Helping a pal with 5 kids

HappyCamper · 02-22-2009

My friend is a mother of five. Grandma just called to give her a present...$2500.00 towards a family trip. (Money is tight, so this is a wonderful surprise) She's thinkin' Disney for Spring Break. Of course, now is not the time to plan a trip for April. She's already discovered that all value resorts are sold out for her family size. (7) As her pal (and because I'm Disney crazy), I thought I'd do a bit of investigating on her behalf...

Can DVC members rent out? If so, is this a possibility this late in the game?

Does anyone have any other ideas?

**DisneyTeacher** · 02-22-2009

yes, DVC members can rent points to non-members. DVC requires a lot of planning during busy times, a lot of holidays need to be booked 7-11 months out. I really don't know how hard spring break/Easter is to book as I've never tried but Christmas and Thanksgiving book solid well before a month or two out.

Would she consider waiting until just after school gets out? It may be warmer but the parks won't be any more crowded than spring break.

slist · 02-22-2009

Did you try a cabin at FW campground. she might want to consider staying off site. They have suites at Lake Buena Vista. Personally I don't like to stay off site but she might be able to get a good deal if she looks at Mousesavers.com

M5ward · 02-22-2009

As the mom of five (now grown) also, I can't imaging being in the World with during spring break. If I were her, I'd be looking at another time with less demand.

**Dana** · 02-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5ward

As the mom of five (now grown) also, I can't imaging being in the World with during spring break. If I were her, I'd be looking at another time with less demand.

My thoughts exactly. I think she and her family would better benefit from a trip planned out a bit more and at a time when it's not as crowded. $2500 is going to be tight regardless of where she's stays unless it's off property. Her best bet is a two bedroom if she is going to try and rent points and she should try at OKW where the points aren't as much as the other DVC's. If this is her very first trip to WDW, she is going to need some planning time. Help or not, trying to go to WDW during spring break with zero planning time is insane....she's not going to have a good time and that would be a total waste of the generous $2500 she was given.

WDW Rules · 02-22-2009

Good Point Dana. Have to agree with you.

dancing4disney · 02-22-2009

Will she be driving to Disney? If so, I would consider renting a house off site. It would accomodate a large family and she could do a lot of cooking at the house which will also save money. The money will go very quickly once you purchase tickets...etc..

Live life · 02-22-2009

I too would suggest renting a home in nearby Kissimmee. Most of the $2500 will go on tickets alone for a family of 7. The less you have to spend on food in the parks, the better. If they HAVE to stay on property, definately consider renting DVC points but otherwise, I would opt for off property.

HappyCamper · 03-29-2009

Thanks everyone. She did end up renting a place off-site, is driving instead of flying, purchased non-park hopper passes, etc. She (and the family) are soooo excited to go....

I am happy for her.

leslieh · 03-29-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyCamper

Thanks everyone. She did end up renting a place off-site, is driving instead of flying, purchased non-park hopper passes, etc. She (and the family) are soooo excited to go....

I am happy for her.

You're a good friend! Also tell her about the Unofficial Guide by Mike Sehlinger, and mousesavers.com.

Both will help her get the most out of her vacation (and her $$).

tinkerbelle24 · 03-29-2009

What about the buy 4 get 3 free promo or wait till Aug Sept and get free DDP? If not Best Western lakeside is a very nice off property location and it was very cheap. I think I paid $28 per night last March.

HappyCamper · 03-29-2009

Thanks for the additional tips. She's bought the book, checked out the site, and did get the deal for Spring break. (And, as an added bonus, it's her mom's b-day while they're there...so they're opting for credit to add to the kid's souvenier funds) She and I have had a BLAST talking about it...She says I'm one of the only pals she knows who truly understands how and why she's so Disney crazy right now!...

02-22-2009	#1 (permalink)
HappyCamper Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: The Big Mitten Posts: 136	Helping a pal with 5 kids My friend is a mother of five. Grandma just called to give her a present...$2500.00 towards a family trip. (Money is tight, so this is a wonderful surprise) She's thinkin' Disney for Spring Break. Of course, now is not the time to plan a trip for April. She's already discovered that all value resorts are sold out for her family size. (7) As her pal (and because I'm Disney crazy), I thought I'd do a bit of investigating on her behalf... Can DVC members rent out? If so, is this a possibility this late in the game? Does anyone have any other ideas? __________________ 1989 - Offsite 2002 - Wilderness Lodge 2006 - Fort Wilderness Cabin 2007-Fort Wilderness Campsite 2009 - Fort Wilderness Campsite...CAN'T WAIT! My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Christmas 2009 43 days 1 hours 16 minutes

