Talk DVC with the Dis Dads

[brettcw23]

We finally stayed in BCV last trip. And, while I did enjoy SAB, it wasn't enough for me to stay there again. The pool has great theming and cool current effects, but it is chopped up. It is a long walk to the water slide entrance. I'm just as happy at BWV Luna pool, especially with the lower number of standard view points.

I think BLT is my favorite with the use of two feature pools, and that large quiet pool as well.

I think the way SAB is described makes it more desirable than what it probably is in reality. We were blessed (cursed?) with some REALLY warm days for our October trip. We spent more time at the Luna Pool than we had anticipated. After getting over her fear of the slide (and mine of the clown) my 6 yo was simply on repeat going up\down the slide.

I could save 33 points on a 2BR staying at BWV… but I doubt I could get a standard view at 7 months out… plus that clown is scary.

We were able to get a garden view at 7 months during F&W Festival.
When are you looking to book?

 

[that's nice]

We were able to get a garden view at 7 months during F&W Festival.
When are you looking to book?

I'm looking the first week of dream season… Aug 16ish… not sure of exact dates yet.



Update on BCV- I called MS to add my MIL for ME. Waited 33 minutes to speak to someone. Finally spoke to an agent about booking a 2 BR BCV for the 10 people (2 infants) and she said it couldn't be done. I'd need a 3 bedroom. So I said wouldn't I be better off just booking a 2 BR at BLT or AKL that allow 9+1 and she said 'I never heard of 9+1 before'.

I guess I still don't have a definitive answer.

 

[brettcw23]

I'm looking the first week of dream season… Aug 16ish… not sure of exact dates yet.



Update on BCV- I called MS to add my MIL for ME. Waited 33 minutes to speak to someone. Finally spoke to an agent about booking a 2 BR BCV for the 10 people (2 infants) and she said it couldn't be done. I'd need a 3 bedroom. So I said wouldn't I be better off just booking a 2 BR at BLT or AKL that allow 9+1 and she said 'I never heard of 9+1 before'.

I guess I still don't have a definitive answer.

Apologies. I did go back and see where you mentioned NEXT summer.

With the 9+1, does that include all available sleeping locations (beds\sleepers) and a pack & play?

When the CM said that they couldn't book it, you should have made them try one of the 9+1 resorts to see what happened.


I get the idea behind the room occupancy but sometimes their policies just make me shake my head. I'm sure it's due toa combination of them maximizing ways to get cash as well as covering their butts due to the litigious nature of people these days. In the end it just screws the innocent folks like you.

 

[that's nice]

Apologies. I did go back and see where you mentioned NEXT summer.

With the 9+1, does that include all available sleeping locations (beds\sleepers) and a pack & play?

I guess…. 2BR BLT (GFV & many AKL 2br as well) are rated for 9 people, which doesn't include the +1.

When the CM said that they couldn't book it, you should have made them try one of the 9+1 resorts to see what happened.

She kinda seemed like I was being difficult with her. I thought I was asking legitimate questions.

I get the idea behind the room occupancy but sometimes their policies just make me shake my head. I'm sure it's due toa combination of them maximizing ways to get cash as well as covering their butts due to the litigious nature of people these days. In the end it just screws the innocent folks like you.

I'm just gonna try to get AKL if our friends do come with us. We can have a savanna view for 4 points more- 317. Or I can try to save points and try for a value (220pts) or standard (255pts) and save on my points.

I will call MS again and hopefully talk to someone a bit more knowledgeable.

 

[AirGoofy]

I could save 33 points on a 2BR staying at BWV… but I doubt I could get a standard view at 7 months out… plus that clown is scary.

In August, you may have a good chance. DVC demand is different than parks demand. DVC demand is higher October to Feb, and of course, during the holidays.

I think the way SAB is described makes it more desirable than what it probably is in reality. We were blessed (cursed?) with some REALLY warm days for our October trip. We spent more time at the Luna Pool than we had anticipated. After getting over her fear of the slide (and mine of the clown) my 6 yo was simply on repeat going up\down the slide.
?

When I heard it had a lazy river, I thought of the one at Holiday World or Typhoon Lagoon. And, when you look at the pool on the map, I thought it was on the outside. In reality, the lazy river is a circle with the two deep halves. I was kinda disappointed.

I guess…. 2BR BLT (GFV & many AKL 2br as well) are rated for 9 people, which doesn't include the +1.

I will call MS again and hopefully talk to someone a bit more knowledgeable.

