Weekend nights on points or cash

[BrianD]

For DVC members, for weekend nights, do you prefer cash reservations for the weekend nights, or do you just use points for the weekends too to avoid any uncertainty of availability? Thanks for the opinions!

 

[JimC]

When we lived in PA we would come for a week or longer and always used our points. For the longer trips we would switch resorts mid-stay.

Now that we live in Orlando we stay Sun to Fri and avoid weekends if it is a DVC visit.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I chose "don't stay" because we typically don't, but once in a while we will pay cash for a weekend night or two. Maybe once we paid points.

 

[Starr W.]

Stay on points. I like to unpack and relax.

 

[lisah0711]

Since we have to travel so far just to be at WDW we don't mind using our points and staying DVC even on a week-end night -- although we stay at the Hyatt our last night so we can catch an early flight home. The way airfare is going up we will have lots of points to use!

 

[AKV707]

WE live in PA and just use our points.

 

[DVC Mike]

Initially, we stayed at a Moderate resort on Fri/Sat nights (using cash). Then, we decided to downsize from our regular 1-BR to a DVC Studio on a Fri/Sat night (using points).

Then, we decided the best thing is to just buy more points. Now, we typically stay in a 1-BR the entire trip. It's much more relaxing not to have to waste a day packing up, waiting for the room, and then unpacking again.

 

[alldiz]

Depends...I voted cash ressie....but let me clarify.

I have used points on weekends....but in the future....unless I'm short of cash...I will move on the weekend to save points.

If I don't get the DVC cash discount resort I want....I will look for an AP rate to stay at another deluxe.
Haven't stayed at all the resorts yet....which is my goal The weekends give me an opportunity to try them on a short term basis to see if I like it there.
I usually do the cash(studio) 1st...Thurs, Fri, Sat and then to my "luxury" 1 BR unit Sun-Fri.

For instance I have a cash ressie for Thurs, Fri and Sat in BWV. I am on the waitlist for Thurs night. First time doing a waitlist....since it is only 1 night, I'm not holding much hope. Then I move to WLV on Sun.

Of course things are always subject to change
Kerri

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We try for cash discount reservations when ever possible. It maximizes our points. One day we'll be able to buy more points so we dont' have to worry about it.

 

[DisneyBill]

Voted "use points", but it has nothing to do with any concern over cash reservation availability.

 

[BrianD]

Voted "use points", but it has nothing to do with any concern over cash reservation availability.

Would you say it's just because it makes things simpler?

Thanks everyone for their input so far!

We are considering buying in and figuring out how many point we would try to purchase. There is at least one weekend during the year when we know we would want to stay over the weekend, so this is why I'm asking for the opinions. I've been leaning towards just using points, because doing the math I don't think I'd save anything in the long run by trying to do cash reservations for the weekend nights. But I wanted to get everyone's take on it in case there is something I am not considering.

 

[GGOOFY1]

I voted for go to non DVC for cash, but we do both. We usually stay for 2 or 3 nights at a WDW resort (this year AKL) and then transfer to DVC for 1 week. We have a GV booked this year for a week and those weekend points eat up our points like popcorn!!
We have also stayed off site at US and gone to US and IOA for the weekend and then transfered to DVC. Get the best of both worlds!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I voted "use points", but it has nothing to do with being concerned about cash availability. I didn't buy DVC to continue to pay OOP too. Instead, we maximize our point usage by only staying 1 weekend per trip. Usually we stay 10-12 days with the weekend in the middle. It is more economical all the way around. Airfares are cheaper midweek, and since we only have one weekend, It works out great. Occationally we will stay an additional weekend night, but then we just move to a studio for one night.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Voted "use points", but it has nothing to do with any concern over cash reservation availability.

Me too! We are limited in how much vacation time we have. I book when we want to go.

Bobbi

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Voted "use points", but it has nothing to do with any concern over cash reservation availability.

Me too...
While it's a better use of points during a weekday, I don't think it's a bad use of points on a weekend.

MG

 

[disfanforlife]

We are going for our first trip in November for 6 nights - using all of our developer points. In the future it will probably depend on when we go and for how long we want to stay. If we know we are only going once in a year I would probably use the points, if I knew we were planning to go back another time during the year I might pay cash and save points for the next trip.

 

[bzzelady]

We always manage our vacations so that we can stay the entire trip on points. This summer is the first time that I will ever pay cash on the weekend for our OKW stay...but that's because my mom wanted to stay longer and she is footing the bill for that.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I voted to use points. However, BIL/SIL ALWAYS pay cash for their weekend nights (usually with the DVC discount). It's just hard for me to pay out $300 - $600 for a 1 or 2-BR + 12% tax! If we really needed to save points for another vacation, I might consider it, but haven't as of yet.

 

[dgaston]

I wish multiple responses were an option. I am using weekend points at BWV for F & W, paying cash for a Saturday at VWL in July, and most often have stayed at Pop Century on Friday and Saturday nights. We have also used Priceline at the resort level and won Gaylord Palms and the Omni at Championsgate for weekend nights. We may do a Feb birthday weekend for me (luckily have a SW award ticket to use up) and will probably stay at Universal, do US and IOA and see Blueman Group rather than eat up DVC points.

I feel like being a points miser is in our best interests.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We typically just use the points for the weekend. We used to stay at the resorts Thur-Sun then at DVC Sun-Fri. But, combining the fact that the resorts are getting so expensive, and we'd have to "waste" a day to move, we just use the points and stay the weekend. It's so nice to settle in as soon as we arrive!