June, July, August PLANNING thread

[candizfan]

TP2 - It is summer 2011 I want to go back to Disney too!

We talked today and maybe we will still do Florida but hit Universal and Sea World as well. Maybe even a quck trip to Busche Gardens.

I am also planning to see if we can manage a trip to Scotland in 2012. I will need to save for that now.

I have a new eye drop that I am using and I really like them. It helps with the watering and itchyness. With less watering, the sinuses are better and that helps with the cough and breathing.

MKy - congratulation on the big anniversary. Not many get to the 60 mark.

MKY - I have one other question. My dad has Macular Degeneration (not sure of the spelling) - the wet kind. One eye is already blind and now the other one is getting very bad, very quickly. Do you know of any good treatments? He received some shot in the eye the other day and is waiting to see if it improves.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya everyone,

Candi, I sent you an email. Sorry can't be more helpful.
Your trip for summer sounds action packed and busy. I always recommend staying at USF when going there. I would not go there without the FOTL acess. EE22, I am sure would agree. You should try out that seaworld water park. Lets us know how it is.

Can't believe summer is approaching so quickly. We will be planning to go soon. I guess it feels like it, cause we are already being cancelled at work and dropping in being busy. We usually are busy till may. I got cancelled today again, on call.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. mky

 

[JLVermillion]

Tomar: As they say, when it rains it pours! No wonder we can never save any money. All good stuff though. We are thinking of putting in an inground pool but unsure if we should commit to the expense. There is no way I am cutting out any of my Disney trips. I said to DH that maybe we should buy DVC instead.

we have an in ground pool...it is my beautiful , very expensive nightmare. My best advice is have a friend that has a pool,our friends all feel that way . They come over cookout , swim and go home. I would never give up my vacation to Disney for one.

 

[tripplanner2]

we have an in ground pool...it is my beautiful , very expensive nightmare. My best advice is have a friend that has a pool,our friends all feel that way . They come over cookout , swim and go home. I would never give up my vacation to Disney for one.

I really try not to keep up with the Joneses. But, our oldest daughter is 11 and we already see that her friends are spending a lot of time together. They all have the inground pools. We just don't want to lose our daughter because she is spending all of her time at a friends house instead of her friends coming to us. We told the kids that we would all need to sacrifice if we get it and they said don't say no Disney! I think I would rather buy into DVC. We are a family of 5 and the values did not cut it for us last trip. We like to stay in at least a moderate but the extra space of 2 rooms was wonderful. I guess DVC is our next option. I am trying to talk DH into driving from NY this summer to save money on flights and then stay offsite to save cash. He is still not biting. I hear you though, the thought of cutting out Disney is do big of a sacrifice.

 

[JLVermillion]

I really try not to keep up with the Joneses. But, our oldest daughter is 11 and we already see that her friends are spending a lot of time together. They all have the inground pools. We just don't want to lose our daughter because she is spending all of her time at a friends house instead of her friends coming to us. We told the kids that we would all need to sacrifice if we get it and they said don't say no Disney! I think I would rather buy into DVC. We are a family of 5 and the values did not cut it for us last trip. We like to stay in at least a moderate but the extra space of 2 rooms was wonderful. I guess DVC is our next option. I am trying to talk DH into driving from NY this summer to save money on flights and then stay offsite to save cash. He is still not biting. I hear you though, the thought of cutting out Disney is do big of a sacrifice.

We are Dvc owners as of this past July and it was the best investment.We bought resale through the Timeshare Store. How old are you daughters? Ours are (son included) 19-24 with a 1 yr old DGS.Buying DVC is much better than a pool , if they are also Disney fans imagine the quality time you will have then!

 

[tripplanner2]

We are Dvc owners as of this past July and it was the best investment.We bought resale through the Timeshare Store. How old are you daughters? Ours are (son included) 19-24 with a 1 yr old DGS.Buying DVC is much better than a pool , if they are also Disney fans imagine the quality time you will have then!