02-22-2009	#2 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,278	Re: Helping a pal with 5 kids yes, DVC members can rent points to non-members. DVC requires a lot of planning during busy times, a lot of holidays need to be booked 7-11 months out. I really don't know how hard spring break/Easter is to book as I've never tried but Christmas and Thanksgiving book solid well before a month or two out. Would she consider waiting until just after school gets out? It may be warmer but the parks won't be any more crowded than spring break. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 255 days 18 hours 16 minutes

02-22-2009	#3 (permalink)
slist Big Cheese Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Delaware Posts: 605	Re: Helping a pal with 5 kids Did you try a cabin at FW campground. she might want to consider staying off site. They have suites at Lake Buena Vista. Personally I don't like to stay off site but she might be able to get a good deal if she looks at Mousesavers.com __________________ I live for Disney My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Mother/Daughter Trip 21 days 16 hours 31 minutes

02-22-2009	#4 (permalink)
M5ward Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Jersey Posts: 317	Re: Helping a pal with 5 kids As the mom of five (now grown) also, I can't imaging being in the World with during spring break. If I were her, I'd be looking at another time with less demand. __________________ ºoº * ~ ** ~ * ºoº Michele Second star to the right and straight on until morning. (Peter Pan) http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timer...sfo87kv2ma.png November, 1981 (Cont.),November, 1983 (Cont.),December, 1994 (off-site), January, 2005 (BWI), March, 2006 (BWI), January, 2007 (SSR), November, 2007 (SSR), February, 2008 (BWV), October, 2008 (OKW), January, 2009 (BWV),October, 2009 (BCV) My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Avery's First Trip to the World 76 days 21 hours 46 minutes

02-22-2009	#6 (permalink)
WDW Rules Mouse Meister Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,307	Re: Helping a pal with 5 kids Good Point Dana. Have to agree with you. __________________ Loretta

		MouseBuzz.com > Disney Vacation Club > Trade/Rental requests
Helping a pal with 5 kids

02-22-2009	#7 (permalink)
dancing4disney Big Cheese Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New England Posts: 581	Re: Helping a pal with 5 kids Will she be driving to Disney? If so, I would consider renting a house off site. It would accomodate a large family and she could do a lot of cooking at the house which will also save money. The money will go very quickly once you purchase tickets...etc..

02-22-2009	#8 (permalink)
Live life Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 129	Re: Helping a pal with 5 kids I too would suggest renting a home in nearby Kissimmee. Most of the $2500 will go on tickets alone for a family of 7. The less you have to spend on food in the parks, the better. If they HAVE to stay on property, definately consider renting DVC points but otherwise, I would opt for off property. __________________

03-29-2009	#9 (permalink)
HappyCamper Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: The Big Mitten Posts: 136	Re: Helping a pal with 5 kids Thanks everyone. She did end up renting a place off-site, is driving instead of flying, purchased non-park hopper passes, etc. She (and the family) are soooo excited to go.... I am happy for her. __________________ 1989 - Offsite 2002 - Wilderness Lodge 2006 - Fort Wilderness Cabin 2007-Fort Wilderness Campsite 2009 - Fort Wilderness Campsite...CAN'T WAIT! My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Christmas 2009 43 days 1 hours 16 minutes

03-29-2009	#11 (permalink)
tinkerbelle24 Cant wait till MNSSHP Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: West Deptford NJ Posts: 5,445	Re: Helping a pal with 5 kids What about the buy 4 get 3 free promo or wait till Aug Sept and get free DDP? If not Best Western lakeside is a very nice off property location and it was very cheap. I think I paid $28 per night last March. __________________ Always looking for a reason to go to Disney! 1992~CBR 2001~CBR 2003~ASMovies 05~ASMovies 07~ASSports March08~my Bday trip Best Western Lakeside May08~ POR Dec08~ Disney Hilton Head Island Dec08/Jan09~ SSR Sept09~Madisons Bday trip Pop Century My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Madisons bday in Disney,MNSSHP, Ohanas,Kona for the first time,MB meet,BBB for the first time and the list goes on Having a blast with Madison for her 9 day non stop bday party

03-29-2009	#12 (permalink)
HappyCamper Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: The Big Mitten Posts: 136	Re: Helping a pal with 5 kids Thanks for the additional tips. She's bought the book, checked out the site, and did get the deal for Spring break. (And, as an added bonus, it's her mom's b-day while they're there...so they're opting for credit to add to the kid's souvenier funds) She and I have had a BLAST talking about it...She says I'm one of the only pals she knows who truly understands how and why she's so Disney crazy right now!... __________________ 1989 - Offsite 2002 - Wilderness Lodge 2006 - Fort Wilderness Cabin 2007-Fort Wilderness Campsite 2009 - Fort Wilderness Campsite...CAN'T WAIT! My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Christmas 2009 43 days 1 hours 16 minutes

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