the park stays open until midnight. Only people that purchase this special event ticket are allowed in the park, so it is a lot easier to ride the rides. We just went this past December and I have never seen so many people. In order to see the park, you have to have some special perks like- extra magic hour or doing the Mickey's very merry christmas party. If going on the weekend is a must, go to the All Star otherwise- OKW or VWL. Villas at Wilderness lodge are a little more expensive (3 points a night), but it is a beautiful hotel. No offense OKW. Get your reservations early because it is the busiest time of the year. Oh yeah--the MVMCP ticket dates will be released later.
Next time I go, I will go either in October or the week after Thanksgiving.

Hope this helps.

 

[mikesmom]

You also requested the DVC member buy park tickets because of the discount. Members can't buy discounted tickets for other people. They are strict - we have to show ID that the recipient of the park ticket lives at the same address as the member.

 

[Nic4483]

You also requested the DVC member buy park tickets because of the discount. Members can't buy discounted tickets for other people. They are strict - we have to show ID that the recipient of the park ticket lives at the same address as the member.

I had a friend who rented or bought points earlier this year and the DVC member booked the reservation for her as a "guest" and was able to take advantage of DVC member discounts and got the park tickets at the DVC discounted rate. That is what I was basing my request on; what she was able to do.

 

[lovetoseemickey]

check ebay. sometimes you get lucky.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You also requested the DVC member buy park tickets because of the discount. Members can't buy discounted tickets for other people. They are strict - we have to show ID that the recipient of the park ticket lives at the same address as the member.

I had a friend who rented or bought points earlier this year and the DVC member booked the reservation for her as a "guest" and was able to take advantage of DVC member discounts and got the park tickets at the DVC discounted rate. That is what I was basing my request on; what she was able to do.

]

The only DVC discount for tickets is on the Annual Pass and you have to show proof that you live at the same address as the member.

Disney has ads all over the place. Stay 5 nights, 6 days at a Value resort, tickets and dining for less that $1500 for family of four. Have you tried that?

 

[byoung]

Good luck I also think you should check with SOG.

 

[CarolMN]

I had a friend who rented or bought points earlier this year and the DVC member booked the reservation for her as a "guest" and was able to take advantage of DVC member discounts and got the park tickets at the DVC discounted rate. That is what I was basing my request on; what she was able to do.

Your friend must have actually gone prior to this year - when DVC members got a 10% discount on Length of Stay tickets. Thta discount disappeared when those tickets disappeared (when Disney introduced the MYW ticketing system). You can buy MYW tickets at check in when you stay at a DVC resort (just like you can at all of the resorts), but there is no DVC discount on them. As already mentioned, the only ticket discount available to DVC members is the one for annual and premium annual passes. Those are only available to the member and his/her immediate family,but it doesn't sound like APs/PAPs is suitable for your trip anyway.

I agree with the others - based on your dates, you will be almost surely better off (economically) staying at Shades of Green with the military discount or at one of the values.

Best wishes -