Using points on weekends?

[NMW]

We live in the north-east, so we fly to Orlando. Also my kids are in school, so I only take them out for one vacation a year (in the fall or winter). We usually go for 9 days, including one weekend. I really don't see that changing for us anytime soon, as our kids are fairly young.

 

[pjshaff]

We usually stay Sun-Thurs nights for our trips. If we leave for WDW on a Sat then we pay cash and stay onsite at a value and then go to our DVC early Sun to check in.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I voted for NONE OF THE ABOVE for a few reasons due to some experimentation with this very topic during the last handful of trips.

FOr our first few DVC trips we used points on weekends but after some discussion here we thought we'd try the alternatives.

(1) SO, one trip we paid DVC cash discount for the weekend. This worked out very very well and we didn't have to move or check out and then back in again. We would do this again.

(2) Another trip we did a Sunday - Friday trip so weekend points or cash nights weren't necessary. Personally, this trip was way too short and I need at least 7 nights at WDW -- especially to make the airfare and park passes worth the $$$.

(3) Last trip we stayed with AP discount at a different resort, then checking into our DVC unit on Sunday. I really did not care for staying for a short period of time at a non-DVC and then having to pack up and move (with a 1yo mind you). If we were to do this again, we'd stay for at least 3 nights at the non-DVC before packing it up. It has to be worth that inconvenience.

OVERALL, after going through several vacation scenarios, we'd really just rather stay at one resort so in the future our first choice will be either using points for the weekend or paying cash for those weekend nights.

 

[Granny]

I know this is hardly a scientific poll, and the wording of the choices might not be the best, but I find the results at this point pretty interesting.

Keep in mind that multiple votes are allowed so the poll adds up to more than 100%.

With 189 votes in:

Approximately 1/6 of the voters indicated that they never or rarely use points for weekend nights. While some might be surprised this is that small, I'm surprised it's that large. Just goes to remind me that what works for me doesn't work for everyone.

Approximately 1/2 of the voters indicated that they don't worry about weekends and just book their trips to fit their schedules. I think that will surprise many who think that everyone is avoiding, moving out, or paying cash for weekends.

Keep those responses coming in. We've got a good response but there are many more of you out there!!

 

[dgaston]

I voted earlier, but didn't post. We have only 150 points and use many strategies to cover our multiple trips to WDW. We only stay Sun to Thursday nights, and we also use places like Cypress Pointe and Windsor Palms for weekends, or high point times. We don't mind staying off-site or moving. After our Feb cruise on the Magic, DS chose Universal for the post-cruise festivities. Afterall it's his HS graduation trip. So sometimes we stay at Hard Rock or Royal Pacific, too.

 

[mom2rb]

We only stay one weekend on points. We either go for 12 days starting on Sunday, or we spend the first weekend at another Disney hotel. We want to try them all but we are becoming DVC snobs so who knows.

 

[photobob]

I'm a new owner and am battling a little in planning trips with how best to use the points given the double amount for Fri-Sat.. I would really like to stay most of the time in a one bedroom but then I see how long I could stay in a studio. Would it be a pain to check into a studio on Sat and then move to a 1 bedroom on Sun? I'm trying to decide if I'd rather go for one longer stay or multiple shorter stays. Regardless I'm really looking forward to my first "welcome home."

 

[marathonmommy]

I'm a new owner and am battling a little in planning trips with how best to use the points given the double amount for Fri-Sat.. I would really like to stay most of the time in a one bedroom but then I see how long I could stay in a studio. Would it be a pain to check into a studio on Sat and then move to a 1 bedroom on Sun? I'm trying to decide if I'd rather go for one longer stay or multiple shorter stays. Regardless I'm really looking forward to my first "welcome home."

My sister is doing the exact same thing for a trip in August. Her hubby is a little annoyed to have to switch, but sis thought it was a better bang for the point buck. I'm not sure if I would want to do it. Might want to ask what the reduced OOP rate is for DVC'ers for those nights. Something to consider.

BTW, I stayed in a 1-bedroom over a weekend for my first trip that was booked before I bought. No regrets. It was just fine. I don't think I would want the hassle of moving rooms for my very first trip, though.

 

[byoung]

Like to use the AP discounts for weekends.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Like to use the AP discounts for weekends.

I agree with you. Since DH gets 4 weeks per year, I would like to take four vacations in Florida! I can pay cash for the weekends, and use the points for another 5 day vacation.

