Sell me on Saratoga Springs!

[slappy magoo]

I’m not sure you’re getting the best pricing on those DVC points (?) $500 extra sounds like a lot. Typically, when you rent DVC, it brings the price of a deluxe pretty close to the price of a moderate. I could be mistaken.

Renting DVC points would make the price of a DVC STUDIO comparable to a moderate room. But the OP would be paying $500 more for a 1BR Villas, much bigger, full kitchen, washer/dryer in the room, whirlpool tub. As a for instance, picking a random single day in August, promotional prices mods range from $180 (Caribbean Beach) to $281 (FW Cabin, which is a great price BTW). DVC Rental prices for the same date in August range from $160 (Animal Kingdom Lodge Value which are few and hard to get) to $400 (Poly or GF Preferred locations). OKW or Saratoga are $208-240.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Renting DVC points would make the price of a DVC STUDIO comparable to a moderate room. But the OP would be paying $500 more for a 1BR Villas, much bigger, full kitchen, washer/dryer in the room, whirlpool tub. As a for instance, picking a random single day in August, promotional prices mods range from $180 (Caribbean Beach) to $281 (FW Cabin, which is a great price BTW). DVC Rental prices for the same date in August range from $160 (Animal Kingdom Lodge Value which are few and hard to get) to $400 (Poly or GF Preferred locations). OKW or Saratoga are $208-240.

Right, so roughly, the mod and the DVC rental should be about $200 per night, not $200 per night plus $500.

Sometimes it's better to use the standardized rental places vs. family/friend. Family/friend may want full price for their points or more than the typical rental value.

 

[MikeyK72]

I've stayed at both, and I'd stick with POR if I were you. It's still a big-ish resort, but Saratoga is flipping HUGE. The only thing that saved SSR for us was being able to walk over to Disney Springs for dinner almost every night (we happened to have a great location for that).

However, if your daughter would benefit from having the extra room for naps...maybe do the 1 bedroom. It's hard to decide stuff like this! Sometimes I just flip a coin.

Honestly DW and I are spoiled by the 1 bedroom villas now...they are just that convenient. We find it hard to stay in a studio even though they are much less points...would rather use more points and stay in a 1 bedroom.

Actually, we just spent 3 nights in a Poly studio last month for F&G and really missed the fridge and washer/dryer...glad it was only 3 nights. Off topic but I wish Poly built some 1 bedrooms but I understand that they went the retrofit route so had to do what they could with an existing building. Had Poly offered a 1 bedroom, we would have chosen it.

Anyway, back on topic, I'd vote for a 1 bedroom villa over a hotel room any day of the week.

 

[slappy magoo]

Right, so roughly, the mod and the DVC rental should be about $200 per night, not $200 per night plus $500.

You're not comparing apples to apples...not even gala apples to Granny Smith.

For the extra $500 the OP is moving from a moderate room (single room, 314 sq. ft., tiny fridge, coffee maker? I think? Small bathroom) to a 1BR Villa at Saratoga in a preferred location. 714 sq. ft. Full kitchen. It has a washer and dryer. It has a whirlpool tub. In the case of Saratoga, it's closer to Disney Springs, it has a spa (Coronado is the only moderate with a spa), it has a gym (same deal, Coronado is the only mod with a gym), it has 2 main pools. I'd argue Turf Club is a better restaurant than, say, Boatwrights. And because it's a preferred location, the OP will probably be within easy walking distance of Disney Springs, which affords you so many more easy-to-access dining options

Will the OP need any of those extras? Will the OP need the extra space or additional in-room amenities? And since I have no idea how long the trip is that the OP is taking, is the extra $500 spread out over enough nights to make it seem like more of a value? Is it a 3-4 night trip, or week long trip?

Also bear in mind, the point value for 1BR units are usually twice as much (or close to it) as a studio, so when you use a rental company like David's, the price for 1BR rentals is usually at, or close to, twice the price of a studio of comparable view at the same resort. If the OP is only spending $500 more for a 1BR, and it's like a week long trip? That's an extra $71 a night for all that extra space and amenities. That's a really good deal.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

You're not comparing apples to apples...not even gala apples to Granny Smith.

