Retiring to Disney

[rutgers1]

There was a thread on this on one of the other boards, yet it has appeared to have scrollde into oblivion. Considering so many on this board are already so "invested" in Disney, I was wondering how many of you plan on retiring down to Disney someday.

My master plan (which my wife has already agreed to!) is to try and score a job with DVC when I am old enough to retire, but still young enough to have a good 10 years of great productivity left. If not that, we would like to at least spend our winters in Florida and work at Disney seasonally.

No matter how many points I accumulate, I will never be able to afford enough points to spend the winter. I think that I would rather buy a place at that time. In fact, I was thinking of biting the bullet and purchasing a condo or townhouse now (at least 20 years to go until retirement). Does anyone know of a place where you can buy a condo but have the association or another company rent it out for you? I was recently at a place in the northeast where you could buy a place in a hotel (suites) and the hotel would split the money with you that is generated through rentals. I thought that might be a neat way to pay off the place over the next 20 years - and then it would be all ours upon retirement. Any clue if this would work down in Florida?

 

[disrailfan]

I have DW talked into retiring to Florida. My Goal is to be an official WDW Railroad Engineer. Actually I already have been through the training for engineer as I volunteer at a local Transportation Museum that runs railroad excursions. I can't wait....... 20 Years and counting.

 

[Disney_Villain]

A major factor in our DVC decisions has been our retirement. We now have enough points to stay in Walt Disney World for 6 weeks in the dead of winter every year in our retirement! (We might get more, but that's about all the points we can handle for now in our working years.)

 

[cpdwiz]

Our plan is to do this...Retire to Disney and work....Jessica would be AWESOME at Great Movie Ride..Me? Not sure...Security? Jungle Boat Capt? Haunted Mansion CM.....Who knows....

 

[paulh]

we were told to qualify for CM discounts you only have to do 1 days work a year
Paulh

 

[AKV707]

We have talked about it. It could be fun. But would it diminish the magic?

 

[rutgers1]

6 weeks of points? Dang, you must have a lot. I was playing with the numbers to see if I could stretch out a couple months in a studio, but my wife said that she would kill me if she had to spend that amount of time with me in a studio!

 

[Desnik]

DH and I were just talking about this on our trip at the BWV this past weekend. I could totally see spending months at a time at WDW when DH retires. So, anyone run the numbers? How many points for a 1 bedroom at SSR for the winter months?

I just did some checking and could see how it could be doable points wise especially if you just need a studio. I could be in a studio with DH for a month with no problem. I just couldn't work for WDW. For me I think it would take some of the magic away.

 

[ITGirl50]

We want to retire to WDW and my DH wants to drive a boat. Probably one of those from the Poly to MK. Personally, I don't think those jobs look very fun. A lot of CMs look bored standing around all day.

 

[Disneypirate85]

We too have talked about it. I have 14 years left for early retirement and I'll only be 52 years young. I have considered trying to get a lot somewhere now get it paid off at least then have somewhere to build a little place for the 2 of us 1 bedroom is all we'll need.

 

[jekjones1558]

We are already retired and have considered escaping Minnesota to stay at WDW for Jan. and Feb. We have enough points to be in a 1 bedroom at OKW for about 8 weeks if we arrive on a Sunday in Jan. and leave on a Friday in Feb. Right now medical issues make that impossible, but even without that factor, I think I prefer going multiple times and treating friends/family. Part of the fun for me is planning and anticipating several trips each year with people I love. KWIM?

 

[lisah0711]

We have talked about it. It could be fun. But would it diminish the magic?

As a former DL cast member I can say working there just adds a whole different dimension to the Disney experience. Of course, that was 30 years ago and there wasn't as much "insider" information as there is now, not to mention the internet! My big retirement plans have been dashed with the retirement of the ancient sewing machines that sewed the names on the Mickey Mouse ears -- as long as they were there it was my plan B in case of job crisis!

I have DH convinced that we could try being snowbirds for a few months of the year and return to Idaho for summer. We would definatley need a lot more points than we have but as I get older and want less to maintain a short term rental doesn't sound too bad.

It is a lot of fun to think about the options, especially when a regular day drags you down.

Surely the best day working at Disney would be better than the best day working at just any old job!

 

[SamSam]

Dh and I have a goal of having enough points to spend 2 months in WDW during winter months. Okay, actually October for Wine and Food Fest and then January to avoid the coldest part of our winter. We've crunched numbers a few times and actually think DVC points are better than buying a second home.

 

[moredisneyplease]

I've quite far off from retirement but I think this sounds like something I'd like to do! In the meantime my goal is to be able to spend at least 2 weeks (If not 3 or more) at WDW each summer w/ my boys

 

[KELLY]

We are trying to add enough points to stay in a 1 bedroom for 2 months. Right know we have 2 weeks we have a ways to go. Retirement is another 25 years away for us. So the goal is reachable.

 

[ebenmax]

Our current plan, which seems light years away. . .is to spend much of January in WDW by moving each week to a different resort (have points at SSR, BCV, and VWL) and alternating between studios and 1 BRs. We are thinking that would give us something fresh to do each week and also give us a washer/dryer and more space in our room every other week.

Who knows how it will all turn out, but it's fun to dream.

 

[spiceycat]

won't even consider buying near disney to rent.

some of those places go begging for renters

this is an excellent site
www.vrbo.com

besides would want to stay more than 2 weeks - which is all the IRA says you can stay in a rental.

they also can get expensive fast. my brother rents properties not in Disney (despite me) but in Tallahassee. sometimes renter can destroy property - especially those who are leaving during the night because they can't pay the rent (he fired his estate people over these)- they torn up the kitchen and started on the bathroom - before they left.

now his other problem - no sympathy - these people rented from him for 10 years and had a dog. he started to complaint about having to replace the carpet. a 10 year old carpet would need to be replaced anyway - despite the dog.

make sure you know what you are getting. Also there are more houses in the Disney area than owners - so look around - make sure you are getting the best deal for you. Also be prepared for it not to rent about half the year. (shouldn't be this long - but in Jan, Sept, May)

 

[PamOKW]

The Ginn Reunion resort is a DVC on steroids -- possibly something similar to what you saw in the Northeast. www.reunion.com

It's a great dream you have -- one a lot of us share!

 

[Doc CW]

After I'm done working as a teacher in Montgomery County, MD (I plan to do what my mom does cause her job rocks) I'm going to move to Orlando and I'm going to work at WDW doing whatever they will let me do so hopefully they will hire me, Heres to hoping.

 

[jdes88]

As a former DL cast member I can say working there just adds a whole different dimension to the Disney experience. Of course, that was 30 years ago and there wasn't as much "insider" information as there is now, not to mention the internet! My big retirement plans have been dashed with the retirement of the ancient sewing machines that sewed the names on the Mickey Mouse ears -- as long as they were there it was my plan B in case of job crisis!

Surely the best day working at Disney would be better than the best day working at just any old job!

I can personally vouch that working for disney does NOT diminish the feeling, it improves it. I was a CM there as a college program person and I still get goosebumps everytime I see the Castle. I think I have more of an appreciation for the CM's and how everything runs!