What’s my best option?

[Nursemanit]

One benifit of Swan is you can cancel 5 days prior as long as you don’t do the no cancel pre paid.

 

[disneylover81]

I know you said you had a slight concern they might cancel on you so I might give them that date to keep in mind!

I agree that’s what I’ll do.

They don’t spend money as freely as we do. So even though they aren’t paying for a room, when I told them it would be about $3,000 by the time they got plane tickets, park tickets, MNSSHP tickets and food, both their eyes got really big in shock…

 

[disneylover81]

One benifit of Swan is you can cancel 5 days prior as long as you don’t do the no cancel pre paid.

Good to know. Thanks. Y’all are right.. it’s only about $220 a night there. We may just do that. I did plan on going to Epcot that first park day and you can walk there from the Swan can’t you?

 

[RuntheMouse]

Good to know. Thanks. Y’all are right.. it’s only about $220 a night there. We may just do that. I did plan on going to Epcot that first park day and you can walk there from the Swan can’t you?

Yes to being able to walk.

 

[Nursemanit]

Good to know. Thanks. Y’all are right.. it’s only about $220 a night there. We may just do that. I did plan on going to Epcot that first park day and you can walk there from the Swan can’t you?

Or take the boat to Epcot or DS - and you get The same early / late hours as any DVC

I am going the same week and if my points weren’t expiring I would have canceled and banked them to do Swan cash as that is cheaper then my points cost.

 

[paults]

you say they wanted to go at the last minute and also they might cancel.
I would just get 2 studios and tell them it's all that's is available at this time.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

The price difference for points between a 1- and 2-bedroom is typically much smaller than the difference between a studio and a 1-bedroom. With two couples, I'd want to spring for the 2-bedroom for additional privacy.

What would they do for hotels if they weren't staying with you on points? Would they be willing to pay at least partially for the OTU points? They'd still be getting a great deal on lodging.

I would hesitate to do a split stay on such a short trip. If you do a different hotel the first night, I'd stay at the Hyatt MCO since you get in so late. Rope drop will be more challenging than if you were already settled into your hotel on-site, however, and time has a value of its own.

From your options, I would go with option 1, or possibly even borrowing the full allotment that you need from next use year, and just keep kicking that can down the road.

 

[LoveToDisney]

From your options, I would go with option 1, or possibly even borrowing the full allotment that you need from next use year, and just keep kicking that can down the road.

I agree. Borrow the full amount you need and worry about point allocation another year. Why spend dollars when you have the points (just my opinion).
Try to enjoy your guests and moving during a short trip will just stress people out.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

I've done it, but dislike changing resorts during our stays, so if it were me I'd pick the one bedroom at Saratoga for the entire trip. If they cancel, you and your husband will still have a nice place that's not unreasonable for two adults if you're unable to modify to something else.

It might not be a bad idea to consider renting a car if you stay at Saratoga either. Especially with 4 people. I love the villas but wasn't a fan of the bus system there.

 

[Sammie]

The elephant in the room to me is it sounds like you are not really into them coming and your husband is wanting to show off to his brother who has no concept of how expensive a trip to Disney World can be. I am sorry but this trip to me seems doomed to not work out. The other thing to consider is the weather this time of year is very prone to storms. I would want my own bathroom.
Therefore, do what you can cancel without penalty.

 

[disneylover81]

you say they wanted to go at the last minute and also they might cancel.
I would just get 2 studios and tell them it's all that's is available at this time.

There aren’t any studios available right now is my hold up. That’s exactly what I would do if I could.

 

[pixieprincess925]

OP, I wouldn't' give up the BWV DS if you're so excited about it - then again - if you're planning park open to close - what's the point of having the BWV? Part of being at WDW is also enjoying the ambiance. If you're both on the Boardwalk (I personally like the idea of your guests staying in the Swolfin), I would definitely build in some down time. It's perfectly doable to do rope drop - 2pm, pool time and then 5pm-park close. You'll be melting in the middle of the day anyway (which is when everyone will want their own bathroom to change/clean u in!).

Staying at BWV will easily allow a return to your hotels on Epcot and HS days - just make sure your guests understand that getting up for rope drop and adjusting meal times to make this work may be a priority. Most folks I know that are at Disney for the first time get overwhelmed by it all anyway. Just set your priorities and expectations up front.

The car rental suggestion is also a good one - but if you're staying at the Boardwalk area, not really needed. A rental car will not give you any advantages for MK day - so it'll only be useful for AK time and allowing you to hop into your car for the airport trip with the bags already packed in the trunk. You'll have to determine that based on pricing at the time.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[disneylover81]

The price difference for points between a 1- and 2-bedroom is typically much smaller than the difference between a studio and a 1-bedroom. With two couples, I'd want to spring for the 2-bedroom for additional privacy.