I thought the +1 was standard at all the resorts as an infant under 3. Good luck.

 

[brettcw23]

Do any of you Dads happen to belong tot he DVC group on FB?
I find it highly entertaining. Of course, you need to border on being a soulless jerk like me to enjoy it. Some of the folks in the group are so high strung that the slightest bit of sarcasm sets off fireworks and cries of bullying.

 

[AirGoofy]

Do any of you Dads happen to belong tot he DVC group on FB?
I find it highly entertaining. Of course, you need to border on being a soulless jerk like me to enjoy it. Some of the folks in the group are so high strung that the slightest bit of sarcasm sets off fireworks and cries of bullying.

I might be, but I don't read many of the comments. It's kinda like the other threads - everyone is an expert and cannot listen to a different opinion.

 

[brettcw23]

Spot on. Just bring up DDP vs. anything else and watch people go insane!

Speaking of, since I know you use it, TIW? On our arrival day we're heading to DTD and will have dinner at Raglan Road. Is it easy\straight forward to get the card from Guest Services?

 

[that's nice]

Do any of you Dads happen to belong tot he DVC group on FB?
I find it highly entertaining. Of course, you need to border on being a soulless jerk like me to enjoy it. Some of the folks in the group are so high strung that the slightest bit of sarcasm sets off fireworks and cries of bullying.

Nah, maybe I should join. It sounds like a lot of fun!

Speaking of, since I know you use it, TIW? On our arrival day we're heading to DTD and will have dinner at Raglan Road. Is it easy\straight forward to get the card from Guest Services?

Yup, it should take you about 2 minutes to pay for and get the card.

 

[AirGoofy]

Spot on. Just bring up DDP vs. anything else and watch people go insane!

Speaking of, since I know you use it, TIW? On our arrival day we're heading to DTD and will have dinner at Raglan Road. Is it easy\straight forward to get the card from Guest Services?

Like Tim said, real easy. We entered on Marketplace side it only took a few minutes. They need ID (DVC card & photo id). They print you the card in a few minutes.

 

[brettcw23]

Friends of ours who are also in the DVC have used points for DCL. From a small sample of posts, I've basically have understood that it's not cost effective to use your points on DCL and that you'd be better off paying cash for the DCL or renting your points and using the dollars from that to fund your DCL trip. Any thoughts or opinions on this? We're hanging out with these friends on Labor Day and we'll certainly be discussing WDW at some point. So thought I'd broach the subject here.

 

[cj9200]

Friends of ours who are also in the DVC have used points for DCL. From a small sample of posts, I've basically have understood that it's not cost effective to use your points on DCL and that you'd be better off paying cash for the DCL or renting your points and using the dollars from that to fund your DCL trip. Any thoughts or opinions on this? We're hanging out with these friends on Labor Day and we'll certainly be discussing WDW at some point. So thought I'd broach the subject here.

When DCL first started sailing it wasn't a bad deal, but now, it costs a ton of points to sail with them. Rule of thumb is you can get $10-$12 a point renting so you can use that to get a cash equivalent vs using points.

On a side note, I am kind of out on DCL. Way too expensive if you compare it to a similar line. Sometime next year (hopefully) I am planning on trying Royal Caribbean. A lot more reasonable and from what I hear a similar, or better experience. Granted, my "child" will be 21 and no longer needs some of the highlights of DCL like the kids' clubs. Plus I will be able to gamble a bit on RCI.

 

[AirGoofy]

Friends of ours who are also in the DVC have used points for DCL. From a small sample of posts, I've basically have understood that it's not cost effective to use your points on DCL and that you'd be better off paying cash for the DCL or renting your points and using the dollars from that to fund your DCL trip. Any thoughts or opinions on this? We're hanging out with these friends on Labor Day and we'll certainly be discussing WDW at some point. So thought I'd broach the subject here.

I have mixed thoughts on this one. And, qualifying statement, I don't have enough points any more to do a family a cruise, so I can't take my own advice.

From the financial side, what you and CJ posted is correct. Rent the points for cash and pay the cruise with cash.

However, all those posts don't take into account risk. How many of those posts do you read about how someone rented points and didn't leave a credit card? Changed the contract? Damaged the room? Granted, those posts are few and far in between. I have only rented points once, and they were to Carl. If you rent to a friend and this happens, then you are in a financial dispute with a friend. If with a random disPoster, then no friendship but even more risk. With a company like David's, I think they do a half up front contract, but then they get a cut. What would you do with an "act of God" event? Refund their money? What if the cancellation occurred after the banking window?

