How many DVC trips a year as an owner?

[WoodysRoundup]

We usually do 1 - 2 trips a year. Just curious, how many trips per year do you take as a DVC owner? Hmmm......(Do we need more pts.? :rotfl: )

[Deb & Bill]

We used to do two, maybe three trips a year. Until we sold off two of our five contracts. So now we do one nice trip a year.

[CraftyMouse]

We buy APs and take three trips during that 12-month period...usually two 2-week stays and one 1-week stay. We then take the next 10-12 months off and then buy new APs. During that off year we do something different like take a DCL cruise or visit other parts of the country/world.

[disneynutz]

Two or three times per year. :thumbsup2

[jblrn2b]

I hope a lot. THis yr we are going Feb/June and Dec 2009!!!!! My DH Rocks!!!!

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Back in the day when I lived in the Midwest, we went 3-5 times a year.

Since we live out here by DLR, now, we do at least 2x/year here, and then try to get to WDW to visit family and friends at least every 18 months or so.

This year we are giving our normal WDW trip to our best friends points to use as one week of their 3 week WDW honeymoon. It's their first time to WDW and over Christmas through early January to boot! (It's the first time I've ever given points to anyone - we always go, too - and I've owned for 15 years!!!)

They're going to have a fabulous time! We'll go for F&W in October, instead! It'll be the last fall that we can go without pulling someone out of Kindergarten! (OMG - I can't believe I just said that!)

[bradisgoofy]

In the past we have gone once a year at spring break, but from April '08 to March '09 we will have gone 3 times. :dance3:

[MdmMim]

I usually go in Oct for 2 weeks, Dec for 10 days, and Jan for 4 weeks. The past few years, I've also gone for 5 days in May and the same for Sept. (I'm trying to cut back on May and Sept, but it's difficult.) :rotfl:

Pre-DVC, I visited 3-5 times a year--DVC has changed the length of my stays, not really the total number of them.

[spiceycat]

March, May, Sept, Nov or dec

getting rid of OKW - so will have alot less points - selling 240 points at OKW for 120 at BLT...

still have small contracts at VWL and BWV - that sometime I rent.

so new will be March or May, then Sept or Dec - but believe it will be hard - very hard...

[Poppins2000]

We usually go to the parks 2-4 times a year and cruise once a year (on cruises we usually pay for one person and use points for the other)....

[WilsonFlyer]

We do 2-3 trips/year. Since we've become DVC members, it's going to be 3 this year and 3 in 2009 mostly because of DP incentives.

I expect us to calm down beginning in 2010 and get back to our normal 2 trips per year, usually one in the spring and one around the Holidays. :)

[DVC Mike]

4 trips a year, with each trip being at least 8 nights, and sometimes longer (10-12 nights).

[Anal Annie]

We used to go about once a year until we bought DVC. First year of owning we bought AP's and went 3x. Now with the economy down & airfare up only planning for 1x this year.... Ideally, I would like to go 2x a year...

[Disney Spaz]

We just bought in over the summer at AKV and added-on at BLT so we haven't gone once yet :headache: But our first trip in January on DP then again in July on DP and finally at Chirstmas 2009 on our actual points. We will get 3 trips this year and plan to buy AP's every other year and go 3X aeveryother year to make the most out of the AP's. DH was just telling me a few days ago that I am becoming so impatient about or trip in January that he doesn't think I can make it a whole year w/o going to WDW. I see this as a perfect reason to buy more points. ;)

[mickeymorse]

4 trips a year, with each trip being at least 8 nights, and sometimes longer (10-12 nights).

:worship: :worship:

Since we are new owners, I am figuring 1-2 per year or at least that is what I already have planned for the next 4 yrs! I should probably let my DW know at some point. :laughing:

[disneymom8589]

About 1 or 2 a year. We also take some non-DVC vacations. We're going to Disneyland next month and New York City in the spring, not using any DVC points. :)

[dvcbnd]

We try to take at least 1 - 2 trips a year. Sometimes it doesn't always work out the way that we'd like. :)

[jamstew]

I'm planning on twice a year, but it's going to depend on airfare. Since I share my points with my kids and their families, it also depends on their plans.

[DVC-Don]

We usually work in 2 or 3 trips per year.

[BEASLYBOO]

Every year since purchasing we go the first week after school ends in June for 5 days.

