Suggestions needed!!

[mouthdoc]

Greetings All,
We are considering a trip to Disney for the New Year's weekend.

First: Do you think there will be one bedroom availability anywhere? where?

Second: I like BLT and Wilderness Lodge Villas, but what resorts have easiest access to EPCOT? Boardwalk? OKW?

Third: What is a "value" 2 bedroom at Animal Kingdom? (Around the same points as some 1 bedrooms).

Thanks for any and all opinions and suggestions!!

 

[daisyduck123]

Beach Club Villas and the Boardwalk are within walking distance to Epcot (less then 10 minutes).

I'm just venturing a guess about 1BR availability....probably not.

 

[Disneycouple99]

The value rooms are located at Jambo House. They are aprox. 3 feet shorter that the other rooms. There are 10 2 bedroom value rooms.

 

[Connears]

Greetings All,
We are considering a trip to Disney for the New Year's weekend.

First: Do you think there will be one bedroom availability anywhere? where?

Second: I like BLT and Wilderness Lodge Villas, but what resorts have easiest access to EPCOT? Boardwalk? OKW?

Third: What is a "value" 2 bedroom at Animal Kingdom? (Around the same points as some 1 bedrooms).

Thanks for any and all opinions and suggestions!!

Having been the last 5 years during xmas week, I really doubt that you will get anything DVC that include NYE...we have booked 11 months out. Although we were able to change from OKW to AKL at 7 months for the first time this year. Last year we decided to move from OKW to Dolphin just for NYE(our last night there) and we able to do this about 2 month out using starwood points..that might be an option, but I really think it will be close to impossible at DVC for that weekend.

Connears

 

[Deb & Bill]

Call MS in the morning (unless they are closed for the holiday) and see what is available. I'd bet you won't find anything, except may an odd villa here and there.

 

[Petraman]

Your only slim shot will probalby a 1BR at SSR or maybe AKL... simly becuase they have so many units. But I tend to agree... chances will not be good at this point...

 

[Petraman]

I just looked on the "resort availability" thread

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=168

... it is showing all resort 1BR booked out on 29-30

doesn't look good

 

[mouthdoc]

Thanks for everyone's input. That link to the booked units is quite helpful. We're actually coming in on the 31st so there still may be a chance(?). I'm still waiting to hear from a friend on whether or not they can go so I can't make a ressie yet (!!!) If no availability, then perhaps a regular room (perish the thought!!) A DVCer should never have to stay in a regular room!! and pay regular prices!!

 

[Connears]

Thanks for everyone's input. That link to the booked units is quite helpful. We're actually coming in on the 31st so there still may be a chance(?). I'm still waiting to hear from a friend on whether or not they can go so I can't make a ressie yet (!!!) If no availability, then perhaps a regular room (perish the thought!!) A DVCer should never have to stay in a regular room!! and pay regular prices!!

If your reservation includes NYE you are going to find it difficult anywhere on property....

Connears

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for everyone's input. That link to the booked units is quite helpful. We're actually coming in on the 31st so there still may be a chance(?). I'm still waiting to hear from a friend on whether or not they can go so I can't make a ressie yet (!!!) If no availability, then perhaps a regular room (perish the thought!!) A DVCer should never have to stay in a regular room!! and pay regular prices!!

Those threads are only good to see what is not available, not what is available.

 

[gianjoe]

Thanks for everyone's input. That link to the booked units is quite helpful. We're actually coming in on the 31st so there still may be a chance(?). I'm still waiting to hear from a friend on whether or not they can go so I can't make a ressie yet (!!!) If no availability, then perhaps a regular room (perish the thought!!) A DVCer should never have to stay in a regular room!! and pay regular prices!!

Never give up!! Put yourself on the wait list and call as much as possible. Beach Club and Boardwalk are right inside the World Showcase, you walk not 5 minutes from Epcot! How conveeeeeenient!

Another viable option not mentioned is the Dolphin and Swan, they were upgraded recently and we went to check them and out and they are extremely nice. There is also the Yacht Club, all of these resorts are 5 minutes walking distance from the World Showcase at Epcot.

One option with these resorts is to go big, sometimes the more expensive options are still available. In the end you'll only remember the experience right? Maybe a 2 bedroom or better?

