It looks like we may go to WDW Christmas of 2016 with DH's family.
Part of my agreeing to do this is that we don't all have to be together all the time. Each individulal family unit will book wherever they want, for however long they want, etc. We'll likely go Dec 26-Jan 2.
So can someone explain DVC points to me like I'm 5? I don't understand it at all. I rent points from a stranger and hope they book my room?
We went through a company. Owners who aren't using their points sell them for the year to allow others to use them. There were calculators to determine cost based on resort, room, and time of year. The broker handles the reservation and dealt with the owner.
From the thread the other week it appears the brokers give 70% at booking and then 30% at check-in so owners don't cancel the reservation.
We stayed at a nicer resort for 2/3 the price by renting.
We went through a company. Owners who aren't using their points sell them for the year to allow others to use them. There were calculators to determine cost based on resort, room, and time of year. The broker handles the reservation and dealt with the owner.
From the thread the other week it appears the brokers give 70% at booking and then 30% at check-in so owners don't cancel the reservation.
We stayed at a nicer resort for 2/3 the price by renting.
Can we still do things like the dining plan? And do I get to make our dining and FP reservations?
We went through a company. Owners who aren't using their points sell them for the year to allow others to use them. There were calculators to determine cost based on resort, room, and time of year. The broker handles the reservation and dealt with the owner.
From the thread the other week it appears the brokers give 70% at booking and then 30% at check-in so owners don't cancel the reservation.
We stayed at a nicer resort for 2/3 the price by renting.
Can we still do things like the dining plan? And do I get to make our dining and FP reservations?
Yes to all. They will give you a reservation number that you put into the my Disney account and then you can do your reservations.
When I first read this I thought you said Christmas of this year. I was going to say... those dates for this year are already booked everywhere (you can get a few days here and there but not the entire time frame at any DVC resort).
So for that time period, you will need to book over 7 months in advance most likely. Preferably closer to 11. The key disadvantage of DVC rentals in my opinion is the lack of flexibility - normally you can't cancel and get a refund although maybe you can look into private trip insurance.
As I'm sure you are aware that time of the year is bananas and the most busy week of the year at WDW. They jack up food prices as well as the resort rates. Apparently it is common for the Magic Kingdom to fill to capacity early in the day and will turn you away if you arrive too late. This would make it more key to me to try to for a MK area resort (or a rental car if MK resorts are too pricey).
Yea, I know it will be nuts. I'm trying to go into it being very accepting about that fact, lol. We'll probably shoot for BLT for the reason you mention.
One more question - are guests allowed to just go look at other resorts? Like, if on a non-park day I want to C to see the Art of Animation resort or something, can we just go walk around it? And how would we get there? @starry
Post by londoncalling on Aug 9, 2015 10:53:05 GMT -5
Yes you can go to other resorts, but you can't use the amenities. AoA actually has gated pools to discourage pool hopping.
But going and looking around at the theming, food options and paying for resort services (spa at the Grand Floridian or a horse and carriage ride at POR, for example) all work.
If you don't have a car, you will need to use the bus/monorail/boat system. Most likely you will need to go to either a park, DTD, or the TTC to find resort specific transportation for the resort you want to go to.
Eta: here's an unofficial transport map done in the style of the London Underground. So easy to understand. www.wdwfocus.com/map/
Yea, I know it will be nuts. I'm trying to go into it being very accepting about that fact, lol. We'll probably shoot for BLT for the reason you mention.
Disney tourist blog has a pretty good section on visiting during the holidays. I wouldn't be against it myself as long as I knew what to expect
This site actually makes me feel a lot better about it!
Like some pp, MK most years get at max capacity very early. We were talking to a server at a near by restaurant in Orlando and he said there is aine of car waiting to get in and people to start lining up very early (5am?) to get into MK. I'm not sure how the other parks are on Christmas Day.
Like some pp, MK most years get at max capacity very early. We were talking to a server at a near by restaurant in Orlando and he said there is aine of car waiting to get in and people to start lining up very early (5am?) to get into MK. I'm not sure how the other parks are on Christmas Day.
Oh, we won't be there Christmas Day. We're going the week after.
Post by ilikedonuts on Aug 9, 2015 11:14:20 GMT -5
I would contact a rental company in December so they can hopefully find someone to book right at the 11 month window unless you want to stay at Saratoga Springs or Old Key West (maybe Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani too).
Post by ilikedonuts on Aug 9, 2015 11:15:33 GMT -5
This is probably the busiest week of the year and it also is one of the times where dvc rooms cost the most amount of points so if you need a room that is a ton of points it's much harder for a rental company to find an owner with enough points. So contacting them as early as possible is better
Post by ilikedonuts on Aug 9, 2015 14:54:13 GMT -5
Yeah if you buy tickets separately through Disney, Undercover Tourist (only authorized retailer) you have to pay the entire cost upfront. As long as you have tickets bought by 60 days out though, you're fine (that's when on site booking for Fastpasses starts).