How old are/were your kids when you bought into DVC? and question

[IMADSNYLOVR]

Hi guys ours are 11,6, 6 and 3.5-We have gone 3 times in the last 3 years and I don't see that changing soon. We have been toying around with the DVC thing and I can't find a reason not to do it. However I am wondering what are we going to do with it when we're older and kids are gone-will we take grandkids-will we go to other places? I understand there is not a good feeling about using the offsite-nonDisney points. Help me out here all you experts!

 

[rocketriter]

First of all, plenty of DVC members feel just fine about using points for trade-outs. We research the places we might trade into, ignore the people who tell us what a bad idea it is, and have a great time. It's true that you can save a bit of money through techniques like multiple time-share ownership and direct rentals (both of which take time and effort). But it's also true that trade-outs are significantly cheaper than comparable hotel accomodations.

As for going without children--my wife and I took several trips to WDW before we even had kids! We hope to go back by ourselves from time to time when our kids are older. And we suspect that our kids will often want to come along, either with friends or with their own children, God willing.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi, we're late bloomers. Our sons were 25 and 29, and on their own, when we bought last year. We have plans to take friends, family and grandkids (when they're old enough) with us. We love VB and even if (when) we retire to Florida, we'll still have use for "our" ocean front property, which is way beyond our reach otherwise, and the vacation villas at WDW!

Bobbi

 

[Ksp]

Our kids are now 13 and 18. We bought in 2002, and have enjoyed each WDW, HHI and VB vacation. I am looking forward to going down just with DH as the kids get older....just don't tell DS and DD that!!
We've looked at the adventurer/concierge trips, but so far each vote has been to go back to WDW.

 

[chainkid]

I have one son who was 21 when I bought 5 years ago. He is always welcome to come on every trip and use points for his friends when I haven't used them all myself but I bought Disney for MEEEEE. My husband got the new truck. Everyone is happy with their purchase but my DVC will be there when the truck is dead.

 

[CarolMN]

Our daughter was almost 19 when we bought. I love coming with just my DH and love treating family as well. My DD has been with us a few times and I even sent her and 2 of her cousins alone as a graduation presenct.

So far, we haven't traded out - probably won't for at least a few years yet, but some of the exchanges via II are starting to look tempting. That said, I'm not sure I can give up my trips to visit Mickey.

Not sure I'd worry too much about what you will do when the kids are older. By then, you'll probably have gotten your money's worth anyway and anything else you do will be just gravy!

Best wishes -

 

[DSNY FN]

Ours were 5 and 8 months when we finally bit the bullett and purchased we had been talking about it since 98 and finally bought in 01. We have never traded out and don't really foresee doing so we love going to WDW and have no real desire at this time to go elsewhere yet that is.

 

[Pa@okw95]

My kids were 18 to 21 year range when we bought in 95. I would not buy if you do not like WDW yourself. On the other hand when you are empty nesters it is a great place to go to get out of the cold in the winter. You will also have grandkids who will want to go down also. It is a great family thing, plus you can always let your kids use some points to go down on their own when they are on their own. Just as long as you like WDW it is a good thing.

 

[SSRex]

So the opportunity to reserve a 2 bedroom villa instead of just 2 hotel rooms was the main reason put me over the edge to buy. I see us break even much faster than most. We tried the cabins at Ft. Wilderness on our last trip and they were OK, but we needed more room. Our four are older than yours, they're 11, 11, 14, 14 and 2 girls and 2 boys. We don't want to share a bedroom with
them and like the layout of the 2 bedroom villas with full kitchen.

 

[disneygrandy]

Hello,
New to posting but have been DVC (BCV) member since 2002-added on in 2003.
My kids were 33, 32, and 30 when we bought-but they have not come with us yet. Planning family trip (all 3 kids and their families for Thanksgiving week 2005)

 

[jomik1]

We just bought 225 points at SSR in March. I am 38 & DH is 39(celebrating his 40th at WDW in August )

We have 2 children DS 10 (11 in June) and DS 9. We will probably spend most of our time at WDW during Spring Breaks (hate to take the kids out of school). Summers tend to be hard due to Baseball and football schedules.

We look forward to using this with our children and, hopefully, our grandchild some day in the VERY distant future

 

[salvatorejrm]

We are waiting for our closing documents to come so we are almost there. Our kids are 15, 10, 9, and 2 so we have a long way to go and many Disney vacations to take and we cant wait.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We bought DVC when our sons were 22 and 19. They'd stopped going to WDW with us at 14 and 17. But you know what happened? Last year, as a college graduation present to DS#1, we all went to OKW, he and DH golfed all week (the golfing was what he wanted) and DS#2 and I did the parks. Just last week, DS#1 asked if maybe we could go back to OKW (OK, and golf!) next year. And DS #2 asked if I'd take him to BWV some time-so come January, DS #2 and I have a "mother/son" trip planned to BWV. Going to WDW with Mom/Dad has come full circle! And it's so great-since neither boy lives at home, DVC has really allowed us family time we wouldn't otherwise get.

 

[KEH]

My DD has told me in no uncertain terms that she will be coming with us to WDW whenever we go, no matter how old she is! I think we will be in the situation of taking her kids along as well when they come along (hopefully not too soon she's only 16!). DVC for us is a real family thing.

 

[mikesmom]

My son was 16 when we bought in. He has continued to go with us, usually brings along a friend. At that age, you need the extra space for some privacy!

He is now 21, doesn't go with us when we do the Food & Wine Fest (that trip is for US), has gone along each summer except this one - he still wants to go, but school and work schedules interfered. We have done one additional mother/son trip to see the Christmas decorations and may do another.

It's not ALL about the parks when they get a little older. He does parks some, loves Epcot (shops a good bit in the stores from China,Japan and Norway) and AK, hangs out at the pool a lot, and is looking forward to PI now that he is legal. It's still an awesome vacation at any age.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Hi there.

We bought at BCV in Oct. 2002. I was 28, DH 29. We have two kids, they were 3 and 9 at the time.

After our first trip home last August, we decided to add on at Saratoga Springs (I fell in love with the decor). Now, we are anxiously waiting for our next trip!

Our kids are young, so I can easily see them enjoying the next ten years going to WDW.
They are both such Disney nuts, I can see them continuing to enjoy trips to WDW into adulthood.
And then, hopefully, we will have some grandchildren to take with us!

We have used our trips to WDW as "family reunion time", since DH is in the army and we are far from home. I can see that continuing on well into the future.

This has been discussed before between DH and myself.
Even if we didn't go to the parks, we love Florida. We love being in Orlando, we feel like there are so many recreation and entertainment options at our feet. And Florida has many beautiful state parks to enjoy, something else we love.
We have no regrets over buying into DVC, they are wonderful resorts.
Someday, we might trade out. But then again, I have been looking for a Fairfield resale to supplement our DVC.

 

[lsutiggeratwk]

Dh and I are munchkin-less, so it is only just us when we travel. Have thought about inviting others, but as of yet, haven't. DH golfs and I do parks and then we have lots of time doing other things together. DVC has been great for us. As another poster mentioned, it works if you enjoy WDW. There have been lots of posts about couples only trips. They can be really special.

 

[labst60]

No kids yet for us for a couple of years - but we love the idea of having a "home" to go back to every year at a place we are sure our family will love!

 

[zurgswife]

When we first purchase 5.5 years ago our kids were 6m, 4,5,6....We have been to Disney about 9 times in the last 5 years....we can't get enough....

It has been the best thing for us...we upgrade our accomodations tremedously by buying DVC...

We originally purchased 175 points we have purchased to other resales for 100, and 136 points...now we have 411 just about enough...unless I win the lottery that is...

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We just bought a couple of months ago. Our kids are 11 and 9. They are finally at an age that they aren't complaining of being tired all the time when we do theme parks. Now it's all we can do to keep them from running to all the attractions.