Has anyone stayed in their home resort longer than 3 weeks?

[Ms. WDW]

Has anyone ever stayed for longer than 3 weeks at their home resort? If so, was it difficult getting the reservation and what time of year was it and how long were you able to stay?

[DVCconvert]

yes, Ihave many times. 4-8 weeks at a time. Usually in Oct & Jan, sometimes in Dec. No problem in getting it as I booked at the 11 month window.

HTH

[bwvBound]

yes, Ihave many times. 4-8 weeks at a time.Sidetrack: Wow! I'm so jealous. We own a 2nd home in the opposite corner of San Diego county and the longest I've stayed is 4 nights. I can't imagine how relaxed and happy I'd be after spending even 2 weeks there ... much less 4-8 weeks! Maybe someday ... ;)

[Alexander]

Yes, I once lived in an OKW 1 bedroom with no husband or kids! Then the darn alarm went off!:lmao: Hey, one can dream!

[paults]

Yes, I once lived in an OKW 1 bedroom with no husband or kids! Then the darn alarm went off!:lmao: Hey, one can dream!

just keep hitting the alarm button and keep getting those precious 9 minutes of dream:rotfl2:

[Ms. WDW]

yes, Ihave many times. 4-8 weeks at a time. Usually in Oct & Jan, sometimes in Dec. No problem in getting it as I booked at the 11 month window.

HTH

Thanks for your reply. Since we own at two resorts, DH and I were thinking about "down the road" when we retire; which isn't that far off. I was wondering if people spent 4 weeks at a time in WDW. But then again; if you have the time and points, why not?? ;)

[Sully]

For the last 2 years, DW and I have spent the entire month of Feb. in a studio at SSR and then moved into an inn room at VB for a week. We do most of our cooking in the room.:cool1:

[Ms. WDW]

For the last 2 years, DW and I have spent the entire month of Feb. in a studio at SSR and then moved into an inn room at VB for a week. We do most of our cooking in the room.:cool1:

Thank you for your reply! I just knew there were folks out there who do what we're thinking of doing!! What a concept; 4 weeks at WDW!! :cloud9:

[WolfpackFan]

This thread is very interesting. It has always been my dream to take a really extended trip to WDW (like 3 weeks or so). I would love to spend the entire month of January down there if I could, because I absolutely hate cold weather.

[Ms. WDW]

This thread is very interesting. It has always been my dream to take a really extended trip to WDW (like 3 weeks or so). I would love to spend the entire month of January down there if I could, because I absolutely hate cold weather.

While having our morning coffee on our BWV balcony a few weeks ago, DH and I were just "talking" about when we retire. We don't know if we could live in Florida full time, but the thoughts of being able to come down away from the cold really thrills us. So DH asked if anyone stays longer than the "norm" at WDW and I said "well I don't know. But if you have the points, then why not". And thus this thread was born! ;)

[m1ckeym0use1]

My parents just booked the last week in January at Vero and AKL, and the entire month of February at OKW (yes, I'm jealous).

February is a good month to miss in Minnesota.

[WebmasterCricket]

February is a good month to miss in Minnesota.

Pretty soon I'm going to have to look into a hybrid snowblower.

[Cruelladeville]

Last year we spent February in a studio at SSR. I enjoyed myself, but was anxious to get home in March--but when I got off the plane, it was COLD. This year we are spending two weeks in December, and two weeks in February, and two weeks in March. The Feb-March trip is one trip, for a total of a month. And no, we have never had a problem reserving the room, since we are quite happy to rearrange where we stay if we need to. I really am enjoying my retirement!:rotfl:

[Ms. WDW]

Last year we spent February in a studio at SSR. I enjoyed myself, but was anxious to get home in March--but when I got off the plane, it was COLD. This year we are spending two weeks in December, and two weeks in February, and two weeks in March. The Feb-March trip is one trip, for a total of a month. And no, we have never had a problem reserving the room, since we are quite happy to rearrange where we stay if we need to. I really am enjoying my retirement!:rotfl:

This is exactly what we're thinking of doing when the time comes. I had always thought how great it would be if we could spend part of the colder months in WDW and now I see that it can be done!!