Then 2 or 3 long week-ends during the year!

[nikkistevej]

Once a year- I wish it were more!!!

[TiszBear]

2 or 3 a year.

[starbox]

Three/Four.

It always starts out three - but I usually add a short trip during Christmas Break about this time every year.

[kbtennant]

We usually go between 3-5 a year w/our DVC Membership. It's great!! This year we went in January, March & August. Just booked June/July for 09. Then doing DCL Oct/Nov.

[JasonDVC]

We just bought this year but plan to go on 1 long trip every other year and a long non-Disney trip every other year. In about 7-10 years, the plan is to spen 4-6 weeks from Jan-March

[AnnaS]

WDW/DVC - at least once a year. I wish it was more. I think we can start visiting twice a year soon (within a year or two).

[DisDaydreamer]

We do 1.5 trips per year. Basically, one this year, two the next. Works pretty well for us.

[Claire L]

Last year was our first year as DVC owners and we went once, this year it will be twice, but only because of the developer points we got! After this I expect we will go back in 2010 then maybe 2012, unless we buy more points, but there are so many other places to visit :) 2012 is possibly using 3 years worth of points for a 2 br so that we can take DMIL with us.

Claire ;)

[hcortesis]

October, January, February and March - 13 days per trip (Sun-Fri). Can't stand the cold up here anymore!

[yourgoingagain?]

6 - 7 times (7 this year) usually for 3 or 4 night stays.

[jdvm]

We live here now so our patterns have changed to 4-5 times per year-usually on weekends. It used to be two two-week trips per year with all of the kids and 2-3 long weekends with just the two of us.

John

[jimmytammy]

Its very interesting reading all the posts and how people take advantage of their ownership.

As for us, 2 trips a year. One big one, 2 weeks in a 1 bedroom. Then 1 week in a studio. But as the kids have grown, decided to add on(again) recently so we could do that 1 week in a 1 bed as well.

[thesupersmartguy]

Once every 2- 2 1/2 months.

[dcfromva]

We have to make it several short trips (3-4 nights over a weekend) to save vacation time.

This year, it will be 4 WDW and 2 DL trips total.

[cindymouse6]

We have 4 kids, so we always rent a 2BR condo... we buy annual passes and go 4-5 weeks in a 12 month period, go for 1 week for "pool time" during the next year, then buy AP again the next year to get the best bang. We bought premium AP this year and spent over $3000!!! so we have to save up.. sold BWV points to buy BLT points... seems to be the trend...

[Cinderella1122]

This AP (Dec 07' - Dec 08'), I have had 4 trips. I am planning on using my DVC for one nice trip a year, to treat family and friends. However, I may continue to take a couple of weekend trips and stay value.

[TifffanyD]

We are going for 4 times this year. But only 1 of those trips is longer than 2 nights (and it's only for 4 nights).

[Alisha&Jay]

I have a family of 5 (me, dh, dd 6, ds 3, ds 2), we just bought in last year, but we have already gone 4 times (Dec 07 SSR, Feb 08 OKW, May 08 BWV, Aug 08 AKV) and we have a long weekend we just planned in Dec (BWV) and a week long trip set for Feb 09. Our trip this past May was on cash, the rest points, but now we've used all our points for 08 and 09, except for about 40 :sad2: . This past year has been unusual though, as our plan in the future is to go 3 times per year, probably a 1 week trip and a couple 4 nighters. We are already looking to add on at BLT next year, hopefully if all goes well. :banana: We absolutely love being DVC members, I think we're one of those families that could never have enough points, ever!

[Buckeye Fan]

We usually do 1 - 2 trips a year. Just curious, how many trips per year do you take as a DVC owner? Hmmm......(Do we need more pts.? :rotfl: )
Same as you. We usually do two 7 day trips (Christmas, Spring Break and/or summer), or take one longer trip in the summer.

[ILuvTigger]

Every year we will go in July (my birthday), Oct (our anniversary) and Dec. Next year we are going 5 times (Feb 6 days, July 5 days, Sept 8 days, Oct 5 days and Dec 6 days).

[*KeepMovingForward*]

For us it winds up being 2-3 trips per year with a minimum stay of 10 days each time. The past two years we have also wound up giving family members trips on our points too...so that cut down on our fun. Gotta share the magic though. :goodvibes

[justjudy]

We usually do 2 trips a year -- one in late January and one either in early May or early September.

