DVC owners with college bound kids question.

[Alice Sr.]

I'm just kind of wondering what to expect. In the past I have always taken the girls out of school for a couple of days so we could go when we want. I guess that won't be happening this fall (missing F&W ). And the vacation times don't line up very well with one DD in college and one still in HS. Kind of looks like we might be restricted to early June. Did you find you had more points left at the end of the UY after the kids went away to college? We go 3 times a year for the most part (sometimes just twice a year). I just added on 130 pnts at SSR and after looking at my DD college schedule I'm afraid I might find myself in the position of having to rent out some pnts over the next 3 years.
I think I would prefer to reserve a room and then offer it on E-Bay, although I have never bought or sold a thing on E-Bay, in fact I have only been on the site a couple of times, so I find this rather intimidating. It just seems that once someone buys it you are done with it. No jacking around about getting 1/2 payments or changing dates.
Oops, in reviewing my ramblings I see this should probably be two separate posts.

TIA,
Alice

 

[funhouse8]

Hi, We have college age kids and High Schoolers. I have taken them out of school the early part of Jan. Colleges have there winter break then and the youngers ones don't seem to miss much. Not sure about renting points we just joined and I can't wait for my first trip home. Gina

Oh I'm thinking E-bay might be your way to go too. Book a busy week and you should have no problem renting it. Good Luck Alice.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I had less points once my kids went to college--they wanted to go down for spring break and use some of our points! Considering where they would have stayed otherwise, I gave them some points. Both girls had friends, though, who preferred the questionable surroundings of the party towns, rather than Disney. At least I knew the girls were in clean/safe surroundings.

 

[DeeCee735]

I have soon to be college kids (twins), and DH and I are thinking that they won't be joining us on our DVC vacations so much anymore, not just because of different vacation schedules, but because they'll be doing their own thing, and living apart from us. It's a little freaky for us to be realizing this, but at the same time, kind of cool that we'll be able to do DVC by ourselves! or with our friends (instead of their's!) They are juniors in HS now, and we are - for the very first time since they're babies - considering not doing WDW next year - and instead checking out Hilton Head (son is a golfer), daughter a sun worshiper and shopper! I'm wondering if this is a good idea, as opposed to making the annual trip to WDW....

 

[jmurphy625]

Our youngest is in first grade and our oldest is a Junior in College...One time we went when Easter was in March-very crowded. It was the same week as Spring Break and the younger boys had the Friday before Easter off so they only missed a few days before that.

We couldn't do that this year because my fourth grader had MCAS testing (and I'm now teaching in our town) The oldest has to take summer classes. So Mom & I are taking the two little ones at the end of June. Next year we'll all go but maybe in January?

P.S. My brother was in college at the time as well and came too..so you usually can work it out (we did have to make reservations early to get the exact days we wanted-and pay $$$$$ a lot more for airfare)

 

[simzac]

We are not too far from this ourselves. Our oldest DS is a freshman in HS this year, so I'm not sure how much longer he will want to travel with us on vacation. I figure as the boys get older we will have more points to use rather than fewer as it will only be DW and myself. And I hope this doesn't sound bad, but I am looking forward to that first vacation without the boys, but that's just me of course.

 

[Mrs Potato Head]

My oldest DS is just finishing his freshman year at college, and we took him out for 3 days in January to join us in WDW. We bought DVC on that trip, so I planned LOTS more trips, but DS has told us he won't miss school to go anymore. He felt he missed too much and he'd rather not do that. Gotta appreciate the dedication!

Now, our youngest DS is a sophomore this year, and we still have some flexibility with him for this next year. But once he's a senior, our school district has strict rules about missing days and having to take final exams, etc. So Matt will have very limited WDW that year! We'll make it up to him by taking him and some of his friends to WDW next summer instead.

For now, we'll continue to do what we can...and honestly, I didn't necessarily buy DVC because I had kids. My boys love WDW, but I'm the real fanatic, and my DH knows it. We'll be at the SSR in two weeks and I am actually looking forward to some time by myself while DH plays golf!

I'm planning other trips...next January, I'm going to go with my two sisters...and I have some friends that are DYING to go with me too.

I don't think I'll have a problem using the points....

 

[Sammie]

My parents took us when we could arrange it and went without us when they couldn't. They loved having empty nest vacations.

Also sometimes they went for longer periods and my siblings and I would fly down and meet them for part of the trip. Not being able to stay as long as they could.

As to renting you can make your deposit requirements to match Ebays without using them. Just be clear with the renter from the beginning, that you are selling them a bargain, nonrefundable vacation.

 

[Patricia]

We used to take the kids out of school when they were younger to go, but once they entered HS, there was no more of that. We simply adjusted to going in the summer when everyone is off. The crowds are larger and it's hotter, but you adjust and it's actually more relaxing as there are no thoughts of what work they are missing and what has to be done asap when we get home. This year, my daughter is finishing her sophomore year in college, and they younger one is finishing her sophomore year in HS and my son is finishing 4th grade. Quite a variety of schedules and busy lives to accomodate. That doesn't count my own or my husband's schedule.... We will all be going together for our family trip the last week of June to the first week of July. No problem with school for anyone!

 

[BCVOwner2002]

DS is a sophomore in college. We purchased DVC 4 years ago and DS has gone with us every year. We plan trips for May or June with him and let him bring friends along. Last year, we took our best friends/family with us too.

We went to WDW for the first time by ourselves in 2004 and while it was strange that DS wasn't there we had a wonderful time. Last year we dropped DS off at college and headed to FL for SSMC05 and a few days at WDW. We also purchased an add-on at SSR while on SSMC05 and surprised DS with 100 points at SSR for Christmas. This way, he can go with his friends during school breaks, rent points or even bank and borrow to plan for a longer trip or a stay outside of WDW. DS will be 21 next February and has always been responsible. We decided to give him his own points so that we can still enjoy trips with just DH and I.

Annmarie