Back from WH, I am an offsite convert!!

[shalom]

For our November trip, I have decided instead of 6 nights at All Star Music - we will do 2 nights there then do 4 nights at Cypress Pointe in a 2 bed/2 bath condo.

That sounds like an excellent solution.

I'm curious, and I really mean this as an honest question because I have been comparing, how did you arrive at DVC being about the same cost as an offsite place?

If you trade into DVC through RCI your cost is on par with many offsite places. You have to pay an extra fee for transportation that way ($95) and I'm not sure you can get the dining plan, though. Renting "distressed" (about to expire) points from a DVC member can also get you a good deal. Both methods can be a tricky and getting them depends to some extent on luck. Although once you've done it, it can be easier the next time - you have something that will trade for Disney or you now know someone who has more points than they usually need.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Love the pics and blog! We're heading to windsor hills in Sept!

It gives me a panic attack just thinking of spending more to have a tiny hotel room with four of us and two double beds! Everyone would be cranky and tired.. ugh not for me! Maybe when they're older, but now now!

Thanks! Me too! While I absolutely love all the memories I have of us at various on site locations, it's really nice to spread out and really relax!

 

[Kat&Dom]

Another thing about offsite is the relaxation I felt. I am a high strung person that rarely slows down even when my body begs me to. This trip was different. We actually had a relaxing, Disney vacation. It's not an oxymoron! The kids would swim whenever they wanted as long as 1 adult was watching and we would alternate who that was. I took a nap up in my room. The kids went up and played nintendo or watched tv after the pool for some downtime. One night I ate a sandwich, alone, out by the pool while everyone else did their own thing inside. I didn't cook, other than eggs in the am. I prepared food and we got take out a few times. Since we drove we did save a bunch of money over our last trip in a 2 bdrm AKV on rented points. This was quieter and much more relaxing. I love Akl so we drove there one evening for a date night. Best of both worlds!

It sounds like you got to have a real vacation and actually relax in addition to having lots of fun at Disney. That is totally awesome!

 

[TSRE]

If you trade into DVC through RCI your cost is on par with many offsite places. You have to pay an extra fee for transportation that way ($95) and I'm not sure you can get the dining plan, though. Renting "distressed" (about to expire) points from a DVC member can also get you a good deal. Both methods can be a tricky and getting them depends to some extent on luck. Although once you've done it, it can be easier the next time - you have something that will trade for Disney or you now know someone who has more points than they usually need.

Thanks for the answer! To trade in through RCI you would have to own another timeshare, right? And would renting distressed DVC points mean you were renting them last minute? If both of those assumptions are correct, I can see how that would work great for some, but not us. We have to plan really far ahead to get the time off work, and wouldn't be interested in a timeshare for the purpose of trading.

 

[hsmamato2]

If you trade into DVC through RCI your cost is on par with many offsite places. You have to pay an extra fee for transportation that way ($95) and I'm not sure you can get the dining plan, though.

I've been looking into RCI, how do you trade for dvc stays? do you go to RCI site,input your dates,and see if any DVC properties pop up? thanks for any info, BTW OP, thanks for the insight on your offsite stay,been thinking about trying it soon..........

 

[LadySiren]

I'm an HGVC owner but we can trade via HGVC's relationship with RCI. In other words, it's an HGVC trade into RCI trade into DVC (how's that for confusing?) if we want to stay on-site. We checked the RCI website as well as having our HGVC club counselor check for us, just in case the CSR could see something available that didn't show up online.

I've been looking into RCI, how do you trade for dvc stays? do you go to RCI site,input your dates,and see if any DVC properties pop up? thanks for any info, BTW OP, thanks for the insight on your offsite stay,been thinking about trying it soon..........

 

[megthewonderful]

Glad you had a great time! We became off-site converts ourselves last year.

I am renting a house there starting at the end of next week. Can you tell me if you heated the pool or not? We are still debating whether or not to spend the money.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Glad you had a great time! We became off-site converts ourselves last year.

I am renting a house there starting at the end of next week. Can you tell me if you heated the pool or not? We are still debating whether or not to spend the money.

.

We had the pool heat. It was warm...maybe too warm. The clubhouse pool was freezing, ours was warm. At 85 degrees in the afternoon a cool dip would have felt good but my little guy had blue lips after swimming in the big pool. Tough call. With the cover that is provided the pool may not need heat. Do you have the option of adding it while you are there? That's what I would do.