Sharing a room with friends

[LimeGreenCheri]

I know that there are a few folks here who have done a "friends only" trip. My mom, dd, aunt and cousin went on a "girl's only" trip 2 years ago. And because we were all splitting the cost of the room, we chose a more expensive resort. This way, we got to stay at a resort we normally would have not been able to afford. It was wonderful.

So.......

If you were going to Disney and were planning on sharing a room with a friend or friends, would you book a room at a value resort because you won't be in the room much. Or would you splurge on a deluxe because you'll be splitting the cost with other people?

[Tagrel]

One thing to consider if you'd like staying at WL, BW or BC - renting points from a DVC member.

Positives here:
Typically around $10 per point which can be a great savings for weekday nights (weekends are much higher, point wise - almost always better to pay cash.)
You could rent a studio, one bedroom, two bedroom or even three bedroom to REALLY share that cost! :)
Full Kitchen in one bedroom and up.
Washer/Dryer in room
No extra adult fees (Disney charges $25 extra per day per adult over 2 in the Deluxe resorts)
That $10 per point includes taxes. You'll pay another 11.5 or 12 % tax when paying directly on the room.

Just another option to consider! :)

[Joe]

Great ideat Tagrel, and one not a lot of folks are aware of. I know we had a great time sharing the 2BR with our friends last Oct. And the 2 BR gave them the opportunity to have some 'space' away from us when they wanted it, like in the mornings when we were up and they were sleeping in (see trip reports......:lol:)

[ngail]

I was just wondering where would be a good place to stay for 3 adults and 2 kids. We would like a suite for 5nights. Of course we will do it on Budget and we will be driving.
Also I'm new to this site!! Hi to everyone Luv it here. I'm a Big Kid that can't get enough of Disney!!!! 8)

[LimeGreenCheri]

Hi ngail! And Welcome to Sharing Disney Magic. We're so glad you came and there are lots of us Big Kids that can't get enough of Disney.

I'm not sure about suites, but I can tell you that the Allstars or Pop Century with 2 connecting rooms might be a great fit for your traveling party. Another good option would be the Fort Wilderness Cabins. I'm sure there will be others here that have some more great ideas. Again, Welcome!! :minnie:

[BetsyAnn]

Welcome ngail!

So glad you came in -- we love to talk Disney! So make yourself at home, pull up a comfy chair and let's talk Disney!

Now to answer your question - I am really unfamilar with suites onsite other than what Tagrel and Joe have mentioned in this thread. I would almost suggest two rooms at a value like All-stars or Pop Century for the two bathrooms with that many people -- just my two cents!

Once again Welcome! :wave:

[#1disneyfan]

I am completely clueless when it comes to DVC stuff.
How does renting points from a DVC member work?
Thanks!
Holly

[NavyDotz]

i would go for the more expensive hotel since we're splitting costs

never know what will happen & you'll be able to afford it again

[PoohbearFan]

I am going in February with 2 adults and 2 kids...we looked at both options (value vs. moderate/deluxe) and decided to get two connecting rooms at a value resort. We thought the added convenience of a separate room for when the kids are napping and the extra bathroom were worth it! :lol: I don't usually spend much time in the room when I go. However, this is actually my first time going with kids :shock: , so I think I'll probably enjoy the privacy of the extra room at night! :wink:

Poohbear

[Tagrel]

A great resource for learning about Renting from a DVC member can be found on the DIS site. They have an entire forum dedicated to this. There is an FAQ at the top to help you come up to speed on both the process and how the site should be used.

DIS DVC Rent/Trade Forum (http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=29)

Basically is works like this.

Each DVC member uses points to 'purchase' time at a DVC resort. Per night point costs vary depending on resort, unit type, day of the week and time of year. To look up point costs at DVC resorts, you can use Tagrel.com DVC Point charts (http://tagrel.com/Points/chartFrame.html)

Looking at the point charts, is easy to see that Fri and Sat nights typically cost around double (or more) points as compared to a weekday night. This is to keep local DVC members from filling up the weekends. Makes us stay from Sunday - Thursday if possible! :)

Sometimes DVC members can't use their points, so they decide to rent them. Costs average around $10 per point, but they are sometimes higher or lower. Be VERY careful if they are too low. That may be too good to be true. There is a certain amount of trust that is necessary to do this. And many DVC members will come up with a rental agreement to help clarify how it will work. There is never an additional adult charge, nor is there any tax to pay when renting. Both these things can really add on to the cost of a room.