[bobbiwoz]

It's about 3-5 trips a year. These could be 3 night weekends, or 8 night vacations, and like this last one, we were 5 nights, DGC's family 5 nights, but not the same 5 nights, we overlapped for 3 nights. We hope that we can bring the DGC twice a year for their 5 night stays, the rest of the stays are for DH and myself, sometimes with friends. DH is limited by his number of vacation days. We are very happy with current conditions that he wasn't retired in February when his company was sold, but it's going to be a few years before we can have the 21 night stays that we dream about now.

Bobbi:goodvibes

[jpolak]

This year will be 2. One in Feb. and another in Dec. We usually average 1 trip every 15 months or so.

[Crisgw]

We just bought in Sept and have trips planned in Jan, July and Sept of this year (and maybe December of 09!) so at least 3 times this year, maybe 4. I see us going 2-3 times a year normally though :)

[JimC]

Since 2006 it has generally been 5 five-night stays as follows:

January VWL
May VB
October OKW
November AKV
December BCV

However we also visit for many "day trips" for concerts, or just to enjoy a morning at a park and lunch.

[tea pot]

:surfweb: enjoying this thread
We like to visit 2 times a year every May for the Flower show and then we alternate Sept/Oct for the Food and Wine Show with fisrt week in Dec for Christmas.
This year we added a family Thanksgiving Trip (two days till we leave)

[dsneygirl]

Our record is 5 trips out of one AP. But I was on mat leave that year so it was a bit of an anomoly. In Sept we took a 12 day trip and loved the longer stay so I think we will aim for 2 longer trips each AP instead of 3 or 4 shorter ones.

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We go to WDW every year and Hilton Head every other year.

(We manage to do that with 100 points!)

BWV
April 07
January 08
March 09

HHI
November 06
November 08

Should I tell Dh about the December '09 trip? I'm really craving a Christmas trip, and if we get APs, it will be soooooo cheap!:rolleyes1

As for you guys that go 4 or 5 times a year...:worship: :worship: :worship:

I'm still happy though, we got our MF statement yesterday.:thumbsup2

[dianeschlicht]

We are also on a rotating schedule. We buy APs and visit 3 times in one 12 month period. Then we take 10-12 months off before buying another AP and starting the process over again.

This was an "off year" for us, so we had one 10 night trip in March and wont be going back until the end of January, 2009. BUT...we will also travel in May and December in 2009!!:cool1:

[PSC]

We're at 3 trips per year, (Sun - Thu), but we've been treating friends / family to a studio along with us. DW has decided that she really likes the 1BR, so we'll either have to stop treating or buy more points.

[capecoddisneyfamily]

This year we did three trips which all together was 28 days. Next year might be one trip or dreadfully none (baby due).

[*KeepMovingForward*]

This year we did three trips which all together was 28 days. Next year might be one trip or dreadfully none (baby due).

That just means more points to go crazy with the following year. :dance3:

[DisneyDreams21]

Lately I have found that I like to go even more than before... We always go in August for a long trip, then December for 5-7 days, and usually April or May (prefer May) for a 5-6 day trip. I like Food and Wine too so this year I skipped down for a quick 3 nighter.

The airline prices play a big role in how many times I go each year.

[Leenie74]

We're new members, but we are planning on going 3 times a year on the following schedule...
always late May/early June for 1 week
alternating fall break/right before Christmas for 3-4 nights
alternating long weekend in Feb/Spring Break for 3-4 nights

I'm sure addonitis will get the better of me for the alternating times listed and we will start going more often or staying longer when we go. :)

[WoodysRoundup]

Great responses! They have me thinking!!!!!Can anyone tell me when Xmas decorations typically go up??? :worship:

[Coach81]

Since we bought DVC we've gone twice a year, next year will be a first for us.. we are planning on going 3 times :banana:

In 2010, we are planning on going just once.. so far.

[ntz4disney]

We tend to go to WDW 4 times per year ... 2 trips in a studio and 2 trips in a 1BR ...

[corpcomp]

1-2 trips per year although this year thanks to a convention we have gone 3 times. Next trip is in Feb which turns out to be a lot cheaper than Spring Break week.

[n2mm]

4-6 trips a year. Generally 7 days to 12 days. Sometimes in a studio and at least once a trip in a 2 bedroom.

