spring break point shock!!!

[itutorfortravel]

Hey everyone! We are planning a trip to wdw over spring break. it will be our second trip as dvc members.

we had a great trip this summer...7 wonderful nights at blt in a lake view studio, for a grand total of about 160 points.

this spring, we want to let dd take a friend, but it means needing accommodations with an extra bath. I know I can get a 1 bedroom at blt or akv (I would jump on akv for the point savings alone, but dh isn't excited about staying there). so my only other options are going to "cost" us anywhere from 270-350 points for 5 nights!!!

if we do this, it will use ALL of our points for 2 years....

I can seem to get my head around this and think that this is a bad use of points. Is it? I mean, I want the girls to have the onsite Disney experience, but should we stay offsite for a few nights and only stay on property two or three nights to get our Disney fix?

before we got our dvc, we always stayed offsite so we know there are many lovely places to stay. we absolutely LOVED staying onsite this summer, staying offsite just can't compare (IMO)...but I don't know if that "feeling" is worth giving up 2 years of wdw trips.

has anyone else wrestled with this? what did you do? thanks!

 

[Dean]

Hey everyone! We are planning a trip to wdw over spring break. it will be our second trip as dvc members.

we had a great trip this summer...7 wonderful nights at blt in a lake view studio, for a grand total of about 160 points.

this spring, we want to let dd take a friend, but it means needing accommodations with an extra bath. I know I can get a 1 bedroom at blt or akv (I would jump on akv for the point savings alone, but dh isn't excited about staying there). so my only other options are going to "cost" us anywhere from 270-350 points for 5 nights!!!

if we do this, it will use ALL of our points for 2 years....

I can seem to get my head around this and think that this is a bad use of points. Is it? I mean, I want the girls to have the onsite Disney experience, but should we stay offsite for a few nights and only stay on property two or three nights to get our Disney fix?

before we got our dvc, we always stayed offsite so we know there are many lovely places to stay. we absolutely LOVED staying onsite this summer, staying offsite just can't compare (IMO)...but I don't know if that "feeling" is worth giving up 2 years of wdw trips.

has anyone else wrestled with this? what did you do? thanks!

The points are quite high for premier time but I'm presuming you knew that before you bought. Since you're accustomed to staying off property, maybe this is a good time to cont that trend. Or you could stay off going &/or coming to save points. You might also look at distressed points and rent for part of the time. As for choices, what about OKW for the 2 BR? In part it depends on what you'd do or not do with the points if you didn't borrow them.

 

[disneynutz]

Everyone has a different idea of how to use their points. Some like to book studios, some standard studios. Other don't mind paying for a premium view or a premium resort. It all depends on your budget, comfort level and your plans for your vacations.

We enjoy one bedrooms and for us the resort and view are very important. We decided to sell our kids, the dog, and my car so we could buy enough points to support our WDW lifestyle. The kids are in a better home, the dog is doing fine and I lost a few pounds having to walk.

Don't have to compare the cost of the DDP, TIW, and paying out of pocket anymore because we now eat bologna sandwiches in our room with a great view!

Bill

 

[itutorfortravel]

Thank you so much! I know there are many people who have lots of points and may think I'm nuts for thinking that 300+ is a lot for 5 nights LOL...but we only have a 150 point contract and likely won't buy any additional points (not that I wouldn't jump at the chance but DH isn't on board with that idea...but I'm working on it!!!)

If we didn't use all the points for spring break, I'd love to go back for a week in the summer and maybe even a couple nights for food and wine 2015 or Christmas 2015. We loved BLT this summer, and yes, lake view was definitely worth the point splurge! We couldn't get standard view which is why we booked it, but after having it I know we wouldn't want anything else!

I'm thinking maybe 3 or 4 nights offsite and then maybe 2 or 3 onsite...I could also leave DH home and book a studio! Ha!

I will look at OKW. It looks like a very nice resort, but location is high on our list. We walked around the BWV / BCV area during our June trip and knew right away we'd love staying there and having the close proximity to Epcot. And BLT is amazing in terms of it's proximity to MK. We loved going to the EMH till 2 AM and then walking back to our room! And standing on the breezeway to watch fireworks...just tremendous!

