Villas Vs Free Dining

[tinkluvr23]

Going to Disney World in January! Woo ! But we cannot decide if we want to rent points at the beach club villas and have the nicer accommodations, or hold out and see if they offer free dining and stay at port orleans. I know that this is not guaranteed to be offered but it seems likely that it will. Soooo what in your opinion is more important nicer place to stay or nicer meals for the trip?

 

[kristenrice]

You'll have to compare the prices...

Is rack rate with free dining at POR going to cost you less than renting points at BCV and paying for the DDP?

Then, it will be a matter of deciding on dining vs. accommodations....

For me, I would rather stay in a nice room and maybe eat a few less meals than stay in a smaller room and eat WAY too much food. We use our DVC to stay in 1BR's and we have opted to use TiW instead of the DDP.

BCV studio for $10/pt for 7 nights: $1070
6-day PH tickets from UCT: $1265.80
Dining Plan for 2 Adults and 2 Children: $1018.50
TOTAL: $3354.30

POR standard room for 7 nights with 6-day PH (assumes FD added): $2543.30

I cannot give you an honest opinion because I have never stayed at a moderate resort. Looking at these numbers, I would be hard-pressed to opt for the DVC lodging over the Free Dining promotion, *IF* we were going to buy the DDP. For my family, the savings would be even greater since we have a DD who will be 10 next year, thus increasing the value of the free dining plan. I love my DVC, but it is because I utilize the 1BR villas. In this scenario, I'm comparing a mod room to a studio. While there is certainly a difference, I cannot honestly say that I would find it worth $800.

Good luck!

 

[ValpoCory]

You'll have to compare the prices...

Is rack rate with free dining at POR going to cost you less than renting points at BCV and paying for the DDP?

Then, it will be a matter of deciding on dining vs. accommodations....

For me, I would rather stay in a nice room and maybe eat a few less meals than stay in a smaller room and eat WAY too much food. We use our DVC to stay in 1BR's and we have opted to use TiW instead of the DDP.

BCV studio for $10/pt for 7 nights: $1070
6-day PH tickets from UCT: $1265.80
Dining Plan for 2 Adults and 2 Children: $1018.50
TOTAL: $3354.30

POR standard room for 7 nights with 6-day PH (assumes FD added): $2543.30

I cannot give you an honest opinion because I have never stayed at a moderate resort. Looking at these numbers, I would be hard-pressed to opt for the DVC lodging over the Free Dining promotion, *IF* we were going to buy the DDP. For my family, the savings would be even greater since we have a DD who will be 10 next year, thus increasing the value of the free dining plan. I love my DVC, but it is because I utilize the 1BR villas. In this scenario, I'm comparing a mod room to a studio. While there is certainly a difference, I cannot honestly say that I would find it worth $800.

Good luck!

Good analysis. Can you split up a DVC week-long stay into a 1-day, a 5-day, and a 1-day ressie, put the DDP only on the middle 5 days, and link the ressies and stay in one room without moving? Doing that means less food, less cost, less credits that you might struggle to use, and it allows you to start using your credits on the morning of your first full day there.

That would be the only way I would pay for a DDP. We like the character meals too much to have it save us money if we pay full price. It used to save us money, but with price increases and gratuity pulled out of it in 2008, it is just hard to break even if you go to Crystal Palace or one of the other character breakfast buffets.

 

[kristenrice]

Good analysis. Can you split up a DVC week-long stay into a 1-day, a 5-day, and a 1-day ressie, put the DDP only on the middle 5 days, and link the ressies and stay in one room without moving? Doing that means less food, less cost, less credits that you might struggle to use, and it allows you to start using your credits on the morning of your first full day there.

That would be the only way I would pay for a DDP. We like the character meals too much to have it save us money if we pay full price. It used to save us money, but with price increases and gratuity pulled out of it in 2008, it is just hard to break even if you go to Crystal Palace or one of the other character breakfast buffets.

