Help Me Decide!

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Sun, 05/10/2009 - 18:12

UnbalancedLibra

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Help Me Decide!

Okay, we're ditching the last minute trip for this year idea and just planing on a nice vacation for next April.

We are a family of 5 and when we visit WDW we usually take my MIL along
(I love her and it's great that there is one adult to one child )
my youngest will be 3 this November so it looks like from here on out
we need to either stay in a suite, a villa or book 2 rooms

The problem> MIL is not able to pay for her trip and so we foot the entire bill

The last 2 years we stayed at the Polynesian and because Wyatt was
under 3 it was okay, we were 5 and an infant. Now we're looking to
book our trip for next year and I've been going crazy trying to decide
where to stay - I am so spoiled by the Poly and the monorail

I know rates for next April aren't out yet, so this is a guesstimate.
I'd love opinions - if you've stayed at any of the following places:

Boardwalk - deluxe room sleeps 6 at about $570/night

Contemporary - standard room with parking lot view, $280/night for 2 rooms then, would be about $560/night

Poly - standard room $355/night for 2 rooms then, would be about $710/night

Wilderness Lodge Deluxe sleeps 6 $525/night

Beach Club villas - $630/night

Old KW villas - $545/night

CSR - suite $655/night standard rooms range from $150-$180/night, for two rooms could be up to $360/night

CBR - standard rooms $150-$180/night, so about $360/night

I am actually leaning towards 2 rooms for a bit more privacy but it's not that big of a deal.

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Sun, 05/10/2009 - 18:38

SpaceAce

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I'd go for the two rooms at the contemporary! You get the monorail and walking distance to the MK! You can't beat that!!

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Sun, 05/10/2009 - 18:55

UnbalancedLibra

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SpaceAce wrote:

I'd go for the two rooms at the contemporary! You get the monorail and walking distance to the MK! You can't beat that!!

and a view of the parking lot!

Actually, we're leaning towards the deluxe room at Wilderness Lodge. It sleeps 6 - it's concierge level though but it's about $525 which is around what it all seems to be anyway.

We ate at Whispering Canyon and CJ and his mom just fell in love with the place - we know since the kids are still little that they'd want to be at MK a lot and the bus ride to MK is a short one. Or, we can take a boat, then get on the monorail and visit the Poly, lol

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Sun, 05/10/2009 - 22:15

admin

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UnbalancedLibra wrote:

SpaceAce wrote:
I'd go for the two rooms at the contemporary! You get the monorail and walking distance to the MK! You can't beat that!!

and a view of the parking lot!

Actually, we're leaning towards the deluxe room at Wilderness Lodge. It sleeps 6 - it's concierge level though but it's about $525 which is around what it all seems to be anyway.

We ate at Whispering Canyon and CJ and his mom just fell in love with the place - we know since the kids are still little that they'd want to be at MK a lot and the bus ride to MK is a short one. Or, we can take a boat, then get on the monorail and visit the Poly, lol

Very true! WL is one of our favorites. Did you take a look at the fan site (see link in my signature)? And we have no pics of the Concierge rooms there right now, so I think you should take into consideration how much your insight could help us if you stayed there...

Sun, 05/10/2009 - 22:16

cdub

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Wilderness Lodge is a great resort. I would definitely pick it over Boardwalk, Beach Club or OKW (which are a similar price on your list). I think I'd always pick CSR over CBR so I think I've narrowed your options down to:

Wilderness Lodge
Poly
Contemporary
CSR

Mon, 05/11/2009 - 00:56

UnbalancedLibra

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admin wrote:

UnbalancedLibra wrote:
SpaceAce wrote:
I'd go for the two rooms at the contemporary! You get the monorail and walking distance to the MK! You can't beat that!!

and a view of the parking lot!

Actually, we're leaning towards the deluxe room at Wilderness Lodge. It sleeps 6 - it's concierge level though but it's about $525 which is around what it all seems to be anyway.

We ate at Whispering Canyon and CJ and his mom just fell in love with the place - we know since the kids are still little that they'd want to be at MK a lot and the bus ride to MK is a short one. Or, we can take a boat, then get on the monorail and visit the Poly, lol

Very true! WL is one of our favorites. Did you take a look at the fan site (see link in my signature)? And we have no pics of the Concierge rooms there right now, so I think you should take into consideration how much your insight could help us if you stayed there...

Ohh, I could help ya!!!! heheeee

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Mon, 05/11/2009 - 00:57

UnbalancedLibra

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cdub wrote:

Wilderness Lodge is a great resort. I would definitely pick it over Boardwalk, Beach Club or OKW (which are a similar price on your list). I think I'd always pick CSR over CBR so I think I've narrowed your options down to:

Wilderness Lodge
Poly
Contemporary
CSR

as much as I do love the Poly, I think a change of pace may be good, sooo, WL is at the top of my list!

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Tue, 05/12/2009 - 03:23

SpaceAce

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UnbalancedLibra wrote:

cdub wrote:
Wilderness Lodge is a great resort. I would definitely pick it over Boardwalk, Beach Club or OKW (which are a similar price on your list). I think I'd always pick CSR over CBR so I think I've narrowed your options down to:

Wilderness Lodge
Poly
Contemporary
CSR

as much as I do love the Poly, I think a change of pace may be good, sooo, WL is at the top of my list!

