"Sleep-Around Points" (SAP) - The Thread

[emchen]

Can you elaborate on how VGF1 and 2 differ in terms of car-venience? I was just there last week and wouldn’t have guessed they would have dvc members park in different lots!

 

[Sandisw]

Can you elaborate on how VGF1 and 2 differ in terms of car-venience? I was just there last week and wouldn’t have guessed they would have dvc members park in different lots!

There is lot near the DVC building, so staying at VGF original, it’s right there.

For BPK, you can use the GF lot or the DVC lot, since BPK was an original GF building. We don’t drive so can’t say how far the GF lot is in relation to the main GF buildings.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

As a family that always drives to WDW, it makes a big difference. We prefer locations where the parking is more convenient (VGF1, BLT, SSR, OKW, Kidani) over resorts where it’s a pain to get back and forth to the car (Jambo, BWV, BCV, VGF2, RIV)

Agree that SSR & OKW are superior for car location but I'd include BCV in your convenient group as I feel it's the same as VGF1 (I've stayed at all 4).

 

[PolyRob]

Can you elaborate on how VGF1 and 2 differ in terms of car-venience? I was just there last week and wouldn’t have guessed they would have dvc members park in different lots!

You can park in either "self parking" or "villas self parking" if you stay in a resort studio. Neither are as close as "villas self parking" to the original VGF building. It's extremely convenient, but I wouldn't say "self parking" is that far from the resort in person. Beach Club's parking to the Beach Club cash lobby is much worse IMO

 

[tom1944]

How is the parking for Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge?

 

[PolyRob]

How is the parking for Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge?

WL has a spacious lot, but it's very annoying that WL is located higher than the parking lot and you have to go up multiple stairs or taking a windy path with luggage.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

WL has a spacious lot, but it's very annoying that WL is located higher than the parking lot and you have to go up multiple stairs or taking a windy path with luggage.

I actually had considerable difficulty finding a spot at times in January, and had to circle repeatedly. I’m not sure what I would have done if this had happened at night when no one is coming and going.

The lot is narrow and long so you could be very far away if you are unlucky. The last spot in the lot to the last room at Boulder Ridge has to be close to a half mile of walking (8-9 minutes at a normal pace), and even further to the last cabins.

 

[PolyRob]

I actually had considerable difficulty finding a spot at times in January, and had to circle repeatedly. I’m not sure what I would have done if this had happened at night when no one is coming and going.

The lot is narrow and long so you could be very far away if you are unlucky. The last spot in the lot to the last room at Boulder Ridge has to be close to a half mile of walking (8-9 minutes at a normal pace), and even further to the last cabins.

WL may need to get more strict about visitors. As a non-monorail resort it tends to let people "dining at Geyser Point" in without an actual ADR. I wonder if opening free parking back up has made it harder?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

WL may need to get more strict about visitors. As a non-monorail resort it tends to let people "dining at Geyser Point" in without an actual ADR. I wonder if opening free parking back up has made it harder?

We have often found WL to be a more strict resort on parking. Been turned away a couple of times. That's been going on for years.

 

[PolyRob]

We have often found WL to be a more strict resort on parking. Been turned away a couple of times. That's been going on for years.

I never felt grilled at WL like CR/Poly/GF. Maybe I just get nice CMs at WL?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I never felt grilled at WL like CR/Poly/GF. Maybe I just get nice CMs at WL?

I understand Poly may have gotten stricter but I never had issues there to stop by and get a Dole Whip. Getting my Magic Bar at WL was far more iffy. BCV and BWV are both the strictest I've run into though. As is typical though it's often not consistent at locations and easily could depend on the CM.

 

[Sandisw]

WL may need to get more strict about visitors. As a non-monorail resort it tends to let people "dining at Geyser Point" in without an actual ADR. I wonder if opening free parking back up has made it harder?

Parking was only charged for overnight guests so it wouldn’t impact the day guests visiting.

 

[Sandisw]

I understand Poly may have gotten stricter but I never had issues there to stop by and get a Dole Whip. Getting my Magic Bar at WL was far more iffy. BCV and BWV are both the strictest I've run into though. As is typical though it's often not consistent at locations and easily could depend on the CM.

Add RIV to being strict. I have seen people turned away many times and I always have to give my MB and Room #when Lyft drops us off.

