How Many OR/WA DVC'ers?

[calypso*a*go-go]

I've been noticing so many posts from DVC members that live in OR/WA lately. I'm just wondering how many of us there are. When we bought a few months ago I thought we were a very small minority -- here's hoping I'm wrong! By the way, we live in Vancouver (that's WA -- not BC).

 

[FLYNZ4]

Hi neighbor,

We live in Portland... just a stones throw away

/Jim

 

[Poohnbuki]

We live in Seattle --- A little further away

I have been under the impression that there are not that many of us in the Northwest

We would love to know if there are more DVC families in the Seattle area -

 

[Donald's#1Fan]

Spokane here, when we bought in 1994 we thought we were the only one's in the state that knew anything about DVC, but even at that time there was something like 87 families already in DVC from Washington State. Got the info from an early Vacation Magic that had all the numbers for member families from different states and countries. I know we're not near you guys in Van/Por. or Seattle, but we know like you what long distance ownership is all about!

 

[rsschneck]

We live in Beaverton (suburb of Portland).

Calypso a go-go - I have family in Vancouver and go across the river almost every weekend. We even drive almost every week to church in Vancouver (can you believe that!)

I would love to get together at some point for a meet. I have been emailing a couple of other DISfamilies (not DVC).

We are few and far between out here. I think we probably go less oftern and stay for longer periods. Would be interesting to compare notes.

 

[FLYNZ4]

We have a Portland address, but we are in the Beaverton area as well... Tanasbourne

/Jim

 

[rsschneck]

Us TOO! Sending you a PM

 

[lillasmom]

Oak Harbor, Washington, checking in. Greetings from the Rock and happy to meet some DVCers out here. I get the feeling there aren't many, but it's exciting to know there are some. Maybe we should have our own convention!

 

[Mary Ellen]

Since my DB and SIL don't post here (SIL is a lurker though) - I'll add them to the list - Carnation, WA

 

[all4fun]

We live in Vancouver WA as well. Our DVC guide helped us understand why there are much fewer DVC members from Washington than other states.

Apparently, Washington's real estate laws are restrictive enough that DVC decided not to do business in Washington. While those living in Portland or Beaverton can get information by calling DVC or ordering a video off the website, we can't do this.

We joined DVC while visiting WDW. At one point I tried to get some information for a co-worker, and our guide was told that he wasn't allowed to do this.

At least as of last year, we can only buy DVC at WDW or through a resale agent. As for us, we did both.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Yeah!!! Someone else from Vancouver.

I also found out the hard way that DVC could not be marketed to WA. That's how we ended up with a resale. Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter how you get there...as long as you get there!!!

all4fun -- I saw a woman with a lime green keychain in the shape of a t-shirt attached to her purse in Fred Meyer a few days ago. Was that you or anyone you know? Just curious...

 

[zaynee]

Tri- Cities area of SE Washington .. as long as I can always purchase more points thru resale or on a visit I will be HAPPY !!!!

Although I better stop since I reach my goal of 300 this yr.

 

[wdwendyd]

Hi all!
We live in SW Portland. I love living here but wish the plane flight to WDW didn't take so long. I like the idea of having a get together for Pacific Northwest WDW fans and/or DVC owners.

 

[rsschneck]

Seems there are a few of us around! I am happy to see this! I am curious as to how many points each family has? I am also curious to know how many times a year do you visit a DVC resort? Do you stay longer? Use weekend points? I am just wondering if we have different "spending " habits than those that are a bit closer to WDW.

I will start

We own 400 points total (300 OKW & 100 SSR)

We seem to be going 2 - 3 times per year. I usually make our reservations and then change them according to what kind of airfare deal I can come up with. We have stayed 5 nights on points in a 2 bedroom 3 times with another 2 bedroom for 6 nights coming up. (we will pay cash for 1 weekend night during that trip). We have sun-thurs in 1 bedroom @ Christmas time and then planning a sun-thurs GV stay for Christmas of 2005. We used points once for a 3 night cruise. Once we are done SHARING with everyone we figure 2-3 weeks in a 1 bedroom including weekend nights. Maybe one of those trips for like 12 nights so we are there longer (less airfare) and only 1 set of weekend nights.

So, I guess we have been staying for 5 - 6 nights at a time and will use weekend points if that is what fits our schedule. I try to avoid weekends if I have to borrow points, otherwise I just go with the flow.

