Do you use points wisely or do you s p l u r g e???

[edk35]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?

Do you bank?

Do you borrow?

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?

Do you always go to the parks each trip?

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?

[DisneyHumbug]

I rarely bank, always borrow. We stay in studios a lot, splurging for a 2BR for F&W this year. Never cook!!! Have never done a cash ressie. Now that the kids are older (and working) we usually take long weekends. I started with 150 VWL points, added on 75 BCV points and hopefully next year (with the last one out of college) will be able to add on more BCV points!!!
You can never be too rich, too thin or have too many DVC points!!!

[tomandrobin]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? right size

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? We go when our schedule allows it

Do you only come for weekdays so you can come more often each year? We try not to worry about the weekends

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? We go 3 short trips and one 7-8 day trip

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? No

Do you bank? Yes

Do you borrow? Yes

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? No, don't like to waste time packing and unpacking

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Its vacation, no cooking allowed

Do you always go to the parks each trip? 95% of the time

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? Can not resist at least hittig one park, magic is too strong

[edk35]

I guess I should answer too. :goodvibes

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? ] We have only stayed in a 2 br. We are a family of 5.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? We go when our kids schedules allow for it.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? When we come and stay DVC it is for at least one week.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? Try not to worry about weekend points. We will be coming once a year for the next few years....so one long summer trip for us.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? Yes we are doing that this July. We are staying on cash two weekend nights at OKW with DVC discount and got a great rate.

Do you bank? Once

Do you borrow? Did for this July trip.

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Have done both.

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Not cooking for me at Disney.

Do you always go to the parks each trip? Yes

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? Not yet and I doubt we could ever do that.

[Dale-Not-Chip]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomodations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??

***** Both - depending on how many times we can get away. ******

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?

***** Rarely, wife's a teacher *****

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?

***** We did this year for the first time *****

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?

***** That's the way we are doing it this Summer *****

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?

***** No, but might in the future *****

Do you bank?

***** Can't when your always borrowing *****

Do you borrow?

***** See above *****

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?

***** Never, don't want to deal with that hassle. *****

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?

***** Breakfast *****

Do you always go to the parks each trip?

***** So Far *****

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?

***** Maybe Someday ******

[ChelleinNC]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? So far, I guess you could say bigger. Family of 4 so we stay in a 1BR, could but won't stay in a studio :snooty:

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?
We go when it best works for us, but we do try to pay attention to best pts use
Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? Nope, if I'm going to Disney it's for as long as possible :goodvibes We did drop an extra Sat nt in December, but we already were there for the previous weekend

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?
Try to maximize to get the most long trips, but at least 2 trips
Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? No

Do you bank? Yes, banked all of our 1st year pts

Do you borrow? Nope, still trying to kill of the Double Developer points we got when we bought and still need to plan a fall/Christmas trip to kill of the banked 07pts :laughing:

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? I don't want to unpack and repack

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?I've used the fridge, toaster and microwave to heat up leftovers

Do you always go to the parks each trip? So far, yes, but at a much more relaxed pace

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? I can't imagine doing that. Gotta at least see Illuminations!

[RLRDA]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? We are a family of 5 so we stay in 1BR or 2BR

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? Not usually - one year we'll go during late August, the following year take the boys out of school (don't want to do that every year)

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? No, right now only making 1 trip per year.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? We'll stay anywhere from 5 to 10 nights (short during school year, longer when kids not in school)

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? We've only used points (and only plan to)

Do you bank? Yes

Do you borrow? Yes

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Have done both - short trips we stay put, long trips we don't mind splitting

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? No cooking for me! We usually use the kitchen for breakfast in the morning or snacks

Do you always go to the parks each trip? So far, yes.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? I think we'd have to do at least 1 park....I do like when we have "down" days though!

[LisaS]

Q: Right size DVC accomodations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??
A: We stay in the right size to meet our needs -- that would be a 1BR because DH & I "need" a king size bed and a jacuzzi!

Q: Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?
A: It just works out that way. We like going in Oct, early Dec, late Jan and early May.

Q: Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?
A: Normally 6 nights so just one weekend night.

