DVC Chit Chat Thread

[VGCgroupie]

Can someone remind me if they hold cold groceries prior to check in?

 

[IsDVCForMe?]

It’s quite the coincidence that I wanted to post this and came across @Road_Dog ‘s post earlier while catching up. Also thinking out loud.

Anyone on here have (or had at one time) young kids?

We bought 50 points, which would get us about a week every 2 years at AKV, OKW, SSR, etc.

Couple things to consider:
-we have to fly down
-would need transportation to and from airport
-kids are in school

Any suggestions on what worked for you in the past? Would you rather a week every 2 years or 3-4 nights each year? I would even be open to hearing about taking younger kids on multiple trips each year, aka getting more points lol.

Just want to hear what worked or didn’t work for you.

 

[PolyRob]

Can someone remind me if they hold cold groceries prior to check in?

WDW Bell Services will hold refrigerated and/or frozen items prior to check-in, yes. It will even do it when you check-out. It won't transfer items like this between resorts anymore though. That's up to you.

 

[VGCgroupie]

WDW Bell Services will hold refrigerated and/or frozen items prior to check-in, yes. It will even do it when you check-out. It won't transfer items like this between resorts anymore though. That's up to you.

Thanks!

 

[Sandisw]

these threads have been moving fast recently. can't remember if it was in this one or elsewhere, but sounds like some disboarder meet ups happened this week! to piggyback off @airjay75's comment, would be so fun to meet up with folks! I always wind up chatting with DVC folks at the pool, in lines, or in the hot tub and I always think about asking folks if they are disboarders.
anyone at WDW over Labor Day?

It’s not on the books right now, but it’s possible!

Waiting kn DH to decide if we are doing a 10 day trip to Ireland. It takes him a while to decide!! l

But, if we don’t. Maybe!

 

[atthebeachclub]

I don't care if you think it's tacky, I LOVE my new bottle . Just came today! Might use it as a vase though
View attachment 1061570

I bring mine to WDW! It works great as a conversation starter with other DVC members!

 

[atthebeachclub]

Would you rather a week every 2 years or 3-4 nights each year?

I’d much rather do a week every 2! It’s sort of a haul and tickets go down in cost per day if you do more days, and then your airline costs will also be halved.

That said…if this is your planned annual getaway…then do 3 to 4 days and ignore my suggestions. I try to get away annually because winter sucks. It’s hard with kids in school though. I take the holidays when I can now and do my best to minimize absences.

 

[IsDVCForMe?]

I’d much rather do a week every 2! It’s sort of a haul and tickets go down in cost per day if you do more days, and then your airline costs will also be halved.

That said…if this is your planned annual getaway…then do 3 to 4 days and ignore my suggestions. I try to get away annually because winter sucks. It’s hard with kids in school though. I take the holidays when I can now and do my best to minimize absences.

This is great insight and I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

 

[airjay75]

It’s quite the coincidence that I wanted to post this and came across @Road_Dog ‘s post earlier while catching up. Also thinking out loud.

Anyone on here have (or had at one time) young kids?

We bought 50 points, which would get us about a week every 2 years at AKV, OKW, SSR, etc.

Couple things to consider:
-we have to fly down
-would need transportation to and from airport
-kids are in school

Any suggestions on what worked for you in the past? Would you rather a week every 2 years or 3-4 nights each year? I would even be open to hearing about taking younger kids on multiple trips each year, aka getting more points lol.

Just want to hear what worked or didn’t work for you.

When you're flying, and you have the limitations of school schedules, longer trips generally make more sense to me. It's a lot of work getting a family with young kids (mine are 4 and 7) to any place for vacation. School schedules will give you the occasional long weekend that can work too, but whether that works will depend on the cost of airfare and your budget. Our trips have all been about a week long, and I am currently planning our first shorter one for Halloween this fall. I expect the shorter trips for us to be the exception, not the norm.

I think as kids get older and more into school schedules, two things will hold true. One, you'll be more and more limited to the times they have off from school (holidays, spring break, summers). Two, you'll want more and more space. So, if you expect Disney to be part of your annual or bi-annual family vacations for years to come, more points are probably in your future . But, there are also plenty of other things to do as family for your vacations, so there really isn't a wrong answer here.

 

[IsDVCForMe?]

When you're flying, and you have the limitations of school schedules, longer trips generally make more sense to me. It's a lot of work getting a family with young kids (mine are 4 and 7) to any place for vacation. School schedules will give you the occasional long weekend that can work too, but whether that works will depend on the cost of airfare and your budget. Our trips have all been about a week long, and I am currently planning our first shorter one for Halloween this fall. I expect the shorter trips for us to be the exception, not the norm.

