Villa? Deluxe? Split Stay? HELP!

[scanne]

How far out can a DVC member book a reservation? Isn't it like, 11 months or something? If that's the case, when can I start cruising the DVC board for renting points for our next "BIG" trip which will be July 2005? We're hoping by then we will have two kids (we have one now and are trying for #2) and having stayed at the WL last week with a one year old, I realize that my family needs more space than a typical hotel room. Also since this next big trip will be for our 5 year anniversary, I want to stay somewhere special. I was thinking of Beach Club Villas or Saratoga Springs. That will be open by 2005, right?

Also, we'd like to stay for 11 nights/12 days. Should I split the stay at a mod then go to a HAFH? Do you think that we'd be ok at the Contemporary or Polynesian with regards to room size? We've stayed at the Polynesian and the rooms are spacious. I'm torn between the Polynesian or Contemporary and a villa.

Thanks for helping!

 

[jel0511]

Yes, you're correct DVC members can book their stays at their home resort 11 months in advance. So, for a stay in July 2005, you can book it in August 2004. To stay at BCV for 11 nights in a one bedroom with staying only one weekend (weekend points are more) it will cost you 390 points. DVC'ers usually rent their points out for $10 per point, so it would cost you $3900 for the entire stay in a one bedroom. I personally would want to move during such a long stay, I like a change of scenery. Just a word of caution, since it looks like you'll be traveling with small children, DVC resorts don't have check-in until 4PM, and they usually have any rooms available early, due to the size, time it takes to clean them and DVC resorts usually having 100% occupancy. That might make for an uncomfortable afternoon, with small children who need a nap. I would stay at one of the deluxe monorail hotels if you were going to split your stay. Their rooms are the largest, and you should have plenty of space for a short stay. That's exactly what we're doing next summer, we're staying 3 nights at the GF and then moving to a DVC resort for 7 nights. For July the point schedule is 30 points for a SUn - Thurs night and 60 points for Fri and Sat night. This way, you can see which scenario works best for your family. Also, if you plan on staying that long, I suggest you buy Annual Passes for your family. They would be MUCH cheaper than the UPH, and you won't have to worry about dropping days off and such, since you'll be moving. Also, if you do rent points, be aware that you won't receive daily housekeeping unless you decide to pay for it. DVC members only receive housekeeping every 8 days, with a trash and towel being every 4 days. So for a 12 day stay you'd get a full clean on day 4, a trash and towel on day 8 I believe. If you wished to add housekeeping everyday, you'd be charged $35 per time you requested it. Saratoga Springs resort is slightly cheaper on the points for a one bedroom. For July SSR would be 351 for the entire 11 night stay, and the points are 27 Sun - Thurs and 54 Fri and Sat. I hope this wasn't terribly confusing, and if you have any further questions, please ask!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Hi scanne. Members can book 11 months in advance at their home resort, 7 months in advance at the other resorts.

I think Saratoga Springs is opening May 1, 2004 with one villa building. There will be 4 open by the end of the summer. By the summer of 2005, the resort should be fully open.

As far as points go, Old Key West is the cheapest, followed by Saratoga Springs, then BoardWalk standard view (very limited availability for non-BWV owners, this really needs to be booked at 11 months), and then BoardWalk preferred view, Beach Club Villas, and the Villas at Wilderness Lodge are all the most expensive point wise. Beach Club Villas are Sunday-Thursday nights, Studio (14), 1BR (30), and 2BR (40) points. Friday and Saturday nights are Studio (32), 1BR (60), and 2BR (75) points.

As for a non-DVC resort, I'd go for the Contemporary Tower. I never really thought it would be too nice before our stay, but once I got there I found it to be very magical. Plus, the rooms are very large! Even bigger than the Polynesian.

 

[Mattsmom]

Just wanted to add, if you do rent pts. The 1 Bd Villas have a washer/dryer and full kitchen. Both come in REAL handy traveling with little ones!

 

[swilphil]

If Beach Club Villas are only 14 points for a studio and 30 points for a one bedroom for Sun-Thurs in July, does that mean at $10 a point that's $140 for the studio or $300 dollars for the 1 bedroom?? Is that per night or for all four nights?

How easy is it to rent points at Beach Club Villas? Do I have to do it right at 11 months? My DH is not that good at planning in advance. We found out 4 weeks before our last WDW trip that we were going.

 

[jel0511]

Those are the points per night during each of those periods. Also, BCV is one of the more popular DVC resorts and books up pretty quickly. You'll need to make reservations as soon as you know you'll be going. At 4 weeks to go, most likely most if not all DVC resorts can be sold out.

 

[Michelemouse]

swilphil - You will be renting points from a Vacation Club member, not from the resort itself. The Disney Vacation Club is similar to a timeshare and to join you buy points at one of the DVC resorts. You then have an 11 month window for reservations at that resort and can book villas at other DVC resorts no more than 7 months in advance. So if you want to stay at the Beach Club and are ready to book at 11 months out you will want to find a BCV owner who is willing to rent his/her points. It is sometimes difficult to get the accomodations you want on very short notice (you mentioned 4 weeks in advance...that could be very tough for a villa at BCV). You can check out the DVC Rent/Trade board which is here on the Dis to find renters.

Hope that helps.

 

[TwingleMum]

You've gotten a lot of great advise, may I add a few things? Its hard but not impossible to rent on short notice - you'd need to be flexible about which DVC resort. Cruise the DVC rent BB here to learn and get an idea of the lay of the land. I would suggest you don't stay at a DVC resort Fri & Sat night as there the highest points. Stay at another Disney resort (with small ones a monorail resort comes in very handy - no need to fold up stroller with sleeping child - ease of trip to MK -My DS was 1 his first trip we stayed at Cont and he loved it) I would also suggest since DVC have kitchens & washer/dryers in rooms stay there at the end of your trip so you can do laundry easily. As a Mom of 3 boys under 3 I know how much laundry little ones generate. It also allows you not to pack as much. DVC also saves by allowing you to cook so you can save on food costs. Have fun planning.