Q. Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?
A: No

Q. Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?
A: No.

Q. Do you bank?
A: Yes

Q. Do you borrow?
A: Yes

Q. Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?
A: We like to unpack and stay put. We've done two split stays and didn't like being homeless for most of the transition day.

Q. Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?
A: We use the toaster and microwave and occasionally the oven but rarely use the stove.

Q. Do you always go to the parks each trip?
A: So far, yes. We have APs so we go into a park most days, even if it's only for a meal and to walk around.

Q. Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?
A: Not so far.

[TiszBear]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? I usually only book a 1 bedroom. There has only been 2 times I did a studio. But about every 3 or 4 trip I book a 2 bedroom because of family or friends that come with me.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? It all depends on my work schedule. Most years it is either October, December (before christmas break for all the kids) January or February.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? No, usually will only include one weekend during the stay.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? Sometimes.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? no

Do you bank?sometimes

Do you borrow? Only once

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Stay Put

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? let Disney cook for me, but I do use the toaster and microwave for heating up.

Do you always go to the parks each trip? yes

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? not really

[Granny]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? We normally have 4 in a 2BR. I guess that's larger but we consider it the "right size" for us! :)

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? We go when our schedule permits...almost always during the summer. The DVC point season has no bearing our our plans...yet! Once we retire, though....:thumbsup2

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? No..we live too far away to plan multiple trips per year.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? That's us!

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? No...that's why we bought DVC so we wouldn't have to pay hotel costs every year.

Do you bank? Yes

Do you borrow? Yes

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? We stay put

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? We make breakfast and snacks in the room...no real cooking of meals.

Do you always go to the parks each trip? So far, yes.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? Not yet...see retirement plans above! ;)

[BroganMc]

1) Sometimes we'll get a 1bedroom just for the two of us and sometimes we do studios. It depends on what we can get. I wouldn't get a 2bedroom for two though. Far too many points for thate waste.

2) We have picked May vs. April trips just to save points. Our purchase budget was based on one week in May (Dream season) and one week in October (Choice season). However, we will splurge for other seasons if it works better for our travel plans.

3) We tried the Su-Th thing for a while, but it was far too short a time. Now we can afford weekends without worrying much. (I just close my eyes and sign when the weekend point count comes up.)

4) We do two one-week or longer trips a year and NYE. We can now afford two two-week trips a year in a studio. It's a bit too far away to do shorter 4-day trips multiple times a year.

5) Last year we supplemented our long stays with member discounts for the weekends. This year we added on.

6) We bank, never borrow. I'm a squirrel by nature so am always hiding away a collection of nuts for further use.

7) Our cooking consists of cereal, microwavable dinners and/or sandwiches. Most of the time, we're just nuking leftovers from wherever we ate the day before. We do keep a selection of snacks handy in the room or our daypacks.

8) We do go to the parks but not necessarily every day. Offsite is easier to just skip a park day. Onsite, those EMHs and frequent busses are a constant temptation.

7)

[Chim Chiminy]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? Just the right size for our needs. Usually a studio, but occasional 1 or 2 bed depending on number of guests.
Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? When school schedules allow.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?
No.
Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? However we can. Love long trips, but have done up to three weekday only trips within a year.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? Not through DVC, but we did combine a DVC trip with cash at POR and once at POP

Do you bank? Yes

Do you borrow? Yes

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Depends on availability. Next trip will be split BCV and BWV.
Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Depends. We have cooked in our villa several trips.
Do you always go to the parks each trip? Yes, but our upcoming trip will be a NO PARKS trip.....gasp!

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?

[DeeCee735]

We're in a perpetual state of borrowing :goodvibes
We stay in the size accommodations we need, why get something too big?
Go whenever we want, sometimes with a weekend, sometimes without.
Go as often as possible, 3 trips planned in the next 12 months.
Don't cook in the Villa, but do keep breakfast foods like english muffins and cereal, and some snacks on hand when it's more than just me and DH, or me and a friend.
Yes to the parks.....every trip, but not every day of every trip.

Yet I believe I am extremely careful of the way I spend my points, it's what allows us to vacation the way we want to :thumbsup2

[DeeCee735]

We don't combine cash ressies on a regular basis, if we get down there early, i.e. the night before (we drive), we'll splurge for a value resort at most, but don't like to pay cash for any of the DVC resorts - we feel that was the purpose of buying DVC in the first place, so we don't have to lay out money on accommodations.

We rarely stay in different DVC resorts on the same trip, only if we want to experience someplace else - like this upcoming trip :goodvibes

[DisDaydreamer]

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? No

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? For the most part.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? We typically work out 3 trips over 2 years while avoiding weekend points usage.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? We have, but only a couple times.

Do you bank? Yes

Do you borrow? Yes

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Stay put.

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? We cook mostly.

Do you always go to the parks each trip? Only when we're at a wdw resort.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? Only at VB & HHI

[Kathi OD]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??
Larger

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?
Not always

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?
NO

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?Yes

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?Never

Do you bank?Sometimes

Do you borrow?Sometimes

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?Stay Put

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?Both, but mostly let Disney do the cooking

Do you always go to the parks each trip?So far, but not every day now that the kids are grown.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?Not yet. Maybe when I retire to WDW :cool1:

[BWV Dreamin]

[QUOTE=edk35;23565897]Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? Right size for accomodations.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?No, go when I want to.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? Nope, use points for the weekend.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? Only go for 6 days at max.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? Nope.

Do you bank? Yep.

Do you borrow? Yep.

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Stay put unless stay involves a cruise!

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Yes & Yes.

Do you always go to the parks each trip? No.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?Yes at VB.

[WDWLVR]

I would gues wisely depends on how it is interpreted by the user. I think we use our DVC very wisely because we use it exactly how we envisioned using it when we bought it. Having said that others may not think we are.


Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? There are just two of us but 90% of the time we stay in a one bedroom. That's what we bought DVC for. The space, the kitchen, the laundry, the jetted tub.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? We plan our trips to go along with what we want to do. Sometimes it is in a value season sometimes not.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? Nope, we bought so that we could stay a full week and not worry about the weekends.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? Our longest trip is a week, but some years we take a few shorter trips.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? Not so far however we do combine DVC accomodations before/after cruises we pay cash for.

Do you bank? Sometimes

Do you borrow? Sometimes but usually only for the same year. For example most of our '08 points are gone but they are going to vacations in '08.

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? We stay put.

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Usually both. We almost always have breakfast in the room as well as some snacks. Most evenings we'll eat out.

Do you always go to the parks each trip? Yes

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? No

[starbox]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? Just the right size - I'd rather have more days and a smaller unit - but that's just me. To me, extra days is a bigger treat than an extra bedroom would be.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?I'm a teacher, so sadly - no.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? Kind-of. We settled into one 12 day trip and two shorter weekday trips.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? Nope, but if I had a long drive or flight to contend with I would.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? Sometimes - and as long as the cash price is less than 200$.

Do you bank?I've banked <50 points

Do you borrow? I've borrowed less than 25 points - in both cases I did a last minute trip after I had banked to avoid losing points.

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Split it up with Vero frequently

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?I would never cook on vacation. I hate cooking.

Do you always go to the parks each trip?Yes!

[sajetto]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? We stay in 1 or 2 bedrooms for the kitchen, but usually invite someone to come along with us.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? No, I'm a teacher so its always one of the more expensive seasons for us.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? No

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? Yes, but its actually 2 long trips per year. (9 or 10 nights)

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? No

Do you bank? Yes

Do you borrow? Sometimes

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Stay put

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Breakfast in room, Disney does the rest of the cooking

Do you always go to the parks each trip? Yes, but we're thinking of doing a non-park trip sometime

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? Not yet

[Tink-n-Belle]

We usually get a 1 bedroom but since I'm so in "debt" with my points I had to downsize this past trip to a studio---:scared1: However, I really didn't mind it too much. We have Dh, me and 2 DD 9 & 7 so it was okay.

