Hi all, long time lurker on these boards, first time poster.
We have owned DVC since 2006, at Saratoga Springs. We generally come as 5-7 of us and book a 2 bedroom every other year. We can always get what we want at 7 months (summer) and have stayed in SS several times, SS (Treehouse), AKL, BC, and BW. However 2 bedrooms are pretty easy to book. We've done a one bedroom for a few short stays as well without issue.
This summer however will be different. For a variety of reasons, others in the family are taking different trips, and I'm going to do Disney with just my 10 year old daughter- a fun Daddy/Daughter trip. That means all we need is a studio. I'm fine with the adjustments that means- no laundry in the room, more eating out- simple food stuff in room rather than taco night, etc...
I've also decided to make this an opportunity to check out at least one new to us resort.
So- I originally booked 11 nights- at Saratoga Springs at my 11 month window. However, after deciding I'd want to possibly hit multiple resorts- I called and had them break it up as 4 nights, then 4 nights, then 3 nights.
So that's what I have right now- 4-4-3, all at SS. And honestly- if that's what I end up with- I'm perfectly happy with that. I think every resort on property is excellent in their own way.
However, what I would like is some split of Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna, Poly Standard view, and Riviera. Backup would be Boardwalk for Riviera, and BLT for Poly.
I've been watching the bookings on the DVC site and a few things came out to me as I track what happens around 7 months. (My 7 month window is in 3 weeks).
This is where I want some advice, and/or confirmation.
!.) It appears that Poly is not a problem to get even a week or 2 after the 7 month window, is this correct?
2.) It also appears that for some reason- AKL Jambo is harder to get that Kildani? I assume this is because of the number of studios. We stayed at Kildani- and loved it. Only reason I'd rather have Jambo is that we will most likely be using The Mara for a few meals, so I figured that would be easier- but again- no issue either way- I just want a savanna view- as we did standard in our 2 Bedroom when we stayed there due to point constraints.
3.) Now, looking at Riviera- I'd love a tower studio, but recognize that won't happen. Honestly- a big part of wanting to stay at Riviera is I'd possibly like to buy 50-70 points as an add on basically just so my wife and I could do the tower studios if we want, or get a standard studio some point in the future- and I think 11 months may be the only way to do either once things have sold a lot. But I don't want to do that unless I've stayed first- and like the property and skyliner. It looks like my chances of getting a standard studio are pretty slim also as 2 of the 11 nights in my trip are already gone. However I could get a preferred view I think. I saw this morning at 9AM it was fully available. Now- 4 hours later the 18th is gone- but if I act fast, I can get it. Interestingly, Boardwalk is harder to get right now than Riv for June. We had no problem a few years ago but HS improvements I'm sure are the reason.
So, this is my thought- I am not sure if I want to try to get RIV for the first 4 days or the second 4 days. However- if I wait until the second 4, I may not get it. I think I should try to book that first 4. If I don't get it- Book Poly or AKL. If I do, keep it- and than make the same decision for the next 4 days- looking at what else is out there. And finally- the same thing on the last 3. I can Book RIV for the first 4. Than, I could book Riv for the second 4. Later that day, swap the first 4 into Poly. Then just simply book the last 3 into AKL- SAV once that window opens.
Also- I think "Worst Case Scenario" which is a stupid first world problem here- is I could end up just doing all 11 days at AKL Savanna Kildani- or split with SS. Which is laughably fantastic compared to just working all summer.
Is my thought structure correct, will this work?
BTW, since it's just the two of us- and we will have 10 park days- I'm going to do a few experiences that are cheaper and we will both enjoy (and not stuff my wife really wants to do) and utilize my dvc discount.
My thoughts are-
Magic Behind the Steam Trains (yes I know you don't ride the loop- but I've done that a lot)
Behind the Seeds at Epcot
Up close with Rhino's at AK (If I can't get that- Caring for Giants)
Any thoughts are concerns on any of these?
