Basking in the Glow of the (not so) Creepy Clown -2/11-Pictures, Final Thoughts, PTR!

[Flossbolna]

My daughter Marlene has a thing for France for some reason. She's taking French class and has Eiffel Tower items decorating her room (a picture, jewelry tree, etc.). If I had taken her into that France movie, she would've been begging me for a plane ticket, I'm sure. But we may have to check it out next time.

Might be an expensive decision then to check out the movie!

 

[princessjv]

Bless little henry's heart! The snap of him asleep warms my heart!


I can't wait to try the pizza! I heart Italia! Maybe the pizza will get better with the ovens seasoning and use? We can hope!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

As for resales, I've only ever looked over at The Timeshare Store, who is a sponsor here on the DIS - and it's who we had our listing through when we almost had to sell. They were great to work with. Hilton Head has some listings under $50 a point! Same with Vero. Boardwalk, mid $60s. Wow, I so wish we could buy too!

Yep, - Vero Beach is considered a DVC Resort (same with Hilton Head and Hawaii, they are just in locations outside the World).

I just checked out the new resale rule,

"Under the new policy, Members who purchase from anyone other than Disney Vacation Development, Inc., on or after March 21, 2011, will not be eligible to use those Vacation Points to make reservations within the Concierge Collection, the Disney Collection or the Adventurer Collection. Those Vacation Points will instead be valid only for reservations at Disney Vacation Club resorts, as well as for RCI® exchanges, Club Cordial and Club Intrawest."

The Concierge Collection is a variety of hotels that Disney has selected, across the country and world, that you can use your points at. Example: there are 2 in NYC. They are a VERY expensive way to use your points, so it's not a very desirable way. Most people would rent their points and then use the cash for a vacation to these locations if they desired to visit.

The Disney Collection is the regular hotels (not all of them) at Disney World, such as the Grand Floridian. Also included are the two non-DVC resorts at Disneyland (but you can use them for the Grand Californian), and resorts at Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo. (I'm not certain if there are DVC resorts there at all, probably not). Also in the Disney Collection is the cruise line. So you could NOT use your points for a cruise if you purchase resale. However, much like the Concierge Collection, using your points for a cruise is very expensive, and not highly desirable generally.

And the Adventurer Collection is Adventures by Disney. EXTREMELY expensive points-wise! Better to rent the points and pay cash like DCL and the others.

You CAN use your points at any DVC resort-Hawaii, Grand Californian, any DVC at Disney World, Vero Beach and Hilton Head.

RCI Exchange is another timeshare company you can exchange through for other getaways. I don't know much about this.

And I think Club Cordial and Club Intrawest are similar to RCI, but I'm not certain-I've never even heard of them.

So yes, if you purchase Vero/Hilton Head, you can stay at any DVC property at the World on your points! You would not have that 11 month advantage, but if you are flexible on where you want to stay, it's almost a non-issue to get a room. You might have to do the waitlist during peak times, but I've never heard of someone NOT getting a room anywhere. I know I have read of members over on the DVC board that own at Vero and have never visited it! LOL

I hope that helps!

I wanted to add something important to this which I learned during my own resale purchase. I just bought a resale contract in November and while I was waiting for Disney to decided on their right of refusal, the first rumors about a change for resale contracts appeared. Of course I was immediately rather woried and I learned two things from the discussions on the DVC board which I followed closely:

1) The only thing that is GUARANTEED is that you can stay at your home resort, being able to book other DVC resorts is only a "perk" which can be withdrawn by DVC any time they wish, regardless of you whether you bought direct or resale. It might be unlikely that they will do it, but in order to be able to vacation at WDW it is very adviseable to book at WDW.

2) Availability at WDW might decrease if and when they build even more resorts outside of WDW. People buying there might want to book at WDW more than WDW owners at those outside properties. The number of rooms at WDW is a fixed number and the more people can compete about it, the less availability there will be.

And finally unrelated to this, but regarding prices. When buying DVC it is really important to take dues into account as well. If you look at a timeframe of at least another 30 years (the first DVCs expire in 2042) it will make a difference wether you pay 6.78 $ per point for Vero Beach or 4.98 $ for Old Key West (2011 annual dues rates). Of course the dues might go up differently over time, but Vero Beach is expensive because of its beach location which has high insurance rates and needs lots of maintanance.

The most common suggestion on the DVCboards seems to be: buy either where you really want to stay or buy where you would not mind to stay. I think the buy where you don't mind to stay is the best advice!!

And, Lovemy3babes, I used the Timeshare Store which Brook already recommended to you and they were wonderful to work with! I can highly recommend them!

Thank you BOTH so much. I might wander over there and take a peek. This might be a mistake but it's fun to look and wish and hmmm....perhaps investigate further.

 

[norybell]

I was way behind...it always takes me forever to catch up on TRs after I've been away!

I love the picture of Henry with Tweedles Dum & Dee! How adorable! And how great that he got to ride Soarin' again!

Now that I'm in the process of planning a WDW trip with a 3-year-old for April, I feel like I need to re-read your whole TR from the beginning!

 

[k_reile]

mmmm....the chocolate mousse! I actually tried chocalte mousse for the first time in paris! And I it! The pizza looks good but I wanted pizza tonight for dinner anyways! LOL!

 

[CJsMom]

Yum for the pizza and the France bakery treats! I had no idea there was a France movie! Great pictures as usual - I love all the little details.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

What a great update!
Your pictures of the Italian pavilion are beautiful!
That film in France is one of the first things I remember about our '06 WS wanderings....
Megan was all about anything french...