[maraki527]

We usually do one or two but none this year we have a little one on the way.

[bobbiwoz]

We usually do one or two but none this year we have a little one on the way.

And very soon! Congratulations!!!

Bobbi:goodvibes

[jgdebelak]

We have not been since Christmas of last year, and boy are we looking forward to going again. Our friends are going at Christmas this year....we are soooo jealous!!!! That was one of the best trips EVER.

We usually try to go atleast once per year.

Jen

[dvcdisney]

We usually go twice a year with each visit lasting 14 nights. The flights are very expensive so we try to go as long as possible. However we are restricted by vacation days.

[wildernessDad]

This year - 3 trips.
Next year - 2 trips + one trip for a conference (staying DVC)
After that - probably 2 trips.

[christianweecare]

It varies. This year we did Feb., May, Sept., and soon Dec. The first three trips were short weekenders. Dec. will be 7 nights! Woo Hoo!

Next year we will only spend one night in May coming back from Vero. We will be doing the Disney Magic in Sept. next year. What a bummer! NOT!

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

Great responses! They have me thinking!!!!!Can anyone tell me when Xmas decorations typically go up??? :worship:

Depends...lights go up starting in July/August...the first date this year for MVMCP was Nov. 10th

We have been going 3x per year since 2006 DVC purchase. We are usually there a total of 23-25 nights per year. :scared1: We have just added on because we were buying nights at moderates using AP rates.....we tend to extend our trips last minute! It is just DH, dd and I and we book studios...wish they had:laughing: whirlpools!
DH only has three weeks vacation....we sometimes stretch it around holidays!

[dianeschlicht]

This year we did three trips which all together was 28 days. .

That's our usual number of total days when we do 3 trips also. We usually don't go for less than 7-10 days at a time.

[Wedgeh]

A half to one third unfortunately!!

[jdvm]

OK gang, help me out here. This is more of a research question than a sales pitch. You all come here a LOT and you're so much our target market....yet not very many of you are Members of Owner's Locker....so why haven't we hit your radar screen????
Candid comments encouraged and welcome.
Thanks,

John

[DVC Mike]

OK gang, help me out here. This is more of a research question than a sales pitch. You all come here a LOT and you're so much our target market....yet not very many of you are Members of Owner's Locker....so why haven't we hit your radar screen????
Candid comments encouraged and welcome.
Thanks,

John

We drive and bring everything with us. I think your target market is primarily the folks that fly.

[bobbiwoz]

OK gang, help me out here. This is more of a research question than a sales pitch. You all come here a LOT and you're so much our target market....yet not very many of you are Members of Owner's Locker....so why haven't we hit your radar screen????
Candid comments encouraged and welcome.
Thanks,

John

So many people here do rave about your service! The only benefit for me would be a place to store our liquid laundry bottle between family visits, those that we have in a 2 bedroom with a laundry room. We wind up throwing away lots of laundry detergent, twice a year, but even that waste is less than your service. I just don't need that many things to be waiting for me at my DVC home.

Bobbi:goodvibes

[ransom]

We do one, fourteen-day trip per year.

If we weren't owners, it would be one, 7-day trip per year.

[JimC]

OK gang, help me out here. This is more of a research question than a sales pitch. You all come here a LOT and you're so much our target market....yet not very many of you are Members of Owner's Locker....so why haven't we hit your radar screen????
Candid comments encouraged and welcome.
Thanks,

John


We live locally and drive, otherwise we would be members. I travel for my business and I value any service that reduces the hassle. I joined the Clear Pass / Registered Traveler program as soon as we moved to Orlando for that very reason.

Your costs are insignificant for anyone who visits Orlando at least twice a year --maybe even once a year now that the airlines charge for baggage. But it may be possible that some are hesitant with the upfront charge. Have you considered a monthly pay program where you spread the cost over 12 or 24 months of automatic payment? You might charge more in total to cover your additional risk/costs. The model I am thinking of is the Sea World annual pass program.

Because of my travel I observe plenty of families wrestling with luggage (both checked and carry-on), kids, packages. I would think even resort guests would use your service as many AP holders are resort but not DVC or other timeshare owner. Can you tap into them?

