please help me decide on DVC purchase

[Girlstar30]

We do because we are point poor

We usually fly in late night after school and use a Marriott or IHG FNC for the night and then switch to DVC the next morning.

Yes it is time consuming though although our name is always on the board with Hertz so that helps a little.
We generally drive to the parks or Minnie Van to MK to cut down on waiting.

Define point poor I consider it below 200

 

[Girlstar30]

The challenge of buying DVC is trying to predict individual preferences. What I thought we’d choose to book changed after experiencing more resorts/seasons. Plus our own family habits evolved over time. Something that could work well in a variety of ways might be just as good a choice as ‘perfect’, since our perfect choice may change over time.

We happened to luck out on buying direct. Our plan was to stick with resale only. After buying a smaller BWV resale we became interested in adding on a longer resale contract in the MK area. That put us spending well over $20k for 150pts. At that point a good round of direct incentives is major competition.

In hindsight I’m so glad it turned out that way because within the first 3 years direct has been useful well beyond our expectations. If you’re in it for the long haul that gives plenty of opportunity for making direct a worthwhile choice. Now that we’ve bought APs 2 years, attended moonlight magic with another on the horizon, used our 20% merch discount relentlessly lol, visited lounges in WDW and DL, booked restricted rooms, enjoyed wicked winddown a few times, used ticket discounts for JN, DAH and AK safari dining, bought MMB and BOGO OTUP with free Memory Maker, etc… I doubt we’ll ever regret going direct. 38 years to go and it’s nice not watching perks and restricted resorts from the sidelines.

I’m sure we’d have been content sticking with resale. We would’ve managed fine without direct. But being we were already looking into the higher $pp prices of resale, it was going to be a big chunk of change whether we bought resale or direct. How much mileage a family gets from direct varies, so I can’t say it’s the best value for everyone. It’s worth consideration though. Resale is not necessarily the best value for everyone either. The blogs all make it seem that way lol.

When the time comes I intend to use every single one of these perks including the Member Cruise, thats how I know it will be right for us too

 

[Girlstar30]

If you fly late this is smart. Waiting for a DVC room after a late flight is brutal.

This hasn't happened to us yet but im pretty sure it will and I dont look forward to it!

 

[eticketplease]

Define point poor I consider it below 200

Well I guess I'm lower middle class

 

[Girlstar30]

Most know Im not point poor but I am point shiesty. I almost booked a studio for 13 points but was like nope I am too cheap for that. So we suffered after the red eye. But I have so many other credit card points now that I know about the hotel at the airport and that is it decent any future red eyes or late flights I will be using my CC points to book there. Those points mean much less to me than my DVC points

I am point happy Run it up til the OTUP come up lol

 

[VGCgroupie]

Haha the only reason were doing it is because we're staying a long time again and we want to try some beaches, Kennedy space center, gatorland, and my wife wants to go to that big blue disney store she always sees, Idk why but that was her request

I still can’t believe Gatorland is still open. I went as a kid and vividly remember my mom forcing me to hold a baby alligator.

 

[Girlstar30]

Well I guess I'm lower middle class

I suppose im points borderline upper middle class just like in real life to match lol

 

[Girlstar30]

I still can’t believe Gatorland is still open. I went as a kid and vividly remember my mom forcing me to hold a baby alligator.

I feel like its one of those i must be check off once in Florida list. Im still mad the Bible theme park closed before I got to go

Next on the list for another trip would be discovery cove, margaritaville day pass and sea world

 

[Girlstar30]

I can be cheap in some ways like the car care center is too expensive for my taste, I will be hauling it back to MCO since we're not renting it for the whole time. I was wondering what is IHG?

 

[eticketplease]

I can be cheap in some ways like the car care center is too expensive for my taste, I will be hauling it back to MCO since we're not renting it for the whole time. I was wondering what is IHG?

Intercontinental Hotel Group it is mostly Holiday Inns and Holiday Inn Express in the US. I try and use my FNC at Kimptons but none near Disney.

 

[MLS82]

So….. buy VGF and BCV and split stay?

