Resort Selection Help for Honeymoon

[JamieOak]

I'm new to the forum and looking for some advice. My husband and I are going to WDW in Nov-Dec timeframe this year for our honeymoon (4 years belated). So it will just be is 2. First we are doing 3 days at Universal, staying at a US hotel for the on site benefits. Then we have 6 day park hopper passes to WDW. Originally we wanted to stay at the WL the whole trip, but with the construction going on we reevaluated and we have instead decided to do a split stay.

We want to start at a Studio Villa at a deluxe resort close to the parks for the frist 3 nights. I'm leaning towards an Epcot resort, but a MK resort isn't out of the question. BWV standard is the cheapest option by over $200. The Poly is the most expensive for a standard view. But the prices aren't far enough apart to be the only deciding factor.

For the last 4 nights, we want to stay at a 1 bedroom Villa at AKL to end on a high note. Plus I think we will be winding down our pace and excitement by then since it will be a week into our trip.

Some info on us and our interests: I'm 31 and he is 29. I've been to WDW before as a child but he has not. We love animals (hence the AKL pick). I love Christmas time and decorations, so I'm excited for that. The pools are not a big interest to us. We want a selection of nightlife options and we are not big on planning out all our dining in advance. I know we want to do the Hoop Dee Doo Revue one night.

So 2 questions for all you experienced Disney folks:
1. What resorts do you recommend for the first part of our stay?
2. Any comments on the 3/4 night split for the WDW resorts? Does it seem like a good break up?


I've been reading and researching, but the amount of information is overwhelming. We are renting DVC points so no changes will be allowed after we book, which I'd like to do soon.

Thanks in advance!

 

[buzznina]

Renting points for Nov-Dec of "this year"? If yes, I would start there to see what or "if" any of the EPCOT/MK resorts have any DVC studios available. They book up fast and it is already at the 7 month mark, which now-a-days is late to start looking. Another red flag is not wanting to plan dining, if you are wanting to go to TS restaurants, I would highly suggest making reservations. The days of walking up without a reservation and getting a table is slim to near impossible now.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I can assure you that neither a BWV Standard Studio nor a BLT Standard will be available for most dates in November-December. You needed to be booking those for November-December no later than February, and while a DVC owner might be able to waitlist into either, few owners will waitlist for a renter.

BCV and BWV are both small resorts, in general, and very popular during DVC high season. The first week of December is one of the most-booked DVC weeks of the year.

While Poly has traditionally had some availability at 7 months, there are already December dates that are unavailable.

Villas at Wilderness Lodge are popular in that season, although the construction at that resort may be shifting demand somewhat. Still, not to be counted on and you would want to be checking availability and committing ASAP.

Grand Floridian studios are long gone.

 

[Dizjunkieee]

I'm new to the forum and looking for some advice. My husband and I are going to WDW in Nov-Dec timeframe this year for our honeymoon (4 years belated). So it will just be is 2. First we are doing 3 days at Universal, staying at a US hotel for the on site benefits. Then we have 6 day park hopper passes to WDW. Originally we wanted to stay at the WL the whole trip, but with the construction going on we reevaluated and we have instead decided to do a split stay.

We want to start at a Studio Villa at a deluxe resort close to the parks for the frist 3 nights. I'm leaning towards an Epcot resort, but a MK resort isn't out of the question. BWV standard is the cheapest option by over $200. The Poly is the most expensive for a standard view. But the prices aren't far enough apart to be the only deciding factor.

For the last 4 nights, we want to stay at a 1 bedroom Villa at AKL to end on a high note. Plus I think we will be winding down our pace and excitement by then since it will be a week into our trip.

Some info on us and our interests: I'm 31 and he is 29. I've been to WDW before as a child but he has not. We love animals (hence the AKL pick). I love Christmas time and decorations, so I'm excited for that. The pools are not a big interest to us. We want a selection of nightlife options and we are not big on planning out all our dining in advance. I know we want to do the Hoop Dee Doo Revue one night.

So 2 questions for all you experienced Disney folks:
1. What resorts do you recommend for the first part of our stay?
2. Any comments on the 3/4 night split for the WDW resorts? Does it seem like a good break up?