I have been in debt since I bought. We only have 180 points so its not too hard to do this, plus I gave my awesome daycare provider 50 points as a BIG thank you for being a great babysitter all these years:banana:

I will cook a frozen pizza now and then, and we always have breakfast in the room and an occasional lunch (turkey or ham sandwich) We order from Garden Grocer--Its worth it just for the water. We drink 2 cases a week.

We have stayed the majority at BWV but have tried out the BCV for 1 night and last trip went to AKV for 1 trip. We also went to VB twice 2 nights each time (IMHO, that is the best kept Disney secret:love: )

We had an annual pass for the 1st 3 trips and went to the parks all the time, but this time we only went 1 day (got to do Epcot and DHS in one day:cool1: ) and then bought an extra ticket to go to the P&PP on Valentines Day. Next Feb I plan to do Sea World and Discovery cove. We bought 2 10 day hoppers for each of us (20 days each) and still have 19 days left on them - so we will be using them slowly. If we want to do the park alot one trip I think an AP would work better, I did get spoiled with one because we stay at the BWV and its soooo close to Epcot and just to easy to go there for dessert at night and to watch illuminations.

We usually go for a week and then spend a week at my mom's (Ft Lauderdale)
and I have just stayed put on weekends and used the points:confused:

[a Really Bad Egg]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??
Both

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?
Nope

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?
Nope

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?
Yep

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?
Nope

Do you bank?
Yep

Do you borrow?
Yep

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?
Stay put

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?
Disney cooks...we're on vacation

Do you always go to the parks each trip?
Yep

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?
Nope

[eporter66]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??
We get a 1 Bedroom, for myself, wife and daughter. We stayed in a studio once, and ever since have done the 1 Bedroom.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?
We love October for the weather and the F&W Fest. We also like Jan/Feb to get out of the NY cold. Our times will change as our daughter gets older, but we go now during the times we enjoy the best

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? We have done both, just depends on when we want to be there.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? We dont worry about the points, we will borrow if we need them, and bank if we decide not to go one year

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? No - we have always used our points

Do you bank? Yes

Do you borrow? Yes

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Stay put, but would switch if it was the only way we could book the time we want to be at WDW

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Both. Usually cook breakfast in the room to get an early start, but have at one time or another had lunch in the room. 99% of the time we eat dinner out.

Do you always go to the parks each trip? Yes, there are trips where we may skip one or two parks, but we have always gone to at least two different parks on every trip

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? Not yet

[Safari Queen]

We generally do a studio for just the two of us and a two bedroom when my DD, DSIL & DGD are with us. I'd love to do a one BR for us but we like to cruise on points every once in a while, and that doesn't leave much for splurging on extra space.

We rarely stay in dream or premier seasons because of points and crowds.

We try to limit the number of weekend nights. On a longer trip, we put two weekend nights in the middle.

We like to do a long trip (10-13 days) in Jan and a couple of 4 day trips in spring and fall for Flower & Garden and Food & Wine.

The only time we've paid cash was for one night at a value before our DVC stay to get the best airfares.

We sometimes bank and borrow, as required.

We tried our first split stay in Jan and enjoyed the change.

We make breakfast with a minimal amount of cooking. Other than that, it's just snacks and reheated leftovers.

We always go to the parks but we don't necessarily go every day or even every third day. We often go in just at night for fireworks or food.

[pixie08]

I should say we are new DVC owners so my answers really only reflect the vactions we have planned this year and next year.

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? Our first Anniversary is this June so we splurged with our Developer points and booked a 1 bedroom water view at the BWV. Usually for the 2 of us we would just get a studio.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?Yes, aside from our June Trip (which even with that we booked the first week of June to save a few points even though our anni is at the end of June) we tend to travel in Jan and Oct.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? No- we have to fly form NY so we like to try to stay 6-7 nights if possible. Although we have done a few shorter trips but even then with work not including a weekend is just impossible for us.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? Yes. We usually include a weekend into our trip because we try to stay 6-7 nights min.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? NO

Do you bank?Yes

Do you borrow? Yes

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Stay put...we tried splitting but hated packing/unpacking/waitng for the room to be ready- waste of time for us. We will just try to stay at the other property next time

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?Disney cooks for me (with the exception of the Hilton Head trip we are planning for next year- we plan on BBQ a lot!)! We do have a quick breakfast or snacks in the room though.

