Weekend stays

[Muushka]

Nice shift of the argument, IMHO. There is a big difference between making a judgement regarding how people CHOOSE to use their points and a statement that implies that someone cannot AFFORD to use points on the weekend or doesn't have the points to BURN to do so. My point is simply that using points on the weekend is not the rip-off that some people make it out to be, and that, even with the cash discount, a member would generally be far better off RENTING POINTS than paying cash for a weekend night at a DVC resort. People can do with their points as they wish in terms of using them on weekdays or weekends. That is their prerogative and I have no problem with that. Furthermore, it is a better deal to use them during the week. No question about that. It's just not a BAD deal to use them on the weekend, nor is it irresponsible to do so. My math says that there are few situations in which one does better "financially" by paying cash rather than using points at a DVC resort. Apart from the hassle factor, I stand by my statement that someone who regularly chooses to pay cash on the weekends at a DVC resort (not a moderate or a value or, in some cases, a deluxe) because they don't have enough points or don't want to "waste" the points probably didn't buy enough points because the points stays even on the weekend will generally be as cheap and usually cheaper than a cash stay. If people choose to do that, fine. No judgement except that it might be penny wise and dollar foolish.

Doctor P, I do understand what you are saying. And I agree with you that using points in a studio on a weekend being a bargain. We just don't stay in studios very often so that is why we usually stay elsewhere for those first 2 or so nights.

The statement

One COULD argue that those people did not purchase enough points for their vacation habits then.”

sounded like everyone had a choice as to how many points they purchased. I am sorry that I misinterpreted it.

I think I may be a little overly sensitive to comments that some make about why anyone would want to not use points for a weekend stay.

I personally am comfortable with how we use our points. And I will, from now on, not try to protect other people’s feelings.

 

[Doctor P]

I would never question why people choose not to use their points for a weekend stay--the answer is pretty clear from the point charts. Doing five night stays, or combining five nights at a DVC resort with a cash reservation off-site or at a budget/moderate really can stretch one's points. The issue from my perspective is arguing that it's 1) a WASTE of points to use them on the weekend; 2) that staying in the same type of accomodation using a cash reservation rather than points somehow saves money. I don't think either of those is the case necessarily.

 

[BroganMc]

2) that staying in the same type of accomodation using a cash reservation rather than points somehow saves money. I don't think either of those is the case necessarily.

The problem is your math is off in that calculation. OKW and SSR have cheaper rental costs on weekends with member discount than if you used points (valued at $10 a point). It's only when you compare BWV, VWL and BCV rental rates that points become the most cost effective option.

May Rates
BWV Studio 302.91 or 13/29 pts (130/290)
BWV 1-bedroom 405.00 or 24/47 pts (240/470)
BWV 2-bedroom 649.69 or 34/72 pts (340/720)
vs.
SSR Studio 216.72 a night 12/26 pts (120/260)
SSR 1-bedroom 354.38 a night or 25/50 pts (250/500)
SSR 2-bedroom 514.69 or 31/65 (310/650)

Oct/Nov
BWV Studio 302.91 or 12/23 pts (120/230)
BWV 1-bedroom 405.00 or 13/29 pts (130/290)
BWV 2-bedroom 649.69 or 32/61 (320/610)
vs.
SSR Studio 216.72 a night 11/21 pts (110/210)
SSR 1-bedroom 354.38 a night or 22/42 pts (220/420)
SSR 2-bedroom 514.69 or 29/55 (290/550)

I've paid for weekend nights as a means of extending my stay without burning the points or switching to a smaller room. But then I'm always going for a one bedroom or better room. If I was staying in studios only it wouldn't be worth the hassle since I have more than enough points to do about 3 weeks in a studio a year.

 

[Doctor P]

The problem is your math is off in that calculation. OKW and SSR have cheaper rental costs on weekends with member discount than if you used points (valued at $10 a point). It's only when you compare BWV, VWL and BCV rental rates that points become the most cost effective option.