So, my conclusion and strategy I try to use in most situations is to avoid risk. Thus, if you have the points and can use them for a cruise, then I would use my points.

Or, I would just budget to pay cash for the cruise and bank my points forward to the following year unless all the stars lines up to be able to rent points to one of the guys here, for the DDC, and it fell in the banking window.

 

[cj9200]

I have mixed thoughts on this one. And, qualifying statement, I don't have enough points any more to do a family a cruise, so I can't take my own advice.

From the financial side, what you and CJ posted is correct. Rent the points for cash and pay the cruise with cash.

However, all those posts don't take into account risk. How many of those posts do you read about how someone rented points and didn't leave a credit card? Changed the contract? Damaged the room? Granted, those posts are few and far in between. I have only rented points once, and they were to Carl. If you rent to a friend and this happens, then you are in a financial dispute with a friend. If with a random disPoster, then no friendship but even more risk. With a company like David's, I think they do a half up front contract, but then they get a cut. What would you do with an "act of God" event? Refund their money? What if the cancellation occurred after the banking window?

So, my conclusion and strategy I try to use in most situations is to avoid risk. Thus, if you have the points and can use them for a cruise, then I would use my points.

Or, I would just budget to pay cash for the cruise and bank my points forward to the following year unless all the stars lines up to be able to rent points to one of the guys here, for the DDC, and it fell in the banking window.

Good points Norm. Caveat Emptor. Buyer or in this case renter/rentee beware.

 

[brettcw23]

Good points Norm. Caveat Emptor. Buyer or in this case renter/rentee beware.

Thanks for the feedback, gents!
We're planning on doing a cruise in 2016. So I figured I'd pay attention while our friends are planning theirs for next year.

 

[that's nice]

Friends of ours who are also in the DVC have used points for DCL. From a small sample of posts, I've basically have understood that it's not cost effective to use your points on DCL and that you'd be better off paying cash for the DCL or renting your points and using the dollars from that to fund your DCL trip. Any thoughts or opinions on this? We're hanging out with these friends on Labor Day and we'll certainly be discussing WDW at some point. So thought I'd broach the subject here.

Both CJ & Norm have valid points…. but it is not really cost effective to use points to cruise. If you have points you can't use try to rent them to a trustworthy person (family, friends, DISdads, etc). You can get at least $10pp or you can get $11 through David's as a last resort. Think about even renting 100 points @ $10pp=$1000. That is about 1/2 the money you'd need for a 3 day cruise on the Dream. Now look at the point total you'd need for that same cruise taking your family… probably need close to 400 points for a 3 day.

On a side note, I am kind of out on DCL. Way too expensive if you compare it to a similar line. Sometime next year (hopefully) I am planning on trying Royal Caribbean. A lot more reasonable and from what I hear a similar, or better experience. Granted, my "child" will be 21 and no longer needs some of the highlights of DCL like the kids' clubs. Plus I will be able to gamble a bit on RCI.

We just got off 2nd DCL cruise and I must say the Dream was amazing. We've cruised on Carnival 4 times and Norwegian once. There is no comparison, The cleanness, the upkeep, the staff, the food, etc. I've never done Royal Caribbean and their ship do look to be on the same level as DCL.

If you can book last minute,(which is much easier for you) some of the cruise prices now are just insane. IE.. 7 night Western Caribbean cruise on Carnival ocean view room for $289? You can't even stay in a hotel for that price.

http://www.cruise411.com/sc.do?d=09/18/2014&d2=03/17/2017&i=869170&c=1&v=405&dsc=y

We paid about $2500 for 5 of us for a balcony room on deck 10. It was the highest level before you had to move into Concierge… we cold of saved a little money moving down or inside but you only have your 10yr anniversary once.

 

[that's nice]

Our resident DVC thread responder Norm, is on vacation, I hope someone can help me out…..

I have a question or 2 that came up after our first DVC stay at BLT 2 weeks ago.

1) Do you tip housekeeping on day 4 when they exchange towels, and do garbage?

2) Do you tip on check out day?

3) How clean do you need to leave the room? i.e. do you wash the dishes, clean out the fridge, vacuum, etc?

4) When you book a room and you have current UY points, if you cancel 31 days or before, those points get put back in your account with no penalties correct?

That is it for now… We are starting to plan our end of August 2015 trip and I'm gonna try to book a BCV studio at 7 months. Melody won't know if she gets approved for her vacation week until the middle of February, so I'm booking with the chance she won't be approved and will have to find a different week.