Do you always go to the parks each trip? Yes- we could not go a trip w/out a park. Although, we do not go commando since we know we will be back!

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? NO

[drusba]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??

*****We get the smallest size we need, a 2BR for four-- we like space.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?

*****We have high to low season stays

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?

******Always for a week or more and pay the points for the weekend

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?

*******At least one is 12 nights starting on a Sun and ending on a Fri and thus it does limit it to one weekend

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?

******* Never

Do you bank?

******* Yes

Do you borrow?

******** No

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?

********We own at BWV and get boardwalk view, why would we want to change?

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?

*********There's a kitchen? DW makes one thing for dinner: reservations

Do you always go to the parks each trip?

**********Yes, but usually no more than 4 hours a day, many times just in evening for dinner and couple of attractions

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?

**********Haven't done that yet; can't possibly do it because some of our favorite restaurants are in the parks.

[kaseyC]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??

We stay in a 2 bdrm which is the perfect size for our family of five and the major reason we purchased DVC.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?

Yes, usually Dec or early June.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?

Yes, sometimes we will throw in a friday night but usually just Sun-thurs.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?
no, usually two shorter trips but that may change as the girls get older.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?
Haven't yet but probably will for a March 2009 trip.

Do you bank?
never!!

Do you borrow?
always!! :laughing:

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?
Stay put in one resort, usually just our home resort of BWV, this year we are trying out AKV

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?
Not really, quick breakfasts and some lunches. Always have ADRs for dinner.

Do you always go to the parks each trip?
We always spend some time in the parks but we do not feel the need to go "commando" anymore, we know we will be back.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?
not yet but hoping to try it next March.

[UConnJack]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accommodations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??

While at WDW, with the exception of one GV family reunion stay, we have always stayed in studios. Why waste the points when we spend so little time in the rooms. As the kids get older, we will likely have to upgrade to a 1br. We also do Inn rooms at VB, but we usually stay in a 1 br for our HH trips since my Dad comes to play golf with me.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?

Yes. The kids aren't in school yet, so we always go off-season (as much to avoid crowds as save points.) This will likely change soon, but will still try to take the kids out of school on occasion (at least until middle school).

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?

We usually book and intend on a Sun-Thurs stay, but we invariably end up adding a weekend day or two.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?

Most trips are 5-7 days. Are conscious of the weekends and sometimes try to avoid them, but its not the decision maker.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?

Only at HH in the off-season when room rates are $89-$139 a night. Otherwise, the $300+ a night, even with discount, is still too expensive to justify it.

Do you bank?

Haven't had to yet.

Do you borrow?

Have been in the red since day 1.

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?

Stay put while there. Will sometimes add an off-site mini-trip.

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?

Since we get studios, we eat out. But we would cook occasionally if we stayed in a 1/2/3-br. Always do some cooking at HH.

Do you always go to the parks each trip?

Yes.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?

No. My wife's withdrawal symptoms wouldn't be pretty......

[DVCLiz]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??

We only stay in a studio if nothing else is available. Usually we stay in a 2BR for our family of three. Both of my teen daughters like having their own bed and I like having a separate bedroom!!

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?

No. We travel during school breaks or in the summer, so it's almost always a "high" season.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?

We usually use our DVC points only on weekdays, and move resorts for the weekend. We like to visit other deluxe resorts like the Poly and if we pay cash for the weekend we can stay an extra week with our points.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?

We've stayed for two weeks but each time we found it was too long. Ten days is about the right length for us - any more and my daughters revert to teens who want to sleep late and watch TV all day, then stay up all night!!!!

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?

Yes - see above!

Do you bank?


Only if I have a few points left over - I think I've only had this happen once.

Do you borrow?

All the time!!! I started out not needing to but the lure of an extra trip one year was too great, and now I am borrowing from 2009.

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?