Well! If Wilderness Lodge is at the top of your list, far be it from me to argue!!

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Tue, 05/12/2009 - 12:00

Imagineer

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It's hard for me to help you decide, because I don't know your budget. Obviously, I'd suggest the deluxe resorts that you listed over the moderates, but that's only if you can comfortably afford them. From your list, if money were no object, I'd choose the Beach Club Villas.

My other suggestion would be, if you were to opt for one of the DVC resorts, to try and rent points off of a member. You'd find you are paying much less than what the rooms charge out of pocket, especially because you may find a member who can't use the points, and will discount them just to get something for them.

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Tue, 05/12/2009 - 13:38

UnbalancedLibra

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Imagineer wrote:

It's hard for me to help you decide, because I don't know your budget. Obviously, I'd suggest the deluxe resorts that you listed over the moderates, but that's only if you can comfortably afford them. From your list, if money were no object, I'd choose the Beach Club Villas.

My other suggestion would be, if you were to opt for one of the DVC resorts, to try and rent points off of a member. You'd find you are paying much less than what the rooms charge out of pocket, especially because you may find a member who can't use the points, and will discount them just to get something for them.

Thanks!

I budget about $5-$7K a year for a nice WDW vacation...which is why i am currently pondering becoming a DVC member

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Tue, 05/12/2009 - 13:46

cdub

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UnbalancedLibra wrote:

Imagineer wrote:
It's hard for me to help you decide, because I don't know your budget. Obviously, I'd suggest the deluxe resorts that you listed over the moderates, but that's only if you can comfortably afford them. From your list, if money were no object, I'd choose the Beach Club Villas.

My other suggestion would be, if you were to opt for one of the DVC resorts, to try and rent points off of a member. You'd find you are paying much less than what the rooms charge out of pocket, especially because you may find a member who can't use the points, and will discount them just to get something for them.

Thanks!

I budget about $5-$7K a year for a nice WDW vacation...which is why i am currently pondering becoming a DVC member

One question will be how you adapt to a non-monorail resort. I imagine it would be take some getting used to.

Tue, 05/12/2009 - 13:47

UnbalancedLibra

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cdub wrote:

One question will be how you adapt to a non-monorail resort. I imagine it would be take some getting used to.

There's always BLT!!!

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Tue, 05/12/2009 - 15:48

admin

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UnbalancedLibra wrote:

cdub wrote:

One question will be how you adapt to a non-monorail resort. I imagine it would be take some getting used to.

There's always BLT!!!

So true!

Now, UL, why do I see on your blog that you're booked at the Poly in Sept/Oct? Is that for keeps, or is it just a placeholder?

Tue, 05/12/2009 - 15:52

Imagineer

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UnbalancedLibra wrote:

Imagineer wrote:
It's hard for me to help you decide, because I don't know your budget. Obviously, I'd suggest the deluxe resorts that you listed over the moderates, but that's only if you can comfortably afford them. From your list, if money were no object, I'd choose the Beach Club Villas.

My other suggestion would be, if you were to opt for one of the DVC resorts, to try and rent points off of a member. You'd find you are paying much less than what the rooms charge out of pocket, especially because you may find a member who can't use the points, and will discount them just to get something for them.

Thanks!

I budget about $5-$7K a year for a nice WDW vacation...which is why i am currently pondering becoming a DVC member

If you spend 7K a year on WDW vacations, then DVC will pay for itself in 2 years!

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Tue, 05/12/2009 - 16:12

MouseTraveler

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If I spent 5-7K per year for Disney, I'd still be waiting for my first trip......

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Tue, 05/12/2009 - 16:21

admin

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MouseTraveler wrote:

If I spent 5-7K per year for Disney, I'd still be waiting for my first trip......

Yep--it can get pretty expensive with three kiddos and a mother in law along for the ride. Budgets suddenly get a little bigger...

We're considering a family trip with parents, etc., and I imagine that credit card bill is going to be hefty

Tue, 05/12/2009 - 18:16

cdub

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Imagineer wrote:

UnbalancedLibra wrote:
Imagineer wrote:
It's hard for me to help you decide, because I don't know your budget. Obviously, I'd suggest the deluxe resorts that you listed over the moderates, but that's only if you can comfortably afford them. From your list, if money were no object, I'd choose the Beach Club Villas.

My other suggestion would be, if you were to opt for one of the DVC resorts, to try and rent points off of a member. You'd find you are paying much less than what the rooms charge out of pocket, especially because you may find a member who can't use the points, and will discount them just to get something for them.

Thanks!

I budget about $5-$7K a year for a nice WDW vacation...which is why i am currently pondering becoming a DVC member

If you spend 7K a year on WDW vacations, then DVC will pay for itself in 2 years!

Not quite true once you include the Maintenance fees.

