Reservation Booking Advice - Extended Stay

[Skicks35]

Hey everyone,

Have a slightly unique (for me at least) booking situation. My wife and I are planning a trip with her extended family. It'll be the first time for our 6 year old niece and 3 year old nephew, plus their parents and my mother-in-law. We have enough points (with the borrowing restrictions) to book a studio and a 2BR at VGF for 7 nights.

Her family wants to stay longer than that though, so what do you think is the best play here. Obviously the first step is to book the two reservations above then work around those.

1. call Disney directly and try to book a second separate reservation by paying cash, either on the hotel side or another villa
2. Go the renting points option and try to coordinate with another member

Option 1 depends on the availability on Disney's side (and probably more expensive) and option 2 requires more coordination/effort. I'm thinking start with option 1 then move to option 2 if Disney doesn't have anything. Just wanted to throw this question out to the experts to see if any of you have been in similar situations and how you handled them. Thank you so much!

 

[kilik64]

Id try to find a transfer of VGF points first. Would allow you to book and control everything yourself vs renting. Would also mean you would have one reservation that way, so no moving if you are staying at VGF whole time. Should also be cheaper than paying cash I would think.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'd avoid renting and look for a cash booking or a points transfer.

I say this with love, but when dealing with family, building in flexibility is key, as they so frequently do not understand the limitations and restrictions of a timeshare, and if they decide they need 5 nights not 7, or that maybe that's too long a stay and maybe they should go try Universal or drive to Miami or whatever whatever, a rental is not flexible. A points transfer there is hope to modify or do something else with the points. A cash booking is the most easily cancelled. A rental... you're stuck.

 

[Sandisw]

The important piece, if you decide to either do the rental that they will have to pay for that, even if they decide not to go, or shorten the trip. If you go the transfer, you will have to decide on who pays, and what happens if there is a cancel. You would have access to the points still, but may not want them.

Now, if you go the cash route, it will be more expensive for them, but they won't be stuck if they change their minds. As long as you all understand each option and account for the change, then it should work out.

I agree that if I was to stay with a DVC option, I'd go the transfer route vs a rental because then at least you control the points and do have more flexibility if something happens over the rental.

 

[Skicks35]

Hi everyone - thanks for the transfer suggestion. That sounds like the simplest solution, and allows the most flexibility considering I would still own the points at the end of the day (assuming of course I can find someone willing to do the transfer).

Thank you so much!

 

[RoseGold]

I'd look into Universal. Their onsite is much cheaper there, and after 7 days I think you'd be ready for a change of pace. I think you need to figure out your ticket strategy and work around that.

Whether renting or paying cash, they will probably have to move rooms anyway.

With that much time by MK, if you're going to stay DVC, I'd think AKL or SSR/OKW would be a good change.

 

[sndral]

I assume you & wife are taking the studio & giving MIL + sibling’s family the 2 bedroom? If so, the 2 bedroom group is 5 people & would fit in a 1 br - offer a choice, 7 nights in a 2 br. or more nights in a 1 br..
Personally, if you are gifting this stay (& a very generous gift it is) & they want to stay longer I’d let them know what I could offer & suggest they reserve the extra days (at their expense) at whatever resort they want.

 

[Skicks35]

I assume you & wife are taking the studio & giving MIL + sibling’s family the 2 bedroom? If so, the 2 bedroom group is 5 people & would fit in a 1 br - offer a choice, 7 nights in a 2 br. or more nights in a 1 br..
Personally, if you are gifting this stay (& a very generous gift it is) & they want to stay longer I’d let them know what I could offer & suggest they reserve the extra days (at their expense) at whatever resort they want.

Love the suggestion, and trust me, if possible, I would love to downgrade the in-laws into a 1BR, but my MIL wouldn't go for a pull down bed (even if it's a new murphy bed); plus, I believe there is only 1 bathroom in a 1BR, so that wouldn't work for her either. The extra bedroom also gives her an "escape" from the other party, ha.

I think I'll head down the transfer route first. I just checked the cash hotel side and availability is pretty scarce..