Almost always split resorts!! We like having different options - we love the Wilderness Lodge but if the weather is warm we want a few days to swim at SAB, so we try to book a few days at the BCV. It really depends on how early we decide to go - if we don't have much time we take what is available!!!!

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?

We never cook a meal. We might use the microwave once or twice for snacks, and we keep soft drinks and ice cream in the freezer/refrigerator. If I'm on a solo trip, I keep cheese and crackers, too. No real cooking - if we don't want to go out we order room service.

Do you always go to the parks each trip?

Yes. If I'm on a solo trip I sometimes skip one or two days and lounge around the room/resort. If the girls are with me, we might skip one or two days if we are on a long trip. Otherwise, we hit the parks everyday. As they have gotten older, we sleep in sometimes and go after lunch and stay late.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?

Never. When I want that kind of vacation, I use my points at Hilton Head. If we are in Florida, we are going to make it a park trip!

[Starr W.]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? We always stay in a 2br for the 4 of us,

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? NO

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? No

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? We do one long trip, plus at least one 3-4 day.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? NO

Do you bank? Yes

Do you borrow? Yes

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Stay put

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? No cooking, just snack and eat cereal or such for breakfast

Do you always go to the parks each trip? At this point, yes

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? NO, not yet

[Hollymom1229]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??
Right size so far, but when DH and I have a little one we'll move up to a 1 BDR, for room, privacy, and a kitchen.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?
Sometimes, but more based on when we want to go.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?
Nope, that would waste precious vacation days.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? Generally, it'll be 8 nights this year and 7 nights next year, though sometimes I get in a quick weekend trip.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? Don't see the point in paying again, that's what my points are for.

Do you bank? Sometimes

Do you borrow? Sometimes

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Unless there is no other option we stay put.

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Rarely, we almost always let Disney cook.

Do you always go to the parks each trip? Always go to each park, but not as many days now.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? I would someday for a short weekend trip, but not yet.

[bobbiwoz]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??
Someday, I would like to have one bedrooms when just DH and I go, but for now, even with 855 points, mostly all we get is studios for us two. Once we had OKW 1 bedroom and that was as wonderful as people say they are. When family comes we get a 2 bedroom and 1 -4 studios.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?No, but I am so happy that December is low points because I hope always to be able to go in December!

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? No, if I'm in Florida, I'd be happy to stay for a weekend, and we do sometimes.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? We don't do 1 long trip. My longest trip will be this June, and it's from a Friday night to Saturday, just over a week.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? Not DVC cash ressies. Sometimes we stay in Pop, we do like it.

Do you bank?Sometimes

Do you borrow? Usually

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? I very much like AKV, and the value points on a weekend makes it seem "OK" to me to stay there and then switch over to another resort for a longer stay. In the past, I have booked BCV on a Saturday, just to enjoy SAB for one or two days a year, and then go to a different resort for a longer stay. Now we own at BCV, so I won't need to do that. We can have longer stays there. So, it will probably be only AKV that we stay at for weekends before going to a different resort

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?I do some cooking, but mostly we eat out.

Do you always go to the parks each trip?Yes, we have AP's and so it's painless to go to a park.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?No, but I would be OK with that idea.

Right now, can't wait for the BCV Flower and Garden show stay. It will be 5 nights for me, but including the Friday and Saturday nights because DH could only take 1 vacation day, so we needed to be there for the weekend.

Bobbi:goodvibes

[Anal Annie]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? Right size - we're a family of 3 so studios work fine for us.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? If we can. Last summer we went in mid-August when the points dropped to save a few. But won't pull DS out of school to go so only if we can work it around school breaks.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? No - that's not say that we won't do it that way in the future sometime!

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? We usually vacation for a week to 10 days and will slip in a long weekend somewhere if we can.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? Yes! The DVC discount is a great bonus. We used it for a cash ressie in January and are using it again in July.

Do you bank? Yes!

Do you borrow? Haven't YET!

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Packing is not a hobby that I do for fun. We stay put.:goodvibes

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Does oatmeal count?

Do you always go to the parks each trip? YES!!

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? :eek: NO!!