My kids are 11, 9, and 5 and DH is a teacher so we have summers off. We would use the pool all summer long. I signed up to get info from the Timeshare Store. I have a ton of questions though. For one, why would anyone buy new from Disney when you get can the points cheaper used? I thought it had to do with the years left on your contract, like you get 35 years from signing on but after doing some homework it seems that depending on where you buy the resort itself has the expiration date. I think we would have to own at either AKL or BLT because being a party of 5 we can stay in a 1 bedroom at either of those resorts but need a 2 bedroom at all the others. My head spins, but that does not take much these days.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

My kids are 11, 9, and 5 and DH is a teacher so we have summers off. We would use the pool all summer long. I signed up to get info from the Timeshare Store. I have a ton of questions though. For one, why would anyone buy new from Disney when you get can the points cheaper used? I thought it had to do with the years left on your contract, like you get 35 years from signing on but after doing some homework it seems that depending on where you buy the resort itself has the expiration date. I think we would have to own at either AKL or BLT because being a party of 5 we can stay in a 1 bedroom at either of those resorts but need a 2 bedroom at all the others. My head spins, but that does not take much these days.

Hi TP2-
I just read this post and thought Id give you my 2 cents worth of "Buying DVC 101"
First off....the difference between buying a resale and buying from Disney is alot of things....1- Uncle Walt allows you to put down a down payment...and pay the rest off in monthy payments....where you cannot do that with a resale
2- You can pick your Use year with Disney, and many times cannot with a resale,
3- There are "closing costs" involved with a resale (that the BUYER pays ), Not so with buying from Disney
4- If you buy a resale, Uncle Walt has the "right of first refusal", meaning that, your contract goes to disney first, if they want it, they will buy it back from the seller before you can buy it....(I couldn`t take the pressure of waiting )
I hope I cleared up a few things for you !

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya everyone!

Tomar, those sound like important points. Not sure how much cheaper resale is, but definately something to consider when making the choice. I could never decide on buying dvc, so think I will just stay "being a guest". It seems like such a large committment, for myself and no family.


TP2, I know your girls are getting older, but always consider the dangers of having a pool and little ones. Have seen this first hand at work several times, you never know.

Did alot of planning for our Oct trip today. Got 1/2 of our adr's. Then set up our rental car. And got a really great price just using the EA #. Was really kinda strange. Way cheaper than the last couple of times.
Anyone ever try California grille?? Made an adr and planned it out for MNSSHP fireworks. What do you wear? says casual dressy, but then says capris, dresses, dress shorts, no tanks, ok for t shirts but no offensive writing. I thought it was way dressery than that??

Hope everyone is having a great week. Planning away.

mky

 

[EEyorelover22]

Hi All...73 days till Disney. Not sure I am going to make it. This track season is just wearing me out. Wish DS and DD luck as they compete in the big Drake Relays in Des Moines on Thursday and Friday.

Miss having time to chat and read, but wanted to check in.

I'm glad our trip is planned or I would be in big trouble!!

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Hi All...73 days till Disney. Not sure I am going to make it. This track season is just wearing me out. Wish DS and DD luck as they compete in the big Drake Relays in Des Moines on Thursday and Friday.

Miss having time to chat and read, but wanted to check in.

I'm glad our trip is planned or I would be in big trouble!!

EE22- PIXIE DUST COMING YOUR WAY FOR "LOTS OF GOOD LUCK" TO DS AND DD THIS WEEK !!!

 

[tripplanner2]

Tomar: Thanks for the info. I knew it had to be more than what I found on my own. And when you buy into a month, can you change that or is that just the month that your points get added into your bank? I guess it also has something to do with when you can book your next trip. Seems like everyone we know has DVC and not just people we know with tons of money to throw around. Anyone with a larger family is going that route. It is almost like the minivan, we were the last to jump with that too but once we did we could not believe how long we suffered without it.