 

[PolyRob]

Parking was only charged for overnight guests so it wouldn’t impact the day guests visiting.

I am aware, I was suggesting more people staying at WDW resorts may have a car to drive places since it's now free again for all resort guests and DME is gone.

 

[Sandisw]

I am aware, I was suggesting more people staying at WDW resorts may have a car to drive places since it's now free again for all resort guests and DME is gone.

Now that makes sense! I was thinking you were referring to day guests! Definitely that could play a role!

 

[PolyRob]

Now that makes sense! I was thinking you were referring to day guests! Definitely that could play a role!

I should have been more clear in what I was thinking, sorry! I know I will definitely be one of those guests always with a car from now on.

 

[emchen]

 

[DonMacGregor]

I actually had considerable difficulty finding a spot at times in January, and had to circle repeatedly. I’m not sure what I would have done if this had happened at night when no one is coming and going.

The lot is narrow and long so you could be very far away if you are unlucky. The last spot in the lot to the last room at Boulder Ridge has to be close to a half mile of walking (8-9 minutes at a normal pace), and even further to the last cabins.

In January they were still finishing up the BRV refurb, and one whole section (20%) of the main parking lot was blocked off for storage and staging. Beyond the trip we took last September, we've never had to park any further than maybe the third row, and maybe halfway down it. The cabins can definitely be a hike though.

 

[jason423]

WL may need to get more strict about visitors. As a non-monorail resort it tends to let people "dining at Geyser Point" in without an actual ADR. I wonder if opening free parking back up has made it harder?

The free parking probably has a few more people staying with a car than without. I think the issue that sometimes creeps up with WL is that you do get people going there for whispering canyon or artist point and then taking the boat over to MK which can certainly clog up the lot for a bit. FWIW we never had a problem parking there but the last few times we have gone there just to eat the lots have been fuller than when we had stayed there a few years back.

 

[emchen]

I've seen this phrase used a handful of times in my short time on this forum but no official thread on it...despite searching the forums. I'll just humbly submit my personal definition:

Points at a DVC resort that are low cost both on a dollar per point ($/pt) basis and maintenance fee per point (MF/pt) basis. These are more important for those of us who require (>4 family members) or simply prefer to book 1-BR+ villas. Why? Because there is still hope in "sleeping-around" in all the other DVC properties at the 7-month booking window.

How would you define it?

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How do you use your SAP?

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Sure is satisfying when...

My family: Me (51), DW (48), DD1 (18), DD2 (16), DD3 (14).
Dates: 7/2/23-7/15/23.
DVC Resorts: 3 nights 7/2-7/5 Riviera SV 1BR (108 EUP-Exclusive Use Points); 4 nights 7/5-7/9 BCV SV 1BR (146 SSR SAP); 7/11-7/12 for MM at AKV, 1 night SV PVB (20 SSR SAP); 7/14-7/15 1 night BLT SV 1BR pixie dusted to 2BR LV (39 AUL SUBSIDIZED SA thisP).
Non-DVC Resort: 5 nights 7/9 - 7/14 at J.W. Marriott Bonnet Creek (for DD2's dance convention/competition).

Summary: 108 EUP @ Riviera, 166 SAP from SSR, 39 SAP from AUL
Ratio (SAP:EUP): 2:1

TELL US ONE OF YOUR SAP HEAVY TRIPS!

So I've been spread-sheeting and started doing cost-benefit calculations on my use of SAP this July. Key takeaway is low AD (and to lesser extent low point chart relative to where you are sleeping around at) is king. It makes sense to use AUL subsidized points to sleep around anywhere cuz AD is lowest around. Its point chart is high, but when sleeping-around in WDW, it reasons to use SSR point chart as proxy as it is often open at the 7-mo window (and in fact was what I chose before BLT). It would've been a loss but for the CM sprinkling some pixie dust at checkin to upgrade us to a 2-BR.

Next, let's take SSR (relatively low AD and point chart). Here the point chart discount led to the bulk of savings at BCV and Poly.

OK, ok, I know the savings based on point and AD difference is small, but it still feels nice.

Finally, I am beginning to consider using my new unrestricted VGF points as SAP for the "expensive" newer resorts: RRV and VDH; as well as the hard to get .VGC.