Bad idea?

[CarolynMink]

Our original purchase was at SSR in 2005. What I have learned, is that our vacation habits have changed over the years. We love to go in the fall and winter (Ohio winters are long). However, when kids started high school we have been limited to summer. Severe rain everyday has changed how I feel about resorts. Now, I want to be able to walk back to my resort. Hugh lines and being wet and cold on the buses is no fun. Close proximity to parks mater to me now more than they use to. But, I know that in 2 and a half years, I will not be going in rainy seasons!
We own at SSR, VWL, BCV, BLT and love them all. We are happy staying at any DVC resort.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I think Boardwalk provides the best overall package. It's close to 2 parks, has discounted rooms and is ridiculously hard to get in ver the Fall. The dues are a bit high, but not that much when you take the standard rooms into account.

 

[rlovew]

Yes, we are hoping to stay during the "off season" even though I know those are getting busier too.

Are you planning to stay during the off-seasons for DVC or the parks in general because those are very different. If you want to go during the early Christmas season while the parks are relatively uncrowded it is almost impossible to get 5 or more days at any walk to the parks resort at 7 months. Off season for DVC resorts tend to be over the summer and midJan- mid Feb as well as Sept after labor day and before food and wine (which was moved to start earlier this year).

 

[cajunprincess]

Are you planning to stay during the off-seasons for DVC or the parks in general because those are very different. If you want to go during the early Christmas season while the parks are relatively uncrowded it is almost impossible to get 5 or more days at any walk to the parks resort at 7 months. Off season for DVC resorts tend to be over the summer and midJan- mid Feb as well as Sept after labor day and before food and wine (which was moved to start earlier this year).

We hope to make one December visit, but the majority of our visits will be mid-January to February.

Random questions about MF. Do you pay them all at once at the end/beginning of the year, or do you pay them evenly throughout the year? I think MF is thing making my DH most nervous right now, but if we did it evenly per month, it would not be nearly as hard as having to save it up to pay at one time. I guess it just perspectives even though you are paying it either way

 

[nalajms]

Random questions about MF. Do you pay them all at once at the end/beginning of the year, or do you pay them evenly throughout the year?

You have the option to do direct withdrawal from a U.S. bank account. They would just divide the annual dues by 12 and take them at at the beginning, or middle of each month.

Even with that, you still have the option to prepay your dues.

 

[CarolynMink]

[QUOTERandom questions about MF. Do you pay them all at once at the end/beginning of the year, or do you pay them evenly throughout the year? I think MF is thing making my DH most nervous right now, but if we did it evenly per month, it would not be nearly as hard as having to save it up to pay at one time. I guess it just perspectives even though you are paying it either way [/QUOTE]

You have the option of a monthly payment plan or once a year. I do not know much about the payment plan as we pay once a year. For once a year, You get the statement in mid January and it is due mid February. Correction - it is due once you get the statement but, there is a late fee if not paid by the February date.

 

[nalajms]

We hope to make one December visit, but the majority of our visits will be mid-January to February.

As PP has mentioned, various times in December can be difficult to get a near park resort.

Mid-Jan to early Feb (before President's day weekend) will be much easier to get at 7 months. It's easier compared to the first 2 weeks of Dec, but you will still need to be ready to book at 8am on the 7mon mark. You'll have a very good chance at BWV Garden view for a full week. Not sure about BCV or BLT.

 

[bumbershoot]

We have a young son and plan to have more kids in the future so we will be spending the majority of our time at MK for several years. However, I also know DS LOVES animals so I could see us staying at AKL...

I would go with where you WANT to be, not where kids might want to be. If you do have more (not to be a debbie downer, but we planned to have two more and we have a 9 year old singleton...plans don't always work out) and you bought at AKV because he loves animals, what if the next kids HATE animals? What if your son develops a never-ending love for Epcot when you bought at Bay Lake? Buy for the ones paying.

(I mention this because it sounded like you were using the one child's interests to determine where to buy, when that will change, and if you have more they will have different personalities)

My youngest is 1. We may have another in 1-2 years, so that's at least 6-7 years with strollers. If you've ever been on a packed bus with a crying baby/toddler, while carrying a diaper bag and holding on to a stroller bc DH has to run ahead to get reservations or something else, then you'll want to buy at BLT or BWV/BCV.

If that ever happened with us, we'd just get a rental car. Wait, we DO get a rental car. So easy.

We hope to make one December visit, but the majority of our visits will be mid-January to February.

Random questions about MF. Do you pay them all at once at the end/beginning of the year, or do you pay them evenly throughout the year? I think MF is thing making my DH most nervous right now, but if we did it evenly per month, it would not be nearly as hard as having to save it up to pay at one time. I guess it just perspectives even though you are paying it either way

You just mentioned the 3 months I hope to never again have a visit...3/3 visits during those months have been SO cold. Two of those visits hit below 30. I don't like being cold in Florida!