Enjoy your retirement!!:thumbsup2

[DVC Grandpa]

Last year we spent February in a studio at SSR. I enjoyed myself, but was anxious to get home in March--but when I got off the plane, it was COLD. This year we are spending two weeks in December, and two weeks in February, and two weeks in March. The Feb-March trip is one trip, for a total of a month. And no, we have never had a problem reserving the room, since we are quite happy to rearrange where we stay if we need to. I really am enjoying my retirement!:rotfl:

Leeann, Perhaps we will see you in February. We spent some time at BCV last February and will be sitting in the sun all of this coming February. Took the family in November for Thanksgiving.:thumbsup2

[lilstint]

I was chatting with a woman sitting next to me at the pool last year who commented that she and her DH spend 3 months every winter in a studio at OKW. She said that she knew it was probably not the most "financially savvy" thing to do but they just loved it and, since they could afford it, decided that that is just what they would do.

Here's the kicker.....they were on the meal plan the entire time! And, I must add, she was in great shape!

[Donald is #1]

Wow! All of you posters are giving me something to aspire to! Of course, I may need to buy more points during the next 10-15 years before I retire. :rolleyes1

[graygables]

we're booked at AKV in a value 1BR for 26 days in Jan '09. I had to do a day by day ressie (which was fun! ;) ) but we got all of it done. We've never gone that long, so I'm hoping to keep the kiddos happy. I'm planning on going down for an internship and wanted the first month to be serious family time before hubby and DDs have to return to Ohio without me...:sad1:

[chrisann]

I was chatting with a woman sitting next to me at the pool last year who commented that she and her DH spend 3 months every winter in a studio at OKW. She said that she knew it was probably not the most "financially savvy" thing to do but they just loved it and, since they could afford it, decided that that is just what they would do.

Here's the kicker.....they were on the meal plan the entire time! And, I must add, she was in great shape!


Now that would be the way to retire, a maid every day, all your meals made for you and a huge variety at that! No dishes!! :cloud9: I can't wait to retire, but unfortunately I don't think my retirement years will be THAT relaxing :rotfl: !!!

[Alexander]

I was chatting with a woman sitting next to me at the pool last year who commented that she and her DH spend 3 months every winter in a studio at OKW. She said that she knew it was probably not the most "financially savvy" thing to do but they just loved it and, since they could afford it, decided that that is just what they would do.

Here's the kicker.....they were on the meal plan the entire time! And, I must add, she was in great shape!

Holy Cow! The meal plan for 3 months! I find 7 days of the meal plan to be too much! That also would cost $6838.20 if you average 30 days for each month! Mother! Imagine the ADRs!!!!

[tecodis]

Last year we spent February in a studio at SSR. I enjoyed myself, but was anxious to get home in March--but when I got off the plane, it was COLD. This year we are spending two weeks in December, and two weeks in February, and two weeks in March. The Feb-March trip is one trip, for a total of a month. And no, we have never had a problem reserving the room, since we are quite happy to rearrange where we stay if we need to. I really am enjoying my retirement!:rotfl:

Wow!
That must be alot of points!!
:eek:

[tecodis]

I was chatting with a woman sitting next to me at the pool last year who commented that she and her DH spend 3 months every winter in a studio at OKW. She said that she knew it was probably not the most "financially savvy" thing to do but they just loved it and, since they could afford it, decided that that is just what they would do.

Here's the kicker.....they were on the meal plan the entire time! And, I must add, she was in great shape!

And ovisouly they are quite well off financially!!
:cool2:

[Ms. WDW]

Wow!
That must be alot of points!!
:eek:

You could do the month of January at the BW in a studio for 340 points. But depending on your contract size that could also be your only trip for that year. :confused3

DH and I are sitting and playing with the numbers. When and if we should decide to do this in the upcoming years, I can easily see us spending a few weeks at the BW and a few weeks at SSR in those cold dreary winter NY months! :thumbsup2

[thepops]

Compared to having a vacation home where YOU have to do all the upkeep, and maybe get a call from a neighbor that a pipe's broken when you're not there, etc. DVC could be a very nice alternative.

[Ms. WDW]

Compared to having a vacation home where YOU have to do all the upkeep, and maybe get a call from a neighbor that a pipe's broken when you're not there, etc. DVC could be a very nice alternative.

Exactly!!! That's what I'm talking about!!!! :thumbsup2

[VLee]

Hopefully, I will be retired by late spring and beginning May 24, we have four weeks booked right now -- for the grandkids and myself.