Also, from a bus distance you have other options that are "close" but not far such as Pop Century, Caribbean Resort, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Bonnet Creek, and Coronado. These are short bus rides to Epcot.

One more thing that is little known about Epcot. If you have a car, and do stay at any of the latter options I mentioned, you can also park at the public parking lot of the Boardwalk Villas which is located across the street from the resort. You walk through BW and over to Epcot. We do this all of the time and is 100% allowed. Just get there early.

Good luck and enjoy the new year.

Joe

 

[thepops]

I'd make the reservation (and or appropriate wiatlists) now and worry about your firend making up their mind later. You can always cancel the reservation if you don't need it after all.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Another viable option not mentioned is the Dolphin and Swan, they were upgraded recently and we went to check them and out and they are extremely nice. There is also the Yacht Club, all of these resorts are 5 minutes walking distance from the World Showcase at Epcot....Also, from a bus distance you have other options that are "close" but not far such as Pop Century, Caribbean Resort, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Bonnet Creek, and Coronado. These are short bus rides to Epcot.
...

A lot of these places are not DVC resorts and several cannot be booked using DVC points.

 

[mouthdoc]

I'm a DVC newbie, so... The points I will be using will be borrowed from my 2011 points, my use year starts in April. So if I go ahead and make a reservation, can I cancel and get those points back to use (or bank) in 2011? Thanks for a quick reply.

 

[Petraman]

I'm a DVC newbie, so... The points I will be using will be borrowed from my 2011 points, my use year starts in April. So if I go ahead and make a reservation, can I cancel and get those points back to use (or bank) in 2011? Thanks for a quick reply.

If I was you, I would go onto your dvc site, and read the cancellation policy. I can tell you a couple things...

You cannot return borrowed Vacation Points to their original Use Year... (so 2011 points used to book a 2010 ressie go back into your 2010 year)
You cannot bank or transfer borrowed Vacation Points...
ON page 77 in your 2010 Vacation Planner book, it lists the info on how cancellations are handled in regards to your points.

Bottom line for you is, if you borrow from 2011 April points for a ressie between now and April, that would be a ressie that falls in the 2010 use year. If you cancel, you must cancel 31 days before your ressie, and then points would be returned to your 2010 use year.... whcih means you would HAVE TO USE THEM BEFORE APRIL 2011 or you will lose them.

I would not recommend any ressie at this late date that you do not know absolutely for sure you will use.

I know it may seem a little complicated at first, but you will get the hang of it
.... welcome to the DVC family!!

 

[gianjoe]

Yes, Deb is correct that some of the hotels are not DVC, but some like Bonnet, Caribbean Beach, and Yacht Club, to name a few, are Disney Collection. You pay a non-refundable $95 fee when you make you reservation and then you can stay there using the point charts.

I hope it works out. That would be a really cool way to start the new year.

Take care,

Joe

Correction - Bonnet is not part of Disney Collection. I meant Coronado Springs or Port Orleans... Thanks Connears!

 

[Connears]

Yes, Deb is correct that some of the hotels are not DVC, but some like Bonnet, Caribbean Beach, and Yacht Club, to name a few, are Disney Collection. You pay a non-refundable $95 fee when you make you reservation and then you can stay there using the point charts.

I hope it works out. That would be a really cool way to start the new year.

Take care,

Joe

Bonnett Creek resort IS NOT a disney resort!!! It would not be included in the disney collection. It is usually not the best use of dvc points to stay at the disney hotels, but you can use them for the deluxe, moderates and Fort Wilderness. I would again suggest the dolphin/swan hotels for NYE as they are starwood hotels and if you are a member can use your points even for NYE. We did last yeat at the Dolphin and its a great location for that night. I would not wait too long for any reservations..NYE is very popular with FL residents.

Connears

 

[gianjoe]

Bonnett Creek resort IS NOT a disney resort!!! It would not be included in the disney collection. It is usually not the best use of dvc points to stay at the disney hotels, but you can use them for the deluxe, moderates and Fort Wilderness. I would again suggest the dolphin/swan hotels for NYE as they are starwood hotels and if you are a member can use your points even for NYE. We did last yeat at the Dolphin and its a great location for that night. I would not wait too long for any reservations..NYE is very popular with FL residents.

Connears

The Dolphin and Swan are both REALLY nice hotels.