Any DVC empty nesters out there?

[Simba's Mom]

We are! Our kids are all grown and gone. We use points for ourselves, with friends and other adult family, and a lot of the time for various configurations of kids' families and 9.5 grandkids. I'm sure we would have bought even without grandkids but not as many points.

9.5 grandkids? What's the "rest of the story"?

 

[LindaBabe]

Our "kid" is 45 and has NO interest in Disney. We bought in 2002 at the age of 54. This is the first year we haven't been borrowed ahead. We ARE the kids, at Disney.

 

[nunzia]

9.5 grandkids? What's the "rest of the story"?

Number 10 is due in October

 

[dianeschlicht]

Our "kid" is 45 and has NO interest in Disney. We bought in 2002 at the age of 54. This is the first year we haven't been borrowed ahead. We ARE the kids, at Disney.

yep, Disney is for kids of all ages!

 

[MinnieInMI]

Count us in also as empty nesters enjoying DVC! Our "baby" just turned 32 last week, but all our travels have been without any of our 3 children! We love OKW when at WDW, our home resort of VB, enjoy also HHI and are looking forward to a February visit at Aulani! We just love all that the DVC resorts have to offer

 

[tworgs]

Count us in have been members since 1996 when our boys were in collage now we have 4 Grandkids. Been to Disney, I can't remember how many times, we travel with friends and family not too much with my one son ,who's daughter our 9year old granddaughter has said many a time "your going to Disney again". My wife and I love it it is our home away from home. I forgot to mention the cruises aahhh the cruises

 

[DVC Grandpa]

We purchased as the BCV was being built. We had four kids at the time and had visited Disney twelve times from 1983 thru 2001. Now we have added on spouses and grand kids and points so that they can enjoy the Disney magic from time to time. It’s hard to get everyone on the same vacation schedule being from different school and summer work schedules so on those off years, when we travel alone, were are fortunate to have the points for extended stays Thus far in 2013 we got out of the snow for 25 days, celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary and now looking forward to a good time going to the Wine and Food festivities in the fall. I do say it is more fun having our kids and grand kids then going alone although it is more relaxing just sitting at the pool and strolling around EPCOT and having no deadlines. Perhaps some of you folks have shared a EPCOT bench with us while taking a break and while having a beer and pretzel. See you in the sunshine.

 

[CocosMeme]

We bought as empty nesters in 2007 while there for our nephew's Disney wedding at the Grand Floridian. We were there at the time with our 3 children and 6 grandchildren. We have taken them with us on several trips, but enjoy our adult only trips as well. I have also taken the grandchildren in small "age groups" by myself. Last year I took my only grandaughter by herself and this summer I am taking the 3 teenagers without parents. I will take 3 trips this year (both with and without kids). We have done Food and Wine, Flower and Garden, and early December Christmas trips by ourselves. We have also taken 2 Adventures by Disney trips (Italy and Southwest Splendors) using part points and part cash. We love it and have never regretted our purchase. We own at AK, but have stayed at OKW, BC, and WL. I am staying at BLT with the boys this summer, and BW at Christmas. But - our favorite is Animal Kingdom Kidani. Oh I almost forgot - we spent a glorious week at Aulani in November. MUST go back!!

 

[Tigger1]

We bought when the children were younger. Now they are 22 to 31. I had to buy more points as the children come, so do the spouses and grandchildren. We went from a family of 7 to 16 plus an addition will be born in August. When my DD was married at Vero three years ago, the whole family went to Disneyworld. at that time it was 11 adults and 2 grandchildren.

 

[ckpoodge]

I have to say that if you are concerned about not buying because you have an empty nest, DON'T BE!

We started going to Disney when my (now) husband's son was 7. We had about 5 trips with him before he got too cool for the room. Let me say, that first vacation without him was AWESOME! It's so much different without kids, because you are on your own schedule. No need to rush out of the room to get to rush to rides, etc.

When we bought into DVC, we were already empty nesters. We knew that we were going to go to Disney on our own every year, and we were in a good position to do it. It also worked out great for our wedding/honeymoon. We didn't have to pay 1 cent for an entire 3 week event. That's what made us buy in.

Now we're back to being a full nest - husband's son has 2 babies. They won't be going EVERY time with us...but we are thinking once every other year. WE need to buy more points so we can stay at DVCs while we're on our own trips because we use all our points for our trips with them. We're definitely not going to stop our trips because of them.

If you think about it, when you buy into DVC, it's for a 40 or 50 year contract. There's always going to be a time when you're going to have an empty nest. Just do it, and enjoy what YOU want to do at your speed, and not worry.

 

[Figment56]

We bought 10 years ago, when DD was 13. She just recently moved out leaving us empty nesters. DH & I will be going to WDW in January alone. We went on our Honeymoon to WDW almost 29 years ago and then not again until DD was 6 years old. We got hooked and bought in 2003! While we may not go now every year, we bought in hopes of one day turning it over to DD and her someday family. Then we can go as proud grandparents!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Empty nesters here. We bought 10 years ago and have grandchildren to share the magic with now. We enjoy VB and HHI as well as WDW, by ourselves and with friends and family. We always will enjoy Flower and Garden, Autumn and Christmastime! Once in awhile, we brave a summer trip to WDW. This year we have a few days at AKV with DGD (8) before her family joins us for just one night before our Fantasy cruise!

