art of animation vs. deluxe??

[CaptainJackNO]

I am planning a trip back to wdw, and looked at a number of resort options. I was shocked to see art of animation family suites cost 432 bucks a night.
Why would one pay that when you could get a standard room for less at wl and akl, and same price at Contemporary?
I know a family suite sleeps 6, but is this a decision people have made? Is there any comparison???

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

I am planning a trip back to wdw, and looked at a number of resort options. I was shocked to see art of animation family suites cost 432 bucks a night.
Why would one pay that when you could get a standard room for less at wl and akl, and same price at Contemporary?
I know a family suite sleeps 6, but is this a decision people have made? Is there any comparison???

I'm not sure where you saw that price, but we're only paying 240.00 for weekdays and 267.00 on the weekend this month with ap discount. In May, we're paying--before the discount that will come out before then-- 340.00 and 367.00. These prices are before taxes. I have never been able to find a room at Contemporary for anywhere near those prices. The Disney site will give prices, but when you actually click on view nightly rates or details, the price is always very different from that amount.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

I am planning a trip back to wdw, and looked at a number of resort options. I was shocked to see art of animation family suites cost 432 bucks a night.
Why would one pay that when you could get a standard room for less at wl and akl, and same price at Contemporary?
I know a family suite sleeps 6, but is this a decision people have made? Is there any comparison???

Also, two bathrooms are a must for us.

 

[CaptainJackNO]

I'm not sure where you saw that price, but we're only paying 240.00 for weekdays and 267.00 on the weekend this month with ap discount. In May, we're paying--before the discount that will come out before then-- 340.00 and 367.00. These prices are before taxes. I have never been able to find a room at Contemporary for anywhere near those prices. The Disney site will give prices, but when you actually click on view nightly rates or details, the price is always very different from that amount.

June 2014. And I checked, same price as contemporary and more than WL and AKL. I get 2 bathrooms, but enough to pass on a monorail resort?

 

[CaptainJackNO]

I'm not sure where you saw that price, but we're only paying 240.00 for weekdays and 267.00 on the weekend this month with ap discount. In May, we're paying--before the discount that will come out before then-- 340.00 and 367.00. These prices are before taxes. I have never been able to find a room at Contemporary for anywhere near those prices. The Disney site will give prices, but when you actually click on view nightly rates or details, the price is always very different from that amount.

Not everyone gets AP discounts.

 

[GoofGoof]

I am planning a trip back to wdw, and looked at a number of resort options. I was shocked to see art of animation family suites cost 432 bucks a night.
Why would one pay that when you could get a standard room for less at wl and akl, and same price at Contemporary?
I know a family suite sleeps 6, but is this a decision people have made? Is there any comparison???

Consider renting DVC points. They would range from 222 points a week for a 1BR at OKW to 268 for a standard view at Bay Lake Tower. If you rent points for between $12 and $14 your cost would be in the same ballpark as AOA. You would be getting a 1BR villa which at BLT sleeps 5 and has 2 full bathrooms plus a full kitchen and living room. The room is over 800 square feet compared to around 500 for the AOA family suites. Plus you are at a deluxe resort.

 

[Demeter Tess]

Yup, renting DVC points is the way to go! My fiance and I were so ridiculously spoiled by our first experience renting points (so much bang for your buck!) that I can't imagine doing it another way. (Until, of course, we're financially able to buy into DVC.)

 

[docdebbi]

I almost always stay deluxe, but last month stayed AoA with my brother's family. there is a LOT more room in a family suite at AoA compared to a room at a deluxe. also, the second bathroom is very helpful with 6 folks in a room all getting ready to get out in the AM, and you have a kitchen for making small meals and snacks.
unlike other deluxes, the theming both in the room and the grounds is incredible.
the service however, is very different from that in a deluxe. luggage delivery is so slow that most folks just transport their own luggage, the line for airline resort check in averages two hours long, the food court is so large and set up in such a way that your food is usually cold by the time you eat it, and there is no valet parking available.
so it really depends what you are looking for if deluxe vs AoA is better for you. i enjoy both types, but i love everything Disney! i don't think you are right or wrong to go either way

 

[jlsHouston]

I would opt for deluxe or two adjacent rooms at PORS, POFQ, CSR rather than pay 432 bucks a night at AoA for 2 bathrooms and a small kitchen area. But I spend alot of time at the resort while on vacation and I like nicer accomodations. I also prefer TS availability on property where I stay. None of the values have a TS restaurant, it is all food court.
And renting dvc points is a good idea to get a 2 bedroom deluxe where you can all be together for the price of a family suite at AofA.