AliciaG has rented points before, and might have some great insight... I have never rented (buying or selling). I use up ALL my points, no problem! :)

[SuzyQ]

I'm cheap, cheap, cheap, but I like a little convenience so I would stay in a moderate and use the savings to go out to dinner!

Welcome to Tagrel, Ngail!! For 3 adults + kids, the 2-room values are a great idea; also the Fort Wilderness cabins (they have a bedroom and a bedding in the living area as well and do not run as much as suites in the delux resorts.

~Suzy

[FLSharon]

If you were going to Disney and were planning on sharing a room with a friend or friends, would you book a room at a value resort because you won't be in the room much. Or would you splurge on a deluxe because you'll be splitting the cost with other people?

That could depend on what you have to sacrifice to stay in a nicer hotel..like eating in sit downs vs counter etc. ...or perhaps eating vs not eating..LOL.... I personally always go for the best when with the gals...

[Stinkerbelle]

It really depends on the friend and their situation. I am perfectly satisfied with the Allstars, but that's all I've ever known. I'd love to stay somewhere else but usually room is the best place for us to save money and still get to do all the other nice things like sit down meals, tours, towncar service etc. Finding money for each trip is a real struggle for the friend I travel with most frequently and I'd rather stay in an Allstar with her than a mod or deluxe without her.

On the other end of the spectrum I have another friend who will not go to WDW if he can't stay at the Grand Floridian and will not go to DisneyLand if he can't stay at the Grand Californian. We have yet to travel to either destination together but plan to in 2005 for DisneyLand's 50th anniversary, so I guess I'll be living it up at the Grand Floridian with him on one trip and at the Anaheim Ramada with the friend mentioned above on another trip.

I went on a family trip with my sister, her hubby and their 2 teenage daughters in January and we choose to go with 2 rooms at All Star Movies over a Suite so that we'd have 2 bathrooms and it worked out great!

[Joe]

Welcome ngail, it's great to have you with us! I would agree that in your case, two rooms at either the All Stars or Pop Century should fill the bill. Plus, that gives you a lot of options when you are back in the rooms, for as short or as long as that may be.
HTH :lol:

[Bookwood]

First of all on LGC question- unless I had serious budget problems- I'd do what the others wanted (I'm easy what can I say- hey no giggling now!!!)
ngail- have you considered the cabins at Ft Wilderness- my favorite "budget" option for families of 5 or more- especially those that like to eat large quantities of food but might be pickey.

ngail- welcome to the world of large kids who love disney and can't get enough!! We all fit that description here.

Pam "Bookwood"

[ngail]

Thank you all for making feel so Welcome :lol: !!! And Thanks for the info on the rooms. Can anyone tel me the website to pick a cute Icon next to my name? I luv everyones and now I want one!!! Thanks again.
ngail

[AliciaG]

Cheri, it would depend on a couple different variables for me. If I was going to have to give up other things like good food and entertainment...I'd go value. If I wanted a "once in a lifetime" type experience, and was OK with money otherwise in sharing a room...I'd go deluxe. Another thing to consider is how many will be in the room. We really like each having our own bed. On this last trip we alternated taking the daybed, but I think we'd have all rather had a real bed. Bathroom time and space may be another thing to consider too. You know how we ladies are. :lol:


Welcome ngail! :wave: There are tons of great places to get avatars (the picture beside your name), but this one has an extensive collection. http://www.johnswdwpage.com/avatars.htm

You just need to right click on the picture you like, and copy the properties. You can then either upload that you your own webspace, or send a message to Tagrel, and I believe he can host the image for you. Have fun choosing. Looking forward to seeing you around the site. :D

[Tagrel]

Thank you all for making feel so Welcome :lol: !!! And Thanks for the info on the rooms. Can anyone tel me the website to pick a cute Icon next to my name? I luv everyones and now I want one!!! Thanks again.
ngail

Great to have you here ngail, and as Alicia said, just send me a link to the desired picture and I can set you right up with the avatar of your choice! :)