DH had the idea to maybe book 2 studios. I don't know if that would save us anything in terms of points but I think he was thinking of having a "landing pad" in two different locations of WDW. Idk if I want to do that or not, it still leaves us with a depleted account for 2 years.

 

[Geomom]

Go with point savings--if you want the extra bathroom, get a 1 bedroom at Kidani, go with Standard view to save points. The resort is incredible--tons of cultural activities/animals/community hall for crafts/games/water play area, etc. I understand about location--our favorite is BWV, but we normally stay in studios. When we travel with another family, we'll get a 2 bedroom and I look at point savings to stay as many days as we can with them--that's when I look at the resort amenities...and if you're going to be taking a bus everywhere, (OKW, SSR, AKV) I'd go with AKV for the animals and cultural activities. The bus ride to the parks is about the same from those 3...but really short to AK from AKV.

Remind your husband that you guys will be going back to Disney again--and if it's just your family you can book a studio at one of the higher point locations in the future.

BTW: AKV was low on our list...we didn't think we'd enjoy it that much...but one trip all we had for choices were OKW, SSR, or AKV...went with AKV-kidani and we absolutely loved it due to all the cultural activities and the animals. (It was a rainy trip--it was great to have so much to do with the kids at the resort--and never have to venture back out in the rain thanks to the indoor hallways!)

 

[vicki_c]

AKV Kidani 1br standard view is 199 points for 5 nights Tuesday - Saturday before Easter.

We have this same issue with only 160 points and right now being locked into Easter vacations as our travel time.

We went this year and will go next year (and got APs) then will skip a year. I'd like to buy more points, but we are making it work. Previosuly, our vacation times were more flexible. Now they are not. Eventually they will be again. You just have to roll with it. OKW is more points than AKV standard (or was for 2014, I didn't even check for next year because we want the extra bathroom at AKV).

We loved our 1 BR at Kidani. It was gorgeous, very large (not as big as OK but we hardly noticed) and it was great. Would I prefer BCV? Yes, but AKV is wonderful too.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

AKV Kidani 1 bedroom is your answer. Cheap points and 2 FULL bathrooms. Not having to share a bathroom is a HUGE plus IMO.

 

[waffles77]

If you think the points are expensive during that time period, I would also suggest checking out the costs of flights. We were thinking of going at that time, but a flight that would normally cost around $250, was $600!

Yikes!

 

[Dean]

Thank you so much! I know there are many people who have lots of points and may think I'm nuts for thinking that 300+ is a lot for 5 nights LOL...but we only have a 150 point contract and likely won't buy any additional points (not that I wouldn't jump at the chance but DH isn't on board with that idea...but I'm working on it!!!)

If we didn't use all the points for spring break, I'd love to go back for a week in the summer and maybe even a couple nights for food and wine 2015 or Christmas 2015. We loved BLT this summer, and yes, lake view was definitely worth the point splurge! We couldn't get standard view which is why we booked it, but after having it I know we wouldn't want anything else!

I'm thinking maybe 3 or 4 nights offsite and then maybe 2 or 3 onsite...I could also leave DH home and book a studio! Ha!

I will look at OKW. It looks like a very nice resort, but location is high on our list. We walked around the BWV / BCV area during our June trip and knew right away we'd love staying there and having the close proximity to Epcot. And BLT is amazing in terms of it's proximity to MK. We loved going to the EMH till 2 AM and then walking back to our room! And standing on the breezeway to watch fireworks...just tremendous!

DH had the idea to maybe book 2 studios. I don't know if that would save us anything in terms of points but I think he was thinking of having a "landing pad" in two different locations of WDW. Idk if I want to do that or not, it still leaves us with a depleted account for 2 years.