 

[wdwendyd]

We have 650 points- 210 OKW & 440 BWV. We used to go once a year for three weeks but I think we are going to start going twice a year for 12 days each. We usually stay in a two bedroom and at the 7 month window, we use our OKW points to stay at BWV because we love the location.
We usually fly Delta and have been getting flights for about $225 round trip. We used to do the overnight flight and get to Orlando in the morning but the kids don't do well with that anymore. This next trip will be the first time we will fly in the morning and get to Orlando about 5:00 pm. We have never gone in September before but my daughter is starting college so her schedule is no longer flexible. Oh well. I guess we'll be getting water park passes this trip!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Hey -- You guys are making me feel bad. We only have 150 pts. @ OKW and haven't even used them yet!!! Actually, we have ressies @ BCV in October and can't wait. We purchased a small contract to start with as we only planned to go to WDW every other year. We normally alternate between DL and WDW as well as taking a non-Disney trip each year. I feel almost certain an add-on is in the future after we get spoiled @ BCV. Previous trips to WDW have been @ Dixie Landings, Shades of Green, and the Contemporary.

P.S. I sure wish Alaska Airlines would start direct service from PDX.

 

[rsschneck]

We use Delta too! Try to fly PDX to ATL and then ATL to MCO or even TPA. We have been paying around the $225 mark as well. We are on their Skymiles program and after Aug. and Dec. trip we will have more than enough for a free flight! Yeah!

I wish Alaska Air wasn't so expensive! I love Alaska Air, but they are about $100 or more per ticket. I will stick with Delta for now!
It is a long day flying to and from which is why we are thinking maybe twice a year for longer stays. We have an almost second grader and are trying not to take her out of school for vacations. Which means we go when the points are higher!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Our October trip will be on Delta as well. Our school district didn't have classes scheduled for two of the days we will be gone so my kids will only miss three days -- I don't feel quite so guilty.

It's a good thing we have laundry facilities @ DVC now that the airline baggage allowance is so much lower than it used to be!

 

[FLYNZ4]

Rsschneck and us have concluded that we truly are neighbors. Our neighborhoods are under .5 miles apart... or in DVC terms... about the distance from BCV to Epcot!

I'm not too sure how often we will be going. We typically go for 2+ weeks during our trips when we are with the kids. Now that the kids are older, Deb and I can travel by ourselves as well. Even though 2 of them are living at home... we do not need to make arrangements anymore when we leave them alone... in fact... we can just call them from our destination and tell them that we are gone.

We spent 2 weeks last summer with the 5 of us. Deb and I went again in September for a week when I was in Orlando on biz. I was there again last week too on biz... but Deb was not able to attend because she was busy at home. I decided to use some of my free time to tour DVC again... and buy our points. I bet she never lets me go there alone again (Just Kidding).

We pretty much always fly united. I have no idea what the fares are from Portland to MCO... since I typically use FF miles to get us there. I travel a lot for business and have many miles in my account. I should start looking at the fares now though... because FF tickets are not always available.

We will probably usually get a 1BR if just the two of us (or if 1-2 of the kids joins us). When the whole family goes, we will probably get a 2BR... and occasionally a GV if we invite some of our extended family to join us. My preference will be to avoid studios... but they will be OK when that is all that is available for just Deb and I. When I travel on biz, I suspect that we will stay in a hotel because it is hard to put a condo on the expense report. For hotels, we usually use AP specials... or stay at the conference hotel if I am traveling in biz.

At this point, I am not planning to use DVC for trades. We have other condos that trade very well, and are much more economical to trade than DVC. We also use our other condos for an extensive amount of traveling in the PNW, usually during weekends. We like to get to the coast at least 1-2 weekends/month. We also have a small plane that we fly for pleasure... so travel around the PNW is fast and part of the fun.

I am looking forward to meeting some of the folks from the area... I think there will be a get-together planned soon.

/Jim

 

[pcryan]

Spent a week in Feb at BVC (our home) in a two bedroom. Each daughter got to bring a friend. We are going back next Feb but only for five days. Now that Alaska flies nonstop it is heaven! Just bought those tickets for 284.00 and used miles to upgrade to first class.

We bought when we were on a cruise last year and literally signed our papers at the terminal before getting on the bus to go to the aiport. They brought a notary out to meet us since nothing could be mailed to Washington.

I have a friend that lives in Duvall that just bought at SSR.