DVC Families in the Central Florida Area

[fedexreg]

My family (DW, DD5, DD3, and DS1) is relocating to central Florida (Clermont)in mid October.

We are looking for some central Florida DVC families to give us some advice on how they use their points. What resorts? Time of Year? We are RV owners - would you use them at FW? How often do you visit the world just for the day? Can you burn out on visiting WDW when its in your backyard?

We own 160 points at AKV. Thanks in advance!

 

[macman752]

I'm on the west coast in the Clearwater area. DW and I own SSR and stay there at least 3 times each year for 3-4 night each time. We do our stays in September, early December and April.

We are annual passholders so we try to make a trip a day trip or two during the months that we are not staying on property. We'll be there the first weekend of October staying at Pop on a $54 per night passholder rate.

We have not burned out yet. It's nice to go there for day even if it's just to try a restaurant on property.

 

[vicki_c]

When we lived in central Florida, we didn't think DVC made sense for us, based on the way we vacationed - normally last minute weekend trips. From a DVC standpoint, that seemed to be the totally wrong way to vacation!

Now that we've moved 900 miles away, it makes more sense because we will take longer trips that are planned pretty far in advance.

But if you're willing to take whatever rooms are available if you don't plan far out and/or spend more points to stay DVC on weekends (if that's when you might travel), then it could definitely work for you.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

We bought into DVC when living in the northeast. We briefly considered selling when we moved to central Florida (roughly 20 minutes away from WDW) but that fit of silliness soon passed.

We use our points in many different ways. Sometimes we do a full blown vacation and stay in a DVC at WDW for a week or more. Sometimes we go for Christmas. Sometimes we go for a couple of days at NYE. Sometimes we go for a long weekend during FWF. Sometimes we bring other family. Sometimes we bring friends. Sometimes we give our points as gifts. Sometimes we stay at Vero Beach.

Having DVC is still a great idea for us. We use all our points yearly, for the most part.

We don't look at it as becoming bored with WDW so much as it has allowed us to have a deeper intimacy with all things WDW.

 

[Kmango]

I live in Sarasota and love having DVC. I use my AP every few weeks for day trips, then then stay at DVC resorts when people come visit me. I look at it as a combination guesthouse/visitor-entertainment-system. Plus, it's pretty easy to convince friends to come visit when the pitch is "hey, let me take you to Disney!"

 

[JaxFLBear]

We live in Longwood which is about an hour north on I-4. Currently we use our points mainly for long weekends in September and November for our birthdays. We also go for a weekend in December for the Candlelight Processional and for New Years Eve night. We will do day trips once every couple of months.

 

[np4gp]

DH, DS and I live in Sanford (about 40min from the parks) and we are anxiously awaiting our paperwork from DVC. We will be brand new owners and are VERY excited. I think we mostly look forward to taking a couple Sun-Thurs off-season trips and maybe a couple 3 day weekends. We will likely not ever get more than a studio or 1 bedroom since we live so close and I don't want to cook or do laundry on vacation. In a few years, we have already talked about borrowing and banking points to take my parents to the new Hawaii DVC. I know we are excited about all of the possibilities and options DVC will give us for many many years to come. It certainly is an amazing way to get to expose our son to more than we would probably ever be able to do without it.
PS. Does anyone know if the Florida resident AP or DVC member AP discount is better? Renewal for Fla residents is $324. Any idea what the AP price is through DVC??

 

[JaxFLBear]

PS. Does anyone know if the Florida resident AP or DVC member AP discount is better? Renewal for Fla residents is $324. Any idea what the AP price is through DVC??

Looks like the DVC and FL Resident renewal rates are the same. For new APs, the FL Resident rate is better.

 

[np4gp]

Looks like the DVC and FL Resident renewal rates are the same. For new APs, the FL Resident rate is better.

Thank you. Good to know.

 

[fedexreg]

Thanks to everyone for your replies and encouraging news that the magic doesn't wear off when you are an hour away. My family is very excited about the potential this move brings us from many avenues. The one that we don't want to lose is the special feelings and great memories that WDW has created for us over the last nine years!

Anyone else that wants to add their thoughts on this topic, please do - I love hearing from others who are like us and love WDW.

Thanks again!!

 

[KLR-wlv]

We also will probably be moving within a year to polk county - and a 40 minute drive to DW...thinking all the weekend stays will eat up points pretty fast but I'm very excited about the possibility of just popping into a park for the day. I think we may need a BLT add on for NYE and July 4th trips.

 

[fedexreg]

I was trying to plan on how to use my DVC membership, being a central florida resident. I don't understand why i was moved from planning to mousecelaneous.

Its all good -- any locals have more ways they use their membership, Id appreciate the shared experiences.

Thanks!

 

[torismom]

My family and I are just outside of clermont. We bought our DVC while living in another state. We pretty much use our DVC the same as before with the exception of not stying as long and being able to go a few times a year.. For us we are very busy and just do not have the time to go to the parks all the time. It is still very much a vacation destanation.

I use my points every Feb for Twirlmania. It is a killer on points but I belong to DVC to use my points when I need to vacation.I take my kids each alone for a couple of nights during the summer for some fun mommy and kid time.They look forward to this every year. It really is special and we have a blast. Also, my husband and I will book a 2 night stay for a little get away for the two of us when he can.

The main problem I have now is that I do not book anymore within the 11 or 7month booking window.(with the exception of Twirlmania) and I always end up at SSR.

I sold my BWV points when AKV became available. I hope with Kiadani opening I can get in there last minute versus SSR all the time.

Enjoy your move to central fl. We love it here!!

 

[ilovecoasters]

DH, DS9 and I live in DeLand which is about an hour from WDW. We've been DVC members for 13 months now and have never regretted our decision. We own 160 at SSR but never have had a problem getting into any resort we've requested, even with under 7 months booking. We go for our birthdays in Feb, April, and June, our Anniversary in March and then 3 nights the week of Turkey day and 3 nights the week of Christmas. This past summer we also were able to go for 3 nights in July (on the 4th) and 3 nights in August right before school started due to our banked points that we didn't use for 07. We stay in studios and try to avoid weekend nights when possible. We still take almost weekly trips to one of the parks even when we aren't staying, so no, no burnout here. We were doing all of those visits and stays the past 12 years anyway. When I think of all that money we spent at the Swan, POR, CB, etc. that could have gone to better vacations with DVC it makes me sad.

 

[OlderMan]

We're in Melbourne--on the East Coast--and go to OKW 2 or 3 times per year.

Usually for Spring Break, July 4 and AFTER Thanksgiving. We stay anywhere from two days to a whole week.

We have 2 DD's 11 and 10, so we're beholden to their School schedule.

Just what works for us...........

 

[Paula H]

We live in Clermont (me, DH, DD9 and DS6). We've been here two years and bought DVC when we lived in CT. We need to do an add-on - we're always borrowing points now!! We typically do two long weekends - one for each kids' b.day and then still have enough for a night here and there. A couple of times we've made same day ressies and surprised the kids. DH and DS are going camping with cub scouts and I've already thought about maybe surprising DD with a little mother daughter getaway. The magic hasn't really worn off - the kids still wake up most weekend days and want to go to the parks (we're going this afternoon ). A couple Saturdays ago we got up and decided we needed a weekend at the BC and paid cash for a night at YC and just hung at the pool all weekend - no parks. Very fun, very relaxing and very spontaneous.

I'm surprised by how many DVC stickers or license plates we see. I know of at least two families in my neighborhood who are owners.

Feel free to PM me if you need any Clermont help/info.

Good luck with your move.