Which of these 3 for December?

[MattRyan]

I'm looking at possibly renting points for the first time to stay in a DVC resort. I always stay on-site, but have never stayed DVC. Right now I'm looking at possibly staying December of 2015, dates that would be adventure/choice season.

Since it's just 2 people, I know I definitely want a studio. I'm considering VGF, BLT, or VWL in no particular order. Which of these is the best around the holidays in your opinion?

Also, random question, but how are Magic Bands handled with renting points. Will the reservation show up on my MDE account so that I can customize bands?

Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

VGF would be my first choice as the resort that best celebrates Christmas. Yes your reservation can be linked to your MDE account.

Bill

 

[butsy113]

I love WL at Christmas time!! I would definitely go with VWL. The roaring fireplaces and rustic charm just scream Christmas for us. I do love the GFs elegance and the gingerbread house though. The two resorts are so different, but both great at Christmas! Pick the one that fits your family best. I would only consider BLT for location not for a Christmas look.

 

[DenLo]

I think any of the three will work. But VWL and VGF are attached to resorts that really are heavily decorated for Christmas. But IMO WL just screams Christmas to me with it's decor. But GF is lovely and it has it's own Gingerbread house. BLT no longer has a large Christmas tree in it's lobby as the check in counter occupies that space. But CR still has a Gingerbread Tree with Toy Soldiers and the largest Mickey icon wreath you will see anywhere which faces BLT and it is lighted at night. It looks really pretty and you can really see it from the fireworks observation area on the 16th floor next to TOTWL.

If you stay at any of these resorts you can see the others using the monorail or a ferry boat. And it would definitely be worth seeing all three.

 

[DebbieB]

I'm looking at possibly renting points for the first time to stay in a DVC resort. I always stay on-site, but have never stayed DVC. Right now I'm looking at possibly staying December of 2015, dates that would be adventure/choice season.

Since it's just 2 people, I know I definitely want a studio. I'm considering VGF, BLT, or VWL in no particular order. Which of these is the best around the holidays in your opinion?

Also, random question, but how are Magic Bands handled with renting points. Will the reservation show up on my MDE account so that I can customize bands?

Thanks!

I would go with VGF or VWL, they have the better Christmas atmosphere. Be prepared to book at 11 months, that time is popular.

Once you get the reservation #, you can link it on MDE to customize bands. But who knows what the system will be by then.

 

[MarlaSingersLaundry]

I love WL at Christmas time!! I would definitely go with VWL. The roaring fireplaces and rustic charm just scream Christmas for us. I do love the GFs elegance and the gingerbread house though. The two resorts are so different, but both great at Christmas! Pick the one that fits your family best. I would only consider BLT for location not for a Christmas look.

Completely agree! We love GF and VGF for Christmas. We stayed at VGF last Dec. GF is our fav place for decorations. I love the way the lobby smells with the gingerbread house. We haven't stayed at VWL for Christmas, but have visited. It is beautifully decorated, and one of our favorite places to stay anytime of year. I don't think you will be unhappy with either resort,

 

[MattRyan]

Thank you all for the comments! Does anyone have any experience with split stays while renting points?

I have it narrowed down to VGF and VWL, but maybe do 5 nights VGF and 4VWL if possisble.

Also, is the 11 months prior exactly 11 months from the check-in day, e.g. will I be able to book a check-in day of December 13, 2015 on January 13, 2015?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you all for the comments! Does anyone have any experience with split stays while renting points?

I have it narrowed down to VGF and VWL, but maybe do 5 nights VGF and 4VWL if possisble.

Also, is the 11 months prior exactly 11 months from the check-in day, e.g. will I be able to book a check-in day of December 13, 2015 on January 13, 2015?

I do not have renting experience, cannot help you with that.

Yes you can book up to 7 nights beginning on January 13, 2015 for a stay that begins on December 13, 2015.

Not to confuse you, but we also like staying at BWV during December because it is beautifully decorated too!

Bobbi

 

[MattRyan]

I do not have renting experience, cannot help you with that.

Yes you can book up to 7 nights beginning on January 13, 2015 for a stay that begins on December 13, 2015.

Not to confuse you, but we also like staying at BWV during December because it is beautifully decorated too!

Bobbi

So, if I'm wanting to book 9 nights, and I'm concerned about availability and renting points, should I consider a split stay and book the the first 2 nights at 1 resort and the other 7 at another?

I'm assuming since I'm renting points it's not possible to add on additional days.

 

[bobbiwoz]

So, if I'm wanting to book 9 nights, and I'm concerned about availability and renting points, should I consider a split stay and book the the first 2 nights at 1 resort and the other 7 at another?

I'm assuming since I'm renting points it's not possible to add on additional days.

The resort that was booked even at 11 months for this December was VGF. That is because there are folks who bought fixed weeks. I own some VGF points and looking at availability I had been worried, but at exactly 11 months out, I did get 3 nights, standard studio starting December 17.

I do not necessarily think you have to book a 7,2 stay. I think VWL will be easier to get than VGF. From my experience for this year, VGF was more open at the middle of December rather than in the beginning.

I hope you get what you want.

