When life hands you lemons, stay Value???

[LynnTH]

Have you thought of renting DVC Points for AKV. If they have availability for your dates I would really look into this. We have done this 3 times and the cost could end up being about the same as the Value Resort.

 

[Rychelle924]

Have you thought of renting DVC Points for AKV. If they have availability for your dates I would really look into this. We have done this 3 times and the cost could end up being about the same as the Value Resort.

How do you do that? I don't k is anything about renting points

 

[ilovezach33]

We originally had planned on AKL for our Dec 2013 trip. Well, next week our 8 yr old son is getting the first of his almost $9,000 with of orthodontic work done. So with that expense it's putting a damper on our big vacation fund. We are definitely still going but will be best to downgrade at this point. I really didn't want to stay value. will it save us a lot more doing value than downgrading to a moderate? Is it worth it really? Especially IF we get a free dining promo and need to pay the upgrade to the regular plan. What value would be best if this is in fact our best option at this point. Thanks

Have you considered renting DVC points? AKV is 88 points for a standard view for a week (if you're staying Dec 15-23) and there are sites that rent points for $13 a point. (If you go through a person, you can get points for $10-$12 pp.)

88 x 13 = $1144.

This has all the points for different dates, etc. http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/AK-Points.htm#aklvillas2013

 

[Rychelle924]

Have you considered renting DVC points? AKV is 88 points for a standard view for a week (if you're staying Dec 15-23) and there are sites that rent points for $13 a point. (If you go through a person, you can get points for $10-$12 pp.)

88 x 13 = $1144.

This has all the points for different dates, etc. http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/AK-Points.htm#aklvillas2013

We would be going dec 4-10. I'll check out that link thank you!! Is doing this safe? I assume it's legal too hahaha

 

[LynnTH]

You can go through Davids Rental for $13 per point. Or look at the Rent/Trade board under DVC in the forums. All the owners that have points to rent post what they have there and how much they want. You do have to trust the renter as they have control over the reservation. I have done this 3 times and it has been great. Look for someone with lots of posts and you from someone who rents regularly and you can get references from them. It really is a great way to go and the prices can't be beat for staying at a Deluxe resort. Plus the studio will also have a kitchenette in them.

 

[ilovezach33]

We would be going dec 4-10. I'll check out that link thank you!! Is doing this safe? I assume it's legal too hahaha

http://www.dvcrequest.com/ is accredited by the BBB. It is a bit more expensive, but completely safe.
Going through an individual is at your own risk, but if you choose to do that just make sure you can see the signs of scamming and maybe even make up a contract.

Yes, it is legal! Haha, sometimes DVC members can't use their points, so they rent them out. The only thing is that THEY have to make the reservation for you. Since you are not a DVC member, you can't make a reservation using points. You also won't have daily mouskeeping, but you can pay for it I think. If you get a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom then you will have a washer and dryer.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Look at the bright side.... You are going to DISNEY!!!

I have also rented from Timshare Store points and they are $12 per point, only problem with renting points is resorts fill up fast and usually only two options left are OKW and Saratoga.

I would shop around and try Magical Vacations for an agency exclusive... You never know... (I got $159 for Grand Floridian)...

Book what you can afford but SHOP AROUND!!! Good luck!

 

[jimjenkids]

totally understand-we just got 2 out of orthodontics and now have our 3rd going into it and at the last retainer checkup we were hit with the "wisdom teeth need to be removed"....we have our trip set and paid, but have down graded to value(our kids wanted it) POP.....If i could get them to agree and we were to do a moderate, i would do POFQ....love the boat to DTD and the smaller size.....I think if you were to get the kids involved and show the difference in price you may gget some good input from them....good luck

 

[Rychelle924]

Thank you all for all the info on the points! I will research that and talk to my husband about it!

 

[asmit4]

I know many will disagree with me but after having stayed at AKL and the All Stars- I liked the All stars more and felt the bus service was leaps and bounds better. I KNOW you are paying a premium for staying at a Disney property but I cannot stomach staying at a 'deluxe' and paying 'deluxe' pricing and not getting 'deluxe' accommodations. AKL to me didn't feel deluxe at all but that's just me. Maybe other deluxes like GF and Poly are nicer. I also felt the pools at the All Stars were much less cramped. Seemed the pools at AKL were packed when we were there.

 

[Rychelle924]

I know many will disagree with me but after having stayed at AKL and the All Stars- I liked the All stars more and felt the bus service was leaps and bounds better. I KNOW you are paying a premium for staying at a Disney property but I cannot stomach staying at a 'deluxe' and paying 'deluxe' pricing and not getting 'deluxe' accommodations. AKL to me didn't feel deluxe at all but that's just me. Maybe other deluxes like GF and Poly are nicer. I also felt the pools at the All Stars were much less cramped. Seemed the pools at AKL were packed when we were there.

Thank you for your insight!!!

 

[Singinglizzie]

You have gotten lots of good advice already, but wanted to point out that if you do decide to "rent" DVC points, you will not be eligible to get free dinning, you can get the DDP but you will have to pay extra for it. Best to price out the week you are considering with the dinning options to see which one works best for your wallet. If you stay at a Value, you will get the Quick service Plan included, while if you stay Moderate, you will get the DDp that includes 1 table service + 1 quick service, meal. Of course you can always pay the difference to upgrade. If free dining isn't offered during your week you might look at switching dates, since free dining can be a significant cost savings. Have fun planning.