I've been reading and researching, but the amount of information is overwhelming. We are renting DVC points so no changes will be allowed after we book, which I'd like to do soon.

Thanks in advance!

Sadly, as the previous poster's indicated, you will be very hard pressed at this point to find much of anything available via DVC Point rental For the Nov. Dec timeframe this year. Here are a couple alternative suggestions based on my experiences:

• In the Deluxe resort category, your original pick of Wilderness Lodge is spot on, IMO. This would be in the regular area of the resort as opposed to the villas though. The resort is GORGEOUS, especially at Christmastime. Hoop dee doo is just a boat ride away. Also, the vast majority of the construction is on the villas side, so other than the trails & beach area, you won't notice a lot of the construction. When we were there in December of 15 we never once heard, and rarely saw any construction.
• If your budget is more in the moderate resort category, try Port Orleans French Quarter, or Coronado Springs. The French Quarter is the smallest of all the resorts and is usually fairly quiet. I also feel like it has a more adult feel. What it lacks, however, is a table service restaurant, but the sister resort Port Orleans Riverside is a short walk or boat ride away where there is a table service restaurant as well as a lounge where the famous Yee Haw Bob performs most nights. Additionally, Disney Springs is also a short boat ride away where there is unlimited entertainment and restaurant options available. Coronado also has a nice more adult feel to it and has a great lounge with nightlife, a table service & a good quick service available onsite. The con (for some people) here is that it is a Convention resort, but my experiences have always been good there & it also makes it more adult since there are a lot of business travelers there & less kiddos.

Hope this helps!
-Kelly

 

[JamieOak]

I understand we may be a little behind schedule, but obviously I am flexible with the first resort. I just want to decide what order to prioritize them in when I fill out the request. Our WDW dates are 11/27-12/4, which I understand to be a lighter crowd time of year.

When I put my dates in at disneyworld.disney.go.com I see studio rooms availability for these dates for many of my options, but at the Disney rates. Is this not a good way to get an idea of availability before going to the DVC rental brokers?

As for dining, we will make some reservations. I just meant we won't be planning all of our dining and that means probably not a TS each day. That still has to be determined. We are at the 210 days out mark, so dining reservations are next step after booking rooms.

 

[JamieOak]

Also I wanted to add that I did not know how early I needed to book and only recently started this process. When I did find out, it was so close to the 7 month mark that I figured no harm to wait until then to book and save $ since DVC points are more expensive for greater than 7 months in advance bookings. It is unfortunate but I can be flexible to compensate for my mistake.

 

[JamieOak]

Thanks Kelly. Are you suggesting staying at the WL main building and then moving to the AKL villa? With 30% off the room rate, it is still more expensive than the studio villas I was considering. We do really like the look of the WL, but decided that easy access to parks would be better, especially if cheaper. I think I'll run this option past the husband to see what he thinks. Our budget is flexible, but trying to keep it under control if that makes sense.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Thanks Kelly. Are you suggesting staying at the WL main building and then moving to the AKL villa? With 30% off the room rate, it is still more expensive than the studio villas I was considering. We do really like the look of the WL, but decided that easy access to parks would be better, especially if cheaper. I think I'll run this option past the husband to see what he thinks. Our budget is flexible, but trying to keep it under control if that makes sense.

I'm curious, since it is just the two of you, why you are looking at villas? Why not stay in a regular deluxe resort room?

Tom

 

[JamieOak]

I'm curious, since it is just the two of you, why you are looking at villas? Why not stay in a regular deluxe resort room?

Tom

I figured out how to quote. Ha

Buy renting DVC points for villas, we are saving a lot of money compared to just researching deluxe resort rooms. Even if we got the 30% room discount. I've run the math a few ways and that's what I've discovered.

For instance, a BC room w/30% discount is more expensive than a BC studio villa by about $350 for our 3 night stay. And actually I don't believe they even offer the 30% discount at BC. Maybe 20-25%.

