Just venting a little bit - WWYD

[Chuck S]

Annie, If you cousins are planning a trip, maybe you could use your 37 points +/- to reserve a night or two for them, then when you are ready to plan your trip to Aulani, they could transfer the same number of points into your account.

 

[Anal Annie]

Annie, If you cousins are planning a trip, maybe you could use your 37 points +/- to reserve a night or two for them, then when you are ready to plan your trip to Aulani, they could transfer the same number of points into your account.

Oh GEE! Thanks!! Just what my pea sized brain needs right now - another option to consider!! I know she has a trip planned over this T-giving and again in January for the marathon...not sure if she's thought beyond that or not.

I know I should know the answer to this but I don't - IF I make this ressie for next Memorial Day weekend and then decide in say Feb. that we cannot go and if SHE wants it instead can I just change the names on the ressie or would I need to cancel it & make another one?? In looking at the tix prices on Undercover Tourist and just guestimating airfare my best guess is that a long weekend would run us at a MINIMUM $1,500 if we just bought 3 day hoppers. 6-day non-expiring hoppers would run about $1,218 - if we bought those we could plan for 2 separate 3 day trips...but that really pushes the cash up front up a lot. Obviously 10-day non-expiring would be the best option but those would run almost $1,600. I am just not feeling like we're in a position to spend that much additional... I'm figuring we still need to come up with an additional $6,000 for Europe beyond what we've already saved for the cruise balance.

On the bright side though I just checked on the pay-off on my car loan...I only have 3 pymts. left - so Dec. will be my last car payment!! We have a ski trip in January (almost forgot about that one) and 3 more big payments on DS's swim team sessions to get him thru May with his swimming....so after Feb. I will have a little more cash to play with....so we'll see....

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Another thought is to exchange them out for two nights in a one bedroom thru RCI. New York City would be great for this. Even with th $95 exchange fee your still saving alot vs. the rental rate at NYC. HGVC has a new resort there and Manhatten Club is very nice as well. Just sayin...

 

[Anal Annie]

Another thought is to exchange them out for two nights in a one bedroom thru RCI. New York City would be great for this. Even with th $95 exchange fee your still saving alot vs. the rental rate at NYC. HGVC has a new resort there and Manhatten Club is very nice as well. Just sayin...

Thanks for the idea but I am probably the ONLY PERSON in the whole wide world that has ZERO interest in going to NYC!! I am not a skysraper city girl kind of person. The thought that you have to look straight up right at noon to see the sun doesn't appeal to me. Just never been a place I've wanted to visit. (I know, I'm weird.)

 

[fitnessmouse]

Dlp pricing structure is weird. A 3 day hopper is more expensive than a fantasy annual pass (30 blockout days). What i hear people are doing is book a package for 1, and upon check in report the other guests and just pay taxes for them. You can then buy any ticket you want at the gate.

We've never done that though we just stay off site if they dont have deals for ap holders

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Hey Annie, maybe you could plan a little weekend getaway at HHI to use up those points. Just the cost of driving down and back. Seems like just the right amount of points. And availability should be pretty open 10/10 thru 05/11 or 10/11 thru 11/11. Just a thought

 

[Anal Annie]

Hey Annie, maybe you could plan a little weekend getaway at HHI to use up those points. Just the cost of driving down and back. Seems like just the right amount of points. And availability should be pretty open 10/10 thru 05/11 or 10/11 thru 11/11. Just a thought

While HHI was nice I'm not looking to do a 10 hr. drive again for a couple of nights...and not during BEACH season...ummm...no!!

Hey! You wanna rent my points??

 

[DisDaydreamer]

OK, instead of Anal Annie now I am Naive Annie.

I can only think of you as "Anal Annie" the "Kook"... Naive... Nope, never.

 

[Anal Annie]

Dlp pricing structure is weird. A 3 day hopper is more expensive than a fantasy annual pass (30 blockout days). What i hear people are doing is book a package for 1, and upon check in report the other guests and just pay taxes for them. You can then buy any ticket you want at the gate.

We've never done that though we just stay off site if they dont have deals for ap holders

OK, so now you got me curious about just buying an annual pass....I wonder what DVC would say to THAT?! So I go to the DLP website just to see how much & I don't even see them anywhere! Are you saying they don't even sell them all the time?! Are they seasonal or something? THAT'S a real hoot!!!

(PS) WEIRD doesn't begin to describe it!!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

While HHI was nice I'm not looking to do a 10 hr. drive again for a couple of nights...and not during BEACH season...ummm...no!!

Hey! You wanna rent my points??

I guess it is a bit of a stretch. We've done it a couple times, but we usually stay in Statesville or Rocky Mount to break up the drive. If I could, I would rent your points. Finances are still working out from my employment woes.

With that said, I have to tell you that I got a new job with FEMA four months ago in Software Process Design. Thanks for your messages of support and empathy. I am not making what I used to, but damn good benefits! I am comfortable. It is funny how you find out how much money you can make it by with. I know you know that too.

