Question on vacation habits as DVC members

[rheffelf]

I have been mulling over a DVC purchase. Assuming with being a DVC member that someone has gone to WDW frequently, in what respects have your vacations changed while there at WDW over the years since having DVC? Do you find you spend less time in the parks? Do you venture out to the other parks in Orlando? Are you spending more time in the resorts?

I would imagine that initially one would spend a good amount of time in the parks, but I would imagine that over the numerous trips that one's vacation habits at WDW would possibly change and evolve into something else.

I love Disney and I love just being on property in the midst of things every time I am there, but I am just wondering how people's vacation habits change from the numerous times they are there.

Thanks ahead for everyone's input.

 

[ILuvDVC2]

We still go to the parks, but spend less time in them. We tend to go back to the DVC resorts and hang out by the pool or at the bars/restaurants. We don't feel compelled to be in a park for a whole day like we did when we'd stay off property. It's nice to be able to get to a park early, hit the major attractions, then go relax and maybe come back later in the day or go to a different park.

As for the other Orlando-area attractions, we still haven't been in the eight years we've been members. We keep saying we'll go to Universal, Sea World, etc., but it never happens. Someday...

 

[littlestar]

Now, since being members for over 6 years, we like to pop into the parks for a meal, maybe ride one ride, or shop (annual passes work great for this). So I'm definitely not a park commando anymore. We spend more time relaxing at the resorts now days.

We also like going to offsite restaurants and outlet shopping - not every trip, but we definitely mix our trip types up these days. Sometimes we stay offsite at Marriott Vacation Club and rent a car (besides DVC we also own with Marriott Vacation Club). And some of our trips we stay strictly on Disney property not venturing offsite. We vacation in Orlando at least three times a year (January, March, May, and October). I think more than anything, Disney/Orlando is an escape from snowy icky Indiana weather for us. It is so wonderful to see flowers and sunshine after Indiana's dull gray skies.

 

[donald...really]

For us (married couple, 30's + 40's, no kids) our vacations to WDW are more about being at the resort, taking walks, sitting by the pool, sleeping late, eating in nice restaurants, having a drink in a nice bar, etc. We usually go to a park almost every day, but it is more about walking around, maybe doing a favorite attraction or two, checking out a new ride or show, seeing the fireworks, or having dinner or lunch. We spend no more than two or three hours in the park. It CERTAINLY isn't a get up early and stay in the park all day and see EVERYTHING kind of vacation. We have been members since 1996 and we go about 3 or 4 times a year. It really is like our second home.

 

[moredisneyplease]

Definately more relaxed vacations and way less "commando" style. We'll hit the parks for some highlights and favorite rides but we'll do more recreation type stuff like water skiing, surrey rental, Ft Wilerness campfire sing a long, etc. Since we know we'll be back soon we dont focus on the parks but instead we focus on the things we missed for many years focusing on the parks.

ALSO, another huge thing about DVC vacations: WAY better resorts with fabulous rooms! In the past I stayed in regular hotel rooms (Contemporary, POR, POP, FTW cabins) and those resorts just dont compare to the DVC resorts. I love having at least a one bedroom so that the kids can have their own space, having a full kitchen and washer and dryer make it more rlike home!

 

[rheffelf]

Room acommodations is one of the reasons I am considering DVC. I have DS 4, DS 2, and DD to be named later (my wife keeps bugging me about that)

The one hotel room we get keeps shrinking in size for some reason

 

[Mamiamjo]

I have found that I need to be planning more in advance. You have to manage your points and plan for banking, borrowing, utilizing your 11 month window for ressies etc.
I'm already trying to plan for '09-'11 and we haven't even taken our '08 trip yet
I have a preliminary outline of when i want to go to WDW over the next 3 years, what size unit I'll want,how many points it will take, what I'll have to bank or borrow etc.

 

[gmboy95]

I have been mulling over a DVC purchase. Assuming with being a DVC member that someone has gone to WDW frequently, in what respects have your vacations changed while there at WDW over the years since having DVC? Do you find you spend less time in the parks? Do you venture out to the other parks in Orlando? Are you spending more time in the resorts?