May Rates
BWV Studio 302.91 or 13/29 pts (130/290)
BWV 1-bedroom 405.00 or 24/47 pts (240/470)
BWV 2-bedroom 649.69 or 34/72 pts (340/720)
vs.
SSR Studio 216.72 a night 12/26 pts (120/260)
SSR 1-bedroom 354.38 a night or 25/50 pts (250/500)
SSR 2-bedroom 514.69 or 31/65 (310/650)

Oct/Nov
BWV Studio 302.91 or 12/23 pts (120/230)
BWV 1-bedroom 405.00 or 13/29 pts (130/290)
BWV 2-bedroom 649.69 or 32/61 (320/610)
vs.
SSR Studio 216.72 a night 11/21 pts (110/210)
SSR 1-bedroom 354.38 a night or 22/42 pts (220/420)
SSR 2-bedroom 514.69 or 29/55 (290/550)

I've paid for weekend nights as a means of extending my stay without burning the points or switching to a smaller room. But then I'm always going for a one bedroom or better room. If I was staying in studios only it wouldn't be worth the hassle since I have more than enough points to do about 3 weeks in a studio a year.

OK. I'll stand corrected and see that there are cases where renting points might not be cheaper than a room with the member discount. However, ownership costs are still cheaper than renting or getting a cash reservation for many members (though some may not have the money to make the UPFRONT purchase of the points). Just another example of why one size doesn't fit all and why DVC is nice in terms of the options it offers people. BTW, the numbers in your example are off also (points are off in a few cases, room rates with the discount are way off in at least a few other cases). But point taken.

 

[newholidayx2]

In 2001 when we bought into DVC we only vacationed in FL that one week. In 2002 & 2004 again one week.
In 2005 we went for 2wks using mbr cash disc for the wknds
in 2006 I vacationed for 1 wk in Mar, staying beginning wknd at Pop. Also 2wks in Aug staying at AKL on the middle wknd
In 2007 I have a wk in Apr w/Pop beginning wknd, wk in Aug w/Pop beginning wknd and wk in Nov w/BCV mbr cash disc 1st wknd.

so yes the way we/I vacation has definately changed!

 

[LilGMom]

Is there enough locals or others stopping on a weekend to balance this demand...

We are Floridians and we used to vacation starting on Saturday and going through the following Saturday, but that was Pre-DVC. Now we will try to limits our trips so that we go Sunday through Friday or Saturday through Friday so that we aren't paying higher points for Friday & Saturday nights. I think they count on people that live close enough to drive on going for long weekend trips. I know that we are going for Memorial Day weekend (probably our last long weekend trip for awhile!) just because we just recently became DVCers and are dieing to go and stay at a DVC.

 

[Starr W.]

There is a massive difference between the number of points needed to stay at any of the DVCs on a weekend compared to during the week. A large number of people on here say that they stay only during the week because of this and the fact that they can rent their points out for more money than the weekend cash price. Is there enough locals or others stopping on a weekend to balance this demand or is there likely to be a "rejig" of the number of points requred for each of the days i.e taking either 5 or 10 points off weekend stays and balancing this with either 1 or 2 points increase on weekday stays. Just a thought.

I will take up that slack, or part of it, Next 2 trips start on Saturday nights.

 

[crisi]

I will take up that slack, or part of it, Next 2 trips start on Saturday nights.

Hey, our next trip is Wednesday night, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night - fly home Sunday - that was the way the kids school vacation worked. And this turned out to be a strange trip anyway - we thought we'd be going with my family, but both my sisters have had a string of health issues that have postponed it. So instead of using three years of points to go this year, we are trying to use up the points in this use year so they aren't wasted -without dipping into next year in case everyone's health picks up.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd rather use points than put out any more cash to Disney for my weekend stays. And I'm not about to drive 900 miles for a five night trip. I've paid for the points, so I use them. Works for us.

The issue from my perspective is arguing that it's 1) a WASTE of points to use them on the weekend; 2) that staying in the same type of accomodation using a cash reservation rather than points somehow saves money. I don't think either of those is the case necessarily.

I agree with you on that one, Doc.

 

[kdzgon]

As we live in NJ and usually fly when traveling to WDW, any savings by staying for more frequent but shorter visits of Sun - Fri only would be eaten up by additional airfares. So, until we move to Fl permanently, we'll be staying weekends as often as not. I will continue to check the cash price though, as the diff for a 2 BR unit can be significant enough to cause me to pay cash and bank the extra points for future use.

 

[Starr W.]

I'd rather use points than put out any more cash to Disney for my weekend stays. And I'm not about to drive 900 miles for a five night trip. I've paid for the points, so I use them. Works for us.