 

[ldo]

Welll, I wouldn't plan a trip that involves extra plane tickets just to use 37 points--esp. with the $$$ of an European trip---but, you never know what will come up---either with you or your cousin or some other friend in the next 15 months--so, just hold on to them--or book the Mday trip--you can cancel, as you said, if something better comes up.
And, I really think that if you find that no one is going to plan to use them by next May or so, you can place a rental ad and just specify only DVC members---many DVCers have already done their 1 transfer for the year and might need extra points---it could be me--LOL! I just used all of my 2010 points and already had a transfer---no trips planned right now, but many times, we are looking for just a studio or 1 Br for a night or so--I really think there are others like me and DVCers know the gig--so there's not really a lot of back and forth and not much risk of them trashing the place.
So, I would plan your European trip and let the 37 points take care of themselves. Elaine (DLP is on my list for the next Europe trip--whenever that is...)

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Local option -- I think the Mandarin Hotel in Washington is in RCI...what about a staycation close to home? Maybe even Wiiliamsburg?

Good luck!

 

[fitnessmouse]

OK, so now you got me curious about just buying an annual pass....I wonder what DVC would say to THAT?! So I go to the DLP website just to see how much & I don't even see them anywhere! Are you saying they don't even sell them all the time?! Are they seasonal or something? THAT'S a real hoot!!!

(PS) WEIRD doesn't begin to describe it!!

I think AP info is only on the french site.
Anyway, a 3 day hopper is 143 euro and Fantasy AP is 139 euro

My french isn't all that great but here's the info including block out dates(jours des restriction):

http://idf-offres.disneylandparis.fr/passeport-annuel/non-adherents/fantasy/index.xhtml#contentj

 

[Anal Annie]

Welll, I wouldn't plan a trip that involves extra plane tickets just to use 37 points--esp. with the $$$ of an European trip---but, you never know what will come up---either with you or your cousin or some other friend in the next 15 months--so, just hold on to them--or book the Mday trip--you can cancel, as you said, if something better comes up.
And, I really think that if you find that no one is going to plan to use them by next May or so, you can place a rental ad and just specify only DVC members---many DVCers have already done their 1 transfer for the year and might need extra points---it could be me--LOL! I just used all of my 2010 points and already had a transfer---no trips planned right now, but many times, we are looking for just a studio or 1 Br for a night or so--I really think there are others like me and DVCers know the gig--so there's not really a lot of back and forth and not much risk of them trashing the place.
So, I would plan your European trip and let the 37 points take care of themselves. Elaine (DLP is on my list for the next Europe trip--whenever that is...)

Not sure why you think we're going to Paris just to use those 37 points. We are planning a side trip to Paris as part of our Euopean vacation and we thought it would be a good way to use them as a by-product of that visit. We thought it was a good city to add on top of our cruise ports and departure from Barcelona. I went to Paris with my French class back in HS and would love to refresh my memory as it's been 30 years now!! I never thought I'd get the chance to go back. We are only doing a 7 night cruise & we didn't want to spend all that money on transatlantic flights for JUST one week. THAT would be a sad waste of airfare. The hop from Paris to Barcelona doesn't appear to add a WHOLE lot of cost to the already sky high price of crossing the pond.

Anyway, we want to have a full 2 weeks for this trip and thought we can't go to Europe and NOT go to Disneyland Paris while we're on the same continent. The flight is less than 2 hours from Paris to Barcelona. Our plan is to spend about 4 nights in Paris, fly to Barcelona the day before the cruise and then spend 2 or 3 nights in Barcelona after the cruise. We'll work out the exact details when it comes time to book the flights and we see which days work out to the best prices. The flight schedules just started opening up last week for our dates in August so I will be getting serious about watching the fares soon.

Anyway, trust me, we are not going to Paris JUST to use those points!!

 

[Anal Annie]

I think AP info is only on the french site.
Anyway, a 3 day hopper is 143 euro and Fantasy AP is 139 euro

My french isn't all that great but here's the info including block out dates(jours des restriction):

http://idf-offres.disneylandparis.fr/passeport-annuel/non-adherents/fantasy/index.xhtml#contentj

AHHH...my French SUCKS but that's when the Google Translator comes in handy!! So the current Euro - USD exchange puts this Fantasy AP at $182.62 which is a lot cheaper than just a few days pass. One of the restricted days in 2011 is Aug. 14 which is the day AFTER our cruise leaves Barcelona. I wonder what's going on that day?? Our cruise itinerary has us stopping at the French port of Villefranche that day (Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo). Hummm. Wonder if it's some sort of French holiday that could affect our port day?! Interesting. I must check into that!!

They certainly do have a lot of restrictions - it goes on & on. But it also looks like with the AP you can get a 50% discount on a couple of hotels. Interesting for sure. I will have to study all this info. closer!! Thanks for the idea!!!!! It shouldn't matter where we LIVE to buy one, right?