We actually have done something to that effect for our past trips. We typically leave Michigan on a Friday afternoon, stop for the night, then drive all day on Saturday, leaving us with about a 2hr drive into WDW on Sunday. That way, we arrive "rested". We stay Sun-Thursday and then drive all day Friday and all day Saturday. That gives us Sunday to recuperate before returning to school. (This is over spring break when airfare is out of our price range). I will book a studio for the first 2 nights and add the DxDDP. That gives us dinner on Sunday, breakfast and dinner on Monday and Tuesday, and then one credit to spare. Sometimes we do a signature and sometimes we just do CS. This allows us to eat at our favorites (Boma, LeCellier, Chef Mickey's, O'Hana and others) and save some money doing it. For the last three nights, I book a 1BR and do not add a dining plan. This way, we have our washer and dryer to get some laundry done. We use the TIW card for any of the "cheaper" TS options (mostly non-buffets where we can share meals) that we still want to experience. It's really the best of both worlds...we get to save some points, save some money, and still have a fantastic experience! Now that my DD will be 10 on our next trip, I don't think we will be doing the DxDDP anymore. We will just limit ourselves to 1 buffet per trip and then share meals at the other TS restaurants using the TiW card. DD just had her first experience at Sanaa for her birthday and she LOVED it!

 

[crisi]

Good analysis. Can you split up a DVC week-long stay into a 1-day, a 5-day, and a 1-day ressie, put the DDP only on the middle 5 days, and link the ressies and stay in one room without moving? Doing that means less food, less cost, less credits that you might struggle to use, and it allows you to start using your credits on the morning of your first full day there.

That would be the only way I would pay for a DDP. We like the character meals too much to have it save us money if we pay full price. It used to save us money, but with price increases and gratuity pulled out of it in 2008, it is just hard to break even if you go to Crystal Palace or one of the other character breakfast buffets.

You used to be able to do this, but after everyone's reservation got screwed up, disney stopped allowing it. You'll have to have the DDP for the whole stay.

 

[ValpoCory]

You used to be able to do this, but after everyone's reservation got screwed up, disney stopped allowing it. You'll have to have the DDP for the whole stay.

Thanks.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Going to Disney World in January! Woo ! But we cannot decide if we want to rent points at the beach club villas and have the nicer accommodations, or hold out and see if they offer free dining and stay at port orleans. I know that this is not guaranteed to be offered but it seems likely that it will. Soooo what in your opinion is more important nicer place to stay or nicer meals for the trip?

You don't say who is in your party which would make a difference. With kids, I'd take a 1BR at the villas over free dining (I've learned how valuable that extra space can be). For just 2 adults, I'd get the dining and stay at Port Orleans. Unless what I really wanted was Stormalong Bay.

 

[tinkluvr23]

Thanks for the replies. I actually had not sat down and done the numbers, although I had an estimate in my head. It is just going to be my boyfriend and me. No kids yet, luckily heh. So the numbers work out a little differently for us. This is what I have:

BCV studio:
$10.50 x 92 points = 966 + 30(pay pal fee) = 996
Tickets:
And I think we get a small discount of tickets through my boyfriends work about $20 each if I remember right so I’ll say $610 for both tickets.
Total: $1606 (No food included)

Port Orleans Riverside:
170.33(avg. per nights) x 6 = $1021.98 + $23(tax) = $1160
2 x 325(5 day park hopper) = $650 If I understand correctly you have to book free dining through a package so no discounted tickets.
Total = $1810 (Food included in free dining plan)


So it is fairly comparable in price. Although we will be paying more with the food for the DVC. We will be eating on a budget though if we do decide to stay there.

Anymore opinions on lodging versus food is welcome!

And on a side note I am wondering where people are renting points for $10? I found someone offering $10.50 and am currently waiting for a response. It seems most are going to $11 - $12. I would love to find a better deal than that.

 

[peacelover]

I guess , for me, it would depend on the type of trip I wanted to take.
If I want to spend most of my time in the parks, shows, shopping, etc.,then free dining is the way to go.
If you want a more laid back vacation, then go with the villa.

 

[peacelover]

Another thing to consider, is if you wait to see if they do offer free dining in Jan, it is likely there won't be a bcv studio available. they book up fast.

