20041218-cruise-friends-memories Part 2

[justmestace]

One last question and then I think I understand.....do you automatically get more points each year, or do you have to buy points? (Please don't laugh at me)

And another.....what's your favorite place and why? Anyone?

 

[WDWLVR]

Stacey - the points you buy are yours every year. For example we have 400 points with an August use year. So every August we get 400 more points to use. Our points are paid off and we only pay maintence fees every year (some of which are property taxes which are tax deductible).

We own at Boardwalk and Vero. Boardwalk is my favorite because you can walk to Epcot and MGM. Some really like OKW because the rooms there are the biggest! We'll find out in May when we stay there for the first time.

If you buy a resale the points are yours until 2042. If you buy new at Saratoga the points are good for 50 years.

Hope this helps.

 

[justmestace]

Got it! Thank you. I'll have to put a bug in DH's ear at dinner tonight.
Didn't I read somewhere that there is a brand new DVC location opening soon? Sorry..I know I said only one more question.

 

[WDWLVR]

Stacey - yes the newest DVC location is Saratoga Springs which is in the place of the old Disney institute. All brand new construction. That is the one that has a 50 year membership. In fact when we go down for Member Homecoming it is for the Grand Opening of Saratoga Springs.

Ask as many questions as you want - most DVC'ers love talking about DVC!

 

[djs113]

Wahoo...

Somejust did a Buy It Now on a set of my old golf clubs I was selling on Ebay

$215 found dollars is how I look at it !!

Got to look thru all my other old clubs ....... more money to be made and more room in the garage to be created!



- D

 

[jilljill]

David, lucky you. I only had a few of my videos and dvd's sell. My artwork didn't sell I will relist it when we get back from WDW.


You guys have been busy today while I was at work and helping DD with homework. In fact, I have been so busy I haven't even had dinner. Now I'm getting hungry.

 

[afff]

Thanks Mary for your insight.

Lielana or Mary ..........please tell me more about the points.

Can you give me an example, how many points are required for a 7 day cruise and how many for this 10 day?
Lets say Cat. # 10

Can you give me a ball park figure for both a 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom suite at the "Boardwalk". ( Summer and Winter )

Can you exchange for a NON-Disney timeshare unit for e.g. in Europe somewhere?

Is that too many questions?

You replies are much appreciated.

 

[videogal1]

Originally posted by GlenelgMom
By the way....I was a journalist in my pre-Mom days, so beware.....I love to write!

It seems as though there are several writers in this group...YAYYYYYY....I spent 20 years documenting military doodads (Tomahawk missiles anyone?) and aircraft tow tractors, and on and on...probably why we are all so easily hooked on this group chatter.

Speaking of Palo, Breakfast in bed, theme dinners, etc, etc, etc...What we need is a master planner! This is getting so complex it's giving me a headache...Where's a good massage when a girl needs one?
And no bunions for this girl, either! I wonder, though, how a solo breakfast in bed will feel? .....BUSY if Cash is having a sleepover the night before....

Almost morning so I'll get it out of the way now....GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!!

 

[Dancind]

You guys are talking about two of my favorite things, wine and DVC! We own at OKW and BCV. I like BCV the best, so close to Epcot, DH loves OKW for all of the space. Yes, buy resale! You get 10 less years on your contract (but we will be so old in 40 years it won't matter). Resales are now around $72 per point, through Disney Saratoga Springs is now $95 per point! Highest to lowest season, excluding Christmas and Easter which are outrageous, a week in a 1 bedroom: 200 points low season; 270 points high season (most of the summer). For a 2 bedroom: 270 points low season, 350 high. These are for a Boardwalk view, if you own at BWV and book 11 months in advance, you can get a Standard view which is fewer points. Don't buy DVC to cruise, the points for cruising go up every year, but the room points stay the same. I checked our Category 6 on points, it was somewhere around 1200 points. We're paying cash!

OK, you don't have to bring wine from your region if you don't have any decent wine there. It's not a hard and fast rule. I was very doubtful about NM wine, but someone corrected me about some champagne from here. Was it you, David? Cakebread, yum!

Wise decision, everyone that gets to visit WDW before the cruise. We've been for NYE and are not tempted to go back. We can't go early this time though. DD will miss 3 days of school as it is.

 

[Dancind]

Let's see if I can post again so soon, I missed a question. Yes, DVC has a long list of exchanges pretty much all over the world. We want to try Hawaii before too long. Diana

 

[videogal1]

4270



And the BOTTOM again!!!

 

[afff]

Thanks Diana

It looks like for a family of 4 with 2 smaller kids, you would have to purchase at least 200-250 points????????????Maybe more?
Is that correct?

 

[gail1771]

Good Morning everyone. Happy Wednesday.