 

[CarolMN]

....(snip)......Anyway, we want to have a full 2 weeks for this trip and thought we can't go to Europe and NOT go to Disneyland Paris while we're on the same continent. ........

Awwwww, sure you can! There's tons of things to see and do in Paris. Way more than a week's worth!

Apologize if this has already been mentioned (I skimmed most of the posts), but have you considered looking for a week in France via RCI to use as a home base for the extra week? You'd have to add a few to the 37 to get up to the unit size you want, but if you really can't stand to lose the points, it might be worth it. You can buy a few more points or transfer in a few more points if you need to for your next DVC trip. My understanding is that you can take a relatively short train ride to get to DLP from Paris, so if you need to see it, you don't have to actually stay there.

Good luck!

 

[robinb]

I still think you should consider revisiting David's rental service. You say that you are willing to SPEND 134 points on DLP last week but now you are suddenly saving them for Aulani. Why not look at the 95 point minimum that David wants as spending those points for Paris? You can apply all the money from the transaction to the Sequoia Lodge special you found and SAVE the final 39 points for Hawaii.

The other option is to just stay at DLP for the days you will be in the parks. I recall that getting to/from Paris is a PITB. I would much rather get a hotel in Paris itself while visiting the city and hop on the Metro to get around town than being all the way out at DLP and having to take an RER train to the Metro.

 

[Anal Annie]

Awwwww, sure you can! There's tons of things to see and do in Paris. Way more than a week's worth!

Apologize if this has already been mentioned (I skimmed most of the posts), but have you considered looking for a week in France via RCI to use as a home base for the extra week? You'd have to add a few to the 37 to get up to the unit size you want, but if you really can't stand to lose the points, it might be worth it. You can buy a few more points or transfer in a few more points if you need to for your next DVC trip. My understanding is that you can take a relatively short train ride to get to DLP from Paris, so if you need to see it, you don't have to actually stay there.

Good luck!

Actuallllly, yes, I DID look into the RCI options awhile back for both Paris and Barcelona 'cuz I thought I should start looking for a trade early on - quite disappointing - there were no short stay options at all for either destination & I don't want a full week in Paris as the cruise is also a full week and we want time for Barcelona too. Not to knock Paris, but I've read Barcelona is FACSINATING and that we'd be short changing ourselves not to spend time in both cities. Meanwhile, 2 weeks off for DH is our limit...give or take a day. It seemed bookending the cruise with Paris and Barcelona made the most sense. DLP is as much for DS as for us. Gotta have our Disney fix SOMEHOW - and personally, I really want to ride Space Mountain there!!

We live within an hour of 3 major airports (BWI, Dulles and National) yet I cannot get direct non-stop flights to / from Barcelona. I CAN get direct flights to Paris though! So I figure we'll go to Paris first - less chance of lost luggage. The return flights home from Barcelona are all very early - I've read most people make them OK but I figure we could just stay in Barcelona a couple of nights after the cruise - that way no rushing off the ship & anxiety of making a 10:30 flight. (I want a day for Monsterrat too.)

There are so many things to consider...and...being ANAL ANNIE I have to think thru all of them!!

robinb - I am stubborn - and once I realized how absurdly expensive the park tix are for DLP I switched gears and decided I should play Scrooge with those points. I don't know why. Just did. I am just as likely to switch gears AGAIN before this is all said & done - it's just a matter of finding the right plan that I like. But keep the ideas coming.... You never know what will strike me as THE plan of the century!!!

 

[ldo]

no, I meant I would not plan a FLA DVC trip to try to use the 37 points! Sorry that was not clear. I would definitely do DLP in connection with a Med cruise. We just tagged on an extra week with our Baltic cruise--yes the plane tickets and time to get there are so much, you might as well spend an extra week. Again, sorry for the confusion. Have a great trip. Barcelona is a great city. We esp. liked the bike tour with Fat Tire bikes. You can book directly with them or with viator.com, which books tours all over the world. The bike tour is only $35 or so. It is a great 1st day thing to do to get acquainted with the city and see lots of things. Elaine (ps--trading via RCI into Europe for high season time is pretty much impossible, esp. for placse like London, PAris, etc---not just via DVC-RCI, but for anyone in RCI).

 

[mark&sue]

We have used our DVC points for Disneyland Paris twice before but would NEVER again now they have this ridiculous system. We are go to Sequoia Lodge in just over a weeks time and have paid direct and the tickets are included. Sequoia is our favourite and we have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, New York and Davy Crockets twice before.

It would appear that DVC do not want us to use our points for Disneyland Paris making it financially impossible. We will be driving to Alicante after Disneyland Paris so will pass Barcelona half way!!!!

I have rented out my points many times before to my fellow DISsers who contact me when they know I am on a WDW break and have never had a problem renting.

Good luck with what ever you decide. I certainly feel your pain regarding DVC and Disneyland Paris and hope one day they change their minds.


Susan