Mexican Riviera Cruise with WONDERful Souvenir in the Works! 6/7 PTR Link!

[Leshaface]

Yeah I just realised my parents have been members for 10 years now! I'm an associate on their membership, but one day it would be nice to have our own too, one day, although they are always so generous and let DH & I use points whenever we ask!
Whenever there's a big euro-millions jackpot here, and we're day-dreaming about what we'd do with the money if we won... DH says he'd buy his soccer team, and I say I'd buy the maximum number of DVC points we could!

I love the H2O range they had on the cruise... at the Grand Floridian, I put a couple of bottles in my suitcase, and the next day the housekeeper replaced those with loads more!

Emma x

Man, could you imagine buying the maximum amount of points?! That's almost scary (but fun) to think about!

I've never thought about putting bottles away and having them replenished Good thinking for my next trip

 

[happenin2you]

Yep..we did it!

The offer and incentives were way too good to pass up! We are now officially DVC owners! And we were given 16 additional Fast passes to use at the parks! What a fine time to be pregnant since the only FP rides i'm able to go on are Soarin' and Roger Rabbit LOL

Congrats and Welcome home!!! My husband and I bought AKV from Vicki Bartholomew on our anniversary trip to DLR last september. Our first trip with points will be on an Alaskan cruise on the Wonder May 21 and we are super excited! Next time we have to go to AKV, we honeymooned there in 2008 and I'm dying to get back, i love it so much!

 

[happenin2you]

I tried registering online, but we haven't received our activation code in the mail yet. I'm guessing since it's only been a week we may not get it until next week, cause it says it takes two weeks to get to our house.
As soon as I get my activation code for the DVC website, i'll be able to check out availability and stuff.

When we bought in September, we were told our access code wouldn't be sent to us until after closing, which takes about 30 days. After closing, we never received anything, ever. I called Vicki (our guide), and she said for some reason the codes rarely make it to people and she walked me through the website sign on process and gave me my code. Just an FYI

 

[franandaj]

Man, could you imagine buying the maximum amount of points?! That's almost scary (but fun) to think about!

I've never thought about putting bottles away and having them replenished Good thinking for my next trip

Can you imagine the dues on the maximum number of points?

With my dues I could probably stay a week in a hotel room, but this way with DVC I get over three weeks in a one bedroom (not consecutively).

I understand your dilemma with having to vacation in school year constraints. I hope Daniel gets the new job. When is your due date?

 

[Leshaface]

Congrats and Welcome home!!! My husband and I bought AKV from Vicki Bartholomew on our anniversary trip to DLR last september. Our first trip with points will be on an Alaskan cruise on the Wonder May 21 and we are super excited! Next time we have to go to AKV, we honeymooned there in 2008 and I'm dying to get back, i love it so much!

Hope you have an amazing time! We have never stayed at AKL so now we're so stinkin' excited to call AKV our home!

When we bought in September, we were told our access code wouldn't be sent to us until after closing, which takes about 30 days. After closing, we never received anything, ever. I called Vicki (our guide), and she said for some reason the codes rarely make it to people and she walked me through the website sign on process and gave me my code. Just an FYI

Thanks for the heads up!

I called yesterday to ask when everything closes, and the lady I spoke with looked up our contract and said it looks like it will be closed by the beginning of next week and that we should be getting a code either by email or snail mail. I'll be keeping a lookout for the code otherwise i'll be calling back

Can you imagine the dues on the maximum number of points?

With my dues I could probably stay a week in a hotel room, but this way with DVC I get over three weeks in a one bedroom (not consecutively).

I understand your dilemma with having to vacation in school year constraints. I hope Daniel gets the new job. When is your due date?

Is there a maximum number of nights you can rent a studio or bedroom consecutively with DVC? I didn't know this..

I really hope he gets it too. That means no driving an hour roundtrip to work and the school is only about 3 miles from our house. I talked to him yesterday about the probability of going in January 2013 for a week if he gets the job and he seems up for it...now I REALLY want him to get the job I'm due September 25.

 

[Pinkocto]

You are going to LOVE AKV!!!!! It is so wonderful.

I've seen tons of people at WDW with infants, unless by that time you want some quality time with DH I'm sure you would be fine with the baby. Fingers crossed the new job goes through

 

[franandaj]

Hope you have an amazing time! We have never stayed at AKL so now we're so stinkin' excited to call AKV our home!