That would be my dream stay!! I love split stays, and my husband is fussy about them. He will put up with one hotel change. Do you like the VGF studios or Resort rooms?

 

[PolyRob]

Do you rent cars often? We used to be rent a car people and anti uber. But nowadays getting to the rental car garage is just so time consuming and it just feels so draining at the start of our vacation that we don't do it anymore unless we have a need for car outside of the main vacation like at Aulani.

With the loss of Magical Express it's an easy decision for me. Parking for DVC resorts is free. The work rate I get for rentals is a wash compared to a service or Mears back and forth. I don't trust rideshare, especially in Orlando. I've had horrible experiences over the years and exclusively used Minnie Vans after that. The price of Minnie Vans has gone up significantly. A rental car provides so much freedom in the WDW bubble. You can dine at any resort and not wonder how you will get back. Disney Springs isn't a nightmare from the MK resort area. You can pickup groceries on your way to the resort, etc.

I would only use a company that allows you to skip the desk. I could never wait in those lines. Amex gives you automatic Hertz President's Circle and National Executive status on Platinum cards and it's easy to match with other companies.

 

[Girlstar30]

With the loss of Magical Express it's an easy decision for me. Parking for DVC resorts is free. The work rate I get for rentals is a wash compared to a service or Mears back and forth. I don't trust rideshare, especially in Orlando. I've had horrible experiences over the years and exclusively used Minnie Vans after that. The price of Minnie Vans has gone up significantly. A rental car provides so much freedom in the WDW bubble. You can dine at any resort and not wonder how you will get back. Disney Springs isn't a nightmare from the MK resort area. You can pickup groceries on your way to the resort, etc.

I would only use a company that allows you to skip the desk. I could never wait in those lines. Amex gives you automatic Hertz President's Circle and National Executive status on Platinum cards and it's easy to match with other companies.

I was surprised that just about every Uber driver we had was from a different country and didnt know English. It was a good thing we know Spanish, that helped with some communication. Wasn't expecting that for Florida

One of the drivers was freaking out when we went to Portofino because apparently his GPS told him we were staying at Hard Rock (We did not put that) and he was saying that if he doesnt drop us off there then Uber can call the police. I was like umm maybe a passenger called the police on you, it was very bizarre, glad we made it

I agree that DS is a nightmare for transferring to resorts and ill never go from there again, id rather call Uber or use the rental car. Is parking free for DVC at the theme parks? Im assuming not in DS? What if you eat there?

Another Uber driver demanded we pay him $100 in cash for XXL because we ordered an XL and he thought we had too much stuff. Ridiculous because it all fit and there's just two of us. So yeah Uber def does have its issues. I wont go by myself as I had a seperate incident not in FL that was really scary.

We had a positive experience from Alamo at MCO thru Costco so I will always book there, they just made it so easy, no bs or pushing things on you and great price thru Costco.

 

[eticketplease]

I was surprised that just about every Uber driver we had was from a different country and didnt know English. It was a good thing we know Spanish, that helped with some communication. Wasn't expecting that for Florida

One of the drivers was freaking out when we went to Portofino because apparently his GPS told him we were staying at Hard Rock (We did not put that) and he was saying that if he doesnt drop us off there then Uber can call the police. I was like umm maybe a passenger called the police on you, it was very bizarre, glad we made it

I agree that DS is a nightmare for transferring to resorts and ill never go from there again, id rather call Uber or use the rental car. Is parking free for DVC at the theme parks? Im assuming not in DS? What if you eat there?

Another Uber driver demanded we pay him $100 in cash for XXL because we ordered an XL and he thought we had too much stuff. Ridiculous because it all fit and there's just two of us. So yeah Uber def does have its issues. I wont go by myself as I had a seperate incident not in FL that was really scary.

We had a positive experience from Alamo at MCO thru Costco so I will always book there, they just made it so easy, no bs or pushing things on you and great price thru Costco.

If you are staying anywhere on property the theme park parking is free.