[bwvBound]

Responses below in red.
Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??
It is only the two of us ... but we tend to book 1BR units.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?
Yes. Our visits tend to be during January, early December and other low-season windows.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?
We don't avoid weekends. We use our points on weekdays and weekends alike.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?
Yes, we generally stay for 10-12 nights -- but mostly because of travel costs from the West Coast.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?
No -- but we do combine DVC Points plus inbound exchanges using our other timeshare. Often we'll book 7 nights via the II exchange and then use the DVC points to add a night or two on either side.

Do you bank?
Every year so far ...

Do you borrow?
Not yet.

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?
Split: 6+ nights at BWV for a conference and then we have to go somewhere else to unwind.

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?
We'll eat out once every 2-3 days and get by on left-overs and cooking in between.

Do you always go to the parks each trip?
No.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?
Almost - but not quite. Our January 2007 visit was almost park-free ... except for attending a Pirate'n'Princess hard ticket event.

[GGOOFY1]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? Right size unless not available and I have to have my Disney fix!!

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? No around the kids schedules

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? No

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? Yes, after this year we will empty nesters, so our trip planning might change!!

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? Yes

Do you bank? Yes, rarely

Do you borrow? All the time!! It took 501 pts for a GV in Aug. I have borrowed my UY 2010

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Split, usually cash for weekend stays to extend out trip

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Cooking this year for 6 18year old boys:scared1:

Do you always go to the parks each trip? yes

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? no

[drag n' fly]

We splurged this one time on a cruise with developer points etc. Sounds like those points are going the way of the dodo bird which is a good thing I think as it will make bookings a little easier. Once the DVC honeymoon is over we will stay at our one bedroom at AKV or bank and borrow and do a split stay.

[Alexander]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? Stay in the right size.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points? We travel when school is out, usually high-point times.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? No, we usually stay one weekend night too.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? We usually visit 3-4 times/year, 5-6 nights each.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? Only once.

Do you bank? What's that?;)

Do you borrow? Yes!!

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? We stay put.

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Don't cook at home, surely won't on vacation!

Do you always go to the parks each trip? Pretty much.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? Did this once. We always take a few days of no parks each trip.

[nightshaderose]

I'm a new member, so most of this is planning and speculation. I intend to do 1-2 trips/year, and may or may not invite friends to go with me.

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??
I'm planning on a 1BR for the annual Food & Wine Fest trip, largely for the jetted tub, but I suspect I'll be happy with a studio the rest of the time.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?
I plan my trips during cheaper(ish) seasons in order to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?
Absolutely. As long as high-speed internet is available, I can even work from WDW if I must.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?
No. Before I bought DVC, my financial situation was variable enough that there was no telling when I would be able to go again, so I'd try to stretch the trip as long as possible. Now, since I know I'm going back, I'm satisfied with shorter trips that can maybe be more focused (some trip soon I'm going to make a point of doing everything that's wet).

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?
Not so far.

Do you bank?
Yes

Do you borrow?
Not yet. Maybe down the road if I want to do something big for friends/family

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?
Not yet, but it's an interesting idea

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?
For the most part, I'll let Disney do the cooking. Half the reason I go is for the restaurants.

Do you always go to the parks each trip?
Yes. I'm not sure I could be on property and Not go to AK. My current strategy is to get an AP just before the F&WF this year, use it for that trip, a trip in spring 2009 , and 2009 F&WF (a little earlier than this year's trip), do something else winter/spring 2010, and repeat with a new AP for F&WF 2010. (yes, I'm a compulsive over-planner)

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?
It doesn't seem likely (see above), but if I get the chance for a few days or a short working vacation during a time when I don't have an AP, it's possible.

Elizabeth

[Donald's Fan in PHX!]

I plan on one week in WDW and a few days in DL each year.

[Poohgirl]

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?
I have, it depends on how many WDW trips I want to plan for the year
Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?
no
Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? Yes, some years its one long trip, others 3 trips!

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?
Yes, I have only when a point ressie was not available for a day or two
Do you bank?
:rotfl2:
Do you borrow?
always
Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?
This year is our first split DVC stay
Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?
cook? what is that?
Do you always go to the parks each trip?
yes
Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?
never

[Deb & Bill]

First of all, I wonder who uses their point wisely or who is a miser with them. ;)

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room?? Always get at least a one bedroom. Two bedroom if we bring others along.

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?We try to get two trips out of one AP, but we have to go when school is out - for at least three more years.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year? We move in and stay for at least 7 days, usually more. We had planned to go 13 days this year, but got a good deal on a beach vacation to link to the DVC vacation so we cancelled DVC days.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? At least one trip, but we try to fit two into a 12 month period.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? Nope

Do you bank? Occasionally, more now than in the past.

Do you borrow? Usually.

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? Stay put, one resort at a time

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Mostly dine out, sometimes brings food along or gets something from the store. We may bring more along on this trip.

Do you always go to the parks each trip? Yep

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? Nope

[bwvBound]

I'm a new member, so most of this is planning and speculation.

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??
I'm planning on a 1BR for the annual Food & Wine Fest trip, largely for the jetted tub, but I suspect I'll be happy with a studio the rest of the time.:rotfl2: NOT A CHANCE! :rotfl2:

If you haven't yet heard ... it is difficult returning to a studio once you've tried the 1BR unit. You'll feel deprived, punished, unloved ...

[pouncingpluto]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??

We often stay in a one-bedroom for the king bed and the luxury. :)

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?

We would normally prefer to go during low point times, but now that I've gone back to school, our options are more limited. We're still avoiding the very highest point times.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?

No, we go when it's convenient.

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points?

Yes, pretty much.

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip?

Nope.

Do you bank?

Yes.

Do you borrow?

Yes.

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts?

Generally stay put. I enjoy unpacking and having a single home for a trip. Moving is a hassle to me.

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU?

We generally only use the kitchen for breakfast. And even then we don't do much cooking. Just use the fridge and the dishes, really.

Do you always go to the parks each trip?

Yes.

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks?

No.

[TriMom]

Just curious who stays in just the right size DVC accomdations to meet their family/vacationers needs or do you stay LARGER just for the extra room??
Just the right size - studio when it's just the 2 of us, 1 BR when we have the kids - in fact - we have said no more children because then we won't fit in a 1 BR (Just kidding - sorta of:thumbsup2 )

Do you plan your trips during a season to get more bang out of your points?
Right now - yes. It will probably change as we get further into school. However fall break is looking like our next regular time to go.

Do you only go for weekdays so you can go more often each year?
No - that just seems too short - and our short trips are usually Friday - Monday. That's a point hog!!!

Do you stay for ONE LONG trip each year not worrying about weekday vs. weekend points? Yes - our point purchase amount was enough points to stay 1 full week in a 2 bedroom in a value season

Do you combine cash ressies with points to help stretch your trip? Nope - I would say never, but that is not true - we have a truely over the top trip coming up, and we are staying the 1st night at Pop (our drive day) and then 2 nights in Cocoa Beach at the end of the trip

Do you bank? We did once!

Do you borrow? When we first bought, we instituted a no borrow rule - that lasted about 1 year. Now I fear we will be in a constant state of borrow.

Do you stay put or do you split trips between different resorts? I would prefer to stay put - I hate wasting the day moving, but I am willing to move to have a place to stay the entire time I am at Disney. Lesson here: PLAN EARLY

Do you cook while staying at DVC or let Disney COOK FOR YOU? Both. I don't really mind cooking - just not all the time. At home - I cook 3 meals a day. So cooking 1 or 2 meals a day is still a vacation to me! And I will gladly pronounce a vacation day NO COOKING!! and not feel guilty about it

Do you always go to the parks each trip? Yes - We are still having a hard time slowing down and not being at the park from morning til night. My DH was crawling out of his skin the last trip when we didn't leave for a park until almost 2 pm

Do you ever go and never step foot in the parks? I would love that - but I don't know if it will ever happen. A great trip for me would be to go to the pool every day, get some spa treatments, run the jogging course at all the resorts, take golf lessons, try the parasailing, sleep past 8 am. I might just have to take a solo trip one of these days!!!!