We are looking into buying DVC points. Hopefully in the next year. We own two time shares at the Marriott. We have flex weeks. Marriott you buy a certain time frame. The time frame are usually 4 months or 5 months. You can still trade to go into the other time frames.You can exchange at your home resort, move to another Marriott or bank it for 2 or 3 years and go anywhere through Interval Inernational. You can also trade up for a cruise or bank points Marriott gives you for the type of unit you buy. We get 110,000 every other year if you bank your week with Marriott. We own a two bedroom. They are huge. Our unit has a lock off for a studio. So you can bank the studio and use the one bedroom or visa versa. When you trade if they do not have a studio at that resort you get an upgrade to what they have. Points you can use in the Marriott reward program for staying at any Marriott, Renissance, airline tickets, items to buy with points, ect. It is a great program that we have been in for several years. You also pay maintance on the week you own.We traded our two bedroom for a 3 bedroom at the Marriott Grand Vista near Sea World the week before the Disney Cruise. That way we save on paying for a hoel before we cruise. We also own a week at South Seas Plantation on Captiva Island in Florida. We put that up for sale through the resort in October as we never use it anymore. We have owned that for 8 years. Marriott gives you a lot more flexability than other time share resorts.
We would love to also own at DVC but we need to see our South Seas Plantation one first. That is also a two bedroom on the beach. That one you own the week and you either use it or bank it and try to get another resort. There was not a lot of flexability with this week as you have to go through Interval International. We were lucky throgh the years exchanging but I like the Marriott program much better. We are using points to stay at a hotel precruise in Vancouver in August. Hopefully it will sell soon. I should list it on Redweek.com or through E Bay. That is a thought.
I am not trying to sell Marriott I just feel they have a good program and it has worked very well for us. We have enough points banked for a week in Hawaii and two airline tickets from banking our two time shares every other year. They only let you bank every other year. We use one of our weeks to visit the IL in Florida. The resort is about 40. minutes from them.

DVC sounds awesome. We looked at the new Resort Saratoga Springs last August and they wanted $73.00 per point or around there. I kept all the info. Wow it has really gone up. We would love to own at DBC,BVC or DWL. It was either buying than or the DC. We choose the DC.

Talk to you all later. Have a great day everyone. Gail

 

[WDWLVR]

Good morning everyone!

Hope the rest of you don't mind all this DVC talk - but once you get us DVC'ers started.

Diana is correct in that you really shouldn't buy DVC just to cruise or travel outside of the DVC resorts. Since DVC has to trade out for those they cannot lock in prices so as prices go up so will the points needed to do them. The points are locked in at the DVC resorts which means if they do any changes they have to do it across the board. What this means is if they want to raise weekday points they would have to lower weekend or vise versa.

Points change from resort to resort as do the dues. Old Key West seems to be the most affordable. Boardwalk and Beach Club the highest. Like all reas estate - location, location, location!

Here is my personal take on the on site DVC resorts.

Old Key West - the original vacation club. More like its own little village. You can park right outside your door. I hear the rooms are the largest on site. They offer studios, one bedroom, two bedroom and 3 bedroom grand villas. You take busses or your car to all Disney locations, you can take a boat to Downtown Disney. Considered by some as a nice quiet retreat. There is a community hall where they have kids activities, free video rental and member update meetings.

Boardwalk - more hustle and bustle with the feel of an Atlantic City Boardwalk. Lots of shopping and eating options. All the same options of rooms as OKW but the rooms are slightly smaller. You can walk or take a boat to both Epcot and MGM. Busses or car to everywhere else. They also have a community hall. The halls are long and winding which some done like. Views are standard (lower points) or preferred (higher points). You can now request (and if it is available be quaranteed) a Boardwalk view.

Villas of Wilderness Lodge. Closest DVC to the Magic Kingdom. Located next to Wilderness Lodge and you check in there. Studios, one bedrooms and two bedrooms available. You take a boat to the Magic Kingdom (you can also get boats to the Contemporary and Ft. Wilderness), busses or car everywhere else. Another more quiet retreat. You can watch the electric water pageant right from their beach.

Beach Club Villas. Located right next to the Beach Club. Closest DVC to Epcot. You can walk or take a boat to Epcot or MGM. Busses everywhere else. Studios, one bedrooms and two bedrooms available. You get to use Stormalong Bay - a plus for many. Lots of great dining options - same as Boardwalk since they are right across the water from each other.

Saratoga Springs - the newest DVC. This is going up right across from Downtown Disney in the area that used to house the Disney Institute. They will have studios, one bedrooms, two bedrooms and grand villas. They will also have an on-site spa. Themed after the area in upstate New York. Points bought here will be good for 50 years.

There are also DVC resorts in Hilton Head and in Vero Beach, FL.

If you book a studio you get a small fridge, mircowave, coffee maker and sink in the kitchenette. If you book a one-bedroom or higher you get a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and a jacuzzi tub in the master bath.

Many find DVC a value in that you can have a lot more meals in your room and have a chance to bring back leftovers from your meals.

We tend to do breakfast in the room and maybe even a dinner or two if we want to relax that night.

With DVC you do not have daily maid service. If you want the bed made you make it yourself. If you want the towels fresh every day you wash them yourself. You do get a trash and towel day on your 4th day (they take out the trash and change the towels) and a full cleaning on your 7th day (if you stay 8 days or longer). Some, like us, like this as you don't have to worry about when the maid will be in.

