Great News! But will need the help of WDWfG!

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 02:29

Mase

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Great News! But will need the help of WDWfG!

So....Jess and I have been bouncing around the idea of going to Disney for our 10th Anniversary. The hold up? The only way we could afford it would be to use our points from our DVC. That would entail my parents missing a trip, which we hope they would be ok with seeing as our 10th is in 2014. The reason we wanna know now is because we feel we will need time to plan it since it will need to be a different time other than the week before or after Thanksgiving. We thought about going one week before Thanksgiving... home for a week... then go after Thanksgiving with the Family... but also think this could be overkill... too much time off in a short amount of time... and could possibly cost more in a sitting with Christmas at the door step.

So... anyways... we asked them tonight, and they basically said YES! We will be able to have points that year! My Dad was a bit off putting because he feels we should take the kids... but my Mom backed us up. We also said do they really need to go twice in a year? So we got the permission... now the fun part and where we need your help. When is a good time to go? We have the idea of first week of May which is when my parents go... January... but may still be too close to after Christmas pains... February or March... but we want feedback. I mean serious amounts of feedback. This will probably be our first trip we will actually plan all by ourselves. So seriously... even if we have heard it before numerous times... please... PLEASE...... PLEASE! tell us! We have been doing this for our kids the past 3 years and with a total of 4 trips. We havent done this just the two of us. So all feedback is welcomed!

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 03:30

Brad

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I definitely think you should space it out from the November trip. If you went at the same time as your parents, would you hang out with them?

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 11:12

Disney Dreams

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Well... when's your anniversary? Could you go then?

- Dreams

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 11:20

MicRac

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I agree with Disney Dreams. It would be cool to be in Disney during your anniversary!

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 12:02

Kris1971

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I'm a big fan of March and October. Both months have realtively low crowds and the Flower & Garden Festival is in March and the Food & Wine Festival is in October. Both are really something to see!

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 12:50

Mase

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Our Anniversary is August 14th... if I remember right... its pretty busy then. And Brad... it would be 2 separate trips with a week in-between where say the first week it would just be Jess and I, then a week off with Thanksgiving, then the trip with the kids and my parents. But don't think we will do that. I think that would be overkill... and may not leave. LOL

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 12:57

Kris1971

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Definitely avoid August if you can help it! Too crowded and HOT!

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 13:01

Mase

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Yeah... we would love to go during our Anniversary... but November has SPOILED US ROTTEN. Weather is always perfect, hardly any lines... so thats why this is tough... lol

The other option was going for their Halloween Party.... but heard the best time is the first couple weeks of it? The other option we debated about was that Night of Joy? I think thats what its called...? But they don't announce the artists for it till December and we would have to book it way before that....

Like I said... when it comes to not going in November... were lost. I, myself become a noob! All my life... besides one time for Christmas... I have gone in November. Growing up as a kid, and now as a parent.

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 13:04

Kris1971

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I say its time to try something different. There are so many wonderful times to head to Disney. Jump out of your comfort zone!!!!! You can do it!!!

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 13:05

scrappy

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A trip for just the two of you!
My picks for you would be either September or January. I know both are rather close to your Thanksgiving trip. However those are the two slowest months. September is much warmer and can be down right HOT!
I would also consider changing where you will stay. I know you love the Animal Kingdom but if you switched and went to the Boardwalk or Beach Club it would seem like a whole new vacation and it would not matter as much that you are doing two so close. We are doing two very close this year. Instead of doing our fall trip we pushed it back to the week after Thanksgiving and will still be going the last week in January. That is always my favorite week to go.
It really will not matter when you decide to go, a trip for two is so much different from family vacations!

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 13:11

Mase

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I would have to check the point differences for BW... that has crossed our minds a couple times. My only reason for wanting to stay at AKL for it would be we could actually get our Savannah view. Its tough with the 2 bedroom value we usually get to get a Savannah because I think theres only a couple... but we have thought about the BW. If its roughly the same amount of points... we may think about that.

Im also thinking the January time would be one of the better times... because... well... we can always ask for Disney gift cards for Christmas... lol

Im hoping sometime today Jess will voice her opinion on here. Been getting on her about getting back on the forum... lol

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 13:22

MicRac

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Maybe you guys could go in Feb around Valentine's Day. That would make it a romantic trip all the way around. AKL is a beautiful resort so staying there or finding out somewhere Jess would like to stay would be recommendation.

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 13:38

scrappy

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Another thing to look at is how far your points will go for each month. I do believe September and January are the lowest point months.

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 13:45

JoAnn C

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That's awesome you get to do this for your anniversary.

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 14:11

JeffC

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WOOT! That's great news!

