Where do you stay on Fri., Sat. to save pts.??

[jimmytammy]

We are going to be staying at OKW or WLV in Jan. Wondering where you have stayed on weekends to conserve pts.? DW is doing the WDW marathon so we need somewhere quite so she can get rested before that day. She has to be ready to go by 3am.

Help would be much appreciated

 

[HookdonWDW]

It just depends on the trip. Sometimes we stay at DVC on weekends, other times we'll switch to a WDW Resort (anything from a Value to Concierge, depending on the trip). If it's a trip where we've decided to spend time at Universal, we usually do that during the weekend.

We'll be there in January also, since I'm planning on walking the half marathon. We're going to spend the points for DVC though, because I want to be able to relax in the whirlpool tub afterwards!

 

[vernon]

Usually I look at a couple of options. Staying at one ofthe Universal hotels if I was planning a visit to their parks. In other circumstances I use http://www.hotwire.com and take my chances on the hotel. I've used this company many times and never had a bad experience with them.

 

[Desperado]

Check here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-current.htm#OrlandoArea
for deals on Swan and Dolphin.

 

[lat]

I originall used member discount for our last night at VWL. However, with a 2-br, it is still almost $600 for that night. Then I saw on

www.biddingfortravel.com

that people got Gaylord Palms for $85 for my date. So I bid on priceline and got Gaylord also. We stayed at Downtown Disney Hilton once after BWV, and it was a real letdown, won't do it agin.

We also tried Universal resorts also since we have AP there. However, our kids are too young and they don't care for Universal much. The only thing my 5 year old likes is the Curious George playground. So Universal resorts are out now too.

However, Gaylord seems to be very different than those DD hotels, we will give it a try, especially it will be a "no-park" trip and we can really explore the resort.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Stay at OKW and take advantage of the lower point costs there. We always stay at OKW, and never move for the weekends. I bought DVC so I could stay for a week or more.

 

[Pa@okw95]

We usually stay at the Hilton. It has some ncie restaurants, two beautiful pools, and is right across the street from DD, plus it is only a short ride to OKW from the Hilton. The thing about the Hilton I like is that you can choose your check out time for an additional charge if you wish. I have been know to double book rooms at other places so not to be inconvienced-have a room at one hotel room for Sunday as well as Sunday night at OKW, staying at Hilton allows me to stay later without paying for two rooms for the same day. This January besides the Hilton one weekend we are staying at Doubletree Guests suites, they have more room of course than Hilton. We are going to be trying some other off site condo units in the future, to see how they are, but for now the Hilton is very nice place.

 

[DebbieB]

I booked an AP rate for a Friday night in May. It was $301 incl tax for a 1 bedroom, saved 48 points.

 

[newholiday]

the 1st sat we're using the pts to stay at VWL
the last Fri & Sat we're staying at MILs winter home 45mins from WDW
(this leaves us w/a few pts to rollover to next yrs cruise)

 

[WDWLVR]

When we go we don't bother moving. We bought enough points so that we could vacation without bother. I know that some people make their points go further by moving out Friday and Saturday night but that isn't for us.

For May we'll try and book Saturday night if we can (using some points in a holding account) or stay elsewhere. We leave Friday morning so other weekend points aren't needed this trip. Other trips we have come in on Saturday and left Saturday so we've used both weekend nights.

 

[Lexxiefern]

We usually stay in a one bedroom during the week and a studio to conserve points on the weekends. We have also done universal and also gotten AP discounts for the disney resorts for the weekends.

 

[Granny]

We stay at the Royal Plaza Hotel near DTD. Booked it for this year for the same price as we paid last year...$79 a night. Nice hotel, and what we like is that the rooms sleep 5 (small sleeper couch) so we don't have to haul an air mattress anymore!

We booked from mousesavers.com

 

[rbuzzotta]

WE usually arrive late at night so I use priceline for that night!! WE then get up early and check into our DVC resort for a week or 2!!!!

Good luck to your wife!

 

[jade1]

We would move even if points were the same on the weekend, FOTL at Universal is just too good and HRH is beautiful, otherwise its less than 2 hours to Clearwater for white sugar sand on the ocean with the sun going down bright red-cant beat it-going to BCV in 2 weeks and Clearwater for the weekend, a perfect spring break.

 

[lenshanem]

Since we can drive down in one day we have always booked an off site hotel room to cover our first night, sometimes even the last night if we do the parks that day, but typically on our last day we have a character breakfast and then drive back home.

Usually we stay at a Holiday Inn in the Orlando area since my Dad works for that company, but this coming trip my oldest has been wanting to stay at Pop Century so we booked it for $59 a night plus tax using the AP discount. We will stay there Saturday and Friday night, with BWV in between.

 

[KANSAS]

i have stayed at the Marriott Cypress harbour condo
about 1200 square feet, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, full kitchen and washer and dryer for $130 per night, plus tax, with AA discount

 

[Pa@okw95]

For those of you that suggest staying at DVC over the weekend I have big personal problems with that. Last Jan I paid 80 points for a one bedroom for 5 days then I paid 40 points for one day when I arrived early and stayed Saturday night. I burn money but when it gets to the point that I pay 16 points for a unit per day then have to pay 40 points for the same unit just because it is Saturday, that crosses a line with me. That is 2.5 times more for the same unit. What I have found that there are many nice places out there to stay at on Friday and Saturday nights, remember, points are money. A one bedroom runs about $450 I believe, haven't really checked, but let us say it does. Now would you be willing to pay 2.5 times that amount or $1125 for the same unit just because it is Saturday. I would say if you wish to stay Saturday or Friday, then pay cash it is a lot cheaper then burning your points. Once in awhile you may want to use your points but as a general rule, use cash, that would be my advice or find another place like a lot of us do.

 

[MAC3]

We usually will stay at one of the values or moderates (with a good code) but have also stayed at HIFS. They were fine for a night and free breakfast in the morning. How can you beat it?

Lisa

 

[joepoe]

Depends on the size of your family. If it just the two of you, two double beds at CBR or POR will do just fine. Moderate resorts that will suit your needs. Kind of tight for a family of four, especially if you are big and or tall people.

For a family of four or more, I suggest trying a 2BR at one of the Marriott Vacation Club resorts like Grand Vista.

This is just my opinion, I don't like feeling too crammed into a room. We bought enough points to do two full weeks in a 2BR each year without moving around, but there are times when you want to save some for a special upcoming trip.

 

[Richyams]

Looking at per night costs will drive you crazy.

We bought enough points to vacation without having to pack up and move in the middle of a trip. If you look at your cost of the whole week, its still cheap.