~ Aug 2013~ Sew what... We've gotta find a way back! Part I!!

[Restrasz]

It would sure be great if disney would release free dining for March! One thing in your favor is that right now, both girls are under 18. Your Stitch bag is great as usual. I really look forward to seeing your new creations!

 

[cogero]

Okay we vacation way differently than we used to since we own DVC.

We have about 1000 points enough to go 3 times a year during peak season in a 2BR the only kind of room I won't waste my points on is a Magic Kingdom View at BLT way too rich for my blood.

Our home resorts are BLT and AKV with the majority of our points at AKV because I could stay there on anytrip I love it that much.

Every time we bought we went directly through Disney and we were able to get our previous years points as extras.

I also go with the attitude of I will see what I feel like seeing an not rush in anyway shape or form.

Dues at AKV are some of the more expensive because of the Animals but it is so cool to sit on your balcony and see them up close.

I also bought directly through Disney so I could use on cruises and ABD yes not the smartest move but hey DVC is paid for. Also it is something that interests us.

As for how we eat we use TIW since we only eat one big meal a day. So we generally have dinner at about 5pm.

Also TIW gives you 20% off all your food and drink . For us this works much better than the dining plan.

We also book at 11 months at one of our home resorts and then change at the 7 month window, the only time I have found that to be hard is Christmas.

Just remember also that perks can come and go. I seriously think Disney is moving toward a tiered system with people who buy directly from Disney getting better perks. Lets remember as much as we drink the kool aid that Disney is a business.

Also remember when Disney does Free dining you are paying rack rate for the room what DVC is doing is giving you a discount on a deluxe accomadation nothing more nothing less. We always stayed deluxe with our last 3 trips before we went DVC costing us about what we paid for our first DVC contract. If you are okay staying at value or moderate hotels DVC may not be for you.

I also find staying at DVC better for J as opposed to a regular hotel room.

I adore our DVC and it was the best idea for our family. we are also thinking of using our points to go to Washington DC in a couple of years because there is a hotel we can stay at using points and the$95 transfer fee.

Hope this helps some.

 

[cogero]

Oh and I would also recommend getting the DVC video to it shows the resorts and is free.

 

[mommy2mrb]

Okay we vacation way differently than we used to since we own DVC.

We have about 1000 points enough to go 3 times a year during peak season in a 2BR the only kind of room I won't waste my points on is a Magic Kingdom View at BLT way too rich for my blood.

Our home resorts are BLT and AKV with the majority of our points at AKV because I could stay there on anytrip I love it that much.

Every time we bought we went directly through Disney and we were able to get our previous years points as extras.

I also go with the attitude of I will see what I feel like seeing an not rush in anyway shape or form.

Dues at AKV are some of the more expensive because of the Animals but it is so cool to sit on your balcony and see them up close.

I also bought directly through Disney so I could use on cruises and ABD yes not the smartest move but hey DVC is paid for. Also it is something that interests us.

As for how we eat we use TIW since we only eat one big meal a day. So we generally have dinner at about 5pm.

Also TIW gives you 20% off all your food and drink . For us this works much better than the dining plan.

We also book at 11 months at one of our home resorts and then change at the 7 month window, the only time I have found that to be hard is Christmas.

Just remember also that perks can come and go. I seriously think Disney is moving toward a tiered system with people who buy directly from Disney getting better perks. Lets remember as much as we drink the kool aid that Disney is a business.

Also remember when Disney does Free dining you are paying rack rate for the room what DVC is doing is giving you a discount on a deluxe accomadation nothing more nothing less. We always stayed deluxe with our last 3 trips before we went DVC costing us about what we paid for our first DVC contract. If you are okay staying at value or moderate hotels DVC may not be for you.

I also find staying at DVC better for J as opposed to a regular hotel room.

I adore our DVC and it was the best idea for our family. we are also thinking of using our points to go to Washington DC in a couple of years because there is a hotel we can stay at using points and the$95 transfer fee.

Hope this helps some.

Oh and I would also recommend getting the DVC video to it shows the resorts and is free.

thanks Chiara, great info! I did just order the DVC video and am signed up for resales emails and info! really leaning toward BLT since they do have the lower yearly dues...think resale will be our best bet, but still doing more research!

