2011/2012 Reunion Cruise?

[Pooh_Girl]

Well...We know where we want to be at Bay Lake. I think we've got a plan to put back what we would pay each month for the next few months to see if we can really afford it. I'm pretty sure we won't have a problem, but it's always a good thing to be sure before the big plunge. We're also going to see about taking tours of Bay Lake and AKV (2nd choice) in November while we're down there. I'm just thinking of the long run. Especially since we're staying here instead of moving to FL.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Why we bought into DVC ...

Being the Disney nuts we are, we were going to WDW 2-3 times a year paying a AAA rate for our rooms and regular price to be an Annual Passholder. With three youngish children, we knew many, many more Disney trip and non-Disney vacations were in our future. So, we decided to "invest" in our family's future vacations. However, our problem has been we didn't buy enough points to satisfy our trips. So, we keep borrowing points from the next use year. Make sure you map out how many trips you plan to take and how many points you will need to stay in the desired resort. As much as I like SSR, I am sooooooooooo tired of staying there. I can't wait to stay at AKV and BWV for our next trip. The change will be nice. Also, I still want to stay at OKW. Maybe, next year?????

We bought into the Animal Kingdom Villas. We just fell in love with the feel of the resort and the animals are a great bonus. You could spend a few days just relaxing by the pool, eating in the great restaurants and even take a safari ride on the resort savanna. It felt distanced from the other resorts and parks that we could relax and be on vacation and then head back to chaos on "our terms". Even though the Beach Club is our favorite resort, you are right there by Epcot, The Boardwalk and "people". So, it can get busy and noisy.

We toured a Bay Lake Tower model at SSR. It is really nice, sleek and the MK views are going to be the most desired rooms with DVC. As Wendy mentioned, BLT has the lowest annual dues right now. However, it costs the most points at WDW and if you make it your home resort, that is the only resort you can book at 11 months out and will need the points to cover the cost. You can transfer the reservation to another resort at seven months out, IF AVAILABLE. So, choose your "home resort" very carefully. Make it a resort you wouldn't mind spending the majority of your vacations at. BLT sounds like a great fit for y'all. I believe you stayed at CR after our cruise and liked it. Also, Angie made a great point about re-sale. I wish we read up on it more before buying directly through DVC (even though we did get a great deal and additional builder's incentives point). However, that may not be an option with BLT being so new. DVC has the option to buy the shares back from a DVC Owner before being offered on the public market.

If we add-on, it will most likely be AKV or Grand Californian Villas. That way, we can book a longer stay at WDW with the AKV points or head west and stay at GCV every other year. We really liked California and plan to head west more often. We still have so much to see and do.

Some DVC "perks":
Discounted Annual Pass (approx adult savings $100/child savings $88 per ticket)
Discounted Party Tickets (selected nights) (We've used DVC to buy our MNSSHP and MVMCP tickets.)
Discounted Tours (15%)
Discounts on Dining (we opted not to buy a TIW card this year and use our AP and DVC card to get dining discounts/10-20%)
Discount on Spa Services (used this for Bill's Father's Day massage @ SSR/10-20%)
Discounted Child Care (we've used this a few times at the Sandcastle Club/10%)
Shopping Discounts @ DTD (5-15%)
Water Sports and Marina Discounts (we used this last year when we rented a boat at WL/10%)

I hope this helps!

Jennifer

 

[Pooh_Girl]

WOW!!! You guys are just full of information!! It really is a toss up between BLT and AKV. There's pros and cons to both. The pro for BLT is the location. MK is my favorite park, and to be so close would be a big plus. The con though is how many points it would take to stay there vs AKV. AKV is super cheap!! Another plus is that BLT's contract runs out in 2060 vs 2057 for AKV. It's such a big decision, and we want to make sure we do it right.
So how does it work if you add on points?? Do they just refinance it, or do you have to pay up front?? What about resale??

 

[Pooh_Girl]

So tell me is you think this is a crazy idea. So I really can't decide between BLT and AKV. So what I'm thinking is buy in initially at BLT with 160 pts to get our feet wet with the whole DVC thing, and then the next year tack on another 50 pts at AKV. I think around 200 pts for us the next few years would be perfect. So do you guy think that's a smart idea??

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Dear Fellow DISers,

My children have been entered into the Gap Casting Call contest and their application was accepted! Now, I need your help! Please vote for them as a Fan Favorite and to get more exposure for the final judging. Also, please pass this on to others you feel might vote for my children.

Every vote counts!

I know their is power in numbers and that is why I came to my beloved DIS Community for this help.

Please go to the link below and under Search Entries, please type in the child's ID Number and then VOTE!

Gap Casting Call link HERE.

Cole T. ID #: 935901816
Emily T. ID#: 745901591
Will T. ID#: 665901163

Thank you to those that vote!

Jennifer

 

[RBennett]

Jennifer,

I went to the link to vote but when I copied their numbers and hit enter it would take me to their picture but there was no option to vote. It could be that it's my office computer (which it blocks some things) but I wouldn't think this would be one. I'll check from home tonight and DEFINITELY VOTE!!!!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Jennifer,

I went to the link to vote but when I copied their numbers and hit enter it would take me to their picture but there was no option to vote. It could be that it's my office computer (which it blocks some things) but I wouldn't think this would be one. I'll check from home tonight and DEFINITELY VOTE!!!!