Ok - well I've talked long enough. My best advise is to order the DVC video. Follow this link here DVC INFO DVC is not pressured sales. If you want a recommendation of a guide I suggest Julie Hughes. She's been our guide since 1999 and has been great. She's there when we need her and that's all.

If you decide to buy resale I would suggest Shontell Crawford at DVC by Resale. DVC by Resale I've never bought resale, but met her on the DVC Member Cruise and she became a friend. I've heard great things about her sales wise.

Ok - long winded - hope this has helped anyone looking into DVC.

Added bonus - if you buy you can attend the DVC party on the cruise and you'll get a hat!

 

[GlenelgMom]

Morning all!

Diana - Very interesting reading about DVC - didn't know the specifics, so it was quite helpful! Also, thanks for the GF info - we took DS #1 on the kids' pirate cruise in '01 which launches behind the GF. While he was on the "high seas", DH and I had a late breakfast in their cafe - it was good food, quick service....really nice. The lobby area is quite grand, guess the name holds true. Anyone stay on the Concierge level there?

LeiLani - I sent you an email. Imagine you're in the pre-cruise pack mode about now?

Bye Matt! Have a safe trip to Hawaii!

Everyone leaving on vacations soon - enjoy, enjoy! I'm so jealous....we're at the beginning of Spring Tee Ball and Baseball with DS's.....no chance we can get away right now with meetings, practices, etc. I got a Best Fares email yesterday on super air deals to Orlando from Baltimore......boy, is it tempting to book something, even if it's just a few days at WDW. Remember those old television commercials...."Florida - I need it bad!"

 

[gail1771]

Hi Mary, I spoke to Shontell the other day. What a nice lady. We wanted to buy some points at the Beach Club but it went in 12 MINUTES! That is where we would love to own. DH likes the Wilderness Lodge also. We stayed there last August. When we sell our other timeshare I will be using her. Thanks for the recommendation. I need to check my e mails faster to see what goes on the market. Have a great day. Gail

 

[WDWLVR]

Ok everyone - off to work I go. Have a great day!

 

[tkd lisa]

Charlotte, you're not that far from us at all! We occasionally go up on the weekend to the big shopping area in Rockville (I think it's the Washingtonian Center?) so that the kids can climb the rock wall at Galyans. We also occasionally hit Tyson's Corner for the Rain Forest Cafe. Once things settle down, we'll have to work out a meet.

Virgil (WVMD) is in Charleston WV. That's a bit of a haul, but we actually go through there on our trips to Indiana. I didn't realize it until after Christmas this year, but we actually stayed the night in his hometown!

I think the next closest people to us are up the eastern seaboard like NJ or NY. I'm pretty sure that Gail and David are in that area.

Lynda, count both my kids in as exercise partners for Cash. DD used to volunteer at an animal shelter, and that was exactly what she did. Exercised the animal, and cleaned their cages. She LOVES it!

Stace, DS would love to spend all his time in the game room, but I think I'll limit him to a card every other day (Santa will probably stuff one or two in his stocking too.)

DD did get into the psych yesterday, and he confirmed the decision to put her back on her pre-strattera medicine, but at a higher dose. She had a hard time sleeping last night and didn't go down until 2. I decided to let her sleep in until about 8:30. I'm sure it was the shock of the stimulant after nearly a year without it.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

 

[DVC4US]

Morning Everyone!!

Quick post before I have to get kids off to school. Be back later for longer post.



WE LOVE DVC!!!!!!!

Everyone else answered a lot of the questions on DVC, but I will be back later to give my .02. Like my DH always says, "Don't get her talking about Disney or DVC, cause you could be there all day."

LeiLani

 

[jilljill]

Originally posted by tkd lisa
I think the next closest people to us are up the eastern seaboard like NJ or NY. I'm pretty sure that Gail and David are in that area.

We are in Delaware. Lisa you are funny, you keep moving me up to NJ . I know DE is small and people forget about it. Some people don't even know they drive thru it on I-95, all 16 miles of it.


I get to runaway for the weekend startin tomorrow. I have to go work at the beach on Friday so I'm going down Thurs. afternoon to hit the outlets. A good friend of mine is bringing my DD down Fri. after school and we will be home Sunday. We have so much to do at home, but this will be nice to get away for a couple of days. Besides we are having problems with the neighbor at the beach and I need to see what damages he has done since my parents have been gone. He's trying to change the property lines - taking up our backyard.


On the timeshare lines - we own with Fairfield and love it. They also use the point system and have properties all over the country. In fact they are building a resort next door to the Caribbean Beach - that property sale slipped right past Disney. We are staying there in August and may even trade all of points to own there instead of Daytona. The maitenance fees will be cheaper there - no flood insurance. We can get 4-8 weeks a year with our points. My parents are reaping the benefits of it right now in Vegas.


When does gaRry get home? I miss him, I haven't been picked on in a while