I would imagine that initially one would spend a good amount of time in the parks, but I would imagine that over the numerous trips that one's vacation habits at WDW would possibly change and evolve into something else.

I love Disney and I love just being on property in the midst of things every time I am there, but I am just wondering how people's vacation habits change from the numerous times they are there.

Thanks ahead for everyone's input.

I believe your habits definetly change....First and foremost, you are not in a hurry to see everything. you are willing to relax alot more, because if you dont get to it now, you will next time.

We also have sampled the "outside world", but we still spend the majority of our time on property.

We definetly spend more quality time at the pool....We love storm along bay!!!!!!!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

We have not had our first visit home as yet, but I think our vacations will change completely. We have never stayed on site before. Some vacations, we never ventured to the parks and on others we had two or three days. We however spent some time almost every day at Seaworld. We don't drive so getting to Disney often seemed like to much trouble. I love the big four, my DH not really. However, he loves the waterparks. We have started making plans on what we want to do during our September vacation. Things that are planned are a day swimming at the pool and observing the animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge (where we will spend the first three nights) and doing the Segway Tour at Fort Wilderness. DH is planning to get an annual pass for the waterparks that he loves. I intend to do the Treasure Hunt at MK, Dolphin in Depth at Epcot and MNSSHP. Both of us are hoping to do some pool/resort hopping. I will either get an annual pass with DVC discount or a 14 day Ultimate Ticket that is sold in the UK and I intend to go to a park for the Extra Magic Hour in the morning and leave once the park gets busy and then maybe go back to which ever park has the evening Extra Magic Hours.

dolphingirl47

 

[DVC Mike]

This question gets asked a lot, and there are a few other threads where this is discussed. The general consensus is that your visits to WDW do change when you become DVC members.

Your trips are less of a commando-style agressive touring of the attractions at the parks to a more laid-back style. We spend more time at the resort, and just spend a few hours at the parks taking in some attractions we haven't done in a while. I much prefer the DVC style of vacationing!

 

[SSRFred]

I have been mulling over a DVC purchase. Assuming with being a DVC member that someone has gone to WDW frequently, in what respects have your vacations changed while there at WDW over the years since having DVC? Do you find you spend less time in the parks? Do you venture out to the other parks in Orlando? Are you spending more time in the resorts?

I would imagine that initially one would spend a good amount of time in the parks, but I would imagine that over the numerous trips that one's vacation habits at WDW would possibly change and evolve into something else.

I love Disney and I love just being on property in the midst of things every time I am there, but I am just wondering how people's vacation habits change from the numerous times they are there.

Thanks ahead for everyone's input.

Judging by your signature(frequency of visits), you've made most of the adjustments already in terms of time outside the room.
I feel the biggest change comes in the form of time spent in the room and on the villa property. You'll find yourself stocking the cupboard with your favorite wine , sleeping late as a result and not worrying about housekeeping kicking you out of the room . A door between you and the kids is priceless during sleeping times. The list goes on and on. I suppose what I am writing is that you will view your room more as an apartment/home to live in rather than a hotel to live out of.

 

[crisi]

Its hard to say because when we bought DVC we had several variables change.

Prior to DVC I'd been an "every four or five years" Disney guest. My husband had been once, on our honeymoon. Four years later we took our next trip (approximately on my schedule) and this time had two kids - toddlers. We stayed CRO, but kids change Disney alot!

After that trip we decided to buy DVC. Disney was an easy vacation we both enjoyed with children, and the timeshare enforced regular vacations (my husband has a fairly demanding job). So that is change one we could credit to DVC - but we might take regular vacations without it, who knows.

We've never stayed in a studio - the advantage to DVC with kids is having the kids sleep in a seperate room. This we can definately credit to DVC - a more harmonious vacation for the whole family where there is a nookie opportunity (or two) for mom and dad.

