From WDW to DL With Love - January 06, 2011 part 2

[aan1701]

Points should be however you want to use them. We wouldn't use them on a cruise, for us we can get more for the buck at WDW, DL or going elsewhere. But that's us, who gives a rat's booty what you do with your money???

I could not have said it better myself. While I do not think using DVC points is a good vaule for points, those are your points so do what you want. Just because I won't cruise on points does not mean you should not. Enjoy your points however you want.

 

[RRBB]

I think we're all set, except the night before sailing. We're using FF miles to fly to FL the day before. And our plan is to just stay at the airport hotel and use DCL transportation to the port. We've had our villa booked at GCV for since February, for 2 nights. Then flying home on more FF points.

I think we've used DVC points, or a combination points & cash, for every cruise we've taken. For us this makes sense, since we've already paid for them. We don't get to WDW as much as we used to - before kids - so we'd rather use the points rather than lose them.

 

[DVCinderella]

I think we've used DVC points, or a combination points & cash, for every cruise we've taken. For us this makes sense, since we've already paid for them. We don't get to WDW as much as we used to - before kids - so we'd rather use the points rather than lose them.

I agree with JenKatt and Alan...I wouldn't use my points to cruise. But if I was in your position...where I had to use 'em or lose 'em...I'd definitely put them towards a cruise. As others have said, they're your points...spend them the way you want, and whatever way you can maximize your enjoyment of them!

 

[JenKatt]

Hey DVCinderella, I was looking at the cruise page and noticed you're from Bergen County. I grew up in Clifton (Passaic County), my best friend is from Northvale and now lives in Fort Lee.... small world eh?

 

[A Litle Pixie Dust]

I am so excited! I have booked the PC 5 times and never gone and now have 3 payments left. We leave on Jan 2 and get to stay at BCV and then GCV afterwards.

 

[KayR]

Here is something to keep you going until Jan next year...

 

[sak0526]

I agree with JenKatt and Alan...I wouldn't use my points to cruise. But if I was in your position...where I had to use 'em or lose 'em...I'd definitely put them towards a cruise. As others have said, they're your points...spend them the way you want, and whatever way you can maximize your enjoyment of them!

yup, for us also: use them or lose them. didn't want to sell them, had SIL use some...still was going to lose, so it works for us. not for all.
but someone earlier said "except for changes"...what's the issue in changing with points and DCL?



and totally separate, i saw this on Allears: Esmeralda Corral writes: I've had a few friends in the past ask me for advice on Disney cruises (since we've been on a few). I always tell them to take a small bag of sand toys with them. I wish I would have known this the first time we went. They do sell sand toys on Castaway Cay, but they are very expensive compared to what you can bring from home. A friend who is recently planning a cruise told me this was a great idea. She's looked at a lot of websites and hasn't seen that posted anywhere, so I thought it might be worth sharing. Oh, you might also want to bring pirate stuff so your kids can dress up on pirate night. Very fun!

 

[DVCinderella]

yup, for us also: use them or lose them. didn't want to sell them, had SIL use some...still was going to lose, so it works for us. not for all.
but someone earlier said "except for changes"...what's the issue in changing with points and DCL?

I think what the OP was referring to was the fee you pay when you exchange your points for non-DVC accommodations (i.e. cruise). I don't know what the fee is currently (as I haven't exchanged points in years)...I think it's $95, but I could be wrong. Anyway, I think if you book a cruise on points, and then make a change (as in, category, dates, etc) they will charge you $95 everytime you make a change.

Those who know better can correct me if I don't have this exactly right.

 

[ACDSNY]

yup, for us also: use them or lose them. didn't want to sell them, had SIL use some...still was going to lose, so it works for us. not for all.
but someone earlier said "except for changes"...what's the issue in changing with points and DCL?

I think what the OP was referring to was the fee you pay when you exchange your points for non-DVC accommodations (i.e. cruise). I don't know what the fee is currently (as I haven't exchanged points in years)...I think it's $95, but I could be wrong. Anyway, I think if you book a cruise on points, and then make a change (as in, category, dates, etc) they will charge you $95 everytime you make a change.

Those who know better can correct me if I don't have this exactly right.

Keep in mind when you use DVC points for DCL they become Reservation Points and can no longer be used at DVC resorts if you cancel your DCL reservation.

I believe if you cancel 90 days or more before the sail date all your points are returned to the Use Year in which the reservation falls and must be used before the end of your use year. They cannot be banked. Once you're under 90 days you start to loose some to all points if you cancel. If you have the 2010 DVC Planner the info is on page 103.

 

[LindaBabe]

Here is something to keep you going until Jan next year...

That's a beautiful page, Kay!

Are you planning on doing any scrapbooking on your cruise?

 

[WeLuvDCL]

and totally separate, i saw this on Allears: Esmeralda Corral writes: I've had a few friends in the past ask me for advice on Disney cruises (since we've been on a few). I always tell them to take a small bag of sand toys with them. I wish I would have known this the first time we went. They do sell sand toys on Castaway Cay, but they are very expensive compared to what you can bring from home. A friend who is recently planning a cruise told me this was a great idea. She's looked at a lot of websites and hasn't seen that posted anywhere, so I thought it might be worth sharing. Oh, you might also want to bring pirate stuff so your kids can dress up on pirate night. Very fun!

Our Dollar Tree has sets of 3 disney sand molds for $1.00. I picked up one fo each set. They had Little Mermaid, Nemo, Toy Story and characters (Mickey, Minnie & Goofy). The also have sand pails with shovels and other sand toys.
We pick up pirate outfits for DD on clearance after Halloween.