That little bakery is my favorite CS in Epcot. I love that it's so close to where we typically stay and we can take our food back plus they have really good dessert!
The creme brulee is awesome!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I was so behind!

Congrats on winning the photo session! That's fabulous!

I am in absolute love over all your photos of the Italy pavilion and Via Napoli! I really can't wait to see that restaurant in person! I just know I am going to love dining there!

Those strawberry tarts would have caught my eye in France.

Can't wait to see the glowing clown!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I've never had NY pizza, but Chicago is pretty well known for theirs as well, so back off Tim boy!

Have you been living under a rock that you didn't know there was a film in France? Did you know about the others? They really are worth going to at least once.

You are SO right about Chicago pizza----YUUUUUUUMMY! And the hot dogs. I was dreaming of a Chicago hot dog yesterday. It's been far too long since I've been back to visit.

Awww what a great update Brook!!

I just loved being able to walk over to EPCOT from BW and enjoy my time!! I would really like to stay there again in the future, but it might be awhile before I get back!! I'm seeing POR back in my future again, although being on the other side of the turnstiles on an EPCOT morning sure has me thinking LOL!!!!!!!

Don't you just love the movie in France! I love the music! I have it downloaded and actually put one of our Youth Group End of the Year videos to it!!! Just a great production!!!!

Hmmm...Disney food...not good for the diet...must resist LOL

Isn't it fantastic that you can walk through the closed World Showcase? I thought that was so unique! We didn't make rope drop from there, but from what I have read you can easily end up in front of the Soarin' mad rush! What a perk!

I might have to look for the France music! It would be so nice to have on at home in between trips.

Ooooh, not good to hear about the Disney food. Though, I know it going in - it's going to be difficult, but I truly strive to end up with the same results as you of no weight gained! I already know I can't handle fried food like I used to be able to, so I have to be careful. We are getting some in room food too, including fruit, hopefully that will help some!

Wow...I haven't seen any of the movies in WS since....must be the 80's!!
OMG I really wonder what Henry was thinking when he woke up?!!

Glad you enjoyed Via....I am anxious to go back there again in May....anxious for the pizza (I had the cantaloupe and proscuitto....very adventurous ) Anxious to see the waiters also

Bring on glowtastic George!!!

Tracy

I can't imagine trying the cantaloupe and proscuitto. That's TOO adventurous for me! What did you have last time you were there? I kinda want to try one of the pastas...

Excellent update! The pizza a via Napoli looks great!


In other news, I think you just helped me figure out something! I am a D23 member and one of the things in D23 magazine is a 'Where in the world?' with a photo of somewhere in Disney. I am pretty sure that the photo from the winter 2010 magazine is of this chandelier! I can't wait to check when I get home later!

That's awesome! I almost didn't post that picture either - but glad I did! Was it the same one?

 

[Poolrat]

I might have to look for the France music! It would be so nice to have on at home in between trips.

It is on the 4 parks CD.

I also heard it once in our local grocery store. I was having a stressful day and walked to pick up something for lunch and I instantly took a deep breath and relaxed. I stood there for a moment, mentally going to Disney for a few moments, and then was able to continue my day.

 

[snowwhitefairest]

I'm just a lurker, but I had to come out of hiding to say OMG Grimaldi's. We live right down the street from the Hoboken location, and it's definitely the best pizza ever. Glad to hear you're a fan as well. Your pizza at Via Napoli looks pretty good as well though.

 

[eandesmom]

Oh that pizza looks good! I love brocoli rabe, but not sure I really want it on my pizza either. Still, it looks very yummy.

I really enjoy the France movie, I enjoy the AC in there just as much, perhaps more!

It sounds like a night so far!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Sounds like another lovely and relaxing time at WS! To bad you didn't get to meet up with LL and Marc!

Night swimming with George the creepy clown!

 

[vamassey1]

I was way behind due to taking a break from the Dis, but I really enjoyed getting caught up with your report. Henry is such and cutie. His expressions are just priceless.

I'm hoping we get a chance to try Via Napolis someday. I have yet to catch the movie in France but we did see the Canada movie on our last trip. It was the second time for DH and I but a first for the rest of our group. I'm hoping to see a different movie each trip. I haven't seen the movie in China since my very first visit in the 80s

My 20 year old daughter went to New York with her boyfriend the week after New Years. It was her first trip and she loved it! She did end of having to stay an extra day due to the snow. At first she called me in tears but it ended up being a blessing. The went to see Letterman and saw Wicked on their extra day.

 

[Flossbolna]

Thank you BOTH so much. I might wander over there and take a peek. This might be a mistake but it's fun to look and wish and hmmm....perhaps investigate further.

You are welcome! I would also recommend to check out the DVC Operations board here on the DIS, it does not move very fast and there are lots of interesting threads about why to buy, why not to buy, where to buy, when to buy etc. I learned a lot from there! And www.dvcnews.com is a good source as well.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Today marks nineteen days until Disney World!!!

We are in the teens!!!!!!





I'll be back after lunch for replies and an update!
​

 

[micandminforever]

for being in the teens. 22 days until the small world meet.

 

[jenseib]

 

[DisMomAmy]

17 for me!!
​

 

[Lovemy3babes]

You are welcome! I would also recommend to check out the DVC Operations board here on the DIS, it does not move very fast and there are lots of interesting threads about why to buy, why not to buy, where to buy, when to buy etc. I learned a lot from there! And www.dvcnews.com is a good source as well.

Thanks again!!!