As to commmando touring, we do spend a few hours in the pool almost every afternoon, and don't need to see EVERYTHING every trip. But that in itself may have to do with having kids (so we skip some stuff that isn't age appropriate or too BORING - haven't made them sit through Hall of Presidents yet). Or that may have to do with going more often - which we might have done without DVC, but probably not.

Also, most of our prior trips had been on a fairly tight budget. Our household income changed pretty significantly about the time we bought DVC, so the amount and quality of dining has changed - that probably doesn't have anything to do with DVC - although the fact that we go to the Flying Fish a lot has to do with owning at BWV.

We still get up to be at the parks at opening. We still plan our days around getting stuff done. We haven't made it offsite yet, but don't feel an urgent need to.

 

[culli]

Its hard to say because when we bought DVC we had several variables change.

Prior to DVC I'd been an "every four or five years" Disney guest. My husband had been once, on our honeymoon. Four years later we took our next trip (approximately on my schedule) and this time had two kids - toddlers. We stayed CRO, but kids change Disney alot!

After that trip we decided to buy DVC. Disney was an easy vacation we both enjoyed with children, and the timeshare enforced regular vacations (my husband has a fairly demanding job). So that is change one we could credit to DVC - but we might take regular vacations without it, who knows.

We've never stayed in a studio - the advantage to DVC with kids is having the kids sleep in a seperate room. This we can definately credit to DVC - a more harmonious vacation for the whole family where there is a nookie opportunity (or two) for mom and dad.

As to commmando touring, we do spend a few hours in the pool almost every afternoon, and don't need to see EVERYTHING every trip. But that in itself may have to do with having kids (so we skip some stuff that isn't age appropriate or too BORING - haven't made them sit through Hall of Presidents yet). Or that may have to do with going more often - which we might have done without DVC, but probably not.

Also, most of our prior trips had been on a fairly tight budget. Our household income changed pretty significantly about the time we bought DVC, so the amount and quality of dining has changed - that probably doesn't have anything to do with DVC - although the fact that we go to the Flying Fish a lot has to do with owning at BWV.

We still get up to be at the parks at opening. We still plan our days around getting stuff done. We haven't made it offsite yet, but don't feel an urgent need to.

WOW great summary - we bought for almost the exact reason. We have a 5,2 and 1 year old and went in Nov. We found we didn't take vacations because of the job situation and this is forcing me to find time in advance - put it on the calendar and pay for airfare makes it hard to back out! Already have 2 vacations planned for 2008 and already feel more relaxed about the whole thing, our Nov trip was fun but very commando style and wore us out. We have plans to do lots of hanging out at the resort and relaxing. Just the feeling that we don't have to see everything brings the stress factor down significantly.

 

[Starr W.]

I have found that I need to be planning more in advance. You have to manage your points and plan for banking, borrowing, utilizing your 11 month window for ressies etc.
I'm already trying to plan for '09-'11 and we haven't even taken our '08 trip yet
I have a preliminary outline of when i want to go to WDW over the next 3 years, what size unit I'll want,how many points it will take, what I'll have to bank or borrow etc.

Sounds like me! We have DVC and a Starwood week so I we are into planning well into 2009. My calendar is marked with days to call MS to book rooms. And Kayak is a regular daily stop to check airfares.

Like Littlestar, DVC is our get away from Ohio spot. We go to the parks, maybe eat lunch then head back to the resort to swim, then go back in the evening(usually a different park) to eat, hit some rides and watch whatever night time entertainment. We usually go in November, January and sometimes in May or maybe June. VB is now the official Spring Break trip, voted on by all my boys(DH included).

We love have the extra room and the W/D, as it allows me to pack less. I don't mind running a couple of loads of laundry if I don't have to wait for checked bags at DTW when we return. I have an 11 and 6 yr old DS's.

 

[Maelstrom_]

Soemthing that's changed for us is that we don't go weekends anymore. We used to take 1 long trip every year...10 or 11 days. But now that we have DVC we go more often, bu we try to arrive on Sunday and leave on Friday to avoid the big weekend cost of points.

 

[gracelrm]

After we had our third child in 2000, we decided the room situation warranted a DVC purchase in 2001. We average going to WDW once a year and to be honest, we still spend a lot of time in the parks. Our touring style has always been to hit the parks early, leave around noon or so, nap and swim in the afternoon, then visit a park in the evening and stay fairly late. That was our style before DVC and is still how we do it. However, we get a little more relaxed with each trip. We do enjoy getting in the parks early, because you can get so much done in a few hours, so we still do that most mornings. However, we tend to go back to the room for lunch and extend our afternoon pool/nap time. I think one reason we've continued to spend a lot of time in the parks is because I want my youngest DS to have all the same experiences his older siblings had. DH will say "let's skip the parade, we've seen it dozens of times", but I know that DS still loves them and he doesn't always remember everything like the older ones do. Also, he is really small for his age and has not ridden as many rides because of height restrictions - so even though everyone else is fine with skipping a ride, I want him to ride it. So, I guess it all just depends upon the family/couple situation. I think if we went more than once a year, we'd probably alter the touring style, but until DS is a little older, I think we'll continue to spend more time in the parks. Now DD who is almost 15 is another story! She doesn't want to wake up to do anything. She'd spend the entire week in bed if we'd let her

 

[eporter66]

We have been members since Nov 2003, and our first DVC vacation was May of 2004.

1. We have gone to WDW more frequently than I think we would have otherwise. We bought 150 pts, and figured we could bank and go every other year - but we have been going at least once a year, and sometimes 2x.

2. We still spend a lot of time in the parks, but we find that since we have been to the parks a lot, we do take things slower, and spend at least one day just relaxing at the pool/resort. I think this has actually increased the enjoyment of our time in the parks. Being down fairly often, we take things slower, we are not rushing around to get on every ride. And some rides (Soarin, Mission Space, Space / Splash Mountain, Everest, the list goes on) never lose the fun. We love doing them as often as possible.

3. We are going to do Sea World for a day this coming October. All our vacations to this point have been all Disney. There are so many restaurants and other activities that we have not been compelled to try other things.

4. We love WDW, and I cant see getting tired of it anytime soon. I love golf, which in itself could be a vacation at WDW.

5. We may travel less as our daughter gets older, so we figured we could get the bigger rooms 2 Bedroom, and go every other year once it gets hard to take her out of school.

I will say this much, if anything, DVC has been a positive. Believe me, if I could afford it, I would be down there more often and own more points. We have been very satisfied with DVC - and it has made us even bigger WDW fans

 

[tomandrobin]

This we can definately credit to DVC - a more harmonious vacation for the whole family where there is a nookie opportunity (or two) for mom and dad.

Is this just a DVC perk, or can AP holders get it also?

I can't seem to find that benefit listed any in my planner or the Disney website.

 

[DVC Jen]

For us it has made our trips even better. We know we are going back. We never "go commando".

It has also taken some financial worry off of us. We know we don't have to save up large sums of money to get the type of resort we want to stay in.

Having the kichenette/kitchen is also so nice for those quick meals - breakfast or lunches.

One of my favorite things to do is grab a book and sit in the iron spike room and just relax.

We are still only able to go one time a year (older kids in school) - but that is OK for us. I do have to say - we look forward to that trip from the day we get home from our most recent stay until we leave for our next.

With the exception of our home and adding on our pool/landscaping in the backyard (making an outdoor room almost) - DVC has been the BEST large expense we have ever taken on. It has more than paid for itself in just a few years. Not one regret.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Our plans have changed in that we don't feel we have to do every park and every ride because we know we'll be coming back soon. DW and I have been discussing this and for our next trip when it is just the two of us (probably May 2010), we're going to do a very, very relaxed trip with less WDW parks. We both want to go to Sea World plus the Space Center. Also we want some time just relaxing around the resort (hopefully AKV Kidani).