Florida DVC'ers?

[ZachnElli]

Well, it looks as though we may become Florida residents sometime next spring or summer! Never thought that would happen in a million years, certainly not when we bought 350 points at BWV last July! LOL! Ok, so lots of weekend trips? What weekends are too busy? Any tips when already living in Florida? (we'll be living somewhere in the West Palm Beach area, I don't even know how far that is!)

 

[Richyams]

You are about two and a half hours southeast of WDW and less than an hour and a half north of me.

For our first five years down here, our vacation habits didn't change one bit. Still one twelve noght trip a year. Over the last year we have made two long weekend trips, your points do not go anywhere near as far on weekends.

Leaving this Saturday for a four night trip.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by ZachnElli
Any tips when already living in Florida? (we'll be living somewhere in the West Palm Beach area, I don't even know how far that is!)

We won't be moving to Florida for at least 3-4 years, but we have no intention of selling any of our DVC points (600). Look at the bright side..........no airfare,no rental cars,Florida resident discounts, cruise more often,etc.

My sister's family(DVC members-from Pittsburgh) are moving to West Palm Beach also in 2 months because of job relocation.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

We usualy take two weeks one in the Spring, then the other in the Fall. We never go to WDW during Summer months, because it's so HOT and so crowded. We go for a long end-weekends using Florida Resident Room specials...before Christmas...You will also love the Florida Resident Seasonal Pass adult appx $201.00 now this pass is different than AP as we have blackout dates...during Summer (June 7,2003-August 14,2003) Easter Vacation (April 3, 2004-April 15, 2004) Christmas week (December 20,2003-January 3,2004) Also have other special tickets with differant perks and discounts.

Welcome to Florida.

PIXIE DUST

 

[ZachnElli]

Thanks guys! I have no plans to sell our DVC. The job is only suppose to last 2-3 years, then they can relocate us to anywhere in the U.S. again. Being able to drive to WDW for quick/often trips has been a big selling point to the kids, lol. I didn't even think about the Florida resident seasonal pass! That will be perfect, thanks for that info!

 

[Richyams]

Living down here, I would never ever dream of going during those blackout dates even if they were allowed. Just way too crowded.

 

[lenshanem]

I thought about thsi yesterday. After getting the new vacation planner I saw the cover family lived in Celebration. That struck me as odd. If I lived that close I think I'd be selling.
I don't think I'd ever want to live that close, seems it would take away from the excitememnt of it all.

 

[perdidobay]

If I lived in Celebration, I think I would still like to stay onsite at WDW every now or then, but would probably use most of my points at Vero or HH. I wouldn't sell.

 

[ArnyVee]

I live in South Florida and just purchased into DVC a few months ago with our first trip 'home' to OKW occurring just last week.

It's a great advantage being this close (ie no airfare costs) and with the Florida Seasonal Passes, it makes it perfect for us to take a couple of trips a year. If you purchase a FL Seasonal Pass, it's just over $200, but it has a few blackout dates. This is perfect because those same blackout dates are the same days that you want to avoid due to the parks being overcrowded. To me, it's perfect.

The upcoming blackout dates are December 20, 2003 - January 3, 2004. With the next blackout dates being Spring break in mid-April. And the following set of blackout dates from early June to mid-August. So, you have plenty of time to visit the parks.

Our two favorite times of the year to go are mid to late October (Food & Wine Festival at Epcot) and mid-November for the holiday decorations.

 

[lenshanem]

Wow, all thsoe balckout dates woudl eb the ones we coudl go on cause of the school calender. That woudl amke it hard to stay onsite and use your Florida pass if you wanted to go for more than a coupel nights without the kids missing school.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

There are many special's for residents
If you need a Pass with no Black-out date

Florida Resident Annual Pass (Ages 10 and Over)
$299.00
Florida Resident Annual Pass (Ages 3-9)
$254.00
Florida Resident Premium Annual Pass (Ages 10 and Over)
$399.00
Florida Resident Premium Annual Pass (Ages 3-9)
$339.00
Disney’s Dining Experience
$75.00
We also have a PLAY-4 ticket where during certain times you can purchase a 4-day PH at a very good rate.
So you don't only have the passes with black-out dates avl.
It's just that we work around the dates..with school holidays usualy other then Christmas-Near Year..they fall into the days that that are avl. Our Spring Break isn't between April 3-April 15,2004 and our schools get out in May before black-out dates in June.

 

[ZachnElli]

Just thought of something. How do you prove you are a Florida resident? Especially a new Florida resident?

 

[July]

Driver's Liscense

 

[Muushka]

We lived in WPB area for 10 years (Jupiter, to be exact). While we lived there, we would do our annual early December vacation. We would usually stay for 5 days or so. Then there was the occasional long weekend at WDW. It was great. Now that we are in NC, we usually go for a full 9 days, twice a year.

My only fear for you would be what happened to us: hating that southern/beach look. We could not bear anyplace other than VWL. Just kidding, I am sure you will still love your BWV.

As far as proof of residency, we had FL drivers licence, so it was easy for us.

Good luck in your move. I found my best friends in that area, and still have them!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Proof of Florida residency is required -- you must provide any one of the following:

Florida drivers license

Florida state-issued ID card (must have Florida address)

Current utility statement with your name and Florida address along with a corresponding picture ID

Florida voters registration card with corresponding picture ID

A college ID for a Florida college

Florida-based military ID

Hope this will help anyone, that needs inf.

 

[jodifla]

You just hit the jackpot, being DVC members and moving to Florida!

We live in Deerfield Beach, about a half-hour south of West Palm. You'll be about 2 1/2 hours from Disney. It's great being DVC members and living in Florida! No plane fare or cars to rent, and you get Florida discounted passes and other deals. It's so much cheaper than commuting from other areas of the country. We normally go for a week in January and a week in May in larger accommodations, as well as some weekends in studios.
Our son isn't in school yet, but I know the school calendar well enough to say there are plenty of days off during the school year. Florida is also moving to an early school schedule: School starts toward the beginning of August, meaning that they're out in early June, so you can always sneak in a trip there, before most of the rest of the country is out of school.

And a trip to Vero is a wonderful break! You'll get a lot of use out of your DVC membership living in Florida. We sure do.

PS Don't forget all those people who will want to visit you now that you life in the Sunshine State! And they'll all want to go to Disney.

 

[luv34747]

We are currently building a house in Celebration and have no intention of selling our points!

Our vacation destinations will probably change, though. We own some points at vero, so we will probably start going there instead.

 

[rocki1983]

We live in Florida, and its just as exciting to go a lot, we're an hour and a half or so away. We're DVC members and I think it's fantastic for residents. I prefer weekend-style trips (3 days or so) instead of longer trips.

Speaking of play 4's did you guys know that you can convert play 4's until October 31st into seasonal passes for like 84 dollars per adult? It's a great deal! Since the kids are off during the summer we go for like a weekend and just convert them in October to enjoy a whole another year of Disney. The seasonal passes are 4 all 4 parks (in case someone didn't know).

DVC is great for us also because it allows us accommodations in other areas of the country we want to visit. We have yet to do that, though. Disney never gets old, and AT Disney YOU never get old! ) My husband and I just went, and when we go alone we visit the places we can't go with the kids (i.e. china shops, the finer restaurants, etc.) and make it a more romantic getaway. There are always new things to explore! Have fun!