The 1 bedroom villa at AKL was just for some added luxury near then end of the trip.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I figured out how to quote. Ha

Buy renting DVC points for villas, we are saving a lot of money compared to just researching deluxe resort rooms. Even if we got the 30% room discount. I've run the math a few ways and that's what I've discovered.

For instance, a BC room w/30% discount is more expensive than a BC studio villa by about $350 for our 3 night stay. And actually I don't believe they even offer the 30% discount at BC. Maybe 20-25%.

The 1 bedroom villa at AKL was just for some added luxury near then end of the trip.

Thanks, I learned something new -- I've never considered that as an option on a trip for two. Have you considered the Swan and Dolphin? We just stayed there for Food and Wine and had a wonderful time and their prices are somewhat less than a moderate with a discount.

Tom

 

[JamieOak]

Thanks, I learned something new -- I've never considered that as an option on a trip for two. Have you considered the Swan and Dolphin? We just stayed there for Food and Wine and had a wonderful time and their prices are somewhat less than a moderate with a discount.

Tom

I do not see room only rates for the Swan or Dolphin. We already have our tickets.

 

[Dizjunkieee]

Thanks Kelly. Are you suggesting staying at the WL main building and then moving to the AKL villa? With 30% off the room rate, it is still more expensive than the studio villas I was considering. We do really like the look of the WL, but decided that easy access to parks would be better, especially if cheaper. I think I'll run this option past the husband to see what he thinks. Our budget is flexible, but trying to keep it under control if that makes sense.

Yes - that is what I was suggesting. I realize that these rooms are pretty pricey & that renting points is cheaper, but sadly, I believe you will be hard pressed to find much availability at this point at most of the DVC resorts for Nov-Dec this year. Most of the more popular villas, particularly those with walking proximity to a park, are booked up quickly at 11 months out. If you want to consider villas that are not directly adjacent to a park, you MIGHT find availability at Saratoga Springs near Disney Springs, Old Key West, also in the Disney Springs area, and if you are lucky at Animal Kingdom Villas (likely only the pricier savannah view rooms are still available). I would send in a request to David's DVC Rental and see what is available. Once you know that, you can then make a decision on what to do. I actually listed the moderate resort options knowing that the cost for DVC rental of a villa is about the same cost as regular room rates at a moderate.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I do not see room only rates for the Swan or Dolphin. We already have our tickets.

To get room only rates from them you have to go to http://www.swandolphin.com. I think we paid 238 a night with AAA rate -- and, as you know, were able to walk into Epcot or DHS.

Tom

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Our WDW dates are 11/27-12/4, which I understand to be a lighter crowd time of year.

This is the second busiest week of the year for DVC, actually. DVC high season does not correspond to resort high season. DVC is a timeshare, with different booking schedules and patterns.

When I put my dates in at disneyworld.disney.go.com I see studio rooms availability for these dates for many of my options, but at the Disney rates. Is this not a good way to get an idea of availability before going to the DVC rental brokers?

No, it is not. Availability on disneyworld.disney.go.com is ONLY for cash reservations. The rooms you see available cannot be booked with DVC points by a rental broker and DVC owner.

When I did find out, it was so close to the 7 month mark that I figured no harm to wait until then to book and save $ since DVC points are more expensive for greater than 7 months in advance bookings. It is unfortunate but I can be flexible to compensate for my mistake.

Based on your dates, you will not get any of the following resorts: Grand Floridian, Poly, Bay Lake Tower, Beach Club, Boardwalk. They're already booked at least some of the dates of your week. You might get a split stay, or if you are willing to pay for a 1BR options improve.

 

[Dizjunkieee]

Also I wanted to add that I did not know how early I needed to book and only recently started this process. When I did find out, it was so close to the 7 month mark that I figured no harm to wait until then to book and save $ since DVC points are more expensive for greater than 7 months in advance bookings. It is unfortunate but I can be flexible to compensate for my mistake.

Totally understandable! There is a lot to know about all of this stuff, so it is no wonder you didn't know this

 

[Hopefully]

I understand we may be a little behind schedule, but obviously I am flexible with the first resort. I just want to decide what order to prioritize them in when I fill out the request. Our WDW dates are 11/27-12/4, which I understand to be a lighter crowd time of year.

