What do you do about weekends

[HayGan]

Our plans are to spend at least 10-12 days in Orlando for the next few years since we plan on driving each year. We will split that time between a Universal hotel the first Sat/Sun and then use DVC points for the rest of the stay. That way we only have to pay for 2 expensive DVC weekend point nights. With our recent add-on we have enough points to stay at our desired times for at least 8 nights and have some left over to bank ( or take a second trip)

 

[TMB1203]

We stay the weekend. We have enough points that we can "afford" to use them for the weekend days. We normally only go a couple times a year, but next year we most likely going 3x. We may have to do something different to maximize our trips...especially around Christmas.

 

[DisneyTarheel]

When we do HHI, we just stay Sun-Fri, since that is plenty of time for us there. When we do WDW, we stay on points Sun-Fri, and then move to one of the other on-site hotels for Sat-Sun. We've done WL, All Start Music, and this year are trying the Poly.

 

[GANUT4WDW]

Since we live within 6 hours of WDW, we like to take a couple of trips down each year. My children and I travel with my parents who are also DVC members. We like to be pretty conservative with our points too and use our points Sun-Fri and like to stay Friday and Saturday nights at Port Orleans Riverside. We can all fit (snugly) into one of the Bayou rooms that sleep 5. We will do the weekend first and THEN move into DVC. We split the cost of the room and use our annual passholder discount as well. We love the theming of POR! It's ok for a day or two, but we've gotten spoiled with the room of the 2 bdroom units of DVC!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We typically do 5 nites. We like to tag other wildlife related stays onto the beginning or end. So it works out well for us.

 

[kdepot]

We bought expecting to go twice a year and use all our points andf if needed borrow or buy 1 or 2 days cash. We go mid week to mid week to save on airfare so weekend points are not an issue.

 

[janni518]

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.

Now that I might do!

 

[Nikisha421]

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.

this is exactly what i do...not that i am stingy with points...but i get to go three times a year this way...

 

[brianm27]

If we are staying for a week we don't think twice about the weekend points, but we usually travel Tuesday - Tuesday.

If we go for a long weekend, I usually take advantage of an AP discount (At a DVC or non DVC resort).

 

[edk35]

I wanted to purchase DVC + I want to visit WDW on weekends = I purchased enough points to make this possible

CUTE!!!

 

[edk35]

Well when we bought in we thought 300 points was enough for a 2br and it depends on when we go...........and of course IT WASNT' ENOUGH...so we added on another 100 now and that is good for a week even at BCV in July. The problem lies in that A WEEK IS NOT ENOUGH.............SO WE did 4 cash night this past summer to be able to stay 14. Now I have 400 points and I will still want to borrow/use cash to s t r e t c h my points. It just depends on how you look at it. I saw it as being able to stay longer this summer and the cash nights were discounted and the weekend points were HIGH.

 

[photobob]

We have 180 points. I have a hard time using so many points for one night just because it is a weekend night especially if staying in a 1 or 2 bdr villa. I have used points for 2 weekend nights an OVIR at Vero. I had rather be able to take say 2 trips of five night stays in a year than 1-7 night trip.

Our vacation patterns really could change in the next few years though. When we become empty nesters we may stay longer in studios and include more weekend nights. I still think that I'd only stay in a studio for weekend nights.

 

[dgaston]

I am frugal with my points. I have stayed at Pop on weekends, or visited Universal. I have Pricelined hotels at the airport when we arrive late in the pm from New England. I have paid Member discounted cash for a Saturday night. But for our Food and Wine Weekend, I use the points -- Boardwalk studio

 

[Fellowship9798]

We recently complete a small add-on just so we can avoid some of the moving around we did on our last trip in December and stick to one place.

It is no fun packing up and moving everything you need for a 1 and 3 year old multiple times in a single trip!

 

[MJ6987]

Can you make cash bookings for DVC resorts at 11 (or 7) months out, the same time as you book with points, and get them linked?

Also, how much is the DVC discount for booking cash, and is this only for DVC resorts or all Disney resorts?

Thanks

 

[edk35]

Can you make cash bookings for DVC resorts at 11 (or 7) months out, the same time as you book with points, and get them linked?

Also, how much is the DVC discount for booking cash, and is this only for DVC resorts or all Disney resorts?

Thanks

Yes you can make cash a year in advance is what MS told me last week. You can link ressies too. Here is a link with the rates. The discount is 25% off the rack rate.

I think this is only for DVC.

http://www.mousesavers.com/dvcresorts2009.html

 

[MJ6987]

Yes you can make cash a year in advance is what MS told me last week. You can link ressies too. Here is a link with the rates. The discount is 25% off the rack rate.

I think this is only for DVC.

http://www.mousesavers.com/dvcresorts2009.html

Thanks. That's a good option to consider then.

 

[Tikihula]

The best option for us is to book a Disney cruise that leaves Thursday afternoon and arrives back on Sunday, then we drive to WDW and stay 5 more nights!