Orlando Question...

[VA_Traveller Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VA_Traveller]

I am looking at doing a huge family vacation in next May. I am hoping to be able to get 2 rooms at the fountains (I have to wait for a new contract to come through, hopefully by sept) to have the points to get 2 rooms. If The Fountains do not have 2 rooms available that late, I will look at using RCI direct exchange, and eat the transfer fee.

My question is, how best to try and secure 2 rooms in the same resort, and are RCI's ratings, ie, Gold Crown, etc, reliable? And if anyone has suggestions on good non-bg resorts close to Disney, etc, I would welcome them (the age group will probably be 3 to 75!!)

If anyone has suggestions on alternative ways to use points to secure ressies, that would be great also.
Thanks!
Greg

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

My gut feel is that there will be little competition for units in May. I think you can stay with BG points as that is a very large resort.

I would suggest calling reservations so you can ask about the unit type, building, etc., and get the units as close together as you would like them to be.

Booking is open for May, have you checked availability?

eta - do not rely on RCI "awards" status. A non-status resort could be every bit as wonderful as a GC but without A Name to make it popular. I think you will get into Fountains with no problem and will not need to go researching RCI resorts, but if you do have to go that route, pay more attention to what is onsite, room features, than awards. In case your group grows, at least you could attempt to use RCI to get more units after your points have run out (Bonus Time also may be possible).

I am looking at doing a huge family vacation in next May. I am hoping to be able to get 2 rooms at the fountains (I have to wait for a new contract to come through, hopefully by sept) to have the points to get 2 rooms. If The Fountains do not have 2 rooms available that late, I will look at using RCI direct exchange, and eat the transfer fee.

My question is, how best to try and secure 2 rooms in the same resort, and are RCI's ratings, ie, Gold Crown, etc, reliable? And if anyone has suggestions on good non-bg resorts close to Disney, etc, I would welcome them (the age group will probably be 3 to 75!!)

If anyone has suggestions on alternative ways to use points to secure ressies, that would be great also.
Thanks!
Greg

[VA_Traveller Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VA_Traveller]

My gut feel is that there will be little competition for units in May. I think you can stay with BG points as that is a very large resort.

I would suggest calling reservations so you can ask about the unit type, building, etc., and get the units as close together as you would like them to be.

Booking is open for May, have you checked availability?

eta - do not rely on RCI "awards" status. A non-status resort could be every bit as wonderful as a GC but without A Name to make it popular. I think you will get into Fountains with no problem and will not need to go researching RCI resorts, but if you do have to go that route, pay more attention to what is onsite, room features, than awards. In case your group grows, at least you could attempt to use RCI to get more units after your points have run out (Bonus Time also may be possible).

I was checking availability this morning, kinda was suprising, only about 4 rooms available per week that showed up. I think one week had 6 or 7 rooms. I was hoping there would be lots to choose from