When I put my dates in at disneyworld.disney.go.com I see studio rooms availability for these dates for many of my options, but at the Disney rates. Is this not a good way to get an idea of availability before going to the DVC rental brokers?

As for dining, we will make some reservations. I just meant we won't be planning all of our dining and that means probably not a TS each day. That still has to be determined. We are at the 210 days out mark, so dining reservations are next step after booking rooms.

As Aurora stated, this is the busiest time of year for DVC stays. It is highly unlikely that you will be able to book your desired Villas for that time frame. You may be able to piece together a split stay at some of the larger, more distant Villa's like OKW and SSR.
Inventory on the main DVC website is totally separate inventory from the DVC owner inventory you would need to be renting from. If your heart is set on a DVC Villa you are probably going to have to pay those prices through Disney CRO, not through renting DVC points.
This is such an important trip for you. I suggest you do some more research into some of the non DVC resorts and see what may appeal to you.
Unfortunately, I truly believe you are too late for what you desire. This limited availability is what pushed us to actually buy into DVC 10 years ago. And as more resorts have been built with larger numbers of owners looking to book at that time of year, availability has gotten even more difficult

 

[JamieOak]

This is the second busiest week of the year for DVC, actually. DVC high season does not correspond to resort high season. DVC is a timeshare, with different booking schedules and patterns.


No, it is not. Availability on disneyworld.disney.go.com is ONLY for cash reservations. The rooms you see available cannot be booked with DVC points by a rental broker and DVC owner.



Based on your dates, you will not get any of the following resorts: Grand Floridian, Poly, Bay Lake Tower, Beach Club, Boardwalk. They're already booked at least some of the dates of your week. You might get a split stay, or if you are willing to pay for a 1BR options improve.

Thank you! Very helpful. I now understand what I was assuming was wrong avout checking availability on the disney website. Darn! It makes sense to me that it is a high DVC time of year. They want to avoid the crowds too I'm sure.

We were trying to do a split stay of 11/27-11/30 at a "closer resort" and 11/30-12/4 at a 1 bedroom at AKL. I will have to explore more options obviously and pricing. Recommendations are still welcome. Maybe just stay at AKL the whole week, or considering a WL studio since people may be avoiding it there, or as you said consider springing for a 1 bedroom at those other resorts.

 

[baler31]

Have you ever stayed in a studio villa ? I personally find they feel much smaller due to configuration than a traditional room. I personally would not want this for a honey moon trip for 2. I also would not do a split stay when on top of another Universal resort. PP gave you a good suggestion for the Swan/Dolphin. The Swan rooms were all renovated within the last year and are very nice with the same location as the Epcot Disney resorts.

If you want a Disney resort and budget is a concern I would still choose something like POFQ over a studio villa. JMO.

 

[buzznina]

I agree that renting points for a DVC studio saves $$. I would definitely fill out the form on the DVC broker site to see what they may have available. Just an example, this is off of Dave's site "Due to the amount of guests waiting for points for Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, we are no longer accepting new submissions for stays at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort between the current seven month window and December 31, 2016. We apologize for any inconvenience." I think the studio size is fine for just 2 people, lets put it in the "cozy" category

 

[JamieOak]

Have you ever stayed in a studio villa ? I personally find they feel much smaller due to configuration than a traditional room. I personally would not want this for a honey moon trip for 2. I also would not do a split stay when on top of another Universal resort. PP gave you a good suggestion for the Swan/Dolphin. The Swan rooms were all renovated within the last year and are very nice with the same location as the Epcot Disney resorts.

If you want a Disney resort and budget is a concern I would still choose something like POFQ over a studio villa. JMO.

No, I've never stayed in a studio villa, or any villa. When I went as a child we stayed at the campground at Ft Wilderness. We were only considering studio villas over resort rooms just because of the cost savings.

I have to re-evaluate the budget and see what options we have now that I know a lot of them will not be available to us. Disney emailed me a discount code so I can see online what is available through that and the rates. Seems that I need to act fast though before those options are gone too. I also sent a request to DVC rental this morning. I expect to hear the bad news from them soon based on the helpful responses I've received.