 

[cogero]

One thing you could do if you bought resale and wanted other trips is too rent out your points and then use cash to pay for your trip.

 

[mommy2mrb]

One thing you could do if you bought resale and wanted other trips is too rent out your points and then use cash to pay for your trip.

that's what I was thinking to do for our ABD trip!
have you ever rented our points out? do they usually get picked up?

 

[cogero]

I havent rented points yet but may try it next year but I am going to use one of the services if I do.

 

[rpcvpanama]

Food: We always eat at least 1 table service every day and often 2x a day when at Disney. We are the sit down for meals type of people. Since joining DVC and getting discounts on Annual Passes and hence, access to TIW we only ever use TIW (now as a DVC member you can get TIW without the annual pass). We have done DDP many times in the past but have been less and less satisfied with it as they take away things like tip and appetizer. Also, we have found that it is just way way too mcuh food and you often had to buy the most expensive thing on the menu to justify the extra expense. Also, many of our favorite restaurants are now 2 point meals and the meal prices have increased to match the 2 point penalty.

With TIW we will generally share meals and order more appetizers. For example, at Le Celier, we will split the Filet Mignon and we will each get a cheese soup appetizer. That way we get to each have parts of our favorite meals without completely stuffing ourselves or leaving food behind. Also we are not forced into a dessert every meal. If there is a dessert we like we will get it, if not we will get something somewhere else later in the day/evening.

We have kept tables of the cost of DDP and the food we ordered and the cost of TIW and the food we ordered using that. TIW wins hands down. Also, with TIW you get a discount on alchohol. Although I know for many the DDP and especially the free DDP is appealing but like PP said, you are paying full rack rates for the free DDP. Often you can get room only discounts that are a much better bargain.

Oh, also wanted to mention that if you buy DVC direct you could likely get a reservation for this March. Your DVC guide will have much better ability to book you a room when you are doing your purchse. I was able to do this and get a reservation one month out.

 

[PrincessMickey]

Stay tuned... It might be a while... but Marianne is trying to talk me into designing an insert for my bags that are specifically for DSLRs.

D~

OOh how exciting. Can't wait to see what you come up. My first attempt I made velco dividers for a bag. Didn't quite turn out the way I imagined. I haven't had time to attempt anything else so I can't wait to see yours!

 

[dianemom2]

Honestly - I go there to vacation, so cooking - except maybe an english muffin in the morning - isn't going to happen. My above food figures were 1 TS + 1 CS meal per day and a snack... Which really worked out well for us on the dining plan.

D~

I'm the same way. I don't mind doing a quick breakfast in the room but I have no interest in doing any real cooking or cleaning up while I am on vacation.

I havent rented points yet but may try it next year but I am going to use one of the services if I do.

Let me know if you decide to rent some points. We keep talking about another trip to Disney and we can never seem to go when they offer the free dining.

 

[nowellsl]

I'm the same way. I don't mind doing a quick breakfast in the room but I have no interest in doing any real cooking or cleaning up while I am on vacation.

We stayed in a cabin at Ft. Wilderness and I was surprised how much we used the kitchen. We made a Publix run and bought some fried chicken , salad fixins and just general snack food. It was nice having an ice maker too! There were quite a few times we were just hanging around the cabin and needed a little snack

I've looked at DVC from all sides and I just can't see it being something for us! The FL resident and passholder discounts are hard to beat! I've rented pointed three times now through someone on facebook (who does it for a business) and have gotten some amazing deals. When someone needs to use points by a certain time they get discounted. I got my friends two nights at a studio at Bay Lake Tower for $304. (and that was Fri. and Sat. nights - $8.00 per point) They were able to cancel their $400 a night rooms at the Contemporary Resort. You do have to be pretty flexible with when you go and a lot of times it's last minute. Great for me, but not if you have to fly, or plan too far ahead! I think he rents for $12 per point normally.

I think you will fall in love with the DVC resorts though, we really enjoyed renting points!

 

[DMGeurts]

That's pretty much what I came up with too. It's just too expensive to make that initial jump. I'm sure in the long run it would be better, but we just don't have $20K laying around to put into Disney. I'll make you a deal D....when I win the lottery, I will buy both you and me DVC at the Poly....Deal?