Bobbi

 

[jimmytammy]

As much as I enjoy visiting GF during the Christmas season to see the tree and gingerbread house, WL is the place for my taste where that time of year is concerned. Nothing against GF, but I would stay at one resort and it would be VWL. Here is why, 1. it hollers Christmas and 2. Split stays are not a best thing to do as you will kill at least half a day, even if the resort transfers your luggage, you must pack up, wait for bell services in both resorts, and un pack.

So bottom line for me would be all nights at VWL!!

 

[MattRyan]

I'm thinking there might be more availability at VGF this year than last year for studios, and I guess it helps that I'm planning on going during the 3rd week and a little bit into the 4th week of December for my stay.

I'll have to do split, so I'll shoot for 3 nights WL and 6 at GF (both studio) or 4 and then 5 nights. Hopefully it all works out, but I guess I won't know until January.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

I may be wrong but 7 nights can be booked at one time. Since you are starting on Dec. 17 which is not quite as busy, I would book those 7 nights first. Then I would add to the reservation each morning. An even better idea would be to walk the reservation. To do this you would start on the 10th and get seven days. Then you would call each day and drop a day and add a day until you got the first 7 that you wanted. Then you would call each day to add the extras. Not sure if I have this 100% correct.

My choice would be VWL to stay and then a nice dinner and drinks at GF.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I may be wrong but 7 nights can be booked at one time. Since you are starting on Dec. 17 which is not quite as busy, I would book those 7 nights first. Then I would add to the reservation each morning. An even better idea would be to walk the reservation. To do this you would start on the 10th and get seven days. Then you would call each day and drop a day and add a day until you got the first 7 that you wanted. Then you would call each day to add the extras. Not sure if I have this 100% correct.

My choice would be VWL to stay and then a nice dinner and drinks at GF.

The seven nights are all one location, one villa, one reservation. If you split it up, you can book up to seven nights for one reservation and then you have to wait until you are 7/11 months out from the start of the next reservation.

 

[Msmithmd]

I'm thinking there might be more availability at VGF this year than last year for studios, and I guess it helps that I'm planning on going during the 3rd week and a little bit into the 4th week of December for my stay. I'll have to do split, so I'll shoot for 3 nights WL and 6 at GF (both studio) or 4 and then 5 nights. Hopefully it all works out, but I guess I won't know until January.

Actually I would anticipate LESS availability at VGF for that week this year versus last, unless DVC goes ahead and declares the last 25% of remaining points into member inventory.

Each new resort's owners naturally want to experience their home resort once or twice before switching out to somewhere else. VGF will likely be even more on this trend than others have historically.

There are obviously many more points sold at VGF now than there were a year ago. So for at least the short term, VGF will be harder to book as more of it sells- with a blip of temporary easier booking whenever DVC declares the rest of the remaining points into inventory.

In the medium to long term (5+ years), it likely will become easier to book, as the new VGF members look to use their points elsewhere, both for the variety and the relative point charts.

Polynesian will also likely help this trend improve, as many VGF members will see it as a lateral trade, rather than a "trade down" in lodging.

 

[DebbieB]

Thank you all for the comments! Does anyone have any experience with split stays while renting points?

I have it narrowed down to VGF and VWL, but maybe do 5 nights VGF and 4VWL if possisble.

Also, is the 11 months prior exactly 11 months from the check-in day, e.g. will I be able to book a check-in day of December 13, 2015 on January 13, 2015?

Yes, if you have a member lined up to book it for you. You can't book anything yourself.

 

[Pirate Granny]

Make SURE you have two owners lined up for both resorts...before you need to rent. Before we bought I started looking at 12 months out and got comfortable with my owner and the dates we wanted (OKW GV) to ensure success. December is a big month for DVC and I think the VGF may be hard unless it's booked right at 11 months. Good luck...we actually purchased at WLV so we could book our Christmas time trips (late November-mid December), it's that busy, but well worth it as it's so beautiful!

 

[DenLo]

I agree with Pirate Granny that it is important to find an owner(s) that owns both VWL and VGF. If one owner doesn't own both resorts (and are willing to rent both points) then you need to find a second owner. Having home resort advantage so the owner can book at the 11 month mark, or within that week, could make the difference in getting a reservation in December. The two resorts you have selected are small resorts and book very quickly for December.

 

[mpusateri]

Boardwalk is the best for the holidays

 

[crisi]

I agree with Pirate Granny that it is important to find an owner(s) that owns both VWL and VGF. If one owner doesn't own both resorts (and are willing to rent both points) then you need to find a second owner. Having home resort advantage so the owner can book at the 11 month mark, or within that week, could make the difference in getting a reservation in December. The two resorts you have selected are small resorts and book very quickly for December.

Yeah, I'd think the split stay will be tricky for this reason. You won't be looking for one owner (which will be tricky enough - there is a shortage of owners who rent - particularly who own at BLT and GFV - and VWL is a small resort - there simply aren't a ton of owners) but either one owner who owns both resorts or two owners.

What I would do is rather than making a decision on resort, look at the fact that you currently don't have an opinion (other than you seem to want the MK area) as an opportunity to be flexible when the time comes to find an owner. If you work through Davids, that will give his team the flexibility to line something up for you - if you look for owners here, you'll have the flexibility to respond to a wider variety of owners. Set a priority, but don't make up your mind.