Is there a service that you could offer members to ship those Mickey ears and other stuff home rather than drag in on the airplane or stuff in an already overloaded vehicle? Maybe you deliver a flat box that members fold, pack and label; then you arrange shipping (at an extra charge). I must admit that there are times that I wish our stuff would just show up in our villa and we could forgo the suitcases.

I think it is a combination of selling the benefits, adding complimentary (concierge type) services and making the payment portion easier.

[spiceycat]

OK gang, help me out here. This is more of a research question than a sales pitch. You all come here a LOT and you're so much our target market....yet not very many of you are Members of Owner's Locker....so why haven't we hit your radar screen????
Candid comments encouraged and welcome.
Thanks,

John

I have thought about it more than once - but since mostly drive and have a box that stays in the car with most of my stuff. don't think it would be worth it for me.

now do fly occasionally - but not that often.

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

OK gang, help me out here. This is more of a research question than a sales pitch. You all come here a LOT and you're so much our target market....yet not very many of you are Members of Owner's Locker....so why haven't we hit your radar screen????
Candid comments encouraged and welcome.
Thanks,

John

Anything that we would leave there, we like to have at home with us and I have one box that I do ship that has cooking paraphenalia in it but shipping the box is still cheaper for us. I do a pre-paid label home and just drop it at guest services.

Believe me, we have looked at your service and have debated cost vs. convenience, etc.

One thing I wish it were easy to do is donate food or drink items that we can't take back with us that we haven't used. We leave this stuff in the fridge and don't know if mousekeeping takes it or tosses it. Sometimes we have miscalculated and have unopened items left over.
:confused3

[ransom]

OK gang, help me out here. This is more of a research question than a sales pitch. You all come here a LOT and you're so much our target market....yet not very many of you are Members of Owner's Locker....so why haven't we hit your radar screen????
Candid comments encouraged and welcome.
Thanks,

John

We only go once a year, it's just the two of us, and we stay in a studio, so there's not a whole lot we could put in one. We think about getting one from time to time, but so far we haven't figured out how having one would save us enough money or trouble to justify the expense.

[florep1]

I'm one of those that have joined in but not entirely sold on the idea. We're trying it for our trip in December and I was really looking forward to it until I realized that it's gonna be a pain to have to call the bellhop to pick it up from our room. We're staying at SSR, we drive, and we usually take care of our own luggage, but because the OL is gonna be heavy, and has no wheels, that would mean we have to wait for bell services to pick it up from our room.

I guess we'll see how it goes.

[Anal Annie]

OK gang, help me out here. This is more of a research question than a sales pitch. You all come here a LOT and you're so much our target market....yet not very many of you are Members of Owner's Locker....so why haven't we hit your radar screen????
Candid comments encouraged and welcome.
Thanks,

John

I tried to talk DH into one last year when you had that initial really, really good hard to pass up offer (What was it? Like 3 free trips or something? I don't remember now) and then POOF it was gone in a flash before I could convince him so now it's sort of an "oh well" thing for us.

LAST year we went 3 times but then we ran out of points and cannot go again until next summer...so we're hit & miss on our trips right now. Also, we use studios so no laundry in the unit...not that I want to do laundry on vacation but....no need to store a big bottle of Tide. We fly and use ME so I won't be packing a crockpot any time soon...I suppose we would store things like...ummmm....ponchos & umbrellas...flip flops...beer cozies....if frequent trips were planned sunscreens... If we could get to the point where we were going 2 times a year every year maybe I could convince him it's worth it one day...:confused3 I think it sounds great with all the luggage restrictions these days...it's just not time for us to sign up yet with no trips planned for the immediate future.

[Leenie74]

OK gang, help me out here. This is more of a research question than a sales pitch. You all come here a LOT and you're so much our target market....yet not very many of you are Members of Owner's Locker....so why haven't we hit your radar screen????
Candid comments encouraged and welcome.
Thanks,

John

We have thought about it, but we drive most of the time and we are still new DVC members, so we feel like we need to have a couple of trips "home" with bringing all the stuff with us before making a decision. Believe me, the idea of the convienence thrills me! :goodvibes

[pixie08]

2-3 trips per year.

[simzac]

We are only able to go one week each year

[suzycute]

We only have 100 points so its one week in a studio in September / October every year for us - I would love to add on but as we're Brits and the pound has now taken a real hit, doesn't look like this will be any time soon :sad2: