Not staying at DVC - Will it feel weird?

[theww228]

We are new members to the DVC and we have only had one stay so far at a DVC resort (VWL Oct 2009). We have a trip booked for May 2010 at VWL, however the cold and lack of sun in Ohio is giving us cabin fever. So, yesterday I booked a 4 day weekend at POFQ (Feb) and now I am wondering if we will enjoy staying there. Is it possible to become a resort snob after 1 stay?

How do other member "feel" when they are not staying at a DVC resort?

Also, when DVC members stay at PO do you prefer FQ or RS?

Sorry, one last question...
My wife and I have had a terrible year in 2009. Our DD spent a week in the hospital after a bad accident, DD had to wear a helmet to reshape her flat head, DMIL lost her job and had a heart attack, DW's one grandmother passed away, and the other grandmother had a stroke on NYE. I booked this trip as a get away and a chance for my DW and I to kind of hit the "reset" button. We are planning to leave DD with DIL's during the trip. DIL's see DD every single day and DD loves them very much. My IL's will be staying at our house so DD is as comfortable as possible and can sleep in her own bed. This is the first time that my DW has been away from DD and she has some doubts about being so far away. I think it is best that we have some alone time and can relax. Have any of you taken trips without the kids and how did it go?
TIA

 

[arthur06]

I dont know what kind of room you had at VWL in oct, if you had a studio, you wont be that far off at POR... FQ is my favorite mod resort...

We try to get away without kids once in a while... and for us, we can relax... sometimes you just need some time with your spouse!

 

[culli]

Sorry to hear about 2009. I think you will like port orleans, we stayed there once and think it is the nicest of the moderate resorts. You can take the boat to downtown disney. It is well themed and regardless of which side you stay on it is an easy walk to the other side.

My wife and I have taken two Disney trips without kids and it is AWESOME! You won't believe how much easier it is to get around without kids. Plus it looks like you are going at a slow park time so you will also enjoy that aspect. We love EPCOT the best and suggest you spend a day hanging out and enjoying the countries, I love Germany for the Spatan on tap

Hollywood Studios is also a nice place as you can hit the rides and stuff, same thing goes for AK. Ohhh I love our adult only trips, so much to do!!!!!!!!!!!! We do everything we can't when we bring the kids. Plus I get the "adult" things out of the system so I enjoy going with the kids even more.........hope that makes sense

I'm sure you will have a blast and just try to forget lives downs, Disney is one of the best places to do that at.

 

[gracelrm]

We have been DVC members since 2001 and have had many trips in the villas. We also have had a few trips to non-DVC resorts due to saving up points for extended family trips. We have stayed at POR because we needed the rooms for five. We actually enjoyed these trips as much as our regular trips. The only difference for us is that we usually stay in a 2BR and spend more time in the room - when we're in a moderate - we spend more time outside of the room. Since it will just be the two of you - I don't really think it will make too big of a difference. We enjoy the food court areas at the moderates and when we go back to the villas - we wish we had that option.

I hope you and your wife have a lovely trip and hopefully the magic of Disney will help her to not worry about being away from DD. DH and I haven't been to Disney without the kids, but we try to get away from time to time for a day or two - I think it's important to have some alone time.

 

[cj9200]

Sorry to hear about your 2009. It was not a good year here either. Here is to 2010 being much better.

Will it feel weird? Not at all. Yes, the room may be smaller but I find it is fun to check out other resorts. FQ is my favorite moderate. Smaller and more intimate than the others, the pool is nice and you have easy access to River Side. Suggest you stroll around the well landscaped grounds by the river and catch Yeehaw Bob over at the RS lounge. They also have carriage rides there.

Without the kids, I would adopt the, we can do anything we want attitude. Enjoy some quality time together. Have a great trip.

 

[wdw1972]

Staying non-dvc REALLY makes me appreciate my dvc!!! We all are spoiled by dvc and staying in a value or moderate does feel like slumming (even though POFQ is a beautiful resort). I'd miss my microwave, the basic utensils/mugs/paperware, the extra sink, etc.

As for traveling without kids - I firmly believe the best thing parents can do for their kids is model what a healthy relationship should be, and this means the marriage comes first. Sending the message to the kid(s) that mommy & daddy's time is just as important as family time is a good thing in my opinion...it's the only right thing to do. You're fortunate to have a relative who can keep your kid while you get away - it'll be great for everyone (the kid, you 2, and also the relative caring for the kid).

 

[DMKEDM]

Sure do hope your reset button changes the year from a series of bad things to a series of good ones!

To comment on your question: a couple of years ago, after about 5 or so trips to DVC villas, I wound up for 3 days in a Yacht Club regular room (business trip)...and I very much noticed the difference.