 

[Cesar R M]

Consider renting DVC points. They would range from 222 points a week for a 1BR at OKW to 268 for a standard view at Bay Lake Tower. If you rent points for between $12 and $14 your cost would be in the same ballpark as AOA. You would be getting a 1BR villa which at BLT sleeps 5 and has 2 full bathrooms plus a full kitchen and living room. The room is over 800 square feet compared to around 500 for the AOA family suites. Plus you are at a deluxe resort.

I'm not into the point system and honestly its confusing me a lot.
but.. do you have to be a member of DVC to "rent" points? or its a way to get the benefits of the DVC without paying the big chunk of money?

 

[docdebbi]

I'm not into the point system and honestly its confusing me a lot.
but.. do you have to be a member of DVC to "rent" points? or its a way to get the benefits of the DVC without paying the big chunk of money?

what folks mean by renting points is to pay the DVC member to use their "points" that year. Disney does his DVC in a unique way: when you buy into the DVC, you don't buy a room for a week, or whatever, you buy a certain number of points. then disney assigns each DVC resort a certain number of points per night that it costs to stay there.
if you want to stay at a certain resort, for certain nights, you total up the number of points that will cost. many DVC members don't use their points every year and are willing to re-sell them- to you.
you can either find someone personally who wants to do this, or go to a broker. the most common around here is david's dvc website. it is dvcrequest.com. the site will give you lots more info
it is about 1/2 the cost of renting a DVC directly from disney. david's is reputable, so you are not risking anyone backing out, but you need to book about 11 months ahead. and pay totally up front, no cancellation policy.
many

 

[Cesar R M]

what folks mean by renting points is to pay the DVC member to use their "points" that year. Disney does his DVC in a unique way: when you buy into the DVC, you don't buy a room for a week, or whatever, you buy a certain number of points. then disney assigns each DVC resort a certain number of points per night that it costs to stay there.
if you want to stay at a certain resort, for certain nights, you total up the number of points that will cost. many DVC members don't use their points every year and are willing to re-sell them- to you.
you can either find someone personally who wants to do this, or go to a broker. the most common around here is david's dvc website. it is dvcrequest.com. the site will give you lots more info
it is about 1/2 the cost of renting a DVC directly from disney. david's is reputable, so you are not risking anyone backing out, but you need to book about 11 months ahead. and pay totally up front, no cancellation policy.
many

Thanks!
It seems a good way to use the points!.

Also, I think your message got cut? you mentioned no cancellation policy, then a "many" then nothing?

 

[GoofGoof]

I'm not into the point system and honestly its confusing me a lot.
but.. do you have to be a member of DVC to "rent" points? or its a way to get the benefits of the DVC without paying the big chunk of money?

@docdebbi laid it out.

David's DVC rental charges $14 per point to rent someone's DVC points. There are other sites that vary between $12 and $14. If you go to a place like DISboard where owners are actively renting their own points it could be as low as $10 per point. To get your total cost multiply the rate by the DVC points from the chart here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/AK-Points.htm

If you wanted to rent a standard view studio at Bay Lake Tower for a week at the end of August it would cost 123 points. At $14 a point that works out to about $1,700 for the week. The cheapest room at the Contemporary for that time goes for a rack rate of about $3,100 for a week. Almost double. The $1,700 is about what the rack rate is for a moderate.

 

[Cesar R M]

@docdebbi laid it out.

David's DVC rental charges $14 per point to rent someone's DVC points. There are other sites that vary between $12 and $14. If you go to a place like DISboard where owners are actively renting their own points it could be as low as $10 per point. To get your total cost multiply the rate by the DVC points from the chart here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/AK-Points.htm

If you wanted to rent a standard view studio at Bay Lake Tower for a week at the end of August it would cost 123 points. At $14 a point that works out to about $1,700 for the week. The cheapest room at the Contemporary for that time goes for a rack rate of about $3,100 for a week. Almost double. The $1,700 is about what the rack rate is for a moderate.

