Was using points at another Disney resort worth it?

[Dreamfinder2]

For us, the answer isn't just "yeah," but "heck, yeah!" We had a goodly number of unused points, and just sorta blew it out by staying over New Year's at AKL concierge.

Folks, we'd never stayed concierge anywhere, and I was just bowled over by the treatment and service we got. There's something to be said to being able to step out on one's balcony to the amazing vista of giraffe, wilderbeasts, zebras, etc. The pampering we got at the concierge lounge, the surprise cake we received on arrival for our Marine son - well, it was all top-notch, and every CM we ran across the whole time was, without fail, cordial and accomidating.

Sure, I probably could've rented points and come out ahead, but there was something about getting that zero balance folio at checkout that just thrilled my soul (OK, well, there were some meal charges, but you know what I mean.)

We sure had a good time. I'd recommend it at least once!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

It's still bugging me that we had to "pay" more to stay 8 nights at PO/FQ than it would have been to stay at VWL. But with a 22hr cancellation PO/FQ was the only place available.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Originally posted by imgoingtodisney
It's still bugging me that we had to "pay" more to stay 8 nights at PO/FQ than it would have been to stay at VWL. But with a 22hr cancellation PO/FQ was the only place available.

Perhaps you should have considered just staying home instead of traveling at all in November/December. If that would have meant lost points, so be it. You may have been happier at home.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Dreamfinder,

Sounds like a great trip. One of these days I'll splurge on concierge.

 

[cherylp3]

In October 2001, I decided to change my vacation from Disney Land to Disney world and went to the beach club. <br>
Although my reservation was messed up <br>
( thank goodness I had my reservation sheet)
<br><br>
I ended up with a waterview room and meeting a great CM named Shannon who was terrific!
<br><br>
It wasn't the best use of points but I had a great trip, a nice room and pleasant stay.

 

[WDWalways]

I had a lot of extra points and used the majority on the Grand Floridian - would do it again in a heartbeat!! any of the deluxe resorts IMO is worth it but I would never stay in a moderate for MORE points than the DVC properties - it's either the DVC properties or one of the deluxes for me.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

We tried every one of the deluxes - not one of them was available - DVC or not.
(this was Thanksgiving weekend with a 22hr notice due to cancelled cruise)

 

[Michelemouse]

We used points for our recent stay at the AKL and upgraded to the concierge floor for cash when we got there. I have absolutely no regrets about using the points to stay there. We were supposed to be on the cancelled 11/30 Magic cruise and had to book on only a couple of days notice. We booked Sun - Thurs. for points and got a code-rate for the first Saturday and paid cash. Then on Friday we moved to the All-Star Movies for cash and spent 4 nights there. We had to move around a bit but I can honestly say that this was our best-ever trip to WDW.

Sure, we used 56 points per night for 2 rooms instead of 20-something per night for 1 2BR unit at OKW, but we had a magical, memorable, terrific vacation. We won't make a habit of using points outside of the DVC resorts but in this unusual circumstance it was worth every point we "spent".

 

[Bexx]

I've just used a fair amount of points to take some family to Disneyland Paris for three nights. When I first saw how many points it cost to stay at anywhere other than a DVC resort I was a little upset. But to be honest, looking forward to this holiday gave me several months of great pleasure and we had a wonderful time. So yes, sometimes it is worth it.

I also look forward to using some points to stay concierge at a WDW hotel, just so I can say I've done it!

 

[MEGADAN]

We used our BCV points to stay at AKL for Halloween and it was terrific. It was also my daughter's bday on the 28th and she really wanted to stay at AKL.
You have to do what makes you happy. We try not to dwell over the points used. I wouldn't think twice about using the points on the Disney Collection in the future.

 

[jcodespoti]

I would't fret to much over the point cost at the various non-dvc resorts. It sounds like you all had a lot of fun and enjoyed yourselves. Thats what matters the most.

Joe in CT

 

[Lynn K]

Michellemouse,
I did not know you could upgrade to concierge with cash. Can you tell us some more about that?

 

[Desperado]

Are the moderate resorts better than the All Stars or off-site resorts? What did you like about them that made them better?

We tried the Marriott Courtyard in downtown disney and were shocked by the condition of the hotel and rooms, it is the worst Marriott Courtyard we have ever encountered, and we stay in them regularly.

 

[Debs Hill]

We are considering using some points to stay a few nights at Poly Conceirge in the future. I know it's a lot of points.......but it would also be a lot of cash and I'd rather use the points and feel like it's for free!!!!! I think if you have a great time, and stay somewhere that you love, then it doesn't matter how you use your points!

 

[Michelemouse]

Lynn K -

Before we left home I called the AKL and asked how much it would be to upgrade to the Concierge floor. They told me it would be $185 per night...to which I said "No thanks!". When we checked in I asked again. This time the answer was $100 per night. We had stayed at the AKL Concierge for 2 nights on a previous trip and I knew we would take full advantage of the food offerings (breakfast every morning, dinner & snacks every night, bottles of water to take into the parks, etc.) so I went for it. I have to say that it was worth every penny. I don't know if that would have been so if we had spent more time in the parks and not taken advantage of the food, but for us it was a good deal.

Hope this helps.

 

[colleen costello]

Desperado, I haven't stayed offsite (except while traveling TO WDW) but I have stayed at all the moderates over the years. Before DVC that was always where my family stayed. We love the mods. The prices of the Deluxe resorts always scared us off as we need two rooms. The AllStars all seemed a bit too big and loud while the rooms are definitely smaller. If it's just you and one other traveler, the room size might not matter. I honestly thought that after a week in an AllStars room I might kill a kid!

The Moderates have slightly larger rooms plus themed swimming pools with slides. They have nice food courts but also sit-down restaurants. You can order room service and they offer activities like boat rental or fishing. The "theming" is nifty and at all 3 moderates the lanscaping is lush and beautiful. While I love all 3, I guess Riverside is my favorite. It just feels very "Deluxe."

You can see great photos, maps, and reader comments over at Deb Wills' WDWIG site in the "resorts" section. With current codes, a night at one of the mods can be had for $119 -- a prety good deal, IMHO.

Also, I think that trading points for a magical night or two at a Deluxe resort sounds like a good way to splurge once in a while. One of these days I am heading for Polynesian Concierge!

See you at WDW!

 

[Lynn K]

Michelemouse, Thanks, that does help! I agree with you $185 would be too much, but $100 could be worth it!

 

[Lyndarella]

When we stay at our other timeshare in Orlando for a week, we book a room at a WDW resort for one night mid-week. Yes, it's more points than we like to use, but it's given us a chance to sample the variety of resorts that WDW has to offer. We have loved them all!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Yes, I think it's well worth it. We are using points for 3 nights Poly concierge this month. When I figured the 'cost' of the number of points, it came out cheaper than a cash price. Even if it was more expensive I would do it anyway. Having fun with DVC is why we bought it.

Have fun!

 

[cgcw]

We just used points to stay at AKL and loved it. We will probably do it again. My only regret is not staying there the entire trip. We moved to BCV after 3 nights. While we enjoyed BCV, I don't think changing resorts mid-trip is for us. Next time, we'll be staying one place - just haven't decide which place that will be. So many choices out there!