Would you give up DVC for $1.18 lodging?

[LIFERBABE]

Ok let's have fun with this one!!

I was reading on the other boards about those that had the great fortune to secure $1.18 or less per night lodging at the DTD Holiday Inn.

Being one not able to pass up a bargain, I was surprised that I wasnt kicking myself harder for not getting in on the deal. But on the other hand, I think I would miss DVC so much that the price of alternate lodging is not as much of a factor anymore.

Either my last pay raise was really great, or Im becoming one of those Lord & Taylor shoppers (who shops there? ) that doesn't look at price tags, because I am not as price driven as I used to be.
(That and these economic courses I've been taking LOl!)

I find if I cant stay in my favorite places when travelling, I'd rather stay home, even if the alternates are free or darn near (That's Texan) free.

So what would you do? Would you forego a DVC stay to take advantage of $1.18 lodging. Would you just stay the weekends for $1.18 and then move to DVC or other?

Talk amongst yourselves

 

[jenjen212]

how did you hear about this 1.18 rate??? what do you have to have to get it??? (i'm one of those bargain shoppers too! )

seeing as it is hard to be away from my "second home", it is a hard question. we were in disney 2 weeks ago, as a last minute weekend getaway trip (we live in miami), and ended up staying off property. it just isn't the same. even if we are just there for 2 or 3 days, and it wasn't planned. i still miss staying on disney property.

but since fridays and saturdays are so expensive, it might just help to use that as a stay for those days, and be able to save some points. that is probably what i would do just to save some $$. unless you hate the whole "moving" thing, checking in, checking out, go tothe other resort, check in and check out. maybe start out at the holiday inn, and then move to disney. that way you are finishing off your stay right, or vice versa.

good luck.

 

[pirateparrot]

I would probably book Saturday - Saturday at the Holdiay Inn and then Sun - Thurs at my home at SSR. With my AP, I could basically have 2 weeks with minimal additional cost.

 

[emacman]

Hey Liferbabe! Long time no talk!
To answer your question about DTD. I once stayed at the Marriott Courtyard, I believe before it became the Holiday Inn! Anyway, the bargains are not all they seem to be. My biggest concern was you had to take a bus to DTD and then change to a Disney bus to get wherever you were going. We found it was not uncommon to spend 1 1/2 hours just trying to get where we are going. THe hotel bus stops at 7-9 stops before depositing you at DTD depot to catch the real buses. Then of course is the ride back toi the room afterward which really took its toll on us.
In fact it was that trip (5/99) I toured DVC and purchsed my first contract with them. I swore I'd never do it again. I have a friend who is planning to stay with Hilton in June also on Hotel Blvd and I'm doing all I can to talk him out of it.
To your point, vacation is vacation! Few and too far between. Life is too short to spend them wishing you were somewhere else!

 

[InstImpres]

ok, I'll fess up....I booked it instead of VWL. It is certainly not going to be the same but the point savings will allow a bigger room next trip (and a partial rental)

I always rent a car and have an AP so free parking at the parks. Looks like I can splurge for Cirq and/or lunch with an Imagineer.

It certainly won't be the same and I'll have to stop home but I couldn't resist the bargain!

 

[jenjen212]

if you were able to get this rate... DO NOT LET IT GO!!! lol

i just looked it up on the holiday inn website, and it said that since it was a typo they will honor it for those who already booked it and have a confirmation number. otherwise, the rate does not exist anymore for anyone else

too bad i didn't hear about it sooner, i would have done it too!

here is the link to check out the buisness wire statement:
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050505005818&newsLang=en

so if you have it and decide to keep it... enjoy!

now they have it posted as buy 4 nights, get the 5 night for .93 cents:
http://www.hiorlando.com/

good luck!

jen

 

[dgaston]

We stayed twice at the (then) Marriott when they offered 20.0x rates in late summer and fall. We were impressed with the large rooms, and found the DTD transportation fine. We didn't transfer at DTD, but rode their buses into the parks, where they let you off a bit away from the entrances. This is toughest at MK, because it's at the TTC, and you need to take the ferry/monorail into the MK. A few times we took Disney buses back to DTD and walked to the hotel. I would do it again in a heartbeat. When I told DH about the glitch in the HI website, he said "Why didn't you get those rates?" LOL Even though we live in CT we find those APs calling far too often.

 

[wdwstar]

I read that post to, couldnt believe it. we have stayed at the ( forgive me if i spelled it wrong) Grosvners for a few days, years ago (wdw was sold out)it was ok and about 2 years ago for one night (dvc & wdw was sold out), we came in a day earlier then expected. I have to say the Grosvners was just that Gross, never again, that would be another good thread to start
the way i look at it, $1.18 is way to much to pay for HI, plus you have to add in the time for your transportation to the parks, waterparks, dinner on wdw property,
the boring pools( you will be spending more money going to the waterparks),
I am not sure if the HI rooms have the mini to full kitchens, if not you are giving up that luxury. And most of all the "magical" feeling of being DVC
" Home" (just alone that would be a very big exspense)
compare : IMO
Staying DVC Resorts (Being "home") Free, all i have to do is call the 1-800 toll free number,
make my free ressies, get my free conf. # in the mail.
DVC Resorts being "Home" priceless!

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I would do it in a heartbeat, especially if I was able to book two connecting rooms. I would even rent out 2 points to pay for the entire 10 night stay.