Okay how many DVC owners DON'T go to WDW every year and if not, do.......

[edk35]

That's what we're doing. We're going twice in 12 months (last Oct. and upcoming in Sept.) to reuse APs, golf card and DDE. We'll likely skip next year and be back in 2010 to repeat.


DisFlan

Okay so almost like one trip in 07, 08 skip 09? Is that right? I was thinking people that do this would do 2 trips in one year like six months apart and then skip a year. I was thinking why not go once a year every year.

 

[crisi]

something to think about I guess. It does though seem to all work out the same in the wash so to speak.

No, it ends up saving you tickets every year. For a bigger family, that can be a considerable savings - its about $1300 in park tickets for us to go for a week - if I get APs, I spend that $1300 every other year.

For us it doesn't work because we tend to go every other year - October 05 followed by October 07 - and are stuck with the week we go. We are going again for October 08 - and because our weeks can't move, we have $1300 in park tickets for October 07 and another $1300 for October 08. But if I could have moved that October 08 trip back two weeks, I could have bought APs and spend $1400 once - saving $1200.

 

[musical2]

We don't go to Disney every year. We bought just enough points to go to WDW for about 12 - 14 nights every other year in a 2BR (depending on time of year). In our off years we have other Timeshares (Marriott Manor Club, and Aruba Renaissance) to use or trade for other places.

It works for us. We get our Disney fix for a couple of weeks one year, then see a part of the rest of the world the next.

 

[eva]

We've been at least once a year for the last 12 years. But we still do other things with our points. A few years ago we did DL and stayed at the GC during their big anniversary. And we have cruised three times now, with our fourth planned for next year. And this year we are doing the Viva Italia tour through ABD on points. A lot of people find it a better deal to rent their points and pay cash. But I guess I am just too lazy or nervous. Probably both. But we still try to hit WDW for at least 5-7 days every year. I'm sure sometime we will try a trade through II. But I haven't really seen anywhere that really strikes my fancy yet. We had thought maybe Hawaii. But by the time we get around to it the new DVC resort should be open.

 

[DisFlan]

Okay so almost like one trip in 07, 08 skip 09? Is that right? I was thinking people that do this would do 2 trips in one year like six months apart and then skip a year. I was thinking why not go once a year every year.

You got me there. We've gone almost every year for the last several years, but next year we're going to bank points into '10 so we can have my sister and her family stay with us. (My two nieces are both Mega-Princesses.)

DisFlan

 

[edk35]

No, it ends up saving you tickets every year. For a bigger family, that can be a considerable savings - its about $1300 in park tickets for us to go for a week - if I get APs, I spend that $1300 every other year.

For us it doesn't work because we tend to go every other year - October 05 followed by October 07 - and are stuck with the week we go. We are going again for October 08 - and because our weeks can't move, we have $1300 in park tickets for October 07 and another $1300 for October 08. But if I could have moved that October 08 trip back two weeks, I could have bought APs and spend $1400 once - saving $1200.

yeah I see......we are doing that next summer. We will get AP's and then use them for that trip plus the following year a week or so earlier. Although I am also thinking of getting non exp. tickets and doing less park days. My kids love doing other stuff beside the parks now too. Plus it means more relaxing time. I am starting to feel like if we are going to pay big bucks to go to wdw i AM TIRED OF COMMANDO park days. It seems that when we get up early and stay up late....we end up with a cranky dad by the end too. We have been 3 times this past year and the same for this year.....so really we have DONE TONS OF PARK ACTION. My kids are starting to complain with getting up early all the time. They loved SAB this past trip and I want to try and have more resort spending time.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Okay so almost like one trip in 07, 08 skip 09? Is that right? I was thinking people that do this would do 2 trips in one year like six months apart and then skip a year. I was thinking why not go once a year every year.

We do a trip in Dec., followed by a trip the following October. We then take off Oct.-Nov. and go the following Dec. It's still one trip per year, but it allows us to get the most out of Annual Passes. We get two trips in on one pass ($370 for each of us) rather than having to purchase hoppers, which are more expensive. We also try to get in a shorter trip sometime in the Spring (so Oct-Feb-Dec, for example) to really maximize our points, but that doesn't always happen. In the Oct.-Nov. period that we take off we try to go to Hilton Head or on a non-DVC trip.

 

[AnnaS]

On a II exchange, how easy is it to get an exchange if you book 11 or 12 mos out? Somewhere like Cancun, Aruba, perhaps Atlantis(Harborside) in Bahamas? Have been to both Aruba, Marriott Properties and Harborside as "revenue paying"...Lovely timeshare properties!!! Never been to Cancun though....

Much thanks!

We put in for our exchange to Cancun (Royal Sands) sometime in Oct. 07 and it came through I believe in April. My brother (also dvc) is still waiting for his.

 

[Kathi OD]

We don't go to WDW every year with our points. Sometimes we go to Vero Beach and a couple of times we have traded out through II. Both times we traded out, we didn't plan much more than 8 months out, BUT we're not going to the super popular destinations. Our trades were to Sedona (at Easter) and Gatlinburg (over 4th of July).

 

[Pixie_Dust]

We only use them at WDW. I would love to use them at DL, but have been advised that there will be so few of those properties sold that only the owners there will have a shot at the ressies. Someday we may go to Vero Beach or Hilton Head.
As for the other options, I can't see spending the extra $95 or whatever it is now per ressie to use that. And as for the cruise it would cost even more than that to get the passports you need now to take a cruise.

 

[jerseygal]

Then was notified in April 08...Six months later? What month were you planning to vacation?

Do you think that is the standard for Caribbean locations?

Do you think it is easier 1 BR or 2 BR?

Do you think it depends upon time of yr wanting to travel? We traditionally travel in July/August to Caribbean..Wonder if that makes it a little more easier than Christmas, March/April, November Thanksgiving.

If it takes that long for a booking through Interval, guess you must have had to wait to book airfare..That becomes problematic for cheaper fares..
Closer to date of travel, more expensive it is to travel...I usually try to snag airfare 7-8 mos in advance of trip.

Thanks for any additional info in advance.

 

[AnnaS]

Then was notified in April 08...Six months later? What month were you planning to vacation?

Do you think that is the standard for Caribbean locations?

Do you think it is easier 1 BR or 2 BR?

Do you think it depends upon time of yr wanting to travel? We traditionally travel in July/August to Caribbean..Wonder if that makes it a little more easier than Christmas, March/April, November Thanksgiving.

If it takes that long for a booking through Interval, guess you must have had to wait to book airfare..That becomes problematic for cheaper fares..
Closer to date of travel, more expensive it is to travel...I usually try to snag airfare 7-8 mos in advance of trip.




It would help if I listed the date I wanted, lol.

This was an exchange for July 2009 - I requested the exchange almost two years in advance. It is for a 2BDR - I only gave one week and one resort since my brother (and his family) are only trying for the same week, same resort but a 1 BDR. I know it was far in advance but I lucked out in getting what I wanted. We are trying to vacation together. He put his in at the same time, but no luck yet.

I have not checked airfare yet, but will most likely book the airfare as soon as it becomes available (or sometime this winter) - not sure. I am not sure if my dd (16 will be able to make it).