I think as kids get older and more into school schedules, two things will hold true. One, you'll be more and more limited to the times they have off from school (holidays, spring break, summers). Two, you'll want more and more space. So, if you expect Disney to be part of your annual or bi-annual family vacations for years to come, more points are probably in your future . But, there are also plenty of other things to do as family for your vacations, so there really isn't a wrong answer here.

As always, thank you for your input. There isn’t a wrong answer unless my spouse tells me there is lol.

 

[Sandisw]

It’s quite the coincidence that I wanted to post this and came across @Road_Dog ‘s post earlier while catching up. Also thinking out loud.

Anyone on here have (or had at one time) young kids?

We bought 50 points, which would get us about a week every 2 years at AKV, OKW, SSR, etc.

Couple things to consider:
-we have to fly down
-would need transportation to and from airport
-kids are in school

Any suggestions on what worked for you in the past? Would you rather a week every 2 years or 3-4 nights each year? I would even be open to hearing about taking younger kids on multiple trips each year, aka getting more points lol.

Just want to hear what worked or didn’t work for you.

Since I was a teacher, when the kids were young, we did yearly trips for 6 to 7 nights.

Because it was always summer, we bought APs and then staggered the trips so they were 50 to 51 weeks apart so our ticket costs were every other year.

Now, kids are grown, so 3 to 4 nights at a time but more often is much more enjoyable!!

 

[IsDVCForMe?]

Since I was a teacher, when the kids were young, we did yearly trips for 6 to 7 nights.

Because it was always summer, we bought APs and then staggered the trips so they were 50 to 51 weeks apart so our ticket costs were every other year.

Now, kids are grown, so 3 to 4 nights at a time but more often is much more enjoyable!!

Ok, ok. I see where you’re going with it. Like that idea. Do longer trips while younger since it’s a little more work with flights, etc. and shorter trips when they get older. That’s a good call. Appreciate your input!

 

[RivGirl]

Ok, ok. I see where you’re going with it. Like that idea. Do longer trips while younger since it’s a little more work with flights, etc. and shorter trips when they get older. That’s a good call. Appreciate your input!

My kids are 11 and 15. Been DVC for only a year but have been going to Disney every other year, to now 1-2x a year since I was pregnant with #2.

I don’t think I’m usual in that my family enjoys 4-5 nights, 2-3 parks max each time (with maybe a water park, too). We also have to fly. I guess the shorter trips are one way to keep costs and point usage down. It also keeps the parks fresh: if we are always “missing” at least one when we go, we get to look forward to it for next time.

The last time we took them out of school for a trip was when the oldest was in middle school. It was borderline stressful with her homework situation. Now that she’s in high school and participates in a fall and a spring sport, we are truly limited to school breaks. It truly does get harder as they get older! I like spring break and the days before Thanksgiving (although both are on the expensive side for points).

 

[cruisehopeful]

It’s quite the coincidence that I wanted to post this and came across @Road_Dog ‘s post earlier while catching up. Also thinking out loud.

Anyone on here have (or had at one time) young kids?

We bought 50 points, which would get us about a week every 2 years at AKV, OKW, SSR, etc.

Couple things to consider:
-we have to fly down
-would need transportation to and from airport
-kids are in school

Any suggestions on what worked for you in the past? Would you rather a week every 2 years or 3-4 nights each year? I would even be open to hearing about taking younger kids on multiple trips each year, aka getting more points lol.

Just want to hear what worked or didn’t work for you.

Every couple of years will be a lot easier. Since your kids are younger now, you don't really know what sports/clubs they will get involved in. My kids were both in things that took a lot of time and never had a season off.

If you continue with going to Disney, you'll want more points eventually. For now, you might enjoy just adding a cash night if you are short on points sometime.

 

[smrice95]

It’s quite the coincidence that I wanted to post this and came across @Road_Dog ‘s post earlier while catching up. Also thinking out loud.

Anyone on here have (or had at one time) young kids?

We bought 50 points, which would get us about a week every 2 years at AKV, OKW, SSR, etc.

Couple things to consider:
-we have to fly down
-would need transportation to and from airport
-kids are in school

Any suggestions on what worked for you in the past? Would you rather a week every 2 years or 3-4 nights each year? I would even be open to hearing about taking younger kids on multiple trips each year, aka getting more points lol.