What would they do for hotels if they weren't staying with you on points? Would they be willing to pay at least partially for the OTU points? They'd still be getting a great deal on lodging.

I would hesitate to do a split stay on such a short trip. If you do a different hotel the first night, I'd stay at the Hyatt MCO since you get in so late. Rope drop will be more challenging than if you were already settled into your hotel on-site, however, and time has a value of its own.

From your options, I would go with option 1, or possibly even borrowing the full allotment that you need from next use year, and just keep kicking that can down the road.

We are definitely getting a 2 bedroom now. DH wants to be able to have space. This is the first vacation we’ve ever taken with his brother and we’ve been married for 21 years so I guess he wants to make sure it goes well and we don’t have too much togetherness.

They are only going because we offered the free room. They’ve always wanted to go, but they don’t typically spend money on vacations like we do. They may go on a carnival cruise or rent a condo in Destin, FL once a year, but that’s about it. They were in shock about the cost even with their free room.

We have decided to just borrow the points from next year and not buy OTU points to keep the money in our pocket. We just bought our second contract 2 weeks ago, so we can afford to spare a few points this trip.

 

[disneylover81]

I agree. Borrow the full amount you need and worry about point allocation another year. Why spend dollars when you have the points (just my opinion).
Try to enjoy your guests and moving during a short trip will just stress people out.

That’s what we just decided to do. As of now, we have a May trip planned next year and then plan to take a big family trip to Aulani in the fall. Will probably take another short weekend trip or throughout the year, so we can afford to borrow the points this time.

 

[disneylover81]

I've done it, but dislike changing resorts during our stays, so if it were me I'd pick the one bedroom at Saratoga for the entire trip. If they cancel, you and your husband will still have a nice place that's not unreasonable for two adults if you're unable to modify to something else.

It might not be a bad idea to consider renting a car if you stay at Saratoga either. Especially with 4 people. I love the villas but wasn't a fan of the bus system there

DH insists on 2 bedrooms so we’re just gonna go for it. I talked to them again last night and they are definitely going and bought their plane tickets already. I just gotta help them order their park tickets, etc. now. And I let them know they are non refundable.

I do like the Saratoga rooms, but it’s the location and bus system that I am not a fan of. We are used to MK area resorts and hardly ever stray from those so this will be a whole new experience for us.

 

[disneylover81]

The elephant in the room to me is it sounds like you are not really into them coming and your husband is wanting to show off to his brother who has no concept of how expensive a trip to Disney World can be. I am sorry but this trip to me seems doomed to not work out. The other thing to consider is the weather this time of year is very prone to storms. I would want my own bathroom.
Therefore, do what you can cancel without penalty.

You aren’t completely wrong. It’s just we’ve never vacationed with them, and he’s not my brother, so I’m anxious about how it will go. We are used to vacations with my sister because we have more similar travel styles, plus she’s my sister so we get along spending lots of time together. I’m sure this will trip work out in the end, and I told my husband if they don’t get out of bed when we are ready to go to the park, we are leaving them there and they can catch up with us later. I’m not sacrificing my precious time there waiting around on anyone. They don’t know anything about Disney tired !!

My husband just wants them to love Disney like we do so he wants to go all out to impress them with how great it is. But I know Disney is not for everyone. My parents went once in July 2019 with us and my dad said it was a one and done for him. Hurt my feelings that he won’t give it another chance because I think he’d love it if he went to Food & Wine. Maybe one day I’ll talk him into going back.

I am aware of the weather that time of the year. We went last Sept. and we did have some rain at MNSSHP, but we brought ponchos and shoe covers and stayed dry and had a great time.

 

[disneylover81]

OP, I wouldn't' give up the BWV DS if you're so excited about it - then again - if you're planning park open to close - what's the point of having the BWV? Part of being at WDW is also enjoying the ambiance. If you're both on the Boardwalk (I personally like the idea of your guests staying in the Swolfin), I would definitely build in some down time. It's perfectly doable to do rope drop - 2pm, pool time and then 5pm-park close. You'll be melting in the middle of the day anyway (which is when everyone will want their own bathroom to change/clean u in!).

Staying at BWV will easily allow a return to your hotels on Epcot and HS days - just make sure your guests understand that getting up for rope drop and adjusting meal times to make this work may be a priority. Most folks I know that are at Disney for the first time get overwhelmed by it all anyway. Just set your priorities and expectations up front.

The car rental suggestion is also a good one - but if you're staying at the Boardwalk area, not really needed. A rental car will not give you any advantages for MK day - so it'll only be useful for AK time and allowing you to hop into your car for the airport trip with the bags already packed in the trunk. You'll have to determine that based on pricing at the time.

