Retired spending winter at DVC

[OKW91]

We are retired and have just purchased more OKW points, enough to spend 5 or 6 weeks in a one bedroom, longer if we stay in a studio. We are planning on spending a good part of the winter months at the resort. I was just wondering if there are any other members that do this and how long do you stay? Do you stay for 5 days and save the weekend points? Do you go the studio route? or do you get a one bedroom? We have been thinking about alternating between the two units, this will give us more time at the resort.

 

[travelbug]

OK, I'm hugely jealous. That sounds absolutely wonderful - really the perfect retirement getaway. Enjoy your days at OKW!

By the way, in your shoes I would probably split the time between a studio and a 1 BR in order to stretch the stay out longer. Studio first, I think.

 

[PamOKW]

Great plan! I've heard of folks spending a lot of time down there in the winter. One thing I've considered in this daydream, is to spend some time down in Vero as well. The OV Inn room saves points and can't be beat.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Not to wish our life away. But 8 years and counting until we join you (but at the BWV). I like the 1BR better but if you need to savea few points to make it work, switch to the studio for some of the time. For that length of time, a little space can be nice though.

HBC

 

[dvc_john]

I like the way you think.
I retired 2 years ago, and now spend about 8 to 10 weeks in Florida in the winter. I spend maybe 4 to 5 weeks at DVC, and supplement with other timeshares I own, or II getaway weeks.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I have three weeks all set up so far AT OKW for Jan 05 , a one bedroom 2 weeks and a two bedroom for one week, not staying on weekends, one weekend at Hilton, the other at place near the Hilton that has suites forgot the name(senior Moment), after that I don't where we will stay in Florida, but plan on going to New Orleans and San Anatonio for a couple weeks, probably come back to Florida for some more fun in the sun and head back the end of Feb-both will be retired so we are in no hurry to get back to CT in the winter.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Not there yet, but when we retire, your plan is close to ours. On room size: I'd start out with a studio for a week or two - while the novelty and excitement are still flowing. Then move to a 1BR, and enjoy the space.

Please, let us know how it all works out - keep us jealous for a while!

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
-both will be retired so we are in no hurry to get back to CT in the winter.

Oh come now....it was so lovely this past winter. I'll be with you in spirit!

 

[DVC Grandpa]

We will spend 26 days at BCV starting mid January. It will be our longest stay. Intend on getting the count down clock starting soon. Might go down for a few days in September but that will have to be without points.

 

[RLevy29]

We bought more points with this whole retirement idea in mind. We plan to use our points in the winter months for HHI. We want to stay at HH during the week and then take trips on the weekend to other places like Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Jekyll Island. We would probably finish up with a trip to WDW before we return back to South Jersey. This is 8 years away but it is fun to plan!

 

[ILPHIL]

And I thought we were the only ones that had that plan in the back of our minds...

 

[lat]

that is our or more of my dream when we retire. many more years to go though.

We are in the process of closing on a house and have a little cash crunch. I looked at my DVC points and even talked to the Timeshare Store to find out what price I can sell some of them at. But it is just so hard for me to part from them for this exact reason. Once I sell them, I am not sure if I can buy them back at these prices. I think I will have to sell some and rent out some to help the cash flow.

We even checked out Celebration during this past trip. But no place around Disney is better than being on-site in my mind. DH thinks I am such a Disney snob, so be it!!!

 

[GoofyDisney]

We were there this past January, and met so many people who do this! They can stay a while at Disney, their kids would come to visit in shifts, so everyone is happy. It sounds like the best idea to me! Better than keeping a home here and there and having to worry aout all the stuff that comes with two homes! It our goal one day!

Hi lat!!!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

If you have the funds you could stretch your trip with cash weekends here and there and skip the moving part.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Yes, that is a ggod idea, will do it next time, but I had some points coming that I could use at the Hilton. The Hilton Honors program gives you points for stays at their hotels so we are staying free one week end. Also it is kind of fun to try different places to stay at, we are not big about the parks anymore, so off site you can find some great places to stay also.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You guys are talking about my dream! I want to be able to spend most of January and February at OKW! It'll never happen though!

 

[leanne2255]

What a great idea to spend that much time at DVC. We are about 12-15 years away from retirement, but that will give us enough time to purchase the points we need to spend a month or so at DVC.

 

[jbthi]

We spent 40 days in the area last year. A little over half was spent in a DVC resort, all in studios. Rest of the time was in other timeshares we traded for. One was at a 3 BR HGVC at SeaWorld which was great. But do you know what? We had much more fun at our little studio at BCV and BWV.

June

 

[OKW91]

Thanks for all the reponses! I never realized that there are so many who want to or do spend a good part of the winter at DVC! I am glad to see that others are thinking the same, makes me feel like I know what I am doing! Thanks again!!

 

[RuthnPaul]

OKW91,

This is something my husband and I never thought about doing until reading your post and all the responses -- it makes us want to go out and buy more points right now to be able to do something like this 10-12 years down the road!

Should we thank you or curse you (just kidding!!)??

RuthnPaul