Okay, so now I need to start playing the lottery

Yes!!! I agree totally! I also have a promise made to the Disbou on that thread... I am taking them all on a Disney cruise when I win the lottery.. I need to stay playing, as well.

It would sure be great if disney would release free dining for March! One thing in your favor is that right now, both girls are under 18. Your Stitch bag is great as usual. I really look forward to seeing your new creations!

Hi Ruth! You have been on my mind quite often lately - I hope you are doing well.

There is a distinct possibility that we may be moving our trip dates to October... Finances are a bit tight right now, because Josh and I decided to take a trip for our anniversary in December, and I just don't think I will be able to save enough for both trips in time... Is there any way you can switch to October?

Okay we vacation way differently than we used to since we own DVC.

We have about 1000 points enough to go 3 times a year during peak season in a 2BR the only kind of room I won't waste my points on is a Magic Kingdom View at BLT way too rich for my blood.

Our home resorts are BLT and AKV with the majority of our points at AKV because I could stay there on anytrip I love it that much.

Every time we bought we went directly through Disney and we were able to get our previous years points as extras.

I also go with the attitude of I will see what I feel like seeing an not rush in anyway shape or form.

Dues at AKV are some of the more expensive because of the Animals but it is so cool to sit on your balcony and see them up close.

I also bought directly through Disney so I could use on cruises and ABD yes not the smartest move but hey DVC is paid for. Also it is something that interests us.

As for how we eat we use TIW since we only eat one big meal a day. So we generally have dinner at about 5pm.

Also TIW gives you 20% off all your food and drink . For us this works much better than the dining plan.

We also book at 11 months at one of our home resorts and then change at the 7 month window, the only time I have found that to be hard is Christmas.

Just remember also that perks can come and go. I seriously think Disney is moving toward a tiered system with people who buy directly from Disney getting better perks. Lets remember as much as we drink the kool aid that Disney is a business.

Also remember when Disney does Free dining you are paying rack rate for the room what DVC is doing is giving you a discount on a deluxe accomadation nothing more nothing less. We always stayed deluxe with our last 3 trips before we went DVC costing us about what we paid for our first DVC contract. If you are okay staying at value or moderate hotels DVC may not be for you.

I also find staying at DVC better for J as opposed to a regular hotel room.

I adore our DVC and it was the best idea for our family. we are also thinking of using our points to go to Washington DC in a couple of years because there is a hotel we can stay at using points and the$95 transfer fee.

Hope this helps some.

First of all... I want to thank you so very much for taking the time to do this for me. I really appreciate it.

I had a Disney dream last night... seriously... And Josh was in WDW with us - it was the craziest dream ever - but he fell in LOVE with DVC... and decided to purchase oodles of it! It was wonderful!

Oh and I would also recommend getting the DVC video to it shows the resorts and is free.

I will look into this. Thanks C!

I havent rented points yet but may try it next year but I am going to use one of the services if I do.

Let me know if you decide to.

Food: We always eat at least 1 table service every day and often 2x a day when at Disney. We are the sit down for meals type of people. Since joining DVC and getting discounts on Annual Passes and hence, access to TIW we only ever use TIW (now as a DVC member you can get TIW without the annual pass). We have done DDP many times in the past but have been less and less satisfied with it as they take away things like tip and appetizer. Also, we have found that it is just way way too mcuh food and you often had to buy the most expensive thing on the menu to justify the extra expense. Also, many of our favorite restaurants are now 2 point meals and the meal prices have increased to match the 2 point penalty.

With TIW we will generally share meals and order more appetizers. For example, at Le Celier, we will split the Filet Mignon and we will each get a cheese soup appetizer. That way we get to each have parts of our favorite meals without completely stuffing ourselves or leaving food behind. Also we are not forced into a dessert every meal. If there is a dessert we like we will get it, if not we will get something somewhere else later in the day/evening.

We have kept tables of the cost of DDP and the food we ordered and the cost of TIW and the food we ordered using that. TIW wins hands down. Also, with TIW you get a discount on alchohol. Although I know for many the DDP and especially the free DDP is appealing but like PP said, you are paying full rack rates for the free DDP. Often you can get room only discounts that are a much better bargain.

Oh, also wanted to mention that if you buy DVC direct you could likely get a reservation for this March. Your DVC guide will have much better ability to book you a room when you are doing your purchse. I was able to do this and get a reservation one month out.

I don't have a lot of time to respond today, we are headed to the lake to pull the boat... I appreciate all of your coments and advice... I will reply in more detail when I get home.

OOh how exciting. Can't wait to see what you come up. My first attempt I made velco dividers for a bag. Didn't quite turn out the way I imagined. I haven't had time to attempt anything else so I can't wait to see yours!

I am curious too. LOL

We stayed in a cabin at Ft. Wilderness and I was surprised how much we used the kitchen. We made a Publix run and bought some fried chicken , salad fixins and just general snack food. It was nice having an ice maker too! There were quite a few times we were just hanging around the cabin and needed a little snack

I've looked at DVC from all sides and I just can't see it being something for us! The FL resident and passholder discounts are hard to beat! I've rented pointed three times now through someone on facebook (who does it for a business) and have gotten some amazing deals. When someone needs to use points by a certain time they get discounted. I got my friends two nights at a studio at Bay Lake Tower for $304. (and that was Fri. and Sat. nights - $8.00 per point) They were able to cancel their $400 a night rooms at the Contemporary Resort. You do have to be pretty flexible with when you go and a lot of times it's last minute. Great for me, but not if you have to fly, or plan too far ahead! I think he rents for $12 per point normally.

I think you will fall in love with the DVC resorts though, we really enjoyed renting points!

I am sure I will! LOL

Gotta run... Josh is pushing me out the door... Have to go to the lake to pull the boat for winter.

D~

 

[miprender]

LOVE the stitch bag.

Chiara It is amazing and I wouldn't want to share it either
And that is awesome that you have that many points. We only have 155pts but DH keeps looking to add on.

Glad that Max is getting better everyday and have fun at the lake

That is interesting, and perfect for the times where you just don't have enough. Do you pay dues on those points, as well? Also, at what point do you pay dues on your banked/borrowed points? When you use them, or during their use year?
D~

That is the nice thing about the one time points. You just pay the $15pp fee and that is it.

The dues come out in January and you only pay for that year. If you had banked points you would have already paid the dues last year so if your contract is 100 pts a year but you have 150 banked points you pay the dues on the 100. Same if you borrowed and have no points come the following year you would still owed dues on them.

W.

OK - so those of you with DVC... How do you work your food while in Disney?​

D~

All our past trips we still purchased the dining plan but this last trip we decided to try the Tables in Wonderland. It was OK, but I noticed myself watching everything we ordered as now I felt like I was paying for the food directly even though with the dining plan I still was but it was different. KWIM I even cancelled my Ohana dinner because I was cheap and didn't want to spend another $150 for dinner since we were there for so long

 

[Restrasz]

I'm feeling a little better each day,it's just going to take a while. In the meantime,I'm learning a lot I didn't know about the medical field even after working in it most of my life. I have a new respect for all of you dealing with doctors offices and hospitals on a daily basis.
I think my dates are pretty set for march 2013. I have to work around my college student. Your wedding anniversary trip will be amazing,I'm excited for you.

 

[UConnFan]

Woo! I finally caught up! I love your bags and I'm glad MM is feeling better. Here's to a full recovery!

 

[DMGeurts]

Sorry, can't multiquote on my phone...

Michelle...I agree, I think I would want to purchase the ddp, it would save us $$ and I wouldn't be trying to tally up our food all the time, then turning cheapskate at the last minute. I could totally see myself doing exactly what you did. Even though ddp doesn't work we'll for.a lot of people, it worked we'll for us, and took the worry of overspending on our trip. If we we're to buy in to DVC, I could see us continuing the ddp.

Ruth, I am so glad to hear you are doing better. My one big regret if we move our trip to Oct, is that I won't get to meet you and your DD, I am so looking forward to that.

Uconn... Welcome, glad you we're able to.catch up.

We had to run to the lake to pull the boat and docks... We are lucky we came when we did. One of the bridges for the lake had to be closed due to safety, which means they had to remove the dam, which means that the lake water is down another foot from when we we're here a few weeks ago. Because the boat is so deep, it was very difficult getting it out, but we did. We are pulling the docks today and heading home.

