One year living in our timeshares: 2 1/2 year update

[thepops]

That is great that you got to meet! Our daughter is going to be living her dream. Although not quite the same thing, she had a dream of working for Disney. She applied to the DCP and begins her 4 month program on January 26th"

Well, Congratulations to her!

 

[rlovew]

The Keys are gorgeous even this time of year- I was complaining to my in-laws that it was cold weather down here since we had 2 days in a row where the temp didn't reach 71 degrees, but we are back to normal again now. Even our cold days at least start at 60ish. We live in Marathon.

 

[OhioDVC]

The Keys are gorgeous even this time of year- I was complaining to my in-laws that it was cold weather down here since we had 2 days in a row where the temp didn't reach 71 degrees, but we are back to normal again now. Even our cold days at least start at 60ish. We live in Marathon.

thanks

If I came down Dec 1 to Jan 30 do you think most days will hit 70 for the high?

With a 5mm triathlon wet suit do you think my crazy wife could train (swim) in the ocean?

Could you recommend an island that would be better for cycling and access to a beach for ocean swimming.

 

[rlovew]

thanks

If I came down Dec 1 to Jan 30 do you think most days will hit 70 for the high?

With a 5mm triathlon wet suit do you think my crazy wife could train (swim) in the ocean?

Could you recommend an island that would be better for cycling and access to a beach for ocean swimming.

Most days would hit at least 70 for a high- the cold spell we had last week was unusual from what everyone who has lived here for awhile says. The ocean water was about 65(during the cold spell last week) according to the boaters in the area(so hopefully that will help tell you). Most of the pools are kept heated in the winter and cooled in the summer so on a clod day she could swim in a pool.

We only moved here this past summer so I don't know the other islands that well. Baha Honda is regularly listed as 1 of the top 10 beaches in the country and it is between Marathon and Big Pine. On Marathon -where I live we have 2 areas that are best for cycling- there is a biking/walking/running path that is 4 miles down Sombrero Beach Road(it might be 4 miles there and back I have just been told the path is 4 miles)- it starts at the grocery store and goes all the way down to the end of the beach. Also the old 7 mile bridge is available for both cycling and walking- the trip out and back is 4.5 miles(I walk this regularly so I know this for sure). Sombrero Beach is one of the better beaches in the keys as far as the amount of sand. Your wife could certainly swim out from there.

 

[ACDSNY]

Keep the updates coming it's great to hear how this plan is working for you.

I agree flying does make taking all the extra gear pretty difficult.

 

[CinderBelleDVC]

Oh, I was hoping for a more recent update. Fingers crossed it eventually comes

 

[katriscari]

I just read through all of this, and it is amazing! I am totally jealous, and I hope to be able to purchase DVC in 5 years or less (damn school loans!) I know I will never get to this level, but if I can take my boys to Disney for a week until I am old I will be happy!

 

[DizDays]

I just read through all of this, and it is amazing! I am totally jealous, and I hope to be able to purchase DVC in 5 years or less (damn school loans!) I know I will never get to this level, but if I can take my boys to Disney for a week until I am old I will be happy!

Have you considered looking at resale? You can buy smaller contracts over time if you'd like. Just make sure you get the same Use Year for simplicity. Or, do like I did... For Grand Californian, I only bought 50 points. I push 50 points forward one year (lets say 2016 points), and borrow points from another year (2018) which gives me 150 points in 2017 which is more than enough for a week. When I was able, I got a second 50 point contract at a different property and I do the same thing (which would be my 2018 trip), and one more 50 point contract another year later would give me my 2019 trip and BOOM, then I have a rotating one week every year Disney trip. It was easier than buying 150 points all at once.
Just be aware of the "limitations" of buying resale. Those points can only be used for Disney resorts - not cruise line, RCI, or ABD.

 

[katriscari]

Have you considered looking at resale? You can buy smaller contracts over time if you'd like. Just make sure you get the same Use Year for simplicity. Or, do like I did... For Grand Californian, I only bought 50 points. I push 50 points forward one year (lets say 2016 points), and borrow points from another year (2018) which gives me 150 points in 2017 which is more than enough for a week. When I was able, I got a second 50 point contract at a different property and I do the same thing (which would be my 2018 trip), and one more 50 point contract another year later would give me my 2019 trip and BOOM, then I have a rotating one week every year Disney trip. It was easier than buying 150 points all at once.
Just be aware of the "limitations" of buying resale. Those points can only be used for Disney resorts - not cruise line, RCI, or ABD.

Yes...This is what I will likely start doing once I can save up the money after that dreaded school loan is done. I do not really want to finance this, but I still think there would be value even if I had to do that. I thought to myself too that I could use bonuses when I got them at work or tax returns to get small amounts of points, but then other adult things would always arise....windows last year, a baby 2 months ago, new siding next month....once all that not fun stuff is done I am hoping to be able to get a few contracts to do just what you are saying No need to buy direct, I have no desire to Cruise/use for other places. I am also one of those adults that would enjoy Disney without my kids when they maybe became less interested. I am 34, so my goal is to own by the time I am 40 outright. If I wanted to get some Disney perks I would probably add a small contract through them at that point. I know they recently took some things away. As I see it, it is the only timeshare that could be an investment...thanks for the tip. I am definitely going to file this away in the back on my mind for down the road

 

[dclpluto]

I know this is a old thread but has anyone heard any updates? Wonder how many weeks a year they are doing in a timeshare now

 

[ElizabethCB]

Just read through this, and I would love an update too!

 

[dvc at last !]

Just read through this, and I would love an update too!

Me too !

