Where to stay for the weekend?

[kimwim8]

I'm pretty sure we're not the only DVC owners to not want to use up our points by staying at a DVC resort Friday or Saturday night.....so where do you all switch over to?

We're staying at the VWL Dec 11 - 16th and then moving to another resort for the 16th & 17th. We were initially thinking of going to a Value resort, just to save money...but won't that be a HUGE letdown? We've never stayed at a Value resort before (have stayed at a couple moderates)...from what I've heard about ASMovies...DS3 would love it b/c of Andy's room.

Any advice is appreciated!

TIA!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We usually fly to WDW so we stay two weekends and the week days in between. We don't mind using the points for the weekends, having bought enough to do just that. But we often head over to US and the Hard Rock for one of the weekend stays. It isn't cheap but it's a lot of fun.

HBC

 

[mrsswat]

We usually stay elsewhere at the beginning of our stay, because yes, it can be a let down if finances dictate that you have to stay at a value or moderate. Most times, however, we keep our eye out for discount rates and splurge on a deluxe, since we're not paying for a room the rest of vacation. Yeah, I hate using that many points on a week-end. It usually has enough points for my husband and I to get some days in a studio at some other point in the year.

 

[Simba's Mom]

No, you're certainly not the only ones. I'll be very interested in the responses. We're spending 11/19-11/25 at OKW, then I want somewhere to stay for the weekend (solo) before I check into BCV for 11/27-12/1. Thinking of a moderate over a value, mostly for the coffee pot and refrigerator, also they seem to have more recreation offerings. Or maybe I'll splurge and go for a deluxe. So what does everyone else do?

 

[Cruelladeville]

We always stay at one of the other resorts for Fri-Sat nights, because I don't like to spend so many points for two nights, and also because it's a nice way to sample the other resorts. I love AKL--it's also a good time to try concierge, if you really want to splurge.

 

[Alexander]

Since most of our traveling is during high point seasons, we don't like to use so many points either. We usually arrive the weekend prior and stay somewhere on cash. We then move to the DVC resort and only use points for 1 Friday night, heading home on Saturday. This prevents us from having to move twice.

 

[Chuck S]

We bought enough point to stay over weekends, but often we drive down, and arrive a day early for our OKW ressie...this allows for bad road conditions/delays/traffic.

Anyway, when we arrive early we try to get an AP rate at POP. WE were actually pleasently surprised by how nice POP is for the $$$. I mean, it's no DVC, but it isn't a trash bin, either. The food court is pretty good, reasonable (by Disney standards) and the busses are OK. The beds (2 double beds) were comfortable. The room was small, but comfortable.

 

[OneMoreTry]

If we have the points we use them.

Rather than borrow, I pay cash using the 25% DVC discount for the suite we're in. They link the reservations so we don't have to move, which would be a huge task for us to the point of ruining the trip. If that were not available I would probably shorten the trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The only time we will stay somewhere else is possibly the first night, especially if we are arriving late. Then we check in early the next AM and stay put until we leave. I don't like checking in and out.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I'm pretty sure we're not the only DVC owners to not want to use up our points by staying at a DVC resort Friday or Saturday night.....so where do you all switch over to?

We're staying at the VWL Dec 11 - 16th and then moving to another resort for the 16th & 17th. We were initially thinking of going to a Value resort, just to save money...but won't that be a HUGE letdown? We've never stayed at a Value resort before (have stayed at a couple moderates)...from what I've heard about ASMovies...DS3 would love it b/c of Andy's room.

Any advice is appreciated!

TIA!

If were were trying to conserve our points and not use them for weekends, we'd probably try to stay at the Swan/Dolphin because of the great discounts available. Plus, their beds are heavenly and the resorts are in a fantastic location.

That being said, we haven't had this happen yet. We've used points numerous times on weekends...but can understand where you're coming from.

 

[Mike]

I am making my first trip home in July. We arrive on Sunday and will be staying in a 1BR at OKW for the first week and then a 1BR at BCV the second week. My original plans were to move out and stay at POR in a room with a trundle bed (there are 5 of us - me, DW, DD9, DS7, DS3). But then I thought why not splurge a little and use the AP discount at the Swan. Then I looked into the DVC rate and for about $200 more than the Swan we are just going to stay put at OKW for Fri and Sat night using cash. I don't know if I'd do this everytime, but I was comfortable with it. I doubt I'd use points on the weekend - it just seems like such a waste. So we will either try another resort with an AP discount or use the DVC cash discount. Some time in the future we might head over to a US resort for the weekend to take advantage of FOTL.

 

[Meliechick]

We have stayed at AS Movie by Andy's room. The rooms smaller than DVC but it clean and the atmosphere is fun especially if you are a big Toy Story fan. We stayed there to save $$ and it wasn't bad.

 

[SueOKW]

The only time we will stay somewhere else is possibly the first night, especially if we are arriving late. Then we check in early the next AM and stay put until we leave. I don't like checking in and out.

We do the exact same thing if we are late - it just so happens we are flying on a Saturday this time and will get in after 5:00... we are going to stay at a hotel the kids picked out (the nickelodeon thingy).... I kept hinting about the Ritz, but golly - for some reason that didn't appeal to them.

After we get to OKW we stay 7 nights, so there is always one weekend.

 

[beccasmom]

You are far from alone! We dislike using extra points on weekends, too.

In the beginning, we stayed at a moderate and then started going to the Values. However, staying in a hotel room when you are used to so much space is a tough transition! (I know I must sound like a spoiled brat....but DVC does that! ) We now use points for a studio and switch back over after the weekend. It still involves moving, but with a lockoff, it is not a problem at all. Even without a lockoff, the staff moves the luggage and it is still an easy process.