From Add Ons... To Airplanes...

[Disney On The Bayou]

My Wife and I have been DVC members since 2001....hard to believe its been 5 years! In that time period we added on 4 times and have made numerous trips. Without question its been one of the best investments I have ever made. In fact, I have refered over ten close friends who all became members and twice each year we make a golf only trip. The golf discount program is one of the best benefits we have as DVC members in my opion. Anyway... We have gotten so serious about traveling from New Orleans to Disney.... I trained to become a pilot and them we purchased a small plane last year. We would have made our first trip to Disney in our plane last year but Katrina derailed that. However, this year we traveled down for the 4th July and it was great! No security lines... No hassles.... We drove our car right up to the plane so we didn't have to haul bags all over the place.... and when we landed at the Kissimmee Airport... the taxi came right to the plane.... we only had to travel half the distance as from MCO....Long story short... we had a great trip over at SSR and returned safely. So as I sit in Atlanta tonight for who knows how long, I was reflecting on all that we have done in the past 5 years.... back then, when we first purchased... I kept doubting myself, thinking that maybe joining DVC was a mistake.... then I found this site ... which I read everyday...... trying to determine if it was the right thing.... So tonight, I thought I would let those of you who are considering joining and those that have joined and have thier doubts about joining.... that DVC is a winner in my book!!!!! PS Thanks to all who have posted... I have really gotten the most out of my membership because of the great info I get here.

 

[rinkwide]

Dude, you're killing me. That is so cool and I am so jealous.

Now, why don't you go post on the Weight Watcher's boards and tell 'em how good the Snickers bar you're eating tastes?

 

[Granny]

Bayou Man...glad that you came out of your lurker status and posted. That's quite a story, and reminds us that we can do a lot of things in life if we prioritize and set our hearts and minds on it. Very nice!

rink....you're killing me!

 

[tomandrobin]

Private plane to Disney ..... sounds great to me! And I was happy to score $59 airfare, each way from Baltimore! LOL

Really good to hear that DVC is working well for you.

 

[magicmommy]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Disney is such a special place and we too are so glad and thankful we were able to purchase DVC!

 

[Pocahantas]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! We just purchased our DVC membership last month. I have been trying to convince my DH that it would be a good investment since 2002. He likes Disney but is not a fanatic fan like my daughter and I are. I cannot tell you how thrilled I was when he finally said yes!! I agree that DVC is worth the money and I am looking forward to the many years of memories with my family.

I am so totally jealous that you can now fly yourself to Disney. We are from Lafayette and normally drive to New Orleans to catch our flight to Orlando. Can we just hop a ride with you instead????????????

 

[Disney On The Bayou]

Well don't get too jealous about the private plane, the fuel is $480 for a round trip and if its just my wife and I, Southwest is cheaper....but no where near as fun. BTW, my plane is at the LFT Airport right now getting a new radio installed...probably pick it up next week.

 

[lisaviolet]

My Wife and I have been DVC members since 2001....hard to believe its been 5 years! In that time period we added on 4 times and have made numerous trips. Without question its been one of the best investments I have ever made. In fact, I have refered over ten close friends who all became members and twice each year we make a golf only trip. The golf discount program is one of the best benefits we have as DVC members in my opion. Anyway... We have gotten so serious about traveling from New Orleans to Disney.... I trained to become a pilot and them we purchased a small plane last year. We would have made our first trip to Disney in our plane last year but Katrina derailed that. However, this year we traveled down for the 4th July and it was great! No security lines... No hassles.... We drove our car right up to the plane so we didn't have to haul bags all over the place.... and when we landed at the Kissimmee Airport... the taxi came right to the plane.... we only had to travel half the distance as from MCO....Long story short... we had a great trip over at SSR and returned safely. So as I sit in Atlanta tonight for who knows how long, I was reflecting on all that we have done in the past 5 years.... back then, when we first purchased... I kept doubting myself, thinking that maybe joining DVC was a mistake.... then I found this site ... which I read everyday...... trying to determine if it was the right thing.... So tonight, I thought I would let those of you who are considering joining and those that have joined and have thier doubts about joining.... that DVC is a winner in my book!!!!! PS Thanks to all who have posted... I have really gotten the most out of my membership because of the great info I get here.

Love it!!!!

 

[tmt martins]

I was just reading a artical on small 6 passenger jets that are being approved .

I thought it would be great to get one of those $1.5 mil if I hit the lottery to fly from WDW to DL .

We just did our first DVC trip and have 2 more booked and think it's one of the smartest Vacation decisions we made as a family ( well me and DD anyhow).

I think thats great that you can do this and give Ideas to others.

Now if they would just build the DVC on the airstrip you will be all set

 

[Pocahantas]

Well don't get too jealous about the private plane, the fuel is $480 for a round trip and if its just my wife and I, Southwest is cheaper....but no where near as fun. BTW, my plane is at the LFT Airport right now getting a new radio installed...probably pick it up next week.

Yes, Southwest is cheaper but you don't have to live by their schedules and arrive 2 hours early, wait in line to board, etc, etc. And never having to worry about lost luggage - you've really got it made!! Of course, you have all of the maintenance costs along with the fuel for the plane but it is still such a wonderful convenience (I guess that is what I am really jealous of)!

Just out of curiosity, have you ever flown over Disney and circled around just enjoying the view from high in the sky??? I know you fly into Kissimmee and don't know how far that airport is from Disney. We've flown over and spotted Magic Kingdom after leaving the Orlando airport a couple of times but I would really like to get the chance circle around and see the other parks and the resorts as well.

How cool that your plane is here in Lafayette. It is a nice airport, I just wish it was larger and had better (and cheaper) flight options.

 

[Disney On The Bayou]

While.... I forgot to mention that we flew right over WDW... the views were unbelievable! We flew right over Spaceship Earth at Epcot... and the Boardwalk.... OKW and SSR. .... OOOOPPPS how do I add pics?

 

[Deesknee]

Thanks for the reinforcement that dvc is a good choice. DH has always wanted to be a pilot. When he was a child those with poor eyesight couldn't be pilots. (or so he says), so he now is a computer programmer. I keep telling him to go to school to be a pilot. Maybe someday he will. Then I can work my charms for the plane purchase. lol

For now, I will constantly plan my next trip using dvc as a justification.

now, I must sign off to go get my snickers bar.

 

[Caskbill]

Just out of curiosity, have you ever flown over Disney and circled around just enjoying the view from high in the sky??? I know you fly into Kissimmee and don't know how far that airport is from Disney. We've flown over and spotted Magic Kingdom after leaving the Orlando airport a couple of times but I would really like to get the chance circle around and see the other parks and the resorts as well.

WDW (and DL also) are now restricted airspace, so flying over and around the area is not permitted. Both areas are now restricted for security reasons.

We flew into Kissimmee back in the days when I was flying and we still had an airplane. The freedom of a small plane can't be overstated. We had a Mooney 201 that we owned as part of a private flying owners' partnership, which helped keep the costs down.

Do miss that. Am retired now and we drive to Orlando. Just not the same..