To splurge or not to splurge...

[Marionnette]

They are my parents’ points, and they are taking us all on a cruise with a combo of cash and points so I don’t want to get involved in their generosity! The cruise is their treat, this wdw vacation is on my wallet!

May I suggest offering to rent the points from your parents for a BWV stay? They could then apply the cash toward the cruise. Pay them whatever you would have spent on AoA or offer them what they would have gotten from David's for those points. You end up with the resort stay you want and they have cash to put toward the family cruise. It's a much better use of their points to apply them to a Disney World stay than it is to use them for a cruise.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

With kids that age, MK is the main draw, so I don't think an Epcot area resort is that much of an upgrade. If you are gong to splurge, consider Wilderness Lodge for the boat to MK. It is also just a stunning hotel all around.

My thought on bw is bc we are doing a day each in MK, dhs, and Epcot, so we are close to 2 of 3. But wl looks beautiful and is a little less money. How is transportation to the non MK parks? How much walking involves to the buses (my cranky husband’s big issue)?

 

[Wood Nymph]

My thought on bw is bc we are doing a day each in MK, dhs, and Epcot, so we are close to 2 of 3. But wl looks beautiful and is a little less money. How is transportation to the non MK parks? How much walking involves to the buses (my cranky husband’s big issue)?

Boardwalk is a great choice and being able to walk or take the boat to Epcot and DHS is a great benefit. Boardwalk has a dedicated bus to MK and the ride is only about 14 minutes long. We love the WL and the boat to MK is 12 to 14 minutes long, but a lovely ride. Unfortunately, the bus to Epcot shares with Fort Wilderness and the bus to Hollywood Studios shares with the Contemporary - except for the morning park bus. That one will take you nonstop to Epcot and DHS, but later buses and return buses share the route. If I was doing the opposite - 2 trips to MK and one trip to another park, then I would stay at WL. It is a gorgeous resort and a very short walk to the bus stop. But if you are only going once to MK then the BWI is a good choice.

BWI frequently has discounts, especially in late August when so many schools are back in session and crowds are relatively low. You can always apply a discount later.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

If this is truly a budget friendly vacation I wouldn't upgrade to BWI. I would do whichever is cheapest between AoA and Pop.

 

[Anthony1971]

consider renting the points from your parents as the normal conversion rate with a rare difference --which can also be lower- is about 7.00. if you gave them 10.00 even 9.00 a point they will make out and you will make out and they will still have enough points to book at least one person at the DVC rate should it be better ad pay cash for the rest. It is rarely (almost never) a wise move to use DVC points for a cruise as the conversion rate stinks but also a lot of people do not want to got through the trouble of renting them which is understandable.

 

[Miffy]

My thought on bw is bc we are doing a day each in MK, dhs, and Epcot, so we are close to 2 of 3. But wl looks beautiful and is a little less money. How is transportation to the non MK parks? How much walking involves to the buses (my cranky husband’s big issue)?

Well, you could end up at the end of a hallway in WL, in which case you'd have to walk down that hallway. But, that aside, the walk to the buses at WL is a quick jaunt from the lobby--and it's in the shade.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

Well, you could end up at the end of a hallway in WL, in which case you'd have to walk down that hallway. But, that aside, the walk to the buses at WL is a quick jaunt from the lobby--and it's in the shade.

I think we are okay with indoor a/c walks!

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

Sooo... it turns out I was sharing my plans with my dear mother who informs me she has 56 points leftover that must be used by the end of 2019! She and my father have no plans for them!!!! I need 62 to stay at a studio in boardwalk villas! So I’ll just have to use a handful of points from the next year. Thank you all for all of your advice though. If anything doesn’t work out, you gave me so many options to consider.