 

[flyersud99]

I just stumbled on this thread. What a great read! Thanks for sharing and thank you for your service! I would also love to hear an update, or maybe you've started that blog or book. Both would be fascinating!

 

[DVCMinnie2532]

Thank you for all the details. Loved it!

 

[DVC Doctor]

No updates since 2014, some people become haters when they read this and blame successful people for living well

 

[Quiksilvr]

I'm glad someone bumped this. It was inspiring to read. I also would be interested in an update. I'm in my mid-30s now, but hope to do something like this in the future. Reading stories like this helps keep me on track. I also appreciate the value of putting in the time to be able to do this kind of thing. I'm a partner at very large US law firm (1000+ lawyers). I almost killed myself for years to get my partnership, so I can empathize. I'm looking forward to getting to the point where I can cash in all my chips and have a lifestyle like the OP describes.

Many of my partners are working into their mid to late 60s, and still putting in tons of time, which is a mystery to me since they all make well over $1 million per year (some well over $2 million). At some point, enough has to be enough. You only get one life. I suspect some of them haven't been particularly disciplined. Believe me, you can earn a million plus in a year and still effectively be living paycheck to paycheck. I've seen it up close with friends. But most must be in great financial shape. It seems like after 30-40 years of it they'd want a break.

Anyway, just wanted to thank the OP for putting in the time to post about this and provide inspiration to the rest of us.

 

[OhioDVC]

FINALLY AN UPDATE!!!!

Sorry for taking so long for an update. For no particular reason I became less enchanted with the DisBoards.

We've settled in Sarasota, FL. (Oct 2015) in the Palmer Ranch area. We built a home in a new Divosta subdivision called Sandhill Preserve. We picked this area because of weather, access to beaches, recreation and entertainment. We have the Legacy Trail Bike Path 1 mile from our home. My triathlon athlete wife spends many an hour riding and running on the trail. I enjoy riding my bike 10 miles down the trail to Venice for breakfast or lunch. We enjoy tennis, pickle-ball, swimming, boating, beach and of course, traveling.

I guess we found a place to live like we are at a resort.

Now timeshares....

We travel 20+ weeks a year, mostly out of our timeshares plus cruises. We have limited ourselves to our favorite places - Hawaii, Disney World, Disney Land, Caribbean, Hilton Head Island and Sandestin, FL (panhandle) and Mexico - Los Cabos, Cancun, Cozumel, Zihuatannejo and Playa Del Carmen.

We are currently shuffling our inventory. I'm putting up 6-8 weeks of timeshare on Hilton Head Island for sale and then will buy 3-4 weeks down on the Southwest coast of Florida - Sanibel Island, Ft Myers Beach and Marco Island.

I sold some of my DVC points, from a high of 2,900 down to 2,075. I will NEVER sell my DVC points again!

My maintenance fees are down from about $42,000 a year to about $25,000 per year. More manageable, but still big part of the budget.

Plans for the future... Besides the usual for us, we are looking at river boat cruises in Europe and Alaskan cruises. Also, I think we will reduce our travels to 15 to 18 weeks a year and plan on keeping that up into our 70's - currently 59/58.

Best new timeshare idea I've seen....Fiesta Americana Vacation Club (FAVC) has some of their timeshares co-located with their hotels - just like DVC at Wilderness Lodge. FAVC now allows members to pay for the all inclusive fee with points instead of cash. Normally the all-inclusive fee is about $75 per day, using points comes out to $39 per day - only counting mx fees. So it is a really good deal. Now when we go on vacation, my wife does have to cook on those trips using FAVC points. Disney should take note. Using DVC points for the meal plan.

Only one new purchase, Longboat Bay Club on Lido Key, just North of Siesta Key beach and close to St Armand's Circle. Very popular.

Our favorite resort is Aulani with Live Aqua - Cancun a very close second.

Our dream vacation is Tahiti.

And NO, we are not getting tired of traveling. I can pack a suitcase in around 15 minutes and be ready to go.

Most recent trip was 8 nights at Old Key West starting March 31, '17. We took our daughter for her spring break (teacher). She brought along a teacher friend of hers and her 4 year old. It was great seeing Disney through the eyes of a 4 year old.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my entries. DVC has really made an impact on our lives - for the positive. I never would have imagined traveling so much or being able to afford it without timeshares. Our retirement, so far, has been amazing. I didn't think it could be this good. I still miss my time in the Air Force, but 33 years was enough to give to my country. Serving and flying for me was a passion, not a job. I did not work one day in 33 years. It was all fun, almost.


Upcoming plans for the next 6 months:

Hyatt, Coconut Plantation - 4 nights - beach vacation
Saratoga Springs with mother in law for EPCOT flower show
Disneyland for 4 nights
Hilton Hawaiian Village for 4 nights - downtown Honolulu
(favorite activity - riding my bike up to Diamond Head through Honolulu city traffic and then hiking DH.)
Aulani for 12 nights
Sandestin Florida for 6 nights over the 4th
OKW for 4 nights starting on July 5th for the water-parks
Hilton Head Island for a week - meet the new boy friend
Coconut Plantation for a weekend
Coconut Plantation for another weekend
Longboat Key, FL for a week - beach trip
Labor Day weekend, 5 nights, at Old Key West with the kids
Coconut Plantation for 4 nights
One week oceanfront at Ft Myers Beach with mother in law - boy I'm nice to her!
Grand Floridian for 5 nights for Food and Wine Festival with our daughter and mother in law
That is our schedule for 6 months

Best Wishes for happy, healthy and fun vacationing!!

TIMESHARES ROCK!!!!

 

[PapaCharles]

Thanks for the update

 

[elaine amj]

Loved your update!

 

[sanibel93]

Like the update. Thanks!