Local to WDW & DVC members chat thread

[lovin'fl]

There was a thread around18 months ago-ish about how local DVC members use of DVC has changed. Thought we could have a chit chat group thread for those of us who own DVC and live local or local-ish.

We live about 12 mins-ish to AKV and 25 to most everything else, give or take. We have DVC but downsized a lot when moving here. We like to do 1-2 nights a month and grab up things that open up at last minute. Doing a night this holiday weekend and have switched to many different rooms that popped up (different resorts, room types and days). Still stalking as it's not quite perfect (what we got). I see a lot open for the coming weekend but then get grabbed up quick so there must be others like me (and DH) who live close and do a night or 2 on the spur of the moment.

ROLL CALL
1) Lovin'fl -Kissimmee
2) ILoveMyDVC -Tampa
3) Cybertruck
4) DisTravels
5) DVC-Don -Poinciana

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Moved to Tampa a year ago - might be moving to central Florida. Have many points and already borrowed half of next year's points. Not sure how things will change in the future but would love to be part of a chat.

 

[Cybertruck]

We moved to Florida 4 years ago as empty nesters right at the start of pandemic. We are looking to buy more points. Current strategy is a different DVC resort for each of the festivals with family trips for Food & Wine and Christmas (resort only stay). Our kids (early 30s) persuaded me to run my first 10k January. Unlike them I am not a runner but family experiences are priceless. Back in February for the Festival of the Arts.

Outside of staycations at our DVC home we are in the parks about 2-3 times of month. Mostly weekends but will retire at the end of the year so that will change. Although we have noticed Sundays are significantly less crowded than Mondays.

 

[lovin'fl]

Welcome you two. Love Tampa area. We have two sets of friends who moved near there around the time we moved here.

We had 650 DVC points at the start of our venture to FL. We bought a townhome rental amidst covid times. It was more like 35+ mins away from WDW and was a too far for our liking. We like to pop over to DS, Epcot or AK to get our steps about 3-5 times a month with one time being a DVC stay for the night. Whenever our friends or family are around, we do more at Disney. But we sold off 350 points and sold the rental (also was a negative experience renting when not using it). Sold our northern home and bought a permanent home in a 55+ community closer to WDW. Have been here 2 years and 2 months.

We love stalking and using WL to book a night here and there. LOVE getting AKV club level. And even traded into Disney collection to get a night at Grand Destino club level a couple weeks ago. It was a lot of points plus $95 so we aren't sure we'll make that a regular thing.

We are from MD and are also empty nest. Kids are 27, 25 and 25. The 27 year old is currently living with us temporarily (been since Oct so...not quite my definition of temp). DH is still working too so we have to settle for the busy weekends at WDW. Or evenings. We like to see the Command Performance (M80s) band in Epcot. ALso love all the festivals. Love walking animal paths at AK after having a beer at Rainforest (cheapest beer at a park) and entering the park through that hidden back gate at Rainforest. Lots of good drinking and eating in AK too. ALso love watching sports at City Works or Splitsville in DS and, again, lots of good drinking and eating (happy hours at Disney...say what).

So we tend to stay at SSR a ton. Really enjoy that. Great service and lovely rooms. Never have to wait late for a room to be ready either (mostly never). ANd then we do AKV club like 3 times a year (whenever we can grab). I like Riviera too but big point eater and we own mostly at BWV (though haven't stayed there in a while and was supposed to this weekend but bumped to...SSR). SSR isn't a bad bus ride to Epcot plus you can walk into DS. I am stalking because I'd like BWV to see the newly renovated rooms.... switched to SSR to move from Sat to Sun instead. Sat is opening of college football so wasn't the best night to go for DH...eyeroll.

 

[DisTravels]

Being in FL within driving distance to Orlando makes Moonlight Magic easier (if you can get tix). Admittingly have made DVC reservation to be able to get more tix (2br).

Can't say we have a pattern on how we use DVC, it varies year to year.

 

[DVC-Don]

Been full time in Poinciana, FL (Solivita) for 5+ years now bout 45 min away with traffic. Just scored a one night points stay at Kidani with the grandson two days before check in. No real pattern, night there, weekend now and again. OKW is homebase.