We've never been in January, February or March, so I can't really add much on that front.

But we have done about half our trip in end of April early May, and we love that time of year. It's after Easter and Spring Break, and before the end of school and the summer season. The crowd level is usally moderate - not the slowest, but not busy and overcrowded.

The weather has typical been perfect for us - not too hot, not humid (for us, at least) and not cold in the mornings like we experienced in December.

The Flower & Garden thing is also really cool - I'm always amazed at what they can make out of flowers and plants.

We've gone in September (middle to late) and as a few folks mention, it can be downright hot & humid and miserable.

YAY! And yes, Jess - come back!! We miss you!!!

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 14:11

Mase

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MicRac wrote:

Maybe you guys could go in Feb around Valentine's Day. That would make it a romantic trip all the way around. AKL is a beautiful resort so staying there or finding out somewhere Jess would like to stay would be recommendation.

I know Jess has spoken up about staying at Board Walk, and we even contemplated on a same trip with my parents, just her and I switching mid-week and staying there for a couple days just for a change in scenery, but since we have this now (Even though its 2 years off) I personally don't see the need to do that now if we can get our own vacation. But yeah... BW is a high option because I know Jess is getting tired of AKL, I'm not... but I've learned during the course of 8 years... its better to be happy than right.

scrappy wrote:

Another thing to look at is how far your points will go for each month. I do believe September and January are the lowest point months.

Isn't there a site or somewhere that can calculate the points up for you? I can't remember... never really had to bother. Also... with stay at a different "Home"... we don't book at that 11 month point... we have to book closer right? Like 7? I use to know all of this when we first got on board with DVC, but now since we have been in a pattern... I don't remember.

JoAnn C wrote:

That's awesome you get to do this for your anniversary.

While it would be awesome to be there on our actual anniversary... we are also not crazy... lol. I brought this up to Jess about a year ago I think, and have been thinking about it since our last trip. It will be nice to go and not have to worry about our kids and what they want to do.

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 14:15

Mase

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JeffC wrote:

WOOT! That's great news!

We've never been in January, February or March, so I can't really add much on that front.

But we have done about half our trip in end of April early May, and we love that time of year. It's after Easter and Spring Break, and before the end of school and the summer season. The crowd level is usally moderate - not the slowest, but not busy and overcrowded.

The weather has typical been perfect for us - not too hot, not humid (for us, at least) and not cold in the mornings like we experienced in December.

The Flower & Garden thing is also really cool - I'm always amazed at what they can make out of flowers and plants.

We've gone in September (middle to late) and as a few folks mention, it can be downright hot & humid and miserable.

YAY! And yes, Jess - come back!! We miss you!!!

Thats when my parents go on their own trip. I guess my Dad always said the key is to get up early and you can do anything... well... I know Jess and I aren't early risers, so we will probably get up before noon of course... but don't think were going to try to go do rope drop every morning since this will be a vacation without the kids... lol

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 15:15

scrappy

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You can log into your DVC account.
I just popped on to grab you a bit of info. They do not have points listed for 2014 yet though so these are 2013.
The breakdown of point cost for the three lowest seasons are

Adventure Season Choice Season Dream Season
Jan all month Oct all month Feb 1-15
Sept all month Nov 1-20 May all month
Dec 1-14 Dec 15-23 June 1-10
Aug 10-31

I looked up points need for a Studio and came up with these again for 2013

102 116 123 Animal Kingdom Savana View
76 78 104 Boardwalk Standard View
107 107 125 Boardwalk Prefered View

My numbers are based on 1 week
I hope this helps and makes sense.

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 15:10

Mase

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scrappy wrote:

You can log into your DVC account.
I just popped on to grab you a bit of info. They do not have points listed for 2014 yet though so these are 2013.
The breakdown of point cost for the three lowest seasons are

Adventure Season Choice Season Dream Season
Jan all month Oct all month Feb 1-15
Sept all month Nov 1-20 May all month
Dec 1-14 Dec 15-23 June 1-10
Aug 10-31

I looked up points need for a Studio and came up with these again for 2013

102 116 123 Animal Kingdom Savana View
76 78 104 Boardwalk Standard View
107 107 125 Boardwalk Prefered View

My numbers are based on 1 week
I hope this helps and makes sense.

At first I was lost a bit, but when I quoted you... it formatted to how you had it, so made a pic of it... lol:

Yeah... that makes total sense. I need to ask my parents how many points they use and such, and January is looking REALLY good... especially for the points.

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 15:17

scrappy

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Sorry about that Mase. I just tried to edit it but the same thing happens. When I click edit it looks like I wanted it to but when I save it takes all the spaces out. Oh well at least you got it.