Tue, 05/12/2009 - 18:36

Imagineer

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cdub wrote:

Imagineer wrote:
UnbalancedLibra wrote:
Imagineer wrote:
It's hard for me to help you decide, because I don't know your budget. Obviously, I'd suggest the deluxe resorts that you listed over the moderates, but that's only if you can comfortably afford them. From your list, if money were no object, I'd choose the Beach Club Villas.

My other suggestion would be, if you were to opt for one of the DVC resorts, to try and rent points off of a member. You'd find you are paying much less than what the rooms charge out of pocket, especially because you may find a member who can't use the points, and will discount them just to get something for them.

Thanks!

I budget about $5-$7K a year for a nice WDW vacation...which is why i am currently pondering becoming a DVC member

If you spend 7K a year on WDW vacations, then DVC will pay for itself in 2 years!

Not quite true once you include the Maintenance fees.

No, it's not true if you do the math down to the penny, but I think it was inferred that my point is that she spends almost as much on two years of Disney vacations as she would on 50 years worth...

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Tue, 05/12/2009 - 19:25

SpaceAce

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Imagineer wrote:

[No, it's not true if you do the math down to the penny, but I think it was inferred that my point is that she spends almost as much on two years of Disney vacations as she would on 50 years worth...

WOW! That's amazing.

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Tue, 05/12/2009 - 20:42

UnbalancedLibra

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Between last year, this year and a trip next year, our total spending amount would be over $16K

Last year it was 2 kids and infant, my MIL, me and my husband plus y mom and grandma. Now, yes, my mom and grandma paid their way - was about $4K for the 2 of them.

This year was close to $5K for 2 kids, infant, me, husband and MIL. Next year it will be more because Wyatt will be 3 and no longer free. We NEED a big room - or 2 rooms but I gotta say, Deluxe resorts have spoiled me and I honestly don't want to be in a moderate or a value. if I HAD to be - if that was the only way to make it work, I would but I'm not at that point

Now granted, those prices included dining and park tickets but I could go the AP route and we could have some meals in the villa, using the kitchen. There are ways to cut costs and quite honestly, I'd rather spend $2K a year to go to WDW than $5K or more every year!

If I spent $20K or so for say 200 points, that's 4 trips to WDW
The maintenance fees, yes, must be taken into consideration.

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Wed, 05/13/2009 - 03:58

bali

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Sounds like you're crunching numbers, UL. There are lots of experts around here, so no doubt you'll get answers quickly. I'm only an expert on point rental (and not Ebay point rental, unfortunately), but if I can help, let me know.

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Wed, 05/13/2009 - 10:57

UnbalancedLibra

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bali wrote:

Sounds like you're crunching numbers, UL. There are lots of experts around here, so no doubt you'll get answers quickly. I'm only an expert on point rental (and not Ebay point rental, unfortunately), but if I can help, let me know.

Thanks so much!

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Wed, 05/13/2009 - 11:33

MouseTraveler

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Don't let the annual fees sway you too much. Compared to an initial investment of $16-20K, they are going to be well under a thousand a year based on the point total you mentioned.

You'd still come out ahead after two years and a month or two.

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Wed, 05/13/2009 - 12:37

Imagineer

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MouseTraveler wrote:

Don't let the annual fees sway you too much. Compared to an initial investment of $16-20K, they are going to be well under a thousand a year based on the point total you mentioned.

You'd still come out ahead after two years and a month or two.

Agreed. While the annual dues are a part of the puzzle, I don't think it's going to be a dealbreaker for most people.

Our home resort AKLV, has the highest annual dues of all the DVC resorts. With a purchase of 160 points, our annual dues are about $900.

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Thu, 05/14/2009 - 22:34

UnbalancedLibra

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I totally think the pros outweigh the cons

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Thu, 05/14/2009 - 23:41

Vettelover

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UnbalancedLibra wrote:

I totally think the pros outweigh the cons

Being a very happy DVC member I must wholeheartedly agree.

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Fri, 05/15/2009 - 03:46

MouseTraveler

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Just an idea, but I've had a contract job for close to 20 years that doesn't pay a lot, but its regular.

Up to the point that we bought into DVC I pretty much just cashed the check and never knew where any of it went. When we bought our points, that check went directly (in our minds anyway) to pay for the DVC points.

I didn't really miss the monthly check, and I was VERY proud of what I had to show at the end of the payments.

Anybody know what kind of interest rate DVC is offering these days?

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Fri, 05/15/2009 - 03:50

bali

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UnbalancedLibra wrote:

I totally think the pros outweigh the cons

Ooh! Does that mean what I think it means!?

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Fri, 05/15/2009 - 14:45

Brad

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UnbalancedLibra wrote:

I totally think the pros outweigh the cons

What does CJ think?

Fri, 05/15/2009 - 14:58

Imagineer

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MouseTraveler wrote:

Anybody know what kind of interest rate DVC is offering these days?

They have two different interest rates that they offer. Your credit determines which you get. I'm not sure but a ballpark figure is something like 12% and 15%.

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Sat, 05/30/2009 - 22:04

UnbalancedLibra

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bali wrote:

UnbalancedLibra wrote:
I totally think the pros outweigh the cons

Ooh! Does that mean what I think it means!?

YES! barring any misfortune we'll be buying this fall

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