Good luck and have fun!

You aren’t wrong about any of it. Our last few trips (since owning DVC), we have taken a mid-day swim break and really enjoy it. We’ve been more relaxed since we know we will be back several times a year so we don’t have to cram everything in every visit like we used to. And now that we have AP’s this is even more true for us. My ultimate goal is to go 4 times a year. One long trip and 3 shorter trips.

I am so excited about BWV and I just couldn’t believe my waitlist came through for labor day weekend especially when I just booked it a little over two months out to start with. I’m sad to give it up, but I’m sure I’ll be able to snag it again on another trip, if I plan ahead. We did buy DVC so we could invite friends and family to come with us every now and then.

I know our first trip to WDW was overwhelming and we didn’t know anything. I mean we didn’t even stay in a WDW resort, which was our first mistake. We learned really quick! I did tell them we get up early and stay up late every day. And if they don’t want to get up, I have no issue leaving them behind. I won’t lose my park time for anyone!

I am going to look into a car rental option and see the cost and if DH wants to be driving any. All the final decisions fall on me so I will get it all figured out and everyone else will just have to go with it and be happy.

 

[Sammie]

You aren’t completely wrong. It’s just we’ve never vacationed with them, and he’s not my brother, so I’m anxious about how it will go. We are used to vacations with my sister because we have more similar travel styles, plus she’s my sister so we get along spending lots of time together. I’m sure this will trip work out in the end, and I told my husband if they don’t get out of bed when we are ready to go to the park, we are leaving them there and they can catch up with us later. I’m not sacrificing my precious time there waiting around on anyone. They don’t know anything about Disney tired !!

My husband just wants them to love Disney like we do so he wants to go all out to impress them with how great it is. But I know Disney is not for everyone. My parents went once in July 2019 with us and my dad said it was a one and done for him. Hurt my feelings that he won’t give it another chance because I think he’d love it if he went to Food & Wine. Maybe one day I’ll talk him into going back.

I am aware of the weather that time of the year. We went last Sept. and we did have some rain at MNSSHP, but we brought ponchos and shoe covers and stayed dry and had a great time.

My brother was the same way, one and done, so I speak with some experience. They just did not like it. As to the weather I was referencing the possibility of a hurricane. The thing is I don't think anyone that has not gone by now, is not going to love it the way you and your husband do. Also people that haven't are more prone to think it is all too expensive. Good luck.

 

[Shellyred8]

Just a couple of thoughts to throw out there for consideration, in case they didn't cross your mind. You have lots that you are thinking about with this trip!
1. Don't forget to factor in tolls to the cost of the rental car. It's not a huge cost, but just something to factor in.
2. The buses from SSR aren't any worse than any place else. Sometimes they are great, sometimes they are not. I've had this same experience at every WDW DVC I've stayed at where I had to take a bus.
3. Being at SSR will put you close to DS, so if your BIL and his wife end up not liking the parks, they can always walk over there and walk around and grab a bite to eat over there.
4. I would be bummed about giving up my BWV location too, but the renovated SSR rooms are quite nice. With a 2br, you will feel like you are in a mansion compared to the BWV studio. LOL!!!

I hope y'all have a great trip!

 

[disney-inspired]

You aren’t completely wrong. It’s just we’ve never vacationed with them, and he’s not my brother, so I’m anxious about how it will go. We are used to vacations with my sister because we have more similar travel styles, plus she’s my sister so we get along spending lots of time together. I’m sure this will trip work out in the end, and I told my husband if they don’t get out of bed when we are ready to go to the park, we are leaving them there and they can catch up with us later. I’m not sacrificing my precious time there waiting around on anyone. They don’t know anything about Disney tired !!

My husband just wants them to love Disney like we do so he wants to go all out to impress them with how great it is. But I know Disney is not for everyone. My parents went once in July 2019 with us and my dad said it was a one and done for him. Hurt my feelings that he won’t give it another chance because I think he’d love it if he went to Food & Wine. Maybe one day I’ll talk him into going back.

I am aware of the weather that time of the year. We went last Sept. and we did have some rain at MNSSHP, but we brought ponchos and shoe covers and stayed dry and had a great time.

I totally get you and your husbands perspectives.
When we planned our first trip with my BIL (I'm the single sister who travels with them a lot lol) I was really trying to pull all the stops (pre-DVC) and it worked b/c now he loves WDW.

We are planning a big trip in 2025 and he's inviting his parents and brothers and I'm def going to refer them to my travel agent friend b/c I've planned one huge trip before and it's exhausting!

I hope you all have a wonderful time and it opens the door to more fun family trips!