My Parents Bought While We Were at SSR This Week!!!

[Snoopygirl]

We just got back from our big Disney trip--5/25-6/5. We were at VB for 2 nights, then at SSR for 8. It was the first time we (me & DH) used our pts. at WDW. We had stayed last year at GCH (loved it!!!) Anyway, our parents went with us on this trip and my mom really wanted to buy into DVC. My dad relunctantly made the appt. and went on the tour. We all went actually, since I bought over the phone. I wanted to do the tour too! They had Ray and he was great! Funny and very nice and helpful. My dad just kinda sat there taking it all in. Then we were done and he told Ray he would think about it and call him the next day before we left. So we were walking towards the ice cream parlor and I look back and my dad says to Ray....go get the paperwork, I'll take 160 pts!!!!!

We decided we want to go on the Disney cruise! So, all you experts....we are thinking of late Nov. or early Dec. 09 for the cruise....what are your thoughts???? And should we pay cash for the kids? What is the best way to use pts. for the cruise?

 

[bobbiwoz]

We went on a 3 night DCL cruise for DH's birthday in Mid November one year and the weather/seas were fine. I think as you head into December the waters may not be as warm and it could be a tad rougher. If you go on the Dis cruise forum you'll get lots of help with time of year.

How nice that your parents will be joining you as you enjoy Disney! I hope you have many happy vacations together!

Bobbi

 

[FLYNZ4]

What is the best way to use pts. for the cruise?

I think the best way to use your points for the cruise is to rent them out... and then pay cash for the cruise. I beleive you will save money... and have more options if your plans change.

/Jim

 

[Disney_Villain]

Congratulations!

We wish we could some parents (my in-laws) to do the same! She loves Disney vacations with us (he's OK with them) and they both adore the DVC resorts we've put them up at. They hold the view that they're too old to get the value of a contract (being around 75 years old), and that they'll pay cash to stay with us instead. We've put them up on our points from time to time too.

 

[shortypots]

I would love it if my mom bought, but I don't think she will.She turns 60 next year, so I doubt she will be around for another 34 years (I hope so, but how many people make it to 94 anymore.)

Although, my sister and brother who both have kids will probably find it very attractive. My sister has her in laws down in Florida so they tend to go all the time and visit, so that would be a good way for them to go. My brother on the other hand, needs to move out of my mom's house and get his own place before he considers it, but maybe someday!

We bought for our family mainly. We are DINKs so the only kids we consider are our nieces and nephew. We figure one big family trip every other year could be a lot of fun, and with the flexibility of booking the amount of room you want and the # of days was what sold us! So if only half the fam can go for only half the week, we only book a 2bd for half the week and save the points! Disney is great for flexibility. Now if they could just get their booking engine online, I would be all set!

 

[abeyst]

Congratulations! It must feel good to share the magic! (I know I love it when I can get people hooked on DVC and Disney )

I agree with PP - rent the points and pay cash for the cruise, if the cruise is really what you want to do.

 

[SnowWhite2]

My number one advice with DVC:

Use your points the way you want to use them and have a good time.


Yes, you MAY be able to sell your points for more money than what the cruise will cost, but it may be a wash. Selling is not a easy, stress-free experience. I started down that path once and it took time...time I didn't have to spend on a bunch of people wanting my points for next to nothing and changing their minds about when, where and what size accomodations.

I cruised on the Magic the first week of February this year. I had a cash ressie I made on-board before I purchased DVC later in the week.
My cat 8 for myself, DH, DD13 and DD11 was $4200. The point total was 479. Using my purchase price for the points and the full value of the maintenance (which I didn't have to pay), came to 479 x $6 (2.51 + 3.??) <$3000. I personally think it was a great use of points. I had no money available after purchasing my 350 points. The cost of my points was less than the cash value DCL charged. Seems like a win-win situation to me.

Yes, I could have sold my points at $10/pt and received $4790. But I was new to DVC and didn't want the bother of selling my points.

I'm the type on the DDP where I feel I have made a good deal when I eat an average of $40/day (when the plan was $38.99 incl tips) for food and I don't need to go to the most expensive restaurants and have the most expensive meals to feel that I've gotten the value from it. It is the same with my cruise experience. I don't have to get every last dime out of it.

I expect to use trades into II and other uses for my points if it seems beneficial to me. The fact that I could make more money off of a difference scenario is not why I purchased DVC. If I'm happy then that is all that matters.

 

[dallastxcpa]

I would definetly look into paying cash for the kids. Depending on what type of staterooms you get it may or may not be a wash.

Start doing research now though. There are alot of hidden costs to cruising: trip insurance, transportation to and from the port, tips for your server and cabin host (worth every penny and more), picture packages (and believe me there are tons of photo ops), liquor (if you care for such), spa treatments, shore excursions.