Josh has a beautiful fire going in the pit outside, I think I will go join him. Have a fantastic day everyone.

D~

 

[VBAndrea]

OK - has anyone seen or heard from Andrea??? She has been missing for several days, and I am gettnig worried... Or did she just abandon my PTR?

D~

Who is this Andrea character that you're talking about? Maybe Cheryl had something to do with her disappearance

 

[nannye]

DVC sounds so exciting!

 

[babynala]

I'm so far behind because Curtis has been sick since Thursday. I thought he was better but no such luck. I think it is just the flu so I hope that he is better soon.

I LOVE the Stitch bag. The applique looks great. I was a bit surprised it was harder then some of your other ones since it is bigger but it makes sense when you say it was due to the stabilizer. In any case, it looks great. Such a fun applique.

Oh, by the way, I don't think I was the one who helped you find that fabric. Must have been somebody else, but then again you know I am a bit crazy. I do remember showing you the vinyl stuff at Mary Jo's and then I got the cutest shopping partner and got to explore most of that huge store!

Sounds like you decided that DVC might not work for you guys at this point. We have come to the same conclusion. For our family the numbers just do not work. We love going to Disney and I would LOVE to stay at a Deluxe resort but I don't think we will ever spend that kind of money on a Disney vacation. Maybe on a splurge for one trip but I doubt we would do it on a regular basis. Especially now that my DD is in middle school and needs every second of instruction she can get (especially in Math!!!).

Having to postpone your trip to October is a little bit of a bummer but if you get a trip with Josh as a trade off that is a good deal! Plus you still get to go in Oct and then you can recreate all those Halloween pictures with the girls. Is the week you would go the week that is traditionally not offered with free dining?

 

[disneychic2]

Well, rough figures... If we were to stay at POFQ during free Dining, and pay the exact same way as we did last year (Food, Tickets & room only) - it would cost us a total of $1800 oop for 9 nights.

If we were to stay at DVC, and rent points for 7 nights... Say we were able to get a value studio at akv and points were $11/pt.. The room would cost us $759/week... But we wouldn't qualify for FD, so oop to eat the same meals would be approx $1500 for the week (obviously, we would cancel a lot of our ADRs) And 7 days of tickets - roughly $850.

So, clearly - POFQ wins with a landslide. Once I figured those figures it really puts the cost of DVC into perspective, and as much as I would LOVE to do it, we just don't have that much expendible income to put towards vacationing... A few K per year, sure - for various trips, not exclusively Disney... I dunno - it's a lot!

OK - so those of you with DVC... How do you work your food while in Disney?​

Honestly - I go there to vacation, so cooking - except maybe an english muffin in the morning - isn't going to happen. My above food figures were 1 TS + 1 CS meal per day and a snack... Which really worked out well for us on the dining plan.

D~

Okay, you're going to think I'm crazy, but I have worked out the cost of just renting points each year for vacay instead of buying into DVC. And before you get creeped out, I did it a while ago for DH and I to help decided if DVC was for us. (which we decided it was not!) So, here's what I came up with:

Cost of DVC over an 8 year period including initial cost and figuring maintenance fees with a 3% increase each year

AKV cost to buy: $22,066 or $2,758/year
AKV cost to rent (at $13/point): (and using a 6 night stay in October)
studio value - $780
reg view - $988
savannah - $1300

1 br value - $1768
std view - $2028
savannah - $2496

2br - value - $2392
std - $2574
sav - $3328

Beach Club cost to buy - $25,622 or $3,203/year
Cost to rent: studio - $1196
1 bd rm - $2366
2 bd rm - 3120

VWL cost to buy - $23,693 or $2,962/year
Cost to rent: studio - $1196
1 bd rm - $2444
2 bd rm - $3120

I so wanted to buy DVC, but my DH was against it. I did all these numbers and similar ones to the ones you did and it sort of proved he was right. I know it works wonderfully for some and they love it, but by far our favorite resort is FQ and it just doesn't make sense for us. NONE of our children are the least bit interested in Disney, (still don't know what we did wrong!!) so we won't have family joining us. It's such an individual decision. It just works for us to pay each year with whatever discount is available, either room discount or free dining.

BTW, loved the latest bag!! You have mad skills, my dear!!