That's my thinking too.

 

[Disneyhappy]

I have to say that I try to get as many trips out of our points as possible and weekends eat up a lot of points. I have used our points on long weekend trips but on our yearly week long trip we either switch to another on-site resort (Poly Concierge) for cash, stay int he DVC resort but pay cash with DVC discount, or this August we will be spending Friday and Saturday night on-site at that "other park" in central Florida ( we do enjoy their resorts also). The flexibility of DVC is one of the things I enjoy the most as I don't believe other timeshares have this type of flexibility.
Just returned from three glorious nights at SSR with a great view of DTD. In 3 1/2 weeks we will be spending 3 glorious nights at BWV with a boardwalk view. So many choices with so little time and points!!! Gosh I love DVC!!!

 

[MermaidJan]

My family never stays for both weekend days. By checking in Sunday and check out Satuday, we save enough point to make 3 trips a year on points. Now that I brought another 50 pts at AKV, we should get 4 trips.

We usually can fit in two 6 night trips and at least one 4 night trip in a studio. DVC has totally changed the way we vacation. We use to only be able to afford one 7 night trip a year. We stayed at the BW, BC or WL. It cost between $250 and $300 at night. Now for about the same money I get 3 trips a year. The discount on the AP is great too.

Me (38) DH (39) DS (4)

 

[jade1]

We factor in weekend pont values, but have been staying on weekends more on points. However we have been "treating" a lot of friends/kids/relatives to first time WDW trips (leaving this Sunday for BW View is DW, DD and 2 college roommates that have never been to WDW for 5 nights) and really have only been able to do this by taking them on 5 night week day stays. If these all had included the weekends-a few trips would have never happened and that is not nearly as rewarding as treating others.

 

[cobbler]

I don't look at weekend points either. We bought enough to stay 7 full nights at any resort during choice and adventure season with a few to spare. I don't like to move.

 

[larrytau]

I don't look at weekend points either. We bought enough to stay 7 full nights at any resort during choice and adventure season with a few to spare. I don't like to move.

I fully agree with Cobbler: we hate to move in the middle of a stay! My DW (who would be in charge of the extra packing) would give me the "you are crazy" look and that would be the end of the discussion!

Sounds too much like work to us!

 

[WDWDad]

We have enough points, but not an oversupply. I would never think about moving out of my room on a weekend. moving out and waiting to get back into a room would consume a whole day. My time on vacation with my family is the most important thing I won't waste.

By buying into DVC I wanted to eliminate the hotel bill at the end of the stay. leaving on the weekends defeats two goals for my vacations. Like Doc we just look at the overall experience and have always said it's worth it.

I will try to maximize my points by showing up on Wednesday and staying 10, or 11 days so as to only book two weekend nights out of 10.

 

[dcfromva]

I used to be more sensitive about staying on the weekends. But, DH started a new job (with only 2 weeks leave to start off with) and we had to fit visits around DS's school holidays. It was the reason we did a BWV add on--so that we could get a std view on weekends (during the F & W festival).
Most of our visits have included a weekend night due to schedules. Even so, I have not found reservations wide open on the weekends. But, I think maybe the chances on the waitlist are better for a Fri/Sat night stay.

We actually stayed for 7 whole nights in a row (sun-sun) at BCV this past January and I didn't break out in hives! I thought about checking out on the Friday, but I'm glad we didn't.

I think I am a lot more relaxed when it comes to points usage now than when we first joined. I used to have our trips planned several years in advance (for banking/borrowing purposes) and be ready to act at the 11month booking window. In contrast, I just called yesterday to book a room for a visit 1.5 months from now (with banked/borrowed points that would expire Nov 30th if not used! ).


-DC

 

[Lesia]

We bought enough for a 1 bedroom in the next to busiest season for a whole week. I hate to move midstay, cause I am an unpacker. However, on our next 2 trips, we are arriving on Saturdays but not checking in DVC until Sunday. This Sat we are staying at SOG then moving to SSR. June we are staying at AS Sports then moving to OKW.

We may repeat again in Oct, but check in to SSR on Sat but leave Fri (Fall time is football time, so my 2 band geeks have to be back for the game Friday night)

 

[byoung]

We don't mind moving on the week ends, use our AP discounts a lot. We enjoy staying at the other resorts.