Thanks Man!
One last question GoofGoof, Do these rooms have the usual service you get from a normal room at Disney?
Ie, cleaning.. room service (food with separate costs) or they have any hidden tricks?

because I really really want to go again to WDW in the next years... And I have my eyes in the animal kingdom zone.

 

[GoofGoof]

Thanks Man!
One last question GoofGoof, Do these rooms have the usual service you get from a normal room at Disney?
Ie, cleaning.. room service (food with separate costs) or they have any hidden tricks?

because I really really want to go again to WDW in the next years... And I have my eyes in the animal kingdom zone.

You don't get daily maid service. With DVC if you are staying a week they replenish your towels and toiletries and supplies once mid-week. You can pay extra for additional cleanings. All other amenities are the same as staying at the hotel. DVC rooms rented from an owner are also not eligible for free Disney Dining Plan if that is being offered when you are there. You can still buy the DDP and you still can use the Disney Magic Express from the airport.

 

[docdebbi]

Thanks!
It seems a good way to use the points!.

Also, I think your message got cut? you mentioned no cancellation policy, then a "many" then nothing?

oops, yeah, i'm an ob and someone suddenly decided to pop a kid...........i even forget now what i was going to say after "many".......sorry

 

[luv]

People pay it because they want to stay there. It's not a good deal compared to everything else that is out there, but "good deal" isn't what people are looking for when they choose to stay in Disney hotels. They want to be in the bubble and they want the hotel they like. Nothing wrong with that.

what folks mean by renting points is to pay the DVC member to use their "points" that year. Disney does his DVC in a unique way: when you buy into the DVC, you don't buy a room for a week, or whatever, you buy a certain number of points. then disney assigns each DVC resort a certain number of points per night that it costs to stay there.
if you want to stay at a certain resort, for certain nights, you total up the number of points that will cost. many DVC members don't use their points every year and are willing to re-sell them- to you.
you can either find someone personally who wants to do this, or go to a broker. the most common around here is david's dvc website. it is dvcrequest.com. the site will give you lots more info
it is about 1/2 the cost of renting a DVC directly from disney. david's is reputable, so you are not risking anyone backing out, but you need to book about 11 months ahead. and pay totally up front, no cancellation policy.
many

Unless David's is guaranteeing that they'll pay you back when someone backs out, you are totally risking that. You could pay the money, show up and have no room.

This is commonly ignored and generally poo-pooed, but people should be prepared, when entering into this kind of deal, to pay for another room if they get there and don't have one. It usually works out well, but it is a risk.

What you get with your money is the promise of a room, not the guarantee. You're really no safer than if you did it on eBay.

 

[Cesar R M]

People pay it because they want to stay there. It's not a good deal compared to everything else that is out there, but "good deal" isn't what people are looking for when they choose to stay in Disney hotels. They want to be in the bubble and they want the hotel they like. Nothing wrong with that.
Unless David's is guaranteeing that they'll pay you back when someone backs out, you are totally risking that. You could pay the money, show up and have no room.

This is commonly ignored and generally poo-pooed, but people should be prepared, when entering into this kind of deal, to pay for another room if they get there and don't have one. It usually works out well, but it is a risk.

What you get with your money is the promise of a room, not the guarantee. You're really no safer than if you did it on eBay.

as this happened before with David's ?
Ie, the seller backing down in the last second.

 

[luv]

as this happened before with David's ?
Ie, the seller backing down in the last second.

I don't own the place and have never even paid them to be a go-between, so I don't get heavily involved. I've only heard of it happening once or twice and don't have any idea how many more times it has happened.

You could ask them. They cannot legally state that it hasn't happened if/when it has, so if you just flat out ask them, they'll either tell you or refuse to answer. People who dodge questions are not to be trusted, so they'll probably answer.

 

[Cesar R M]

I don't own the place and have never even paid them to be a go-between, so I don't get heavily involved. I've only heard of it happening once or twice and don't have any idea how many more times it has happened.

You could ask them. They cannot legally state that it hasn't happened if/when it has, so if you just flat out ask them, they'll either tell you or refuse to answer. People who dodge questions are not to be trusted, so they'll probably answer.

thanks for the time answering my questions.
I am just curious.
There are a lot of variations to see.. the rent.. vs buy vs just go like a normal resort for example.

As Salaries arent that big here in Mexico to handle a 24,000 USD investment flat out... and hope "it rinses".