I called yesterday to ask when everything closes, and the lady I spoke with looked up our contract and said it looks like it will be closed by the beginning of next week and that we should be getting a code either by email or snail mail. I'll be keeping a lookout for the code otherwise i'll be calling back

Is there a maximum number of nights you can rent a studio or bedroom consecutively with DVC? I didn't know this..

I really hope he gets it too. That means no driving an hour roundtrip to work and the school is only about 3 miles from our house. I talked to him yesterday about the probability of going in January 2013 for a week if he gets the job and he seems up for it...now I REALLY want him to get the job I'm due September 25.

i hope you guys love the AKV, I've stayed at that resort more than any at WDW and if we make it back there in three weeks that will put it farther in the lead.

Hopefully you will get in the system soon and get to play around with the member site.

There really isn't a maximum number of points, but the longest you can stay in one DVC room is 30 days or a month. After that period of time you would have to move to another room.

That's a lot of driving! An hour in LA can be 20 miles, but an hour up there can be a long ways away. If you deliver in September, you could probably travel with the baby in January. That's tough being restricted in your travel times.

 

[katds10]

Congrats! I always thought DVC was for older, super wealthy people. Some people on our cruise made it seem like that...I don't know why I didn't think about doing a down payment and a loan to pay off. I am super interested in signing up too now!

 

[Leshaface]

You are going to LOVE AKV!!!!! It is so wonderful.

I've seen tons of people at WDW with infants, unless by that time you want some quality time with DH I'm sure you would be fine with the baby. Fingers crossed the new job goes through

We're debating on what we would want to do:

1) take my mom or his mom to be the extra person so we can go on rides (DH was telling me it's much more fun to go on rides with me than by himself as a single rider, which I understand. I like experiencing fun things with him as well). This would also give us a chance to have at least one 'romantic' dinner somewhere and have my mom watch the baby back at the villa.

or

2) take the baby by ourselves and make do like thousands of other families do. It would be a cute first family vacation for sure. We could still do the romantic dinner thing (probably Jiko since it's at the resort) and have babysitting come to the villa for a few hours. I've heard good things but i'm not sure if we'd feel comfortable with someone who we've never met watching the baby. Then again, a lot of people have done it, so i'm not sure.

But this does give us options though and options are better than nothing.

i hope you guys love the AKV, I've stayed at that resort more than any at WDW and if we make it back there in three weeks that will put it farther in the lead.

Hopefully you will get in the system soon and get to play around with the member site.

There really isn't a maximum number of points, but the longest you can stay in one DVC room is 30 days or a month. After that period of time you would have to move to another room.

That's a lot of driving! An hour in LA can be 20 miles, but an hour up there can be a long ways away. If you deliver in September, you could probably travel with the baby in January. That's tough being restricted in your travel times.

I can't wait to mess around on the system and see what all the fun is about. So when i'm finally able to log on, will I be able to see if there are 1 bedrooms available at AKV for the time we would want to go? Also are you able to choose a specific room or do they assign? Sorry for all the questions.. I'm a newb.

Congrats! I always thought DVC was for older, super wealthy people. Some people on our cruise made it seem like that...I don't know why I didn't think about doing a down payment and a loan to pay off. I am super interested in signing up too now!

I thought the SAME thing! Honestly, once we do it, i'm pretty sure i'm going to regret not doing it sooner. Especially if you're able to afford it, why the heck not?! We thought it was going to be like $650-$750 a month at first, which is why we never were interested in signing right away. Then when I realized our payment was going to be under $300 a month, I was like . We could have done this a while ago. That's including the maintenance fees, so after the 10 years are up, we'll only have to be paying like $75 a month, which is fantastic! I'm really excited to get this going. And hey! If you do decide to sign put me as a referral!

 

[Pinkocto]

When you're able to log onto the members site you will be able to check anytime in your current 11 month window. All other resorts you can only look up availibility in your 7 month window. It is new that you can check it online you used to have to call them, which you could do now so you don't have to wait. They're all very nice and happy to check. If you do call make sure you have your member number to tell them. You can request a certain room or location like near the elevators ect. but you won't know if your request has been honored until you check in. Also at AKV there are 4 different view choices, standard, pool view, savannah view, and club level which can be pool view or savannah view with concierge benefits. Did they give you a points book to keep?

