Question for those who stay a few weeks at a time...

[jennypenny]

We have a few hundred points now. Our plan was to spend 6-8 weeks every winter at WDW after DH retired. We're starting to question that decision. For those of you that have done it, how do you like it? Pros and cons?

Condos in florida are so cheap right now (even in Celebration) that we've looked at buying someplace and selling our points. I know the difference between paying Disney to care for the properties in our absense, and being responsible for our own condo. I'm curious about the travel aspect--do you like to stay that long? Do you like it as much as you thought?

We're seriously considering selling our points, but it would be a major shift in our retirement thinking. I guess we're starting to think about traveling other places as well (went to Alaska on the Wonder in June and it was fabulous).

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

We are struggling with the same decision...Our 'someday' is HERE.

Interested to hear what others have to say.

 

[jekjones1558]

We are retired and, as Minnesota residents, like to get away in the winter. We have 1150 points, so could stay for quite a while at DVC in the winter. That was our original plan but we find that we like spreading out our visits, going 3 or 4 times a year and usually bringing friends or family. Sometimes we even splurge on a big family trip (like this year when we are using more than one year's points for a single week-long family trip). We considered buying a Florida condo but just do not want the hassles and expense of another home. So we rent places when we travel outside WDW. We like the freedom it gives us to go wherever we want rather than being tied to one spot. If we owned a Florida condo we would have a hard time justifying our trip to Hawaii last winter or our cruise this coming winter.
Some folks move to Florida and thus only have one residence to maintain but we don't want to do that. Some folks use their Florida condo as a winter residence but are financially able to also own DVC and travel other places. We can't afford that. So owning in MN, owning DVC and renting at other destinations works great for us. Renting condos in Florida is pretty cheap and I would go that route when we age to the point where lots of travel is too tough.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[mellormousee]

I have stayed for 3 weeks and found that it was too long. I couldn't wait to go home. The next trip we stayed for 2 weeks, still too long. I find that between 10-12 days is the perfect length to stay. I can't imagine being there for 6-8 weeks straight. Just my opinion.

 

[kylmac]

We are in our mid 40's and have discussed this as well. We live in Northern VA and have thought about a place in VA Beach for long weekends and summer months (I am a teacher assistant) but still keep coming back to adding points to Disney and taking either more family members with us and trying different places like Hilton Head and Vero Beach properties. My parents have a house on St. Simons Island GA so we can get to Disney within 3-4 hours when we are there. We always think how fun it would be to get a 1 bedroom at SSR and just veg for a month in January (upon retiring). I am very interested in what others are saying so please keep the responses coming-good luck in your decision. We love Disney so I doubt we will sell our points unless we have to. Our Disney vacations are our favorites!
Elizabeth

 

[jennypenny]

The longest we've stayed is 2 weeks and I didn't feel the need to go home at all. And I have a feeling if it was mid-january and there was 2 feet of snow on the ground (like the last 2 januarys) I would think about it even less.

We've always talked about just hanging out in epcot, sitting at the outdoor tables by the Fish and Chips place, and reading a book. Maybe we'd venture over to Canada to hear Off Kilter, or take the bus to DTD and listen to the band at Raglan Road. We currently pay our dues and buy APs, so the only added expenses would be some food bills and a very large bar tab

Maybe we'd go from mid-january to the end of february, and then again mid-october to mid-november to enjoy the food and wine festival. (I sense a theme here )

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

I have stayed for 3 weeks and found that it was too long. I couldn't wait to go home. The next trip we stayed for 2 weeks, still too long. I find that between 10-12 days is the perfect length to stay. I can't imagine being there for 6-8 weeks straight. Just my opinion.

I've stayed for 2 wks & couldn't bear the thought of going home!! For me, it's the 50 wks in NJ that are killin' me

Honestly, I feel very 'at home' at WDW! I do wonder, though, how long they'd allow me to sit on a bench & read in the parks...but I could sit there for HOURS & be very content

 

[bobbiwoz]

Our DS/DDiL (and 3 wonderful DGC) recently moved to FL and even have an apartment in their house over their garage, and have offered it to us. We'll do that a little bit, but mostly DH and I would prefer to offer weekends in January for them to join us at Disney World.

I think the bonus of that move for us, will be the fact that they could possibly keep our DDog with them.

I think DH and I will be happy spending 4 weeks in WDW, and 2 weeks in VB in the winter, with visits to and from the family during that time.

We'll see.

Bobbi

 

[DVCconvert]

I'm closing in on 2000 points - with exactly this in mind. We can afford to buy a house in FL and have even looked at a few, but it's the upkeep aspects, and the fact that we'd never be there in the warm months that keeps bringing us back to 'snowbirding' in DVC resorts. We've stayed a month before, and we're always sorry to leave.

 

[dvc_john]

I usually stay 10 to 12 weeks in the winter. Have done this for 9 years now, and have not gotten tired of it yet. I usually stay at maybe 5 or so DVC resorts, a couple of Hilton timeshares, and a couple of Marriott timeshares. That way, I never get tired of staying at the same place the whole time, and have the best of staying onsite, and the best of staying offsite.

