DVC members from TN (or nearby)

[mickey85]

My wife and I have been to WDW 6 times over the last 4 years. We love it, as I'm sure all of you do.

I have been researching the DVC. It seems that many of the people I know who are members live within driving distance (GA, FL, AL, SC). The few people I have talked to from TN, AR, and MS who have done their research just didn't feel like it was worth it when you have to fly every time.

I know there are DVC members from all over who do fly every time. And I know everyone has to figure out what works for them (regarding joining the DVC).

For the two of us, flying is not too big of a deal. But throw in 2-3 kids, and it gets a little bit tougher.

I'd love to hear some feedback from some that are in the same boat as my wife and me.

Thanks.

Heading down there June 4-9. Can't wait.

 

[hellerjw]

It really depends on what you are comfortable with both financially and from a time standpoint. There are many DVCers from the Northeast & MidWest who drive all the time. There are many from the Southeast that would only fly.

We are roughly 9 hours away and given all the hassles flying entails I would never consider it an option for us. However, some folks feel the same way about spending a significant portion of their trip driving long distances.

I prefer the control traveling by car allows and air travel for the 4 of us is 4 or 5 times the cost of driving. So for me its all about the cost savings. Since there are few direct flights to Orlando from our area we would need to fly into Atlanta or Charlotte first. By the time we did a 2 leg flight, plus all the security issues, car rental, etc. we would only really save a couple hours off our total trip time by flying. The time aspect of it really is a wash for us regardless of how we get there.

It really comes down to what's more important to you: The time or the expense?

 

[SusieBea]

We're in southwestern Indiana, near Evansville which is a 13-hour drive to WDW. We've been members since 1993 and have only flown once. We go at least once a year, sometimes 3 times. When we purchased, our girls were 11 and 8. We found it was easier not to have to be so selective about what we packed, it was less expensive, and we didn't have to rent a vehicle in Orlando. They live in other locations now. We still drive, and they fly.

 

[sleepydog25]

Virginia here, and the drive time for me is between 10 and 11 hours. I've both flown and driven, and for me, driving is the best and cheapest option. I can drive both to and from Orlando for the cost of one plane ticket, much less two or more. Here are a few other considerations:
- I can pack what I want, how I want it. For example, I toss in my coffee grinder and beans because nearly all the coffee at WDW is plonk. I can take wine, or throw shoes in the back that I don't have to worry packing.
- I have control over my schedule. I can stop when I wish. Need to stretch my legs? I just take the next rest stop or gas station. Want a latte? I know where the Starbucks are on my way down.
- I have transportation while at Disney, so for those times I don't feel like fighting the lines for the bus or monorail, I drive instead. No need to rent a car nor depend on buses at the World.
- I have no security check-in issues such as, oh, I don't know, say, waiting in an interminably long line. lol
- I'm not cramped in my car as I am in the plane. I breathe my own air-conditioned air, listen to the radio or CDs as loudly as I want to without worrying about offending others (or them offending me with their tunes).
- I drive straight to my resort (usually VWL ) without waiting to pick up my bags or possibly losing a bag.

I know there are those who prefer flying due to time constraints or greater distances, but I'm not one of them. I'll drive every time.

That being said, I'm unsure if that's the complete feedback you wanted. If you mean to tie that into whether or not DVC is right for you, then the question becomes, will you continue to frequent Disney as often as you have up to now? If the answer is "yes," then I believe you should think DVC might be a good deal for you since the transportation costs will exist, regardless. Best wishes for your thoughts!

 

[marymoon]

It really comes down to what's more important to you: The time or the expense?

Ditto. We are new DVC members having purchased at AKV this past April and live just outside Nashville. While the drive to WDW is long at 10 - 11 hours, it's certainly manageable, even with 2 young children in tow.

We're headed down for our first DVC stay in less than 2 weeks and since this is an adults only trip, we entertained the idea of flying this time around. The cost of airfare + a rental car (we don't go anywhere without having a car at our disposal) + parking fees is much more that we want to pay when we can just drive ourselves instead. DH and I like taking car trips and usually choose backroads for visual interest anyway. Sure, flying is much quicker, but I'd rather save a buck or two.

 

[OKW mom to 3]

We live south of Atlanta(45 minutes) and we drive. By the time I park the car at the airport and catch the shuttle, and then stand in the security line, it is just as quick to drive.

 

[mecllap]

I think the question is less about how you get there, but more about how often you go and what kind of experience you want. I prefer to take a two-day drive to get there, altho most people from where I live make it a one-day trip. Sometimes I fly. (I'm a retired single).

It's an expensive purchase with a long-term annual financial obligation, but a wonderful way to vacation. If you haven't stayed at a DVC unit yet (or another timeshare), you should try that first (renting or cash rezzie). And, is being on property important to you? You can also start with a small number of points to try it out (altho you're likely to quickly develop addonitis).

I'm still also happy to stay in a timeshare, or decent motel, off-site, but also having some DVC time every other year or so is wonderful. (Wish I'd been able to afford it much earlier in my life).

I love having the kitchen and a place to do laundry, and spread out and be comfortable, etc.

 

[Sammie]

There are many members from TN, ARK and MS that don't fly everytime and certainly many from other states much further away that don't fly.

 

[mickey85]

Thanks for all of your advice and input. We really appreciate it.

Growing up, we drove more often than not. But in the days where GameBoys didn't exist, the drive seemed longer. But with movies and games, I would suspect that the drive doesn't seem as long for kids.

We're driving down to stay at AKL next week. Cannot wait.

We have stayed at ***, Pop Century, CS, CB, and AKL. We really prefer Moderate/Deluxe.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

We live in Northeastern MD right now and have always flown from up here. We watch the sales on Southwest and can usually fly pretty cheap out of BWI or PHL. This summer we are moving to GA - about 100 miles Southwest of Atlanta - and already have 3 trips planned since we are now in "easy" driving distance.

With all of the kids in tow (we have 5 between us), flying can be pretty pricey but it gets us there so much quicker without the sibling bickering or the car sickness. As much as I personally hate flying in general, I will definitely miss flying to Disney! It was so much easier to take a 2 hour flight and then take DME to the resort and leave the driving to someone else.