Just want to hear what worked or didn’t work for you.

As a teacher from the Northeast, we like (really only option) late August. The southern schools are back in session. Yes, it is hot, but it is summer! You have pools and you can hop into shops to cool off. We like to eat a late lunch in AC when this is the hottest part of the day and typically storm time. I would agree to longer trip because of ticket prices rather than 3- 4 days each year.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We take our kids out of school for trips all of the time. They’re good students and do work on their school laptops remotely here and there on our trips. I think that making memories with family is just as important as education. In twenty years they won’t remember what they learned in school during that week but they’ll remember the trip and the memories you made.

 

[Road_Dog]

We take our kids out of school for trips all of the time. They’re good students and do work on their school laptops remotely here and there on our trips. I think that making memories with family is just as important as education. In twenty years they won’t remember what they learned in school during that week but they’ll remember the trip and the memories you made.

As a dad of a 4 and 2 year old. This is how I see things now. I feel pulling them out of school for a memory filled vacation is worth it. Because who cares, it’s grade school. But I imagine when junior high or high school rolls along and they have extra curriculums it will get harder.

 

[kgou]

Im always like I wonder if they would connect me to the boards I was listing off my resorts and points when asked at MM and I was oh crap did I just give myself away!! But thats because Im not everyone's cup o' tea! I cant say if I would admit who I was on the boards if asked, if it were a casual encounter. I have met a couple board members in person though, but it was pre planned.

really?? you are definitely my cup of tea! your insights are amongst the best on these boards, IMO!! I appreciate all your takes and the boards are a better place with you participating!

Anyone on here have (or had at one time) young kids?

Well, mine are 9 and 6 now but when I bought they were 6 and 3. I have 300 points across 2 contracts and we either go 2x a year or 1x a year. 2025 and 2026 will be 1x a year trips. Last year I used almost my whole allotment of points for both contracts for our week long stay, this year we'll have some left over. It all depends on your personal preference. We've done 3-4 night stays and we've done 6-7 night stays. I thought at the end of our last trip I'd be ready to leave after being at WDW for a week ...nope, still could have stayed longer! Sometimes the shorter stays feel quite not long enough for me, but I'd rather be at WDW than not!

It’s not on the books right now, but it’s possible!

Waiting kn DH to decide if we are doing a 10 day trip to Ireland. It takes him a while to decide!! l

But, if we don’t. Maybe!

ah!! that would be great! We are at RIV for the second part of our split stay sooo I know if you wind up not going to Ireland there is probably a good chance you'll be at RIV too! But Ireland sounds amazing and would be such a great trip!

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

It’s quite the coincidence that I wanted to post this and came across @Road_Dog ‘s post earlier while catching up. Also thinking out loud.

Anyone on here have (or had at one time) young kids?

We bought 50 points, which would get us about a week every 2 years at AKV, OKW, SSR, etc.

Couple things to consider:
-we have to fly down
-would need transportation to and from airport
-kids are in school

Any suggestions on what worked for you in the past? Would you rather a week every 2 years or 3-4 nights each year? I would even be open to hearing about taking younger kids on multiple trips each year, aka getting more points lol.

Just want to hear what worked or didn’t work for you.

When we first bought in 2010, we would do a couple trips a year (kids were 4 and 20 mths when we first bought). Then of course we added more points, sold points, etc over past 16 years. 5 night was our sweet spot when the kids were younger and we would do 2 trips per year; now I like 7-8 night trips with the whole family once a year or every other year, and maybe 4 nights just DH and I once a year. Kids are older, school schedules are very strict, we have to travel on school breaks which of course is most expensive point time and we have the most points we've ever owned at this point. We tend to travel Easter or Christmas. My experience is: I can never have enough points LOL. When I run out of my own, I usually rent or get a transfer at least once a year.

 

[J-Dog]

I think as kids get older and more into school schedules, two things will hold true. One, you'll be more and more limited to the times they have off from school (holidays, spring break, summers). Two, you'll want more and more space. So, if you expect Disney to be part of your annual or bi-annual family vacations for years to come, more points are probably in your future . But, there are also plenty of other things to do as family for your vacations, so there really isn't a wrong answer here.

These were both absolutely the case for us.

We have a 22-year old and a 7-year old. When the 22-year old moved out, it opened up our school schedule more for a little while, but now already the 7-year old has multiple conflicts that we can't get out of.

And we're way past the point of being okay with a studio. When there's 4 of us, even a 1Bd is getting to tight - but all 4 of us on a trip at once doesn't happen much any more.