What do you do about weekends

[bobbiwoz]

Now that DH has fewer vacation days and airfare is more expensive, we are more likely to spend the weekends at WDW and enjoy the trips. I don't see us going for both weekends, but this trip coming up in just 2 days will have me staying with DH this weekend and then staying with a DGF until next Saturday. So, 3 weekend nights, not the best, but it's Septembers point costs and they are not THAT bad.

Bobbi

 

[nickspace]

We went to HH this summer and spend the weekend in a hotel to save on points and it was a big mistake. Next time we will either use the points or leave,

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

We just bite the bullet and use the high points!!!

 

[DiznyDi]

We use points on the weekends as necessary.

Us, too!

We typically arrive Thursday or Friday and stay in a studio to conserve points then move into a 1 bedroom on Sunday for the balance of the week.

 

[newholidayx2]

stay elsewhere (Pop, Swan, etc) on wknds

 

[Disney Doc]

We start our stays on the weekend - getting the good rooms that the point-thrifty members vacated for us Friday morning.

 

[mgilmer]

stay elsewhere (Pop, Swan, etc) on wknds

Us 2

 

[Magicdad]

Us 2

Me three.

 

[sam_001]

this depends on how many times of year that you could go to wdw. i could only go once a year because of work and i live out in California which gives me a serous case of jet lag if you live close to fl or make multiple trips in one year i would pay cash on the weekends.

 

[Action]

We have done it both ways, I like to conserve my points to make use of as many vactions as possble. We don't mind staying at one of the value resorts just for a Saturday night and then move starting Sunday till Thursday. We usually drive down from NC and visit other tourist areas on the drive down and back up. The more trips to WDW, the better,(for me)!

 

[load1up]

I too am interested in dvc. Sounds pretty stupid to pay all that money only to leave in the middle and go somewhere else and then come back to it. I would never do that . Just buy enough points to cover you for your typical vacation. We would like 2 weeks in march so i would look at buying 2 weeks worth of points . You pay one way or another . Why make it complicated ?

 

[dianeschlicht]

I too am interested in dvc. Sounds pretty stupid to pay all that money only to leave in the middle and go somewhere else and then come back to it. I would never do that . Just buy enough points to cover you for your typical vacation. We would like 2 weeks in march so i would look at buying 2 weeks worth of points . You pay one way or another . Why make it complicated ?

BINGO! That is exactly how we have always felt, and why I sometimes wonder why folks buy into DVC only to continue to pay more for rooms on the wekkends. If you look at it as a prepaid vacation at today's prices that will still be good 35-50 years from now, why pay current or future prices yet instead of taking full advantage of the original savings?

 

[jpolak]

When we were trying to decide how many points we needed we made sure we had enough points to stay an entire week in a 1bdrm. The thought of paying cash for the room, or moving just doesn't sit well with me.

 

[keishashadow]

Hi,
As you all know, the DVC points are structured to make weekend night stays an uneconomical use of points, so what do people do to deal with this? E.g.

- Nothing, i.e. just take the hit on points

- Pay cash for the same DVC resort that you have booked with points for the week days?

- Check out of DVC and stay off site (e.g. Universal to get a couple of days with Front of Line access at their parks, or a cheap motel?)

although i say i won't pay the pricey weekend rates, looking @ our rental history have realized we usually tend to arrive on a Saturday to get a jump on the trip

that said, while we luv WDW, you cannot underestimate the FOTL perc @ Universal . LoewsFirst program rewards loyal guests too...look @ the suite we're getting in Oct (900 sq foot) as a complimentary upgrade paying AAA rate for a standard room...goes for between $700-800 a night is great, mummy dust has something going for it too!

Each suite consists of a parlor connected to a standard bedroom, with either 2 queen beds or a king bed. All suites have 2 full bathrooms, 2 two televisions and pullout double sofa. Cozy and comfortable with plenty of space to relax after a day at the parks. A one-bedroom Portofino Suite is approximately 900 sq. ft and connects to a garden or bay view room.

BTW, another option u don't mention is a short, 3 day DCL cruise (cash or points), good deal...we were able to book a GTY cabin on cash via group cruise for end of Oct trip. We'll be hopping around, yet not an issue for us...guess it all depends on what type of traveler u r

good luck

 

[5forDiz]

Member Services can link cash reservation to your points reservation so you may remain in the same room.

If you are unsure about committing to purchase of extra points needed to cover weekend nights during your stay buy what will cover you for the week days only nights now. Then try out on upcoming trip(s) your various weekend alternatives and determine how you feel about things:

~ book cash reservation through MS & remain in same room

~ book cash reservation at dvc or non-dvc resort or offsite and see how
moving during your stay works or doesn't work

~ get a points transfer from another member to cover your weekend nights
and see how it feels to "pay" the extra points for Friday & Saturday

THEN decide if you should purchase an add-on to cover points for a weekend.

An add-on also gives you the option of selling it off at a later date if you decide you do not need those extra points.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

this depends on how many times of year that you could go to wdw. i could only go once a year because of work and i live out in California which gives me a serous case of jet lag if you live close to fl or make multiple trips in one year i would pay cash on the weekends.

Probably the best example of what to do I've seen. For many the extra two weekend days can equate to another trip of five days, Sun - Thurs. But if you can only get there once a year, then it really doesn't matter. A ten hour drive isn't fun with a 4 and 10yr old, but I'd rather stay two days in a value, then return for another five day stay later in the year.

 

[CarolA]

I stay the weekend. As a matter of fact most of my stays are weekends.....

 

[missy2217]

we stay the weekend. With 4 kids there is no way I'm packing up to move elsewhere (no where else to go really for 6ppl). We bought our points for week long stays.

I am with you!

 

[HGD24]

We stay Sun night - Fri morning. It's actually nice since we get Saturday to pack and get ready and the following weekend to unwind.

 

[xipetotec]

We tend to go for *at least* 8 days. Which means we invariably hit a weekend. Sometimes we've stayed for 10, which means we can overflow into the following weekend.

What we do is leave mid-week. That way, if we stay 8 days, we only hit one weekend. There was one time where our departure was a Saturday and we just didn't have the points to get that last Friday night. So we paid for that night in cash. But we kinda hate to do that as it feels like it's missing the point of HAVING DVC.