Any-1 feel threatened w/ traveling & DVC?

[james'mommy]

We are a Sunday thru Thursday AP always borrowing type of family. Luckily we live close enough to drive.

 

[MrsNick]

I will say that while DH and I were considering a small add-on at AKV or VB, those plans are on hold for a number of reasons. One of those reasons is the price of airfare (although it is not first on the list of reasons). As I said to DH, more points would be nice, but we've managed to make do with what we have until now, so, we can continue on in the same pattern, which is one 7 night vacation per year plus a long weekend. Or, if airfares get really painful, just one 7 night vacation in a larger room or a 9 or 10 day vacation.

Additionally, at some point, I expect there to be more vacancies in hotels in general, so even if we're running short on points, I anticipate being able to get some decent deals on hotels (in general, not just at Disney).

That's why I was surprised to read of rumors elsewhere that the PTB plan on increasing the price per point for BLT and also the points-per-room charge at BLT (a double whammy). With people feeling uncertain about the economy in general and with airfares going up, I'd think that people would be less inclined to buy into DVC anyway without the added disincentive of substantially higher buy-in costs and necessity of buying more points to cover the higher points costs of a room But, then again, I don't work in travel & leisure and they must know something I don't.

 

[DisneyMomJen]

We have been going anywhere between 2-4 times a year since we bought DVC in 2003. We are a family of 6. With airfare going up the way it is, I am seriously thinking of only going once next year and possibly driving. Also rethinking the purchase into the Contemporary DVC if it becomes available since we would definitely have to many points if we only go once a year. I NEVER thought I would think we could have to many points!

 

[jimmytammy]

We live 9.5-11 hrs drive from WDW. We usually take 1 long trip, 12-15 days, then a shorter one, 5-7 days each year. We gave up flying years ago, it was such a hassle. Actually, our DVC/WDW trips inspired us to hit the road more often! We are going to Boston later this summer to visit with DIS friends, and we probably wouldnt have traveled by car, which would have prevented us from flying because of costs.

I dont like paying the high gas costs, but we only go around this world one time, so I dont wont to regret not sharing good times with my family.

 

[cruiseletters]

We live in california and for us to make 2-3 trips was only possible with lower airfares. We are now considering selling some of our SSR points and maybe buying GCR points when they open up, we live a few hours away from Anaheim. I think we might have seen the last of cheap airfare.

 

[photobob]

I can see making longer and fewer trips. It's not just the cost of traveling to WDW whether driving or flying, but the cost of driving everyday to work and around town has really eaten into everyone's budgets.

I think where Disney is really going to suffer is from people who could just barely afford to go when gas cheaper. The price of gas has caused the price of products to increase and people are spending more of their money on gas and have less money to spend on merchandise that now cost more.

The high price of gas has such a domino effect. It has to hurt Disney just like it hurts everyone else. Even if people are still flocking to the parks they are probably not spending as freely.

 

[goofydad99]

I work at a school and am limited on when I can go on vacation to those busy weeks. We are looking at Feb break, airtran- the cheapest is 399/pp/ each way. We are going to try to get reservations at HH- a much tolerable drive- only 16hrs ! That will be fun with a 3 yr old and 5yr old- can anyone say Benadryl ?

You can do it! We have been driving for years. Our trip is 21 hours. The best advice I can give you as for managing it.......Leave early in the evening and drive through the night. It is much more manageable. Trust me!

 

[bavaria]

They still get more bang for their buck, or should I say Euro

But most of them (with the exception of the UK and Canada, neither of which use the Euro) don't care to visit a Disney park. There is very little interest in continental Europe, although there may be the odd fan here and there.

And many Europeans tend to visit somewhere once or twice in their lives and move on to other destinations. NYC has been very busy with Europeans, but don't expect to see a sharp increase (or even a moderate increase) of European visitors at WDW. They just don't have the interest or desire to visit.

 

[florep1]

We bought DVC while at WDW last year so we banked our points for that year. We have a trip planned for Christmasweek and we don't plan on cancelling that. Due to the DVC AP discount, we can afford to go on Thanksgiving week using SPG points. Won't cost any more than gas money, which for five people is around $250, way less than the lost of one person's airfare. We may end up going for another Sun-Fri trip in June of next year to maximize use of the AP. While it would be nice to fly, it just isn't within our budget. We'll make do.