Thanks for reading!
We have owned DVC since 2006, at Saratoga Springs. We generally come as 5-7 of us and book a 2 bedroom every other year. We can always get what we want at 7 months (summer) and have stayed in SS several times, SS (Treehouse), AKL, BC, and BW. However 2 bedrooms are pretty easy to book. We've done a one bedroom for a few short stays as well without issue.
This summer however will be different. For a variety of reasons, others in the family are taking different trips, and I'm going to do Disney with just my 10 year old daughter- a fun Daddy/Daughter trip. That means all we need is a studio. I'm fine with the adjustments that means- no laundry in the room, more eating out- simple food stuff in room rather than taco night, etc...
I've also decided to make this an opportunity to check out at least one new to us resort.
So- I originally booked 11 nights- at Saratoga Springs at my 11 month window. However, after deciding I'd want to possibly hit multiple resorts- I called and had them break it up as 4 nights, then 4 nights, then 3 nights.
So that's what I have right now- 4-4-3, all at SS. And honestly- if that's what I end up with- I'm perfectly happy with that. I think every resort on property is excellent in their own way.
However, what I would like is some split of Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna, Poly Standard view, and Riviera. Backup would be Boardwalk for Riviera, and BLT for Poly.
I've been watching the bookings on the DVC site and a few things came out to me as I track what happens around 7 months. (My 7 month window is in 3 weeks).
This is where I want some advice, and/or confirmation.
!.) It appears that Poly is not a problem to get even a week or 2 after the 7 month window, is this correct?
2.) It also appears that for some reason- AKL Jambo is harder to get that Kildani? I assume this is because of the number of studios. We stayed at Kildani- and loved it. Only reason I'd rather have Jambo is that we will most likely be using The Mara for a few meals, so I figured that would be easier- but again- no issue either way- I just want a savanna view- as we did standard in our 2 Bedroom when we stayed there due to point constraints.
3.) Now, looking at Riviera- I'd love a tower studio, but recognize that won't happen. Honestly- a big part of wanting to stay at Riviera is I'd possibly like to buy 50-70 points as an add on basically just so my wife and I could do the tower studios if we want, or get a standard studio some point in the future- and I think 11 months may be the only way to do either once things have sold a lot. But I don't want to do that unless I've stayed first- and like the property and skyliner. It looks like my chances of getting a standard studio are pretty slim also as 2 of the 11 nights in my trip are already gone. However I could get a preferred view I think. I saw this morning at 9AM it was fully available. Now- 4 hours later the 18th is gone- but if I act fast, I can get it. Interestingly, Boardwalk is harder to get right now than Riv for June. We had no problem a few years ago but HS improvements I'm sure are the reason.
So, this is my thought- I am not sure if I want to try to get RIV for the first 4 days or the second 4 days. However- if I wait until the second 4, I may not get it. I think I should try to book that first 4. If I don't get it- Book Poly or AKL. If I do, keep it- and than make the same decision for the next 4 days- looking at what else is out there. And finally- the same thing on the last 3. I can Book RIV for the first 4. Than, I could book Riv for the second 4. Later that day, swap the first 4 into Poly. Then just simply book the last 3 into AKL- SAV once that window opens.
Also- I think "Worst Case Scenario" which is a stupid first world problem here- is I could end up just doing all 11 days at AKL Savanna Kildani- or split with SS. Which is laughably fantastic compared to just working all summer.
Is my thought structure correct, will this work?
BTW, since it's just the two of us- and we will have 10 park days- I'm going to do a few experiences that are cheaper and we will both enjoy (and not stuff my wife really wants to do) and utilize my dvc discount.
My thoughts are-
Magic Behind the Steam Trains (yes I know you don't ride the loop- but I've done that a lot)
Behind the Seeds at Epcot
Up close with Rhino's at AK (If I can't get that- Caring for Giants)
Any thoughts are concerns on any of these?
Thanks for reading!