This DS's family has moved to FL, so they don't stay with us for weeks at WDW as they used to, but they will join us for a night or two over a weekend most times we go down. We will take nearly a week's vacation at HHI next summer.

Our other DS, DDiL have a son and soon will have their second. We are not sure how much they will be coming with us, using points but we hope they do!

Bobbi

 

[disneybride96]

Not exactly, but we are DINKS. (Dual Income, No Kids)

We have plenty of nieces and nephews who we take on family trips. So many relatives that we were longing for a "just us" trip that we finally got to take in January. It is an entirely different experience, but just as magical!

 

[Mokat76]

I'm a single woman, no kids. I'm pushing 60. I bought 7 years ago after staying with my sister and her family at their DVC home. Quite simply I fell in love with WDW and DVC. I've gone with family, with friends and I've even gone solo and loved it. I've used my points for a cruise. I honestly think this is one of the best things I've ever spent money on. I like knowing where I'll stay and that lodging costs needn't factor into my decision to vacation. I promise you you'll be glad you joined our little cult of irresponsible adults.

 

[BlazerFan]

I'm a single woman, no kids. I'm pushing 60. I bought 7 years ago after staying with my sister and her family at their DVC home. Quite simply I fell in love with WDW and DVC. I've gone with family, with friends and I've even gone solo and loved it. I've used my points for a cruise. I honestly think this is one of the best things I've ever spent money on. I like knowing where I'll stay and that lodging costs needn't factor into my decision to vacation. I promise you you'll be glad you joined our little cult of irresponsible adults.

Your last line made me laugh!! Love it.

 

[Mokat76]

Your last line made me laugh!! Love it.

Thanks. Why should the young whippersnappers have all the fun?! ;-)

 

[PalVal]

We bought as empty nesters 13 years ago. Since then our nest has become quite full as we now have 3 grandchildren who join us with their parents each year. Little did we know that DVC would choose our family to represent the "empty nester" family on the DVC commercial that is currently playing at the resorts. It truly represents how we feel about buying as empty nesters!

 

[mickeysbestfriend]

moved to Florida to make sure our nest was empty but both of my wife's daughters are grown and on their own (thankfully). We have been DVC members for nine year now and have taken both of her kids to the World and shared the experience with them but it's the time we spend there by ourselves that had made it a magical experience for us. As previous posters have said, it's not just the parks. WE love relaxing at Old Key West, sitting by the pool at Turtle pond, going to the main pool, taking the launch to DTD for a bite to eat, visiting the other resorts and dining where ever it suits our mood.

Her youngest just had a second child (last week) and when her children are old enough they will be invited to come and enjoy the experience.

Her oldest is getting married in October and our wedding present to her is three nights in a one bedroom at Old Key West.

We both have brothers and sisters who are all planning to visit us here as well but our points will be reserved for our weekly 'date nights' at the World...we wil however assist them in renting points if they want to stay at DVC or they can stay with us.

DVC is awesome!

 

[DeeCee735]

My DH and I are seriously considering DVC ownership. We love Disney, not just the parks, but we love the resorts, relaxing at the pools or in the bar, and we are big foodies and LOVE the restaurants. I feel a little bit weird about it though, because our youngest will be a senior in high school next year and mostly we will be using DVC just for the two of us. When I read about people who own DVC, they almost always seem to buy because of their young kids. I'm curious to hear if anyone bought for their lives after children and how their experience has been. We are looking forward to being able to travel in off season now that we don't have school considerations. We love the Epcot festivals too. And someday we may take grandchildren but that is not our main motivation in buying.

TIA for you comments!

Hi. We bought DVC when our kids were 10. That being said, we did not go into it for them, we most definitely decided that because we loved it we wanted it for ourselves and our own lifetime.

While we've had great trips with our kids while they were growing, we have also enjoyed alot of trips by ourselves and/or with family and friends without the kids. Now that they are 24 years old, and busy with their own schedules and plans, they don't get to use our membership much....but we do!

It's a wonderful wonderful fit for us as our family grew and for us as a couple and for me to get away with my cousins or girlfriends from time to time and we look very forward to the next 28 (BWV-39AKV) years of use (if we live that long!)

IMHO, buying for you and your spouse is a wonderful reason and all the reason you need

Happy planning!

 

[corpcomp]

About to become empty nesters as DS enters college in the Fall. He will be 900 miles away soI think that counts as EN. Still arranging two trips with him during Freshman year but based on his lack of social skills, do not expect grand kids any time soon. So it just DW and I. With only 300 points, extended family does not even know we own. If they did they would all be begging to use them. Already had that experience when I bought a vacation home as an investment. All wanted to use it and none offered to pay for any costs. We both work to cover the costs.