Resort or Villa?

[Danny729]

Hi, I am helping my Grandmom plan a trip to Disney she has been wanting to do for along time. The last time she went was when there was only Epcot and Magic Kingdom so alot has changed since then. She doesn't have a computer so I am helping her out by checking prices and trying to find deals for her. Then I will mail her the information and she will handle it from there. Its a Group of 8 of us (3 adults & 5 children). She got her WDW planning DVD in the mail and saw the Value Resorts. She thought it would be nice to stay in it like a week. I looked it up on the WDW site and it was way to much to even stay in a WDW Resort like she wants too. So I have been looking at the WDW Resorts and thought it would be a good idea to get the Villa and book to stay 2 or 3 days in a Value Resort. Is this a good idea? Anyone think they can help me find some deals? I don't want to waste money if its not worth it.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi Danny,

Staying in on-site is great for easy access to Disney, however, for the extra room/privacy and that freedom to relax you cannot beat a villa.

As there are 8 of you I would suggest this is the way to go for you.

There are thousands to choose from, I beleive staying just off the 192 in Kissimmee is ideal, close to supermarkets/restaurants/Disney and the I4.

The websites I generally use are UK based, this is one that may help you though:
www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/region/usa/florida/central-disney-orlando/kissimmee

I have stayed at Indian Creek a few times and can highly recommend it.

 

[problemchild718]

Have you checked into renting points from a DVC member. There are many listed on here on DIS. You can normally rent them for around $10.00 per point which is significantly cheaper than paying cash for the same room and sometimes a better rate than a moderate resort. You can purchase the dining plan or stock up on some food and fix meals in the villa. There is laundry right there in the room, so you bring less clothing-I throw a load in before we leave in the morning and toss it in the dryer at night-no big deal.
I really don't think you can compare the villa to the value. You'll have more time together, much more room with a relaxing atmosphere, shorter bus ride to attractions, a full kitchen and a memorable stay! If there is anyway to swing it, try renting the points for your stay. There are point charts here on DIS to tell you how many points you'll need for the dates you want to go. Keep in mind, the weekend (Fri & Sat) use more points.
Its also a bit of a pain to move mid stay, but can be done. Good luck and pixie dust while you plan your trip.

 

[Danny729]

Oh Thank you so much, I needed some new info. But would it still be a good idea that we get a Villa and book a 2 or 3 night stay in a Value Resort because originally we did want to stay in a Resort but it cost too much. This way we do get a nice comfortable place to stay and also stay 2 or 3 nights in Resort. So everyone is happy lol.

 

[scanmom]

I think you aren't fully understanding about renting points from a DVC member. If you do this, you will be onsite, in a resort, and in a 2 bedroom villa. There would be no reason for you to switch to a value resort, because you would already be at a home away from home resort. The resorts you could choose from to rent DVC points for would be.. wilderness lodge villas, yacht club villas, beach club villas, old key west, sarasota springs resort and boardwalk villas. I think I listed them all..... You really should watch the vacation planning DVD to see which resort is the best for you. If cost is a factor, and I were renting points, I would probably choose old key west... it is cheaper than the rest, and the villas there are actually a little bigger. You should check out the DVC planning board, and the DVT rent/trade board for more info!!! Have a great trip!!

 

[Danny729]

Oh I get it sorry, I wasn't sure you meant before. (Disney Vacation Club) I did look into it and I am not sure that is what I am looking for. The Villas are great but isn't there a fee to pay to join? WDW I think we will do once and maybe go back but its not something we would join a club for, sorry. I looked for a Villa in WDW without DVC and it was over $4,000 for one week. So I thought of getting a cheap off-site place and a 2 or 3 night stay in a Value Resort like Pop Century or All-Star Movies. So that we atleast got to stay in WDW but not have paid too much for it and were comfortable.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Oh I get it sorry, I wasn't sure you meant before. (Disney Vacation Club) I did look into it and I am not sure that is what I am looking for. The Villas are great but isn't there a fee to pay to join?

Danny, if you were to rent points from a DVC member, you wouldn't be joining DVC. The member would make the reservation for you using their points. It would be very similar to renting a room.

Pop into the DVC board area and ask some questions there. We'll be happy to guide you through the process. And you get the benefits of staying on-site, like Extra Magical Hours and purchases sent directly to your hotel. You would also be able to use Magical Express if you wanted to and not have to rent a car. If you did decide to rent a car, you get free parking.

And DVC has different seasons than the regular Disney hotels, so depending on when you're going it could end up being a cheaper season than staying at a hotel. With your group size you could probably do a two-bedroom, preferably at OKW.

