Renting DVC-- backup hotel?

[elcjet]

I am in the midst of planning my first Disney World trip and decided to treat my parents to 3 nights/4 days out of our 8 night/7 day stay.  DVC seemed like the best bet for us because we wanted to stay on property, preferably on the monorail, and liked the idea of having access to a fridge and microwave.  (Plus, I really needed 2 rooms because my sisters are staying with my parents as well)

So I've requested Poly studios for mid-December, and while there is availability, we are now waiting on the rental company to get points from somebody whose home resort is the Poly.  

According to the rental company, they will keep looking as long as there is availability, but this also means I can't really "plan" my trip unless they firm up the reservation.

Should I book a backup hotel reservation with Disney just in case??  Or does this eventually pan out?  I'm a little freaked out that everything is still in limbo.

[curbsideprophet]

How long have you been waiting? What exactly do you want to plan?

I am not sure if a back up hotel is necessary at this point but if it makes you feel better go for it.

[elcjet]

Mar 10, 2016 13:45:53 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

How long have you been waiting? What exactly do you want to plan?

I am not sure if a back up hotel is necessary at this point but if it makes you feel better go for it.

2 days....so not long.  But I'm reading that even though points are available, it doesn't mean I'll ever get them.

I'd eventually like to book plane tickets and I'll want to do the dining reservations at 180 + 10......not that we'll do much, but knowing where we will stay on which nights will really dictate what reservations I make and when.

Plus I am a planner and I'd love to just have it all DONE.  (But I am also very cheap so the appeal of what I am paying for DVC makes me think this was worth the gamble)

I guess I have time.  

[countthestars]

You can't do reservations until June ish for December so I would hold off a bit

[Deleted]

I'm waiting for my DVC rental to secure also. They said at 7 months out my chances of being able to get booked are much higher, so I'm waiting for that. I put in my request 2 weeks ago but 7 months is about a month way for us now.

[fancefpp]

It took about a week for me to book BLT for September. I requested the Poly first but it didn't look like we'd get it for the week I wanted, so I moved on. I finalized it last week, if that helps.

[ilikedonuts]

I wouldn't book a backup unless its getting close to booking ADRs. Once you hit the 7 month window, the rental companies will definitely have more points for rent.

Do you have a back up for DVC rental if poly is full?

[lala]

I wouldn't worry about a back up. Even if you can't get poly, I'd think you could get blt.

[elcjet]

Mar 10, 2016 17:31:06 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Do you have a back up for DVC rental if poly is full?

No, I don't really have a DVC backup right now.  I really wanted to be on the Monorail because I think we'll spend the bulk of our 7 days at Epcot and MK....  But I do know that Bay Lake Towers were open for my dates, as were the Kidani Savanna view suites.....  Wilderness Lodge was totally booked, as was GFV.  

[alleinesein]

Mar 10, 2016 23:33:25 GMT -5 elcjet said:

Mar 10, 2016 17:31:06 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Do you have a back up for DVC rental if poly is full?

No, I don't really have a DVC backup right now.  I really wanted to be on the Monorail because I think we'll spend the bulk of our 7 days at Epcot and MK....  But I do know that Bay Lake Towers were open for my dates, as were the Kidani Savanna view suites.....  Wilderness Lodge was totally booked, as was GFV.  

If you are willing to compromise a bit you can usually score something at the Boardwalk Villas.  Its next to EPCOT so while getting to the MK can be a bit of a pain you can easily access EPCOT and trek over to the Studios by boat.

[curbsideprophet]

Mar 10, 2016 23:33:25 GMT -5 elcjet said:

Mar 10, 2016 17:31:06 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Do you have a back up for DVC rental if poly is full?

No, I don't really have a DVC backup right now.  I really wanted to be on the Monorail because I think we'll spend the bulk of our 7 days at Epcot and MK....  But I do know that Bay Lake Towers were open for my dates, as were the Kidani Savanna view suites.....  Wilderness Lodge was totally booked, as was GFV.  

We enjoyed our stay at BLT. Walking to MK was great!

[ilikedonuts]

Mar 10, 2016 23:33:25 GMT -5 elcjet said:

Mar 10, 2016 17:31:06 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Do you have a back up for DVC rental if poly is full?

No, I don't really have a DVC backup right now.  I really wanted to be on the Monorail because I think we'll spend the bulk of our 7 days at Epcot and MK....  But I do know that Bay Lake Towers were open for my dates, as were the Kidani Savanna view suites.....  Wilderness Lodge was totally booked, as was GFV.  

What are your dates? I actually think Poly is your best bet at having availability. It seems to fill up slower then BLT, VGF, etc.

Fingers crossed they get an owner with some points to rent soon!

[ilikedonuts]

Boardwalk and Beach club currently have studio availability for mid December. BLT just has lake view.

[Deleted]

I have booked a room before JIC I didn't get what I wanted and then cancelled it when I did. I am a little crazy though.

[elcjet]

Mar 11, 2016 7:21:52 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Mar 10, 2016 23:33:25 GMT -5 elcjet said:

Fingers crossed they get an owner with some points to rent soon!

We're looking at the 13th - 20th.....although I can probably take the 1st grader out of school a little earlier and go earlier in the week if we have to.

I've read that early December is a super popular time with DVC owners because they get lower crowds and more time for their points.  BUT I do agree with you that maybe I'll get lucky, especially once we hit that 7 month mark.  They haven't sold all the new supply at Poly yet, so at 7 months I might stand a chance with someone else's points.