For a 5 night trip I likely wouldn't do onsite off site other than as transitional such as arriving late. And if you do you'd likely need to rent a car anyway. I don't know the ages of the kids but unless they're 18 and you're OK with their studio being a distance from yours, I would recommend against that option. The AKV and BLT 1 BR might be a good choice if your group will fit in the occupancy and the sleeping arrangements work, esp if you do a standard view at AKV. The truth is it's an expensive time of the year. It's about the only time when getting a top exchange is somewhat difficult. Obviously there are many variables and personal preferences and only you know what you're comfortable with. 150 points is going to be very limiting for a 1 BR or above for a yearly trip, about all it'll get you yearly for a 1 BR is 5 nights at best for Dream or above. Even for a studio for a week you'll be tight if you plan to go routinely during premier & magic season. It sounds like you plan to go more than your points will cover, if so, now's a good time to work out a strategy to stretch your points.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Thanks again! Our dd and her friend will be 13 so would they enjoy AKV? I will try to convince DH because the point savings is huge and if he doesn't agree I might start looking at offsite options. I don't want to blow 2 years of points for 5 nights! Maybe if I tell him that we can use the points we save to go back and stay at bcv or BWV for a few nights next summer or fall he will agree. We fell in love with that area on our last visit and he especially said he would like to stay there. We will have a car so we can drive to and from parks which could make AKV easier to manage but we really loved the convenience of walking to mk or riding the monorail for blt! But is that worth am extra 70-80 points? That's what I can't come to terms with. Yikes to the PP who said airline tix were $600! I am very grateful we are within driving distance And yes we have to travel during all the school vacays now. Dd is at an age that she can't miss school very easily and is also involved in a sport and the season runs September to May so we have very limited times we can go anywhere except during school breaks.

 

[Dean]

Thanks again! Our dd and her friend will be 13 so would they enjoy AKV? I will try to convince DH because the point savings is huge and if he doesn't agree I might start looking at offsite options. I don't want to blow 2 years of points for 5 nights! Maybe if I tell him that we can use the points we save to go back and stay at bcv or BWV for a few nights next summer or fall he will agree. We fell in love with that area on our last visit and he especially said he would like to stay there. We will have a car so we can drive to and from parks which could make AKV easier to manage but we really loved the convenience of walking to mk or riding the monorail for blt! But is that worth am extra 70-80 points? That's what I can't come to terms with. Yikes to the PP who said airline tix were $600! I am very grateful we are within driving distance And yes we have to travel during all the school vacays now. Dd is at an age that she can't miss school very easily and is also involved in a sport and the season runs September to May so we have very limited times we can go anywhere except during school breaks.

The closest timeshares that I would consider will be Silver lakes, Wyndham Bonnet Creek, Vistana (Fountians section), Holiday Inn (River Island section). The nicest that are fairly close (within roughlly 4 miles or less) will add the 3 Hilton's, 4 Marriott's, Vistana Villages, & The Fountains plus the Wyndham BC. There are a number of other decent options within that distance as well including close to the 535/palm parkway intersection and on 192 fairly close plus the rest of the resorts I named sections for above. Still not the easiest/cheapest time to rent a timeshare in general but certainly much less than many other options. If you know anyone that owns other timeshares you might be able to work something with them but I'd get going fairly soon due to availability and options there as well. Personally and since you have a car, I'd likely do OKW 1 BR (assuming it's just the 4 of you) and request a higher building number so you have BA access directly from the LR. Wyndham BC would be my second choice if doing mostly park time.

 

[rlduvall]

We enjoy one bedrooms and for us the resort and view are very important. We decided to sell our kids, the dog, and my car so we could buy enough points to support our WDW lifestyle. The kids are in a better home, the dog is doing fine and I lost a few pounds having to walk.

I'm glad it worked out for you.

 

[cvjw]

We are also locked into visiting during school breaks because of the ages of our boys. If I were you, I would look at visiting the week that school is out - much lower crowds than Easter week, and less points too.

We have tons of points, but I would have a hard time paying the premium points for Easter week - especially when you factor in the crowds at the parks.

We get out of school right around Memorial Day, and have visited Disney right when school lets out the last few years. The crowds are still manageable and the points aren't as high. The weather is pretty nice too - not too hot yet, but hot enough for water parks and enjoying the pool.