Thank you!

I made the mistake of posting it on the Community Board and have since deleted my OP and had the Moderator close the thread. People on the Community Boards are vicious and mean-spirited. I'm staying over on the Theme Parks & Attractions threads.

Jennifer

 

[JsMom2]

Jennifer,
I voted for all three!

Tina,
I think once you buy in, then you'll have a much better idea of where and how much you want to add on. BLT is absolutely beautiful! And after walking around the property, I think that booking a standard view is the best bet. Because there's no clear division of where the different views are, and if you spend more points on a MK view you could end up facing the MK but on a lower floor where you don't see much. Btw, I just got a postcard in the mail from DVC today. If you call DVC and give them my name we'll both get a free $25 Gift Card in the mail after you take a tour. But get this, you can take the tour by phone! If you want to use it, just mention, Wendy Birch from PA. And tell them my guide is Anthony Tatad.

 

[Pooh_Girl]

I voted for all 3 kids!!! I'll go back tomorrow and vote again!!

 

[JsMom2]

Since we've been talking DVC, I thought I'd mention some news I just posted on the DVC Operations Thread.

They will soon be announcing a new DVC resort in Washington DC! Our guide mentioned it while we were down there last week. And here's a link to an article about ABD where they mention the DC resort.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busin...,4954514.story

 

[Pooh_Girl]

Since we've been talking DVC, I thought I'd mention some news I just posted on the DVC Operations Thread.

They will soon be announcing a new DVC resort in Washington DC! Our guide mentioned it while we were down there last week. And here's a link to an article about ABD where they mention the DC resort.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busin...,4954514.story

What are the odds???? Robby and I were just talking about how we couldn't believe there was only one resort mentioned in DC in our guide book. WOW! That's AWESOME!!!

 

[brack]

Dear Fellow DISers,

My children have been entered into the Gap Casting Call contest and their application was accepted! Now, I need your help! Please vote for them

Jennifer

Voted!

 

[brack]

We are doing 11C - old 12 - GTY. $2600 for the 2 of us. We were ok booking this since they are putting a new enclosed viewing area up on deck 10. We will sit there and watch the iceburgs. I am such a mizer.

We booked this same cabin type on the July 26, 2011 Alaska Cruise

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Voted!

Thank you!

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I voted for all 3 kids!!! I'll go back tomorrow and vote again!!

Thank you Tina!!!!!

I know it is a long-shot. But, it doesn't hurt to try. Emily was approached last year about going to LA to meet with an Agent. But, I don't want to uproot the family. So, we declined. She like this sort of thing. The boys are along for the ride. You never know unless you try.

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Jennifer,
I voted for all three!

My children thank you for your vote! You should send in a picture of Jasmine!!!!! I let all the Moms know of the contest, in case they want to submit their child too. Please let me know if you submit Jasmine. I'll vote!

Jennifer

 

[Pooh_Girl]

I'm so sorry to keep bugging you guys with questions about DVC. You guys are the best people to ask though. Someone on the DVC board posted something that you didn't have to pay your down payment until 2-3 months after you purchased. Is that correct?? We're trying to get this going in February if possible. We are really wanting to go to the D23 expo next year, and if we can get DVC, we might have a chance to stay in the Grand Californian because our 7 mo window would open up in February. If not, then we can use the points to stay in another resort. Do you guys think we would have a chance of getting to stay there??

 

[MrsMork]

I don't know about booking GC at 7 months. It has not been open long enough to know how it is filling up with the Californians that bought there. We have stayed at the Grand Californian (not the DVC villas) on points. It takes alot of points, but can be done and it is very nice. I don't know when the down payment is due. Maybe at closing like other real estate???

 

[JsMom2]

I'm so sorry to keep bugging you guys with questions about DVC. You guys are the best people to ask though. Someone on the DVC board posted something that you didn't have to pay your down payment until 2-3 months after you purchased. Is that correct?? We're trying to get this going in February if possible. We are really wanting to go to the D23 expo next year, and if we can get DVC, we might have a chance to stay in the Grand Californian because our 7 mo window would open up in February. If not, then we can use the points to stay in another resort. Do you guys think we would have a chance of getting to stay there??

I'd guess that you'd have a hard time getting in at 7 mos during D23. If you buy points the then you'd have a chance at getting in at 11mos. But of course it wouldn't be worth it if you don't want to stay there often.


If you have a Disney Visa, you can get 6 Mos interest free up to $5000!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Bill and Will (DS9) went to the Cowboys game last night in the new stadium. He paid the infamous $60 parking fee. Highway robbery!!!! He got to see the paver I got him for his birthday. They had a great night that I know Will is going to remember forever.

Bill informed me not too long ago, we are the proud owners of six (6) Hannah Montana tickets. She comes to Dallas in a few weeks. It pays to know someone that works at the American Airlines Center. The kids, even Cole, still like HM and her music. I need to remember to bring ear plugs this time We went to a Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus concert a couple of years ago and those little girls can scream! Reminder: Bring ear plugs!

Jennifer