If you pay in one payment, you pay at the beginning of the year. Many people like this because they pay with a CC and get rewards. Many people who want to split it up AND get rewards will save an amount each month for the following year's dues, and use that money to pay off the CC. But you can use DVC's monthly payment, and in that way you're paying the current year's dues through that current year. No CC rewards, but no saving a year in advance for it, either. (once you have that savings established it's same-same plus a few bucks in interest if you have an interest-bearing account...but it's that FIRST year of saving AND paying at the same time that's annoying, LOL)

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I would go with where you WANT to be, not where kids might want to be. If you do have more (not to be a debbie downer, but we planned to have two more and we have a 9 year old singleton...plans don't always work out) and you bought at AKV because he loves animals, what if the next kids HATE animals? What if your son develops a never-ending love for Epcot when you bought at Bay Lake? Buy for the ones paying. (I mention this because it sounded like you were using the one child's interests to determine where to buy, when that will change, and if you have more they will have different personalities) If that ever happened with us, we'd just get a rental car. Wait, we DO get a rental car. So easy. You just mentioned the 3 months I hope to never again have a visit...3/3 visits during those months have been SO cold. Two of those visits hit below 30. I don't like being cold in Florida! If you pay in one payment, you pay at the beginning of the year. Many people like this because they pay with a CC and get rewards. Many people who want to split it up AND get rewards will save an amount each month for the following year's dues, and use that money to pay off the CC. But you can use DVC's monthly payment, and in that way you're paying the current year's dues through that current year. No CC rewards, but no saving a year in advance for it, either. (once you have that savings established it's same-same plus a few bucks in interest if you have an interest-bearing account...but it's that FIRST year of saving AND paying at the same time that's annoying, LOL)

My sister is a firm believer in letting the kids make decisions. (Rolling eyes )

We went to Gatlinburg last week with them. We were following each other in cars looking for a place to eat and park the cars. We were talking on the phone while I had my tripadvisor app out.

One of the kids suggested Johnny Rockets and I looked it up. They had a very poor rating. I was on the phone saying no! Not good rated! Well...we parked the cars and I said, "where are we going? " yep, Johnny rockets!

So...we get in there and the ladies room is closed off and we have to use the men's. After ordering, the waitress came back after a few minutes and told us that they had ran out of hamburger buns (at a hamburger joint) and asked if we wanted our burgers on white bread. At this point, my sister finally says, let's go somewhere else.

I know I am not describing the same situation but there are reasons why the adults need to make many decisions. The little darlings will get over it.

Ultimately, there is a balance. As kids, we were always told that it was our parents way period. Now, so many of today's parents give all decisions to the kids. Exactly when is my generation going to make family decisions? I guess a child's decision making should be an occasional but not everyday occurrence because they are too young to not get a power trip from it.

 

[cajunprincess]

My sister is a firm believer in letting the kids make decisions. (Rolling eyes ) We went to Gatlinburg last week with them. We were following each other in cars looking for a place to eat and park the cars. We were talking on the phone while I had my tripadvisor app out. One of the kids suggested Johnny Rockets and I looked it up. They had a very poor rating. I was on the phone saying no! Not good rated! Well...we parked the cars and I said, "where are we going? " yep, Johnny rockets! So...we get in there and the ladies room is closed off and we have to use the men's. After ordering, the waitress came back after a few minutes and told us that they had ran out of hamburger buns (at a hamburger joint) and asked if we wanted our burgers on white bread. At this point, my sister finally says, let's go somewhere else. I know I am not describing the same situation but there are reasons why the adults need to make many decisions. The little darlings will get over it. Ultimately, there is a balance. As kids, we were always told that it was our parents way period. Now, so many of today's parents give all decisions to the kids. Exactly when is my generation going to make family decisions? I guess a child's decision making should be an occasional but not everyday occurrence because they are too young to not get a power trip from it.

Obviously, we (the parents) would be making the ultimate decision, but we do take into consideration our son and his likes/dislikes. My DS battled cancer at 7 months old, so if I am more prone to spoil him by taking into the things he likes, well, that's ok by me. I'm sorry, I just found that a little offensive.

 

[cajunprincess]

You have the option to do direct withdrawal from a U.S. bank account. They would just divide the annual dues by 12 and take them at at the beginning, or middle of each month. Even with that, you still have the option to prepay your dues.

Thanks! This would work perfectly!

 

[nalajms]

If that ever happened with us, we'd just get a rental car. Wait, we DO get a rental car. So easy.

It's pretty hard with MK. We'll drive to AK, but parking at TTC is just as bad as riding the bus....sometimes worse if you get there late! The lines for the monorail and ferry get pretty long.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Obviously, we (the parents) would be making the ultimate decision, but we do take into consideration our son and his likes/dislikes. My DS battled cancer at 7 months old, so if I am more prone to spoil him by taking into the things he likes, well, that's ok by me. I'm sorry, I just found that a little offensive.

My DH and I agreed that DVC was a family choice... Everyone gets a opinion!
It's a lot of money, and everyone will be affected...If not by the money then the time..
We took our DD likes and dislike into consideration.. (Knowing they can change)
I would not drag my kids on a vacation, knowing that did not want to go.

We felt they are not going to be old enough to enjoy the spa and DTD for a good 15-20 years..
Not the mention DTD normally means spending more $$..
And add that to the other problems SSR guests have had with buses and location
It just wasn't a good fit for us..


Not a good reason to buy, but something we looked at..
SSR gives us that 4 star hotel feeling. which is nice but we can get that right here in New England..
the themeing at AKL is just amazing! (If you like African themes)
I know my family.. And we love walking in and feeling like our transformed into a different place or movie..
Which is part of the reason we come back to Disney year after year..
Where else can you go from Main Street, to a safari, Hollywood, and then walk around the world.. All in one day!

Make the right choice as a family, for your family...

Our choice finally came down to one question,.
If I could only stay at my home resort, would I regret not buying some where else?

I didn't want to walk into a my villa thinking every time "I wish I had bought somewhere else"

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'm sorry I offended you.