WWYD? Using points for convention at CSR.

[RoseMom]

We are still fairly new to DVC (have only stayed on points twice). This summer we have a conference that we are attending at CSR. While I love the Gran Destino Tower at CSR it pains me to pay cash for a room at Disney when I know I can use my points. However, I know using points at CSR isn’t the best use of them. Of course, if we stayed at an actual DVC resort we would have to get to CSR every morning for the conference. So, WWYD and why:
1- pay cash for CSR and keep points (would probably end up banking)
2- use DVC points at CSR
3- stay at a DVC resort and just figure out transportation to and from CSR during the week for the different events and activities

 

[peabody58]

It's all about money vs. time. Yes, it will cost more using cash or points at CSR. But the flip side is you will save a lot of your valuable time by staying at CSR.

You didn't mention if you would have a car and/or if you would be bringing family members along with you.

If you had a car, then I'd I'd recommend a DVC resort (most likely SSR would be the only one available).
If you had family with you and you wanted to spend more park time with them, then CSR has the slight edge.

Either way, don;t stress it too much and have fun.

 

[PalmettoPath]

If it were me in this scenario I would go option A. But that's just me.

 

[CarolynFH]

I’ve stayed on points at BWV when I had a professional conference at BCV, and it was not my favorite arrangement even though I could walk between them. If you stay at a DVC resort and don’t have a car, you would likely be taking rideshare to CSR in the mornings, and getting back after the conference would mean another rideshare vs. bussing from CSR to a park and then Disney transportation from the park to your DVC resort. So I’d probably choose paying cash for CSR, if it were financially feasible. And if my expenses were being reimbursed by my employer or were tax deductible to me, I wouldn’t even consider staying anywhere on points. And never would I stay at CSR on points - the “exchange rate” is ridiculous.

PS there’s another possibility to consider, if finances are an issue - you could rent your points and pay for CSR with that cash.

 

[Brian Noble]

In most cases I would take Option 1. The exception: If I had points that I knew I couldn't use any other way, I might use Option 3. I would rent my points out and use the proceeds to pay cash before considering Option 2.

 

[Sandisw]

I’d use my points at CSR and not worry , unless doing so would put me short next trip.

 

[limace]

I’d rent out some points and pay cash.

 

[disneydreamer781]

I would probably first try to rent some points and pay cash but if I didn't have the opportunity to do so, I would use points. Hell, if I could do GDT CL on points I'd do it in a heartbeat!

 

[lovin'fl]

Does the company pay for your room since it's a conference? Is it that you're extending the trip? I'd stay at conference resort if work was covering it. And then book at DVC resort for the extended days. We did that years ago when DH had conference at the Contemporary. His job covered the 2 or 3 nights of conference at the CR and then we moved to SSR for 2-3 more nights.

However, wonder how many points to to use DVC at Gran Destino. We were just talking about doing that as we LOVE it there. And would love to get club level, if that's even possible on dvc points. We can waste though, now, since we live local and just do 1-2 night stays.

 

[wnielsen1]

I would probably first try to rent some points and pay cash but if I didn't have the opportunity to do so, I would use points. Hell, if I could do GDT CL on points I'd do it in a heartbeat!

I had to look to see what was out there. No option for a club level room in GDT of course, but a club level room at the deluxe resorts typically runs 75-120+ points per night. Crazy expensive.

 

[disneydreamer781]

I had to look to see what was out there. No option for a club level room in GDT of course, but a club level room at the deluxe resorts typically runs 75-120+ points per night. Crazy expensive.

I'd still do it! I'm in my mid-60s and owned DVC since '92 so I'm not looking to save any points but just do what I want and enjoy them while I can.

 

[wnielsen1]

I'd still do it! I'm in my mid-60s and owned DVC since '92 so I'm not looking to save any points but just do what I want and enjoy them while I can.

DVC definitely missing the boat on club level. A handful of rooms at Jambo doesn't cut it.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

At CSR you are looking at 23-34 points per night for a room (pending availability - you might not even be able to trade the points for a unit at CSR!), plus $95 exchange fee.

If we value them at dues, assuming RIV dues, that means $195.50-$289 base per night, plus the $95 pro-rated across number of nights.

But the reality is point valuation should be based on rental market. So, again assuming RIV, that's $18pp. Makes your base $414-$612 per night, and that $95 fee pro-rated.

I feel like the clear solution is to pay cash. Remember that cash availability doesn't mean they'll do a points exchange, but cash is cash. If you aren't using the points this year, you bank them. You can rent them in the next UY or use them yourself.

 

[lovin'fl]

If you rent out your points to make the cash to then do CRO at Gran Destino, you have to claim that as income on taxes and it's a whole thing. You need to get form from David's (if you use them) and figure out where/how to include it (if doing your own taxes). Just a hassle we prefer to avoid. But YMMV.

 

[intamin]

Seems like I'm the lone wolf here. I'd pick option C and likely just Uber each morning from my resort. Depending on how many days you're going it's really not that much if you're already on property. An Uber from SSR/OKW to CSR costs 11 dollars. To get back to SSR/OKW I'd just take a bus to Disney Springs and go from there. That or you could hijack a surrey bike I suppose

 

[limace]

Someone mentioned reimbursement above-if you get a reduced conference rate that totally changes the equation. Do that.