We stayed a few times and took the classes. They were really fun!

Almost all the hotels have upgraded pools now. At a minimum, they all have slides, with the pool at the Yacht/Beach club being the best.

Why? They aren't any different than the DVC units. Maid service, a dishwasher, etc :) Home should be so good :) They are a bit rustic, as is Ft. Wilderness, but it's part of the theme. The kids may enjoy it.

My pleasure. No need to waste your time in an unfamiliar grocery store when, if you have good meal planning abilities, can make a list and have everything delivered.

Argh! The WDW booking system won't give me any villas. I try to get into Bay Tower and it gives me a studio. I want a separate bedroom (or at least pull-out couch) for the kids, and a full kitchen or at least a kitchenette so we can cook. Hmmmm. I've tried alternate dates...is there some secret to this, or do you think the villas are just not available in August?

I've heard that the availablility for 1 bedrooms isn't all that great. It's barely open a year, so I think everyone is running to try it out.

You might be better off just calling them to see if you can get anything at all.

A trick I've learned is to have them book you into whatever dates they have for your stay, and then call every morning to see if more days have opened up. That method has never failed me. The downside is they're going to take 1 night deposit for each reservation you make, but will refund it when you piece it all together. Just make sure you ask.

I take it you're going after 8/14? If so, that's when low season starts, and that's why you're getting the 40% off without a code. Good for you!!!!

I have to go to a meeting and will be gone for about an hour ;)

Yeah, I think after 8/14 will work better for us. I may call and see what I can get. :) For the moment, I'm having a great time looking at the possibilities....however overwhelming they might be.

I'm baaaack..

Planning is half the fun :D

Agreed! :)

It was definitely plenty of fun for our then 3 year old.. we're planning WDW maybe for next summer.. that or Egypt or Europe.. Maui/BI next spring break when my oldest is on Spring Break. IMHO.. everyone in my sons class pretty much been to WDL, WDW, Disney Cruises.. even last spring break there was 3 families just in my sons class that went to Disney.

Looks like you're getting excited.. something must be bringing Mary2e back to WDW 50 times.. I gather she must be really excited too. I'm green to Disney, 5 times between WDW and WDL.. but definitely looking forward for my next time out.

Regarding Villas at Contemporary Tower.. I would try isolating some dates.. sometimes there is one or two days that completely block out entire reservations I find. For example, we rented Fort Wilderness Cabins, and it was sold out that 1st day.. I was able to salvage a 9 night stay, getting around that first night.. I booked the 8 nights, and added the last night when there was a cancellation. IMO.. you'll be too busy on the resort to really care much about the room too much. That's why we did Fort Wilderness, because it was $240 per night.. we slept and went to the parks 12 hours at a time.. didn't even have time to use the pool once at Fort Wilderness.. that's because you'll be so immersed in so much to do, that you won't have time to plan or think. Reserve the good restaurants ahead of time if you're on the Disney Dining Plan.. Ohana's is pretty much 90 days ahead, Le Cellier 90 days ahead, Chef Mickeys' at Contemporary.. good luck.. Magic Kingdom Castle is a bit busy, photo ops with princesses.. Princess Akershus at Norway Pavilion.. we also did 1900 Park Fare for supper.. hard to book during the end of summer season. Book ahead, get free family picture and photo opps with the Princesses.

I've got a home automation system (Control 4/Rhapsody) that brings up all of the Disney songs, albums, etc.. Pretty can play throughout house, one room, any and all combinations.. through TVs, speakers.. totally immersive experience. Otherwise we would have to go more often to Disney.. hard to do as we live in Canada.

Edit: We pre-ordered groceries and had it delivered to the cabin last time out. Garden Grocers I think will do a free delivery if the order is over $200 (don't quote me on this). The cabins were perfect as it sleeps six, has a kitchen, and lots of room and peace.. not that we stayed in the room much.

We also went after the August 14th date last year.. low season, but still summer break.. excellent time to go to take advantage of the low season deals, during the kids summer break. We didn't even rent a vehicle.. save hundreds$$$ not having a vehicle.. WDW will transfer you to the resort no charge when you book with their Travel Company. If you plan to visit Universal, Cape Canaveral, Sea World, etc.. you'll need a vehicle. We stayed the entire 9 nights at WDW, didn't do water parks, or pool at all (just went to Maui and BI for 22 nights.. and everyday we were in the pool).. there is that much to do in Disney World!

DVC except maybe for Saratoga and OKW and possibly Animal Kingdom is going to be hard/impossible to get in the time frame you are contemplating, only a couple months in advance. (I'm a longtime DVC member).

You need at least a 1-BR to get a kitchen. The "kitchenette" of a studio is just a sink, microwave, and small fridge.

If there is availability at DVC through a member you might save some money renting points. Members and Disney itself should have differing availability.

I dislike BLT somewhat for its higher point requirements and its somewhat sterile design. The "bathroom" sink in the kitchen strikes me as pretty odd, too. Old Key West suits me best, with lower rates, bigger rooms (2 queens in a studio), and parking at the door.

As for rental cars, we just were in The World last week and had a midsize car for $110 a week plus taxes/fees from Alamo, and got 2 WN RR credits. Hard to beat that.

Love having a car for trips to the outlet mall, offsite restaurants, Wal-Mart for food and necessities (beer is regular price, not $132 a case [$5.50 each] as it is in the little gift shops), and even Universal. Plus we were hotel hopping at Hilton and piled up the free rooms (no DVC this time).

As much as I would love to stay on-property, given our time constraints and our current situation, I'm thinking that we may have to just stay at one of the Marriott properties nearby. My planning is temporarily on pause, but I'll be back later for some much-needed guidance and advice. :)

Thanks!
GG

Does Old Key West undergo regular renovations? I saw the option pop up a bunch of times, and seems quite available. What's the catch with OKW compared to other DVC properties? OKW has one bedrooms too I think?