 

[MystikaFaith]

We went the first two weeks in December a few years back and stayed at the All Stars for financial reasons and we had an awesome time. Being a value I was expecting the worse, but it was very nice and very clean. Room service was lovely and each day we came 'home' to the cutest little mickey themed towel arrangements on our beds. We did spend most of our days at the parks but always came back and spent an hour or so in the pool before bed. There was no water slide but the pool was really nice, a good size and it was never crowded at all. If value was so wonderful I just can't even begin to imagine how amazing the moderate or deluxe resorts must be like!

My kids were 4 and 8 at the time. They loved the trip and loved the hotel and pool. I think it's true that adults tend to be much more picky when it comes to the little details when it comes to things like hotels.

Anyways, point being you can do value Disney and still have an AWESOME time!

Also, OT my daughter also does the patching therapy. Are planning on continuing on with the patching during the vacation or are you going to give her a little break. My daughter was 4 at the time and hated being patched in public but I still sorta forced it upon. We did less hours than we would have at home but she hated it and I felt kinda guilty :/

 

[Rychelle924]

We went the first two weeks in December a few years back and stayed at the All Stars for financial reasons and we had an awesome time. Being a value I was expecting the worse, but it was very nice and very clean. Room service was lovely and each day we came 'home' to the cutest little mickey themed towel arrangements on our beds. We did spend most of our days at the parks but always came back and spent an hour or so in the pool before bed. There was no water slide but the pool was really nice, a good size and it was never crowded at all. If value was so wonderful I just can't even begin to imagine how amazing the moderate or deluxe resorts must be like!

My kids were 4 and 8 at the time. They loved the trip and loved the hotel and pool. I think it's true that adults tend to be much more picky when it comes to the little details when it comes to things like hotels.

Anyways, point being you can do value Disney and still have an AWESOME time!

Also, OT my daughter also does the patching therapy. Are planning on continuing on with the patching during the vacation or are you going to give her a little break. My daughter was 4 at the time and hated being patched in public but I still sorta forced it upon. We did less hours than we would have at home but she hated it and I felt kinda guilty :/

Thank you. This all makes me feel so much better!!! By the time we go next December we will be done with patching (if all goes as planned!) so he will just be in his glasses no patch

 

[pix13dust]

I know many will disagree with me but after having stayed at AKL and the All Stars- I liked the All stars more and felt the bus service was leaps and bounds better. I KNOW you are paying a premium for staying at a Disney property but I cannot stomach staying at a 'deluxe' and paying 'deluxe' pricing and not getting 'deluxe' accommodations. AKL to me didn't feel deluxe at all but that's just me. Maybe other deluxes like GF and Poly are nicer. I also felt the pools at the All Stars were much less cramped. Seemed the pools at AKL were packed when we were there.

I agree 100% with you! We stayed at AKL last November, Club Level - and i found nothing deluxe about the resort except the view. It made sick each day to think of how much money i was spending each day on that resort Like you said maybe GF and Ploy are nicer We have stayed at POP and Port Orleans Riverside -Loved them both. I think the OP will do just fine at a value or moderate. Good luck to you and your kids

 

[Rychelle924]

I agree 100% with you! We stayed at AKL last November, Club Level - and i found nothing deluxe about the resort except the view. It made sick each day to think of how much money i was spending each day on that resort Like you said maybe GF and Ploy are nicer We have stayed at POP and Port Orleans Riverside -Loved them both. I think the OP will do just fine at a value or moderate. Good luck to you and your kids

Wow that's great to know. Honestly, I know I got looks like I had 4 heads when I told people I wasn't thrilled with Poly. So I understand.

 

[DISvirgin1]

A friend of mine has stayed at all the resorts with her son (they are Florida residents so will go for a day or two and get that discount) She has said that he actually preferred the values and was disappointed with some of the other resorts since they were not as kid oriented.
Now we are going in February and staying at AoA, and since it's brand new I am thinking I won't feel let down at all.

 

[disnut8]

If the OP is still thinking about values, I would recommend All Stars because they are cheaper than Pop Century or Art of Animation. However, I would be recommending it also because there would be six pools and three food courts to choose from. It's a very easy walk from any of the All Stars to the others. Also, she could try for a family suite instead of a standard room.

Art of Animation has family suites but it's new, will be more crowded and will have less availability. I love Pop Century and it has three pools and Art of Animation is right across the bridge but no pool sharing.

OP - I think you are starting to see more positives and that's going to the key. Don't focus on "we aren't staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge" but more on "hey! we are going to have a great experience at *resort*!"

 

[Rychelle924]

If the OP is still thinking about values, I would recommend All Stars because they are cheaper than Pop Century or Art of Animation. However, I would be recommending it also because there would be six pools and three food courts to choose from. It's a very easy walk from any of the All Stars to the others. Also, she could try for a family suite instead of a standard room.

Art of Animation has family suites but it's new, will be more crowded and will have less availability. I love Pop Century and it has three pools and Art of Animation is right across the bridge but no pool sharing.

OP - I think you are starting to see more positives and that's going to the key. Don't focus on "we aren't staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge" but more on "hey! we are going to have a great experience at *resort*!"

Thank you so much for your reply! we are still very excited about going I'm just really confused now on where to stay. I'm going to have to really look at pics of the different resorts. Are any of the all stars or pop renovated? Or is everything really old and worn out at this point?

 

[Mariep26]

We liked ASMo. I believe it had been recently renovated. There was a fridge and wi-fi in our room which were recent additions. I have heard great things about Pop. Hope to stay there in the future.