Will maybe tell them to book BLT as my alternate.  Walking to WDW doesn't sound too bad!

[alleinesein]

Mar 10, 2016 14:26:50 GMT -5 @lindy said:

I'm waiting for my DVC rental to secure also. They said at 7 months out my chances of being able to get booked are much higher, so I'm waiting for that. I put in my request 2 weeks ago but 7 months is about a month way for us now.

The 7 month thing doesn't really increase your chances.  I own at 3 DVC properties and at 11 months out I can book at my home resorts and at 7 months out I can book at any resort.  But at the 7 month window there typically isn't much availability left.  It gives me more options if the other resorts are available but it doesn't guarantee that I will be able to book something.  

[alleinesein]

Mar 11, 2016 14:11:36 GMT -5 elcjet said:

Mar 11, 2016 7:21:52 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Fingers crossed they get an owner with some points to rent soon!

We're looking at the 13th - 20th.....although I can probably take the 1st grader out of school a little earlier and go earlier in the week if we have to.

I've read that early December is a super popular time with DVC owners because they get lower crowds and more time for their points.  BUT I do agree with you that maybe I'll get lucky, especially once we hit that 7 month mark.  They haven't sold all the new supply at Poly yet, so at 7 months I might stand a chance with someone else's points.

Will maybe tell them to book BLT as my alternate.  Walking to WDW doesn't sound too bad!

My home resort in FL is wide open but it is Saratoga Springs so you wont be on the monorail.  

Yup- the first 2 weeks of December are value/adventure/low season so you use the least amount of points. I haven't been to WDW in years in December but aside from the weather it is a great time to go since most kids are still in school and you don't have as many vacationing families.  

Are you looking at a studio?  Most of the new DVC rooms at the Poly are studios.  You can probably book a 1 bedroom at BLT for just a few $ more and you would have more space and be able to walk to the MK.

[elcjet]

Mar 11, 2016 21:35:26 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

Mar 11, 2016 14:11:36 GMT -5 elcjet said:

My home resort in FL is wide open but it is Saratoga Springs so you wont be on the monorail.  

Yup- the first 2 weeks of December are value/adventure/low season so you use the least amount of points. I haven't been to WDW in years in December but aside from the weather it is a great time to go since most kids are still in school and you don't have as many vacationing families.  

Are you looking at a studio?  Most of the new DVC rooms at the Poly are studios.  You can probably book a 1 bedroom at BLT for just a few $ more and you would have more space and be able to walk to the MK.

I'm looking to get 2 studios -- one for 4 people from the 14-17th, and then one for my family of 4 from the 13th - 20th. I'm thinking maybe I could be swayed. We plan to hit 1 park per day and stay out until dark -- the kids are troopers and don't nap anymore, so I guess location isn't a huge deal since we are not hopping around everywhere. If we ended up at Saratoga Springs, would it be that bad compared to my alternative, which would be Port Orleans?

We're Coloradoans, so sweatshirt weather would be awesome. Not even thinking about packing swimsuits! (Although my parents live out there and said it was in the 80's parts of December)

[alleinesein]

Mar 12, 2016 18:47:27 GMT -5 elcjet said:

Mar 11, 2016 21:35:26 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

My home resort in FL is wide open but it is Saratoga Springs so you wont be on the monorail.  

Yup- the first 2 weeks of December are value/adventure/low season so you use the least amount of points. I haven't been to WDW in years in December but aside from the weather it is a great time to go since most kids are still in school and you don't have as many vacationing families.  

Are you looking at a studio?  Most of the new DVC rooms at the Poly are studios.  You can probably book a 1 bedroom at BLT for just a few $ more and you would have more space and be able to walk to the MK.

I'm looking to get 2 studios -- one for 4 people from the 14-17th, and then one for my family of 4 from the 13th - 20th. I'm thinking maybe I could be swayed. We plan to hit 1 park per day and stay out until dark -- the kids are troopers and don't nap anymore, so I guess location isn't a huge deal since we are not hopping around everywhere. If we ended up at Saratoga Springs, would it be that bad compared to my alternative, which would be Port Orleans?

We're Coloradoans, so sweatshirt weather would be awesome. Not even thinking about packing swimsuits! (Although my parents live out there and said it was in the 80's parts of December)

Saratoga Springs and Port Orleans are in the same area of the WDW but Saratoga Springs is on the edge of Disney property.  I've stayed at the Port Orleans-French Quarter a few times and I like it.  It is quiet and I love the theming at the pool; I'd love to bring home one of the alligator statues.  It doesn't have all the same amenities as a DVC villa but if you aren't going to spend all day in the room it is perfectly fine.

Florida weather is psychotic!  I've experienced 40F and rain followed by 85F+ and sunny the next day.  I pack for every type of weather they could possibly have.  

You might want to see what the price difference is between getting 2 studios and one 2 bedroom villa.  Some of the DVC villas have a 2 bedroom lock-off where one side is a 1 bedroom villa and the other is a studio villa.  It doesnt have as many beds but it allows for some privacy since you can lock off part of the room.  I'm not sure what people are charging nowadays to rent DVC points but a 2 bedroom at Saratoga Springs is 256-291 points for a week in the value season.  It is a huge resort but it does have the bonus of having parking right outside your building.