For the extra $500 the OP is moving from a moderate room (single room, 314 sq. ft., tiny fridge, coffee maker? I think? Small bathroom) to a 1BR Villa at Saratoga in a preferred location. 714 sq. ft. Full kitchen. It has a washer and dryer. It has a whirlpool tub. In the case of Saratoga, it's closer to Disney Springs, it has a spa (Coronado is the only moderate with a spa), it has a gym (same deal, Coronado is the only mod with a gym), it has 2 main pools. I'd argue Turf Club is a better restaurant than, say, Boatwrights. And because it's a preferred location, the OP will probably be within easy walking distance of Disney Springs, which affords you so many more easy-to-access dining options

Will the OP need any of those extras? Will the OP need the extra space or additional in-room amenities? And since I have no idea how long the trip is that the OP is taking, is the extra $500 spread out over enough nights to make it seem like more of a value? Is it a 3-4 night trip, or week long trip?

Also bear in mind, the point value for 1BR units are usually twice as much (or close to it) as a studio, so when you use a rental company like David's, the price for 1BR rentals is usually at, or close to, twice the price of a studio of comparable view at the same resort. If the OP is only spending $500 more for a 1BR, and it's like a week long trip? That's an extra $71 a night for all that extra space and amenities. That's a really good deal.

You misunderstand.

I'm not arguing the value, I'm discussing the price.

You yourself said each room should be roughly $200 per night. So why should OP pay an additional $500 on top of that $200 per night? What I'm saying is the family member is charging her too much, it should be more in line with the $200 per night price. A little variation is one thing, but $500 extra is almost an extra $100 per night vs. if she went through the average point rental place.

 

[slappy magoo]

You misunderstand.

I'm not arguing the value, I'm discussing the price.

You yourself said each room should be roughly $200 per night. So why should OP pay an additional $500 on top of that $200 per night? What I'm saying is the family member is charging her too much, it should be more in line with the $200 per night price. A little variation is one thing, but $500 extra is almost an extra $100 per night vs. if she went through the average point rental place.

If you're comparing the price of renting points for a DVC STUDIO VILLA to booking a moderate through Disney, the prices will be somewhat comparable. Some of the DVC resorts will still be significantly more, like the monorail and Epcot resorts. But Saratoga on rented points will be comparable to moderates booked through Disney, even moderates at a promotional price

But the OP is being offered a DVC 1BR Villa, in a preferred location, which is more points than a standard location.

A Saratoga Studio Villa is 355 sq. ft., a good chunk bigger than a single room at a moderate resort (314)
But a DVC 1 BEDROOM VILLA IS TWICE THE SIZE OF A STUDIO...and that studio, again, is already bigger than a moderate room
And THAT'S what the OP is being offered, a 1 BEDROOM VILLA. NOT a studio.
THAT is going to cost more, even with rented points, than a moderate room booked through Disney.
The fact that a 714 sq. ft 1BR Villa with a separate living room, full kitchen, washer/dryer and whirlpool tub in a better location in a resort with more amenities is being offered to the OP for "only" $500 more than a single moderate 314 sq. ft room booked thru DIsney?

Unless it's a very short trip...THAT IS A VERY GOOD DEAL.
Based on the OP's plans or budget, it might not be "worth it." Maybe the OP won't be spending a lot of time at the resort or in the room, won't need the kitchen or whirlpool tub.
But it is nonetheless a VERY GOOD DEAL. AND A VERY GOOD PRICE.

 

[KJ1081]

Thanks for all the inflight! We ended up with a suite at Art of Animation on the escape promo for what SSR would’ve cost. The kiddo will love that!

 

[slappy magoo]

Thanks for all the inflight! We ended up with a suite at Art of Animation on the escape promo for what SSR would’ve cost. The kiddo will love that!

Oh sure, NOOOOOOWWWWWW you tell us Art of Animation is an option!

j/k sounds like a good choice for you, have a great trip.