 

[chrome64]

Oh I get it sorry, I wasn't sure you meant before. (Disney Vacation Club) I did look into it and I am not sure that is what I am looking for. The Villas are great but isn't there a fee to pay to join? WDW I think we will do once and maybe go back but its not something we would join a club for, sorry. I looked for a Villa in WDW without DVC and it was over $4,000 for one week. So I thought of getting a cheap off-site place and a 2 or 3 night stay in a Value Resort like Pop Century or All-Star Movies. So that we atleast got to stay in WDW but not have paid too much for it and were comfortable.

Hi Danny, maybe I can help. I know that renting DVC points can be very confusing to begin with, but if you can figure it out (and we can help) it really can save you a ton of money!

There are two different options when dealing with DVC, buying or renting. Yes, it is a pretty hefty fee if you buy into DVC (although worth it if you go to Disney every year!). The other option is to rent "points" from a current DVC owner. With DVC the owners own points instead of a certain week, then the resorts are assigned a certain amount of points per night that they "cost" DVC members. As a DVC member I can use my points for any Disney hotel for any night of the year! It really gives great flexibility! But, I can also rent out my points if I don't plan to use the all.

The going rate as mentioned above is around $10/point. For an example, a two bedroom at Old Key West (Sunday - Thursday nights during May) is 27 points a night and 64 points a night on Friday and Saturday nights.

So, if you rent points at $10/point you would pay $270/night for Sunday through Thursday nights. But, you would be getting a two bedroom Villa that has a full kitchen and a washer and dryer in the room and will sleep up to 8 people! If you go to the Value resorts those nights you will likely need 2 rooms at around $100 per night per room (for a total of $200 plus tax each night!) and will not have the Kitchen or washer and dryer. Not to mention that the DVC resorts fall into the Deluxe category! The amount of points needed will vary depending on what time of year you go so that total could go up or down depending! Keep in mind that if you rent points then you don't pay any additional taxes or fees it is just $10/point and sometimes you can find people who will rent them for less!

Check out the DVC rent/trade board from the main DIS page. You can get alot more information there. If you are interested in this option, I will be happy to answer any questions that you have. It seems a bit overwhelming but, it really can be the best option!!!

I hope this helps and hasn't caused more confusion.

Where ever you decide to stay, I hope you have a magical time!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Even a bit more clarification. You aren't really renting points from a member. The member uses their timeshare points to make you a reservation and you "rent" the reservation from the member instead of "renting" a reservation directly from Disney.

Each night in a villa requires so many points. Studios go for the least amount of points and Grand Villas go for the most. Friday and Saturday nights cost the most. The number of points change throughout the year, busier times cost more; less busy times cost less. Members purchase points as real estate and use them to stay in the DVC resorts.

Studios and one bedrooms hold four, two bedrooms eight and Grand Villas hold twelve. GV go quickly because only three of the DVC resorts at WDW have GV. VWL and BCV don't have GV.

If this sounds like you might be interested, check out the FAQs at the Top of the Rent/Trade board and find out more.

 

[Danny729]

Oh, I think I get it now. So your saying it would be cheaper than a regular off-site Villa, right? The Condo I have now is $59 a night in Windsor Palms. Its 3 Bed & 2 Bath, full kitchen and all that. It sounds great to me expect we won't be in WDW but I will try to fix that. But I do really appreciate everyone helping me I do get it but if OKW is $270 a night with DVC points and my Condo is $59 a night without confusion lol I think I might stay with the Condo. I will look into DVC more and see if I could firgure it out. The downside is I would have to explain it to my Grandmom and she didn't even understand the Magic your way tickets lol. Thanx everyone for Helping me though I really do appreciate it.

 

[BonnieA]

Danny, using the points/prices given you it would cost you over $2500 wk to rent using DVC points. That's probably a good price for onsite 2 bedroom. But you can get a 3 bedroom villa with a private swimming pool for $1000 or less depending on amenities and time of year. Hop over to the Orlando board and get all the info you'll need about that.
And that price you got for Windsor Palms...go for it. It's a great price and a really nice resort!! Very close to Disney.

 

[Danny729]

Danny, using the points/prices given you it would cost you over $2500 wk to rent using DVC points. That's probably a good price for onsite 2 bedroom. But you can get a 3 bedroom villa with a private swimming pool for $1000 or less depending on amenities and time of year. Hop over to the Orlando board and get all the info you'll need about that.
And that price you got for Windsor Palms...go for it. It's a great price and a really nice resort!! Very close to Disney.

Oh ok thanx