 

[tinkluvr23]

You don't say who is in your party which would make a difference. With kids, I'd take a 1BR at the villas over free dining (I've learned how valuable that extra space can be). For just 2 adults, I'd get the dining and stay at Port Orleans. Unless what I really wanted was Stormalong Bay.

Actually that is what is selling me on Beach Club is Stormalong Bay and the boardwalk. We are going in off season and parks close decently early so we are hoping to have stuff to do at night. That pool looks just amazing!

 

[jcemom]

Actually that is what is selling me on Beach Club is Stormalong Bay and the boardwalk. We are going in off season and parks close decently early so we are hoping to have stuff to do at night. That pool looks just amazing!

Check the pool hours. We stayed at BCV one January (maybe four years ago) and the pool closed very early -- I'm thinking 8:00 pm. The quiet pool (with no lifeguard) remained open.

 

[crisi]

It can also be very cold in Florida in January. The pools are heated, but we've been down at that time of year and it can be too cold even for crazy Northerners to swim.

 

[tinkluvr23]

Alright we went for the DVC. We were actually more leaning towards the Port Orleans but we were able to rent for $9 a point which sealed the deal for us. Officially staying at the Beach Club! Storm Along Bay here we come

 

[ValpoCory]

Alright we went for the DVC. We were actually more leaning towards the Port Orleans but we were able to rent for $9 a point which sealed the deal for us. Officially staying at the Beach Club! Storm Along Bay here we come

That's great. Glad you found a BCV room available at 5-6 months out. What size room did you get?

We went to the BWV in Jan 2011 for 8 nights and never swam once and only saw a couple folks swimming once or twice. It's definitely rare to swim in January, even though it's hot everywhere right now and swimming seems like something we'd do everyday.

 

[jcemom]

We go to Disney almost every January/February. My DD swims nearly every day of our 8-10 day trips. We usually hit the water park also -- whichever one is open. The year we stayed at BCV was the cold one -- the one where all the plants and shrubs were covered in plastic bags and there was frost in the mornings lol. DD swam in Stormalong Bay on our arrival day. The slide was closed for refurbishment so after that we used the quiet pool or went over to Luna Park pool at the Boardwalk.

At SaB she got a kick out of the ducks swimming next to her.

 

[timmac]

Going to Disney World in January! Woo ! But we cannot decide if we want to rent points at the beach club villas and have the nicer accommodations, or hold out and see if they offer free dining and stay at port orleans. I know that this is not guaranteed to be offered but it seems likely that it will. Soooo what in your opinion is more important nicer place to stay or nicer meals for the trip?

BCV is a relatively small DVC property, and we're only five months out. I have my doubts you'll even be able to get accommodations there, depending on exactly when in January you're targeting.

 

[Kelleigh710]

So glad you were able to get your reservtions! I was considering going for the free dining in September or October, but we were able to get a studio villa at BWV for $12 per point and only 10 points per night. $480 for 4 nights? I'll take it any day!

 

[ValpoCory]

So glad you were able to get your reservtions! I was considering going for the free dining in September or October, but we were able to get a studio villa at BWV for $12 per point and only 10 points per night. $480 for 4 nights? I'll take it any day!

It's nice. If you have time on your side and can afford to be patient, that is, you are looking well before the 7 month mark, you can usually find $10/point rentals. We did that and BWV and got 8 nights, 86 points, $860, so $107.50 per night. Renting is the way to do Disney if you can plan 7-11 months in advance, IMO. The closer you are to 11 months, the higher your chances are at getting exactly what you want. But I've never had a problem getting exactly what I want (through 5 transactions of $10/point or less), and I've never done more than 9 months out.

 

[Kelleigh710]

It's nice. If you have time on your side and can afford to be patient, that is, you are looking well before the 7 month mark, you can usually find $10/point rentals. We did that and BWV and got 8 nights, 86 points, $860, so $107.50 per night. Renting is the way to do Disney if you can plan 7-11 months in advance, IMO. The closer you are to 11 months, the higher your chances are at getting exactly what you want. But I've never had a problem getting exactly what I want (through 5 transactions of $10/point or less), and I've never done more than 9 months out.

You absolutely are absolutely right. We booked at exactly 11 months out