 

[franandaj]

Yeah, what Pam said! The only resorts that I've heard of people requesting specific rooms are VGC and BLT. Mostly you just say things like (at AKV) close to an elevator, near the lobby, or if you like Okapi (I think that is the unique species) better than zebras or ankole cattle, you would want the Pembe savannah. I think they also have the red river hogs.

They can not guarantee your room, but you can make broad requests. I have heard of guests calling the resort directly within three days before and working out specific room numbers.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Oh my, I'm so far behind....CONGRATS on becoming DVC members, and welcome to our world!!!!

Being a DVC member is the BEST thing!! Once you walk into that villa on your first DVC trip it is like nothing you are even dreaming about right now (and I know you are dreaming about it because you are similar to me )! It's just incredible, and it really is terrific when you have kids. To be able to spread out and relax it amazing! And AKV is beautiful...what an amazing thing to be able to look out your window every morning and go onto your balcony and see animals roaming around the savannah! And you can do CL there! It's the only current DVC resort that has a CL category. Plus if you feel like venturing to a different resort you can book those 7 months in advance, and depending on the time of year plenty if available. Or, you could do a split stay and try a couple of different ones...the possibilities are endless!

So happy for you, and hope you are feeling well!

 

[heathsf]

DVC members!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TheThomsLuvDisney]

Congratulations on DVC

Too funny, when I saw your title, "Big Update", I thought you were going to say you were having twins!!!

We absolutely love DVC and just got home yesterday from an 11 day trip to Aulani, it was fabulous!!

 

[Leshaface]

Oh my, I'm so far behind....CONGRATS on becoming DVC members, and welcome to our world!!!!

Being a DVC member is the BEST thing!! Once you walk into that villa on your first DVC trip it is like nothing you are even dreaming about right now (and I know you are dreaming about it because you are similar to me )! It's just incredible, and it really is terrific when you have kids. To be able to spread out and relax it amazing! And AKV is beautiful...what an amazing thing to be able to look out your window every morning and go onto your balcony and see animals roaming around the savannah! And you can do CL there! It's the only current DVC resort that has a CL category. Plus if you feel like venturing to a different resort you can book those 7 months in advance, and depending on the time of year plenty if available. Or, you could do a split stay and try a couple of different ones...the possibilities are endless!

So happy for you, and hope you are feeling well!

I am so excited to be DVC members! Now i'm just waiting for the contract to close so I can start messing around on the DVC website. I'm very much looking forward to AKV. I was thinking about doing a split stay, then remembered that we would be ordering groceries the first day we got there, so i'm not sure if I want to be lugging around $200 worth of groceries PLUS our stuff to another resort. Not sure how that works. Either way, I'm still super excited!

DVC members!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Heather!

Congratulations on DVC

Too funny, when I saw your title, "Big Update", I thought you were going to say you were having twins!!!

We absolutely love DVC and just got home yesterday from an 11 day trip to Aulani, it was fabulous!!

Oh goodness, could you imagine! You guys probably wouldn't see me on here for a while, since I would be in complete shock if they found two babies!

That's awesome! Are you doing a TR for Aulani?

 

[Leshaface]

Tonight I will be updating my baby blog since I haven't done it in so long. So keep a look out tomorrow for it.

Disney News:

DH and I have decided that we will take a trip to WDW regardless of if he gets the job that he's looking at here in town. Here's how it will work:

1) If he gets the job in town that he wants, we'll be able to go to WDW sometime between Jan 1 - Jan 12 of 2013.

2) If he doesn't get the job and remains where he's at right now, we'll be looking at Dec 7 - Dec 13 or 14th of 2012.

We had been to WDW in January before and it was perfect, crowd-wise and weather. I was worried about December but had read that it doesn't start getting busy until a week before Christmas and we'd be out of there by that time.

I was also afraid that during Christmas, the points would go up drastically during our time for AKV, seeing as it's around the holidays, turns out the time we're going is also in Adventure season (value season) so anytime we go will be just perfect. It would be awesome if we could go during Christmas, then I would be able to see how the parks look during this time. We should know for sure by the end of May what's happening.