 

[Mom2Ty&Lins]

We plan our trips as follows:

DH: Want to go to Disney this weekend?
Me: Of course!
DH: I'll call DVC to see what we can get.
Me: Let me know.
Later...
DH: We got BWV.
Me: Yippee! Let's get packing!

As a result of the above strategy, most of our trips involve at least one, if not both, weekend nights.

Other than our annual trips for the F&W Festival and MVMCP, we normally plan the week of, if not the day of. Many Friday mornings we have called to see what we can get for that night.

The joys of living a little over 2 hours away...

 

[marathonmommy]

My sister is doing the exact same thing for a trip in August. Her hubby is a little annoyed to have to switch, but sis thought it was a better bang for the point buck. I'm not sure if I would want to do it. Might want to ask what the reduced OOP rate is for DVC'ers for those nights. Something to consider.

BTW, I stayed in a 1-bedroom over a weekend for my first trip that was booked before I bought. No regrets. It was just fine. I don't think I would want the hassle of moving rooms for my very first trip, though.

Okay, maybe I take my DVC rate advice back. Just checked rates for Christmas time. Yes, I know it is prime-time and very costly, BUT the rate I was quoted for 2 nights with the discount is $1059 at BWI or BWV. Seems pretty steep . . . yikes! Of course, I could go moderate for less than 1/2 the price.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

In the past my primary concern was airfare. So I'd fly out on Saturday and return Thurs or Friday depending on the length of the trip.

Thus far I have no objections to moving other than the annoying fact it uses up my morning. However I dont move to save points. I move because I almost never make an early reservation and/or I'm traveling with others and they are staying elsewhere initially.

These days my primary incentive for moving would be a vacation booked in Magic or Premier Season. For example I have a 12/31 to 1/3 reservation at VWL right now. I'd really like to add on 12/30 and possibly 12/29 but I think the points are ridiculous for that. 43 points for one night? My reservation for the other three nights is 43 points. I'd rather use points to stay at a moderate those nights. Assuming I can get it...

 

[JimC]

Living in Orlando now makes it easier to avoid the weekends so we now book five day visits with no weekends. However, before moving to Orlando we booked 7-12 night vacations and did not worry about weekend points.

 

[bzzelady]

Granny,

What you said in the other thread that prompted this poll describes me....I'm not so worried about point stretching (now as I become a more seasoned owner and the addiction deepens...maybe that will change!). Of course, I also purchased 300 points so I have more flexibility. Had I only been able to purchase a 150 point contract, I suspect that I might be doing as much resort switching and bargain shopping as some others

 

[bzzelady]

The joys of living a little over 2 hours away...

Oh...my ruby slippers are definitely bright green with envy right now!

 

[vascubaguy]

We usually look at 5 night vacations that avoid weekend stays; however, cheap airfare has changed some of that. I was able to save about $200 in airfare and all I had to do was extend my stay by 2 nights (weekend nights). After some consideration and unsuccessfully finding some discount rooms at a value, I decided to just use the points... it was painful, but not all that bad when I considered the points spread over 7 nights...

 

[Pocahantas]

We are new DVC members with only 100 points so we are very conservative with our points since we like to make a couple of trips a year. Our first trip home in December is Sun - Thurs at BCV with the Saturday night before at POR and the Friday night after at WL using AP rates. Unfortunately, airfare is cheaper to fly Saturday to Saturday so we will be moving around a bit this trip. I am actually looking forward to it because I would like to stay at every Disney resort at least 1 night and we will have a rental car so that will make it easier. We are on a waitlist to add more points at BCV so hopefully we won't be moving around so much in the future.

I also have a trip planned in June 2007 and we will be using points for a Friday night. I am hoping our add on comes through by then giving us more points to use for our trip next December. If the waitlist comes through we will keep the Friday night, if not, we will cancel it to have enough points to use for December 2008.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We've been on the 4 generation family trip, in August using the 5 weekngihts, but we found that the time of the year was hard us. So, we're probably going to do a 4 night stay, which will include at least a Saturday night in an October, or March as our next big family trip. Work schedules just don't allow a full week off during what is the school year.

So, we'll be booking a weekend night stay in a 2 bedroom after all.

Bobbi

 

[jenelope]

For me, it depends on the room. If I'm staying in a studio, I'll definitely stay weekend nights. (In December I'll have two Fridays and a Saturday!) However, next May I'm getting a two-bedroom villa and plan to stay in the villa for Sun-Thurs nights. I'll probably stay at Pop with whatever discount I can scrounge for the weekend nights. My allottment of points isn't really made for two bedroom villas!