 

[Geomom]

Our dd and her friend will be 13 so would they enjoy AKV? I will try to convince DH because the point savings is huge and if he doesn't agree I might start looking at offsite options. I don't want to blow 2 years of points for 5 nights! Maybe if I tell him that we can use the points we save to go back and stay at bcv or BWV for a few nights next summer or fall he will agree. We fell in love with that area on our last visit and he especially said he would like to stay there. We will have a car so we can drive to and from parks which could make AKV easier to manage but we really loved the convenience of walking to mk or riding the monorail for blt! But is that worth am extra 70-80 points? That's what I can't come to terms with.

At 13 they should enjoy it and be able to do the cultural activities that are more adult focused. My oldest was 11.5 when we went to Kidani. We went on a walking art tour of Kidani, to the African drumming lessons, to the nightly talk by a cultural representative that was really interesting as well as a couple younger kid activities. We also went down to the savannah and talked to one of the guides there. My oldest still loves animals, so she enjoyed our trip to Jambo when she was 13.5--we didn't do as much at AKV that trip, but we did cook marshmallows over the fire by the savannah. The community hall at Kidani has video games like Wii and playstation as well as arts and crafts. And like all the resorts, has movies by the pool most nights (or in the community hall if it's raining.)

And the answer is no...it's not worth the extra 70-80 pts (1/2 your point allotment) to have your optimal location for this trip.

 

[jerseygal]

We are also locked into visiting during school breaks because of the ages of our boys. If I were you, I would look at visiting the week that school is out - much lower crowds than Easter week, and less points too.

We have tons of points, but I would have a hard time paying the premium points for Easter week - especially when you factor in the crowds at the parks.

We get out of school right around Memorial Day, and have visited Disney right when school lets out the last few years. The crowds are still manageable and the points aren't as high. The weather is pretty nice too - not too hot yet, but hot enough for water parks and enjoying the pool.

I wouldn't go during "prime time" Easter either. Too much hassle dealing with crowds, flights are at a "premium", ADR's much harder to get, mire crowded airports. End if May makes better sense all the way around! Save some points!

 

[EPCOTatNight]

I wouldn't go during "prime time" Easter either. Too much hassle dealing with crowds, flights are at a "premium", ADR's much harder to get, mire crowded airports. End if May makes better sense all the way around! Save some points!

They're driving.

 

[itutorfortravel]

I'd love to go back during the same week we went this year...immediately after school gets out for the summer. BUT, we purchased PAP's and the Tables in Wonderland card for that trip and so if we wait till this summer to go, both will have expired. Those are major expenses right there, so it looks like we will be braving the crowds over spring break!

We have stayed at some of the offsite condo type accommodations that have been mentioned here...Sheraton Vistana Villages (multiple times), Marriott Grande Vista, Floridays, Marriott Cypress Pointe. All have been great! We could go that route and I guess we won't completely take that option off the table. But we so loved the EMH's at Disney and being completely immersed in the Disney experience on our last trip. It's my DD's birthday trip so if we can swing something onsite that doesn't completely drain our point balance, that's likely what we will do.

I know this isn't a typical "DVC" question, but does anyone know how far out you can schedule fast pass plus and ADR's? I will want to get on that mission soon

Thanks!

 

[rlduvall]

I know this isn't a typical "DVC" question, but does anyone know how far out you can schedule fast pass plus and ADR's? I will want to get on that mission soon

Thanks!

If you stay onsite, 60 days for FastPass+ and 180+10 for ADRs.

 

[itutorfortravel]

If you stay onsite, 60 days for FastPass+ and 180+10 for ADRs.

Thanks!

 

[loveswdw]

Don't forget that if you stay offsite, you possibly may not be able to get in the parks. Easter week is one of the busiest of the year. If they have park closings due to capacity, you won't be allowed in unless you are a resort guest. I don't know how often that happens during Easter week but it is something to consider.

I looked at that week also because that is our spring break week this year. I couldn't justify those points along with the crowds! Think we'll stick to fall break.