DVC owners without children...yet.

[Fall1]

Hello, This may be a little off topic, but I wanted to hear from some DVC owners that don't have children yet....DH and I want to purchase but we're a little nervous about what we'll do with points during the first couple years when our (hopefully someday) children are born/young. Have you banked, rented? Thanks!
Did people think you were nuts for buying before children?

 

[DreAnna Clayton]

My DH and I (sans children) bought now while we could afford to make the payments and plan to add on later. We love going to disney so much that go three times a year for a total of 23 days a year at disney. I think that it a good idea because SSR time share is good up to 2054 the longer you wait the more time you loose. If you have any more questions pm me.

 

[bicker]

We've never had children, and never will, yet have never had any problem using up our 250 points. WDW is a wonderful vacation destination for families of any configuration, especially a couple of young-at-heart Disney fans.

 

[donald...really]

Another childless couple here, who will stay childless. We have NO problem using our 1000 points each year. We go a few times a year, and for the past few years we have rented grand villas and taken family. We hardly ever bank points.

We enjoy adult Disney vacations, which include sleeping late, relaxing by the pool with a good book, dining in great restaurants, having a drink in a beautiful lounge, going to the spa, and of course strolling through the parks. You don't need kids to enjoy Disney.

 

[eva]

Well, we bought over 10 years ago, when we had children at home. But we have been empty-nesters for over 3 years now. And to tell you the truth, we probably have more fun going to WDW just the two of us. (Sorry girls!) There are a lot of adult things to do at WDW. We usually go for a week or more and only hit the parks 2 or 3 days. We spend the rest of the time doing things like Cirque, spas, golfing, relaxing around the pool, and eating at great restaurants. I don't know of any other vacation destination that offers so much to do without jumping in the car. We love it!

I guess it will change a bit in the future, since we just became grandparents! But we will definitely enjoy our time just the two of us until the little one is old enough to go.

 

[Inkmahm]

We just bought this year, too. 330 points so far. Don't have children and never will. BUT, I am thinking ahead to retirement years when we can be "snow birds" and spend a long time in Florida during the winter. Where would be a better place to do that than Disney?

 

[tarpat1]

We are also pre-child DVC members and love it. We figured we would buy now before we had little ones to worry about and could be more flexible about vacations. We have had no problem using points and will make a total of 5 trips this use year, including a few last minute reservations. My wife absolutely loves Disney and I love any vacation with her so its been great. I don't think that its crazy we have had a great time without kids and I believe that we will have fun with them. Enjoy!

 

[linzbear]

Ok, so here's our plan.

We bought DVC this past Feb - taking our first trip this December. We bought 150 points We figured we would start with a small amount and plan to add on later, but if we can't afford it we'll still have some number that we can take trips with, even if it's every other year.

So, (this may be a little TMI, but whatever) We have a trip in Dec, a trip in April (also booked an extra studio for my mom, who has never stayed on site). Planning on trying to get pregnant sometime after April trip, but before possible Oct trip (this is dependant on time off), and my FIL is taking us all in December (which we will be pitching in points for).

With all that, we'll have used 05,06,07, and maybe 08 points. Any leftover 08 points will be banked into 09, when we will likely take our (hopefully) 2 yr old. We'll be "dragging" the grandparents with us, so we'll hopefully get alone time as well. Then we'll repeat with 09,10,11 points (though we'll probably just get a 1 BR or spend 2 straight weeks to spend the points instead of multiple trips). Then, when (hopefully) kid #2 is 2, we'll add on (crossing fingers for VAK ).

But yeah, that's our "plan." Who knows if it'll work out that way, but it's always useful to have a guideline

 

[dianeschlicht]

Hello, This may be a little off topic, but I wanted to hear from some DVC owners that don't have children yet....DH and I want to purchase but we're a little nervous about what we'll do with points during the first couple years when our (hopefully someday) children are born/young. Have you banked, rented? Thanks!
Did people think you were nuts for buying before children?

Hmmm, interesting question. Our children were already grown when we purchased DVC, and no grandchildren yet, so for the past 10 years, we have been content to use all 380 of our points for the enjoyment of just ourselves and any family and friends we take with us. We DO use banking and borrowing to it's fullest when we need to. We are near retirement age, so I figure we could probably double our points and still not have enough to stay as long as we want to each trip.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

Talk about people thinking you're nuts... I bought 200 at VWL on my first trip after my husband passed away. Everyone thought I had lost my mind.

However I have never had "too many" points. And with a new husband and no children we love the long weekends away.

IMHO though what better way to relax with a baby, even if they're too young for the parks yet. Swimming at the quiet pools, naps, and the benefit of a kitchen. It took DVC for me to realize I don't have to do everything at the parks every time we go.

 

[spiceycat]

You might be surprised at the amount of single, couples w/o kids - who own at disney.

all it takes is loving WDW and the money.

Now I do take my niece on trips at time. - sometimes bring my elderly mother. but other times solo trips.

solo trips are so much fun.... no else to check plans with...

 

[BeccaG]

Hello, This may be a little off topic, but I wanted to hear from some DVC owners that don't have children yet....DH and I want to purchase but we're a little nervous about what we'll do with points during the first couple years when our (hopefully someday) children are born/young. Have you banked, rented? Thanks!
Did people think you were nuts for buying before children?

I too am married but without children yet. (as you said) I would love to hear the answer to your origional question on what couples did with their points when they had real young ones so I am subscribing to your thread. Here's to getting some good answers!!

 

[spiceycat]

I too am married but without children yet. (as you said) I would love to hear the answer to your origional question on what couples did with their points when they had real young ones so I am subscribing to your thread. Here's to getting some good answers!!

what is wrong with taking your baby to WDW?

they won't remember - but believe me you will.

my niece was 2, her brother was 3 1/2 on their first trip - either one remembers it - but believe me I will always remember it.

when you take a little one to WDW- you are going for YOU not the child.

it is so much fun. They actually think the characters are real - such magic.

and the best thing is when the child needs a nap - you can leave and let him/her sleep in their own bed in your DVC villa.... none of this we must get out money our of this vacation.

you own at disney - completely different attitude. besides before they are 3 - they are FREE.... (okay I still have a problem with money)

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Hello, This may be a little off topic, but I wanted to hear from some DVC owners that don't have children yet....DH and I want to purchase but we're a little nervous about what we'll do with points during the first couple years when our (hopefully someday) children are born/young. Have you banked, rented? Thanks!
Did people think you were nuts for buying before children?

You may want to consider buying a smaller contract now and adding on later as your needs grow.

 

[disneybride96]

Did people think you were nuts for buying before children?

We were married at WDW, 4 DCL cruises and multiple trips to "the world". No kids now or ever. I doubt that points will ever be a problem.
We did take our nephews on one trip ... with the little ones, the cruise was nice since you were never more than 5 minutes from the room. I'd go that route when your kids are young.

 

[starbox]

When our kids were infants, we did not go to WDW. Each child had their first trip when they were about a week away from their third birthday. We've traveled every year since then (and then, with DVC, we take multiple trips each year).

Trust me, when you have small children you will need a vacation - especially when they are infant/toddlers. During those first years, we went to the beach instead of WDW and it was the best thing ever, so you may want to think about HHI or VB one year. One advantage to owning DVC is that you could get a larger unit and take a grandparent/godparent/aunt/etc along to provide an extra pair of hands.

 

[BeccaG]

what is wrong with taking your baby to WDW?

they won't remember - but believe me you will.

my niece was 2, her brother was 3 1/2 on their first trip - either one remembers it - but believe me I will always remember it.

when you take a little one to WDW- you are going for YOU not the child.

it is so much fun. They actually think the characters are real - such magic.

and the best thing is when the child needs a nap - you can leave and let him/her sleep in their own bed in your DVC villa.... none of this we must get out money our of this vacation.

you own at disney - completely different attitude. besides before they are 3 - they are FREE.... (okay I still have a problem with money)

I totally agree with your philosphy I just wanted to hear what folks acutally did! Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[cruisinpan55]

I say ger as many points as you can now... chances are you will not be able to add on to them in the coming years with the start of a family. We only got 150 a few years back and only wish it could have been more. We manage to bank / borrow / buy whatever it takes to get there and even share with family on most trips. Soooo buy those points and alot!! NOW!! Don't wait till you start a family.

 

[DizneyNutz]

The DW and I bought just prior to becoming empty nesters. Although our youngest daughter has enjoyed three trips with us in the last 4 years, we plan to continue enjoying WDW not that we are DVC Members.

 

[mom2alix]

We bought on our 5th anniversary trip before we had kids and don't regret it one bit! Now that I stay home with the kids, it's great that we bought while I still had an income.

We have taken each child to WDW when they turned 18 months and had a blast! When DD was 6 months old we took a nice, relaxing vacation to HHI. We did rent our points to another member the year we had DS as I was just not up to travelling, and then we banked point the next year. This year we're using up all those banked points - took DS on his 18 month old trip and we're going back in Dec. We've also been able to take friends/family on both trips this year. This worked really well for us as we'll be much more constrained on trip planning when DD starts kindergarten next year.

I think buying before you have kids is a great idea, especially since once you have the kids, there never seems to be any "extra" money!