 

[jennypenny]

I usually stay 10 to 12 weeks in the winter. Have done this for 9 years now, and have not gotten tired of it yet. I usually stay at maybe 5 or so DVC resorts, a couple of Hilton timeshares, and a couple of Marriott timeshares. That way, I never get tired of staying at the same place the whole time, and have the best of staying onsite, and the best of staying offsite.

Wow. I don't know if I could move that much. I could see splitting BCV and SSR. Or maybe some WDW and some VB, but I couldn't move more than a couple of times.

How hard is it to coordinate all of those timeshares? We've looked at Marriotts.

 

[rhonimouse]

I am curious for those of you that do snow bird using DVC, what types of room do you get? For the feel of "home" I would think a 1 bedroom would be most popular? What is the estimated number of points that this requires? I dream of doing this with hubby once we grow older and retire(that is if I can't get him to move to FLA sooner ) maybe Jan. and Feb. so we can still spend holidays with family before going to FLA.

thanks!

 

[jennypenny]

When we looked it was 800-1000 for a studio and about double for a one bedroom.

I'd like a 1bd for the laundry. DH would like it for the kitchen and the king bed (he's very tall).

 

[Pams]

Hi,
As well as DVC we own a timeshare that trades with Interval international. January is a bit of a quiet time in Orlando and we can often get cash getaways for $400 for the week in beautiful one or two bedroom villa maybe 10 miles from Disney. Once you have been to disney for weeks and weeks we don't feel the need to sleep onsite so often and getting out of the cold if the important thing.

 

[DVCconvert]

What is the estimated number of points that this requires?

Here's the point costs for snow birding in 2012.

Dates of stay: 01/05/12 - 04/05/12
All room point costs are for a 1 bedroom - with view catagory noted.

AKV - Kidani - Savanna ..................3261
AKL - Jambo - Value.......................2234

BLT - Standard................................3193

BWV - Standard...............................2624

BCV................................................3241

SSR................................................2923

OKW..............................................2626

VB.................................................3471

HHI................................................1893

WLV...............................................3270

VDGC.............................................4071

Aulani - Island Garden......................3781

 

[Starshine]

We've always talked about just hanging out in epcot, sitting at the outdoor tables by the Fish and Chips place, and reading a book. Maybe we'd venture over to Canada to hear Off Kilter, or take the bus to DTD and listen to the band at Raglan Road. We currently pay our dues and buy APs, so the only added expenses would be some food bills and a very large bar tab

Are you sure you're not us?

DH and I dream about the exact same thing. And the one reason that we talked about a condo in Celebration instead is that the bar tabs are a WHOLE lot cheaper over there.

 

[thepops]

We are in our mid 40's and have discussed this as well. We live in Northern VA and have thought about a place in VA Beach for long weekends and summer months (I am a teacher assistant)

Just wanted to say HI! Sterling Park neighbor. WE love Disney as well and hopefully will be adding on more points so we can stay longer.

 

[jennypenny]

Are you sure you're not us?

Great minds Starshine, great minds...

 

[Carl'n'Ellie'sDad]

Let's take DVCConvert's numbers and multiply them by a very conservative (bargain) resale price...
Dates of stay: 01/05/12 - 04/05/12
All room point costs are for a 1 bedroom - with view catagory noted.

AKV - Kidani - Savanna ..................3261*60 ~ 196000
AKL - Jambo - Value.......................2234*60 ~ 134000
BLT - Standard................................3193 * 90 ~ 288000 (!)

BWV - Standard...............................2624*60 ~ 158000

BCV................................................3241*75 ~ 243000

SSR................................................2923*50 ~ 146000

OKW..............................................2626*50 ~ 131000

VB.................................................3471*40 ~ 139000

HHI................................................1893*50 ~ 95000 (an option under 100K!)

WLV...............................................3270*70 ~ 229000

VDGC.............................................4071*90 ~ 366000

Aulani - Island Garden......................3781*90 ~ 339000

I don't know what roughly $130,000 buys you near the World, (I know It buys my non-vacation home in NE PA ) but I'd think it would be nothing to sneeze at. And you could rent it out for the summer, while using the $15,000 or so in maintenance fees saved to really spruce it up. I know there must be reasons why some folks have over 1,000 points, but at some level, it's not to save a buck versus a deluxe resort. Examining the opportunity cost of holding 2-4K points definitely makes owning a second home look like a much more viable option.

 

[jennypenny]

Part of the appeal of staying on Disney property is not having to drive. I don't want to feel stuck in my townhouse or condo because I don't feel like calling a cab. My inlaws are in their upper 70s. They still go to the world, but they'd never go if they had to drive. You can't even rent a car after 75 so you'd have to buy someplace with a garage and leave a car there or take the auto train (no thanks).

Part of it is not having to fly down to check on the property every time there is a storm. We work and that's not always possible.

Another issue is the long term appeal of the neighborhood. Windsor Hills make look like a good thing now with robust summer rentals, but what if it's run down and unrentable (is that a word?) when we're ready to retire. I'm confident that disney will maintain the quality of the DVC product. I can maintain my house or condo, but I can't do anything about the condition of the neighborhood.

We are still considering Celebration. Or putting aside a fund just for vacation rentals and dumping DVC. DVC is not the best choice financially, but if you end up with a property you don't want, that's a worse financial situation.