 

[KirstenB]

We've driven to WDW for the last 4 yrs, instead of flying. Flying just got to be a hassle. We're very lucky to live where we do. I can imagine anyone who lives further away definitely being affected by fuel and airline costs.

We have platinum Busch Gardens passes, so we get in for free to Sea World and BG Tampa. Also, for the first time ever, we bought Universal passes, the $86 deal on this website. We didn't even go to WDW parks this past trip. Even though we can always stay at our DVC if gas and groceries remain expensive, I can see us skipping the WDW parks on future trips too.

 

[Pootle]

But most of them (with the exception of the UK and Canada, neither of which use the Euro) don't care to visit a Disney park. There is very little interest in continental Europe, although there may be the odd fan here and there.

And many Europeans tend to visit somewhere once or twice in their lives and move on to other destinations. NYC has been very busy with Europeans, but don't expect to see a sharp increase (or even a moderate increase) of European visitors at WDW. They just don't have the interest or desire to visit.

And once again, I totally agree with you

I've been taking 3 trips a year from the UK for the past few years and my next 3 trips were all paid for (airfares that is) before the prices hike. I doubt I'll be visiting more than once a year after that.

Note to bavaria: My DH and DS just returned from the Nurburgring today (an annual pilgrimage to the race track) and both are keen to buy a property in that area - which could equal more Germany (which we love) and less USA! Although in the winter, Florida will always win hands down

 

[bavaria]

Note to bavaria: My DH and DS just returned from the Nurburgring today (an annual pilgrimage to the race track) and both are keen to buy a property in that area - which could equal more Germany (which we love) and less USA! Although in the winter, Florida will always win hands down

Just between you and I, EuropaPark makes a wonderful alternative to Disney and is easily reached from many of the western areas of Germany. It reminds me of the way that DL and WDW were in the 1980s and 1990s before everything became so crazy. If you go with a sense of humour it is very enjoyable. And the hotels are better quality that Disney, dare I say....

Happy property shopping!

 

[UmmGooD]

I work at a school and am limited on when I can go on vacation to those busy weeks. We are looking at Feb break, airtran- the cheapest is 399/pp/ each way. We are going to try to get reservations at HH- a much tolerable drive- only 16hrs ! That will be fun with a 3 yr old and 5yr old- can anyone say Benadryl ?

Get a car nanny (portable DVD). We have a 4 year old and you can drive for hours with that thing on.

 

[brandylouwho]

For us, vacation (time off together in general) has always been right up there under housing, food, etc on our list of priorities. I do not plan on working my life away and never having any fun. and things like a modest home & modest cars have made that possible for us on our moderatre income.

That being said, as prices increase I could see us going less often (longer stays every other year or so). Since we already have the DVC membership we'd keep it as long as we aren't so broke that we can't afford the maintenance fees.

Right now my airfare from Milwaukee to Orlando is up, some flights it is up a lot, but it is not unaffordable to us--yet.

 

[DeeCee735]

we need a DVC resort further up the east coast, so us N.E.'er's can break up the drive and still have a DVC resort for our overnight stays! Then, we'll never have to fly

 

[DeeCee735]

I'm thinking Southern VA or Northern N.C.

 

[bpmorley]

we need a DVC resort further up the east coast, so us N.E.'er's can break up the drive and still have a DVC resort for our overnight stays! Then, we'll never have to fly

Great idea

 

[Nikisha421]

airfare is getting out of control. i dont know how all these people will manage but in june we had a fri-sun trip because the price of the airfare was just right; however, i am not sure we will ever be able to do that again. And i work in a school so my vacation times are restricted.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Well, next year we have 3 Orlando trips in the works. We will be there for 11 days in January, a week in May and plan to do 11 days in December. We booked frequent flyer miles for both the January and May trips since we wanted to empty our NWA account before Delta does away with those miles when the merger happens. That means we will only buy airfare for the December trip, and we might decide to drive then anyway. I HOPE the airfares dont continue to rise at the same rate they have the past few months, but only time will tell about that.

 

[lugnut33]

It's one of the reasons why I'm seriously considering just buying a smaller resale contract at SSR rather than a full blown contract at the new Bay Lake Tower. With the smaller resale contract it's a lot cheaper and we'd have enough points to take a 1 wk vacation at Disney every other year. Not what Disney wants to hear, but it's making more sense considering where this economy is heading. Maybe if I lived in China I'd be more optomistic?