BIG NEWS ----> When DH and I were talking about taking this trip, I thought it would just be the three of us, as a little family. Turns out he didn't like this idea for one reason: "But what about big rides?! It's funner riding with you and I don't want us to go separately!" He's cute, but I do agree with him. It's much more of a blast to experience a ride together rather than apart. So we got to talking, leave the baby at home? Naw, we'd probably regret it. My mom? Now for those that have known me for years, you know my mom hasn't flown for over 20 years. But if any of you guys recall, when we were thinking about starting a family, she said she would fly with us to WDW one day (never knowing when that would be). I approached her a few hours ago, saying we're probably going in Dec or Jan and that we would like her to come with us. "Is the baby going for sure?" "Yep." ".......okay I'll do it!" Folks, this is HUGE! I'm actually getting a little nervous though because the last time she was on a flight she was crying hysterically. I'm not sure how i'll be able to take care of her and a baby. Either way, I'm SO excited that she's conquering this flying fear to be with us and her first grandchild.

So let's be keeping an eye out for a ticker!

 

[disneybarbie]

Lesha that's such exciting news! I've been twice mid-December and apart from some fairly cold weather in 2010, we had a great time with very low crowds so great that your Mom will be coming with you too! Has she been to WDW before?


Emma x

 

[Shell54]

Good for your Mom for being brave and flying. I have a sister who won't fly. She flew once and had to sedate herself with so many meds it was pathetic. Now she avoids flying at all costs.

WDW.. how exciting!! I'll be watching for your ticker

 

[Leshaface]

Lesha that's such exciting news! I've been twice mid-December and apart from some fairly cold weather in 2010, we had a great time with very low crowds so great that your Mom will be coming with you too! Has she been to WDW before?


Emma x

That's good to know about the crowds. And i'd still get to experience all the beautiful decorations too!

She has never been to FL. She's only flown twice to Pennsylvania and twice to Hawaii, so it will be interesting to see how she does flying this time around. I think i'm more worried about how bad the turbulence will be flying from CA to FL for her. That's the part that scares here, I believe.

Good for your Mom for being brave and flying. I have a sister who won't fly. She flew once and had to sedate herself with so many meds it was pathetic. Now she avoids flying at all costs.

WDW.. how exciting!! I'll be watching for your ticker

I'm afraid she's going to look into doing something like that as well. The last time she flew, she had a ton of wine before and during the flight. However, our flight will most likely be at 6 or 6:30am and don't think she wants to start drinking that early. Some type of relaxer or sedative is something she'll be asking her DR about.

 

[franandaj]

I am so excited to be DVC members! Now i'm just waiting for the contract to close so I can start messing around on the DVC website. I'm very much looking forward to AKV. I was thinking about doing a split stay, then remembered that we would be ordering groceries the first day we got there, so i'm not sure if I want to be lugging around $200 worth of groceries PLUS our stuff to another resort. Not sure how that works. Either way, I'm still super excited!

Don't forget, Bell Services will move your stuff and keep it refrigerated/frozen, whatever. They just won't keep your sodas in the fridge, just perishables. Don't let that deter you, but the packing up to move is understandable.

1) If he gets the job in town that he wants, we'll be able to go to WDW sometime between Jan 1 - Jan 12 of 2013.

2) If he doesn't get the job and remains where he's at right now, we'll be looking at Dec 7 - Dec 13 or 14th of 2012.

BIG NEWS ----> When DH and I were talking about taking this trip, I thought it would just be the three of us, as a little family. Turns out he didn't like this idea for one reason: "But what about big rides?! It's funner riding with you and I don't want us to go separately!" He's cute, but I do agree with him. It's much more of a blast to experience a ride together rather than apart. So we got to talking, leave the baby at home? Naw, we'd probably regret it. My mom? Now for those that have known me for years, you know my mom hasn't flown for over 20 years. But if any of you guys recall, when we were thinking about starting a family, she said she would fly with us to WDW one day (never knowing when that would be). I approached her a few hours ago, saying we're probably going in Dec or Jan and that we would like her to come with us. "Is the baby going for sure?" "Yep." ".......okay I'll do it!" Folks, this is HUGE! I'm actually getting a little nervous though because the last time she was on a flight she was crying hysterically. I'm not sure how i'll be able to take care of her and a baby. Either way, I'm SO excited that she's conquering this flying fear to be with us and her first grandchild.

So let's be keeping an eye out for a ticker!

Both are great times to travel, they might be cold, they might be great weather, but the crowds should be low, unless that's the Marathon time in January.

I'm afraid she's going to look into doing something like that as well. The last time she flew, she had a ton of wine before and during the flight. However, our flight will most likely be at 6 or 6:30am and don't think she wants to start drinking that early. Some type of relaxer or sedative is something she'll be asking her DR about.

Valium! It will work wonders! You will have such a good time. Hopefully you can also have a date night while Mom stays in with the baby!