MKY: I totally agree about what you are talking about with the pool. We already said no diving board and no slide but we also have to worry about it being fenced in. We have a close friend that lost an 18 month old in the pool cover in the winter. So trust me, we know. That is also speaking to me in the back of my mind. Our backyard is a disaster and we thought it would give good design to the whole thing. But, we also could do some work in the house and I would MUCH rather buy DVC. But I guess only time will tell. So far, the tree guy was supposed to come this week to take down the trees and he still has not arrived, so maybe that is a sign from up above. We were slapped in the face so many times last year when we were trying to move. Winds up, we were faced with a lot of unexpected expenses so it was a blessing we did not move. Sometimes you have to look at the signs around you and go with it.

EE22: Just go day by day. That is the only way to deal with the crazy schedule. You must only have a few weeks left of school now. We go until the end of June but testing is starting next week and then things seem to cool off. Middle school next year for DD11.

 

[candizfan]

TP2 - you are correct about going with the signs. Sometimes things work out for the best even if they are hard at the time.

We own at SSR and AKV. The use year is the month you get your point allotment each year. We picked March so that we would have the points available for March break trips without having to bank/borrow all the time. Once you have a use year, you have to keep it. You can manage around it by banking and borrowing.

We looked at resale before we bought from Disney directly. The numbers did not work for us until they added SSR. The resort has the end date to the agreement, so if you buy into an older resort, your DVC will expire sooner than buying into one of the new resorts.

Here is the warning I would give you about looking at the cost of resale compared to buying into a new resort. I will use easy number even if they are not realist. If you buy into an older resort for $75 per point but there is only 25 years left then it is costing you $3 per point per year. If you buy new and the cost is $100 per point and it is good for 50 years then the cost is only $2 per point.

It might look less expensive but not be. That is what we found. It was actually more per point per year.

I have no problem answering any questions you have and you can email me if you would rather jlmcnab@cogeco.ca

It is a big decision and we looked at every angle for two years before we bought into DVC. Take your time and ask a ton of questions. Look at every aspect and use the points calculators to plan about 4 years worth of trips to figure out how many points you would need before you buy in.

 

[tripplanner2]

Hi Candi: Thanks for the info. I was playing around with some numbers last night. Only trying to decide which resort is the least amount of points for a family of 5. We love BC but boy is it expensive. I think it is cheaper to stay with a 40% off code. But I guess I have to average the cost over 35 years and then it won't seem so ex*****ive. But when I see 35 points per night, I think of it being at least $350 per night and then the weekends are a ton more. We were still considering the pool but we got an estimate last night and we are looking at about $40k to transform our backyard. I am thinking maybe we just get a new shed and some new pretty bushes instead. Then DH could get something he has wanted and I can get my DVC! I don't know but I have to make it through this weekend with the wedding and then we will be in a better place to figure all of this out. I am sure I will e-mail you with tons of questions.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

hiya everyone!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

TP2, Good luck on the wedding and all your planning. If you figure out something to be really, really affordable let me know. DVC, is probably a great deal in the long run, but at the rate my feet are aching >> won't be going to wdw much longer. I will have to become one of those old ladies in las vegas, sitting in front of the same slot with my walker next to me.

Ooooh, I was flipping around the tv this am, and QVC was selling berkenstock "mary janes" DISNEY! Yup. And they where selling out very quickly. I have to check online and see if there are any left. Anyone ever try these birkenstock shoes? I had "earth" shoes years and years ago. But, the cheap knock off I am sure.

Planning wise, I just finished our adr's for October. This is so weird try to do this, and its only april. For MK, I really only like plaza and liberty tree. We will seem like regulars in those 2 places. Once, a cm in the plaza asked us, "what park do you work in?" and we laughed >> illinois. She said she has recognized us for years and wondered where we worked since we where "regulars". I wish!

Well, 1 more day till the weekend and I'm off! It better be nice and not rain.