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 15:32

emmaanne

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I say go the last week of Feb. or the first week of March. If you're going to go with family in November/December anyway, the choose a different time to go. The weather was PERFECT last week and the crowds were not bad AT ALL! Other than Space Mountain and Toy Story Mania we didnt wait in line for a ride for more than 15 minutes... I agree with Kris.. get out of your comfort zone! =)

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 15:42

Mase

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scrappy wrote:

Sorry about that Mase. I just tried to edit it but the same thing happens. When I click edit it looks like I wanted it to but when I save it takes all the spaces out. Oh well at least you got it.

lol... its all good Scrappy. Got its figured out

emmaanne wrote:

I say go the last week of Feb. or the first week of March. If you're going to go with family in November/December anyway, the choose a different time to go. The weather was PERFECT last week and the crowds were not bad AT ALL! Other than Space Mountain and Toy Story Mania we didnt wait in line for a ride for more than 15 minutes... I agree with Kris.. get out of your comfort zone! =)

Now that I got the points in my head... it will depends on the points now as well. I don't want to take any away from our trip in November, and since its not in the top 3 cheapest... gonna have to figure the points out. When I get home tonight I'm gonna do some digging and post some more options based on points... well... at least the 2013 points that is.

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 16:45

Jess

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I'm super excited and these next two years are going to take forever to get here. I am not opposed to staying at a different resort at all and the boardwalk would be a good choice... We just weren't sure how the board walk would be points wise since its not our home resort... That chart that Scrappy posted... Are those points if it's your home resort or just points in general... Cause if they were just points in general BW would be cheaper then
AKL anyways. Also as far as time of year to go... While I would like to go for one of the special events that we have never been for I think the two main factors for me and will on when to go will be when it's not so hot and when it's not so crowded... Also when we can get the best bang for our buck since we would have two Disney trips we would be paying for that year.

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 17:05

Poppet

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We have gone for our anniversary twice without the kids. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and Yacht Club. Both resorts are wonderful.

We usually go as a family the first or second week in May. Spring Break is over and the crowds are not bad. The weather is not swealtering but warm with a nice cool breeze. It gets cooler at night.

Our anniversary is at the end of Sept. We try to go just ourselves the first week of October. It is deader than a doornail at that time and the weather is PERFECT!

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 17:09

scrappy

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Jess, those are the points for anyone. Or at least I think they are. I do not think it matters what your home resort is. If it does I never noticed that when booking our trips.

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 18:36

Mase

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Board Walk Inn or Villas?

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 18:43

scrappy

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I am sure that is the Villas as I got the points off of the DVC website.
Also if you really need to watch your points I bet both SSR and OKW are less points.

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 18:57

Mase

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scrappy wrote:

I am sure that is the Villas as I got the points off of the DVC website.
Also if you really need to watch your points I bet both SSR and OKW are less points.

I found out that they have been using between 70-80 points, and thats very do-able at each place. May not get the ideal view... but does that really matter?

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 19:06

MicRac

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To me the view never matters at Disney. I am hardly in my room staring out the window. Go out and enjoy the World! You guys are going to have a great vacation.

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Mon, 03/12/2012 - 21:41

Disney Dreams

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Jess wrote:

...Are those points if it's your home resort or just points in general... Cause if they were just points in general BW would be cheaper then AKL anyways. Also as far as time of year to go... While I would like to go for one of the special events that we have never been for I think the two main factors for me and will on when to go will be when it's not so hot and when it's not so crowded... Also when we can get the best bang for our buck since we would have two Disney trips we would be paying for that year.

scrappy is correct. The points are the same no matter where you own. It's the time of year, day of the week, and location that determines how many points. Where you own determines how many months out you can book (11 months at home, 7 months everywhere else.

FWIW, we are two adults with no kids and LOVE Animal Kingdom. It's a wonderfully relaxing and unique place to be. We simply love it. I know you've stayed there before, and we've never been with kids, but I am willing to bet that it is a completely different experience for us where our wants are all the matter. You may find it to be a new again, being just the two of you this time.

- Dreams

Tue, 03/13/2012 - 01:59

Jess

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Ok so i think we decided on we are going to book AKL at the 11month mark and then switch to Boardwalk Villa's at the 7 month mark if we are able to. Are points are also going to allow us to stay for a full 7 days which is awesome cause usually we just stay for 6 days....So now the big question is should we go in January or September. So we would like those of you who have went in either of these months to try and sell us on which one would be better. Even if you haven't been in either one, which would you prefer to go in. They both have the upside of being low crowd times which is what we want, but with January you run the risk of rain and with September you run the risk of it still being overly hot. What do you guys think?

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Great News! But will need the help of WDWfG!