It wasn't the room itself (altho having two beds instead of a bed and a couch does change "the feel" of the room)...the Yacht Club room was a really good one--spacious and beautiful. It was other things--like daily housekeeping (which actually felt rather intrusive; I was surprised at how quickly I'd adapted to Trash & Towel!). Also, I totally noticed the "extra costs"--taxes in particular! Getting a bill at the end of the stay, w/internet charges and taxes on it was expected, but jarring...

So yes, I noticed (very much) that I was a hotel guest rather than a DVC guest...

But it wasn't "bad: or "worse;" it was just different...

That is also true of trips w/out DS...they're very different. Not good, not bad--just different. Good and bad about both...you'll no doubt miss your DD; there will be things you experience that you look around to see her face, and she won't be there. But there will also be things you can experience that you couldn't if she were there. Like I said, just different...all good, so long as you don't expect "same."

I haven't been at POR since it was Dixie Landings (except when on on ME that stops there on the way to where I'm actually going)...I LOVED it then...but it's been years...

Have a terrific trip; hope you are now entering a phase of all good things...pixie dust to you...

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think that POR or FQ would be good choices for one who loves VWL. I'm glad you were able to get something and I hope the weekend turns out to be fabulous! Take a carriage ride together!

Bobbi

 

[fkj2]

If your choice is not staying DVC or not going at all...GO!

You need a rest. As long as DD is stable and you've got a support system in place, it sounds as though the bases are coverd. Flights leave all the time from MCO in case there'd be an emergency.

I left an elderly and infirmed mom with caregivers for a few days at a time; I had to have a break. It's not easy to do but as others have posted, you and DW need to take care of you too. Make sure you take the boat ride to DTD--very restful IMO.

Good luck with it all.

 

[delaneyc52]

We've been DVC members for 10 years now and I kinda miss Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans. I actually think it will be fun for you! As for going without kids, it's a necessity of marriage. The parents need their time to regain strength and what better place to do that than the Happiest Place on Earth? Enjoy!

 

[theww228]

Thanks to everyone for all the words of support and encouragement!

After reading the posts my DW is feeling a lot better about being away from her little baby. I am really looking forward to spending some alone time and being able to focus on just each other. It seems like at home there is always something to do and it can make it hard to focus on each other when you are thinking about projects around the house that need complete, work issues, etc. That is one thing that I most enjoy about vacation is that you cannot do anything but relax and enjoy your time.

Thanks again for eveyone's input, it has meant a lot to me and my DW.

 

[Dean]

We enjoy trying different options, on property and off. Of the Moderates, PO (both sides) is my favorite, likely over the deluxe's for most situations.

 

[snoopy5386]

I can't answer your first question but as to your second...I can't imagine leaving my one year old for several days, it would have just never happened. Heck my DD will be 4 in April and we are planning our first overnight without her now - just one night! Last January we were in Ft. Lauderdale vacationing with my ILs and DH surprised me with a day trip to WDW without DD.....it was very hard for me not to take her with us....I did have a great time, but I missed her a lot. He also wanted to go to MK and I said no way could I go there without her and enjoy myself, we went to Epcot instead.
If I were you I'd take the baby, she would cost you nothing - she can fly on your lap for free, eat for free, etc.

 

[photobob]

After three stays in a row at YC, a stay at Coronado convinced us to buy DVC. I would however rather stay at any WDW resort versus staying home!!

 

[tgropp]

[

As for traveling without kids - I firmly believe the best thing parents can do for their kids is model what a healthy relationship should be, and this means the marriage comes first. Sending the message to the kid(s) that mommy & daddy's time is just as important as family time is a good thing in my opinion...it's the only right thing to do. You're fortunate to have a relative who can keep your kid while you get away - it'll be great for everyone (the kid, you 2, and also the relative caring for the kid).[/QUOTE]

Well said. I never realized that I could enjoy WDW without my children as much as I do. Even though thay are older, they would still like to tag along but we did that all their younger lives and now they realize that they have to look after their vacation plans. We are going down as a family again this Christmas though, as I fondly remember those previous Christmas vacations at WDW as some of the best ever as they were just our family.

 

[Buckalew11]

We usually stay at BCV (home) and the Dolphin. Maybe it is the location, cleanliness, and Heavenly beds but I never feeling like I'm slumming at the Dolphin resort.

I also think WDW trips w/o kids is a wonderful thing.

have a blast, you deserve it.

 

[keishashadow]

I enjoyed our stay @ POFQ in Dec for a week far more than i thought i would. It's especially beautiful/romantic @night & pool/hot tub never seemed to be overly crowded even during Pop Warner week.

the curtain in bath area was very convenient for the small quarters as to privacy; the food court didn't seem to flow well though.

I will state the double beds r a bearif u r used to larger bedding. supposedly going to rehab this year & get Qs...if this is a consideration u may want to book another of the mods that do have Qs (CSR for one)