 

[AirGoofy]

Our resident DVC thread responder Norm, is on vacation, I hope someone can help me out…..

I have a question or 2 that came up after our first DVC stay at BLT 2 weeks ago.

1) Do you tip housekeeping on day 4 when they exchange towels, and do garbage?

My philosophy is to tip the CM when theh do something for me. You can also add a towel package during your stay for just one night, and I would tip that person or leave tip in the room.

2) Do you tip on check out day?

See first rule. When I leave, they are getting the room ready for the next guest, so I don't. Maybe others do.

3) How clean do you need to leave the room? i.e. do you wash the dishes, clean out the fridge, vacuum, etc?

Yes, I wash all the dishes and clean out the fridge. Unless I have leftover food (sealed in packages, not half a banana), then I will leave a note for CM to consume or dispose of. I'm not sure their policy. But, I also don't have leftover food very often (which is a problem for another post on another thread). I've only run the vacuum if I made a big crumb mess during the week, but not on the last day just walking it the door.

4) When you book a room and you have current UY points, if you cancel 31 days or before, those points get put back in your account with no penalties correct?

Yes. If within 30 days, then they go into holding account, cannot be banked, must be used by end of UY, and only booked in last four months of UY (I think on that last one).

That is it for now… We are starting to plan our end of August 2015 trip and I'm gonna try to book a BCV studio at 7 months. Melody won't know if she gets approved for her vacation week until the middle of February, so I'm booking with the chance she won't be approved and will have to find a different week.

I am no expert. Just stayed a few times and sharing what limited information I have. See blue..

What I and others have done for either the high demand resort, high demand season, or high demand room is to go ahead and book your home resort at 11 months at your booking window. Then, call at the 7 month mark to ensure availability, and then use those same points on your new reservation as well as borrowing any additional ones. That way, you always are guaranteed your stay at WDW. Hopefully, you wouldn't borrow points for your 11 month stay and then use LESS points in switching to another resort at 7 month.

I think you are at SSR, which isn't a high demand resort, but if you're trying to get a TreeHouse or stay during Christmas, etc., then I would go ahead and book at 11 months.

 

[brettcw23]

Interesting DVC day for me. I called to book our 2015 October trip. I didn't feel like going online to do all the banking and such.I chose a BLT Lake View for 241 points. I couldn't get a standard view from Sat-Sat!

As MS was summarizing, they said I had 75 points that would expire in August 2015. Peculiar. I asked for an explanation and it didn't jive but I had to get on with my day, being at work and all.

The 75 was stuck in my head all day b\c that's the amount of points I added on this Spring or Summer.

I called back to get things ironed out.
1. I booked this October 2014 trip last December.
2. Bought another BLT contract chich gave me another 75 points. We got the 75 point for our 2013 UY, too. This is where the confusion sets in.
The 2013 points got banked AFTER I had planned our October 2014 trip. Of course that was b\c I got the points AFTER the trip was booked. I know that I ahd this conversation and MS was supposed to reallocate the point to use the oldest points first. It seems that someone DIDN"T do that.

So Janet, the MS person spent a great deal of time researching she shuffled everything around and now all is well with my account. She was fantastic and earned her pay today. The experience concerned me a little though b\c oter poeple may have just accepted the expiration of the points.

 

[AirGoofy]

Interesting DVC day for me. I called to book our 2015 October trip. I didn't feel like going online to do all the banking and such.I chose a BLT Lake View for 241 points. I couldn't get a standard view from Sat-Sat!

As MS was summarizing, they said I had 75 points that would expire in August 2015. Peculiar. I asked for an explanation and it didn't jive but I had to get on with my day, being at work and all.

The 75 was stuck in my head all day b\c that's the amount of points I added on this Spring or Summer.

I called back to get things ironed out.
1. I booked this October 2014 trip last December.
2. Bought another BLT contract chich gave me another 75 points. We got the 75 point for our 2013 UY, too. This is where the confusion sets in.
The 2013 points got banked AFTER I had planned our October 2014 trip. Of course that was b\c I got the points AFTER the trip was booked. I know that I ahd this conversation and MS was supposed to reallocate the point to use the oldest points first. It seems that someone DIDN"T do that.

So Janet, the MS person spent a great deal of time researching she shuffled everything around and now all is well with my account. She was fantastic and earned her pay today. The experience concerned me a little though b\c oter poeple may have just accepted the expiration of the points.

Great news. That is one of the perks of adding on direct thru Disney with that extra UY worth of points. Glad you were able to work it out.