Torn on where to stay, please help!!! (long)

[snoopy5386]

Here is the situation. We are going to disney next Christmas, our plan is to check in on the 26th and check out on the 1st, but we are willing to change our dates a bit if neccessary.

I have never stayed in a "real" disney resort before. We stayed at the swan in October, but it didn't feel all that "magical" to me (except for its locale).

Money for this trip is an issue, we are not rich by any means, but we already have park passes so that is taken care of.

As it goes right now, we could stay at PC for around $750 for the trip, which sounds great, except I am not too excited about PC. It looks neat and it is new, but I am not really into the oversized icons, and there is no hot tub, and we plan to spend a decent amount of time at the resort relaxing. To move up to POR bumps the price up to around $1330 which is a pretty big jump, and then to go up to the WL the price jumps to $2200 a really big jump over PC's $750, BUT we could rent points for VWL for around $1380 which is almost as much as POR.

No brainer, right? Well, not quite. The cast of characters for this trip is myself, DH, and Sister in Law who is both a FL Res and an AP holder....so part of me would like to wait to see if rates come out like they did this year, and I am hesitant to rent points because we could get screwed (unlikely, I know, but still could happen) and that by staying in the Villas and not in an actual disney resort, I still will not feel that "disney magic".

Help, What should I do??? Where should we stay??? AAAAHHH!!
Thanks!!!

 

[snoopy5386]

Forgot to add....if codes come out and we can get them....we could save a significant amount over renting points. I also like the idea of being able to change our ressies if we get more money or suddenly go into debt, with renting points we would be locked in, and I would like to reserve points soon, the 11 month deadline is coming up real quick.....

 

[kda]

It's just my opinion, but I don't see how anyone of us have any idea what Disney will be doing with codes and discounts next Christmas. It would obviously be wonderful if codes came out then, but it's a big unknown right now.

There were a few days over Thanksgiving that codes weren't available unless you checked in earlier in the week. In past years, the only way you could get a discount on rooms over Christmas was if you checked in before a certain date (which varied from year to year, but was generally a few days before Christmas -- definitely wouldn't have been 12/26). Business is reportedly much better, but yet there's AP and general codes over Easter --- go figure!!! And there were NO codes in September, which is always a quiet month. It keeps me guessing!

It looks like you've answered your own question --- you don't sound like you want to make the committment to renting points for DVC room (no simple cancellation policies with rented points) and you're questioning if it has enough 'magic'. But $$$ is a concern, as it is with most of us, yet you're not sure you'll be happy with what you know you can comfortably afford at rack rate. A dilemma, for sure. As you said, the way to have the most flexibility with your reservation is to book room-only in a resort and wait and hope.

 

[DznyDreams]

I've rented points several times. Each time I've dealt with different DVC members....all of which that I "hooked up" with through the DIS Rent/Trade board. I suppose that since my experiences have been positive ones, my opinion is a little one sided.

I have never felt like I've "lost the magic" by staying at a DVC resort. The WL Villas are connected to the WL via an open breezeway/walkway, and are in no way less magical. You will still spend a lot of time in the lobby of the WL since that is where you check in/out, eat, shop, and guest services is located there as well. The villas are very handy to the buses, and they have a very nice quiet pool in case the main WL pool is just too crowded for your taste. The lobby of the villas is very peaceful. We enjoyed the solitude of the lobby that awaited us as we'd exit a jam-packed bus that had just brought us "home" from a very crowded park. My daughter loved to play checkers in the lobby of VWL, and my husband loved the VERY comfy leather rockers and the model train cars that were on display. This resort is BEAUTIFULLY landscaped, so we all enjoyed the daily commute from the VWL to the WL for meals, shopping, etc. As a matter of fact, we considered it a major plus to be "forced" outdoors at this particular resort due to the extensive landscape. Just allow me to suggest that you request a room that is relatively near the elevators (not right next to them, but just close to them). The walk to your room from the elevator can be quite long if you are at the very end of a wing.

I could go on and on about our VWL stay, but I won't. I'll just wrap up by saying that our past non-DVC resort stays have been POR Riverside, POR French Quarter, and the Contemporary (x2). These were wonderful resorts and we enjoyed our stays at each immensely, but the DVC resorts are just super nice (deluxe)!

One day, I hope to be a DVC myself, but until then, I'm just grateful to those who rent their unused points to those of us "less fortunate." ;-)

 

[snoopy5386]

any more ideas out there dis'ers?

 

[Xtine76]

Sounds like you ought to join the disney vacation club! Seriously, it is not hard to get approved and get financing-if I did it trust me-anyone can!!!!!

 

[CheshireVal]

If you can swing the money, I'd choose the moderate and *hope* that a discount code comes out before then, though since that's a peak season it's unlikely.

Another option is to check in BEFORE Christmas, when you'd get a better rate.

If that's not an option, then let me put your mind at ease about the value resorts. I've stayed at them all (even Pop Century), and while I'm not a huge fan of oversized icons, all of the value resorts are very nice and do offer PLENTY of Disney magic. If that's all you can afford, then that's all you can afford. Don't sweat it-- skip the hot tub in favor for a dip in one of the heated pools, and have a magical time!

 

[ceejay13]

As a DVC member, I am a little biased. We used to visit every other year and stay at PO. Now we visit twice a year as DVC members. Just recently I also visited as part of a convention for work and stayed at CS. We stayed at the BWV for a couple of days before. To me there is no comparison in the rooms or the "magic". True you will spend more money renting, but if you get a 1 bdr, you can eat some meals in the room. We love having breakfast in our room as it saves time in the morning and in the end saves quite a bit of money. You will also have a jacuzzi tub in your room, along with a washer and dryer. We pack half as much now because it is so easy to throw in a load of laundry as you leave for the parks. The theming and magic at any of the DVC resorts is at least equal to any of the othe resorts. Also, if you have that extra person, you all can still have some personal space in a DVC 1 bdr.

 

[2disneyagain]

You could hope for an AP code. We just got back last week. We arrived on the 12/26 which was the last day the codes were good. As long as you check in on a day that the codes are good, it is good for your entire stay. We stayed at Coronado Springs for the first time because it was the only moderate we could get (was pleased with the resort) for $88.00 per night including tax. That was an awesome rate!

Hope that helps.

 

[Danauk]

If possible I would also try to rent DVC points and stay at a villa. If you liked the location of the swan then I would recommend the Beach Club Villas. They are connected to the beach club via a walkway and are just as magical. Plus stormalong bay is excellent. As other posters have suggested having the extra room for your trip would be an advantage. I love the location of the BCV and I also having a kitchen in the room to make snacks in or to make a light meal if you don't feel like going out for a meal or are trying to save some money.

 

[hannahryan]

We stayed at Pop Century last month. We enjoyed it, but I wouldn't recommend it for you since you want to enjoy relaxing at the resort. I did not find this resort very relaxing. The weather could be cool so you will want a hot tub. We didn't use the pool once in our 9 day stay because of the cool weather. If I had to do it over again, I would have stayed at the POR. Even better, POFQ will probably be open by next December!