DS is free regardless. We stopped and had lunch on our way back from VB before going to the airport

 

[PolyRob]

I was surprised that just about every Uber driver we had was from a different country and didnt know English. It was a good thing we know Spanish, that helped with some communication. Wasn't expecting that for Florida

One of the drivers was freaking out when we went to Portofino because apparently his GPS told him we were staying at Hard Rock (We did not put that) and he was saying that if he doesnt drop us off there then Uber can call the police. I was like umm maybe a passenger called the police on you, it was very bizarre, glad we made it

I agree that DS is a nightmare for transferring to resorts and ill never go from there again, id rather call Uber or use the rental car. Is parking free for DVC at the theme parks? Im assuming not in DS? What if you eat there?

Another Uber driver demanded we pay him $100 in cash for XXL because we ordered an XL and he thought we had too much stuff. Ridiculous because it all fit and there's just two of us. So yeah Uber def does have its issues. I wont go by myself as I had a seperate incident not in FL that was really scary.

We had a positive experience from Alamo at MCO thru Costco so I will always book there, they just made it so easy, no bs or pushing things on you and great price thru Costco.

Yes! It wasn't even a language barrier with my experiences. They just have no idea how WDW is laid out. I can't tell you the number of times they were angry at me waiting at YC Convention Center when I was at YC. One time I had to navigate my driver back from DS to Poly for an 'Ohana ADR while checking into a SW flight. I also remember her telling me she lets children sit on the laps of adults because it's easier for them. No car seats needed. I am pretty sure I almost died one night I had someone make an illegal left in the MK area to enter the Car Care Center because he was lost. Never again!

All DVC resorts have free parking for members staying on points, even when WDW started charging for parking at resorts (2017 - 2023). WDW owned and operated resorts also provide free parking. Any WDW-resort guest gets free parking at the theme parks. Disney Springs parking is free for everyone.

Swan and Dolphin is not WDW owned and operated and there is a parking fee if you stay there. If you're dining at Swan and Dolphin you can get your parking validated at the restaurant.

 

[Girlstar30]

If you are staying anywhere on property the theme park parking is free.

DS is free regardless. We stopped and had lunch on our way back from VB before going to the airport

Dang very different from California!

 

[eticketplease]

Dang very different from California!

Yup only free parking is if staying on points I believe.

 

[Girlstar30]

Yes! It wasn't even a language barrier with my experiences. They just have no idea how WDW is laid out. I can't tell you the number of times they were angry at me waiting at YC Convention Center when I was at YC. One time I had to navigate my driver back from DS to Poly for an 'Ohana ADR while checking into a SW flight. I also remember her telling me she lets children sit on the laps of adults because it's easier for them. No car seats needed. I am pretty sure I almost died one night I had someone make an illegal left in the MK area to enter the Car Care Center because he was lost. Never again!

All DVC resorts have free parking for members staying on points, even when WDW started charging for parking at resorts (2017 - 2023). WDW owned and operated resorts also provide free parking. Any WDW-resort guest gets free parking at the theme parks. Disney Springs parking is free for everyone.

Swan and Dolphin is not WDW owned and operated and there is a parking fee if you stay there. If you're dining at Swan and Dolphin you can get your parking validated at the restaurant.

I have so many horror stories, its a wonder i still use it. Some Im pretty sure i could have died too. I think ill give lyft a try in Fl I know many drivers use both tho.

The free parking situation is awesome. I think we will be driving everywhere this time!

 

[eticketplease]

I have so many horror stories, its a wonder i still use it. Some Im pretty sure i could have died too. I think ill give lyft a try in Fl I know many drivers use both tho.

The free parking situation is awesome. I think we will be driving everywhere this time!

Just remember if driving to MK means parking at TTC so it is best to bus, boat, monorail or MinnieVan there

 

[PolyRob]

I have so many horror stories, its a wonder i still use it. Some Im pretty sure i could have died too. I think ill give lyft a try in Fl I know many drivers use both tho.

The free parking situation is awesome. I think we will be driving everywhere this time!

Yes! I should note I exclusively used Lyft and those were my experiences

Just remember if driving to MK means parking at TTC so it is best to bus, boat, monorail or MinnieVan there

This is why staying at a walkable MK resort is great. Easy access to MK and drive everywhere else