Have a great rest of the week. mky

 

[JLVermillion]

Hi Candi: Thanks for the info. I was playing around with some numbers last night. Only trying to decide which resort is the least amount of points for a family of 5. We love BC but boy is it expensive. I think it is cheaper to stay with a 40% off code. But I guess I have to average the cost over 35 years and then it won't seem so ex*****ive. But when I see 35 points per night, I think of it being at least $350 per night and then the weekends are a ton more. We were still considering the pool but we got an estimate last night and we are looking at about $40k to transform our backyard. I am thinking maybe we just get a new shed and some new pretty bushes instead. Then DH could get something he has wanted and I can get my DVC! I don't know but I have to make it through this weekend with the wedding and then we will be in a better place to figure all of this out. I am sure I will e-mail you with tons of questions.

You are right look at the signs 40K is a lot $$$$ , them you have all the maintance and utilities that come with it. We spend probably between 4K - 6k per season on ours, then there is the time we spend physically taking care of it

We bought BCV resale , settled July 5 2009. We bought 270 pts (payed in full- no financing) Feb use year at 85 per pt. We taken two trips 1st DH,me,DSIL,DBIL and their DDs and DS , then myself and DH. Having taken these trips and the RACK RATE cost of them we have broken even and are vacationing for nothing for the next 32 years. With the resale we picked up 270 2008 pts, them 270 2009 pts and 248 2010 pts. The seller also paid a years worth of MF. We would not have gotten that through Disney. If you do not need to finance then by resale. We researched this for over a year.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya everyone,

Hope all is going well. Seems like this week is really going on forever. Work has been so / so busy. Mostly unhappy people. Makes for a really long day. Not sure what is going on. Must be spring fever?

TP2, with all your talk here about dvc. I priced condo's in disney area, and some pretty reasonable buys. A lot cheaper, than the same type of thing here. Told bug, we should look into that > and then parlay that into a house one day. If we can move there. I would sooooo want to do that for retirement if not earlier. Don't tolerate the weather here with winters and allergy problems.

EE22, sounds like your kids are having a great spring season. Good luck with their next meets. How many more days of school?

Candi, We are still deciding if we want to go back in march or not. It was just so crazy this year. And a bit too cool to.

Tomar, How are the & doing? Are they excited about going to wdw? Or, are they not telling them yet? You are really going to have a great trip this year.

Have a great rest of the week! mky

 

[candizfan]

TP2 - here is another way to do the math with DVC. If you buy for $2/point and it costs $5 per point for maintenance than the cost is $7 for each point you use. If it costs you 100 points to stay at a resort then the stay cost you $700. If you would have spent more than that for rooms, then you are ahead.

MKY - I know what you mean. The crowds were just crazy in March. I had a friend who went to Texas and spent the day at six flags. It was just as bad there. Most rides were a 3 hour wait.

We looked at buying a furnished condo and I was amazed at how cheap they were going for but I was just not ready to have a second property to have to take care of.

I did love your storey about being a cast member. I think you could keep your scooter at your condo and still go to Disney when you want

 

[tripplanner2]

Candi: I get it but the dues are my big hold out. I can see myself buying in but to pay over $1k per year in dues that can go up, AFTER I pay of my loan, that is my big question. I think I have to look at the prices of Deluxe properties to really get it. Plus we always travel in the off season to get value rates. I can see it being a better deal if we traveled over more peak times.

MKY: I am with you. Maybe a condo and rent it out when we are not there. Tax write off too!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

TP2, A condo would work well, you could leave your stuff there year round. Even the kids could sleep in sleeping bags if needed or on the couch bed? Then not worrying about having 5. A house would be great but way harder to maintain with grass etc,... In a condo they take care of it. Maybe, I could ship my "old" people down for the winter???
I might not be paying monthly dvc bills, but I am starting to rethink the "purple locker" we have. That bill [i just got] was a bit steep. I have to look into that. I think there is a cheaper way to work it, then we have.

Candi, I don't think I will soon forget the 180 minutes at space mt. And they meant it. We stood in line for the entire time, they promised. Not sure why they seem to have screwed up the line, as much as it is.

But, we are still very excited about returning soon. Less than 80 days.

Happy friday! I am on call and cancelled today. Seems our busy season, might be behind us for the summer already.

mky

 

[candizfan]

Hi everyone!

It was a very nice day here today but it is suppose to rain again this weekend.

What does everyone have planned for this weekend?