Introduction and a couple of questions about point usage

[fitnessmouse]

It sort of came up organically. He posted on the DIS that he had Boardwalk points and how much per point. Once he had a reservation on hold that worked for us, we were emailing back and forth and I asked how he wanted me to make payment. He mentioned options and had said he was going on a cruise. I offered to just call and pay the amount directly onto his cruise reservation. It wasn't the whole amount he owed on his cruise, just the amount for the points we were renting. It worked out great because I was able to use money I already set aside in my DVA and he didn't have to worry about PayPal or cashing a check or anything. It went right to where he was going to use the money anyway. As soon as he got the email from DCL confirming the payment, he moved the reservation over to my name.

I would say if you're renting points, definitely ask the renter if that might be a possibility. I know I'd be happy to do it that way.

I actually don't think this is a good idea at all. What if something happens and he has to cancel his cruise? A refund would go back to your DVA.

 

[anricat]

I actually don't think this is a good idea at all. What if something happens and he has to cancel his cruise? A refund would go back to your DVA.

Well, I suppose that's where the trust comes in. If that were to happen, I would of course arrange to make payment to him directly. In turn, I'm also trusting that he doesn't cancel my reservation out from under me. That's why some people don't want to rent points here on the DIS without using a broker like David's or something. I suppose it depends on one's comfort level.

 

[Dean]

Well, I suppose that's where the trust comes in. If that were to happen, I would of course arrange to make payment to him directly. In turn, I'm also trusting that he doesn't cancel my reservation out from under me. That's why some people don't want to rent points here on the DIS without using a broker like David's or something. I suppose it depends on one's comfort level.

There is trust required and there's no way to set it up where the risk is completely even. Personally I think it complicates the issues AND increases the risk significantly for one party over the other. Just keep it simple and use cash in the shortest way between 2 points where possible.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't have a driven daughter in gymnastics, but I have two ordinary teenagers - and I think you shouldn't buy at all.

It's definitely something to think about.

My son isn't competitive, but he's very serious about dance, and he absolutely hates missing anything. Not class, rehearsal, team meetings, or performances. We homeschool, which you'd think would allow us loads of time for fun, but his studio is based on the local school schedule, so...nope.

AND as DS has gotten older, he cares less about Disney. We've all grown a bit jaded on it all, actually. So as time has gone on we've lost some interest and we've gotten less and less time to go anywhere.

All we've used our points for recently are my rundisney trips with my cousin (no parks, just the two of us) and some fill-in time before and after a cruise in December. Our use has changed a lot ,and DS is only 12, and we've only owned since he was 5.

 

[chiisai]

It's definitely something to think about.

My son isn't competitive, but he's very serious about dance, and he absolutely hates missing anything. Not class, rehearsal, team meetings, or performances. We homeschool, which you'd think would allow us loads of time for fun, but his studio is based on the local school schedule, so...nope.

AND as DS has gotten older, he cares less about Disney. We've all grown a bit jaded on it all, actually. So as time has gone on we've lost some interest and we've gotten less and less time to go anywhere.

All we've used our points for recently are my rundisney trips with my cousin (no parks, just the two of us) and some fill-in time before and after a cruise in December. Our use has changed a lot ,and DS is only 12, and we've only owned since he was 5.

This is interesting, thank you for sharing, and I think about it in our situation. Haven't bought yet. Do you feel you may sell? I wonder whether we'd rent points for awhile should we decide we aren't able or interested in going much anymore to see if that changes (rather than sell, at least for 4 or 5 years).

 

[crisi]

This is interesting, thank you for sharing, and I think about it in our situation. Haven't bought yet. Do you feel you may sell? I wonder whether we'd rent points for awhile should we decide we aren't able or interested in going much anymore to see if that changes (rather than sell, at least for 4 or 5 years).

I think the driver for that is you.

We may end up selling, but my seventeen year old daughter still likes Disney - so she'll get some use out of the contract for college. And we are Minnesotans, and there is a very good chance that my husband is about to take a "work anywhere" job - so we could snowbird - probably to Hilton Head.

For many people here, Disney is a complete adult lifestyle choice. They may rent for a few years when the kids are at the age where its difficult to go, but once the kids leave the nest, they'll use their points. Disney was never about the kids for them - they were going before kids, they will go after kids, and they are pretty sure they won't burn out. For other people, they are restricted by limited vacation time and a large gap between kids and retirement and it stops making sense to own to go - even if they've embraced the lifestyle. And then the question becomes "do you rent out your points."

And that will also depend on whether you need the capital that's tied up in DVC to pay for college or retirement. Most of us own enough to pay for a year tuition at an in state public college. And most people find that they need more money for college than they managed to save. For many of us, retirement follows fast on the heels of college - and while we think all of that is so far away when the kids are little and we have plenty of time, it goes fast and you are looking at a 401k and 529 smaller than you thought they'd be.

 

[anricat]

Disney was never about the kids for them - they were going before kids, they will go after kids, and they are pretty sure they won't burn out.

This is us. I've always loved Disney and I've gone as an adult before my daughter was born on a number of occasions. Though, it was always Disneyland. I never went to WDW until I became a parent. I think it was mostly because I grew up going to Disneyland as a kid because my grandpa lived in Santa Ana. Then, as an adult, I spent some time living in San Diego and it wasn't a bad drive.

When we moved to Texas, suddenly all the ads on TV were about Disney World and I was intrigued. I love both for different reasons, but I feel like theres a lot more to do at the World and so that's where our vacation energies will be directed in the coming years. Though, we'd like to take DD back to Disneyland. She was last there when she was only 4. The Grand Californian seems to cost a lot more points than the WDW resorts. Is it hard to get a reservation if it's not your home resort?

 

[crisi]

Is it hard to get a reservation if it's not your home resort?

Very.

 

[Shellyred8]

Very.

I agree. It's quite challenging.

I was stalking a studio last year, for the beginning of November, right at the 7 month mark. After a couple of days, I finally lucked into a 4-day reservation. It was a fantastic stay and worth every minute that I had to spend stalking the reservation!