 

[carmie3377]

I think what the OP was referring to was the fee you pay when you exchange your points for non-DVC accommodations (i.e. cruise). I don't know what the fee is currently (as I haven't exchanged points in years)...I think it's $95, but I could be wrong. Anyway, I think if you book a cruise on points, and then make a change (as in, category, dates, etc) they will charge you $95 everytime you make a change.

Keep in mind when you use DVC points for DCL they become Reservation Points and can no longer be used at DVC resorts if you cancel your DCL reservation.

I believe if you cancel 90 days or more before the sail date all your points are returned to the Use Year in which the reservation falls and must be used before the end of your use year. They cannot be banked. Once you're under 90 days you start to loose some to all points if you cancel. If you have the 2010 DVC Planner the info is on page 103.

Thanks you two for being more specific for me. Yes, the $95 fee for every change and the fact they become reservation points is what I don't like. We're not cruising on points this cruise and I likely may not again in the future. But if it works out better for us, then we will. I prefer to stay at DVC resorts, who wouldn't? But if an offer like Free Dining comes out and I'm going to be staying at the parks all day and just need a place to crash for several hours, I'm not opposed to staying at the values either (which I actually prefer over moderates). I just look at each situation and take it from there.

Our Dollar Tree has sets of 3 disney sand molds for $1.00. I picked up one fo each set. They had Little Mermaid, Nemo, Toy Story and characters (Mickey, Minnie & Goofy). The also have sand pails with shovels and other sand toys.
We pick up pirate outfits for DD on clearance after Halloween.

Thanks for the Dollar Tree tip on the sand molds. Might need to hit them up for the Mickey, Minnie & Goofy! We have some that we bought last year at CC that DS wants to take back and although they were expensive for what you get, I'm glad we got them. DS absolutely LOVES the "Mickey Boat" mold and it is now a bath toy and back yard sand box toy!

As far as the pirate costumes, I looked last year after Halloween and there were a few mismatched pieces available at Target but the party store doesn't discount pirate costumes EVER. I asked them about it and they said that since they are a year round item, I shouldn't expect to find them on clearance.

 

[CruznLexi]

We have a very small contract just 100 points so it would have used many years points for the cruise. We live in Florida so we generally go Sun-Thur. We also got a great deal on SW for Oct. $39 to MCO so now we have a credit of almost $160 for our LAX flight home!

 

[KayR]

That's a beautiful page, Kay!

Are you planning on doing any scrapbooking on your cruise?

I don't think so, but I hadn't really thought about it. I generally use PSE 7 on my desktop. Not tried it on the laptop. My disc with all my "papers and elements" is portable, but not sure if the laptop has the processing power. Maybe I'll try it after I come back from out trip to the UK/Italy. It might be something to keep me busy on the cruise!

BTW - Thanks Orlandobeagle for the tip about Parkdean - we have booked into their Nairn property for a weekend. Looking forward to it, especially as the two days prior will be long and busy visiting a couple of the Scottish Islands.

--Kay

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Sure, I'll send it later tonight.



Can you send it to me too? thanks!

havent been on much. dealing with my dad and his tumor and whether he should stay in nursing home or go home with a 24/7 home aide. sigh.

How is your Dad?

 

[aan1701]

We have a very small contract just 100 points so it would have used many years points for the cruise. We live in Florida so we generally go Sun-Thur. We also got a great deal on SW for Oct. $39 to MCO so now we have a credit of almost $160 for our LAX flight home!

When are you going in Oct?

 

[ACDSNY]

How is your Dad?

I think your asking about sak0526's dad, right?

 

[orlandothebeagle]

I don't think so, but I hadn't really thought about it. I generally use PSE 7 on my desktop. Not tried it on the laptop. My disc with all my "papers and elements" is portable, but not sure if the laptop has the processing power. Maybe I'll try it after I come back from out trip to the UK/Italy. It might be something to keep me busy on the cruise!

BTW - Thanks Orlandobeagle for the tip about Parkdean - we have booked into their Nairn property for a weekend. Looking forward to it, especially as the two days prior will be long and busy visiting a couple of the Scottish Islands.

--Kay

I have some beach photos of nairn, will post some if I can find them, Nairn is a lovely town, little swimming pool on site, there is a somerfield in nairn that delivers foc to the caravan site if you wanted to have groceries delivered.Also a HUGE tesco 20mins from the site. on the way from inverness to the site.

p.s.Dont speed if you are driving as lots and lots of speed vans in the area !!

I think your asking about sak0526's dad, right?

Yes, but I hope everybodys parents are doing ok, mines are enjoying retirement and Im so glad for them.

 

[KayR]

I have some beach photos of nairn, will post some if I can find them, Nairn is a lovely town, little swimming pool on site, there is a somerfield in nairn that delivers foc to the caravan site if you wanted to have groceries delivered.Also a HUGE tesco 20mins from the site. on the way from inverness to the site.

p.s.Dont speed if you are driving as lots and lots of speed vans in the area !!


We will be driving from Inverness (actually all the way from the Isle of Iona and Oban that afternoon - L O N G day) - so the tip about the Tesco's might come in handy as a stop off on the way in.

I'll warn my brother about the speed vans. He will be driving up from Cambridgeshire to meet us in Nairn - by the time he gets there, he will probably just want to put his foot down! He is the only driver :-(

I have DS all excited about our Scottish part of trip as I have been talking to him about Shakespeare's Macbeth which mentions Cawdor and Forres (where I went to school for a year).

-Kay

 

[CruznLexi]

We are going Oct 18-22 at Kidani then onto Cocoa Beach to the Carnival Dream to celebrate my husbands US citizenship. Can't wait. We need a vacation now but have to wait till Oct.