Does DVC still meet your vacation desires once te kids leave the nest?

[abarnes64]

Still thinking about long term family changes and vacation needs as time goes on BEFORE purchasing. I have 2 small children now (2 and 4 yrs)......i know they will grow and change. Do you mind sharing how your family has changed and if you still enjoy DVC now? Would you do it again? Do you enjoy going without kids? Have you traded in to try RCI? Experiences?

Thank you all!

 

[disneynutz]

IMO it doesn't really matter, later if your needs or desires change, sell.

DVC is a timeshare, not a lifelong commitment.

Bill

 

[bakerworld]

We purchased our DVC after the kids were long grown.

When the kids were small I looked forward leaving my hotel room with the beds unmade and towels array to return to a neaten room with fresh towels, coffee / tea replenished and wiped down counter / table surfaces - "more towels and coffee please".

 

[OKW Lover]

We bought into DVC as older adults. For us, children leaving the nest was never a consideration. We bought because we love Disney and intended on visiting frequently. If that describes you then yes, you'll still enjoy DVC. If you buy DVC just because your children love Disney, then you'll probably want to sell DVC when they leave home.

 

[abarnes64]

Hubby and I do like Disney and enjoyed very much the one time we went ...we are in the trenches currently with kids, so I was just trying to imagine how it would be without kids at Disney?

 

[OKW Lover]

Hubby and I do like Disney and enjoyed very much the one time we went ...we are in the trenches currently with kids, so I was just trying to imagine how it would be without kids at Disney?

Its pretty wonderful actually. We've been doing it without children for 20 years now and really enjoy spending time in the parks (especially Epcot) just enjoying things.

 

[SamSam]

We started going to WDW in 1988 when our kids were 8 and 13, at first once a year but that turned into twice a year. I tried to talk Dh into buying DVC when it first became available (1993, I believe) but he kept saying we wouldn't want to go once the kids were gone.

WRONG! We bought our first contract in 2002 when Beach Club first became available (at the time it was our favorite resort). Since then we've added on mulitple times (it's our retirement vacation home). We love going as adults by ourselves, and lately we've enjoyed taking grandkids!

For us, WDW is just a great escape from real life. We love it, with or without kids with us.

 

[DizBub]

For us, WDW is just a great escape from real life. We love it, with or without kids with us.

In total agreement with this.

It was really strange when we started going without the kids (who by then were all adults, we couldn't scrape 'em off ).

We now prefer our solo trips, no one else to please but ourselves.

 

[sanibel93]

We have been going to WDW since the early 70's with our kids. We bought DVC 4 years ago and enjoy it with and without them. Now we can also take the grandkids and enjoy the magic all over again as they grow up.

 

[JimC]

Bought DVC after children left home and before we moved to Florida. Still own, still enjoy and own more points now then we did before moving here. We have bought and sold contracts as our usage has changed. Flexibility is a real benefit.

 

[SimplyMagical]

We bought into DVC over 12 years ago and are now empty nesters. We still plan at least one trip with all of our kids every year.

 

[AnnaS]

We bought 14 years ago when the kids were 14, 12 and 7. We had taken a few trips with them prior to purchasing (even when I only had two).

Oldest is now 28 married and has his own 100 points and is more of a disney addict than I am.

Middle one 26 will be married this year - he has gone with his fiance and another couple (our points), and with us and other family members.

My dd is 21. She celebrated her 16th birthday there. We invited three of her friends. Once just dd, her friend and I. Last year (Jan) she did the College Program and was there working for 8 months. She will go back in her heartbeat.

Over the years we have gone as a family, with friends and family. We have also cruised 5 times (some points/some cash) but most importantly, dh and I now go by ourselves. Mostly F & W but a few other times also. We are going down next month just the two of us.

I am sure we will be sharing it with grandchildren (first one arriving early June).

Plans change, families change - I think it will be a great place to share/enjoy alone, as couple or with family or friends. When and if it does not suit our needs, we can downsize, sell, cruise more or exchange.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We only had one trip using points before our son hit first grade and we didn't want him to miss school. Luckily for us, he wasn't involved in a lot of sports that made scheduling vacations difficult in summer time. So we planned our trips around his school breaks.

But if your kids get involved in sport or other activities, it makes it harder to schedule your trips. Likewise, if you and your spouse both work and you need to work those trips around work activities.

I'm retired now, Bill will retire in a year and a half and our son is finishing his last year in college (unless he goes on to Grad School). We go when we want to go (and try to work those trips around his school breaks because he still likes to go). And he has been once without us with friends from school (but not using our points). We like F&W and F&G trips.

 

[WDW Fan]

My DH and I have been going to WDW together since 1982 for a total of about 90 trips and it was only this past December, after seeing the GF Villas, that we decided it was time to by a DVC! DH and I go together but I also go with friends or take one of our DD along, so we knew it would always be used! Our grown daughters are always asking to go back I feel it's the perfect investment if you love Disney!

 

[calypso726]

We have no children and will not be having any. We bought in 2006 and have added on several times since then. We enjoy treating extended family from time to time. Mostly though, it is just DH and me. We love our escapes from reality. We haven't traded into RCI but may or may not down the line.

 

[com_op_2000]

DD was 13 when we bought in.
We bought in because DW and I wanted it for ourselves first of all, then for the family and friends.

 

[a742246]

Going to WDW without kids is like going to the movies without kids. You can see the things that you really want to.
We are empty nesters but while we still love to treat our "kids" to WDW we love our alone time at the world also.

 

[mrsgoose8]

we still have kids your kids ages but we actually just went without them for marathon weekend and we had a blast! We know we will enjoy our DVC for many years, and if we need to rent for a break or sell in the future, we can. But I'm certain I will just enjoy going or gifting this once my kids are grown

 

[crisi]

Mine are teenagers and are pretty done with Disney - this year my girl scouts are going to HHI. We only have points for every other year anyway, so it isn't like there is a ton of money tied up in points. We will have to decide if we sell or rent and hang onto it in case we want to use it once in a while - I think the second is more likely. I suspect my kids will make use of it in college and we may use it in retirement.

 

[DisDad07]

We have been going to WDW for years. The DD and DS both grew up around Disney. We go twice a year, Once with the DD & her family and DS. Then we go once a year for FWF in Oct. to get away an enjoy WDW. Our DD even got engaged at the Magic Kingdom a few years back.The kids still want to go in Oct. with us, but we try to make it just us. We now take our newest member, our DGS (disney grandson)with us.We own at two resorts so we have points for the two trips every year. WE have not tried RCI, we just like WDW so much.