Since I have several home resorts, we will move for a variety. We start off at AKV in a concierge studio, then move to BW in a standard studio, and then on to BCV in a studio for the next two weeks. I am really thinking of canceling some weekend nights to stretch our points a little more or do at least one week in a 1 BR.

We may DDP for one or two of the weeks and I figured if we have a 1 BR, then we can cook that week and the concierge will also help cut down on outside meals.

We want to visit Universal Studios (already have tickets) and on that weekend, will probably stay on their property to have the front of the line access to rides. Also, we may stay at a value or two on the weekends and drive to nearby attractions.

[Sheribo]

Is there a maximum stay limit at DVC resorts? There was another thread for people with over 1000 points (some had more than 3000) and they had extended stays but I thought I saw something about not being able to stay more than 3 weeks. Of course, you could move to another DVC resort I guess.

[tiggerrr]

Is there a maximum stay limit at DVC resorts? There was another thread for people with over 1000 points (some had more than 3000) and they had extended stays but I thought I saw something about not being able to stay more than 3 weeks. Of course, you could move to another DVC resort I guess.

I don't know about a maximum stay, but there are maximums on the points. You can have no more than 2500 points at any one resort and no more than 7500 points total.

Of course, a studio at OKW only costs a little over 5000 points for the entire year.;)

[jpolak]

yes, Ihave many times. 4-8 weeks at a time. Usually in Oct & Jan, sometimes in Dec. No problem in getting it as I booked at the 11 month window.

HTH

:worship:

[DonnaL]

We have no desire to move year round to FL, however, we're also thinking toward retirement and spending at least Jan and Feb sounds really nice.......I would also like March since sometimes we have the nastiest weather here in PA during March. I don't know so much that I would like to spend ALL of that time onsite, though......definitely several weeks, but, not two to three months. We have an acquaintance who spends Dec, Jan, Feb, March in a furnished rental condo several miles from WDW......he's a golfer and his wife has developed friendships with other "snowbirds" in their condo complex. The condo they stay in is actually owned by someone from the UK and while the condo is in one of the "short vacation stay" complexes, the owner prefers to rent longer term (one to four months) to a retired couple vs. weekly renters because it definitely means less wear and tear on his property. He does give them a discount from what the normal cost would be on a weekly basis (I believe several hundred dollars). It works for both parties.......our friend is guaranteed a clean, very nice place and the owner knows his property is well taken care of for those months and also he is guaranteed rental during a traditionally slower period for family vacationing during which he may not be able to rent for several weeks anyway. So, I think we may definitely look into an arrangement similar to this when the time comes for us......we will keep our DVC and use it most likely in early January with our kids, which is what we do now (DH is adjunct faculty at Penn State and our youngest of three is currently a PSU student so we've needed to follow the semester breaks for quite a few years now) and then the kids will come home (or where home is to them at that time) to winter and Mom/Dad will winter in FL!!!

[cseca]

WOW!!!
Any of you long term DVC stayers adopting possibly? :)
That would be my dream (not DH's tho)... to be able to stay at disney for a month. I don't even need the meal plan. Heck, I'll eat cereals in the hotel room for bfast every day if that would help... :rotfl:

[lawlesslovewdw]

Hadnt even thought of using it as a retirement plan:lmao: We stay at SSR for 3 weeks a year in a 1 bed. We are all booked for Dec, no problem with the reservation. Have also stayed in Sept & Oct :cool1: :cloud9:

[lbdpw1285]

we are going from jan 4 to 30 in 2009. about 4 weeks. my hope in 4 more years is to go for jan /feb to get out of nj winters.
wife and i figure if we bought a small house or condo, we are responsible for maint. etc and still have taxes etc. and a gated neighborhood similar to OKW will be big $$$.
we think DVC will be cheaper in the long run. resale will also probably be better if necessary, or pass it on.
DVC snowbirding looks to me to be entirely sensible.

[lbdpw1285]

bump:)

[Ms. WDW]

Thanks for keeping this post alive. As the OP, I never realized just how many DVC members use their points for extended stays.

I'm so looking forward to sepending 4 or more :lovestruc weeks in WDW when we retire. And, that's not too far away; maybe 4 more years!! :banana: