January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[Mndisneygirl]

We attended a DVC presentation on the cruise and basically I learned that you buy into a home resort - right now the two that are available are Bay Lake Towers (Contemp) and AKVillas. Any other villas you'd have to buy resale to have as your home. The minimum # of points to buy is 160. Right now that costs $17,920. You have yearly maintenance fees of about $600 and that can go up over time. There are point charts available that tell you how many points per night it would cost for various resorts during various times of the year. Just like the regular resorts, it costs more during popular seasons, holidays etc. Sun - thu is cheaper than Fri and Sat. The "prices" vary depending on type of room, ie. studio, 1 BR, 2 BR and views.
You can book at your home resort 11 months ahead. Others are 7 months ahead.
We were "this close" to buying in. If our circumstances were a little better, we would have done it. We got the DVD and packet too. In fact, we were just watching the DVD earlier! We're also contemplating renting points from a member.

 

[Dancegrl624]

We attended a DVC presentation on the cruise and basically I learned that you buy into a home resort - right now the two that are available are Bay Lake Towers (Contemp) and AKVillas. Any other villas you'd have to buy resale to have as your home. The minimum # of points to buy is 160. Right now that costs $17,920. You have yearly maintenance fees of about $600 and that can go up over time. There are point charts available that tell you how many points per night it would cost for various resorts during various times of the year. Just like the regular resorts, it costs more during popular seasons, holidays etc. Sun - thu is cheaper than Fri and Sat. The "prices" vary depending on type of room, ie. studio, 1 BR, 2 BR and views.
You can book at your home resort 11 months ahead. Others are 7 months ahead.
We were "this close" to buying in. If our circumstances were a little better, we would have done it. We got the DVD and packet too. In fact, we were just watching the DVD earlier! We're also contemplating renting points from a member.

Madison and I went to a travel show in November and learned all about it. They had awesome deals at that show. Depending on how many points you wanted to buy, you could get amazing free trips. We're talking cruises, an Adventure by Disney....incredible. I also have to dvd and the awesome book (it's like a coffee table book). Honestly, I wanted to go to a presentation to see what we could get for free (fastpasses, a gift card)! I know that must sound horrible, but I also don't mind sitting through a presentation. At our hotel, if we would have sat through a Marriott presentation, we could have gotten a $100 Disney gift card. However, we couldn't fit it in our schedule. They were doing it at a breakfast, and we like to be at the parks early. Oh well! I feel like I'm rambling, so I'll stop now!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Yeah, they were giving an $800 gift card, a free cruise (length depended on how many points you bought) and potentially a week's stay at another resort if you bought a lot of points! It was so tempting!!! Of course, you had to buy while you were on the cruise. It's good to know that they're offering that stuff elsewhere too, so I could still get it if we change our minds.

 

[figmentfan0724]

When df and I bought into DVC it was the best thing we ever did. You can pick other resorts like BCV or BWV, but you might have to wait a bit to go through disney. they have the right of refusal on resales and more often than not when they have some one who is interested in a BCV they will exercise that right, when we were first looking we wanted BCV but opted for SSR for the incentives. by the time we closed, which was about three weeks, our guide had found a bcv contract that disney refused, we stuck with SSR and have since added on at AKV. I can honestly tell you for the point counts, BLT in my opinion is just not worth it for me. if you all have any questions about DVC please feel free to ask or pm me.

 

[KatiebugsMom]

I can say I am happy with our DVC purchase too! I own Saratoga.

DH, DD and I have been able to have great vacations at WDW the past 3 years. We have stayed at Saratoga, Boardwalk Villas with a BW view, AKV with Savannah view and this January Old Key West, (Let's all sing.....Yes I am a pirate, 40 years too late). LOL!!! OKW is the oldest of the DVC resorts and let me tell you I fell in love......Quaint and if you get a good location on the resort (it so sprawling) you have the most relaxing time. We got Building 18 next to a quiet pool, a 2 minute walk to the bus stop and a nice stroll over to the Hospitality house. Also with the WDW Bus music themed, it was heavenly listening to Mr. Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley on the way home from the parks each night.


As for 2010, I will be returning home to SSR.....as I will be staying high among the leaves in a brand new.........TREEHOUSE VILLA!!!!!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Another DVC question...so you have your annual fees (600-ish) that are due probably in December. Then you pay $17500-ish for the plan that gives you like 150 points a yr unti 2040? So once the initial cost is paid off, you just pay your annual dues? No other OOP costs for the rooms? How do you know which resort to pick as your home? Are the standard rooms nice?

 

[figmentfan0724]

once the initial is paid off, yes all you pay is the annual dues which you can even pay month to month. The best advice i can say is to pick somewhere that you will enjoy staying because some people don't and then get disappointed when they can't get a reservation they want at the 7 month mark. All of the rooms for DVC are nice!

 

[pamouselover]

I know, it's a hard decision to make!! I really think POFQ would be the best for you since you liked everything about CBR except for the walking. (If you could get past the theming! ) Because all the other moderates are pretty big and spread out.

But like you said the CBR pool is going to be hard to beat! I want to save up and stay at the Poly but my kids don't want to give up the CBR pool! So who knows where we'll end up next!!

We loved POFQ!

Yeah, where are you going???

I was wondering about all of this as well! I'd love to buy into the DVC someday (we did just buy our 1st house this past June) but I was looking at the resale site this morning. I'm really not interested in having my home property at AKV or BLT. Like I've said before, I like the Epcot resorts (even though I've never stayed at one), so I'd love to buy at Boardwalk or BC/YC. I know someone who is a DVC member, so maybe we could rent from them sometime. I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

DH's DC bought into DVC last year. If we dont buy into it, we will buy points from them. I have gotten resale from the timeshare store for a year now.
They always have BC/YC on the listings.

 

[Monny2AE]

PLEASE stop all this talk about the DVC!!!!! I would do anything to convince dh it's a good idea and we can afford it!

I can't seem to get Disney off my brain and am trying my best to figure out how we can get back sooner. If it was free we could go back asap...darn Disney costing so much!

So instead I dream and search the internet for all things Disney related. I came across these sites while planning for my kid's birthday parties- Mickey & Minnie theme of course!

Anyone feel like cooking...
http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/dining/recipes/default.asp#Resorts

and

http://disneyrecipes.homestead.com/index4.html

YUMMMY!!!!!

 

[jenjolt]

My DH and I have really been looking into DVC resale trying to find a contract and points that would really work for us...we're really thinking through a couple of different options. I would love to have DVC to use for our vacations in the future!!

I hope you all are having a great weekend!

 

[MAGGIED]

PLEASE stop all this talk about the DVC!!!!! I would do anything to convince dh it's a good idea and we can afford it!

I can't seem to get Disney off my brain and am trying my best to figure out how we can get back sooner. If it was free we could go back asap...darn Disney costing so much!

So instead I dream and search the internet for all things Disney related. I came across these sites while planning for my kid's birthday parties- Mickey & Minnie theme of course!

Anyone feel like cooking...
http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/dining/recipes/default.asp#Resorts

and

http://disneyrecipes.homestead.com/index4.html

YUMMMY!!!!!

Kim... some of those recipes look yummy.... I am going to try some this week!!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

PLEASE stop all this talk about the DVC!!!!! I would do anything to convince dh it's a good idea and we can afford it!

I can't seem to get Disney off my brain and am trying my best to figure out how we can get back sooner. If it was free we could go back asap...darn Disney costing so much!

So instead I dream and search the internet for all things Disney related. I came across these sites while planning for my kid's birthday parties- Mickey & Minnie theme of course!

Anyone feel like cooking...
http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/dining/recipes/default.asp#Resorts

and

http://disneyrecipes.homestead.com/index4.html

YUMMMY!!!!!

YEP, we have a sickness!! Good thing we're all in it together!

 

[Dancegrl624]

I've been looking at the DVC boards on here for a few days. I'd love to buy resale or rent points for our next vacation. I know someone who's parents own DVC. I wonder if they'd rent me out some points!

 

[sharadoc]

Hi Everyone,

Well, speaking of planning for next trips, we bought a new van yesterday! Believe it - our trip in January made us realize we need a better, roomier, more "luxurious" minivan for the family, so we bought a used (2005) Grand Caravan SXT with a 6 disc DVD changer, stow N go seats, 3 zone AC, sunroof, leather, etc. etc. It's awesome. Since we know the kids enjoy driving vacations, we feel we'll use it a lot. Plus we got a phenomenal price on it. Got it with a warranty that will take us over 100,000 miles, so we feel really good about it.

Have a great day.

 

[debbieandroo]

PLEASE stop all this talk about the DVC!!!!! I would do anything to convince dh it's a good idea and we can afford it!

I can't seem to get Disney off my brain and am trying my best to figure out how we can get back sooner. If it was free we could go back asap...darn Disney costing so much!

So instead I dream and search the internet for all things Disney related. I came across these sites while planning for my kid's birthday parties- Mickey & Minnie theme of course!

Anyone feel like cooking...
http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/dining/recipes/default.asp#Resorts

and

http://disneyrecipes.homestead.com/index4.html

YUMMMY!!!!!

Ha - I've had the same problem and have been easing my Disney-itis by downloading podcasts. There are loads of Disney fan podcasts - really works to bring back memories. [sigh]

My DH and I have really been looking into DVC resale trying to find a contract and points that would really work for us...we're really thinking through a couple of different options. I would love to have DVC to use for our vacations in the future!!

I hope you all are having a great weekend!

You crack me up with your new avatars! I almost didn't recognize you!

 

[Monny2AE]

Hi Everyone,

Well, speaking of planning for next trips, we bought a new van yesterday! Believe it - our trip in January made us realize we need a better, roomier, more "luxurious" minivan for the family, so we bought a used (2005) Grand Caravan SXT with a 6 disc DVD changer, stow N go seats, 3 zone AC, sunroof, leather, etc. etc. It's awesome. Since we know the kids enjoy driving vacations, we feel we'll use it a lot. Plus we got a phenomenal price on it. Got it with a warranty that will take us over 100,000 miles, so we feel really good about it.

Have a great day.

Congrats to you! My son asks all the time when we are getting a minivan like the one we rented to go to Florida. We're back to my squishy little car. All the fun is gone *sigh*...I truly miss Disney and all that came with it.

Ha - I've had the same problem and have been easing my Disney-itis by downloading podcasts. There are loads of Disney fan podcasts - really works to bring back memories. [sigh]



You crack me up with your new avatars! I almost didn't recognize you!

Please share some links if you have them...anything to get me through this withdrawal!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Hi Everyone,

Well, speaking of planning for next trips, we bought a new van yesterday! Believe it - our trip in January made us realize we need a better, roomier, more "luxurious" minivan for the family, so we bought a used (2005) Grand Caravan SXT with a 6 disc DVD changer, stow N go seats, 3 zone AC, sunroof, leather, etc. etc. It's awesome. Since we know the kids enjoy driving vacations, we feel we'll use it a lot. Plus we got a phenomenal price on it. Got it with a warranty that will take us over 100,000 miles, so we feel really good about it.

Have a great day.

YEAH! I love buying new (used) cars! It's another sickness me and hubby have. It seems like every two years we're wanting something new! I wanted a minivan before we drove in Jan. but the one I wanted that got decent gas mileage (Mazda 5), hubby's legs were WAY too long for the driver's seat. If I would've known I would be the one driving 90% of the way, I'd have bought it!!

 

[debbieandroo]

Congrats to you! My son asks all the time when we are getting a minivan like the one we rented to go to Florida. We're back to my squishy little car. All the fun is gone *sigh*...I truly miss Disney and all that came with it.

Please share some links if you have them...anything to get me through this withdrawal!

Gladly!

Of course, DISunplugged is good but I really enjoy WDW radio today -
http://www.wdwradio.com/ - it is so obvious that the host is such a WDW fan and his enthusiasm is contagious. He has over 100 episodes - lots to listen to.

Then there's WDW Today [wdwtoday.com] , Netcot [netcot.com] , Inside the Magic [http://www.distantcreations.com/**************/], All About the Mouse [allaboutthemouse.com], and A Window to the Magic [www.windowtothemagic.com], just to name a few more. If you have iTunes on your computer, you can do a search of Disney radio podcasts and they'll bring up a bunch. I haven't listened to all of those so I can't vouch for the quality of them.

I'll warn you, some of them do sound a bit like you're listening in on someone's dinner conversation - not really slick or professional - but I like that informality.

I'll also warn you, they're addictive! I'm not sure if they've been that healthy for me!

 

[debbieandroo]

YEAH! I love buying new (used) cars! It's another sickness me and hubby have. It seems like every two years we're wanting something new! I wanted a minivan before we drove in Jan. but the one I wanted that got decent gas mileage (Mazda 5), hubby's legs were WAY too long for the driver's seat. If I would've known I would be the one driving 90% of the way, I'd have bought it!!

you go, girl! I have a Mazda 3 and love love love love love it! In fact, that sweet little thing is taking me to WDW in April. But, with my short stubby legs, I never have a problem fitting into a car.

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

Happy Sunday, Snowbirds. I've missed all of you and finally took a few moments to catch up on what's been happening. Like Soleil said, we aren't planning on another trip to Disney for a few years - probably 2011. But, I do enjoy reading about everyone else's planned trips.

DH and I have started attending a new church. This was our second visit there. So far we really like it. Everyone is super friendly. This older couple invited us over for brunch today - it was so nice. Our DS really likes this church, too. He just turned 6 and is relly starting to ask a lot of questions. Both times after church he's asked when we are going back, so I guess that's a good thing. They have a TERRIFIC kids program.

Well, I just wanted to touch base with all of you. "Talk" to you again soon! I can't wait to catch up on everyone's TR. Is there a list somewhere?